A week had passed quietly since the monster invasion shook the frontier region from Verdant Hollow.
Kaelion Valebright, as the lord of the frontier and recognized as one of the strongest in the Empire, had successfully dispelled that despair.
However, the truth regarding the abysmal monsters was still kept hidden from the public, and only the military knew of its existence, including high-ranking officials in the empire who had already received the information secretly.
The emergence of the abysmal monster was a first in history. Top officials in the Empire focused their efforts, dispatching their agents to gather information.
They were scattered across the land, trying to search for ancient ruins or explore the deepest dungeons, seeking clues about the long-lost ancient civilizations that remained a mystery to this day.
Amidst the commotion in the Empire, somewhere within the frontier city.
In a place where the elite resided. A group of people walked along the deserted road, with tension hanging thick in the air.
Kaelion, Sirius, Nefictos, and Ferinel were led by a beautiful woman with long, straight blonde hair down to her waist.
Her sharp green eyes radiated intelligence and noble authority.
As the atmosphere in the group was heavy, especially with the dark expressions on Sirius, Nefictos, and Ferinel's faces.
Unlike them, Kaelion's heart pounded when he stood directly in front of the iron gate that surrounded a spacious yard and a modest yet big mansion in the center.
His lips curled into a grin, feeling excited because he could finally meet Yuto again and wanted to repay him.
"Kael, this is Mr. Gonzo's house, right?"
The woman in front glanced sideways, looking at Kaelion's gleaming eyes.
"Yes, no doubt about it."
The man nodded, and without warning, reached for the gate, which creaked softly as it opened.
They walked along the cobblestone path. The smell of wet soil and the gentle rustling of swaying grass provided a moment of calm before the storm.
"Excuse me, is anyone home?"
Standing in front of the wooden door, Kaelion knocked several times until there was an answer from inside.
"Yes~."
A cheerful voice accompanied by tiny footsteps pulled open the entrance, and the door burst open, revealing a little girl with tied brown hair.
"Big brother, you finally came..."
The little girl's sparkling eyes slowly dimmed as she faced a group of adults. From behind, hurried footsteps echoed, and a gentle-looking woman appeared.
"Shery, has Yuto arrived...?"
Her gentle expression vanished, replaced by a flat look concealing sharp tension.
The four people next to Kaelion swallowed hard, but not the man himself. He widened his smile and crouched down to match the little girl's eye level.
"Excuse me, is this the place where..."
"Kael, let me take over here."
The blonde-haired woman stepped forward, and she placed a hand on her chest, bowing.
"I apologize for our sudden visit. My name is Veena, first commander of the Imperial mages."
Even upon hearing the woman's title, the two women inside the house did not show any change in expression.
The atmosphere darkened, and bit by bit, the tension rose as the mother pulled her daughter close and turned visibly more hostile.
Kaelion and Veena could feel the aura of hostility piercing their hearts.
This was probably the first time someone dared to show such emotions in front of them.
"Marni, Shery, go inside, I'll handle this."
A calm voice resounded from a man who emerged from behind the mother-daughter duo.
His expression was flat, showing nothing. Following the man's words, both turned and went inside the house.
From that emptiness, Kaelion and Veena felt cold sweat trickling down their foreheads.
Meanwhile, the man approached and raised his hand.
"Please come in, I'll show you the way."
Veena's brows furrowed, realizing that the man she faced was no ordinary person.
Although she was born a noble child and had learned several negotiation skills and how to read opponents' emotions, the person in front of her was on another level.
No wonder the prime minister even called Gonzo the "Silent Profit."
Their group was directed to the living room. Golden light illuminated the spacious place; in the center, four sofas faced each other around a granite table.
The walls were decorated with traditional paintings containing deep history, and several ornamental vases were displayed on cabinets on the right.
"Please have a seat."
"Um, Mr. Gonzo? Where's Yuto? I haven't seen him since we arrived. Is he out?"
After sitting, Kaelion's first question echoed like a cold breath that made the air freeze.
Veena and the other three swallowed hard, glancing at Gonzo, who remained neutral, showing no emotion whatsoever.
She gritted her teeth, not knowing what to do with the man's innocence.
'If it's like this, it's better to get straight to the point. Besides, judging by this family's reaction, it would be fatal to show any sign of dishonesty.'
The woman cleared her throat, causing the eyes in the room to shift to her. Veena glanced at Gonzo, who was sitting alone.
"First of all, we apologize for our sudden arrival. We are here regarding the foolishness of our..."
"Before that!"
Gonzo cut her off; his tone was soft, yet it shook the entire air and shattered all the words Veena had in mind.
The world muted. Everyone except the insensitive Kaelion, who didn't recognize the pressure, tilted his head, looking around his comrade, asking, 'What's wrong with everyone?'
Meanwhile, Veena, sitting close to the man, struggles even to swallow her saliva.
'So this is why this man holds so much influence in the Empire.'
"Can you tell me everything from the start? Because you know, I'm a very curious person."
His tone was light, but Veena could feel an invisible hand slowly coiling around her throat, trying to dig for more information.
Veena's trembled fingers curled into tight fists; blood flowed as her nails accidentally tore the skin of her palm.
But that torture was only the beginning as Gonzo issued his final ultimatum.
"And about Yuto, why are you looking for him?... as in you! The Five Imperial Stars? Tell me everything!"
Veena was crushed under a mountain. Each breath she took was labor, and sweat began to drench her back.
On the edge of breaking, her only option was to hand this over to someone else.
Her eyes looked straight ahead, seeing Kaelion still glancing left and right for a drink.
Their eyes met, and Veena gave a slight nod.
'Please, Kaelion, I leave it to you.'
The reason she chose him over the others was simple.
With Kaelion's sincerity, he might be able to ease the pressure Gonzo exerted and resume their apologies.
Kaelion nodded as he turned to face Gonzo.
"Mr. Gonzo. I am Duke Valebright, and I've come here regarding..."
As he spoke, Veena barely kept her jaw from dropping, seeing how casually Gonzo reacted to one of the Empire's nobles.
Sure, Kaelion was still considerably naive about politics, but his strength and charisma could easily draw others close,
However, it did not affect the merchant.
Veena watched closely for every change in Gonzo's emotions. Later, she realized that it was all a waste of time.
Because his expression didn't budge even an inch, nor did he blink.
When Kaelion finished his story, he let out a long sigh, and so did Gonzo, who finally spoke.
"I see."
A ring on his finger emitted a golden glow, and then a letter materialized in his hand, sealed with wax.
Gonzo placed it on the table and spoke softly.
"Thank you for your visit. Now, I'd like you all to leave this house immediately and deliver this letter to the Prime Minister."