Chapter 01
The victory celebration was held on a grand scale.
The vast imperial palace glittered brilliantly, filled with jewels and lavish delicacies. Imperial crests and banners surrounded the palace, fluttering in the wind, while the cloudless sky, full of stars, seemed to illuminate the empire’s triumph.
Not only inside the palace, but throughout the streets, the citizens of the Pleta Empire were in the midst of celebration.
Children roamed the streets singing a new victory song of unknown origin, while adults gathered in the plaza, dancing to their tune.
A war against the Mond Empire that had lasted a full six months.
The Pleta Empire had brought down the troublesome Mond Empire and risen into a powerful nation that no one dared challenge.
The emperor, Killian—known as the War Fiend—played a major role in this victory, but the emergence of a new war hero had accelerated their success.
That new war hero, Esi, ignored the gazes of others and hid her dissatisfaction behind a mask.
‘Why are they shouting my name so loudly?’
She had never intended to attend the victory party, nor had she expected any kind of welcome. Her plan was to quietly enjoy the party and leave the empire soon after.
But the moment she entered the palace—
Thanks to a loud-voiced attendant’s introduction, everyone inside the palace learned that the masked woman with water-colored hair was Esi.
With all attention focused on her, her plan was utterly ruined.
“Hey, Esi. You’re pretty popular, huh?”
Henry, a commoner mercenary who was one of the few she was close to, nudged her shoulder with a grin.
Esi downed a glass of champagne in one go, then gave him a faint smile.
“Henry, if you barely made it back alive, shouldn’t you value your life more? I’m still carrying a sword.”
“Oh dear, my mistake.”
Henry raised both hands, still smiling slyly, and backed away.
The nobles at the party didn’t approach Esi directly, but they were all talking about her.
Those aligned with the emperor praised the new war hero, while the opposing faction mocked her, questioning the skills of someone with an unknown background.
Of course, Esi welcomed neither side’s opinions.
“His Majesty the Emperor enters!”
In an instant, the hall fell silent, and all eyes turned to Emperor Killian.
Esi, who had already downed several glasses of champagne in a short time, also looked toward him as he took his seat on the throne.
“It’s particularly noisy today.”
At his words, the palace became so quiet that even breathing could be heard.
The nobles of the opposing faction looked displeased—faces eager to tear someone down at any moment.
As Killian scanned them one by one, he spotted Esi, let out a faint smile, and met her eyes.
“They say a new war hero has emerged… What do you think, Esi Ahil?”
“His Majesty himself has called her a war hero!”
“She’s no different from any other mercenary—what war hero?”
“Coming to a victory party in such a shabby mask is downright vulgar.”
With Killian’s question, murmurs spread again—mostly mockery from the opposing nobles.
Watching their reactions, Killian waited with a sneer for Esi’s answer.
“It’s nothing more than exaggerated rumors.”
Esi stated firmly.
Though no one could see her expression beneath the mask, the nobles mocked her for “knowing her place.”
“Exaggerated rumors, hm… Sir Jerry, you fought alongside her. What do you think?”
‘What is that psycho trying to do now?’
Esi, who had only meant to keep things simple and avoid attention, felt a headache coming on at the thought of what Killian might do next.
Normally, she wouldn’t care if someone angered him and died for it—but not at a victory party because of her.
That would only worsen her mood and draw more unwanted attention.
“While I acknowledge her skill and contributions, I don’t think she’s worthy of being called a war hero. The only one deserving of that title is His Majesty, who always led us from the front.”
At Jerry’s sycophantic remark, Esi inwardly gagged.
Jerry, clearly pleased with himself, looked down on her.
“Not worthy, you say…”
Shing—
Muttering softly, Killian suddenly drew his sword and stepped down from the throne, slowly approaching Jerry.
The other nobles clicked their tongues, anticipating another unpleasant spectacle.
No one dared to stop him. Some even wished it would end quickly, fearing they might be killed if they spoke.
“Y-Your Majesty?”
“Esi Ahil annihilated the Mond soldiers who ambushed us and saved me when I was in danger. Me—the one you praise so highly.”
“I-I misspoke! Saving Your Majesty is indeed a great achievement!”
As Killian slowly traced his blade, Jerry dropped flat to the floor, bowing repeatedly.
His back trembled visibly in fear.
“I find it irritating—this whispering and tearing others down over trivial matters.”
Though directed at Jerry, it was clearly meant for everyone gossiping about Esi.
The nobles felt a chill run down their spines.
“You’re unlucky.”
As Killian pressed the sharp blade against Jerry’s neck, blood trickled down.
Jerry’s face turned deathly pale.
“P-Please, spare me just once! Your Majesty, I was wrong! Have mercy!”
Tears and snot covered his face as he slammed his forehead into the ground repeatedly, not even feeling the pain.
The once-glorious hall had turned suffocating and terrifying.
“Do you want to live, Sir Jerry?”
“Yes, Your Majesty! Please spare me!”
At Killian’s slightly softened tone and faint smile, Jerry answered eagerly.
“I would like to show mercy… but it seems my sword does not.”
Clang!
Killian’s sword was suddenly blocked by another blade.
Jerry fainted on the spot.
Killian ignored him and turned cold eyes toward the one who intervened.
“What do you think you’re doing, Esi Ahil?”
“I’d like you to stop.”
Esi’s sword, though plain compared to his, held firm without yielding.
‘This is because I drank too much…’
Blaming the champagne, she steadied herself.
“Many nobles think the same as him.”
“I don’t mind. But on a day like this, I don’t want someone to die because of me.”
“Even if you think that, no one can stop me.”
“I’m leaving today anyway.”
At that, Killian’s expression twisted.
“What did you just say?”
“I said I’m leaving.”
“By whose permission?”
“My own, of course.”
Though earlier than planned, this might be her best chance.
‘It would’ve been better if his expression looked a bit less dangerous…’
Killian looked like a predator ready to tear out her throat.
A heavy silence fell.
“Do you have somewhere to go?”
His cold voice broke the silence.
Now his blade pointed at Esi.
“I plan to go wherever my feet take me. I’m not the type to stay in one place long.”
“And you think you can leave here freely?”
At his anger, dozens of guards surrounded her.
But Esi simply smiled.
“Do you think they can capture me?”
“Of course not. That’s why I’ll do it myself.”
“Well… that changes things.”
Despite her words, she merely shrugged.
The distant temple bells rang nine o’clock.
“…Your Majesty, I have a proposal.”
She sheathed her sword and knelt.
“A proposal?”
“I don’t want to ruin a day meant for celebration. But I also refuse to be tied down.”
“So?”
“Enjoy the party tonight. I’ll leave ten minutes before midnight. From midnight onward, you may try to find me. If you succeed, I’ll do anything you wish.”
“You’re confident you can disappear in ten minutes?”
“Yes. And if you find me, I’ll come quietly. I swear it in the name of Romes.”
Killian studied her, slightly calmer.
If his guards all attacked, they still wouldn’t be enough—but if the imperial knights, Sharon, found her, they could bring her back.
Whatever “Romes” was, he knew it was a heavy oath to her.
She had risked her life under that name before.
“You have a deal. Try running.”
“Thank you. You’ll need to recognize my face, won’t you?”
Esi removed her mask.
A large scar covered most of the left side of her face.
Some nobles frowned.
“It’s not a face you’ll mistake for another. Try your best to find me.”
With her faintly smiling words, the party resumed.
At first, everyone watched her closely—but soon, the celebration regained its energy.
Only Killian, his guards, and the knights of Sharon kept their eyes on her, waiting for midnight.
But ten minutes after she left—
From midnight onward, no one ever saw her again.
