Lakyus stared straight at the man before her.
She had expected anger.
She had prepared herself for mockery, threats, or arrogance.
Yet none of it came.
Lock's expression was calm—too calm.
There was no irritation, no impatience. Only an unsettling composure, as if everything she said was already within his expectations.
"Miss Aindra," Lock suddenly smiled, tilting his head slightly, "in your opinion… what kind of person do you think I am?"
The question caught her off guard.
He looked at her with interest—not hostility. As if he were examining a puzzle rather than confronting an enemy.
After all, the fact that she had realized his true intention—to control the Kingdom through the name of the Vanself Royal Family—already placed her far above most nobles.
The majority of the Kingdom still believed the Albert Family was merely currying favor with the King.
They thought the engagement proposal to Princess Lana was nothing more than political alliance-building.
In truth, Lana—despite her intelligence—held little actual power.
The only person with both insight and the courage to challenge him directly…
…was standing in front of him now.
Lakyus inhaled deeply.
"With all due respect, Baron Lock," she said solemnly, "you are a noble who acts recklessly, relying on the power of your younger sister and your private army. You threaten the Kingdom's ruler with the lives of innocent citizens and seek to seize royal authority through coercion. Such behavior is utterly despicable."
Lock raised an eyebrow.
Then he laughed softly.
"So harsh?" he said lightly. "That's a remarkably low evaluation."
"Considering your actions," Lakyus replied coldly, "it's generous."
Lock took a step closer.
"Then let me ask you something," he said quietly. "If I gave the order right now, the Tiger Knight Order could wipe out Blue Rose where you stand. After that, they would sweep through the Royal Capital, end the Vanself Family's rule, and reduce the city to ashes."
His voice was calm—almost conversational.
"Even your dear Princess Lana would become nothing more than a trophy in my hands. Have you ever considered that possibility?"
"I don't believe you would do that," Lakyus answered without hesitation.
Lock smiled faintly.
"Overconfidence is a dangerous flaw."
"That's not confidence," she said, meeting his gaze steadily. "It's understanding."
This time, Lock was slightly surprised.
"After the battle just now, I realized something," Lakyus continued. "In this city, no one can stop you. If you wanted to, the Royal Capital would already be drowning in blood."
"Oh?" Lock asked, genuinely curious. "Then why haven't I done so?"
"Because your goal isn't destruction," she said firmly. "It's control."
She straightened her posture, her tone sharpening.
"The Tiger Knights number around three thousand. That force is enough to crush any city in the Kingdom. No noble army could resist you."
For a brief moment, fear flickered in her eyes—but she forced herself to continue.
"But ruling a nation requires more than violence. A country born from slaughter would only leave ruins behind. Your intention in marrying Princess Lana is to borrow the Royal Family's legitimacy—to stabilize the Kingdom after seizing it."
Lock listened silently.
"So unless the Royal Family utterly refuses your demands," Lakyus concluded, "you won't initiate such destruction. Not for morality—but because it would damage your reputation and the Albert Family's standing."
When she finished, Lock shook his head.
"…Too shallow."
Lakyus frowned. "Am I wrong?"
"You are partially correct," Lock said, his voice growing colder. "But you misunderstand me."
He stepped closer, the air around him subtly tightening.
"I will not hesitate to plunge the Kingdom into war," he said flatly.
"Not for reputation. Not for public approval."
Lakyus's breath caught.
"The Kingdom will fall under my rule—and quickly," Lock continued. "If that requires rivers of blood and countless deaths, so be it. I will not slow my pace for anyone."
"Why!?" Lakyus exclaimed.
For the first time, fear surged through her.
In that instant, the faint red in Lock's eyes seemed to glow—sending a chill straight through her spine.
She saw it then.
The Royal Capital in flames.
The Tiger Knights are marching through shattered streets.
Corpses piled beneath collapsing walls.
It was only a possibility.
But one that depended entirely on this man's will.
"Because this country is already dead," Lock said coldly.
"The Royal Family and the Six Great Nobles have divided the Kingdom for a century. Laws are ignored. Decrees rot on parchment. Corruption is everywhere."
His voice sharpened.
"I've seen nobles raise taxes at will, conscript farmers like livestock, and abduct women in broad daylight. Underground syndicates sell drugs, traffic people, and bleed the common folk dry."
"And every autumn," he continued, "the Empire invades. The Kingdom lacks a unified army, so it throws untrained civilians onto the battlefield as disposable shields."
He turned to face her fully.
"With enemies inside and out, this nation will collapse sooner or later. And worse—a far greater calamity is approaching."
Lakyus was silent.
"Reform must be immediate," Lock declared. "Anyone who stands in my way will be crushed."
For a long moment, she couldn't speak.
The determination in his eyes was absolute.
This wasn't posturing.
This man truly believed what he said—and possessed the strength to carry it out.
No… she warned herself. Don't be swayed.
"Even if that's true," Lakyus said tightly, "this is still rebellion. The people will never accept you."
"I don't need acceptance," Lock replied coldly. "I need obedience."
Then—his tone softened.
"Miss Aindra," he said, "you possess strength, intellect, and influence. I formally invite you to stand with me. Together, we can build a stronger Kingdom."
The sincerity in his gaze made her hesitate.
Only for a moment.
"I'm sorry, Baron Lock," Lakyus said at last. "I respect your ambition—but our paths differ. I am an adventurer of this Kingdom, a member of the Aindra family, and Princess Lana's friend. I cannot accept."
Lock smiled.
"What a shame," he said mildly. "Then I suppose force will be necessary."
Her pupils shrank.
"…What do you mean?"
Lock's smile grew knowing.
"You're important to Blue Rose. If I control you, they'll fall in line."
Lakyus instantly drew her magic sword.
"You wouldn't dare!"
"Oh?" Lock stepped toward her.
Her heart pounded.
He's strong—physically strong.
They were standing atop the city wall.
If she jumped now, regrouped with her teammates below—
When she reached the edge, relief flashed across her face.
"Apologies, Baron Lock," she said lightly. "We'll meet again."
She pushed off—
—and the world vanished.
In the next instant, her body was slammed against the stone.
"Naive."
Lock's hand pressed down on her shoulder.
"Magic Resistance Break · Maximize · High Paralysis."
Power surged through her body.
Her sword clattered to the ground.
Her limbs went limp.
"I… forgot to mention," Lock said calmly, "I'm also a Magic Caster."
Lakyus stared at him in horror.
A warrior beyond Adamantite.
A Magic Caster beyond her comprehension.
That movement—
Time-type magic.
"Miss Aindra," Lock said softly, lifting her chin with his fingers, "girls should be careful when they go out. The world is full of bad people."
His red eyes glimmered with amusement.
"Honestly… perhaps changing the engagement to you would be better."
He smiled.
"That Golden Princess… doesn't interest me much."
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