At the Emperor’s command, the knights rushed all at once.

“Madame! Step back!”

Realising that things were getting serious, the mercenaries shouted and hurriedly rushed forward to block the knights. The knights were three times the number of the mercenaries on Irene’s side, so each person had to fight off three knights.

Swords flashed in front of her eyes, all aiming to kill the opponent. The battle was still boiling, but no one was certain of the outcome. No matter how strong the mercenary members were, it was clear that they would not be able to hold out for a long time.

‘What should I do in this case?’

She hadn’t even expected things to go that way. Indeed, there were doubts about Rivera’s failure in defeating the Emperor using her powers, but she didn’t give it much thought because she knew she never went all out, out of consideration for her spirits. But she wasn’t like that.

Rivena already knew that the Emperor would cut off the magic, so she had sealed the spirits in advance, hoping someone would unlock the seal in the future.

‘I’ve never heard magic blockage being performed on such a large scale to cover the whole palace. There must be some kind of device installed that serves as a blocker.’

“Your Highness, is it possible to hide something like a large device in the palace without people noticing it? Do you have a place like this?”

It was simply impossible to block all magical and spiritual powers while relying on the magicians’ power. However, if there was a machine that worked on magic to help with the operation, then it might be possible.

The size of the machine must be large to block the magical power in an area as large as the Imperial Palace.

“…There is, it’s a warehouse used for storing treasures, it would be possible to hide things like machines there.”

‘I’m sure it’s hidden there.’

It will not be difficult to reverse the outcome if she can use her abilities. Irene whispered without taking her eyes off of the Emperor.

“Find the machine and destroy it.”

“All right. However, it may be difficult for me to go alone. I need an escort.”

“Louiselle, follow his Highness.”

Louiselle looked at Irene without saying a word. She didn’t need to talk for Irene to know she wanted by her side.

She was well aware that she wanted to protect her. But the situation was urgent. All the Elite Knights were defending the Emperor, so those guarding the machine must be of a lower level than them, and Louiselle would be able to take care of them on her own.

Irene rolled her eyes and looked at Louiselle with a gentle smile.

“It’s okay. I won’t get hurt. You’ll see when you come back.”

“…My duty is to protect Madame.”

“Yeah, I know.”

“The only way to protect the Madame is to return her powers.”

“That’s right.”

“I will obey the command of my Master.”

Louiselle said. Normally, she referred to Noel as Master, but she considered Irene her Master as of today.

Irene was taken back by the sudden change of title but soon nodded.

“Go.”

As Louiselle and the Crown Prince left the room, Count Chase hurried to pursue them. But Irene said, blocking his way.

“You can’t go.”

“Irene. What are you…!”

Count Chase glared at Irene and shouted in rage.

Still, Irene did not budge.

“Don’t you realise what wrongs you have committed? I said it clearly before. You will regret this!”

“No. I have no regrets.”

“Still…! What the hell is your problem? Why are you being unfilial to your parents? Didn’t I treat you the same as Riel? Weren’t you well-fed and sheltered from the cold in my house? You were also educated there, so why are you so crooked!”

He shouted as if a vengeful spirit haunted him. He truly believed that Irene was responsible for all of his misfortune.

But why? The appearance that would have been intimidating before was not scary at all now.

“You were wrong from the start. It was your impure purpose that brought me here. If you didn’t mistreat me, then our relationship wouldn’t have been this bad.”

She was never happy as his daughter; she had always felt intimidated and threatened. It would have been better if they had never known each other.

“I’m just trying to fix what’s wrong. Father… so don’t go after them.”

“This won’t work out the way you want it to.”

Count Chase raised his sword and pointed it at Irene’s neck. His eyes were cold as if he never saw her as his daughter.

It was the same with Irene. It would have been a shock if her father had pointed a sword at her, but he was no longer part of her family.

“Die, Irene.”