“Die, Irene.”

“That won’t happen, Count Chase.”

Metal collided with metal, and a large body stopped in front of Irene, blocking the attack.

“Noel…”

“Sorry to interrupt, but Irene must reserve her power for later.”

In contrast to his expression, his voice sounded kind. Irene looked at Noel for a moment, then nodded, taking a step back so as not to get in the way.

“Noel Kristen.”

Seeing Noel standing in front of him so suddenly, Count Chase inevitably gritted his teeth. The swords collided with force, but Noel did not waver.

He said with a sly smile.

“Sorry, but…”

His sword began to push inward. No matter how proficient Count Chase’s swordsmanship was, he was not enough to defeat the genius, Noel.

Suddenly, Noel’s expression hardened, and he said in a cold voice.

“I can no longer forgive you for forsaking Irene.”

“Ugh.”

Noel’s force pushed count Chase. He clenched his jaw and slashed at Noel harshly.

“If it weren’t for you, things wouldn’t have gotten to this point!”

Count Chase screamed at Noel, who looked very relaxed, even when he was in danger.

“If it weren’t for me, the Chase family would have collapsed at some point. How can a family without trust and affection be a proper family?”

“Shut up!”

Pushed by both force and anger, all he could do was shout. Count Chase did not rush to Noel. Looking at the mercenaries and knights, their skills looked similar, but it was clear that they would not be able to hold out for long as they were outnumbered.

He wanted to behead Noel himself, but he couldn’t, so it was best to hold on while the Knights dealt with the mercenaries so that they could deal with him. Noel saw right through his thoughts and opened his mouth.

“Irene.”

“Yeah?”

“Are you okay?”

Noel’s gaze turned to her. Irene looked up at Noel with sparkling eyes. Her olive-coloured eyes were brighter than ever.

Looking into those eyes, Noel asked again.

“Is it all right if I beat up your father?”

Still, he wondered if he could take the life of a man she once saw as a father.

Again, he wondered if it was okay for him to take revenge on her behalf.

Noel was worried that he might be ruining her plans.

He meant it when he told her he’d do everything for her.

Judging from the Emperor’s words and Irene’s reaction, the use of magic and spirits, which were great aids, became difficult. He, too, could use the magic of the ring, but he was unable to control it as meticulously as Irene. He could injure his allies if he used such magic in a closed space.

Above all, since their weakness could not be known, Noel and Irene had reached an agreement in advance not to use magic as much as possible. In such a situation, when even the spirits that he had hoped to rely on were sealed, Noel had to come forward and protect Irene. But this was her fight, not his. Without Irene’s permission, he couldn’t act out hastily.

“Yes.”

Irene meekly nodded. She wanted to avenge her parents without anyone’s help, but she couldn’t do her best in a situation where her powers were sealed. It was important for her to reserve her energy until the Crown Prince and Louiselle lifted the blocking spell.

“But you can’t kill him.”

Irene didn’t want Noel to commit murder. She wanted her father to be punished by the law he never respected.

Noel nodded at Irene’s words and raised his sword again.

The confrontation continued for a while. Count Chase was in a hurry, while Noel wanted to buy more time for the Crown Prince and Louiselle. He hoped they’d be able to lift the seal in time.

The Emperor, who silently watched the situation, abruptly got up from his seat as the battle went on. Then, he pulled out the knight’s sword, who was guarding him and staggeringly intervened between the knights and the mercenaries.

“Your, Your Majesty?!”

At the sudden action of the Emperor, the knight shouted in bewilderment. The mercenaries who were fighting back paused for a moment, wondering what was going on. The Emperor, who should have been protected in the safest place, entered the battlefield.

‘Are you mad? Do you want to die?’

The moment Rick, a member of Ram, thought so, a light flashed in front of Rick’s eyes.

“Rick!”