In early December, the first snow of the year had yet to fall in the capital city of Gusteberd, located along the southwest coast of the continent. However, the temperature was dropping steadily, and people were guessing when the snow would finally arrive.

Instead of the snow, something else happened.

Every resident of the capital was familiar with the Crossguard Legion, which guarded the capital's direct jurisdiction. This army, which had earned great glory in the founding wars, was still the pride of Milenia and responsible for the city's defense.

However, without any warning, the elite legion suddenly withdrew from the capital this morning.

The soldiers stationed on the city walls and those resting in the barracks quickly assembled upon receiving the order. Before the sun had fully risen, they had formed neat lines and marched through the city, exiting through one of the side gates.

"Indeed, they have been withdrawn," said Heinex, standing at the top of the bell tower next to the Great Cathedral of Gusteberd. He looked down at the orderly procession of soldiers passing by on the street below. These soldiers were undoubtedly top-tier elites, and there were easily thousands of them marching through the street, yet they made no sound other than their footsteps.

"My Lord Bishop?" Johannes walked out from behind the door and, seeing the passing troops below, was slightly surprised. "Are these all soldiers from the Crossguard Legion? What are they doing? Are they leaving the city?"

As he spoke, Johannes couldn't help but sound uncertain. Since the country's independence, it had been customary for the Crossguard Legion to guard the capital, and there were few instances of them leaving the city. The few times it had happened, it was either because the garrison troops on the border had suffered heavy losses, or there was a significant threat near the capital.

"Of course, they are leaving the city. And not just that, the entire legion is withdrawing. Otherwise, why would there be such a commotion?" Heinex seemed surprisingly calm, as if he had anticipated this.

"Doesn't that mean the capital will be defenseless? Although the kingdom is relatively stable, with the New Year festivities approaching, shouldn't the security be tighter? What is the War God, the King, thinking?" Johannes asked with a hint of uncertainty in his voice.

"Of course, it's not that the capital would be defenseless, but rather they are changing the guard," Heinex said. His gaze followed the street as it moved toward the distant city gate, finally settling on the horizon. "By noon today, the 'Iron Wall' stationed on the border will take over the defense of Gusteberd, right?"

As if confirming Heinex's words, just as the sun rose, the city gate in the opposite direction of the Crossguard Legion's departure opened. Another unfamiliar army entered Gusteberd, completing the rotation with the Crossguard Legion.

This was a military force with a distinct style different from the Crossguard Legion, and it was most evident in their equipment.

As the elite guard of the capital, the Crossguard Legion had top-tier equipment among the kingdom's forces. They wore identical black infantry armor and wielded standard swords and spears.

In contrast, the newly arrived troops wore rougher armor with a more rugged and practical style. Their formation was not as tight, but they gave off a strange sense of oppression.

At the front of the formation, a knight wearing full heavy armor and a visored helmet held the army's banner high. On the bright red flag, an iron-colored shield flapped in the wind.

"It really is the 'Iron Wall Shield.' Why did they suddenly rotate in?" Johannes, who was not as powerful a knight as the Archbishop, only had the vision of an ordinary person. He had to activate his Eagle Eye skill to barely make out the distant flag.

"It's the command of the King, the War God. Otherwise, what other reason would there be for the border troops to enter the capital? Perhaps the Crossguard Legion already saw them as rebels and planned to annihilate them before they entered the jurisdiction of the capital, right?" Heinex said.

"But it seems a bit off to have foreign troops stationed in the capital...," Johannes muttered under his breath.

"Perhaps it's to deter those who have ulterior motives." Heinex turned away from the terrace. "Let's go. Morning worshipers will be arriving soon."

On a terrace in the palace, a pair of siblings from the royal family were playing chess.

"So Dad actually withdrew the Iron Wall Legion," Tiran said with boredom as he heard the commotion in the distance. He rested his chin on his hand and pushed one of the chess pieces forward on the board in front of him.

"After all, Barifuria's father has commanded the Crossguard Legion for seven years, and his influence in the army is immense. Besides, you were just attacked at the Heise Family, and you still have to announce the successor to the throne during the New Year festivities. Considering these factors, it would be the most prudent choice to withdraw the Crossguard Legion at this time, wouldn't it?" Blade pushed his own chess piece to counter Tiran's move.

"Hmm, if my old man dares to make me the heir, I'll run away and travel the world in a minute."

"Is it really that serious?" Brad chuckled and rubbed his nose. "Well, father is still young. He can be king for a few more decades, isn't that enough time for you to have fun?"

"You don't understand his character," Tilan shook his head, a bitter and resentful expression on his face. "As soon as I agree to be the heir, he'll throw away the crown the next day and run away on his own. He's been tired of being king for a long time, I bet."

"Surely not..."

"You think so? Big brother, that guy can threaten me by burning my treasures, you think there's anything he can't do?" Tilan suddenly got excited talking about this. If it weren't for that bastard threatening him, he wouldn't have to suffer through the miserable life of going to school six days a week with only one day off.

"Your treasures..." Brad wiped the cold sweat off his forehead. "You still like those things?"

"What's wrong with that?" Tilan's blue eyes stared at Brad intently.

"Nothing, nothing," Brad quickly waved his hand to clear the air. "But speaking of those things, I remembered something. There's a limited time trading market related to the things you like in the black market next Wednesday..."

"Really?! Big brother, I love you!"

"Hey hey, don't suddenly jump on me!"

Tilan sat back in his seat, took another move in the chess game, and then reached for the tea cup on the side while deep in thought. "But, next Wednesday... if I remember correctly, don't we have classes that day? Skipping class is not an option, but my treasure will be burned. Hmmm... I'll have to come up with a plan. Oh, big brother, pour me a cup of tea."

Brad covered his face. His little sister had become too obsessed with those paper characters. It was a problem.

After pouring her another cup of tea, adding some honey and stirring it, Brad handed the cup back to her. "By the way, I just noticed, Mimi and Miss Aya are both not here today. Is something going on?"

"Ahaha, something's up, of course." Tilan laughed awkwardly. Yes, but it was not something serious. One of them was using an unreliable method she learned from Aya to try and lure a fox-eared loli to her room with a lollipop, while the other was studying in the study for no apparent reason.

"Your explanation makes me feel like something is abnormal... But anyways, instead of worrying about the underground black market, shouldn't you be more concerned about another thing? I thought you would be angry..." Brad hesitated with his words, trying to be gentle... well, gentle my ass, this is too direct!

Silence.

Silence.

Continued silence.

"What did you say?!"

...

"Your Majesty." A sturdy knight in his forties knelt on one knee in front of the throne.

In a side hall of the palace, General Corian, the leader of the "Iron Shield" battalion that had just arrived at the palace from the military camp, was meeting with the king.

"You've worked hard, General Corian. I'm sorry for having you rush back to the capital while you were guarding the border." King Guran nodded slightly. When dealing with state affairs, he was quite serious, especially since Corian and his troops would be responsible for the defense of the capital during the upcoming New Year period. There was no room for any negligence.

"It's my duty as a soldier, Your Majesty. No need to be polite." Corian's somewhat stiff face was as calm as his temperament, showing no emotional fluctuation. He merely answered calmly.

"How is the situation at the border?"

"The same as usual. Currently, our neighboring countries are relatively calm, but what's more troublesome are the pirates and bandits."

"Well, I trust you with that... Oh!" Guran had originally wanted to say a few encouraging words to Corian, but before he could stand up, he noticed that his daughter had appeared at the door of the palace, holding her arms and staring at him with a cold smile. It sent chills down the king's spine.

Corey noticed that the expression on His Majesty's face was a bit unnatural, and following his gaze, he also saw Tiran at the door.

"Your Highness Tiran?"

"Ah, ah, Corey, you go back first. I have something important to discuss with His Majesty," Tiran said with a smile, but emphasized the tone in the last half of the sentence, making Gulandrex tremble.

Old Corey, save me! His Majesty desperately signaled Corey with his eyes. As long as Corey was here, Tiran wouldn't dare to do anything too excessive.

"Your Majesty... Do you have a problem with your eyes?" Corey asked with some confusion.

...I should have thought of this earlier, this straightforward idiot!

"Ah, it's nothing. You can leave," His Majesty completely gave up on treatment.

"Yes, I'll take my leave."

After Corey left the hall, Tiran's smile became even more sinister on his face. "Nene, old man, you must know why I came to find you, right?"

"Because you missed your dear old dad after not seeing him for so long?" His Majesty still held a glimmer of hope.

"Unfortunately, that's the wrong answer." Tiran's smile was very dark, super dark.