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“What brings you here at this hour?”

Lately, their interactions had increased suddenly, though it wasn’t always this way.

For over ten years, Cecilia and Kirsion had barely exchanged even a simple greeting, their relationship entirely severed.

This unexpected visit, therefore, came as a surprise.

“Could we have a quick chat, Mother?”

“A chat…?”

Kirsion flinched instinctively.

‘What are they planning to do this time?’

Having been relentlessly tormented by Cecilia and her son over the past year, it was a natural reaction.

Seeing through Kirsion’s thoughts, Cecilia smirked.

“It’s not what you’re thinking, so don’t worry. But if you’re too busy, I can come back when you have time.”

“No, it’s fine. Everyone, step outside for a moment.”

Kirsion ordered the researchers to leave and put her smoking pipe in her mouth.

Hoo—

Only then did Kirsion realize that her adopted daughter had come with a firm resolve.

“Alright, what’s this about?”

Cecilia waved away the smoke with her hand and spoke.

“I need to borrow some money.”

“Money…?”

Her attitude was as confident as if she were simply retrieving something that was already hers.

Though Kirsion was baffled, she decided to hear more.

“What do you need it for?”

“I’m thinking of starting a business.”

“A business? You?”

“Yes.”

“For over ten years, you’ve lived comfortably as Kyle’s concubine. What makes you think you have the skills for that?”

Kirsion still felt a sense of guilt towards Cecilia.

But for that very reason, she was harsher with her.

To Kirsion’s eyes, it seemed like Cecilia had gotten swept up in the excitement over her son’s rise, pursuing some reckless idea.

She even suspected that a swindler might have influenced her.

“Don’t mock me. It’s true I’ve been preoccupied with raising my son, but I’ve worked hard not to lose my touch during all that time.”

Cecilia answered confidently, then opened the bag she had brought and pulled out a stack of papers, handing them to Kirsion.

“It’s a business plan.”

“…!”

“Please take a look and decide whether or not to lend me the money.”

“…”

With a deep-set gaze, Kirsion began reviewing the proposal thoroughly.

Cecilia’s business idea was quite simple.

A boutique shop.

A store offering high-end fashion items, such as expensive clothes and accessories.

“I think you’re well aware of my eye for these things, Mother. I’m planning to personally travel to various places for this.”

It was clear from the clothes Cecilia chose for Theo that her discerning eye had not dulled.

However, the rest of her words surprised Kirsion.

“Directly…?”

“Yes. There are many talented but unknown people all across the Empire. I plan to meet them personally, talk to them, and support those who have potential. After that, I will arrange the dresses according to the path the guests will walk through the shop…”

Cecilia continued her explanation in a calm tone.

It was an explanation as smooth as if she had rehearsed it dozens or even hundreds of times.

“And the items I’m planning aren’t just limited to extravagant dresses. Would you like to look at the last chapter?”

“……”

“I’m even thinking about creating haute couture. I’ve already scouted designers and couturiers (high-class tailors) who are willing to work with me.”

Haute couture.

It refers to custom-made clothing for the nobility and the upper class.

Of course, it requires exceptional fashion sense and insight.

The skills of the tailors and designers were particularly crucial, and the list of 20 people written in the plan was made up of figures Kirsion had at least heard of before, each one quite reputable.

Among them were people Kirsion had personally tried to recruit but failed to.

‘How on earth did she manage that…?’

“You’re sure this isn’t a lie?”

“Why don’t you send someone to verify it yourself?”

“……”

“Since you’re so doubtful, let me give you a hint. The people listed there were originally my team members.”

“What?”

“Although I had retired, I didn’t sever all ties with them.”

“……!”

“We stayed in touch occasionally, and when they needed advice or help, I’d give them a little support. Fortunately, since they were talented, they grew well. And thankfully, they expressed their willingness to work with me again.”

It might have sounded easy, but these people had each already secured their own positions.

The fact that they were willing to leave such solid foundations to come back to her was proof that Cecilia’s influence remained as strong as ever.

“I think this business will benefit Mother as well. You could even promote the jewelry store you acquired recently through this. I also believe it would complement the reputation the Marquisate holds. And more than anything… hasn’t Mother always been interested in high-end fashion?”

Kirsion clenched her pipe tightly between her teeth.

To think she still remembered the words she had casually mentioned so long ago…

“……You’ll be using Theo as the model to promote this, won’t you?”

“That’s right. And it’s not just because he’s my son. Right now, there’s no one who’s making more headlines than my son, is there?”

Kirsion couldn’t find a reason to argue.

‘The brooch Theo wore at the appointment ceremony sold out in a single day.’

Though Theo and his mother were certainly giving Kirsion headaches, there was no denying their influence.

Looks, fashion sense, and public appeal.

They had it all.

“Well, every outfit I wore to society events always became the talk of the town, too.”

‘…Ugh, she’s my daughter, but she’s so insufferable.’

“What I’m saying is that the boutique I’m going to create will set the trend. Doesn’t that make this business promising?”

At that moment, Kirsion felt that Cecilia was radiating brilliance.

It reminded her of the first time she had discovered her, shining like a prima donna on the stage in her youth, and the awe she had felt then.

‘Yes, she was always such a dazzling child.’

The clothes she wore, the songs she sang—she could still vividly recall them when she closed her eyes.

‘A child I was always so careful with, afraid she might crumble if touched—like the most beautiful gem in the world. But Kyle, you’re the one who ruined her.’

Kirsion ground her pipe between her teeth.

‘But now, you’re starting to shine again. No, you’re about to shine even more brilliantly.’

Kirsion closed her eyes tightly.

The more she thought about it, the more she felt something stirring and rising within her chest.

“…Mother?”

Unaware of Kirsion’s thoughts, Cecilia cautiously called out to him, wondering if she had made some mistake in her business explanation.

Eventually, Kirsion slowly opened her eyes and stood up from her seat, as if making a firm resolution.

“Wait here for a moment.”

Without waiting for Cecilia’s reply, Kirsion disappeared somewhere.

A short while later, she returned, dragging two large chests from the corner of the room.

Thunk!

“What is this?”

“Open it.”

“…?”

Cecilia tilted her head in confusion, wondering what this was all about, and opened the first chest—only to be shocked.

“T-These are…!”

“They’re the things you left behind when you left home.”

Inside the chest were all the jewelry and elegant dresses Cecilia had used during her acting days.

She had kept them all this time without selling or discarding them.

“There’s nothing in here that isn’t valuable. If you sell even a portion of it, you could gather a decent sum of money. While you’re at it, open the second chest as well.”

Cecilia swallowed nervously and opened the lid.

Creeeak—

It was filled to the brim with gold coins.

“That was originally an inheritance meant for you.”

“……!”

“I had been saving it separately, but it seems it’s being used this way. I’ll give you part of it in advance, so use it. Does it make any sense for the daughter of Majang Kirsion to go around borrowing money?”

“…….”

“If it’s still not enough, just tell me. I’ll invest as much as you need.”

Cecilia pressed her lips tightly together.

It felt like emotions she had long buried were starting to stir once again.

– Mom.

– Mom!

– Mom…

A word she had never once spoken since they had cut ties.

Why was that word, which she had always called out with a bright smile, suddenly lingering at the edge of her lips?

“……Why go this far?”

“You’re just here to borrow money, so why help you this much, right?”

Cecilia nodded silently.

Her eyes reddened slightly.

Kirsion, pretending not to notice, turned her head slightly as she placed her pipe in her mouth.

“Where in the world is a mother who wouldn’t help her only daughter, even if she’s a bit wild?”

“……!”

At those casually spoken words, something surged within Cecilia, causing her to lower her head even further.

Hoo—

Kirsion lowered her pipe and left the room with a light step.

“You must be busy if you’re about to start working, so go on.”

Left alone in the room, Cecilia’s shoulders trembled a few times.

* * *

White armor, white sword, white dragon.

The snow-white armor, sword, and iron-clad wyverns symbolized the White Armored Dragon Cavalry.

To the people of the North, they brought hope.

To their enemies, they brought fear, as they soared through the sky in large numbers.

A special unit of 33 members.

「I will now explain the outline of the mission we will be undertaking.」

At that moment, Evelyn’s voice transmission rang in the ears of the members of Unit 5.

The members who remembered Evelyn, such as Selperd and Arin, all wore astonished expressions.

‘She said she’d laid down her sword, but instead of getting weaker, she’s gotten even stronger…!’

‘Her use of magic power is so smooth. How can she send such a clean voice transmission while on the move?’

‘As expected of the Captain’s former right-hand!’

Evelyn, who had not only regained her former prowess but was now even mastering the Wind Lord’s secret techniques, was growing at a frightening pace.

「Seven days ago, former Unit 5 Captain, Trainer Isben, was killed during an operation to rescue hostages of the Ceres Trading Company, along with 14 other members of the special unit.」

The members who were already aware of the situation pressed their lips tightly together, while those who didn’t know were struck with shock.

Erika and Holcus were no different.

The news of the complete death of the elite forces, which Ragnar prided itself on, was not something to be taken lightly.

‘So the hostage situation had indeed escalated.’

Meanwhile, Theo’s thoughts deepened as his prediction turned out to be correct.

‘How can I retrieve Balmung?’

In the middle of an ongoing operation, taking independent action was impossible, so he needed to come up with another solution.

Despite this, the orders continued to be relayed.

「Thus, there is only one mission we must complete without fail.」

Everyone’s gaze turned toward Evelyn.

「Annihilation.」

“……!”

“……!”

“……!”

「There will be no survivors. We will not negotiate with the enemy. The top priority of this mission is to exterminate and eliminate everyone involved in this matter.」

Beneath Evelyn’s calm tone, anger was deeply rooted.

The fury directed at the enemies who dared to harm her comrades.

The members clenched their fists tightly.

「Thus, rescuing the hostages is the secondary objective. If, for any reason, the rescue of the hostages conflicts with the annihilation of the enemy, focus more on the latter.」

At that moment, a holographic map projected by a magical device appeared before the members’ eyes.

A fortress standing tall on a hill.

Several points were marked in red at various spots.

「The enemy is currently entrenched in the old Blanky Fortress. These marked points are the key positions of the enemy that Black Snow has identified. We will launch an assault on these locations and cut off the enemy’s lifeline in one swift strike.」

‘To gather such intelligence through espionage… Black Snow truly lives up to its name.’

Theo clicked his tongue lightly to himself.

Just then, an additional blue point appeared on a corner of the inner fortress.

「Additionally, this is where the hostages are currently being held. Taking advantage of the enemy’s confusion, we will rescue them. Selperd, Arin! The two of you will carry out this mission with three of the new recruits.」

Selperd and Arin nodded heavily.

「As I’ve said, the annihilation of the enemy is the top priority of this mission. Make sure to show them clearly.」

At that moment, far in the distance, the lone, dilapidated fortress standing on the hill came into view.

Blanky Fortress.

A once-grand old stronghold, now abandoned.

「Show them exactly who we are.」

「For the name!」

「For the name!」

「For the name!」

At that instant, beneath her deeply worn helmet, Evelyn’s eyes gleamed coldly.

「Attack!」

All 33 members of the White Armored Dragon Cavalry launched their assault in unison.