Zanac looked at her for a long time. Then he nodded.
"I see."
He turned around and walked out of the room. The door closed behind him.
Renner sat at her desk, gazing at the closed door, a faint smile playing on her lips.
"Climb."
"Exist."
Do you think my brother could be a good king?
Climb paused for a moment.
"Your subordinate... does not know."
"Have no idea?"
"All I know is that he's trying."
Renner chuckled softly.
"He's trying... yes, he's trying."
She stood up, walked to the window, and looked out at the sunlit sky.
"Climb."
"Exist."
"You should go too. Your brother needs you."
"But Your Highness—"
"I'm fine."
Renner turned around and looked at him, a certain light gleaming in her blue eyes.
"Go ahead. Come back to me when you're done."
Climb looked at her for two seconds, then knelt down on one knee.
"Yes, sir."
He stood up and walked out of the room.
Renner was left alone in the room. She stood by the window, her long golden hair swaying gently in the breeze, her white dress shimmering softly in the sunlight.
"Higashino Makoto..."
She murmured the name, the master that Kurumi- san had mentioned, and a slight smile appeared on her lips.
Who exactly are you?
No one answered. Only the wind outside the window rustled the leaves.
The arrest operation began early the following morning.
Gazef led his knights, dividing them into six groups, and simultaneously rushed towards the address of each name on the list.
Lakyus led the Blue Rose, responsible for perimeter security and preventing the escape of any powerful members within.
Zanac sat in the study of the palace, a map of the Royal Capital spread out in front of him, densely marked with the location of every target.
Renner sat opposite him, holding a book in her hands, her blue eyes half-closed, and a faint smile on her lips.
Climb stood in the doorway, his hand on the hilt of his sword, his eyes wary.
"The first batch of targets, twelve in total."
Zanac looked at the map, his fingers lightly tapping on the markings.
"Three of them were nobles, and the rest were remnants of the 'Eight Fingers'."
"The nobles are to be entrusted to the Warrior Captain. 'Eight Fingers' can be given to Blue Rose."
Renner turned a page of her book without looking up.
"The Blue Rose is more than capable of dealing with those small fry. The Warrior Captain needs to be careful when dealing with nobles, as they may have private armies. Although victory is inevitable, it wouldn't be good to let the news get out too early."
"I know."
Zanac stood up, walked to the window, and looked out.
Do you think they will rebel?
"Yes. However, the first batch mostly consists of minor nobles. As long as there is evidence and sufficient determination is shown, the major nobles will not fight tooth and nail to protect them."
Renner's tone was calm.
"That's the arrogance of the great nobles; they think they're an indispensable part of the Re-Estize Kingdom and that they won't be punished even if they make mistakes."
"Of course, the Marquis Blumrush is an exception. He committed the heinous crime of treason, and the other nobles will not protect him; on the contrary, they will distance themselves from him."
Zanac was silent for a moment.
"You're right."
He turned around and walked to the door.
"Climb."
"Exist."
"Come with me."
"Yes, sir."
The two walked out of the study, their footsteps fading into the distance in the corridor.
Renner put down her book, leaned back in her chair, and stared at the ceiling with her blue eyes.
"One month..."
She said in a low voice.
What will this country look like a month from now?
No one answered. Only the wind outside the window rustled the curtains softly.
A luxurious mansion in the northern district of the Royal Capital.
The Marquis Boullope sat in the dining room, a sumptuous breakfast laid out before him.
Toast, fried eggs, bacon, sausage, fresh fruit, warm milk—the silver cutlery gleamed softly in the morning light.
He picked up a piece of bread, spread butter on it, and took a bite.
Then, the door was kicked open.
Gazef stood at the doorway, his silver-white armor gleaming coldly in the morning light.
He held a longsword in his hand, his brown eyes fixed on Bolog, devoid of any emotion.
"The Marquis Boullope."
His voice was deep.
"You're under arrest."
Bolog put down the bread, wiped his mouth with a handkerchief, and then looked up at Gazef.
"Warrior Captain, do you know what you're doing?"
"Know."
Gazef stepped into the restaurant.
"You're on the Eight Fingers list. The charges are accepting bribes, harboring criminal organizations, and even... betraying the country."
Bolog's eyes narrowed slightly.
What evidence do you have?
"The evidence is in His Majesty's possession. You can see it in court."
Gazef walked up to him and stopped.
Please cooperate. Do not resist.
Bolog looked at him for a long time. Then he chuckled softly.
"Okay. I won't resist."
He stood up, still with the composure of a nobleman, and looked down at the Warrior Captain.
"Warrior Captain."
Bolog's voice was calm.
"I am one of the six great noble families of the Re-Estize Kingdom. Do you know what that means?"
"Know."
"Then you still want to do it?"
"That's an order."
Bolog remained silent.
He just stood there, looking at Gazef, at those brown eyes that held no emotion.
Let's go.
Gazef pushed him out of the restaurant and out of the mansion.
Outside the door, sunlight streamed onto the stone path, turning everything golden.
In the distance, the palace towers gleamed in the morning light.
Bolog looked at the tower, a slight smile playing on his lips.
"Zanac... that kid has finally made his move."
Gazef did not speak.
He simply pushed him toward the prison van waiting at the door.
The sound of wheels rolling over the stone pavement echoed in the morning breeze.
Meanwhile, arrest operations are underway simultaneously throughout the Royal Capital.
The Count Litton was arrested in his study.
He did not resist, but his face was pale, his lips trembled, and he could not utter a single word.
The border Earl of Urovana was arrested in his own territory.
He was inspecting the farmland when he saw the knights sent by Gazef, and remained silent for a long time before sighing.
Marquis Blumrush attempted to escape.
He had already heard rumors and packed his valuables, preparing to escape the Royal Capital through a secret passage.
But Tia and Tina of the Blue Rose were already waiting there. He was trapped in the secret passage, his face ashen and his lips trembling.
"Do you... do you know who I am?"
"Know."
Tia's voice was calm.
"Marquis Blumrush, you have been arrested."
The Marquis Pespea did not resist.
He was writing a letter to his wife when he saw the knights rushing in; he simply put down his pen and sighed.
"Tell His Majesty that I am willing to cooperate."
Within three days, all the names on the list were arrested and brought to justice.
The people of the Royal Capital stood on both sides of the street, watching the once high and mighty nobles being led onto prison carts, watching the once arrogant members of the "Eight Fingers" being dragged out of their hiding places, and watching the faces that once filled them with fear, anger, and despair now turn pale, disheveled, and hopeless.
No one spoke.
It's not that I don't want to talk, it's that I don't know what to say.
They just stood there, watching, silent.
An old man knelt on the ground, covering his face with his hands, his shoulders trembling violently.
His son died from Black Dust use.
His daughter was sold by "Eight Fingers" and her whereabouts remain unknown.
He waited so many years, so long, and finally this day has come.
"Thanks..."
His voice was hoarse, tinged with tears.
"Thanks..."
No one knew who he was thanking. The king? The Warrior Captain?
Perhaps both.
Perhaps neither.
He just knelt there, crying, saying "thank you."
Royal Palace, Study.
Zanac sat behind his desk, a stack of documents piled up in front of him.
That's a report on today's arrest operation.
The time, location, process, and result of the capture of each target are all clearly written down.
He looked at each document one by one, his brows furrowing slightly, then relaxing, then furrowing again.
Renner sat opposite him, holding a book in her hands, her blue eyes half-closed, and a faint smile on her lips.
Climb stood in the doorway, his hand on the hilt of his sword, his eyes wary.
"All twelve targets have been apprehended."
Zanac put down the last document and leaned back in his chair.
No one ran away, no one resisted.
"Certainly."
Renner turned a page in her book.
"Because they didn't have time to react. By the time they realized what was happening, it was too late."
Zanac looked at her.
What do you think they will do next?
"The nobles will unite and put pressure on the royal family."
Renner's tone was calm.
They would say things like, "The royal family has no right to arrest nobles," "This is an infringement on noble privileges," and "The king has been misled by treacherous ministers." Then they would demand the release of the arrested nobles and the restoration of "normal order."
Zanac tapped his fingers lightly on the table.
"What do you think we should do in response?"
No need to respond.
Renner put down her book and looked at Zanac.
"They exert pressure because they believe the royal family will compromise. If the royal family doesn't compromise, they will be afraid. If they are afraid, they will back down. If they back down, there will be division."
She paused.
"If we split up, we'll have the opportunity to defeat them one by one."
Zanac stared at her for a long time.
Renner.
"Um."
You are really scary.
Renner tilted her head, a glint of light flashing in her blue eyes.
"Brother, are you praising me?"
"... I guess so."
"Then I'll accept it."
Zanac shook his head and said nothing more. He picked up his quill, dipped it in ink, and began to write a letter.
Recipient: Higashino Makoto.
Content: "Everyone on the list has been arrested. The Judgment will take place in three days. The Re-Estize Kingdom is changing. Please give us time."
After writing it, he folded the letter, put it in an envelope, and sealed it with sealing wax.
"Someone come here."
The door was pushed open, and a servant walked in and knelt on one knee.
Your Highness.
"Deliver this letter to Mr. Higashino Makoto."
"Yes, sir."
The servant took the letter, stood up, and left the study.
Zanac leaned back in his chair and closed his eyes.
Outside the window, sunlight streamed onto the stone walls of the palace, making the ancient carvings exceptionally clear.
In the distance, cheers from the people echoed through the streets.
Zanac listened to those sounds, a slight smile playing on his lips.
He did what he was supposed to do.
The rest is up to time.
Entrusting the future of this country.