The entire North, from every street to every alley, was filled with bright red wanted posters.
The portrait drawn on the wanted notice was none other than Viktor.
Many of the wanted posters were even fluttering through the air, drifting with the falling snow.
Because the person Viktor had beaten… was the Grand Knight who guarded the North, Count Angus.
Rumors had already begun to spread among the people, saying that Viktor beat Angus into a vegetative state, and even after a full day had passed, he still hadn't recovered.
And the heir of House Delin had been beaten into severe injury and was still unconscious. This matter caused an uproar across the entire Northern Territory.
From the wealthy nobles of the North all the way down to the common folk.
This news was quickly transmitted to the capital by spies, and in less than half a day, it spread throughout the entire royal city.
Naturally, the ministers were paying close attention, after all, the matter was far too bizarre.
The fact that Viktor and Count Angus fought wasn't the main issue. The problem was what happened after the fight.
Viktor actually won against Count Angus.
Of course, winning wasn't the real problem.
The issue was that he even beat the man into a state of mental confusion.
Though mental confusion could still be considered a minor matter.
But Angus was Viktor's father-in-law.
———
'This… this f*cking...'
When the news reached the royal palace, Aubrey even furrowed his brows slightly.
In all his decades on the throne, he had never encountered something this troublesome.
Looking at his ministers, Aubrey waved his hand and asked, "Does Gwen know about this?"
"Commander Gwen is already on the way back."
A minister quickly responded.
Hearing this, the entire court fell into a long silence.
In this matter, Viktor truly had gone too far.
Normally, the nobles who were already dissatisfied with Viktor would seize this moment to splash dirty water on him and nitpick his faults.
But the problem was…
Viktor was currently at the height of his fame and deeply favored by the emperor.
Little did the others know, after the Clavenna family caused three disturbances in the palace, the old emperor only smiled pleasantly as events unfolded, never interfering.
He didn't even protect his own son or his own nephew.
Not to mention that the topic Viktor proposed not long ago, the thing called a "dungeon," was something even the emperor himself had shown full support and anticipation for.
So in this situation, even if Viktor truly was in the wrong, no one dared step forward to criticize him.
Emperor Aubrey tapped the armrest of the throne with the finger bearing a heavy ruby ring, letting out a deep sigh.
"Angus leads the Northern knights and is responsible for defending the North."
"If he truly becomes mentally unstable, then his title can only be inherited by his successor."
As soon as he said this, silence swept over the hall once again.
Successor?
Angus's successor had already been beaten into a cripple. Was His Majesty sure he could even continue the lineage?
So in the end, who would inherit House Delin?
Angus had three children, among whom Kefra was well known to many.
As a politician, she was not a knight and thus absolutely could not command the Northern knights.
Then who was the only one qualified to inherit House Delin?
Everyone simultaneously thought of the same name.
Gwen Delin.
"..."
At that moment, the ministers' expressions all darkened significantly, sinking into even deeper silence. Even their breathing seemed to slow.
Some of them even wondered if Viktor's attack on Angus was something the emperor had deliberately allowed.
Gwen was Viktor's fiancée.
If Gwen succeeded House Delin, and later married Viktor, the two count families would become one.
"This…"
Viktor's power would grow even stronger, and if this foundation fell into the hands of either royal prince, it could directly determine the future emperor.
But the problem was…
Viktor was the princess's teacher.
And an even more important problem remained.
If Viktor gained the knightly military foundation of the Delin family and his power grew massive, would the future ruler really be able to keep him in check?
They could no longer think further. Anything beyond this would be considered disrespectful toward the future monarch.
Nor could they continue to guess what thoughts were in the mind of the old and weakening emperor.
"Your Majesty, Commander Gwen has arrived."
An attendant hurried to the emperor's side and reported softly.
As soon as he finished, Gwen, dressed in silver-white armor that shimmered with cold light, held her knight's helmet in her left hand, lifted her chin, straightened her back, and strode spiritedly into the great hall.
"Your Majesty."
Every minister in the hall turned their gaze toward Gwen, but from her, they felt a chilling pressure and imposing presence.
Her expression was dark as storm clouds, and between her brows seemed to gather the frost of the far North.
She bowed slightly before the emperor.
The emperor waved his hand dismissively and said calmly, "Gwen, you should already know what happened in the North."
Viktor's wanted notices had spread through the North overnight, and countless knights were searching for him.
She had already learned all this from Kefra's letter.
Gwen didn't respond, but clearly everyone knew this knight had already understood everything.
The emperor looked at her and continued asking, "You are Viktor's fiancée. By reason, this matter should be handled as a family affair, and it would be inappropriate for me to intervene."
Then Aubrey let out two soft chuckles.
"But after this incident… can your engagement with Viktor really remain intact?"
Once he said this, many people began to ponder the emperor's intent.
He was forcing Gwen to choose.
Right now, she was Viktor's fiancée.
Her fiancé had beaten her father. As it stood, the matter was still a family affair and hadn't escalated to a more serious level.
But if their engagement was dissolved, then the matter became Viktor maliciously cooperating with Northern barbarians to attack the North's Grand Knight Angus.
Naturally, the empire could dispatch troops to capture Viktor.
At that point, the matter would be handled officially and thoroughly investigated by the royal house.
After that, the engagement could not possibly continue.
Angus might never wake, and his heir was severely injured and disabled.
Gwen would return to the North and become the count, taking her father's place as guardian of the Northern territory.
As for Viktor?
As long as he wasn't found guilty, he would still remain a count, and the princess's teacher.
It seemed the emperor was still rational. Although his presence could indeed suppress Viktor for now…
The future ruler might not be able to control two powerful counts who had both armies and strength.
Many understood the deeper meaning behind the emperor's words.
Now, everything depended on Gwen's choice.
Gwen didn't hesitate for even a moment, she responded immediately.
Her expression did not change at all, as if she were stating something insignificant.
"Your Majesty, I came here to request that you remove me from the position of Royal Knight Commander."
Those words instantly ignited an uproar throughout the hall, waves of shock crashing in every corner.
Gwen possessed incredibly strong power and unquestionable ability. Her position as Knight Commander had even been personally appointed by the emperor.
And now, she intended to resign?
Was she really planning to go home and inherit her family's title?
Hearing Gwen's request, the emperor smiled.
"Oh? Speak."
Gwen's face remained icy.
"Viktor is my fiancé. As long as he does not intend to cancel it, our engagement remains valid."
"So, I will find him myself and ask him about everything."
The justice in her heart meant she would never cover up for anyone. If Gwen discovered this matter truly was Viktor's fault, then...
"I will challenge him, even if I absolutely cannot defeat him."
Gwen's eyes held unwavering determination.
"Even if it means dying by his hand."
To act for justice. To bear responsibility for goodness.
Gwen was righteous, but her righteousness was never stubborn or absolute.
She did not judge others' good or evil based solely on appearances.
Everything in the world had two sides, and she was willing to give her life for all who suffered injustice.
This was the small yet unwavering justice Gwen carried in her heart.
After speaking, she ignored the shocked gazes all around her. Dragging the weight of her heavy armor, she bowed deeply to the emperor.
"Thank you, Your Majesty, for granting this."
Gwen turned and slowly walked toward the exit of the hall. The bright yet scorching light outside shone upon her armor, making it glimmer brilliantly.
At this moment, Gwen was like an angel cleansed of dust.
Or more like a stubborn beast, walking slowly toward a distant beam of light.
All for the sake of fulfilling,
The justice in her heart.
———
The wind and snow of the North were ultimately cold enough to pierce bone.
Vega curled its feathers irritably. Even though it wasn't afraid of the cold, the raging wind still messed up its feathers completely.
Damn Viktor didn't even bother casting a wind-blocking spell for it, despite how much Vega had helped him.
Suddenly, Viktor stopped in the middle of the blizzard.
"Hey, why did you stop?"
Vega squawked unhappily, but Viktor ignored it's screeching and simply stared quietly ahead.
The darkness in the distance was overwhelming, but in the roaring wind and snow, it seemed a village burning with firelight had appeared.
In this remote place, battered by the howling wind, there was actually a camp lit with flames.
The bright red flag fluttering in the snow was sewn with the image of a giant sword engulfed in flames.
Vega also saw the distant camp and grew curious.
"Judging by the banner, that's Flame Sword territory."
Viktor said calmly.
Flame Sword was one of the two largest barbarian tribes in the extreme North.
These people lived scattered across remote borderlands. They were followers of the Flame Giant, the terrifying giant with demigod-level power.
They always worshipped endless battle and ever-burning flames.
As followers of the Flame Giant, the barbarians possessed the giant's blessing, granting them immunity to cold and fire.
This was why these tribes could survive here for so many years.
"Looks like just a small sub-tribe."
Vega narrowed his eyes.
"Barbarians aren't good news, but I need them to find the path for me."
Viktor said plainly. Under his feet, a white magic circle formed, and a floating spell lifted him into the air.
Viktor slowly rose above the tribe.
From here, he saw everything more clearly.
Below, the camp burned with roaring flames. Piles of beast pelts were stacked together, and even the roofs of their dwellings were made of stitched-together furs.
Viktor held a red magic circle between his fingers and murmured an obscure incantation.
Soon, an eye-catching and terrifying fiery red glow appeared among the clouds.
Its fierce heat looked capable of burning the entire sky to ash.
[Fourth-Tier Magic: Heaven Scorch]
In an instant, the wind and snow above the tribe came to a halt, replaced by unbearable heat.
Huge serpents of flame continuously fell from the sky, bombarding the massive encampment.
In moments, fire lit up half the sky, and the ground began to crack apart.
A huge group of armed men burst from the tribe. Their bodies were covered in red hair, resembling wild beasts that hadn't yet evolved.
They gathered together and yelled something incomprehensible up at Viktor in the sky.
Viktor flicked a finger.
A ferocious flaming serpent dropped straight toward the crowd.
Endless fire swallowed them in an instant.
Clusters of barbarians ran in all directions, their bodies burning wildly as they tried to put out the flames.
But in the end, it was futile.
One by one, the barbarians turned into charred corpses and collapsed into the snow. The entire camp fell silent.
Only the crackling of burning structures remained.
Viktor descended slowly, staring at one barbarian shivering in the flames.
He was curled up within the fire, staring at Viktor with endless fear in his eyes.
And the flames did not burn him at all.
Viktor looked down at him coldly, speaking slowly, "Lucky you. I found you in the very first tribe."
"Temple Candidate."