Madam Nancy waited outside Machubi.

  Just as Charlot was about to board the carriage, he noticed Aubrey Tildon Atwood stepping out of his carriage. The director of the Fierce Horse Detective Agency had, surprisingly, not left yet.

  Charlot shrugged and said, “Apologies. I failed to retrieve Mr. Harriet’s body. There are some strange things amidst the ruins of this fortress.”

  Aubrey Tildon Atwood gazed deeply at Charlot and asked, “Did you choose this pce because you’ve signed a pact with some sort of magical creature?”

  It was the most logical expnation!

  Charlot neither denied nor admitted it. He simply gave a slight bow, handed Harriet’s military saber to Aubrey, and said, “This is Mr. Harriet’s keepsake. Please return it to his family.”

  “Although I, too, did not wish for this tragedy, I was powerless to prevent it.”

  After saying this, Charlot climbed into the carriage. Once both dies were seated securely, he opened the speaking tube and said, “Madam Nancy! Back to Strasbourg.”

  Aubrey Tildon Atwood stood amidst the ruins of Machubi Fortress, watching Charlot’s carriage disappear into the distance. He pondered for a long time before finally boarding his own carriage.

  The truth was, Charlot Mecklenburg had become even more of an enigma to him.

  If time could turn back, Aubrey Tildon Atwood would never have accepted Warden Magru Trell’s commission.

  For the meager profit of a few écus, not only had he lost eight detectives—three of whom were Transcendents—but he had also lost valuable connections in the military, like Harriet. Someone as young as Harriet, having already advanced to a high-level Transcendent, was destined for greatness. He could have been a strong ally for the Fierce Horse Detective Agency in the future.

  On top of that, there was still the matter of facing the wrath of the Orc Assassin Alliance.

  The Orc Assassin Alliance was relentless in their pursuit of targets, but when their own members were killed, they would demand additional compensation. If a client could not afford the added fees, they too would end up on the assassins’ kill list.

  The orcs were never saints.

  The troubles were endless.

  ...

  Upon returning to Strasbourg, Charlot first dropped Venie Arsenault and Sylvie Martin off at 22 Madile Street in the Alcatras District.

  Only after that did he instruct Madam Nancy to drive to 58 Elysée Avenue.

  Stepping out of the carriage, Charlot sensed that something was off.

  The house, which usually only housed him, Madam Nancy, and three Clever Cats, now had three carriages parked in front. Two bore the coat of arms of the Bretagne family, while the third was a military carriage.

  Charlot told Madam Nancy to take the carriage to the stables and stepped into the first-floor hall. Inside were three people.

  One was, of course, Annie. The second was her cousin, Cir Bretagne. The st was none other than Saint Karen Granny!

  Suppressing his shock, Charlot smiled faintly and said, “I didn’t expect so many guests. My humble abode is truly honored by your presence.”

  Cir smiled and said, “I am here on military business and don’t have much time, so I’ll keep it brief.”

  “First, I must apologize for being unable to duel on your behalf.”

  “Although military movements are beyond my control, I should have arranged for other friends to assist you. That was my oversight.”

  “Fortunately, you’ve returned safely. That alone is a relief to me.”

  “I, Cir Bretagne, hereby pledge to remain Charlot Mecklenburg’s lifelong friend and stand by him in any matter.”

  Cir raised a hand, signaling Charlot to remain silent, and continued, “The second matter—Charlot, are you truly willing to marry my cousin, Annie Bretagne, and strive for that goal?”

  Annie’s face was filled with anxiety. Her small hands tightly clutched her skirt, but she dared not speak, her expression showing clear apprehension.

  Charlot pced a hand on his chest and smiled. “A professor at Sheffield University once told me: ‘Life is precious, but love is priceless.’”“I am willing to do anything for Annie—through fire and water, without hesitation.”

  Cir’s expression softened into a smile, and Annie visibly rexed, letting out a breath of relief.

  The Imperial military elite then said, “Charlot, forgive me for being blunt, but as a Fourth-Rank Transcendent, you are not yet qualified to marry a dy of the Bretagne family.”

  “You practice Blood Glory. In times of peace, there’s no chance of advancing this secret art to higher levels.”

  “Blood Glory requires the sughter of life—high-level life, at that. Killing is illegal in the Empire, and hunting Transcendents for their life essence is even more unacceptable under Imperial w and the rules of noble families.”

  “But now you have an opportunity.”

  “Byron has already decred war on your homend, the Behemoth Principality.”

  “In less than a week, Fars will also decre war on those Byron vampires.”

  “Though I cannot officially speak for the Bretagne family, I personally support you. In this matter, I stand with you.”

  “But now, you must go to war.”

  Charlot inhaled sharply and said, “I’m still a civilian officer.”

  He roughly understood Cir’s intent.

  This cousin truly supported his romance with Annie and was therefore encouraging him to head to the frontlines.

  On the battlefield, high-level Transcendents—saturated with life essence—would allow Charlot’s Blood Glory to grow rapidly. Only by becoming a high-level Transcendent could Charlot and Annie have a chance to be together. Moreover, the battlefield was the best pce to achieve swift military merit, paving the way for rapid promotion.

  Of course, merit alone did not guarantee promotion, but with Cir’s help, no one would steal Charlot’s credit.

  Cir replied coolly, “Civilians can go to the battlefield. Converting to military ranks isn’t particurly complicated.”

  Charlot gnced at Annie and decisively said, “I am willing, for Miss Annie, for the Empire, and for humanity’s peace, to venture onto the battlefield.”

  Cir nodded. “That settles it. I returned to Strasbourg to expedite a shipment of supplies and can only stay for two hours. If you hadn’t returned within the next thirty minutes, we would have missed each other.”

  “From now on, Charlot, strive to earn your glory on the battlefield.”

  With that, Cir departed swiftly.

  The room was now one person lighter, yet the pressure on Charlot only increased. If he had a choice, he would rather not face Saint Karen Granny.

  Saint Karen Granny chuckled softly and said, “I came merely to say one thing: You may borrow that Silver Rhino indefinitely. You needn’t worry about damage or loss.”

  The Granny gestured toward the ground, where a small red box sat. She said warmly, “Here are one hundred and twenty anti-magic armor-piercing rounds.”

  Having said this, Saint Karen Granny turned to Annie and added, “Please do not return home too te.” She then departed as gracefully as Cir.