If everything went according to plan, the area surrounding the Great Clock Tower would be the most dangerous place in the city.
The plaza, centered around a large fountain at the tower’s base, was currently enveloped in an eerie, unprecedented silence. While clearing the entire city of its inhabitants would have been the ideal precaution, it was practically impossible. Such a drastic move would have undoubtedly alerted the Demon King Cult, likely causing the entire operation to collapse before it could even begin.
Regardless, the immediate vicinity of the Great Clock Tower remained perfectly still.
From late afternoon onward, the area had been cordoned off under a specific pretext: "Due to significant structural concerns regarding the plaza's cobblestones, entry to the vicinity is strictly prohibited."
The public was told that safety was being verified and that the area was too dangerous for commoners. Since the district primarily housed commercial and public facilities rather than residential buildings, the evacuation was relatively smooth. The shop owners were promised compensation for their lost business.
Ulysses had personally seen to it that his agents confirmed no civilians remained within the restricted zone. Every precaution had been taken to ensure that the fallout from the coming conflict would not spill over into the rest of the city.
How would the Demon King Cultists interpret this?
Was it a trap? Or perhaps a sign that the replacement of the Great Clock Tower’s Mana Stone was imminent? Radius couldn't say for certain which conclusion they would draw, but he was sure of one thing.
The enemy had already committed; they were past the point where they could abort their mission.
Despite the lockdown, two figures were about to wander into the plaza: Vane and Sera.
Immediately after finishing their second exam that day, the two had left the Imperial Capital for Erendil. Their reason was simple: they wanted to celebrate their hard work and take a well-earned break. They were just about to head back to the capital when they reached the edge of the square.
"What a shame," Sera sighed, standing on the main thoroughfare. "It looks like we can't get into the Great Clock Tower Plaza."
The way forward was blocked by a large sign staked into the cobblestones, guarded by several sentries.
"It's a pity, but we should head back," Vane said. "We can just come back another day."
"Yeah... I’m disappointed, but I can wait."
Seeing that Sera had accepted the situation, the guard bowed apologetically. Vane and Sera turned to head toward the Sky Garden, but they suddenly froze. A roar echoed through the air, followed by the sharp crack of an explosion and the distinctive hum of active magic.
"...Vane."
"Yeah, I heard it."
Both turned their gazes back toward the plaza. They tried to push past the barrier, but the guards immediately blocked their path.
"Something may have happened. We will investigate, so please, do not worry," one guard said firmly.
"I recognize you as the daughter of the Riohalde family," another added. "Please, leave this to us. We cannot allow you to be put in harm's way."
Vane hesitated. As the hero of legend, he possessed a courageous heart and a strong sense of justice. He was a good-natured boy who wouldn't hesitate to risk his life for a friend, but the thought of Sera being in danger made him waver.
"Then tell me the truth," Sera said, her voice resolute. "Why are you all so calm? There’s a massive commotion happening right behind you, yet you haven't even blinked."
"We are trained to maintain composure and protect the citizens in any unforeseen circumstance."
"I see. Then tell me one more thing."
Sera’s tone shifted, laced with a growing hostility. Her anger wasn't directed at the obstruction itself, but at the suspicious nature of the men before her.
"It’s strange. I’ve never heard of simple city guards being Strong Sword Users."
The guards didn't react. They maintained their masks of professional indifference.
"You have impressive discipline," Sera continued. "But don't underestimate a daughter of House Riohalde. I’ve exchanged blows with more Strong Sword Users than I can count. Every facet of your posture and presence gives you away."
"Sera... why would Strong Sword Users be stationed here as guards?" Vane asked, his hand drifting toward his hilt.
"I don't know yet. But I can't ignore this—for Licia’s sake."
That was the core of Sera’s motivation. She felt a lingering sense of debt toward Licia Clausel because of the Viscount Given incident involving their respective factions. She had sworn that if Licia were ever in trouble again, she would be there to help, no matter what her father or the laws said.
"Answer me! What business does the Imperial Faction have in the lands of House Clausel? And those sounds—that was no minor accident!"
The guards remained silent.
"If you won't answer, I'll find out for myself. Vane, wait here."
"Don't be stupid, Sera. If it's for your friend, I'm not staying behind."
The two moved to push past the sign, but in that instant, the guards' demeanor shifted.
"I cannot allow you to proceed any further," the man said, his voice now carrying the sharp authority of a Lion Sanctum Knight. "We are aware of your friendship with the young lady of the Clausel family. However, you must leave this matter to us."
"Then explain yourself!"
"The Riohalde family will receive a formal report by tomorrow morning."
"That’s not good enough! This path leads straight to Licia’s manor. I’m going to go make sure she’s safe myself!"
The Lion Sanctum Knights were in a difficult position. Sera was the daughter of one of the Seven Great Archduke Families; pushing her too hard could spark a major political feud. Yet, allowing her to interfere with Radius’s operation was out of the question.
The standoff was interrupted by a deafening blast from the direction of the plaza. Several pillars of fire erupted into the night sky.
"Vane!" Sera cried out.
Suddenly, a suspicious figure emerged from the shadows, darting through the darkness toward Sera’s exposed back.
"Capture the intruders alive!" the Lion Sanctum Knight barked. "I don't care if you have to take their limbs, just don't kill them!"
The knights moved with blinding speed, intercepting the shadow. At the same time, they spotted more figures closing in on Vane and Sera from the darkness.
"Gah...!"
The first attacker, a member of the Demon King Cult, was neutralized instantly. As he reached for a concealed weapon, his arm was severed in a clean stroke, and he was pinned to the ground before he could even scream.
Vane and Sera had already drawn their swords, their bodies tensed for battle.
"...What is happening up there?" Sera whispered, her breath hitching.
"I cannot say. I can only urge you to leave this place immediately—"
A dozen more Cultists emerged from the gloom. The Lion Sanctum Knights formed a defensive line around Vane and Sera. Simultaneously, several figures clad in silver cloaks appeared—the Riohalde family's private guards. Ren remembered them as the elite protectors who watched over Sera from the shadows. With their arrival, the threat of a dozen Cultists became negligible.
Just as the Cultists lunged at the group, a new voice rang out.
"Can I leave the rest to you?"
"Yeah, I’ve got it."
Ren stepped out from behind the defenders, positioning himself between the private guards and the advancing Cultists. Vane and Sera gasped. They recognized him immediately as the boy they had met in the woods outside Erendil.
"Get back! It's dangerous!" Sera shouted.
"Run! If you stay there—" Vane’s warning died in his throat.
Both found it strange that Ren was so calm, and even stranger that the Lion Sanctum Knights didn't move to protect him. But the truth became clear a moment later.
The boy they had met that day was a warrior of overwhelming power.
"I won't be holding back," Ren said.
He brought the Iron Magic Sword down in a powerful, sweeping arc. The resulting shockwave fanned out, staggering the approaching Cultists. Re-centering his blade, Ren lunged forward with explosive speed. He became a blur of motion, knocking several men unconscious in a heartbeat with precise strikes to the solar plexus and neck.
Vane and Sera watched in stunned silence.
"No way..." Sera managed to whisper. "That power..."
"Wh-What is this kid...?" one Cultist groaned before collapsing.
Resistance was futile. Ren wasn't just fighting; he was systematically dismantling them. Once the last Cultist had been neutralized, a rider approached.
"Your strength is truly monstrous," Radius said, dismounting his horse beside Ren.
"Don't worry about me. You should start the investigation," Ren replied.
Vane didn't recognize the newcomer, but Sera went pale. She recognized the face of the Third Prince immediately.
"...The ones here aren't enough. We need more information," Radius muttered. He hovered his hand over the Mark on one of the fallen Cultists, his palm glowing with a faint blue light. Then, he remounted his horse.
Ren climbed onto his own horse, which had been brought along by the knights.
"You there—Sera Riohalde, I assume?" Radius addressed her.
"Ah... Yes! Your Highness!" Sera hurriedly bowed, joined by a confused Vane.
"I will not permit you to go any further. I understand your concern for the Clausel family, but it is unnecessary. I give you my word as a member of the Imperial Family that they are safe."
Confronted by the direct order of the Prince, Sera had no choice but to comply. This was no longer a matter of personal concern; it was an Imperial operation.
Radius exchanged a glance with Ren. As they turned their horses toward the Great Clock Tower Plaza, Ren and Vane’s eyes met for a brief, heavy second.
"Sera... that was him, wasn't it?" Vane asked as the riders pulled away.
"Yeah. I know... He's so incredibly strong that I don't even know what to think anymore."
"Me neither."
Urged by the Riohalde private guards, the two finally began to withdraw. Sera felt a lingering sense of worry, but the presence of the Third Prince confirmed that this was far more than a simple factional dispute. She allowed herself to be led away, her thoughts still lingering on the boy with the Iron Magic Sword.
Surprisingly, the sounds of battle were barely audible unless one was right on top of the Great Clock Tower Plaza. Special Magic Tools had been deployed to dampen the noise and contain the destructive energy of the spells.
Still, the sheer scale of the assault surprised the Lion Sanctum Knights. The Demon King Cult was attacking with a ferocity that suggested they no longer cared about remaining hidden.
"Where were they all hiding?" one knight muttered.
"Mingled with travelers, disguised as adventurers, or stowed away in cargo crates—it doesn't matter. Our duty remains the same."
The elite knights were unshakable. They were the best the Empire had to offer, hand-picked for their skill and discipline.
"Wh-What are these guys...!?" one Cultist screamed in terror.
"This wasn't in the plan! Where did these monsters come from!?"
"The security was supposed to be a joke...!"
The Cultists in their jet-black robes were falling into a panic. They had expected a routine ambush, not an encounter with the Empire’s finest warriors.
"It doesn't matter how many of you crawl out of the gutters," a knight said clinically. "You will learn to regret setting foot in the Lion King’s Land."
With practiced efficiency, the knights reaped the consciousness of their enemies, pinning them to the stones one by one.
"His Highness! His Highness has arrived!"
Radius and Ren galloped into the plaza. They headed straight for the entrance of the Great Clock Tower. The heavy doors had already been smashed open, indicating that an advance force of Cultists was already inside.
"Clear a path for His Highness!"
"In the name of the Lion King! Crush them!"
The Lion Sanctum Knights roared, their blades flashing with the power of the Strong Sword style. A path opened before Ren and Radius, leading directly into the tower’s maw.
"Ren, I should warn you—the next part is a bit tedious!" Radius shouted over the thundering hooves.
"Tedious? What do you mean?"
"The Great Clock Tower doesn't have an elevator!"
"What!? You’re telling me we have to run up the stairs of this massive thing to the very top!?"
"Exactly! But don't worry! I’ve been conditioning my stamina inside the castle for weeks just for this!"
"Ugh... like that's going to make it any easier!"
But there was no turning back now. The two dismounted and plunged into the tower. Inside, a breathtaking sight met them—massive wooden beams stretched toward the heavens, supporting layer upon layer of intricate machinery. Enormous gears meshed with smaller ones, ticking with a rhythmic, mechanical pulse.
Several knights followed them as they began the ascent.
Ren glanced back at Radius as they climbed the spiraling stairs that hugged the walls.
"...I’ve decided. Starting tomorrow, I’m doubling my endurance training," Ren muttered.
"A wise choice," Radius panted.
Sweat poured down the Prince’s face. He was more of a scholar and a diplomat than a marathon runner, but he pushed himself with desperate resolve. Five minutes passed, then ten. The top was still nowhere in sight.
"Nngh...!"
Radius’s foot slipped, and he began to tumble backward. Before he could fall, Ren’s hand shot out, catching him firmly by the arm.
"Don't fall behind now," Ren said.
His words were blunt, but they carried a weight of genuine support. Radius didn't take offense; instead, he felt a surge of gratitude. Ren had seen his resolve, and now he was holding him to it.
Radius narrowed his eyes, his expression hardening. "Don't count me out yet," he grunted, forcing his aching legs to move. "If you trip up on the roof, I'm going to say the exact same thing to you."
"Yeah, yeah... let's hope it doesn't come to that."
The climb was grueling, but Radius didn't stop again. Driven by sheer willpower, he finally reached the summit.
Obtaining information from the Marks of the Cultists outside was a viable strategy, but Radius knew it wasn't enough. He had a conviction that he needed to see this through to the very top.
"...He should be right through here," Radius whispered.
The mastermind. The one who had manipulated the bandit gangs and orchestrated the assault on the tower was almost certainly waiting for them.
"I can go in first," Ren offered.
"Don't be a fool. I didn't climb all those stairs just to wait in the hallway."
The final door sat beyond a floor designed to look like a massive, stationary gear. Around them, the functional parts of the clock continued their steady, rhythmic ticking.
"I'm opening it."
Ren pushed the heavy door open, leading out to the Rooftop Garden. A blast of warm summer air hit them.
Above, the sky was a velvet canopy of brilliant stars—a perfect, high-altitude view of the heavens. But the garden was not empty. Waiting there, in that exclusive space, stood more than a dozen unwelcome guests.