The Golden Brooch

At that moment when tension filled the corridor.

The Vice Commander who had sighed stepped aside.

“I’ll move out of your way.”

Instead of blocking Loen’s path, he chose to step back.

“Huh?”

A deflated sound burst from Seraphine’s lips as she was preparing her magic.

It was because the tense atmosphere had been deflated so anticlimactically. The others felt similarly.

‘What is he trying to do?’

By this point, Loen was starting to get a headache too.

If he had blocked them until the end, there would have at least been justification to behead him.

Something…

An indescribable sense of discomfort flowed down her skin.

After pondering for a moment, Loen glared and passed by the Vice Commander.

For now, checking the Commander’s condition came first.

Creak.

Soon, Loen’s group gasped at the sight that greeted them as they opened the door.

“Hmm.”

“…”

The inside of the office was a complete mess.

Documents were scattered everywhere, and one wall was covered with meaningless lines drawn haphazardly.

At the center of this bizarre scene, a middle-aged man with a stubborn face was sitting in a chair, scribbling something.

At a glance, it looked more like drawing random lines.

“Commander Harkon.”

He jerked his head up at the sound of his name.

“Who is it? An inspector?”

“Senior Investigator Loen Franz.”

“Loen Franz!”

The Commander jumped up, approached them, and suddenly grabbed Loen’s arm. At his sudden action, Leus and the Knight Commander’s swords shot out like lightning. Their sharp blades aimed at his neck. But the Commander, paying no attention, shouted:

“The Emperor’s Sword, feared even by demons! Yes, I can trust you! Of course! You’re the inspector trusted by none other than His Majesty the Emperor!”

He looked around quickly, then lowered his voice to a whisper.

“I’ll get straight to the point since time is short. Demon underlings have surrounded the legion. Kasian, Yurgen, Alber… Damn it! Everyone is on the side of the demons.”

Countless officers’ names flowed from his mouth without pause. It even included the Vice Commander who was known as his closest confidant.

It was the moment when Kasian’s claim that the Commander had accused all his staff of being traitors was proven true.

“Everyone, you said?”

“No, no. Not everyone. Yes. At least I haven’t forgotten my loyalty to the Empire. But that’s not what’s important. They, the demons, are after my head. They covet the position of Legion Commander!”

“…”

A clearly deranged appearance by anyone’s standards. The group watched him with incredulous expressions. The two swords were still pointed at his neck.

At that moment, the Commander’s attitude suddenly changed.

“You! Loen Franz! The woman who killed Duke Donnelly and stole the position of Legion Commander!”

His voice trembled with anger.

“Not satisfied with that, you now dare to covet my position too! You must also be a demon’s underling! Get out of my sight!”

The Western Legion Commander screaming and causing a disturbance.

Watching this, Loen finally turned away.

He was not in a state where conversation was possible. Seeing his incoherent ramblings, it was clear that someone had placed a curse on him over a long period of time.

“Let’s go.”

“Is it alright to leave him like this?”

The Knight Commander asked with worried eyes.

“For now.”

That afternoon.

Loen summoned Chief of Staff Kasian.

Kasian, a few staff members he trusted, and Loen’s group gathered in a small conference room. The Armored Knight Corps was tightly guarding outside the conference room in case of emergency.

“Inspector Loen! I heard you called for me.”

Kasian approached Loen and offered to shake hands again. He held both of Loen’s hands, shaking them up and down while his eyes sparkled. He was a person with very bright manners.

Loen gently withdrew her hands and asked.

“Chief of Staff Kasian.”

“Please call me Kasian comfortably!”

“..Alright. Kasian. Let’s sit down and talk first.”

Loen’s group and Kasian sat across from each other at a large table.

“Have you conducted any separate investigations regarding the internal division?”

Kasian smiled as if he had been waiting for this moment.

“Of course. Since the Commander’s abnormal symptoms worsened, my subordinates and I have been conducting secret investigations. Here is the report.”

Thud.

Kasian confidently placed a thick stack of reports on the desk. Loen’s group each took a part of the report and quickly read through it.

‘So the Vice Commander was also a traitor after all.’

Loen’s brows furrowed.

The report contained detailed records of the list of traitors including Vice Commander Yurgen, their evil deeds, and even evidence of their betrayal. It was a quite high-quality report with appropriate supporting materials attached.

‘More capable than I thought?’

Loen’s red eyes briefly scanned Kasian.

Just then, Seraphine tilted her head and raised a question.

“Hmm, as far as I know, Commander Harkon is known as a soldier famous for his integrity. But it seems that’s not entirely the case?”

Kasian nodded with a bitter expression.

“The Commander is still human after all.”

It was a statement loaded with meaning. His report included investigation details about the Commander as well. In some ways, this could be considered an act of overstepping his authority.

Whether to call this brave or reckless.

Then suddenly, a small doubt arose.

Doubt about whether these materials could be trusted. No, if she couldn’t trust a loyal officer like him, who could she trust? She quickly dismissed the doubt.

“I’ve read it well.”

“I only hope my report has helped with your correct judgment, Loen.”

A proper discussion about the internal division began.

The starting point of this crisis was the Commander’s abnormal symptoms.

Taking advantage of this, the faction led by the traitorous Vice Commander gained power, and opportunists who only cared about their own safety joined in, leading to the current chaotic situation.

“So in order to restore the legion to normal, we need to eliminate the Vice Commander and all his forces.”

“That’s right.”

The problem was Commander Harkon.

How to deal with him was the biggest issue.

Though not a traitor, his mind was severely damaged due to suffering from an unknown curse for a long time.

But since he hadn’t completely lost his mind, it was also awkward to simply depose him.

“What are you thinking of doing with the Commander, Loen?”

“I’m thinking about it.”

Loen placed her interlocked hands on her forehead, lost in thought.

A heavy silence enveloped the conference room.

Dealing with him, a skilled 6-star expert loyal to the Empire, required careful consideration in many ways.

After all, he was a Legion Commander classified as loyal.

‘Who could have placed the curse? Vice Commander Yurgen? Or someone hiding their identity?’

The best scenario would be for the Commander’s mind to return to normal after purging the Vice Commander’s faction.

But the probability of that was slim.

Even if the source of the curse was removed, it was uncertain whether his mind would return to normal.

That’s how long he had suffered from the curse.

In the midst of deep contemplation.

Kasian broke the silence and carefully opened his mouth.

In his eyes, there was a hint of expectation toward Loen.

“Sometimes… unavoidable sacrifices are necessary for the greater good, aren’t they?”

At his words, Seraphine frowned.

“He’s in that state due to the demons’ machinations, so isn’t it a bit reckless to speak that way?”

“I apologize.”

As Kasian bowed his head, Seraphine’s momentum was somewhat broken.

“Having suffered from traitors for a long time, I unintentionally… If I’ve caused you concern, I apologize.”

“…No. There’s no need to apologize.”

Soon, Loen reached a conclusion.

It was a calm voice, but the resolve it contained was firm.

“If the Commander’s condition doesn’t improve even after eliminating the Vice Commander and his forces.”

After taking a brief breath, she continued.

Everyone in the conference room held their breath, waiting for her next words.

“Then I will execute the Commander.”

“!!”

At this shocking statement, everyone in the conference room held their breath.

There was a very big difference between executing Duke Donnelly, who was confirmed as a traitor, and the Commander, who, though mentally unstable, was classified as loyal.

Seraphine asked in disbelief.

“Loen, think again. Isn’t that too hasty?”

“No, it’s a conclusion I’ve reached after careful thought. We don’t have time.”

There was no time to leisurely look after the Commander. They needed to rebuild the legion as quickly as possible before the situation in the West deteriorated further.

“Still… he’s too valuable to kill. How about imprisoning him instead?”

Seraphine voiced her opposition once more. Even for her, who usually respected Loen’s judgment, this decision was difficult to accept.

“You saw him in the office earlier. He’s in a state where his mind could snap and go berserk at any moment. If we put him in prison in that state, he might cause a major disturbance.”

Despite Loen’s words, the group still seemed disgruntled.

Well, when talking about executing a Legion Commander classified as loyal, that was to be expected.

This time, the Knight Commander carefully advised.

“Um, Loen. Perhaps you should reconsider…”

Then, one of the staff raised his hand and spoke.

In his eyes, Loen could see a look that suggested it was sad but unavoidable.

“Perhaps sending off the Commander… might actually be the better choice for him. At least he could maintain his honor.”

A brief argument ensued.

The group’s claim that it was too hasty clashed strongly with Loen and Kasian’s argument that it was unavoidable for rebuilding the legion.

Meanwhile, Psyche and Leus remained silent, only their eyes moving back and forth.

At some point, Loen began to feel gradually dizzy.

A staff member’s desperate cry, Seraphine’s sharp rebuttal, someone’s murmuring, the sound of eyes rolling… all that noise mixed together, shaking Loen’s mind.

Simultaneously, the world flowed very slowly.

Trembling lips, determined eyes, anxious expressions, tightly closed lips… people’s emotions, as if in slow motion, were conveyed vividly to Loen’s vision.

At the peak of confusion.

“Enough! I will accept no further opinions.”

Loen abruptly stood up and declared.

Her red eyes scanned everyone in the conference room one by one. No one dared to speak anymore.

“If his condition does not improve even after eliminating the Vice Commander and his faction, I will immediately execute the Western Legion Commander. This concludes the meeting.”

No matter how much she thought about it, this was the most certain and correct choice.

At least, that’s what Loen thought.

Hesitating half-heartedly could lead to a situation where everything was ruined. Now was the time for a bold decision.

Any sacrifices that might occur in the process were merely trivial noise.

Didn’t she resolve this before carrying out the purge in the Cabinet Palace?

To use any means necessary. To become an utterly cold-hearted person. To move steadfastly forward.

There can be no compromise here.

Above all.

To defeat monsters, one must become a monster.

That was the principle of this era.

This wasn’t very difficult.

From the path she was walking now, just a little. Just one step aside.

Human and monster. On that boundary, just one step to the side.

That’s how she convinced herself.

‘Yes. This is right.’

At that very moment.

Woong—!

A small vibration was felt from the pouch at her waist.

What is this?

As Loen lowered her head, the golden brooch jumped out and floated in the air, emitting a dazzling light.

Soon, the light burst forth.

“Ahh!”

“What is this sudden!”

Everyone in the conference room screamed and closed their eyes against the light that dominated the space.

As if a meteor had fallen.

The intense golden beam of light instantly spread from the conference room to the entire legion fortress.

The light was so bright and intense that it could be seen from a very far distance.

At that time. The Southern Legion camp.

The quiet camp began to stir.

This was because a massive golden pillar of light was rising up, as if to pierce the sky.

The sentries on duty were the first to detect the anomaly.

“Hey, can you see that? That direction… it’s towards the western fortress?”

“What on earth is happening…”

The soldiers’ whispers instantly spread throughout the entire camp. They rushed out of their tents one by one, staring blankly at the pillar of light covering the sky with a mixture of shock and disbelief.

Operations Staff Officer Bern, who hurriedly dashed out of his tent, was also momentarily speechless at the scene before him.

He unconsciously murmured.

“A massive… golden light?”

Even for him, this bizarre sight was something he had never seen before.

Staff Officer Bern made an immediate decision.

Whatever that light was, it was certain that something had happened in the fortress beyond the hill.

“Adjutant! Issue orders to all commanders to prepare for battle readiness immediately!”

“Yes!”

Meanwhile, in the conference room where the beam of light had subsided.

Loen’s mind was remarkably clear.

‘What the hell. Why was I thinking that way?’

The words she had just uttered flashed through her mind like a kaleidoscope.

But the shock was brief.

Just as she was quickly regaining her composure and about to assess the situation,

a memory flashed through her mind.

I want the power to destroy demons.

You already possess that power. Instead, I’ll give you this.

Yes. The brooch. That golden brooch now floating in the air before her eyes, emitting a soft light.

The mysterious object handed directly by the Emperor.

And the fierce beam of light that spread like a waterfall from the brooch.

Finally, Kasian, still writhing in pain from the pouring light.

The scattered puzzle pieces of memory began to fit together.

Kasian’s behavior from their first meeting, immediately shaking hands and making physical contact, and oddly requesting another handshake even in the conference room. The Commander reciting the names of all his staff one after another, claiming the legion was surrounded by demon underlings.

In a split second, after combining numerous memories and intuitions, Loen finally reached one conclusion.

The source of the curse was Chief of Staff Kasian.

The moment she realized this.

Loen made a quick decision. The decision immediately led to action.

“Magic bullet.”

Destructive mana condensed at her fingertips was immediately fired toward Kasian. There was no hesitation.

BOOM!

The conference room was once again filled with dazzling light and a thunderous sound.

Loen didn’t stop there.

It was because she had noticed that just before the magic bullet reached him, a translucent mana shield appeared and deflected the beam.

So he possessed a defensive artifact.

That didn’t matter.

“Mana sword.”

The next moment, Loen moved.

She lightly pressed the conference room table with her left arm and threw herself forward. Rotating her body in the air, she swung her right arm forcefully. In her hand was now a gray sword emitting a chilling aura.

Swish— Thud.

A short, concise sound.

Eventually, Kasian’s head fell helplessly onto the table.

His eyes were wide open, as if he couldn’t understand the situation at all.

Loen then proceeded to take the lives of the staff members one by one.

“S-save, gak.”

“Gurgle.”

Blood splattered everywhere, and bodies collapsed without even being able to scream.

The conference room instantly transformed into a slaughterhouse.

“What on earth is this?”

“Loen… sir?”

The group could only stare blankly at Loen, who had just blown off the heads of people they had been debating with moments ago, with their mouths literally hanging open. Leus was almost half out of his mind.

These were natural reactions, as they didn’t know about the golden brooch.

Just as Loen was about to explain the situation.

Bang!

An armored knight burst through the conference room door. Blood stains were clear on his face.

“Commander! Right now, a significant number of soldiers and officers in the corridor have lost their minds and are running wild…”

He momentarily stopped speaking when he saw the bodies scattered on the floor.

As if that wasn’t enough, the sounds of clashing weapons and incomprehensible howls were flooding in through the open door crack. The entire fortress seemed to have turned into chaos.

Loen, who had snatched the brooch, closed her eyes.

Perhaps because some of the light had seeped into her body? Her body and mind felt lighter.

Opening her eyes again, Loen shouted.

“Everyone, into combat formation.”

There was no time for lengthy explanations.

Now that the source of the curse was gone, checking what had happened to Commander Harkon was the urgent priority. The future situation would completely change depending on whether he had overcome the curse.

“Right now, we head to the annex where the Commander is staying.”