Chapter 06
The foundation of loyalty to the Pelberg Empire’s royal family was built on the Stigmata and Divine Authority. However, in the past five hundred years, no member of the royal bloodline had manifested the power of the Constellation, and as a result, the Pelberg Empire and its royal house began walking the path of decline, with the glory of the brilliant era gradually being forgotten.
Yet, there were still those who remembered the golden age that lasted until five centuries ago. They called themselves the Imperial Faith.
They were fanatics who believed that the Pelberg Emperor, descended from the bloodline of the Constellations, was the true ruler of the world and a god. Even though no member of the royal family had awakened in over five hundred years, they never abandoned their oaths or faith, offering blind loyalty to the Emperor and the royal house. Always, they waited for the day the Emperor would return—the one who would prove the lineage of the Constellations. All for their master.
However, the Imperial Faith had historically been used and discarded repeatedly by the royal family due to their unchanging loyalty. To maintain the organization’s existence, extraordinary measures had been necessary, which is why, in recent times, they operated in secret, assisting the royal family covertly.
This was also true for Aron Valerian, a Grand Chevalier-level knight of the Assassin Corps, known as the shadow of the Pelberg Emperor.
Aron Valerian—
He was a knight who had abandoned an honorable life for loyalty, venturing into darkness, and a devout believer of the Imperial Faith. He was currently hiding in a cave not far from the place of exile where the third royal prince, a reckless member of the Pelberg royal family, resided in the fortress of Canossa. He had stationed himself there, ready to provide immediate support should anything happen to the prince, along with his subordinates.
He went about his daily routine with the Imperial Faith’s paladins, performing strictly ordinary duties.
“Here are His Highness the Prince’s official activities over the past week.”
“Over the past three days, more than half of the wine His Highness consumed came from renowned vineyards in the southern provinces of the Empire.”
“Today, His Highness skipped breakfast. According to secret information, there has been a recent overhaul of the kitchen staff at Canossa Fortress.”
Aron meticulously monitored the schedule and daily life of Cain, the direct descendant of the Pelberg royal bloodline. Though it might seem akin to stalking, the paladins and priests of the Imperial Faith took it very seriously.
But their peace did not last long, and an unexpected development occurred.
“Commander! A force estimated between 800 and 1,000 troops is heading toward Canossa Fortress!”
It was Vinson, a senior mage and former subordinate of the Assassin Corps, now also a devotee of the Imperial Faith, reporting in.
Aron, who had been quietly praying before the symbol of the Emperor, slowly lifted his head.
Disturbing the solemn ritual meant to pray for the Emperor’s safety and the glory of the Pelberg Empire irritated him slightly. But after considering the report, he realized it was certainly a matter worth interfering with.
If it was Canossa Fortress, then it concerned the third prince.
He spoke slowly.
“Have you checked the banners?”
Vinson responded immediately.
“They bear the crest of the Paul Elang family.”
“Neutral faction… Still, we should watch them carefully, just in case.”
Aron said this, unaware of the tragedy that had just occurred in the royal palace’s grand hall. After Vinson withdrew, Aron was about to resume his prayers, but he sensed an unusual flow of magic. He hurried out of the cave and saw the battle unfolding at Canossa Fortress from a distance.
“Paladins of the Imperial Faith! Fulfill your oaths! The time has come to once again lay down your lives to protect Pelberg!”
Without hesitation, Aron Valerian summoned the Imperial Faith paladins and rode toward Canossa Fortress. As they approached, the defenders of the fortress were clearly being overwhelmed.
“Damn it! Move faster!”
Although mounted on horseback, the weight of their armor limited their speed. Frustrated, Aron shouted in rage.
“Commander! L-look to the skies!”
At Vinson’s exclamation, Aron lifted his gaze—and witnessed it.
The sky was filled with red magic, a proof of the long-forgotten Constellations. It was the Stigmata.
“That is…!”
Anyone with eyes and even the slightest intelligence could understand. This was the legendary reappearance after 500 years. The bloodline of the Constellations had returned. The long-declining Pelberg royal house now bore tangible evidence of the age of myth once again.
“Haha… finally! Finally, it has descended! The noble bloodline! I was right! We—the Imperial Faith—were right!”
Aron’s faith, now aware of the Stigmata, erupted with divine intensity, his eyes glowing gold.
“Pelberg! Forever!”
From a paladin armed with unwavering belief in the Emperor, a miracle was born.
For a moment, everyone remained silent, dumbfounded by the Stigmata appearing on Cain’s hand.
Heinrich Denber, a high-ranking knight of Grand Chevalier rank, regained his composure before the others and approached Prince Cain Pelberg to assess his condition.
Fortunately, upon closer inspection, although blood poured from every orifice of Cain’s face, it was not excessive, and no other issues were apparent. His breathing was stable, and the “circle,” the space for storing magic near his heart, was also stable. However, Denber sensed a void in the magic there, allowing him to deduce the prince’s condition:
‘Exhaustion from magical depletion.’
Had there been an overload or surge in the circle, emergency treatment might not have saved him. But for now, he was merely drained—a condition that would quickly recover with rest and care.
“Everyone, focus and escort His Highness!”
Once the battle ended and the critical moment had passed, Denber’s natural tone returned. Following his command, the other knights regained focus and began moving efficiently.
However, as they prepared to move Cain to safety, he regained consciousness first.
“I’m fine.”
Cain said in a weak voice. When he opened his eyes, the first thing he saw was the reverent gaze of the knights.
Reflecting on his past life as Cain Pelberg, he realized that even loyal knights had not particularly respected him. After all, there were plenty of other heirs who could have replaced him.
But now, things were different. Witnessing the legendary return before their eyes, the knights paid their respects to the once-reckless Cain. Even if he ordered them to charge the enemy and die gloriously, they would obey. And the reason was clear.
‘Thanks to the Stigmata.’
Cain had become the Stigmata heir, the first in the Pelberg royal line in five hundred years.
‘I didn’t expect such a reaction…’
The effect of using the Stigmata exceeded his expectations. Though he had relied on a shortcut this time and the high-order constellation had reacted, fortune was on his side. By actively training and using the Stigmata and Divine Authority, he could even sway neutral nobles to loyalty. After all, the weakening of the royal house stemmed from the inability to awaken the Constellation bloodline.
“Your Highness, are you all right?”
Heinrich Denber asked seriously, no trace of his usual mischievous grin. Cain gave a small smile and spoke slowly.
“I’m so tired I feel like I could die.”
Cain’s light joke eased the tension in Denber, who had been stiff with worry.
“While I’m guarding you, you’re not allowed to die. My neck would be cut off otherwise.”
After responding to Cain’s joke, Denber surveyed the surroundings.
“…In that case, shall we retreat to a safer location? This place is no longer suitable after the attack.”
Denber spoke cautiously, concerned for the prince. But Cain, despite his exhaustion, analyzed their situation calmly.
“Denber. I’m afraid there’s no safe place here.”
And this was reality.
Canossa Fortress was built against a cliff, with all accessible gates on the front side.
Any escape would require going through the main gate. But a vast plain lay before the fortress. Beyond the plain was a dense forest.
The open field was ideal for monitoring approaching enemies but terrible for fleeing. Any escape route would be obvious, and ambushes awaited in the forest.
‘Even if all the royal family were annihilated, someone must have assumed command and mobilized the central army of the Empire.’
The Imperial Central Army, or simply the Empire Army, was under the direct command of the Emperor and his loyal forces, unlike noble militias or local garrisons. Originally stationed for regional defense, they were slightly less trained than the Emperor’s elite forces but were far from weak. Most importantly, they were loyal to the Empire and the royal family.
Cain considered further.
The Supreme Commander likely died in the grand hall massacre, and most commanding officers were killed. Whoever assumed command would have sent urgent orders via magical communication to the central army near Canossa Fortress.
In that case, crossing the plain to reach the forest would be a dramatic move, but logically, it made sense to hold defensive positions at the fortress with the remaining troops until the central army arrived.
