Chapter 42 – Side Story: Nia, the Hero’s Companion

“I greet Your Grace, the Duke.”

Frio, the vice-captain of the Imperial Radiant Knights, bowed before Xian.

“Sir Frio…?”

Xian had once carried out missions alongside the Imperial Radiant Knights during the war.

He recognized not only Frio but also the knights standing in formation behind him.

However, he couldn’t bring himself to welcome them warmly.

“What brings you here?”

The awkwardness of being addressed as Your Grace, the Duke was one thing, but what truly unsettled him was the sheer number of knights present—perhaps the entire Imperial Radiant Knights corps—fully armed and ready for battle.

Surrounding them were the Holy Knights, who outnumbered them more than twofold.

Even the captain of the Holy Knights had his hand resting on the hilt of his sword, waiting.

There was no doubt—Frio had not come bearing good news.

“It is an imperial order from His Majesty. You must return to the Empire immediately.”

It was not a difficult command.

Xian had planned to return to the Empire soon anyway. He just needed to move up his schedule.

“You came all this way just to deliver that message?”

If that were the case, a messenger from the Holy Nation could have relayed it, or a single knight would have sufficed.

There was no need for this many armed knights.

As expected, Frio shook his head.

“Your Grace, please step aside. We have business with that beast.”

“…What?”

Beast.

A term humans used to degrade beastkin. Ever since the time of the Half-Demon Alliance, when a beastkin warrior killed a knight for using that slur—almost breaking apart the fragile coalition—it had been considered an extreme insult.

And yet, he had dared to say it, right in front of a beastkin.

Not just any beastkin, but Nia the successor to the Beastkin Alliance, and Xian’s companion.

“Sir Frio, what is the meaning of this rudeness?!”

“Your Grace, Count Darhan is dead. The families of Molf, Saradin, and Ktan have been completely wiped out.”

“…!”

Xian froze.

All familiar names.

All of them had fought alongside him in the war against the Demon King.

Four nobles of the Empire. Among them, Count Darhan had even been a Master. And yet, someone had managed to kill them all?

Seeing the flicker of shock in Xian’s eyes, Frio pressed on.

“They were killed by beastkin.”

Frio’s gaze locked onto Nia as he spoke.

“The beastkin have invaded the Empire. Tribal chiefs—some of the strongest warriors among them—are ravaging the lands, swaying or slaughtering nobles as they go. Reports have come in that their main forces are marching toward the Empire as we speak.”

The news was so sudden that Xian couldn’t find words.

He turned to Nia.

Her face had gone completely pale.

“What, are you going to pretend you didn’t know? You wretched beast.”

His words were far too harsh for someone addressing the Hero’s companion, but Frio did not hesitate.

“Why else would you have followed him here? You were given orders, weren’t you? To delay the Hero’s return as much as possible.”

“That’s not true! I just…”

I just wanted to be with Xian…!

But the words caught in Nia’s throat.

Ignoring her, Frio continued speaking to Xian.

“Your Grace. The Imperial Princess was also attacked. Had Commander Giel arrived even a moment later, Her Highness would have lost her life.”

“What do you mean…?!”

Riel, a knight of the Empire, shouted in shock.

“Fortunately, a cadet from the Academy managed to buy time by protecting Her Highness, and during that window, Commander Giel arrived and eliminated the tribal chiefs who led the attack. Thanks to that, Her Highness is safe. However… many of the Academy’s guards and cadets lost their lives.”

Frio did not bother mentioning that among the fallen cadets were members of House Constantia.

After finishing his report, Frio drew his sword and pointed it directly at Nia.

“His Majesty, in consideration of her service in the war against the Demon King, has decided not to execute this beast on the spot. Instead, she is to be taken to the Imperial Capital for trial. So, Your Grace, hand her over.”

Before Xian could respond, another voice cut through the tension.

“Knight of the Empire, sheathe your sword.”

It was the voice of the Holy Knight Commander, Brahan. He released both his aura and divine power as he spoke.

“This is the Holy Nation. No matter how powerful the Empire may be, we will not stand by and allow you to provoke an armed conflict here.”

“Sir Brahan! The Empire’s territory has been invaded by beastkin! Even Her Highness was attacked!”

“And that is precisely why you were granted passage into the Holy Nation. But I will not allow you to brandish your blade and cause chaos.”

Brahan momentarily turned his gaze toward the Holy Maiden. After observing her expression, he gave a small nod before continuing.

“Nia is a guest of the Holy Maiden. Under no circumstances will we allow harm to come to a guest of the Holy Maiden within the Holy Nation.”

“So, the Holy Nation is choosing to side with the beastkin?!”

Frio abandoned all pretense of politeness and shouted, prompting the Imperial Radiant Knights to draw their swords in unison.

In response, the Holy Knights also unsheathed their weapons, and murmurs of prayers began to echo throughout the hall.

“Enough!”

The one who stopped the imminent clash was none other than the Hero, Xian.

“Sir Frio, please… just grant me a little time. I need to process everything. I need to speak with my companions.”

Frio looked as though he wanted to argue further, but when he saw Xian’s expression, he realized that persuasion was futile.

Forcing Xian to come with them was impossible.

If Xian chose to protect Nia, then taking her into custody was equally impossible.

And making an enemy of the Holy Nation in this situation was far from a wise decision.

Weighing all these factors, Frio made his decision.

“In that case, Your Grace, I will escort Duke Fael back to the capital. Once you’ve come to a decision, please return as quickly as possible.”

Wasting time trying to convince Xian here was pointless. It was more productive to return to the battlefield and slay as many beastkin as possible.

Having come to that conclusion, Frio left Xian with one final statement.

“Your Grace. I say this not for that beast’s sake, but for yours. If you truly wish to save her, take her to the capital—whether by surrendering her or by whatever means necessary. Let her stand trial. That is the only way.”

Frio knew well how much His Majesty treasured Xian.

And he also knew that the Emperor would never order the execution of Xian’s companion.

A part of him wanted to convince Xian to let Nia escape.

But if that happened, His Majesty might change his mind and declare a hunt for her.

Frio could not allow his personal feelings to drive a wedge between His Majesty and Xian.

Clenching his teeth, he cast one last glare at Nia before turning away, making his way to where Duke Fael awaited.

—--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

“A trial? What do you mean a trial? What has Nia even done wrong?!”

In the Holy Maiden’s reception room—

Seria, the Elven Princess, erupted in anger.

“Nia didn’t even kill anyone from the Empire! And now they want to extradite her?”

The one who calmed Seria’s fury was the Holy Maiden, Ella.

“Please, calm down, Seria. The Emperor likely considers all beastkin criminals.”

“What? That’s absurd—!”

“Is it really so different from what happened with the Chadwick Kingdom?”

Chadwick—

A kingdom that had secretly abducted young elves under the protection of its royal family. Even after their crimes were exposed, they refused to negotiate and denied any wrongdoing. In the end, the entire kingdom was annihilated by the elves.

“But we never said all humans had to be punished for what Chadwick did.”

“No, but the beastkin are united under a single alliance.”

“Ella! Are you saying Nia is at fault?”

“That’s not what I’m saying. But I do understand the Emperor’s perspective.”

Elite warriors of the beastkin tribes had infiltrated the Empire without even declaring war and attempted to assassinate the Imperial Princess.

This wasn’t just an ordinary war.

Until either the Empire or the beastkin were completely wiped out, this hatred would never fade.

Ella knew what kind of ruler the Emperor was.

A man in his early twenties who had assassinated Duke Triel, the noble who once shared power with the imperial family, and dismantled the Imperial Council.

A ruler of undeniable talent, but utterly devoid of mercy.

He purged his political enemies as a matter of principle, yet he was also unpredictable—sometimes sparing those who posed a threat to him, simply on a whim.

And now, someone had almost assassinated his beloved younger sister, within the Empire itself.

What would such an Emperor do next?

“…He might attempt to exterminate the beastkin.”

“What?! Exterminate an entire race? That’s impossible—!”

“Do you really think so, Seria?”

History had recorded cases where entire races vanished after losing a war.

The Giants.

Once one of the great powers of the continent, they disappeared from history after their war against the dragons.

And everyone in this room knew—

The Emperor of Arhan was said to be a descendant of dragons.

“I won’t accept this. I won’t stand by while Nia is treated like a criminal!”

Seria was never known for being gentle, but when it came to her companions, she was fiercely loyal.

“I’ll speak to my mother and have her formally protest to the Empire. Ella, the Holy Nation will support us, won’t you?”

She fully expected Ella to agree without hesitation.

But instead, Ella shook her head.

“I’m sorry, Seria. But that would be… difficult.”

“Why?!”

“It’s shameful to admit, but the Holy Nation once tried to interfere with the Empire’s throne.”

Ella spoke calmly.

“Fortunately, not long ago, His Holiness and His Majesty reached an agreement to leave that matter in the past. But if the Holy Nation were to intervene in the Empire’s affairs again, this time, it might truly lead to war.”

“Damn it…!”

Even Seria couldn’t go so far as to say the Holy Nation should go to war with the Empire just for Nia’s sake.

“If only Viola were here…!”

She thought of their dependable mage—

A wise companion who, though not particularly talkative, always offered the best course of action. If Viola were here, she would have found an answer even in this situation.

“Xian, let’s take Nia to the capital. I’ll personally plead with His Majesty to show her mercy.”

Riel, a knight of the Empire, spoke.

She, too, was furious that the Imperial Princess had been attacked by beastkin and that nobles she was acquainted with had been killed.

But

She was also Nia’s companion, someone who had fought and endured hardships alongside her.

That was why, even in her anger, she could not direct her rage at Nia. Instead, she turned to Xian.

“Mercy? Nia hasn’t done anything wrong!”

“Seria! That’s not what matters right now!”

“Then what does?!”

Before they knew it, the two had raised their voices, their argument intensifying.

Ella stepped in, trying to mediate.

Meanwhile, only Xian and Nia remained silent, lost in thought.

“…Guys.”

Finally, after some time, Xian spoke.

“We’re going to the capital. His Majesty summoned me, so I have to go.”

“What? Then what about Nia—?!”

“Seria. Take Nia to the Great Forest.”

“Xian!”

Seria’s face lit up at his words, but Riel’s expression twisted in shock.

“His Majesty ordered us to bring Nia! What are you saying—?”

Do you even understand what you’re saying right now?!

Riel’s wide eyes locked onto Xian, but he held her gaze steadily as he spoke.

“Riel. This isn’t right. You know Nia is innocent.”

“…Xian.”

“Please, Riel. I’m asking you.”

Just this once—trust me.

Xian’s quiet plea left Riel unable to respond.

“…Nia.”

Xian turned to his companion, his voice gentle.

“I’m going to the capital. If the beastkin really invaded the Empire, then I will fight them.”

Nia remained silent, her head lowered.

Of everyone in this room, she was undoubtedly the most confused.

Her own people had invaded the nation of the one she loved—overnight.

“But one thing is certain—you’ve done nothing wrong.”

Xian smiled slightly, as if reassuring her.

“I think His Majesty is… acting on impulse right now. Once he calms down, he’ll reconsider. He’s a wise ruler. So Nia, just go to the Great Forest and rest for now.”

Seria was relieved.

Riel was dissatisfied—but she did not object.

Because in the end, she too was Nia’s companion.

And Ella, watching silently, also believed Xian had made the right choice.

The Emperor had received the elves’ elixirs less than a month ago.

There was no way he would risk war with the elves in this situation.

“Ella. Can you prepare a teleportation circle to the capital?”

“Yes. I’ll have the priests set it up.”

“Thank you. …Riel?”

“…Fine. Let’s go.”

And with that—

The Hero returned to the Empire, accompanied by Riel.

—

“I apologize for the delay, Your Majesty.”

“Xian. You’ve arrived.”

“…I’m sorry.”

“Apologies can wait.”

The Emperor’s golden eyes gleamed coldly.

“Xian. Can you cut that down?”

“…Yes.”

And so, the Hero severed the god of the beastkin.