Leon carefully read all the words written on the parchment. In his hands, a handful of papers were stacked together, all saying the same things. They were reports from different city lords that came simultaneously this morning. As he read, it wasn't long before a frown appeared on his aristocratic face when he took the report in mind.

As the current prime minister of Rosenthal, the news bugged him. Recently, there seems to have been a lot of problems occurring in a few cities inside the empire, and coincidentally, all of them are similar.

He scanned the rest of the papers and sighed afterward before bringing them to the emperor silently signing some documents.

"There appears to have been a couple of incidents these past weeks,

" he began with a pensive tone.

Mikhail looked up from the files he was reading towards Leon, a question reflecting in his eyes.

"One after another, fires kept appearing in different cities and they all happened just days apart.. There were no leads to who did it at all,

" Leon was almost certain that these events are not mere coincidences and that all of them are deliberate.

If not, why would there be such a thing as collective fires? And the cities were just beside each other too. It won't be impossible for the attackers to reach the neighboring places in time to arouse more chaos.

Mikhail processed this information in, his mind whirring.

Rosenthal, even though the crime rate is not even close to zero, is a peaceful country. Sure, issues were springing up sometimes but those were either problems within the ruling government or trifling matters such as theft and so on. Arson, on the other hand, is another thing.

Fires can happen every year because it is inevitable but multiple cases of arson at the same time… That's suspicious.

"Do you think it's the work of those intruders?

" Mikhail recalled the people that they were investigating and thought that if it were them, it is possible.

Leon's brows furrowed and contemplated on it for a bit. The emperor's suggestion is not implausible because after all, they can't think of anyone else that would do such things in the peaceful empire.

"We still don't know their goals so I am not certain yet. It could be someone else too.

" In the end, Leon remarked.

"Hmmm…

"

Mikhail understood what he meant and fell deeper into thought again.

A knock was then heard before the door opened, revealing Lukas whom they have not seen for weeks.

"Greetings to His Majesty,

" Lukas uttered in respect. He rarely does it, only when other people are around. But when it's just him and the emperor, or with Ezekiel, Lukas sheds off any kind of pretense. He would act as the same indifferent man as he is.

"Lukas… You have returned.

" Mikhail stated in surprise.

He had known why Lukas was gone because he had asked him to go on a mission. It was just that he returned faster than he had expected.

"Yes, and I have come to report to His Majesty,

" Lukas replied.

Leon glanced at the two men. Unlike the emperor, he doesn't know anything about Lukas's mission. Thus, he read the atmosphere in the room and decided to leave them be.

"Ahem, then I will be taking my leave first,

" clearing his throat, he began to make his way out of there.

But he was stopped by Mikhail in an instant.

"No, that is not needed. You should stay, Leon.

"

The mission is confidential but Leon is an exception because he is the prime minister of the empire and he must know the current situation they are facing. Also, Leon has long been informed of the problem anyway so he doesn't need to stay out of the conversation that was about to unfold.

There was a short pause from him.

"If his majesty insists…

" Leon muttered and went back to the emperor's side, composing himself.

Mikhail nodded and looked at Lukas.

"Let us hear it.

"

Lukas glanced at the esteemed man standing on the side with interest. His blonde hair and pale ruby eyes immediately reminded him of Nathaniel. Both of them held an uncanny resemblance to each other aside from the color of their hair. It could be said that Nathaniel is exactly the younger version of this man.

'Marquis Leon Herman.'

He knew him, of course. He had met him before after all. Right when he rose to the title as the duke of Agera. The current prime minister, who was once the general who led Rosenthal to rise to glory.

He could faintly feel the same energy as Nathan to him but that was it.

"For two weeks, I have searched the empire of the intruder's possible hideouts but there were none that link to them,

" Lukas opened his mouth and began his report.

"Although I did discover some illegal organizations. I already took the matter into my own hands so his majesty does not have to worry.

"

Mikhail was surprised.

"Illegal organizations?

"

"Yes, I set them all on fire,

" Lukas breezily replied like it was nothing.

Not just setting the place on fire, he had also incinerated everyone on sight. Although he had thought of asking more questions about the organization, it wasn't on Lukas's agenda at all. So to save time and energy, he just killed everyone. At least, they won't be able to regroup quickly. The matter is solved just like that.

Both the emperor and Leon were at a loss for words. Lukas openly admitted to arson and had acted like what he did was not a big deal. Judging from his demeanor, Leon could see that he didn't spare anyone. It was simply too tyrannical.

"Ah. So that explains the fires...

" Leon couldn't help but purse his lips in silence.

He knows that Lukas is not just acting as the duke of Agera but he is also working directly with the emperor. His true identity is the leader of the elite Silver Wings and the general of the empire's army. There is also one more title that could be linked to his name and these titles don't make him a simple man.

'Such a young age and already this prominent…'

Leon could only look away from Lukas's unorthodox method of handling things.

Meanwhile, the emperor took note of one important matter.

"No hideouts? Are we perhaps mistaken?

"