Upon hearing Ian’s words, As extended the banquet for several more days. Of course, it wasn’t for his own enjoyment. The most important part of a birthday celebration was ensuring that the people were well-fed.

“Distribute food to the citizens.”

“Make sure there’s a steady supply of meat and wine.”

Thanks to these efforts, the people of Santamo praised him daily.

“Is this the food provided by His Highness, the Seventh Prince?”

“Are we really receiving this much?”

“Hurrah for Santamo! Long live the Seventh Prince!”

Some citizens even gathered enthusiastically in front of the lord’s castle, cheering for As. With the free distribution of food, meat, and wine, various festivals began to emerge throughout Santamo, celebrating the Seventh Prince’s birth. News of the grand festivities quickly spread, drawing in people from other cities, including foreign merchants.

“I heard there was an assassination attempt, yet he still held a banquet. That’s truly impressive.”

“Indeed. To remain so composed despite the presence of both the formidable Second Prince and the First Princess… He must be more capable than we thought.”

“They say new talents have joined his ranks. I hear they’re quite remarkable.”

Foreign envoys began to view the Seventh Prince with newfound respect. Many sought to meet him in person, while others moved discreetly to request an audience.

A group of officials approached As.

“Your Highness, foreign merchants have requested to meet with you.”

“They’ve brought various riches and gold as gifts. It seems they wish to offer them to you.”

“What shall we do? Should we allow them an audience?”

As nodded eagerly. “Of course. Let them in immediately.”

“Wait a moment.”

Before the officials could leave, Sang stepped in to stop them. As frowned, displeased. “Why are you interfering now, Sang?”

“Now is not the time to meet merchants,” Sang replied calmly.

“And why not?” As’s eyebrows twitched in irritation. He tolerated Sang’s presence only out of gratitude for Ian, but he neither trusted him nor wanted his interference.

Sang, however, remained unfazed. “We have not yet dealt with all the assassins. There are still many who seek your life. Please exercise caution.”

As scoffed. “And why should I trust you? Could it be that you simply don’t want me to gain more power?”

“Not at all. I simply find it inconvenient. If you die here, it would cause considerable trouble.”

At that, Sang subtly glanced at Ian, his expression making it clear: “If you die now, it will interfere with his plans.”

As clenched his jaw but ultimately turned to Ian instead. “What does my benefactor think?”

Ian smirked. “Me? Of course, you should meet them. Why refuse people who are willing to give you money just for an audience?”

As brightened instantly. “Exactly! My benefactor truly understands!”

Sang, on the other hand, was taken aback. He had expected Ian to agree with him.

‘How could someone who needs to support the Crown Prince make such a careless mistake here?’

If anything were to happen to As, it would create significant complications—especially in ensuring Leonic’s return as the Crown Prince. Concerned, Sang pressed Ian further.

“Are you serious? This is the most dangerous time. If an assassin disguised as a merchant manages to slip through…”

Ian cut him off with a confident smile. “Then we’ll catch them. What’s there to worry about when I’m here?”

Sang hesitated. “…!”

Ian wasn’t joking. He possessed one of the Seven Sins—Jealousy.

‘No matter how skilled an assassin may be, they can hide their killing intent—but never their emotions.’

Ian had never once failed to detect an assassin. In fact, he welcomed the idea of them disguising themselves as merchants. Not only would they bring money, but he could also exploit their failed attempts to extract even greater wealth from other merchants.

However, the helmet on his head stirred, sounding concerned.

[You rely too much on the Seven Sins. Though it’s quiet for now, if Jealousy grows stronger, things will become dangerous. It could awaken.]

At the moment, the power of Patience was sealing it away, but there was no telling how long that would last.

Ian nodded to himself. ‘So you’re saying I should balance the Seven Sins and the Seven Virtues?’

[Yes. All power requires balance.]

‘So if I find the assassins, I can just smash their heads with Patience?’

[No… that’s not what I meant…]

The helmet fell into an exasperated silence.

Meanwhile, As, oblivious to this internal exchange, was overjoyed by Ian’s support. With a pleased expression, he turned back to Sang.

“Even my benefactor agrees. What do you think now, Sang?”

Sang sighed, finally conceding. “I will bring the merchants.”

“Good. Hurry up and bring them.”

As dismissed Sang enthusiastically, seeming to revel in giving him work. Then, turning to Ian with a bright smile, he grabbed his hand.

“Benefactor, let’s go together.”

Ian raised an eyebrow. “Are you sure? What will people say?”

At that, As’s expression darkened.

“If anyone dares to say anything against my benefactor, I won’t let it slide.”

His anger was genuine. Ian had saved his life and helped him countless times. No one had the right to question his presence.

As walked beside Ian with an almost reverent attitude, causing murmurs among the onlookers.

“Who is that man, that the prince treats him with such respect?”

“Could he be manipulating the prince…?”

“Isn’t it dangerous to trust someone so completely?”

Despite the whispers, As remained unfazed. In fact, he openly rebuked those who dared to question Ian’s presence.

“That man is my benefactor. What’s wrong with treating him with respect?”

His fury was evident, especially toward those who had previously failed to protect him. Thanks to this, Ian’s position in As’s inner circle grew even stronger.

***

That night, after meeting with numerous merchants, Ian finally found a moment to rest. He stood on the castle terrace, gazing at the stars as he gathered his thoughts.

‘I’ve secured the Seventh Prince as a perfect ally and shaken up Cantum from within.’

He had also identified and eliminated the assassins hiding among the merchants. In the process, he made a considerable profit. As had been so impressed by Ian’s capabilities that he had rewarded him with a substantial sum of wealth.

But that wasn’t all.

‘I’ve also rooted out enemy spies within the city.’

With the vermin gone, Santamo flourished almost immediately. More people began following Ian’s lead.

It was then that Sang approached him with news.

‘Your sister will be arriving at the Imperial City soon.’

As Ian had predicted, they were stalling for as long as possible, but it seemed they could no longer prolong things. The Emperor had directly sent a message about the ongoing slow march. It was time for him to begin moving as well. However, he realized he still couldn’t act yet.

‘Leon still hasn’t made a move.’

While they had apprehended several suspected assassins under the First Imperial Princess’s command, Leon’s key subordinates remained elusive. Ian had expected them to reveal themselves by now, yet days had passed without a sign.

As he pondered the situation, another thought surfaced.

‘What’s crucial right now is Leon and my prophecy.’

Lost in thought about Leon, he recalled the words of the fortune teller—the one who had spoken to him when he passed one of the Seven Virtues.

“The reason you have a new life is due to the lingering regrets of the restless spirits.”

“Restless spirits? Regrets?”

At the time, Ian hadn’t fully grasped the meaning behind those words. But Yunseul, the fortune teller, had continued cautiously.

“Do you know why this continent was divided?”

In the era of the First King, it had been a single continent. However, due to some event, it was split into two: the Kingdom of Swordsmen and the Kingdom of Magicians. A massive whirlpool prevented the two continents from meeting each other. This was a fact that Ian was well aware of.

“They say the wrath of the gods fell upon the land after the First King’s death. Was it because of his unjust demise?”

Yunseul shook his head.

“No. In truth, it was the First King himself who split the continent.”

“What?”

“He sealed away the Seven Virtues and the Seven Sins to ensure they would never be gathered again.”

“!”

Ian frowned, confused. How did this relate to him? Seeing his expression, Yunseul continued.

“The First King ruled with the Seven Virtues and annihilated his enemies with the Seven Sins. The issue arose afterward.”

Only the Royal Roader—the rightful heir—could unite the Seven Virtues and Seven Sins. However, in that era, the Royal Roader had been the First King himself. And when his death approached…

“Someone attempted to gather them all. And soon, they turned their blades against one another.”

Even before the First King had passed, internal conflicts had erupted. His followers had turned against each other. Some of the Seven Virtues and Seven Sins had been destroyed in the process.

But the true catastrophe had been caused by the one who had gathered the Seven Sins.

“He grew powerful—so powerful that even the First King hesitated to face him directly. And that… was only the beginning.”

“What do you mean, the beginning?”

“Even the greatest heroes could only handle a single one of the Seven Sins. The only person who could wield multiple was the Royal Roader. Even the First King himself had to distribute the power among his vassals. So, what do you think happened?”

Ian’s expression hardened.

“There must have been chaos.”

“It was not mere chaos. It was truly… a calamity.”

Ironically, the calamity had been caused by a magician the First King had trusted most. He had begun to use the power he had gained by killing his colleagues to gain power. The First King had been left with no choice.

“He gathered the remaining Seven Virtues and Seven Sins, subdued the traitor, sealed his power away, and split the continent—ensuring the two forces could never be combined again.”

“Then… isn’t it over?”

“If only that were the case… the restless spirits are relentless.”

They had passed through the whirlpool that divided the continents, seeking to reclaim the lost fragments of the Seven Sins. Their goal was clear—to find a new master.

“It is as if he has given you a new life. This time, he will not allow failure.”

Ian had been unable to shake those words since. He had never encountered the First King’s fallen magician—the restless spirit. But there was one person who came to mind.

Elaira.

His twin. His other half.

‘I don’t know when it happens, but sometimes I feel pain or sadness for no apparent reason. It must be because of that.’

In his previous life, he didn’t understand. Now, even if belatedly, he was becoming aware of her existence. Yet, even before this insight, there had been faint feelings that he couldn’t quite grasp.

‘It’s clear. I’m connected to Elaira.’

And whatever force had acted upon her had likely influenced him as well. With that realization, Ian stood up, his eyes shining with determination.

‘First, it’s Cantum and Leon. After that, the Holy Empire.’

Before he could reach the Holy Empire, he had to eliminate Leon. Only then could he uncover the answers hidden there.

He placed a hand over his chest.

Woong!

A deep resonance echoed within him. Faith stirred.

A new Virtue was awakening. It wouldn’t be long now.

Once it fully blossomed, he would finally be able to wield the power he had yet to unleash.

As Ian solidified his plans, Nathan grumbled from his resting spot nearby.

“Ugh, this is exhausting. Why am I suffering so much in a foreign country?”

“Quiet, Nathan.”

Galon’s sharp tone cut through Nathan’s whining, but Nathan didn’t back down.

“No, seriously. How many assassins have we fought? I had to deal with all of them!”

“His Highness was the one who actually defeated them.”

“And I was the one who dragged them out and locked them in the dungeon!” Nathan shot back. “Not to mention, I handled all the interrogations too. Meanwhile, you were just standing guard beside the prince.”

Nathan’s complaints weren’t entirely unfounded. Assassins had undoubtedly been among those who came to meet Prince As. While Ian had detected and neutralized them, it was Nathan who had done the dirty work.

However, Galon remained unfazed, replying calmly, “That’s because you’re the only one I can trust with that.”

“And what about you?”

“I must protect my lord.”

“…”

Nathan shot Ian a look, clearly feeling wronged. He was certain Galon could handle those duties just as well. But before he could argue further, Ian cut in.

“Enough, Sir Nathan. It seems our guest has finally arrived.”

Ian’s eyes gleamed with anticipation.

Swish!

In the darkness of the night, a group of masked figures slipped over the castle gate. Given that this was the highest lord’s castle in Santamo, Ian could easily read their movements. Anyone bold enough to infiltrate at this hour was either an assassin or one of Leon’s subordinates.

Ian gestured to the two knights. “Let’s take care of them.”

Just as they were about to strike—

“Oh? Who’s that?”

Ian’s eyes widened in recognition. A slow smile spread across his face, as if he had just run into an old acquaintance.

Light radiated from his fist as a giant hammer took shape.

“Good to see you again, Ceres.”

At the same time, his overwhelming Patience surged toward the intruders.

Boom!