Upon hearing this, many people couldn't help but ponder the emperor's intentions.

He's letting Gwen make a choice.

You are now Viktor's fiancée.

Your fiancé assaulted your father, but this is a family matter and doesn't escalate to a more serious level.

But if your engagement is dissolved.

So, it was Victor who maliciously allied with the northern barbarians to attack Angus, the Great Knight of the North.

The empire could certainly send troops to capture Victor.

At that time, the matter will be handled officially, and the royal family will thoroughly investigate the matter.

Naturally, their engagement could not be maintained after that.

Angus did not wake up, and his heir was seriously injured and disabled.

Gwen returned to the North to become her Countess and take her father's place in guarding the North.

As for Viktor?

As long as he is not found guilty, he will remain the count and the princess's tutor.

The emperor seems to be rational, although his being alive does indeed intimidate Victor.

But the future monarch may not be able to control two counts with military strength and power.

Many people pondered the emperor's deeper meaning.

So now it's up to Gwen to make her choice.

Gwen responded swiftly without the slightest hesitation.

Her expression remained unchanged, as if she were recounting a trivial matter.

"Your Majesty, I have come to request that you relinquish my position as Royal Knight Commander."

These words caused a stir of astonishment throughout the hall, creating a wave of shock.

Gwen herself possesses extremely strong strength and outstanding abilities; the position of Knight Commander was even appointed by the Emperor.

But now, she's actually planning to resign?

Is he really planning to go home and inherit the estate?!

The emperor smiled upon hearing Gwen's reply.

"Oh? Tell me about it."

Gwen's expression remained cold.

“Victor is my fiancé, and our engagement remains valid as long as he doesn’t intend to cancel it.”

"So I will find him myself and ask him everything."

Her strong sense of justice prevented her from protecting anyone. If Gwen discovered that Viktor was truly at fault, then…

“I will challenge him, even though I have no chance of defeating him.”

Gwen's eyes held absolute determination, unwavering in the slightest.

Even if it means dying at his hands.

Act for justice, and take responsibility for good.

Gwen is righteous, but her righteousness is never stubborn or absolute.

She doesn't judge others as good or bad, kind or evil based on appearances.

Everything in the world has two sides, and she is willing to give her life for all injustices.

This is the small measure of justice that Gwen holds dear.

After speaking, ignoring the horrified looks of those around her, she simply dragged her heavy armor and bowed deeply to the emperor.

"Thank you for your kindness, Your Majesty."

Gwen turned and slowly walked away from the hall. The bright yet scorching light shone on Gwen's armor, making it gleam.

At this moment, Gwen was like an angel cleansed of dust.

More like a stubborn wild beast, it slowly walked towards the depths of a ray of light.

Just to carry out that—

The justice in my heart.

......

The snow and wind in the North are ultimately icy and biting.

Vega curled up its feathers in dissatisfaction. Even though it was not afraid of the cold, the violent wind always made its feathers messy.

That damned Victor wouldn't even give it a windbreak spell, even though it had helped Victor so much.

Suddenly, Viktor stopped in his tracks amidst the blizzard.

"Hey, why did you stop?"

Vega barked in dissatisfaction, but Victor ignored its tearing cries and simply stared quietly ahead.

In the distance, in utter darkness, amidst the swirling snow and wind, a tribe seemed to have appeared, its flames burning brightly.

In this remote place where the cold wind howls, there are still places where people set up camp and light fires.

The bright red flag fluttering in the wind and snow was sewn with a giant sword burning with flames.

Vega also saw the village in the distance and became somewhat curious.

"Look at the flags above, that's the territory of the [Flaming Sword]."

"Viktor said calmly."

The Blazing Sword is one of the two largest barbarian tribes in the far north.

This group of people are scattered in remote frontier regions. They are followers of the fire giant, a terrifying giant with demigod-like power.

They always believed in the power of endless struggle and ever-burning flames.

Those barbarians, as followers of the fire giants, possessed the power to withstand both the cold and fire due to the favor of those ancient giants.

This is why these barbarians have been able to live here for many years.

"It looks like just a small sub-tribe."

Vega said, squinting his eyes.

“Barbarians are no good, but I need them to find my way.”

Viktor spoke calmly, and a white array suddenly formed beneath his feet, casting a levitation spell on him.

Victor slowly floated up into the sky above the tribe.

At this moment, Viktor could see it even more clearly.

The tribe below was constantly burning with raging flames, and piles of animal hides were stacked together. Even the roofs of the houses were made of fur and hides sewn together from various animal hides.

Viktor slowly formed a red array in his hand, chanting obscure incantations.

Soon, a striking and terrifying fiery red appeared between the clouds.

The intensity and heat seemed to burn the entire sky to ashes.

[Fourth-Tier Magic: Heavenly Incineration]

In an instant, the snowstorm over the tribe gradually subsided, replaced by intense heat.

One after another, giant fiery pythons fell from the sky, bombarding the massive village.

Instantly, flames engulfed half the sky, and the entire earth began to crack and crumble.

A large group of men carrying weapons emerged from the tribe. They were covered in red fur, resembling untamed wild beasts.

They gathered together and mumbled something towards Victor in the sky.

With a flick of his finger, Victor unleashed a ferocious, fiery serpent that crashed down upon the crowd.

Endless flames suddenly engulfed the crowd.

Large groups of barbarians, their bodies ablaze with flames, rushed in all directions, trying to extinguish the flames.

But in the end, it was all in vain.

As one by one, the barbarians turned to ashes and fell into the wind and snow, the entire village fell silent.

All that could be heard was the crackling sound of flames burning the building.

Viktor watched the horrific scene unfold, then slowly descended, staring at a barbarian trembling in the flames.

He huddled in the flames, staring at Victor with eyes filled with boundless fear.

The flames seemed to have no effect on him whatsoever.

Viktor looked at him coldly and spoke slowly;

"You're lucky, I found you in the very first tribe."

"A temple qualifier".