Shhk.

Princess Lilisain moved closer to Eugene and stared at Count Hatres with a cold gaze as the latter approached. Her hand was already on the pommel of her sword.

“You don’t have to be so vigilant. What could I possibly do to His Majesty when I lost to you?” Count Hatres said with a bitter smile. Princess Lilisain took a step back. However, her hand remained on the handle of her sword, ready to draw the blade at a moment’s notice.

“Your Majesty,” Count Hatres called out.

“Lord Hatres,” Eugene accepted the count’s greeting. Not only was the count no match for him, but Eugene could also not feel any hostility coming from the man. Count Hatres shared a gaze with Eugene before taking off his gloves. Eugene was slightly puzzled, but he simply watched.

‘Hmm?’

Eugene’s eyebrows wiggled. It was because of the rings that Count Hatres had on the index fingers of both his hands. Soon, the count took off the rings one by one.

‘That’s…’

Eugene immediately recognized that the rings were extraordinary, although their appearance wasn’t anything special.

“Your Majesty, do you know what these signet rings are?” Count Hatres asked.

Eugene answered, “No, it’s my first time seeing them. But I can feel an unusual mystery coming from them.”

“As expected…” Count Hatres gave a light sigh before looking down at the pair of Holy Light Seals with a complicated expression. Then, he held them out toward Eugene.

“Take them.”

“…?” Eugene was slightly taken aback by the count’s sudden gesture.

The count continued, “In the first...