When the army entered Warrant with a flag bearing a large imperial family insignia, people all bowed their heads. The only people who could proudly present the imperial family insignia were the emperor and his immediate lineage.

The ordinary citizens of Warrant bowed down in response to the sudden visit of a high-ranking person, but the noble knights, adventurers, and mercenaries kept their focus on the flag while bowing their heads.

"It must not be an ordinary high-ranking person." Hillis stood up straight and watched the imperial procession with interest.

There were no other insignias other than that of the imperial family on the flag flying in the wind. Usually, when it came to the direct lineage of the emperor, a flag symbolizing each prince or empress was attached under the imperial family flag. The absence of such a flag meant that the emperor, or the crown prince, who was confirmed to succeed the emperor, was arriving.

"Since the emperor wouldn’t be coming here, it must be that stiff, good-looking man.” Hillis recalled the crown prince, whom she had been introduced to by Leisha two and a half years ago at the New Year's Festival. He was handsome but not...