“The Walter family bloodline…!”

This wasn’t the sorrow of a father directed at his eldest son, Leonard. It was the grief of a nobleman, lamenting the tarnished reputation of the Walter family and the loss of the heir who was supposed to carry on its legacy.

The shame of having sullied the proud name of the Walters was unbearable, a sorrow that cut deep and refused to be ignored.

“This cannot be, it simply cannot be!”

As if living up to his nickname, “The Fiery Blood,” Count Walter’s blood began to boil like flames within him.

“Dale of Saxon… that damned brat from the Saxon family!”

Walter the Fiery. An elder of the Red Tower and the sixth division commander of the Black-Red Legion during the Empire’s unification wars, notorious for his countless inhumane experiments conducted in the name of “academic achievement.”

“I will not forgive this, never!”

And it was obvious where his wrath was directed.

“Ah, Lord Walter.”

Just then, a voice interrupted.

At the sound, the fiery blood within him turned cold.

“Ta, Tower Master…!”

Without a sound, a striking red-haired man stood there, watching him.

“My respects to the Tower Master!”

It was Marquis Eurys, known as the Crimson Duke.

“You must be in great distress.”

Marquis Eurys feigned a look of exaggerated sympathy. In front of the Red Tower Master offering his condolences, Count Walter’s expression froze over.

“I, I, I apologize!”

A fear akin to facing a terrifying entity.

It wasn’t unusual for an elder of the tower to hold the Tower Master in reverence. But Walter’s feelings towards the Crimson Duke were far from simple admiration. It was sheer terror, as if facing a monster.

Because he understood the man known as the Crimson Duke better than anyone.

“I assure you, I hold no ill will towards the Saxon family’s eldest son whom the Tower Master invited!”

“Oh, really?”

“Yes! Please, I beg you to dispel any misunderstanding!”

“Hmm, that’s quite unfortunate.”

Marquis Eurys tilted his head, seemingly surprised.

“I came here with the intention of…”

His inscrutable smile lingered.

“…helping Lord Walter with his revenge.”