No way. Seriously?0

As Diana reeled in quiet shock, every gaze turned to Ian and Lucia like a volley of arrows. Several pairs of eyes—especially those of the Black Lions beside the warhorses—were burning like flickering flames. What Ian and Lucia had just done wasn't merely a refusal to kneel; it was practically a declaration that they stood on equal footing with Hyked.0

But Ian didn't flinch. Wearing his usual unreadable expression, he met Hyked's dark blue gaze head-on. Lucia, by contrast, had her fists clenched tight, a hint of tension betraying her resolve. Ian, though, looked completely at ease—and it wasn't just because of his strong Mental Fortitude.0

He's not the kind to throw the whole plan away over hurt pride, especially in a situation like this.0

Even if only half the stories Ian had heard were true, there was no way Hyked would react impulsively. Just then, the glow in Hyked's eyes curved faintly—almost like a smile. He reached out and placed a hand on Seren's shoulder in front of him.0

Seren, frozen like a statue until that moment, flinched sharply. Unlike the others, she hadn't been frozen by fear—only by sheer confusion.0

"T-The one before you is the vanguard of the holy war and the most exalted star of the battlefield!" she blurted as Hyked drew his hand...0