Named after the rare sight, where a ring of light formed behind the mountain. Witnesses mentioned that it was a heavenly sight. Of course, his actions were the furthest from divinity.

They made their way back in complete and utter silence. It was a small team; secrecy was the name of the game. Katalina, Kim Hye-Sung, Benjamin Wynt, and himself. The explosives were prepared in advance, using gunpowder as its main fuel. Once the flare was lit, the emperor committed, it was Hye-Sung’s job. Her magic was powerful, and with a single ray from her finger, the explosives went off one by one.

With the stars twinkling bright above the rolling rock and canyons, it was a beautiful sight. The fabric of the tent walls rubbed against his neck while he peeked outside. Behind him, Benjamin Wynt gave a debrief.

“Did something happen?”

“Was there an attack?”

Soldiers that did not know of the atrocity committed whispered amongst themselves. A hand reached from behind him, pulling him back by the collar.

“Urk!”

“Come on, don’t try to run away,” Haein said.

She sighed. Forcing him down onto a cold hard chair, she seemed more distant than usual. Meanwhile, Benjamin watched everything unfold from the corner of his eye. With that single look, Francis could and also couldn’t tell. There were hints of acceptance, and yet an immeasurable depth behind those eyes. But he evaded, and focused on the map instead of the emperor and a potentially unrequited love.

“Alright. So the operation was a complete success,” Benjamin started as if nothing happened at all.

“Do we have a casualty count?”

“Just the few on our side. But for them, it's in quadruple digits, closer to 10 thousand. And, there were quite a few high profile targets presumed dead.”

“9000. That’s insane. The leak worked,” Francis chuckled.

“Indeed, that was a good play on your part.” Benjamin gathered papers.

“Thank you. Apparently they saw me and thought that the rest of the army was coming soon.”

Shortly after, the meeting ended. Though the situation didn’t call for it, Benjamin decided it nonetheless. He presented several premium bottles of Loyran alcohol. A sort of hard whiskey that burned on its way down. Perhaps drunk on the atmosphere of success despite the immense loss of life on the other side, the main 4 responsible drank. Mage Right Hand, Young Killer Prodigy, Plotter Empress, and Tyrannical Emperor. Before long, he could feel the dizziness rising from his body. Francis wandered the camp, with Katalina by his side. Soldiers avoided his gaze, and looked away. Just what were they thinking about? Lust, as Benjamin Wynt previously stated? Fear of execution? Hatred for their circumstances, maybe. Katalina, being probably the only one sober, escorted him around.

“My Lord,” Katalina whispered.

“What happened to our close relationship?” Francis muttered before turning to face her. “Yes, Katalina? My dutiful knight.”

“Why are you... Speaking like that?”

Perhaps there was something about a relationship between a knight and the person they serve. Oftentimes, people dreamt of a knight in shining armour. A fairytale prince charming. But Katalina wasn’t quite like that. To be fair, she was charming, just not a prince. Certainly not the bland stock character that the good prince typically was.

“Don’t worry about it.”

“Are you drunk?”

“What, me?”

“Who else, My Lord.”

He was drunk. That was the only possible conclusion of how hot he felt. For one, his vision seemed to be impaired, and his cognitive functionalities were compromised. If he was driving, the police would have pulled him over long ago.

Beneath the moonlight, and illuminated by the distant orange flame of a bonfire, her face was oddly striking. The left half cast in orange, and the pleasant dim white light from above. Her well set facial features, those eyebrows that looked drawn on by an expert. A pair of deep eyes carved out of a beautiful jewel, with all the intensity of a star. And he hadn’t even tilted his head or turned his attention down towards her body. Still, he retained the respect owed to a knight.

“My Lord?” She approached in the ponderous silence.

He didn’t know what he wanted to say. The alcohol released his inhibitions, confidence distilled into a bottle as they called it. Just what did Katalina think of him? Was he a lord in her eyes, or something more? A monster? There was certainly some protective instinct in there, given that she attached herself to him after the assassination attempt.

“‘My Lord,’ huh? That’s all I am to you.”

Francis stood atop a small hill. Even then, he only managed to gain that little bit in height.

“What are you planning on doing?” Katalina asked with a sigh.

“I’m not planning anything.”

“The last time you said that, you went ahead and caused an avalanche.”

“We’ll win the war with that. I just need Haein and Benjamin to send the peace terms.”

“What’s your plan for that?”

“Easy. They send Loyra harsh peace terms. They’ll probably reject it, but not unanimously. I reckon slightly less than half of the people in power will want the war to end as soon as possible, even if it means agreeing.”

“Civil war.”

“Smart. Yes, if they reject the peace deal, I’ll incite a civil war. I’d say that quite a few of the so-called high profile targets are the noble children. I just need to know which side the king will take.”

“But if the king is against ending the war?”

“Then. I’ll make him an offer that he can’t afford to refuse.”

“How?”

All Francis did was smile. He stepped forward, with the mental haze starting to set in. The grey mist rolled in, over the hills and beneath the clear sky. Though he stepped forward, it was more of a slip.

“M-my Lord?”

“I’m fine!” He dug his heels into the dirt and stabilised himself.

“Haa...” Katalina rubbed his forehead. “My Lord, please. Let’s get you to bed. You’re drunk.”

“You know, being drunk once in a while can be good. You should loosen up.”

“In what world? Come on.” She slung his arm over her body and lifted him up.

“Urh... Katalina, uh, you smell nice tonight.”

“Was that your half-assed attempt at flirting? I don’t think I need to remind you that you’re married, and the emperor.”

“Hmmm. Your point?”

“Even if you wish for it, you can never be with me.”

“Why not?”

“Our standings are just too different. I think it's about time you grow up, and stop thinking that love can fulfil anything.”

“But I want it.”

“You can’t. I’m sorry.”

“Why not?”

“My Lord, I’ve already said.”

“I want to be more than your lord.”

“But we can’t. You’re the emperor. I’m your servant. And you have a wife. You need to move on.”

“You sound so wise Katalina.”

“Heh. Thank you, My Lord. But we really cannot date. Even if you wish for it, there are simply too many issues. For one, we have a conflict of interest. I want to beat your sisters.”

“You can beat me up if that’s what you fancy.”

“What?” She nearly dropped him as a result. “Are you crazy?”

“Isn’t that what women like?”

“What..? Where do I even begin with that?”

“Huh?”

“Wait, is she hitting you?” Her words turned into a shout by then. “You can’t just let it go quietly if she’s doing that! That’s just abuse!”

“It's fine, it's fine. Why are you so worried, Katalina?”

“Because I have a duty to protect you! I serve you, not the empire or crown.”

Several soldiers peeked at the moment. Looking from afar, never close enough to warrant shooing. They whispered amongst themselves, but Katalina didn’t care, and Francis was a lost cause. She placed him down on what looked like a small brick mound. He was eye level with her, though his eyes were particularly droopy.

She swept his hair from his forehead, and tucked the grey strands behind his ears. Even with the mental mist, he could still appreciate her beauty and all around everything. From the firm muscles in her arms when she held him, even the scent she had, the cool and somewhat masculine voice.

“Katalina..? What are you doing?”

“Francis, did she hit you?”

“I didn't mind it.”

“What? How?”

“Ashley hit me too.”

“Who is that?”

“Someone you don’t know...”

“Francis?” She snapped her fingers in front of his face. “And he’s out like a light. I swear, if I return and find Her Majesty and Lord Wynt in this state too.”