The price for recklessness was steep.

Entering the forests of Lagos at the cusp of winter was akin to jumping into a fire with a barrel of oil.

The knights from the continent had no idea how terrifying the mutant beasts of Lagos, whose aggression spiked before winter, could be.

It was fortunate that they entered a forest inhabited by the smallest of Lagos’s creatures. Had it been one of the more perilous forests, the entire knight order would have been annihilated.

“Hmm…”

Grand Duke Jericho gazed down at Willa with a grave expression.

Willa’s face was still marred with unhealed wounds.

Though Willa had escaped serious injury, the psychological impact was immense.

He was one of the most skilled knights in the grand duchy, yet he had experienced powerlessness for the first time in his life.

Their opponent wasn’t human, just mere beasts.

And yet, he had lost his men and felt fear at the hands of mere animals.

His self-loathing was so intense that his eyes had lost their light, and his face had become gaunt.

The grand duke extended his hand to his aide, who quickly handed him a document.

And as he read the report detailing the damage, he scowled.

The knights had been accompanied by attendants on their return.

Unlike soldiers, knights held quasi-noble status and required attendants to serve them during their travels.

All the attendants were dead.

Compensation would need to be paid to their families.

The carriages, their contents, and over a dozen horses were also lost.

Material losses could be addressed with money, but the most painful loss for the grand duke was the knights.

Three knights had died, and six were left permanently disabled.

There were several others with severe injuries, while minor injuries weren’t even recorded.

“Willa, the greater fault lies with me for sending the knights into danger. You faithfully carried out the mission I entrusted to you and encountered misfortune on the way back. How could I blame you for that?”

Willa’s expression was one of mixed gratitude and deeper shame as he bowed his head lower.

“Focus solely on recovery, for yourself and the other knights.”

“I am deeply grateful for your generous judgment, Your Grace.”

“If you’re feeling well enough, there are a few things I’d like to ask you.”

“Please, ask freely, Your Grace.”

At the grand duke’s gesture, everyone else left the office.

He rose from his seat and moved to a sofa.

“Come, have a seat.”

“Yes, Your Grace.”

When Cecilia had departed from the grand duchy’s villa for Lagos Castle, one of the carrier pigeons sent into the sky had flown to Jericho.

Upon receiving the message, the grand duke had been puzzled.

When he first heard that Cecilia had gone to the villa from the main estate, he thought, ‘Of course.’

He had assumed she would linger at the villa for a few months and had even planned to send someone to urge her to move after a couple of months.

“Willa, you ensured that Cecilia reached Lagos Castle safely, correct?”

“Yes, Your Grace.”

“Why did she leave the villa that day? Tell me what happened from then onward.”

Despite his extensive influence across the continent, the grand duke had no power in Lagos.

And so, from the moment Cecilia entered Lagos, he lost all contact with her. He could only wait for news from the knights he had sent to Lagos.

The result of that wait was the grim news he had received.

“The Miss was the one who ordered our departure.”

“Suddenly?”

“Yes, Your Grace.”

“Was there a visitor or a letter?”

“No, Your Grace. Early that morning, she suddenly summoned me and told me to take the fastest route.”

“…And?”

“There were no incidents until we arrived at Lagos Castle.”

“The fastest route wouldn’t have taken long, then.”

“About a fortnight, Your Grace.”

“When did the knights leave?”

“The very next day.”

“The next day? Did the Lord of Lagos hurry them away?”

“No, Your Grace. The lord was absent when we arrived and did not return before our departure the following day. The Miss herself told us to leave.”

Willa recalled Cecilia’s words that day and relayed them.

“‘You are His Grace the Grand Duke’s knights, not my personal guards.’ She made it clear.”