The Grand Duke's Son Is A Heretic

Kael tightened the strap on his gloves as he stood at the head of the assembled squad. The Blue Knights had already lined up in formation, their armor glinting under the bright summer sun. Wagons and mounts stood ready. The clatter of last-minute preparations echoed across the open field outside the duchy gates. The dry wind carried both heat and anticipation.

Ruth had not skimped on resources. The force he assigned was strong—disciplined knights, elite vanguard, logistical support, and well-forged arms. Kael appreciated it… but it was the mysterious "helper" Ruth mentioned that kept nagging at him.

"Helper?" he had asked earlier, raising an eyebrow as Ruth handed him a sealed scroll with a single key attached.

"There is someone who will assist you during your stay in the capital," Ruth replied, tone clipped and unyielding, revealing nothing more.

Now, under the blazing August sun, Kael's attention shifted to the sudden ruckus ahead. The heavy thudding of armored horses approached. Raising his hand to shield his eyes from the glare, he peered forward.

A dust trail swirled behind a unit of mounted soldiers cutting toward them with powerful strides. The air turned heavy as the pressure from their unified aura pressed forward like a storm wall.

"That's… some serious firepower," Kael muttered, eyes narrowing. "Who are they?"

Beside him, Ramos squinted and frowned. "I don't know. First time I've seen these armor patterns. But they don't look like random knights."

At the front of the approaching squad rode a woman on a dark stallion, exuding an aura of command. She led with poise—chin held high, posture unshaken, and an energy that made nearby knights instinctively step back. She didn't just ride through the battlefield—she owned it.

The moment her contingent halted before Kael's group, the riders dismounted in perfect unison. Armor plates clanked, boots struck the ground, and then—one by one—they knelt.

"Greetings, Your Grace!" their voices rang in disciplined unison, heads bowed.

Even the boldest of the Blue Knights blinked in awe.

Then, almost mechanically, they turned and bowed once more.

"Lord Ramos," they chorused.

Ramos raised an eyebrow and scowled. "Oi. Why'd they greet me after him?"

Kael smirked. "Probably because I have status. Unlike you, who looks like a wandering beggar most days."

"What did you just say?" Ramos growled, fists tightening.

"I said you smell like you live in a wine barrel," Kael quipped without turning, still staring at the mysterious troop.

Before the argument could escalate, Kael looked back at the unit and asked, "By the way, who are these people?"

Everyone paused. Confused glances exchanged. Even Gare raised a brow.

That's when the lead female knight stepped forward. With a fluid, precise motion, she reached for her helmet and pulled it off.

A cascade of golden hair, soft as snowfall, tumbled out and shimmered in the sunlight. Her sharp yet serene features stunned the gathering into silence. Eyes like still lakes, posture like a blade.

Gasps escaped from the men around.

"She's beautiful…"

"She looks like a goddess descended from the battlefield…"

But it wasn't just her beauty—it was her presence. Commanding, cool, undeniable.

She stepped forward, stopped before Kael, and bowed her head slightly.

"Your Grace," she spoke softly, her voice calm but commanding, "it is nice to meet you again."

Kael blinked. "Again?"

He glanced at Ramos who was just as stunned.

"Huh?"

"I… don't think we've met," Kael said cautiously.

Her expression didn't falter. A faint, warm smile played at her lips as she looked up.

"Your Highness," she said again, voice more tender this time, "you don't remember me?"

Kael's brow furrowed.

Even Elfie, nestled on his shoulder, raised her small head with curiosity.

Ramos stared at her, then at Kael, then back. "Wait… Don't tell me this is that girl?"

Kael still looked puzzled. "What girl?"

The woman's smile deepened, and she took another graceful step forward, offering her hand.

Seeing Kael's squinting and thoroughly confused look, the woman's smile widened—serene, composed, and faintly amused. But beneath the surface, a sharp glint shimmered in her eyes.

She removed her gloves and stood tall, her posture straight like a sword at rest. She wore a ceremonial half-plate armor with royal blue accents, her breastplate gleaming with the sigil of Altross—twin serpents curling around a crown. Her soft, golden hair was tied into a long, thick braid that draped over her shoulder like molten silk. Her sharp cheekbones and delicate jawline gave her a noble look, while her firm gaze exuded confidence and steel.

Her skin, once freckled and dull, was now porcelain-pale and smooth, and her figure had changed drastically: lean, toned, and feminine in a way that commanded respect more than desire.

As Kael grabbed her hand,her voice carried clarity and quiet power.

"Let me reintroduce myself. I am Ariana Altross, the Baroness of Altross territory—the very land you personally transferred ownership to."

Kael's eyes narrowed as he turned slowly to Ramos.

"I seem to have heard the name."

Ramos scratched his head, equally baffled. "Yeah… sounds familiar."

Behind them, Chris and Barret sighed deeply in perfect sync, rubbing their temples.

How is it possible for two grown men to have the memory of a dried radish?

Barret stepped forward with a defeated look and whispered, "My Lord… that's the place where you picked up Lady Lyria, remember?"

Kael blinked.

Then his eyes widened as he clapped his hands and exclaimed, "Ohhh! Aren't you that ugly duckling?!"

CRACK.

It was like the sound of something divine being torn from heaven. The atmosphere turned solid. The birds flying above stopped midair. Even the Blue Knights felt a shiver crawl up their spines.

Everyone froze.

Ariana smiled—barely. Her lips were stretched in a smile, but her eyes were a sea of storms barely restrained. Her gloved fingers clenched the reins tightly, the leather creaking under her grip.

"You are right," she said, voice sweet like sugar stirred with broken glass. "I am Ariana. But as you can see…"

She turned slightly, letting the sun highlight the lithe form of her physique and the strength brimming in her presence.

"I've slimmed down."

"What!?" Ramos nearly dropped his cane and slapped the back of Kael's head.

"Sense her power, you fool!" he hissed.

Kael did so, casting a quick pulse of energy—and froze.

'What the hell…?'

The woman before him radiated a nearly refined A-rank aura. Cold and deadly like the edge of a glacier, but controlled. Condensed.

'She's either almost A-rank… or already stepped into it completely.'

Kael rubbed his eyes and stared again. This wasn't just a minor jump in strength—this was monstrous growth.

He had Devour, a broken, monstrous cheat that let him advance unnaturally. But she? She was just supposed to be a Baroness from a backwater territory!

From her calm gaze and regal bearing, Kael knew this wasn't the same girl who once stammered and flushed every time he talked to her.

She was smiling in glory, basking in their astonishment.

Of course, Ariana thought to herself, as a regressor, I already knew every opportunity hidden in the coming chaos. If I couldn't use them better than my past self, I'd be no better than the dead fool I used to be.

"You've really changed," Kael said at last.

Ariana bowed slightly. "It's all thanks to your grace and the support you gave me. Without that… none of this would have happened."

Ramos glanced at Kael, muttering beneath his breath.

'Why does this brat attract fairy-like women wherever he goes? It's infuriating!'

If only he knew about the Ice Queen and Martina… he might actually die from blood pressure.

Kael adjusted his collar and asked, "So… are you going to accompany me to the Crown Games?"

"Not only will I accompany you," Ariana said confidently, placing a fist over her chest in the knight's salute, "I will now be part of your entourage."

The announcement stunned some of the Blue Knights.

A Baroness willingly entering someone else's entourage? Especially as the noble head of Altross?

But Ariana's mind was resolute.

In my past life, I placed my trust in power and title, vowing loyalty to fools in gilded chains—and it got me killed. This time…

This time I will chain myself to the real storm. The Crown Games will birth chaos—and in chaos lies opportunity.

Kael rubbed his chin.

'This woman is… dangerous. She hides a lot. Calculative to the bone.'

Still, he grinned.

Whatever. As long as I can use her, it's all good.

He clapped once. "Alright! Good. Let's go!"

He whistled sharply, and from a nearby carriage, Elfie sprang up with a squeal and fluttered over like a silver blur, leaping onto his shoulder.

"Papa~!"

The tiny dragon nestled into his hair, purring.

Ariana's sharp eyes widened as she stared at the small dragon on Kael's shoulder. "So it's true… I thought it was just a silly rumor."

"Rumor?" Kael scoffed. "I don't prank about greatness. Naturally, I'm just that awesome—I tamed a dragon."

He struck a proud pose, head high, chin lifted.

"Let's move!"

With that, Kael marched ahead toward the awaiting carriage, dragon in tow, knights trailing behind, and Ariana walking alongside—the first winds of destiny howling in the distance.