The past was built upon collecting unique characteristics.

He posed a question that seemed grand and distant.

"Sir, do you know why our country, despite not having a large population or abundant resources, and not possessing the largest land area, is the most powerful nation in the Western world today?"

This… I really haven’t considered this question. Morian’s thoughts paused briefly.

These kinds of questions, which concern the global landscape, are indeed beyond the scope of a detective like him, who roams the shadows of the city and deals with fragmented incidents.

Was it because the Industrial Revolution came earlier and technology was relatively advanced? The rumors of giant ships and cannons in St. Christine's Port seem to confirm this, or perhaps the Kingdom of Hiran has a longer history and a deeper foundation.

After a moment, he chose what seemed to be the safest answer:

"Did the kingdom's advantageous geographical location make it a center for trade?"

However, the brief silence in the room made him realize that he might have guessed wrong.

"No, the reason why the Kingdom of Hiran has been able to stand strong for so long and enjoy such a prosperous national fortune lies in the unique and special nature of the 'King' Ether, which enables him to maintain the overall stability and prosperity of the country."

Without giving him a chance to interrupt, Eric said solemnly:

"But in recent years, the power of the 'King' Ether held by my father, His Majesty the King, has been irreversibly declining."

"Besides, you must have heard that the Pots Empire is already actively preparing for war, and it won't be long before a war that will determine the fate of both countries becomes inevitable."

He didn't finish his sentence, but his meaning was crystal clear: before this war arrived, the Kingdom of Hiran absolutely could not lose its core trump card, "King" Ether.

An ominous premonition gradually gathered in his heart. Morian remained silent, as if waiting for the other party to reveal a cruel answer.

"And I, as the sole holder of the 'Princess' Ether, as a prince, have an inescapable responsibility." Eric's voice softened.

"When necessary, the 'Princess' Ether will be returned to the 'King' through a certain ritual to rekindle the power that holds the entire nation together. This is a responsibility, a tradition, and an inescapable destiny..."

The "princess" will belong to the "king"?! After listening to the other party's story, Morian thought of the information Charlotte had brought and couldn't help but feel a chill creep up his spine.

"Princess" symbolizes purity and dedication! If what the other party said is true, it's no wonder that in the entire "Honor Class" sequence, the "Princess" has a higher status than the "Queen" and is second only to the "King".

Because the holder of the "Princess" is essentially the kingdom's second trump card, a sacrifice to be offered at crucial moments!

Sacrificing offspring to maintain royal power and the fate of the nation? Is this the cruel, hidden truth of royal families throughout history?! And how many times throughout history has a "princess" been required to make a sacrifice in a time of crisis?

Morian gazed into the prince's clear, gentle eyes and asked the most direct question:

"So, what will you do after the ceremony, Your Highness?"

Faced with this question, Eric lowered his eyes slightly and fell into a longer silence.

When he looked up again, his tone was as calm as if he were recounting someone else's story:

"……I have no idea."

"Perhaps after the ether is stripped away, people can still survive normally, only losing their power? Or perhaps... it will become part of the ritual, continuing in some special form."

A heavy atmosphere filled the room. Eric paused for a moment, a smile that was almost absolutely calm and gentle appearing on his lips.

"That's not important. It's my duty as a prince, but Diana shouldn't be involved in this matter and become another 'knight' who accompanies me to the end."

Accompanying the knight toward the end... Morian suddenly remembered the book "Emily's Love" from earlier. Everything seemed so similar, and the story's trajectory was mirroring reality.

He suddenly understood completely why Diana, as a "knight" whose beliefs should be as firm as a rock, would break down; the reason was likely this.

The knight lady could not accept the cruel truth of the royal family, nor could she accept that the prince she had protected with her life would be forced to undergo a ritual with an unknown fate. She could only watch helplessly as the one she was protecting walked the path of "sacrifice".

"Does His Majesty... not care about his own children?" Morian couldn't help but ask, his tone filled with an uncontrollable chill.

"Faced with a matter concerning the fate of the nation, even as king, he was helpless." Eric shook his head gently, his voice revealing only weariness and understanding, not resentment. "So I think, Father... must have tacitly approved of this."

"I see..." Morian instantly understood.

Before Eric, there are three older, and perhaps more capable, princes who could inherit the throne.

And this gentle, unassuming fourth prince became the "natural" choice when the kingdom needed him. Thinking of this, Morian couldn't help but curse inwardly.

"The ceremony will be presided over by my brother, now the Second Prince, at the White Rose Palace. There is no need to go to St. Crentin to hold it in front of our father."

"Furthermore," Eric said, suppressing all outward emotions, in an almost reverent tone, "if the object of their protection 'makes a mistake,' the subordinate knights will also be implicated or even eliminated by the kingdom's power due to the backlash of the 'oath.' This is the rule."

"So, Mr. Tias, I beg you to help Diana leave and take her to the Kingdom of Arcandia, a beautiful little country far from the conflicts of the continent, known for its spices and tranquil countryside."

"I hope he can stay away from the war, away from the rituals I will face, and start a new life there."

The sunlight still quietly spread across the carpet, but at this moment, Morian wondered whose sacrifice had brought about this peace.

Across from him stood a prince from the Kingdom of Hiran, a young man calmly recounting his fate. He had chosen to face his responsibilities head-on, yet he was trying to rewrite the destiny of those he cared about through his own methods.

Seeing Morian remain silent, Eric suddenly remembered something, paused briefly, and then belatedly added:

"Of course, Paul will give you the appropriate compensation after this is all over, but that may have to wait until some time has passed, until things have calmed down..."

"Okay." Morian suddenly spoke, interrupting his explanation of the payment, "I agree to help you."

His tone was calm, yet carried a sense of certainty.

This decision was not based on the unpaid reward, but rather on his personal will, Morian repeatedly confirmed to himself.