608.
From the study that overlooked the garden of the blue building, a middle-aged man was handling paperwork.
Knock, knock.
A knight entered with the sound of a knock.
“Master of the Order.”
“What is it?”
“A visitor has arrived.”
“How strange. I haven’t heard any word about Rodren sending an emissary.”
Sis kept his gaze on the documents as he spoke.
The knight replied to that.
“They are not emissaries of Rodren.”
At those words, Sis’ hand paused briefly.
Then he clicked his tongue and said.
“Turn them away.”
Sis Zigma.
The captain of the Tuzen Knights who effectively governed the Resenteng region.
As a hero known by the nickname Crimson Wave, he was also currently addressed as the master of Resenteng in official terms.
The Resenteng region becomes extremely cold during winter under the influence of the northern continent.
However, thanks to the spirits of fire that resided in this area during spring, summer, and autumn, it maintained a rather warm climate.
Additionally, since most of the territory was a vast plain, it was a granary in the western part of the continent where crops grew well.
Moreover, as it was a land where the Great Spirit of Fire had long resided, it was also a place where high-level spirit stones were produced.
For these reasons, countless nations desired to trade with the Resenteng region.
However, the only country with which the Tuzen Knights officially exchanged was the Rodren Empire.
Decades ago.
When the Kingdom of Tengkan was invaded on a large scale by Tartarus, most of the allied countries of Tengkan merely watched as the kingdom fell.
This was because of the alarming scale of Tartarus’ invasion, which they feared might spread to their own territories.
Additionally, since the Rodren Empire, which held hegemony in the west, deployed heroes and troops on a large scale, they refused Tengkan’s request for assistance.
Although Tartarus’ invasion was eventually repelled, the royal family of Tengkan lost their lives or went missing in the process.
Tengkan, which suffered immense damage, naturally fell into ruin and disappeared into the annals of history.
Thereafter, Tuzen Knights, who inherited the legacy of Tengkan, severed ties with the countries that had been allies at the time but turned their backs in the time of crisis.
Sis’ sharp reaction caused the knight to quickly correct his words.
“They’re not foreign emissaries. The visitors have come from Rodren. However, it’s a sudden visit, not as an official emissary.”
“Hmm?”
“The Zerdinger and LeWalyn families have arrived.”
“Zerdinger and LeWalyn?”
Sis stood up from his seat after lifting his gaze from the documents.
He approached the large window in the room and looked outside.
Looking at the four people leading the group, confusion spread across his face.
“Looks familiar.”
“Leo Flove, the student council president of Lumeran. And of the same year, Celia Zerdinger and Abad LeWalyn, Chelsea LeWalyn.”
“Indeed. They’re the ones causing quite a stir these days.”
Sis marveled.
“Then I must go and greet our guests.”
Once their identities were revealed, the group led by Leo was easily guided to the reception room.
“The Tuzen Knights aren’t known to be amicable towards foreign nobles. It’s fortunate that we’re meeting Crimson Wave without much trouble.”
“Our empire has been continuously exchanging with the Tuzen Knights. Even so, for such an abrupt visit, I thought it would take time to meet with Master Sis. Who would’ve thought we’d meet immediately?”
The Tuzen Knights governed the Resenteng region.
The leader of such an order is undoubtedly the highest authority in this area.
In fact, Sis had ascended to the rank of hero.
The lord of fertile Resenteng.
In other words, he held a position akin to a king.
Even though it was the direct line of the Zerdinger and LeWalyn families that came, an audience would usually require procedure due to the sudden visit.
Yet, the fact that they could meet immediately was surprising.
“Even though he must be busy, this was quite unexpected.”
As Celia spoke with a slightly flustered tone, the middle-aged knight who overheard at the entrance of the reception room smiled faintly.
“It is because the visitors are you, Lord Leo and Lady Celia.”
“Me and Leo?”
“Yes. The previous head of the Zerdinger family supported the devastated Resenteng region after Tartarus’ invasion generously, aiding in its rapid reconstruction.”
“My grandfather?”
“Yes. Even while assisting in Resenteng’s reconstruction, they did not ask for anything in return. When Tuzen tried to repay this favor later, it was firmly refused. Moreover, the help given to Resenteng was not made public.”
The middle-aged knight’s eyes were filled with deep respect.
The aid that Regas provided for the reconstruction of Resenteng could greatly have been influenced by his wife, Naïla.
However, even with great love for his wife, as the head of a family, it would be difficult to help others without any form of return.
Especially for those who possess much.
‘Come to think of it, grandfather hardly had any private estate.’
Even the head of a family cannot freely use everything under the family’s name.
Hence, it’s usually the norm to have separate properties that can be freely utilized.
Particularly for someone like the head of a renowned hero family like the Zerdinger, their wealth would naturally accumulate.
Regas had none of such properties.
The reason for this was likely due to the help he secretly gave to Resenteng without anyone knowing.
While listening to this story, Leo muttered.
“Indeed, a knight among knights.”
“Eh? My grandfather was naturally the best knight, as he was the former head of the most prestigious knight family, Zerdinger. That’s natural.”
“That’s not what I mean.”
Upon hearing Celia’s words, Leo smiled faintly.
“It means he carried forward the spirit that’s been passed down since ancient times.”
Sacrificing oneself for the weak, fighting against injustice without hesitation—a pure and righteous soul.
Truly, a knight of honor.
Definitely, there are things in this world more valuable than territory and goods.
Others might not know, but those from the main branch of the Zerdinger family were certainly aware of this fact.
‘That’s why they’re called the greatest knight family.’
Upon Leo’s words, Celia raised her chin and declared.
“That’s natural since he’s my grandfather.”
At that moment, as she smiled, Leo chuckled.
The door of the reception room opened, revealing a middle-aged man.
The first impression of the middle-aged man was akin to a fair and impartial judge who placed importance on principles.
After observing the man for a moment, Leo muttered to himself.
‘A spirit knight, and a strong one at that.’
The oppressive presence of a warrior who had endured countless battlefields.
A powerful individual, comparable to the heroes Leo had met so far.
‘So this is Sis Zigma, the captain of Tuzen.’
Leo silently stared at Sis.
As soon as he entered, Sis also observed Leo—or rather, alternated his gaze between Leo and Celia.
The firm gaze wavered for an instant.
The knights in the reception room bowed respectfully towards Sis.
“Would you please excuse us while I converse with our guests?”
Confused by this sudden statement, the knights nonetheless left the reception room quickly.
During this time, Sis continued to fix his gaze on Leo and Celia.
After a while, Sis finally spoke.
“The wizards of LeWalyn…”
“They’re my friends, so feel free to speak openly.”
Chelsea and Abad had already been informed of the situation.
At that, Sis nodded.
“Then I’ll ask directly.”
Sis looked directly at Leo and asked.
“What connection do you have with the Tengkan royal family?”
At this question, Leo’s expression slightly changed in surprise.
Celia was also startled.
Seeing their reactions, Sis continued.
“The Zigma family, mine, has been a close aide to the Tengkan royal family for long. I, too, once met the royal family members briefly when I was very young, before Tengkan fell. Hence, I dimly remember how they looked.”
The records of Tengkan from long ago were all lost during Tartarus’ invasion.
The records that remained are all within the Tengkan palace, which is currently sealed.
No portraits or records survive.
Furthermore, the absence of a hero artifact means that the Hero Record cannot be opened either.
Thus, the visage of the Tengkan royal family lives only in the memories of those who met them before they all disappeared.
Sis was one such person.
“When I saw photos of the main line of Zerdinger before, I didn’t recognize much. But now that I see you, memories of those figures resurfaced. Celia Zerdinger, your posture resembles the princesses perfectly.”
‘Grandfather and father often mentioned that I look like grandmother.’
Celia muttered in her thoughts.
“Moreover, Leo Flove.”
Sis’ gaze fixed on Leo.
“Your hair color matches that of the Tengkan royal family I saw back then.”
Because of the black-and-white photos from news reports, it was impossible to discern the color.
It was only known that their hair was white.
But upon seeing Leo in person, the color of his hair was exactly the same as Sis remembered of the Tengkan royal family.
Hearing this, Leo touched his hair.
‘Grandma Naïla Zerdinger, who became a housewife after marrying grandfather Regas Zerdinger, reportedly dyed her hair, right? Apparently, this hair color wasn’t found in either my paternal family, Flove, or my maternal family, Zerdinger. So it seems it was inherited from this side.’
“I’ll ask again. What connection do the two of you have with the Tengkan royal family?”
In response to Sis’ question, Celia looked at Leo.
Whereupon Leo spoke.
“The previous head of the Zerdinger family, Regas Zerdinger’s wife, or my grandmother, was originally named Lena Tengkan.”
At those words, Sis’ body trembled.
“Lady Lena?”
Leo handed over the documents he had received from Regas.
Upon reviewing it, Sis drew a breath.
The artifact attached to the document was in the shape of a pendant.
A crimson spirit stone was embedded in the pendant’s cube, with the crest of the Tengkan royal family clearly imprinted on it.
For decades, without asking for anything in return, Regas Zerdinger continuously assisted in the reconstruction of the devastated Resenteng region.
In gratitude for his kindness, the Tuzen Knights wished to become a subordinate of the Zerdinger, but Regas Zerdinger refused.
Now, he finally understood his reasons.
“How…how could I have… For how many years have the people of Tengkan been searching desperately for their royal descendants?”
Among the young, Tengkan’s name has already been forgotten.
Nothing remains to keep Tengkan’s memory alive.
Tartarus thoroughly reduced everything related to Tengkan in Resenteng to ashes.
The only remaining heritage is the Tengkan palace.
Without records, things fade away quickly.
Even if one wishes to teach and carry forward history, it’s impossible without records.
Even the Hero of Beginning, who saved the world, disappeared completely from people’s memories.
But those who lived during the reign of the Tengkan royal family still remember.
They remember how the royal family threw themselves into protecting their citizens.
How much sweat and toil they put in to build a good country.
“Grandmother always felt guilty for not being able to save more people. Feeling responsible for the collapse of the country and the many lives lost in the process. As the sole surviving member of the royal family, she chose not to reign over those she couldn’t protect. Instead, she said she would consider herself happy as long as the people of this land were happy.”
“Aah… How could she think like that?”
Sis, who had spent so many years searching for royal survivors before eventually giving up, could not help but lament in anguish.
Never in his wildest dreams did he expect that the royal bloodline had survived so close by.
Sis bowed his head as tears streamed down.
When he raised his head again, his eyes were filled with resolute determination.
“Now, only the return of the rightful owner to this land remains.”
Sis’ gaze turned toward Leo and Celia.
“Who will ascend the throne?”
At that, Celia looked at Leo.
“Lord Leo Flove.”
Sis nodded as if he understood.
“I shall prepare the coronation immediately! We’ll install the king tomorrow!”
At that, Celia looked startled.
“Tomorrow?”
“Yes! Resenteng has been without a king for far too long! With the rightful owner returned, we must proclaim it to the world immediately tomorrow!”
“But isn’t there preparation involved? Preparing a coronation in a day is impossible, even physically.”
“Is there anything in this world that cannot be done?”
‘What’s with this man? He was definitely cool-headed just a moment ago, but why is he now acting without thinking things through?’
Celia looked bewildered.
Leo, upon seeing Sis, recalled someone else.
‘Typical Depeser.’
Depeser.
The gold dragon who had attended to Lissinas and managed the internal affairs of Guardstron.
Usually meticulous but would lose all restraint for matters involving the Great Hero.
This man’s demeanor and sudden impulsive attitude reminded him of Depeser, who had lost his life long ago.
Leo, suppressing laughter, said.
“Let’s slow down with that. Before that…”
“Yes. Please speak.”
Sis, whose tone had changed so subtly, spoke respectfully.
‘The Tengkan royal family must have genuinely been good people.’
Just being the bloodline of Tengkan has changed his attitude to such a degree.
“Can I meet the Purifying Spirit?”
In the city where the Zerdinger main family resides.
Peyon.
Reina was walking down the streets of her hometown with her husband after a long time.
“This place hasn’t changed.”
As Reina smiled happily, Deid looked worried and asked.
“Reina, are you sure you’re okay?”
“Of course. It’s actually good for a change of pace, don’t you think?”
Reina smiled faintly.
The servants of the Flove family were anxious about the mistress’s health.
“Ma’am, should I buy you something warm?”
“Miss Reina, put on these gloves if you’re cold.”
“Ho ho, thank you. But I’m fine now, no need to fuss.”
Reina, covering her mouth with her hand and laughing, let out a small sigh.
“I wanted to visit Retin with the children.”
“You can always go after your health improves a bit.”
“Hmm.”
As Deid spoke, Reina, who had been smiling, suddenly stopped in her tracks.
“Reina?”
Deid looked startled.
Reina, clutching her right chest, curled up her body.
“Uh! Ma…m’lady!”
Deid and the servants rushed to assess her condition.
“Ho ho, so you’re still alive?”
At the voice that came from ahead, Reina’s scalp went cold.
When she looked up, she saw flames.
WHOOSH–
The familiar flames.
‘Is it mine…?’
“It’s nice to see you again after such a long time, old prey.”
![[TS] The Protagonist is Conquered](https://i3.wp.com/novelhitam.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/1743806812-5548-TS-The-Protagonist-is-Conquered.png?resize=85,105 "[TS] The Protagonist is Conquered")
