Chapter 67:

Chapter 67:

Chapter 67: Something of the Night

The Allied Nations.

A splendid community across the continent, where nations, both militarily and economically, complement each others deficiencies to create a harmonious give-and-take relationship.

However, that was merely a facade, and their true purpose was.

Breaking the Empire.

The common goal of the Allied Nations was to bring about the complete downfall of that thorn in their side, the vile Empire.

But.

The Empire has made a fortune with the patent for the improved magic stone!

Shouldnt we also acquire at least one gem frog?

Its unbelievable, the number of people subscribing to the Empires newspaper within the Allied Nations is increasing!

Its not easy.

The Empire is doing too well these days.

Just a few years ago, the Empire was unstable. Its economy, diplomacy, and military all wavered. Thus, the Allied Nations waited for the right moment.

Just a little longer, and they could have brought the Empire to its knees.

But to suddenly rise from the ashes to the skies, like a dragon that had been lying in wait.

Reinhardt, the universally acknowledged genius strategist of the Allied Nations, pressed his throbbing temples.

Now, the Empire has grown too large to provoke.

A solid domestic market, military strength that matches any other, and even a fairly decent reputation.

Theres no opening.

A few years back, if the Allied Nations had declared war on the Empire, people might have said:

-Its the Empire, after all. I dont know much, but Ill support the Allied Nations regardless.

Now?

-Are they out of their minds? We cant imagine life without the improved magic stones anymore. Long live the Barba Royal Family. Protect Ascal.

Urgh...

If I knew it would come to this, I should have attacked the Empire a year ago, even if it meant framing them.

Reinhardt, having missed the opportunity, pondered deeply about the cause of the current situation.

Firstly,

It wasnt the incompetent Emperor, but the Crown Prince who was leading the nation.

The Crown Prince was quite commendable. According to the reports from the Allied Nations, his overall rank was A.

He had the qualities to be considered a fairly good sovereign if he were to lead a country.

However, he wasnt enough to revive the already declining Empire.

<Count Ascal Erindale>

Endowed with endless mystical talents and the ability to discern the times, this young nobleman, called the hidden dragon of the Empire, is credited with lifting the failing Empire to its current status as a great power. And even after

Overall Rank: S+

Ascal Erindale, this beast!

The main culprit behind the Empires revival was none other than Ascal Erindale.

If only he hadnt been there, everything would have gone smoothly.

Reinhardt suppressed his anger with a hiss.

Why am I so angry?

One of the conditions of being an excellent strategist is to maintain composure. No matter the situation, one must not lose cool and must always draw the next move.

Reinhardt took a deep breath.

His mind calmed down.

And he realized.

Thats right. I was harboring an inferiority complex towards Ascal Erindale.

It was a cold self-analysis.

Hmph. To think that I, a man who can even objectify his own inferiority complex...

Reinhardt regained his composure,

Believing, albeit inwardly, that his ability to objectify himself was perhaps superior to Ascals.

But still, he remains an exceptional individual.

An individual seems infinitely insignificant compared to a group.

But sometimes, a single person can completely turn around a collective.

A singer with unbelievable charisma, a painter who leaves behind masterpieces, a leader who instills courage in the people.

They are often called great figures.

Reinhardt dared to evaluate.

Ascal Erindale is both a great figure and the hero of the Empire.

Sushia insists. Is it okay if I go, Lia?

Lias blue eyes looked up at Ascal.

Yes. Enjoy the play.

It seems like you two have gotten closer. It felt like there was a bit of distance before...

Its only natural to discuss schedules with an aide. Shall we call it a day then?

****

In the secret office of the Imperial Palace.

Is this intelligence accurate?

Yes, Your Highness. The Allied Nations are making their move. They are searching for the Prince of the Night.

The Crown Prince always kept a vigilant eye on the movements of the Allied Nations. The Empire had many enemies. One had to move swiftly to avoid getting caught in schemes.

Is the Prince of the Night royalty from some country?

No, Your Highness. He is said to be the leader of a group called the Knights of the Night. Theres also said to be a Princess of the Night.

A Princess of the Night... Thats a bit embarrassing to hear.

However, the Crown Prince faced a dilemma.

This matter was highly classified even within the Allied Nations. They only knew that there was a search for the Prince of the Night, with no further details available.

But given the Allied Nations are searching for them, it must be a matter of significant importance.The Prince of the Night.

A figure shrouded in mystery.

What potential he holds remains unknown at this moment.

One thing is for certain: he must not fall into the hands of the Allied Nations.

We must find the Prince of the Night before the Allied Nations do. And of course, in secrecy.

****

Going back in time a bit,

After the successful rescue in the Holy Kingdom for Ascal,

Someone had to write a report. Based on rank and seniority, Serena Barba was the highest, but of course, one could not possibly ask royalty to write reports.

Laika and Jerobe were naturally excluded. Arthur Debrues writing skills were dismal. Excluded.

That left Devon and Kain.

The two looked at each other.

And after a fierce battle of rock-paper-scissors and coin tossing, Kain ended up losing. A beautiful tradition of passing the buck, true to the spirit of the Evaluation Department.

Kain, head of Evaluation Department 1 reviewed the report he was writing.

<The party used aliases while in the Holy Kingdom to avoid revealing their identities. These aliases were:

Laika (The Assassin of the Night)

Jerobe (The Berserker of the Night)

Kain (The Staff of the Night)

Devon (The Sentinel of the Night)

Arthur Debrue (The Swordsman of the Night)

Serena Barba (The Princess of the Night)

Ascal Erindale (The Prince of the Night)

Princess Yulia Barba adamantly refused to use an alias...>

Devan, looking at the report, commented,

Typical of the Staff of the Night. A report with no superfluous details.

Kain rubbed his temples.

True to the Sentinel of the Night, you have a keen eye.

Devons eyebrows twitched.

Who was it again that first suggested we use these aliases?

It was Princess Serena...

...

I dont usually say this, but it is somewhat embarrassing.

The aliases arent really the important part here.

Their eyes met.

They reached an unspoken agreement.

Whoosh.

The report thrown into the fireplace turned into ashes.

The report eventually submitted had all mentions of the Knightly Order of the Night completely erased.

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