The Allied Nations.

 

A splendid community across the continent, where nations, both militarily and economically, complement each other’s 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!”

 

“Shouldn’t we also acquire at least one gem frog?”

 

“It’s unbelievable, the number of people subscribing to the Empire’s newspaper within the Allied Nations is increasing!”

 

It’s 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.

 

There’s no opening.

 

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

 

-It’s the Empire, after all. I don’t know much, but I’ll support the Allied Nations regardless.

 

Now?

 

-Are they out of their minds? We can’t 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 wasn’t 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 wasn’t 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 Empire’s revival was none other than Ascal Erindale.

 

If only he hadn’t 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.

 

‘That’s 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 Ascal’s.

 

‘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.

 

With him as the focal point, the Empire was revived.

 

Without bringing him down, or at least without someone of equal stature in the Allied Nations, they cannot stand against the Empire.

 

‘We need a hero too.’

 

Someone in the Allied Nations who could become a hero... The Supreme Commander is too old, and Reinhardt himself shines best as a strategist working from the shadows.

 

‘If only a young talent that could be used within the Empire had appeared. For instance, a rebel.’

 

Certainly, until a few years ago, the reports stated that there were ominous signs happening throughout the Empire.

 

…Those ominous signs, being nothing more than ominous, vanished without a trace.

 

‘A hero... Isn’t there a hero who can stand against Ascal? Wait.’

 

​At that moment, a possibility emerged in Reinhardt’s mind.

 

The Holy Nation had fallen.

 

It all happened so quickly that very few knew the details, as if someone had deliberately erased all traces.

 

According to people’s testimonies, a group enraged by the Holy Nation’s corruption meticulously exposed and punished their misdeeds.

 

Reinhardt carefully reviewed the confidential report on the downfall of the Holy Nation.

 

-Regarding those who assaulted the Holy Nation.

 

-They called themselves the ‘Knights of the Night.’

 

-Dressed in black clothes and masks, their appearances were indiscernible.

 

-Their leader is known as the ‘Prince of the Night.’ According to testimonies, he is presumed to be a young man.

 

Those who appeared overnight to punish the corrupt Holy Nation and then vanished. If it weren’t for the very few testimonies of those who witnessed them, Reinhardt wouldn’t even have been aware of their existence.

 

“The Prince of the Night. If it’s him…”

 

The Allied Nations needed a face.

 

An icon that could vilify the Empire and sanctify the Allied Nations.

 

If the Prince of the Night were to stand with the Allied Nations,

 

And condemn the wicked Empire (albeit with a slight distortion),

 

Then, perhaps, the Allied Nations could bring down the Empire.

 

 

The framework of a plan appeared.

 

Reinhardt, the strategist of the Allied Nations, began to draw a grand picture, marveling at his own genius idea.

 

 

Ascal went straight to the imperial palace to report upon his return from the north.

 

Since the messenger sent by Grand Duke Felix had already provided most of the report, Ascal only needed to nod along and add a few comments here and there.

 

The Crown Prince, deeply moved, awarded Ascal with medals and rewards.

 

After a brief period of reorganization, Ascal returned to the Evaluation Department. It was around the same time that Lia returned. Ascal noticed that some of the more observant staff members seemed to look at Lia a bit differently.

 

Then, noticing the mood, Sushia once again visited the office for a casual visit.

 

“I brought a gift, Sushia. Ice candy from the north. Oh, it melted on the way here.”

 

“That’s too bad. Minister-nim, I was so worried and waiting for you.”

 

“Just kidding. Here’s a scarf made from sheep’s wool. The sheep in the north have especially thick fur, boasting excellent warmth.”

 

“Wow, it lacks romance but is so practical... I don’t even know what to say...”

 

Sushia said as she wrapped the scarf around herself. Besides, Ascal gave out gifts to the staff. Though it was a business trip, not a leisurely journey, distributing gifts had become a tradition in the Evaluation Department after the hot spring incident.

 

“You actually saw a frost giant? How big was it?”

 

“Bigger than our office building.”

 

“No way. That’s a lie.”

 

“Believe it or not. It’s your loss.”

 

Sushia hesitated.

 

Ascal recalled her behavior before his trip to the North.

 

Her dithering, as if she had something to say but was holding back.

 

It reminded him of Princess Lia’s behavior before her coming out.

 

“If you have something to say, say it.”

 

“Well, it’s a bit awkward to say it here. Um, I have tickets.”

 

And then, Sushia clumsily offered the tickets.

 

<The finest actors! The grandest theater! An unforgettable performance! Meet at the Golden Theater tonight!>

 

-Royal Box, For Two.

 

“Would you like to go with me? I think I can talk about it then.”

 

Sushia fiddled with her fingers nervously.

 

“Does it have to be there?”

 

“Yes. It has to be there.”

 

Ascal rose from his chair and approached Lia, who was engrossed in her work.

 

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

 

Lia’s 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...”

 

“It’s 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. There’s also said to be a Princess of the Night.”

 

“A Princess of the Night... That’s 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 Debrue’s 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.”

 

Devon’s eyebrows twitched.

 

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

 

“It was Princess Serena...”

 

“...”

 

“I don’t usually say this, but it is somewhat embarrassing.”

 

“The aliases aren’t really the important part here.”

 

Their eyes met.

 

They reached an unspoken agreement.

 

 

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.