Ash had left an invitation before disappearing.
Black Night sat dazedly, looking at the invitation. The luxurious invitation was neatly written, inviting her to a party.
'A party...?'
She broke into a cold sweat at the unexpected invitation.
No way, they're inviting to a party here? Is this sothing that can co from a sane mind? Has Ash gone completely mad?
'Could it be a trap?'
This was naturally her first thought, but Black Night soon concluded that it wasn't.
For one, Ash had just neutralized the magic tower and eliminated the other version of herself.
Now, she planned to cooperate with Ash for a while, so there was no reason to be hostile.
Even if it was a trap, Black Night trusted in herself. Even if she were surrounded in the heart of enemy territory, she was confident she could easily break free with her magic.
Then, if it's not a trap.
'...Does he really consider an ally?'
She couldn't help but feel absurd recalling Ash smiling at her. The way he handed over the invitation calmly was almost a pure madness.
'If that's the case, he's too naive. Ash.'
For now, she would lend him a hand to deal with the Demon King, but ultimately, she too intended to bring about the demise of humanity. She was nothing but a monster who wanted to watch humanity burn and drown.
To casually let her into the courtyard like this...
'...But then again, a party.'
Black Night was deep in thought.
She realized she had never attended a party in her life.
Even when she was alive, she had been cooped up in the magic tower, imrsed in tedious research, and after being resurrected as an undead, there were no parties...
The unexpected invitation piqued her interest.
'...Should I go?'
The human world was going to end soon anyway.
Before the world ca to an end, it might be fun to visit a party venue for once.
It had been a long ti since she, as a seeker, had indulged in gourt food and drinks. Just one party wouldn't hurt...
"...Hmm!"
Deciding, Black Night stood up abruptly. Then she realized sothing.
'...Do I have anything to wear?'
She summoned a mirror and inspected herself, realizing several problems.
'What about shoes? Makeup? Is my hair alright?'
Rubbing her aching head, Black Night took a deep breath.
"Lieutenant-!"
She called out for the lieutenant of the Lich Legion, whom she rarely sought.
"Is there a decent clothing store nearby?!"
***
After leaving Black Night's base.
'Everything is going as planned.'
Thinking to myself, I strode through the Lake Kingdom, heading to my next destination.
The place I was headed to was none other than outside the Lake Kingdom.
Passing through the 'dried-up drainage canal', I arrived in the outskirts beyond the kingdom's walls.
Walking forward with a torch through the thick darkness, it soon ca into view.
Sitting absentmindedly on a low hill... watching over her kingdom silently, was the fallen princess.
"Naless."
As I called out and approached, a look of surprise flashed through Naless's blurred gaze.
"Ash? How did you find this place?"
"When we parted ways the other day, I took note of the direction you were moving."
I had sent scouts to all places in the Lake Kingdom where Naless could go in that direction, but I never encountered her.
So, I concluded.
Naless must be outside the Lake Kingdom.
The first place I t her - right here, on the outskirts of the Lake Kingdom.
I crouched down next to Naless. She slowly opened her mouth.
"...I've been thinking."
During her ti wandering the outskirts of the Lake Kingdom, Naless had been deep in thought.
"Whether what I'm doing is right for the people of this country."
"If it's about the work you're doing..."
"...I an fighting."
A bitter smile ford on Naless's lips.
"Fighting against the darkness that has occupied the Lake Kingdom."
"..."
"I had never wavered until... recently, I t a young citizen. Like the other citizens here, barely alive yet not really living."
The citizens of the Lake Kingdom.
Most of them are wrapped in black cocoons, preserved like specins.
"Unable to live or die, they dream nightmares for the Demon King..."
"Nightmares..."
"The Demon King seeks sothing in the nightmares of my people. That's why everyone captured is forced into these nightmares. In this purgatory without salvation, they can't even find peace in sleep."
Naless bowed her head deeply.
"...As my brother suggested, if I had given up resistance sooner and begged for rcy from the Demon King. Maybe my people could be dreaming peaceful dreams instead of nightmares now."
"..."
"Thinking about this... I forcibly took away that child's nightmare and transferred it to myself."
Naless smiled sorrowfully.
"Then, that child who was in agony... finally fell into a peaceful sleep."
"..."
"I swallowed that child's nightmare. And only then did I realize. My people have been surviving with this pain. So much pain that they can't even sleep, just like this..."
"So."
I asked urgently.
"Don't tell , you've decided to dream all your citizens' nightmares for them?"
"Yes."
Naless nodded affirmatively.
"This is the pain my people have been bearing for the past five hundred years. It's the fault of our Lake Kingdom's royal family."
"But...!"
"Even if I can't save my kingdom with my own hands, I want to embrace all the nightmares my people are dreaming..."
Struggling, I finally asked.
"What will happen to you then?"
"For now, it's manageable. I can bear it."
Naless swept her tired eyes with her hand.
"...I just can't sleep much anymore."
Ah.
So this was it.
I finally understood. Finally realized.
The mont she willingly cramd everyone's nightmares into her small fra. The mont she took on their pain.
Naless had beco the final boss - 'The Sleepless Princess of the Lake Kingdom.'
"..."
Still, I don't know how to save this woman.
So.
"Naless."
Today, I should at least give her what I've prepared.
"Actually, I ca to invite you today."
"Invite?"
"Yes. As the rightful successor and spokesperson of the Lake Kingdom... to attend a party celebrating your new alliance with the World Guardian Front."
I handed her the invitation along with the soul fragnts of the princess I had collected.
"...A party?"
Receiving the invitation, Naless laughed hollowly.
"A party. That's a word I haven't heard in a long ti."
Naless slowly opened the sealed invitation with her dull fingers and read the contents.
At the sa ti, the soul fragnts I had collected glowed white and rged into her body.
"I don't know if it's because of the soul fragnts you collected, or because of this invitation."
Having read the short content of the invitation, Naless neatly folded it back and placed it in her pocket.
"The image of my kingdom's party hall from a very long ti ago cos to mind."
"What were the parties like in your country?"
"They were incredibly lavish."
Naless closed her eyes, reminiscing about the past.
"Chandeliers crafted from crystals shone with dazzling magical lights..."
The sunken city was engulfed in complete darkness,
"And throughout the royal castle, the music of orchestras and singing resonated."
In the silence, devoid of any living beings, only stillness prevailed.
"People would hold hands, laugh, and dance together."
Those unable to live or die are wrapped in black cocoons, dreaming nightmares.
"Dressed in makeup and gowns, I would make a grand entrance in the middle of the party hall."
Clad in tattered robes, holding a rusted iron sword.
We sat on a sand dune on the outskirts of the city.
"People would bow their heads in unison as they saw , and then I would say."
With a voice rustling like dying embers, Naless whispered, reminiscing about the distant past.
"There's no need for formalities with , everyone. Please, enjoy the party..."
"..."
I chuckled silently and nudged Naless in the ribs with my elbow.
"Did you get many dance requests?"
"All my life. Not to brag, but I was quite popular."
"Was there anyone you liked?"
"I was young and interested in romance. But..."
Naless closed her eyes tightly.
"I can't rember the faces or nas of those I fancied. It's been too long."
"..."
"All these seem like dreams from another life..."
Silence ensued.
Ahem! I cleared my throat and gestured with my chin towards the invitation in Naless's hand.
"It might not be as grand as your kingdom's parties. But my city's party will be enjoyable too."
"...But, Ash. My people are suffering. How can I enjoy a party in such circumstances?"
"It's for your people too. This is not just any party."
I explained to Naless about the upcoming 'Operation Surprise Party', the White Night raid strategy.
After hearing the plan, Naless's mouth fell open slightly.
"You really ca up with such an outrageous plan, Ash."
"Haha. Whatever it takes to bring down the enemy commander, right?"
"Indeed. I cannot miss out on such an event."
Naless looked at directly after a mont of thought.
"I would like to participate. But..."
"But?"
Hesitantly, Naless spoke with a hint of embarrassnt.
"I don't have a gown to wear to the party."
I smiled broadly.
"Don't worry. I'll prepare everything for you."
"Not a crown, not a dress, not even shoes."
"I'll take care of everything from makeup to hairstyling. To ensure you represent the Lake Kingdom with pride."
Rising from my seat, I bowed deeply to Naless.
"As the third prince of the Everblack Empire, lord of Crossroad, and commander-in-chief of the World Guardian Front, Ash Born Hater Everblack requests."
I winked at Naless.
"Please honor us by attending the party I have prepared. Pricess of the Lake Kingdom."
Naless then hastily stood up and, sowhat awkwardly, returned the gesture with a bow.
"If soone as forgotten as I, who has lost her na, grace, and manners, is acceptable. As the successor and spokesperson of the Lake Kingdom, I gladly accept your invitation."
After straightening up, a faint smile crossed Naless's face.
"Thank you, Ash. I look forward to the party with a happy heart."
Was it my imagination?
The pallor of her face, the darkness that had draped over her arms and under her eyes...
With that smile, it seed to have faded a bit.
***
And a few days later.
During early evening, when a fierce defense battle should have been raging.
The beautifully decorated party hall of Hotel Crossroad.
In this battlefield nad a party hall, heroes dressed not in armor but in suits and gowns started to enter.
Stage 25.
To confront the enemy magicians, an insurmountable challenge in a direct confrontation.
The strategy I painstakingly devised, layering trick upon trick, the Surprise Party - was finally ready to begin.
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