Chapter 67: Sothing of the Night
The Allied Nations.
A splendid community across the continent, where nations, both militarily and economically, complent each others deficiencies to create a harmonious give-and-take relationship.
However, that was rely 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 mont.
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 dostic 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 co to this, I should have attacked the Empire a year ago, even if it ant 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 comndable. 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.
Endowed with endless mystical talents and the ability to discern the tis, 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 cald 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 sotis, 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 soone of equal stature in the Allied Nations, they cannot stand against the Empire.
We need a hero too.
Soone in the Allied Nations who could beco a hero... The Supre 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... Isnt there a hero who can stand against Ascal? Wait.
At that mont, a possibility erged in Reinhardts mind.
The Holy Nation had fallen.
It all happened so quickly that very few knew the details, as if soone had deliberately erased all traces.
According to peoples testimonies, a group enraged by the Holy Nations corruption ticulously 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 presud to be a young man.
Those who appeared overnight to punish the corrupt Holy Nation and then vanished. If it werent for the very few testimonies of those who witnessed them, Reinhardt wouldnt even have been aware of their existence.
The Prince of the Night. If its 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 frawork 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 ssenger sent by Grand Duke Felix had already provided most of the report, Ascal only needed to nod along and add a few comnts here and there.
The Crown Prince, deeply moved, awarded Ascal with dals and rewards.
After a brief period of reorganization, Ascal returned to the Evaluation Departnt. It was around the sa ti that Lia returned. Ascal noticed that so of the more observant staff mbers seed 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 lted on the way here.
Thats too bad. Minister-nim, I was so worried and waiting for you.
Just kidding. Heres a scarf made from sheeps wool. The sheep in the north have especially thick fur, boasting excellent warmth.
Wow, it lacks romance but is so practical... I dont 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 beco a tradition in the Evaluation Departnt after the hot spring incident.
You actually saw a frost giant? How big was it?
Bigger than our office building.
No way. Thats a lie.
Believe it or not. Its your loss.
Sushia hesitated.
Ascal recalled her behavior before his trip to the North.
Her dithering, as if she had sothing to say but was holding back.
It reminded him of Princess Lias behavior before her coming out.
If you have sothing to say, say it.
Well, its a bit awkward to say it here. Um, I have tickets.
And then, Sushia clumsily offered the tickets.
-Royal Box, For Two.
Would you like to go with ? 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?
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 movents of the Allied Nations. The Empire had many enemies. One had to move swiftly to avoid getting caught in sches.
Is the Prince of the Night royalty from so 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 mont.
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 ti a bit,
After the successful rescue in the Holy Kingdom for Ascal,
Soone 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 Departnt.
Kain, head of Evaluation Departnt 1 reviewed the report he was writing.
Devan, looking at the report, comnted,
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 sowhat embarrassing.
The aliases arent really the important part here.
Their eyes t.
They reached an unspoken agreent.
Whoosh.
The report thrown into the fireplace turned into ashes.
The report eventually submitted had all ntions of the Knightly Order of the Night completely erased.
[TL: You can support the translation and read 5 chapters ahead of the release here on Patreon: /OracleTls]
Reviews
All reviews (0)