Updates on the monster didn’t arrive before noon. Apparently, the monster was rampaging again at the nearest settlement. From what I heard, it was around a kilometer away from the city. Still, it was quite surprising the monster got that far already.

They will still need to track it down, though. Hunting it would definitely take some time. Hm. Oh well, gotta do what we gotta do.

In light of this monster situation, an emergency meeting was made with the two imperial princes. We gathered in the king’s office with my family, and the two princes. My father explained the situation to them.

“Considering the situation, I’m afraid I will have to postpone giving our final answer. We can’t just rush things, to give our answer and go for the hunt.”

The two princes looked at each other.

“It is completely fine, Your Majesty,” said Alistor. “The matter is grave, we understand.”

“Thank you.”

“We wish you good hunting, Your Majesty,” said Cilas.

“Let us meet again soon, and by then, we’ll hear your decision.”

“Any expected time of your return, Your Majesty?” Cilas asked.

“Can’t be sure, tomorrow, or the next.”

“Understood.”

With that, my father began preparing for the hunt. I promptly left everyone and walked around the palace until I reached the outside, where the knights were also making preparations. I watched them from afar while taking note of those that weren’t moving out.

After a little more scouting, as I thought, Father was only taking less than half of the knights, and only a few elite knights at that. I assume he’s planning on taking some knights assigned wherever in the city. That was fine.

Knowing this, it actually made me feel relieved. My work would have been doubled in exterminating the pests that come out later. As for my preparations? I’m ready. Quite excited, actually. Been a while. But I’m hoping this will be a work in the park type of thing.

Otherwise, I’ll be fucked. Don’t want that.

My magic has been resting for some time now, so my body was feeling way better. I have more leeway now, sort of say. Just in case things go south.

I heard footsteps coming at me, I turned to see it was Alistor.

“Worried about your knights?” he casually asked.

I meekly nodded. “Worried about the knights and my father…”

“You really are very compassionate.”

I furrowed my brows. “Is that something to really be lauded about? Is it not normal?”

“It’s special to meet someone compassionate.”

“If being compassionate is special… then something is wrong with the world.”

He looked at me with widened eyes. “Yes… Perhaps there is something wrong with it.”

“I don’t know much about the world… but I hope there is kindness everywhere, and in all things.”

“That… may be too hopeful.”

“Even so, it can't hurt to hope.”

If everyone was just so kind and a bunch of good people, maybe I wouldn't have to be stressed right now. But, it wasn’t the case, so gotta live in it.

And yes, can’t hurt to have hope. I always have hope, you know. Hope to kill this bastard beside me!

“If you would excuse me, Prince Alistor. I have to wish my father good luck.”

“... Of course.”

I made my way to the front doors of the palace. When I arrived, he wasn’t still here, so I waited a few minutes by the door. And when Father did arrive, I approached him with a smile. He was wearing his full set of armor, a sword hung on his waist.

“Father… Be careful out there. Please keep your safety a top priority.”

He chuckled and gently patted my head. “Of course, daughter. You take care while I’m gone.”

I nodded and stepped back, watching the rest of my family wish my father safety and good luck. Once that was done, the knights gathered to their carriages. I glanced at Mother, and as always, every time Father went, she always had that worried face, like she was holding herself from crying.

I resisted the urge to sigh.

As the knights moved out, I caught sight of Elson joining his crew. He looked back at me. I smiled at him, and he faintly nodded back. Do your task well, Elson. For all we know, they might try to attack Father in the back.

A moment later, they all left.

***

I was back in my own office — yeah I’m gonna call this my office — with me were my servants, as always.

“So, it’s really happening, huh?” Rogan remarked.

“I’m ready for what is to come.”

Mera just silently stood, clearly nervous. Made me wonder if I should have kept it from her. But, she’ll do fine.

“How about you, Your Highness?” asked Vernon.

“Fine. But I’m so nervous and scared that I almost want to cry~.”

Rogan frowned, yeah, looked like they didn’t believe me at all. Oh well… I don’t like what’s going to happen, a dangerous situation where people could die. But it can’t be avoided. Whether they initiated their plans under their own terms, or mine, I would rather have the latter. At least it’s in a controlled environment. Yes, all that mattered was it was all controlled.

Otherwise, it would have been distasteful.

I sighed. “Don’t overthink it. Just do your job, and everything should be fine.”

Let’s not get pessimistic or anything.

“Oh yes, Sir Rogan, during my dinner, you’re free to retrieve your spear.”

Now, all we have to do is wait for the time.

Good luck my dear servants. Don’t fail.

***

Night has fallen, and darkness has engulfed the world. The palace servants have gone back to their quarters to rest for the night. Among them was Mera who nervously sat down on her bed, now in her sleepwear. With her were her fellow maids, preparing to go to sleep.

She was feeling cold, not because of the temperature, but because of knowing what was to come. And she clasped her hands together, to keep her hands warm, and to pray to the gods.

“You alright, Mera?” asked her friend, Macey. “You’ve been out of it since earlier.”

Mera forced a smile. “It’s nothing, just thinking about something. No big deal.”

“You got overworked or something?” Ellie grinned teasingly.

“Maybe.”

“Well, that’s why you need to sleep. So let’s get some sleep.”

Following Ellie’s suggestion, Mera laid her back on her bed. The others turned off their lamps, Mera was the last.

Meanwhile, the princess’s personal knight was patrolling the palace corridors. The floor where the royals sleep. Or to be precise, nearby the person he was supposed to protect. In his hand was his favored weapon, the spear.

And as he walked, he came across one knight assigned to patrol the palace.

“Hey, Rogan,” the knight called. “What are you doing here?”

“Why? Can’t I be here?” He casually grinned.

“Well, it isn’t your job to patrol, right?”

“Oh well, you know how it is. The King is out, and with him some of our knights. So I’ve been thinking of keeping guard for a while.”

“Oh, I see. Yes, I think it would be nice. But you have to be up early tomorrow, you know.”

“That’s alright.”

In another section of the building was the butler of the princess. He walked around the corridor next to the king and queen’s room. He checked the decorations, making sure they were clean. But of course, his main task was to guard his VIP.

Being one of the most trusted men in the palace, the passing knight didn’t question his presence. But he still spoke with the knight.

“Don’t mind me, I will help keep watch of the palace.”

“Understood.”

Vernon kept a close watch of the monarchs’ room, waiting for the moment it begins.

All the Princess’s servants were in place.

But it took some time before the enemy forces acted. In the first imperial prince’s room, Alistor, a man in a dark outfit entered his room through the window, just before midnight struck. His face and body was covered all over, except for the gap in the eyes. A couple of daggers hung behind his waist.

He genuflected before the prince and lowered his head. “Your Imperial Highness, we are ready and await your command.”

Alistor sheathed his sword by his waist, and patted his leather armor, making sure his clothes were secure. “Begin.”

“Yes, my lord.”

The man in black exited through the window with agile movements.

Some time later, the imperial army around the palace began to move out. They spread out and engaged the soldiers on guard. Shouts erupted as battle ensued. At the same time, enemy forces scaled up the wall as the guards within were distracted.

Some stabbed swords into the walls to climb up. A few mages used ice magic to lift their forces. While the others waited for the gates to open, and it did.

“We’re under attack!”

“Kill them!”

“Die Wisterian fucks!

Such screams of disdain were heard all over.

As for the Wisterian knights, they were not all terribly prepared. In fact, some were still on guard. As part of the plans in anticipation of the foreign envoys’ arrival, not all knights were to be asleep. Half of them will stay awake after a certain amount of time, and be replaced by the next group.

That’s why, just as they realized they were under attack, they haven’t yet suffered any casualty. And they immediately woken up the rest of the knights.

One elite awake was a knight with one hand, holding a sword at the enemy before him.

“Alzen!” shouted a knight. “Behind you!”

The one handed elite swiftly stepped back and swung his mana filled sword, shooting an arc of light at the enemy knight. But the attack was blocked by a barrier. Another enemy came at him, but his allied knight intercepted the opponent.

At that moment, more Wisterian knights joined in to help.

Alzen faced an enemy knight with a strong glare. “You disappoint me. Attacking us at night. Looks like you imperial knights have no honor.”

“Heh, it doesn't matter. As long as we succeed.”

“Hm. Either way, fine with me. I’ve been itching to kill one of you.”

They clashed blades. But Alzen has grown used to his new disposition and regained most of his prowess. And after several exchanges of attacks, he slashed through the enemy’s chest. With the enemy still standing, he promptly stabbed him in the throat, without a hint of mercy.

Just as he was searching for a new target, his younger brother, Alan, shouted at him.

“Brother! The palace!”

He swiftly turned to him. “What?”

“The palace needs security. The royals are in there!”

Alzen clicked his tongue.

Of course, holding us here as they go raid the palace.

He must stop them before it was too late. With the king absent, the palace residence was in incredible danger. “All knights! Charge through them! Go to the palace quickly! Secure the palace!”

The Wisterian knights responded with loud shouts.

Now, as for the case of the beloved princess.

Just as the attack was starting, she had already worn quite a stylish outfit. Expensively made dark trousers, long white and black long-sleeved blouse, and dark boots. She didn’t appear like she was going on a battle at all. All casual. Her outfit was, in fact, one of the gifts given to her by her lovely cousin, Mizia.

Indeed, she wasn’t wearing her combat outfit. It was not the place and time for such.

She hummed a melody as she tied her hair around, serving only a single hair stick to hold them. She faintly heard the ruckus from the outside. But she didn’t mind it for the time being, and picked up her glove, slipping it into her left hand. This pair of gloves were part of her combat outfit.

Just as she was about to wear the right side, she paused and looked at the closed window. There were faint sounds of tapping on the wall, so faint that the common ears wouldn't even notice it. She narrowed her eyes. She was safe. Windows in the palace were secure and would be hard to break into, given the metal parts that go along the glass. Especially more secure when it was for the royal family. None should be able to enter through the window if closed.

She slipped her right glove in. After which she pulled a plain dagger strapped behind her waist.

Nonchalantly, she drew the curtains open. She glanced upward before unlocking and completely opening the window. She stepped on the windowsill and faced up. Swiftly, she stabbed her blade into flesh.

Someone was scaling the wall above her window, hiding in the shadows. Perhaps watching over her or keeping watch at the surroundings. But now that man had a dagger stuck to his throat. He never expected it. He couldn’t even let out a sound in response.

The moment that dagger struck, the Princess grabbed and pulled him by the collar as she stepped back into her room floor. With her Physical Enhancement technique, she easily dangled the man covered in a dark outfit at the edge. He squirmed, but he was weak.

His eyes wide as he looked at the person that struck him.

“Fucking ninja…” she muttered.

The ninja tried to scream, but he couldn’t.

“That was rude of you.”

Her crimson eyes were pools of empty emotion. Her gaze regarded him with insignificance. The man could not believe it. He was trained with the hardest training in his art. Deadly and silent. To be found like this was beyond absurd.

“No peeking.”

She switched holding him to her left hand. Her right hand reached out for the dagger stuck to his throat.

“Oh my, are you embarrassed? Don’t be. You were just never good.”

She twisted her blade, and the man’s eyes shifted upward as more blood left his body, and suffered tremendous pain as his flesh was being shredded. His life was slowly, but surely, fading away. A little push, and he was done. She pulled out the dagger and rubbed the blade on the man’s clothes clean.

“Begone.” Just as her left hand let go, a blast of wind emerged from it, sending the body hurling away to who knows in the darkness.

“Look at him go~…”

Satisfied, she locked the window close and drew the curtains in.

“Alright.” She sheathed her clean blade back in.

Begin Operation, uh… fuck it. Just execute the targets…