To say that Duke Starheim was an important noble to the Kingdom would be an understatement.

In fact, he has been an instrumental piece in maintaining relations between the Empire of the West and the Kingdom of the Epicenter.

Having been the first to establish trade deals with the Empire, he was given preferable treatment and viewed by many nobles as a powerhouse within the Kingdom.

With a solid foothold within the nobility due to their stake in the agricultural sector of the economy, his influence has garnered him a status as the most powerful noble in the Kingdom of Leotopia. 

But it wasn’t always like this.

The Starheim Household, before their rise, was nothing more than a Barony located near the western border.

There, they stood as a pillar of support that guards the border.

Protecting the Kingdom from as one of the first lines in defense.

They were one of the Vanguards of the Kingdom.

That is until an envoy from the Darlberg Empire came to make a deal with them.

A deal involving espionage and treason in the highest count. 

“The plan is going smoothly thanks to you Sir Johanson. Your cooperation with us has made our schedule on time.” 

Two glasses filled with fine wine clinked together in a toast.

“Truly, harvest season awaits us.”

Duke Johanson Starheim thought about the upcoming civil war.

He wondered if the war would even last half a year.

Given his manpower, which amounted to almost half of the entire Kingdom’s military.

Together with support of the Darlberg Empire,there was no doubt in mind that the war would even last that long.

“Sir Borsch, what do you reckon? Will the war last half a year or so?” 

Borsch was an envoy sent by the Empire, he was the very same person that made the deal with the Duke just before his rise.

“With my forces right at their doorstep, a month would be more than enough.”

The stage was set and ready for them. 

The status quo within the continent of Pangaea will never be the same.

Or so they thought…

As they indulge themselves in fine liquor, the door of their room suddenly creaks open.

Yet no one was there.

The Duke thought he imagined it, but he was wrong as he took a gander at the door.

“What was that?” 

A chilly feeling ran down their spine.

“Must be the wind…” The envoy said who was a bit intoxicated wobbled to the door.

Just before he could reach the handle, an arm shot out and went for his neck.

Taken off guard, he was slammed down and pinned on the ground.

He attempted to break free but when he felt a sharp sensation on his neck, he stopped.

Meanwhile, the Duke was knocked down to his feet as he took a hit on the sternum.

“Guards seize them!” Yet no one came, and upon realizing this, the veins on his neck popped red in rage.

“Those fucking scoundrels!” He screamed in anger as he searched for them.

But to his horror, when he looked beyond the corridor, the guardsmen were lying in a pool of blood.

Fear gripped his heart in an instant.

There was no way he would be taken down like this.

He refused to believe it.

Not when he was near his goals—

Blergh! 

A dagger was plunged on his throat.

“His Highness has a message to you.”

Just as it embedded itself within the Duke’s throat, the dagger was withdrawn.

Blood was escaping rapidly from the fatal wound.

Struggling to form any words, he managed to croak out a plea, yet he was met with indifference, and he was shot down in despair.

“The punishment for mutiny…”

There he realized his fate.

The life in his eyes was getting duller as seconds passed by until—

Thud.

Shoddy figures donning black cloaks made their presence known to the pinned down envoy.

“Take care of the Duke’s body.” The one in the middle ordered and two of them disappeared along with the fresh corpse of Duke Starheim.

Their faces were hidden within their masks, although identical, the only distinct feature was their physical appearances.

Even though he was intoxicated, Borsch could still make out the situation he was in.

Assassins were after them.

Who sent them was a question he eagerly wanted to find out.

However it would be hard to do so, considering he was at their mercy.

“Sister, if you will.” Something wrapped around his body.

He felt his body wriggle in pain.

He was as stiff as a rock, his fingers couldn’t even twitch before it started hurting him.

Unable to control his emotions anymore and paired with the alcohol he consumed.

He spat out blood and cursed at them.

“Who the fuck are you people!” 

Yet before he could even get a reply, he was smacked behind his neck with such force that his mouth started to froth.

“Rel, bring him to his Highness’ study, and Fel stay here.”  

“Understood.” The two said in unison.

The cloaked assassin named Rel disappeared with the envoy.

“Are all of the servants taken care of?”

She nodded, “Just as his Highness has planned.”

“Good, let’s clean this place out.”

Discreetness was their aim, and in the shadows they operated.

Thus was the purpose of the Templar’s Order.

 

---

“We’ve confirmed their locations, your Highness. It is just as you have foretold.”

“Good work, regroup with the rest of your unit and set up a post at Baron Fahren’s territory.” They bowed to him and soon left the premises.

Fading away in the shadows.

Just as they left, another one entered.

This time it was the former Head of the Templar’s Order.

“Your Highness, there is some additional information I have to tell you in regard to our targets.” 

A member of the Templar’s order with his face covered by a mask, stepped forward and presented a tusk.

“They seem to have employed the services of the orcs.”

“Hmmm…” His pen ceased moving, then he looked over to another parchment.

He squinted his eyes and looked at August.

The young Rodin was in charge of identifying any oddities with the information about Duke Starheim’s manpower by cross examining the testimonial evidence with other information. 

And with his tome, it was quite an easy job.

“Orcs usually don’t do mercenary work with humans but that depends on what kind…”  

August suspected that there was more to Duke Starheim’s manpower than just knights and soldiers, a sophisticated plan that has been in the making…

If the King’s army were to clash with the Duke’s forces then there’d be no issues, however, knowing that he had been working with an envoy of the Darlberg Empire, there was the sure possibility that there would be reinforcements.

And although their location was confirmed just a moment ago, it didn’t really paint the whole picture.

Which is why, August took it upon himself to take into account other unexpected variables.

“Green Skins always stick with their tribes; the Kingdom has a mutual relationship with them under a merchant’s term.” 

The Green orcs supply most of the herbs and spices to the Kingdom, the latter in return allowed them to engage within the Kingdom’s market.

“So that leaves us with the Red Skins.”

Orc warriors that lead a life of constant battle and danger, often involving themselves in the affairs of territorial disputes between nobility.

They were mercenaries through and through, however their services came at a hefty cost.

To be able to have a contract with them, various conditions have to be met.  

And even then, Red Skins don’t just accept them based on that alone, one must be introduced from a reputable representative that the Red Skins are acquainted with.

“But Sir August, the ones that we have killed had black pigmented skins…” 

That distinct feature was enough for August to have a realization.

Among the Red Skins, there was a certain group so feared that even the Kingdom has designated them as very notorious outlaws.

“Tell me, did they have red eyes?” Aurelius nodded.

“So, they employed the services of the Savage Black Reds.”

August casually scanned the records regarding outlaws within the Kingdom.

He circled the details and brought it to Leopold.

“So, they are shameless enough to use criminals…Aurelius, where did the encounter happen.”

“Northeastern border, along the riverbanks of the Mores Forest.” 

He marked that location.

“Is it possible that they passed through the Evermore Mountains?”

Aurelius cups his chin and ponders.

They killed around a dozen Black Reds and their mounts which were Dire wolves, albeit they outnumbered them, still they were fewer than what he had expected.

“They may have passed through there, but I can’t guarantee that they will use it again. The ones we have killed may have been a scouting party.”

“If that’s the case then…” He glanced at another parchment; it was the number of forces left that he had in hand.

“Set up another post near the Tulsa Barony and station your unit there, inform me immediately about the current status once everything is settled down on your end.” Aurelius bowed, then disappeared into the shadows upon hearing the crown prince’ orders.

“As expected, it’s not enough…” 

Mulling over this development, he stared at the ceiling and closed his eyes.

Who should he go to for additional manpower?

His father and brothers were crossed out immediately as he knows that the moment they gain knowledge about the Duke’s mutiny, they’ll for sure declare war on the Empire.

As much as possible, he’d like to avoid going to war.

“Hey, if you’re that worried about our lack of forces. I think I have a suggestion.”

Without batting an eye to August, Leopold asks, “What do you have in mind.”

“We set up traps.” August’ idea stems from his experience during his time back at that place, even though he had resented the memories of that place, the lessons that he learned the hard way were very valuable.

Leopold opened his eyes and turned around to August.

“You want us to set booby traps?...It’s plausible, however I don’t think we have enough time for that.” 

August shakes his head and says, “We’re not setting up IEDs or anything of that sort, in fact, it’ll probably take a day at best if things go smoothly.” 

“Go on.”

August pulls his sleeves and shows Leopold the reason why he was the son of the Royal Adviser.

“The cryptids and monsters beyond the border walls are getting more active, what if we use them…” 

Leopold had an inkling on what August was implying.

But before they could delve into that further, there was a knock on the door.

“We took out the garbage and brought the baggage...” If one informally speaks like that to a noble, then they’d be for sure punished but in this instance…

It was a secret code.

Even without that, Leopold still recognized the voice.

“Come in.” Leopold said.

The door opens revealing a cloaked individual along with a person with a bag of dirty cloth over his head.

“Good job Rel, put him over there.” 

The person was tossed to the floor.

Leopold took off the cloth.

The person was unconscious.

“Pass me the kettle.” August handed it over to him.

Then the smoldering hot tea was poured all over the person’s face.

“Agh! My eyes!” The person woke up and screamed in pain.

“Envoy Borsch…” 

Once the person heard his name, he momentarily endured the pain and opened his eyes.

“It’s been a while, hasn’t it?” 

Envoy Borsch stared at him anxiously, “You’re the crown prince…”

“That’s right.”

“What is the essence of this? I’ve not warranted anything that demands your Highness’ presence.” 

Leopold smirked, was the envoy this eloquent with his words?

Does he take the crown prince as someone illiterate?

Or was he looking down on him?

“The arrangement between you and Duke Starheim has piqued my interest.”

A shiver ran down the envoy’s spine.

This time, Borsch was silent as a grave.

If he opens his mouth, he’ll be done for.

A minute pass…

He thought he was going to be brutally tortured but nothing happened.

A tense atmosphere brewed up inside the study.

“Bring the tome.” 

If the envoy wasn’t going to squeal, then why bother wasting time?

After all, they have that tome.

The envoy couldn’t help but fear for his life as to what happens next.