In the vast, silent throne room, a single piece of parchment felt heavier than a mountain.
G6 and Edmund's eyes met for a brief second. To anyone else, neutral curiosity. Between them, a silent scream of pure, shared dread.
"Who are they?" the King's voice boomed.
As Leo accepted the parchment, a clear voice intervened.
"A moment, Leo."
All eyes snapped to the Queen as she rose. "Let me."
She descended the dais, gown whispering on marble, and extended her hand. Leo bowed and handed her the document.
G6 remained perfectly still, a statue of composure. Her mind was a war room. Edmund. You're the worst alias maker.
Her internal monologue was a sharp critique. I sealed my noble life with a codename and a ghost's surname. Him? 'Eddie Saiden'? He might as well have signed it with his fingerprint and a map to the West Villa. Amateur move.
Yet, a colder thought emerged. But we're not cornered. We just have to be smarter. If anything goes south, we spin it. I'm nowhere close to satisfying my inner demons. I might accidentally kill someone if I am so pent up.
The Queen held the unopened parchment, fingers tracing its edge. She didn't open it. Her gaze swept the assembled heirs, a knowing smile playing on her lips as if savoring the revelation.
As she opened it, she felt a sharp gaze—a sword against her neck. She didn't turn. She knew its origin.
With everyone waiting, she folded the parchment back up, sparking confusion.
"It was stated they were traveler adventurers," the Queen began, voice calm. "Their temporary guild card wasn't renewed. The Adventurers' Guild has strict regulations; they don't store traveler data, as they rarely return or take long to re-register." A truth for the others, an obvious lie to G6 and Edmund.
First, Edmund is a regular adventurer. Second, my card would take two months of inactivity to deactivate.
"Didn't they eradicate the horde yesterday?" Prince Amir asked, suspicious.
"It's stated they purposely deactivated their cards yesterday, as they begin their journey anew," the Queen replied smoothly, layering another lie.
This witch. She knows. What is she plotting?
"I will handle this. Leo will investigate further for our possible allies," she added, dismissing further questions.
The King fell silent. Leo looked at the Queen, likely sensing her reason.
"Are you certain, my dear? Isn't it too much? Captain Kepler is still not back; the recruitment's main responsibility lies with you," the King asked.
"No need to worry. Duke De Lune will oversee. Prince Dio and the young Pillars will facilitate," she said, smiling.
Duke De Lune, stood and offered a curt bow. "As the Queen stated. My son, Captain Kepler, and the other expedition knights are already returning."
"I see. Please take care of this. Your joint forces and knowledge will make it easier," the King said.
"Excuse me," Leo interjected. "The written exam has ended. We are checking who proceeds."
"Then we conclude. Be vigilant. Sudden summons may happen," the King said.
"We understand, Your Majesty," the chorus replied, bowing.
The King and Prince Amir exited through the side door, leaving only the Pillars and the Queen.
G6, without a word, walked toward the Queen. Prince Dio, descending, caught her movement.
"Hey Boss." The casual address shocked everyone, especially the Pillar heads.
"Dear Reise, what is it?" the Queen asked, smiling cunning.
G6 stopped close, assessing her. She stepped closer, leaned into her ear.
"Tell me. What the fuck are you plotting?" A blade of sound for her alone.
The Queen's smile remained, a mask of perfect composure.
"Reise." A voice from the three seats. Her father.
Her attention snapped to him. She backed away.
"How are you, my dear daughter?" Duke Worthon asked, walking toward her.
Though hesitant, "I am fine," G6 said.
"It is not mannered to address Her Majesty so, let alone step so close," Duke Worthon chided gently.
"It is quite fine, Duke Worthon. We are closer than it appears," the Queen said.
Cunning witch.
"Mother," Prince Dio finally approached. "Are you certain you'll handle the two-man party investigation?"
"Of course, my son. I have a great many…" the Queen's gaze drifted pointedly to G6. "…questions for them."
"Do not hesitate to ask for help," Prince Dio added.
"Aren't you sweet? So unlike your usual reserved demeanor," the Queen observed, smile knowingly.
"It is indeed a surprise, Aunt! Dio has been rather showy," Keith interjected, slicing through with a grin.
G6, feeling the space crowding, was about to retreat.
"My daughter. You have changed a great deal," her father said.
"People change, Father," G6 stated, tone cold and final.
"I heard from your brothers of your well-being. Forgive me for not attending sooner; my duties are countless," Duke Worthon said, a rare note of apology.
"Do not worry. I am accustomed to handling things alone. Needing help is not in my vocabulary." Her words made her father's brows furrow deeply.
His daughter had always been cold to outsiders, but sweet to the family. This woman lacked all warmth, displayed no empathy, and despised the interaction. Every answer was a dismissal.
"We should let them go," Duke De Lune interjected. "They must facilitate the next examination."
"Right, forgive me. Please proceed," the Queen said, dismissing them.
"Jester, Haile, perform well at Omnia while Earl is at the Bastion," Duke Nocturne instructed his children. "Yes, Father." They nodded.
Ray and Ron approached their father, bowing.
"Then, I will be leaving. See you around," G6 said to Duke Worthon, and turned to walk away first.
Edmund fell into step behind her. Their rushed exit screamed volumes.
"My dear Reise, I will be talking to you. Wait for my invitation, through Leo," the Queen's voice echoed, forcing G6 to halt.
G6 merely glanced over her shoulder, offering no reply. A vulgar declaration of displeasure.
Her brazen defiance sent a chill through the witnesses as she strode out without a backward glance.
A heavy silence lingered.
"I suppose we will be going. Excuse us," Earl said, bowing before walking out.
"See you, Father! Aunt! Uncles!" Keith seconded, casual, before hurrying out after G6.
"Keith is as casual as ever," Duke Worthon remarked.
"That is my youngest," Duke De Lune said, shaking his head.
"Then, I take my leave, Mother," Prince Dio said before retreating.
"Well, it is good our children get along," Duke Nocturne commented.
"Indeed. It reminds me of our youth," the Queen remarked.
The others began to leave. The adult Pillars watched their children's retreating backs, the throne room emptying.
「PALACE HALLS」
G6 strode away and stopped at the next corner.
"Edmund," she started.
"I know," he replied.
"For now, we wait to see what she wants." She turned with an irritated glare sharp enough to make him look away. He knew why.
"Why use a name so close to your real one? You even used your legal last name. I thought you were better than that?"
"Who would have thought I'd be helping you sneak out," Edmund shot back, voice low.
"My fault?" G6 took a step closer, forcing him back—right into someone behind.
"Oh, Edmund! What's wrong?" Keith asked casually.
The group had caught up.
"Nothing, Lord Keith. Forgive me," Edmund apologized, regaining composure.
Their attention turned to G6, clearly in a foul mood.
"Threatening Edmund, Reise?" Keith joked. The look G6 fixed on him suggested otherwise.
"Fuck off."
"Pay no attention to that idiot," Brenda said smoothly. "Shall we proceed to the arena?"
G6 nodded. "Lead."
Brenda smiled.
Prince Dio fell into step beside G6. The look she gave him was utter disgust.
"It seems you and my mother are indeed close now," Prince Dio attempted.
Brenda's eyes narrowed like blades at him.
"Don't talk. I hate opportunists," G6 shot back.
"I've been meaning to ask. You've been saying it. What exactly do you mean?" Prince Dio asked, finally losing composure.
G6 halted abruptly, forcing everyone behind to stop. She turned to face him eye-to-eye, making him step back.
"W-what?" Prince Dio.
"Dio's the one who always triggers the bomb," Keith whispered.
"Tell me. He can't keep his distance," Earl agreed low.
"Why does 'opportunist' tick you off? Aren't you one?" G6 asked.
"Of course not. I am a prince; I have dignity," Prince Dio answered firmly.
G6 laughed, mocking. As it ended, her face snapped flat. "You shameless fucker…" She stepped closer until inches apart.
"THAT'S TOO CLOSE!" Brenda retorted.
"I know what you did," G6 whispered, making him flush.
Does she know? Does she remember me kissing her? Is that why she's been especially violent?
"W-wh…" Prince Dio stammered.
"WHAT?" G6 said, backing away. "Don't talk. Seeing your face ticks me off."
She resumed walking. "You heard her? Hmp," Brenda commented, following.
"Can you not stand idly as usual?" Earl said, walking away.
"You keep getting close. Tsk," Keith added.
"Why are they ganging up? They've lost their minds. I am a prince," Prince Dio said to himself.
"Forgive them, Your Highness. You know how they've always been," Zen said, smoothing things.
"Shall we proceed?" Eliza asked, smiling.
Prince Dio didn't bother to answer. He strode after the group.
What should I do? I don't want her shutting me out. His thoughts away from the throne room, occupied entirely by his grumpy fiancée.
❈.❈.❈
The group arrived at the arena gates. The sound of murmuring filled the vast space. Many applicants had passed.
"It seems many passed the written exam," Brenda remarked.
"Was it that easy?" G6 asked.
"The written exam concerns kingdom rules and laws, which all citizens know," Earl added.
"Besides, Father made changes. Instead of only S-Rank affinity, they admit based on guild rank," Keith said as they entered.
"That would rank A through E?" Zen asked.
"Yes, and men from sixteen up to ten years before retirement."
"Why female applicants? I thought there was prejudice," G6 asked.
"Only female adventurers are permitted," Brenda answered.
G6 nodded. Of course.
"Lady Reise!" a little voice called from the arched hallway.
The arena was vast, open for large-scale training. Encircling it were multi-level hallways leading to open seating. At ground level, offices and private rooms lined the perimeter.
"Tina and Lilia are already here," Edmund observed.
"I'll go to them," G6 said to Brenda, walking away to shake off the group.
Yet, they still followed.
Why? Ugh! No personal space.
"Lady Reise! We knew you'd be hungry. Alistair gave us a packed breakfast! Look!" Lilia said cheerfully as G6 reached them. She gestured to a table with two large baskets.
"You two carried that?"
"Yes, but we took a carriage, thank you for worrying" Tina answered.
"I am just asking, don't delude yourself." G6 said, brushing aside her concern. Tina and Lilia were too thin and small to have carried them on foot over the twenty-minute distance.
Lilia smiled and took her hand, guiding her to the table. She was the only one who could carelessly hold G6's hand.
"What? Alistair didn't spare any for us?" Keith whined.
"He did, Lord Keith. This is enough for everyone. Please, have some before you begin," Tina said, inviting the group.
They settled. Lilia eagerly unpacked the baskets: still-warm pastries, fruits, a small pot of tea.
"See? I told you Alistair wouldn't forget," Keith said, grabbing an apple pie.
G6 took a seat, posture rigid. She accepted tea from Lilia but ignored the food, gaze distant, scanning the arriving crowds.
The meal proceeded with light chatter, mostly Keith and Brenda's bickering. G6 remained silent, offering grunts or single words.
Once the baskets were nearly empty, Tina began repacking. "We should not keep applicants waiting," she said, a subtle hint.
"She's right," Earl said, standing. "Proctors will start soon. We should take our positions on the observation balcony."
Brenda nodded. "Lady Reise, shall we?"
G6 stood and noticed something different about Edmund. "What's with the stupid getup?" she asked, losing composure.
Edmund wore eyeglasses with lenses so thick his eyes were obscured. "You look like a total geek. Even more than this one," G6 said, pointing at Earl.
"Hey! Right?" Keith laughed.
"You must be comfortable now, Reise, not needing my help in training," Earl said, composure fraying.
"Of course not. I'll still need you. Only time will tell when," G6 said, smiling. An evil smile.
"I'd rather take your usual flat expression than your creepy smile." Earl.
"What do you mean, 'creepy'? Lady Reise's smile is the best!" Brenda defended.
Zen shook his head, surrendered.
"Enough. Let's proceed," Prince Dio intervened, leading the way.
"Lady Reise, we'll follow after finishing," Tina said. Lilia smiled.
G6 didn't answer, merely nodded before following.
As they reached the presentation stage, assigned staff called for attention.
"Listen! His Highness, the 2nd Prince and the esteemed Pillars has arrived. They will oversee the selection of those deserving to be knights."
"Excuse me! A question!" a man called.
"Yes?"
"If accepted, do we stay here full time?"
"Adventurers will be given a communication tool for summons, but report to the Bastion twice a week. Those without prior training lodge within the Bastion daily," the speaker explained.
"The Bastion? The Royal Collegium? Isn't that exclusive to nobles? What trick is this?" another man voiced.
Prince Dio raised his hand to the speaker, taking over.
"You're right. The Collegium is exclusive to nobles registered in the Professional Guild. However, that's also where the Bastion is—your soon-to-be department. You'll each get a card, not the same as ours. It grants access only to the Bastion and proves you're legally registered as a knight."
"Any other questions?" The crowd answered with murmurs.
"Prince Dio, if I may," Earl said, stepping beside him. "I know you wonder why this sudden recruitment, as the kingdom never required commoners as knights. We'll provide details if you pass this stage, before you sign a contract. Then you can proceed or not. For now, worry only about passing. And the pay is twice what you earn in guilds or daily routines." Earl's last words lit up almost every face.
"Offering twice the pay is smart, Lord Earl," Eliza said, as if uncommon.
"It should be. They'll be risking their lives," G6 commented.
Back in my day, it was ten times more than any corrupt official.
"Proceed to the second-floor seats to observe the battle exam," the speaker said.
"Battle exam?" G6 asked.
"Yes. Five open-for-all rounds. The last twenty standing in each pass," Earl explained.
"Only a hundred applicants?"
"Adventurers from C-Rank to A-Rank have already passed. Only those below C-Rank participate. The fairest method," Prince Dio said.
Hmm… good thinking. I'll give you that, Snow White. She'd never say it aloud.
✎﹏﹏﹏
They proceeded to the second floor. Four front seats, three raised behind. Extra seats to the side.
"His Highness and Pillar heirs, front seats. Others, second row," the speaker instructed.
G6 took the third front chair. Prince Dio immediately took the last chair next to it. Earl sat on G6's other side. Keith whined as his seat was on the far end, away from his favorite person.
Brenda happily took the seat behind G6, Zen beside her, Eliza behind Prince Dio.
Edmund sat not far from G6's side. Tina and Lilia, arriving, took seats beside him.
Below, the arena swarmed with applicants, murmurs rising like a stirred hive. The stage was set. From her elevated throne, G6 watched with the cold, analytical eyes of a predator surveying a new hunting ground.
「MAIN PALACE | QUEEN'S PRIVATE QUARTERS」
The Queen sat on the edge of her bed, staring at the open parchment on the silken covers.
'Eddie Saiden'. 'G6 Arcadia'.
She smiled. "You could have found your way out, if not for Edmund's poor alias," she said to the empty room.
She stood and walked to her window, overlooking the palace gardens.
Leo entered. "I asked around. Janin and Alistair refused to answer directly, but a servant said Tina asked Janin for ointment. Assistant Chefs said Alistair made a tonic for sore bruises—the kind knights take after missions or training."
The Queen's eyes narrowed. "Then it was indeed them."
"But, Leo," she began, turning. "You and Edmund know each other. Do you believe he could finish a horde and kill a hobgoblin with a novice noblewoman?"
The question hung. "Edmund could finish the horde alone, but coming in one piece after facing a new-type? Not a chance." Leo said.
"And he did not. He had only scratches not visible from a distance," the Queen countered.
"And Lady Reise was the one covered and…" Leo fell silent as the thought sank in. "That's absurd. Even with those skills and Ex-Rank, impossible for a pampered noblewoman in such a short time." Denial thick.
"I, too, try to make sense. But I'm certain of one thing," the Queen said, gaze drifting back to the parchment. "That woman… is far more capable than we thought."
The evidence was irrefutable: hidden bruises, specialized tonic, the powerful alias. Pieces of an impossible puzzle clicked into place, revealing a picture far more dangerous and fascinating.
In the quiet of her chamber, a thrilling realization took root. The kingdom trembled on the brink of unseen threats, but perhaps it had unknowingly bred its most potent weapon. The game had changed, and she held the first, most delicious secret. The hunt was no longer just for monsters in the forest—it had begun for the truth of the creature wearing her future daughter-in-law's skin.
—To Be Continued…—