The Shadows
A unit specializing in infiltration and assassination.
Nowadays, the roles of the three special forces units are clearly divided, but there was certainly a time when they were not.
I am part of a generation that spans both eras.
Having experienced both training and real missions for infiltration, I inevitably resorted to one particular method.
Seduction.
To be honest, there was no method as efficient as seduction for either infiltration or assassination missions.
Not only was it the least bloody approach, but it also left virtually no traces.
The well-trained physiques of the Shadows operatives were perfectly optimized to captivate the hearts of nobles and socialites, making it a frequently used method with a decent success rate.
Moreover, I was well aware that I had a good-looking face, and I saw no reason not to make use of it.
To sum up, at least a double-digit number of women have “passed through” me.
And by “passed through,” I mean I had relationships with them.
In other words, I’m screwed.
*****
Epherna is quick-witted.
As befits someone destined to rule all, even
the slightest disturbance ripples out and reaches her mind.
“Why aren’t you answering?”
It was a fleeting hesitation, lasting less than a moment.
Sensing it, a sharp edge crept into her voice.
She lightly touched the arm I had wrapped around her waist.
Though she said nothing, she asked with a look as if she already knew everything.
“Who is it?”
My heart pounded.
The needle hidden in her words was sharper than lightning.
I swallowed hard.
My mind raced, trying to come up with a plan to navigate this urgent situation, but I could only stammer out an answer without finding one.
“…I don’t even remember names.”
“So, it’s not just one woman, then.”
It was an experience so familiar it didn’t leave a lasting impression.
It had been nearly ten years, and I couldn’t recall clearly, but it was true that it wasn’t just one person, so I had no choice but to remain silent.
“…No wonder you’re so skilled at handling me.”
“That’s not it.”
I responded firmly, my face hardening.
While it was true I had learned seduction as a means to an end, I had never approached her without sincerity.
This much, I could assert with certainty.
“Don’t even joke about it. There hasn’t been a single moment where I’ve treated you lightly.”
I can swear that no woman who spent a night with me was left pondering for long afterward.
So don’t speak so carelessly.
“…”
Epherna withdrew her hand from my arm.
“…Whatever.”
She turned her head and looked at me.
“No matter who was first, I’m the last.”
“Of course.”
Then she leaned in and gave me a quick kiss.
*****
News of Ern’s return spread quickly throughout the Empire.
As his name carried the immense value of a hero, it was imperative to restore him by any means necessary.
At least there was one silver lining.
There was little effort required to spread the news to all territories.
Thanks to the return banquet held the day after the coronation celebration, the news had already reached many nobles.
“…What did you say?”
“They said that man has returned.”
“…Excuse me?”
Cyan Lemea, the eldest daughter of the Lemea Duchy, had not attended the coronation celebration.
With her father Simon attending, she had to handle matters left unattended in his absence.
“…I heard he was dead. Dead for sure.”
“He was. Dead, without a doubt.”
“Then, are you saying he came back to life or something?”
“Yes.”
“…What?”
Cyan was utterly baffled.
The idea of someone returning from the dead was a notion for fairy tales, not reality.
She wasn’t naive enough to think otherwise.
“…Alright, then. What about Epherna?”
Assuming it was true that Ern had survived—
What would happen to Epherna?
In the past three years, Cyan had seen Epherna only a handful of times.
After losing Ern, Epherna had not met with anyone privately.
Even in rare meetings, the mere mention of Ern’s name would bring everyone in the palace to the brink of death.
Epherna had wholeheartedly believed in Ern’s death.
“At the return banquet for Astra, she seemed much brighter.”
“…So, he really is alive?”
“So they say.”
“…”
It was hard to believe.
It felt inappropriate to say, but could the Ern who had returned be an imposter in disguise?
Cyan thought it was likely and was almost certain of it.
For her, the notion of someone returning from the dead was an impossible paragraph in her common sense.
‘If it’s a fake deceiving Her Highness during her moment of vulnerability…’
She would never forgive it.
Fueled by her burning heart, Cyan spoke to Simon.
“Father, I’m taking some time off.”
“Hmm? Well… you’ve worked hard for a while, so do as you please.”
*****
The Western Plains
Over ten years have passed since the war ended, and the barbarians living in the plains are now living in surprising peace.
Years ago, they endured the aftermath of their defeat, grinding their teeth with resentment daily. However, as time went by, their hostility and wariness toward the Empire softened.
This was partly because, despite their defeat, many tribes found they could live without as much hardship as they had feared.
And there was one more reason.
Three years ago, Temur, the Sky King of the Urgan tribe—the most powerful tribe of the plains—returned, ushering in significant changes.
Through a contract with Ern Astra, he had temporarily served as Epherna Grandeum’s Personal Guard, traveling the world. During that time, he encountered numerous cultures and technologies and realized the immense potential for the plains tribes to advance.
The tribes of the plains move their settlements periodically, as they lack arable land for farming and rely on raising livestock for sustenance.
This way of life inevitably brought about certain problems, and Temur constantly sought solutions.
His role as Epherna’s guard gave him the answers he was looking for.
Export and import.
Selling products they excelled at producing and bringing in necessary goods for the plains.
It wasn’t a simple task—dangerous and difficult—but Temur decided to give it a try.
Fortunately, he had Epherna Grandeum, the Crown Princess and his charge, by his side.
For the past three years, Temur had been laying the groundwork for this.
Perhaps thanks to his efforts, the plains were changing, albeit slowly.
“Chieftain!”
“What is it?”
Inside the Urgan tribe’s camp, Temur, engrossed in the unfamiliar and tedious task of paperwork, turned his attention to his most trusted subordinate, Pagor.
“They say that Imperial man who died long ago has come back to life!”
“Who are you talking about? There were plenty of those who died long ago.”
“The arrogant one who dared to threaten you! My younger brother, Parco, who just returned from the Empire, said he saw him clearly!”
“…What?”
The “arrogant one” who had threatened him.
Temur could count on one hand the times he had ever been threatened.
Ern Astra.
The man who, in exchange for sparing his life, took absolute command over him.
“…Parco is still young, so it’s unlikely he imagined it.”
But Temur had heard Ern was dead.
Though he hadn’t witnessed the death himself, as someone who had once been part of Epherna’s guard, he had heard countless times about how the First Princess lived in grief after Ern’s death.
“…This is troubling.”
Could Ern Astra, who supposedly returned alive, truly be the real Ern?
Temur didn’t dismiss it as impossible.
As someone who had experienced the Essence of the Divine Kings and seen how causality could be bent to achieve anything through sheer will, he knew the world was full of unbelievable yet miraculous and intriguing occurrences.
What concerned him, however, was the possibility that the “Ern Astra” who returned was a fake.
What if someone was exploiting Epherna’s vulnerability after Ern’s death to manipulate her?
Considering the worst-case scenario, Temur furrowed his brow.
‘This is an important time.’
Currently, relations between the plains and the Empire were improving significantly.
This was because Temur, as the representative of the plains barbarians, had been pursuing peaceful exchanges.
The Empire, despite having defeated them, had shown mercy.
Most importantly, the Evergreen cult that had plagued the plains had been thoroughly eradicated.
However, these relations were still fragile. While both sides aimed for positive interactions, ancient grudges and hatred persisted.
And what if, during such a critical time, the Empress of the Empire wavered?
What if a fake Ern, manipulating Epherna, seized control of her?
No matter how he looked at it, Temur could only conclude that such an outcome would spell disaster for the plains.
‘Should I send an envoy?’
He briefly considered sending the upcoming envoy from the plains to investigate the truth about the man claiming to be Ern.
But he quickly shook his head.
If the envoy stepped out of line or acted suspiciously, the trust between the plains and the Empire could collapse.
Reluctantly, Temur made a decision.
“Pagor.”
“Yes!”
“Prepare yourself. We’re going to the Empire.”
“…Excuse me?”
