Chapter 65: Purge (1)

The dark sky was filled with stars. Kalin stood by the window in the palace corridor, gazing at the night sky.

It was a beautiful sight, but he did so more to hide his expression than to enjoy the view.

- Duke Tenbogen is on the side of the eldest prince?

- It's not confirmed yet... but I confirmed that discussions took place.

- Damn. What's so great about being born first? Still, it might be better to subtly bring it up, don't you think?

- I think it would be better to focus on Duke Canning. I'm worried that in trying to get the best, we might lose the second-best.

- ...Shit!

The sound of the third prince throwing a bottle reached Kalin's ears. Soundproofing by magic was usually meaningless to Kalin.

As long as the room wasn't completely sealed, preventing air movement, the wind could carry sounds anywhere.

Of course, things would be different if a high-level magician had personally implemented the magic.

Like where a Sword Master was present.

There were a few places in the palace where Kalin's wind couldn't reach, such as where the emperor resided.

In any case, Kalin had already confirmed that Duke Tenbogen was still neutral.

However, sometimes intentions were more important than facts.

The fact that the third prince was trying to bring Duke Canning over instead of Duke Tenbogen was enough.

The rest would be used by the Haisen Intelligence Agency, whether to sabotage or subtly leak information.

'That's enough for the third prince for now.'

Three months had passed since Kalin became the princess's bodyguard.

It was a period long enough to see the movement of the stars, which he observed every two days.

During that time, the Egnei family had almost lost all its power, nearly facing annihilation.

The princes had tried to intervene, but the one who acted was the emperor. With sufficient justification, resistance was meaningless.

The intensity of surveillance had also significantly decreased. To the imperial dogs, Kalin seemed to be focused solely on his guard duties.

He was so orthodox that no one suspected anything.

His occasional outings were only to drink with Emitt.

Of course, being too clean could also seem suspicious, but after three months, it no longer did.

'Suspicion is a virtue in intelligence, but too much is not good. If you doubt everything, you can't do anything.'

Thus, the number of people observing Kalin had been reduced to two.

'Hopefully, it won't go down any further, as they can't completely exclude me.'

Kalin moved the wind. Outside the palace, words began to appear on the paper Phiri was holding.

Kalin was currently obtaining higher-quality information than the entire imperial intelligence agency under Haisen.

At first, many of the Haisen Intelligence Agency's incorrect information was corrected whenever Kalin reported.

Naturally, since he was directly eavesdropping on the conversations of the parties involved in the palace. Only Kalin could do this.

'It's been a while since I last saw Phiri.'

They met like this every two days, but the last time he saw Phiri's face was in Haisen.

He had also avoided meeting him face-to-face.

"Every time, what are you looking at so intently?"

At Emitt's words, Kalin turned his gaze from the window.

"The stars are bright."

"Do you like looking at the night sky?"

"Yes."

"For a knight, you're quite romantic."

Emitt said this teasingly, and Kalin smiled faintly. After all, he had already conveyed everything he had heard.

Kalin moved to stand next to Emitt.

At dawn, when the princess was asleep, it gave the bodyguards a bit more freedom.

Since the only way to pass the time on sleepless nights was to talk, Kalin also needed to join in.

"By the way, did you hear that news?"

"What news?"

"About the west. It's getting restless lately."

"Oh, yes, I saw it in the newspaper."

The prince of Rohalak controlled 70% of the western region and was about to occupy the remaining areas.

It was a figure that defied the empire's predictions, and naturally, the Haisen Intelligence Agency had not expected it either.

'Rodri must be well-prepared.'

Since they were a cooperative organization with Haisen, they had naturally been contacted.

Rodri, who would dominate the west after the prince of Rohalak, must not die.

Kalin was worried because his involvement could change the future.

Originally, he might have been in the western islands, having lost his family and been betrayed.

"It seems quite dangerous."

"To the empire?"

"Yes. Having absorbed so many kingdoms, internal issues will be significant. To resolve them, they will need another enemy."

Kalin felt anew that Emitt's insight was deep, as he rarely saw him think strategically. Indeed, the prince of Rohalak was consolidating the west and preparing to attack the empire.

"Isn't the upper echelon preparing as well?"

"Maybe. But from the looks of it, they're not too worried. They think it will collapse soon."

"Still, it's the empire. The emperor and the intelligence agency must be considering it."

Emitt nodded.

"But even so, it's a problem. Since His Majesty has declared competition, the princess must also participate, right?"

In the empire, it was a virtue for the royal family to serve in the military. This was even more so considering the emperor's character.

"You seem to be certain that a war will break out."

"It's a flow that can't be stopped. However, the nobles supporting the princess are too few. While they can match the number of soldiers, it's questionable whether the commanders will follow orders."

It was a reasonable concern. If an army was given, the nobles would also be assigned.

It would be difficult to fill the ranks with only the nobles supporting the princess, so nobles supporting the princes would also be included.

Slacking off would be a problem. Disobeying orders at critical moments could put the princess in a dangerous situation.

On the other hand, staying in the rear would not bring good results. Kalin responded positively.

"Who knows, seeing the princess up close might change their minds."

"Hmm. I hope so, but..."

Emitt trailed off.

His face showed deep regret. As someone who was entirely loyal to the princess, his disappointment was evident.

'Hmm?'

At that moment, Kalin noticed people suddenly coming out from the emperor's quarters.

He couldn't tell what was happening. The soundproofing was too strong, and it was a place he had to observe carefully due to the Sword Master.

One was heading this way, and others were moving to the other princes. It must have been a summons from the emperor.

A few minutes later, a messenger from the emperor arrived.

"It's an order from His Majesty. You are to go to the meeting room."

As expected. Besides the bodyguards, there were other people residing near the princess. Kalin woke up the maid in the next room.

Soon, the princess, looking tired, appeared.

"Let's go."

At dawn, the palace corridor was quiet as Kalin walked with the princess. He expanded his wind to a wider area.

The princes were also heading to the meeting room. What was going on? The answer became clear soon.

"In two days, you will depart for the northeast."

"Excuse me?"

The second prince's reflexive question made the emperor frown. The second prince closed his mouth and bowed deeply.

"The chaos caused by the crazy dwarves is getting worse. Go and suppress it. The idea is to keep it quiet for a while."

Deep in the mountains of the northeast, the dwarves hide and distribute a drug-like substance called Plen flour.

In the game's setting, it was a failed experiment by the dwarves to enhance their physical abilities.

The side effects of this highly addictive powder turn people into monsters and animals into beasts.

The beasts lose their reason and become extremely violent, moving in groups and only attacking humans, not dwarves.

'Was there a purge in the northeast at this time?'

A fantasy-based game. The southeastern desert, southwestern plains, and northeastern mountains are home to creatures close to demons.

If you choose a combat-oriented playstyle, you would visit these places several times for experience and resources.

The northeastern region was the most avoided due to the stronger demons.

The chaos caused by these beasts was a significant variable in the game.

Kalin had experienced frustration several times when important events were interrupted by these events.

"I will give you the same number of troops. Command them as you see fit. This isn't a war, so don't bring unnecessary nobles."

At that moment, everyone in the room realized this was a test.

"Don't think of slacking off. If you can't decide among yourselves, I will make the decision based on these results. This will affect future matters as well."

Kalin realized that this purge was a crucial turning point. A war with the west was imminent.

The evaluation from this mission would impact the war with the west.

"The results will be based solely on the number of captures. Hmm. I'll count a beast's head as double a monster's."

Kalin thought the results might be a bit unfair.

The strength of individuals, whether under the influence of the drug or not, was not the same.

'No, this could be to our advantage.'

With his wind, he could search more efficiently and make the battle easier.

Wait. Something flashed in Kalin's mind.

'If the results are based solely on the number of captures, could we steal them?'

* * *

The palace was bustling from dawn due to the emperor's sudden announcement.

Each prince called their supporting nobles. They couldn't sleep after hearing about the purge.

Even if called now, they would only arrive by morning, but Erendil also contacted the nobles near the palace.

Emitt and I were also in the reception room.

"What do you think?"

"I'm not the smartest, but I think it's fine. If nobles don't participate, the princess's abilities can be evaluated solely."

Emitt's words. One was right, and one was wrong. Erendil's gaze turned to me.

He was asking me to speak.

"Still, there will be differences. The number of soldiers may be the same, but the quality will vary. The knights assigned will also differ."

On the surface, the princess couldn't compete with the princes. The ones distributing the soldiers were on the princes' side.

Especially the knights. The supporting nobles would send their own knights.

"I have the same concern. Moreover, this is the princess's first time in a purge, unlike the first and second princes."

Erendil smiled faintly at Emitt's darkening expression.

"Still, it will be more equal than other times."

It was a comforting statement, so Emitt bowed.

"Ultimately, we'll have to see. We need to observe how the troops are used and make a decision."

After pondering internally, I spoke.

"There's still something to worry about."

"What is it?"

"An attack from other princes."

The princess frowned.

"Even if I say it lightly, my brothers' characters aren't good, but..."

The princess realized my intention mid-sentence.

"Yes. Since the results are based on the number of captures, princes who fall behind might attack to make up for it."

Initially, I thought of stealing. What if I secretly took them? But that wouldn't be easy.

I couldn't steal them all by myself.

And I wasn't the only one who could think of this.

Even if they didn't think of it now, they would as the purge period neared its end.

Considering the emperor's character, he would call the stolen side foolish.

"Yes, you're right. Regardless of our performance, we will be the weakest target."

"That's correct."

The princess looked even further ahead. In any situation, we would be the most tempting target.

Perhaps two princes might team up. They wouldn't go as far as three, as distribution issues would arise.

The princes weren't on good terms with each other.

"Good point. You are wise."

"Thank you."

The princess looked at me with renewed interest. As an intelligence officer, I hadn't had the chance to show my worth.

Saving the empress was all I had done.

"Because of that, I have a suggestion."

"Go on. Since you've already worried, you must have a solution. I'm looking forward to it."

She looked genuinely excited. It seemed she had some thoughts of her own.

I wanted to ask, but my rank was too low. I spoke softly.

"There's still something to worry about."

"What is it?"

"An attack from other princes."