Leonhardt sat quietly in the barracks, staring at his hands. His fingers trembled slightly, not from exhaustion but from the lingering sensation of something new—something unfamiliar. Mana. For the first time since arriving in this world, he had felt it surge through his body like a torrent, wild yet exhilarating.
His mind, however, was occupied with a different concern. The battle earlier should never have happened in the first place. How did monsters manage to infiltrate the capital, a place that was supposed to be heavily fortified and protected?
"Something isn't right."
With that thought, he pushed himself up and went looking for Alistair Vaughn, the mage of his unit. He found him near the main plaza, assisting other knights with reports on the attack. The smell of burnt flesh and blood lingered in the air, mixed with the scent of charred buildings.
"Alistair," Leonhardt called, walking up to him.
The mage turned, raising an eyebrow. "Something on your mind?"
Leonhardt crossed his arms. "How did monsters manage to get into the capital?"
Alistair sighed, running a hand through his disheveled silver hair. "This isn't the first time, you know. Monsters occasionally appear in the outskirts of the city, but today was worse than usual."
"That's not an answer," Leonhardt pressed.
Alistair hesitated before finally explaining. "The capital is protected by a magic barrier, but it's not flawless. Monsters from the Shadowed Woods and the Whispering Dunes can slip through if the barrier weakens or if… someone opens a path."
Leonhardt frowned. "You mean this attack could've been planned?"
"It's possible," Alistair admitted. "But until we have proof, we can't assume anything."
Leonhardt remained silent, his mind racing. If this was an intentional attack, then someone inside the kingdom might be working against it. But before he could dwell on the thought, Alistair changed the topic.
"You really don't know much about how things work here, do you?" the mage said, eyeing him curiously.
Leonhardt tensed but quickly masked it with a shrug. "Not really. I was focused on training and fighting. Politics and kingdom affairs aren't my thing."
Alistair smirked. "Then maybe it's time you learned."
---
The Kingdom of Aurelis
Alistair began explaining, and Leonhardt listened carefully, making sure not to look too interested.
The kingdom they served was called Aurelis, one of the most powerful nations on the continent. It was ruled by King Alden von Aurelis, a stern but fair ruler known for his strategic mind and strong leadership. Beside him was Queen Seraphina von Aurelis, who played a key role in diplomatic affairs.
Their only daughter, Princess Isolde von Aurelis, was a prodigy in magic and highly respected among nobles and scholars. She was rumored to be the future ruler of the kingdom.
However, there was another member of the royal family—one not spoken about as often.
Prince Magnus von Aurelis.
Unlike his sister, Magnus rarely appeared in court. Instead, he spent most of his time on the battlefield, earning a reputation as a brutal warrior. Some admired him, while others whispered that he had his own ambitions, separate from the king's wishes.
Leonhardt kept his expression neutral, but inwardly, he was intrigued. If Magnus was as powerful as people said, then their paths might cross eventually.
"The kingdom isn't just ruled by the royal family," Alistair continued. "There are a few key figures who keep things running."
He listed them one by one:
Duke Reinhardt von Eisenberg – One of the kingdom's strongest military commanders. He oversaw the kingdom's defenses and border security.
Marquis Edric von Falkenhayn – The economic mastermind behind Aurelis. He managed trade, finances, and the kingdom's treasury.
Grand Magus Aldebrand – The most powerful mage in the kingdom and the head of the Mage's Tower.
General Siegfried von Hohenheim – Supreme commander of the kingdom's army, known for his undefeated war record.
Captain Muller von Nachtmaren – A legendary warrior who rose to power despite lacking noble blood. His name was spoken with both respect and fear.
Leonhardt absorbed the information, keeping it stored in his mind.
He now had names, ranks, and potential threats. But more importantly, he realized something crucial—he needed to understand this world's structure without making it obvious that he was an outsider.
If he asked too many questions, people would become suspicious.
"I have to be careful."
---
As the sun set over the capital, Leonhardt bid farewell to Alistair and made his way back to his quarters. His thoughts swirled with everything he had learned today.
The attack, the royal family, the key figures of the kingdom… There was still so much he didn't know.
Leonhardt smirked, crossing his arms. "So basically, you're just an average mage, huh?"
Alistair's eye twitched. "Excuse me?"
"You said Grand Magus Aldebrand is the strongest mage in the kingdom, right?" Leonhardt shrugged. "That means you're just another rank-and-file spellcaster. I thought you were special or something."
Alistair's face darkened. "Oh, you think you're funny, huh?"
Leonhardt chuckled. "Just calling it as I see it."
Alistair clenched his fists. "For your information, you muscle-brained swordsman, I'm one of the top-ranked mages in the royal army. The fact that I'm still here, talking to an idiot like you, instead of wasting away in a dusty old tower should tell you that I'm more than capable!"
"Yeah, yeah," Leonhardt waved dismissively. "Still not the strongest, though."
Alistair let out an exasperated sigh. "You're unbearable."
Leonhardt laughed but soon grew serious as another thought crossed his mind. "By the way, speaking of powerful figures… where's Sylvaine?"
Alistair raised an eyebrow. "What do you mean?"
Leonhardt leaned against a nearby post. "You've been listing important people in the kingdom, and from what I've seen, Sylvaine is one of the strongest knights around. If the capital was under attack, shouldn't she have been here?"
Alistair hesitated before answering. "Sylvaine von Aschcroft is… different. She's not just a knight. She's more like an enforcer for the royal family, which means she doesn't always stay in the capital."
Leonhardt frowned. "So where is she now?"
"No idea," Alistair admitted. "But if Sylvaine isn't here, it probably means she's handling something even more dangerous elsewhere."
Leonhardt remained silent, deep in thought. A high-ranking knight like Sylvaine being absent during an attack on the capital? That was either a huge coincidence… or a sign that something bigger was happening.
And Leonhardt wasn't a big believer in coincidences.
Leonhardt start to think of something and have a little giggle.
Leonhardt clicked his tongue. "Tsk, tsk, tsk… Alistair, Alistair, Alistair…"
Alistair narrowed his eyes. "What?"
Leonhardt crossed his arms with a smug look. "You call yourself a top mage, but you couldn't even tell that Sylvaine was a girl from the start? Some 'grand' magic senses you got there, buddy."
Alistair visibly twitched, his face turning red. "H-Hey! That's not the same thing!"
Leonhardt grinned. "Oh, it totally is. I'm just a 'muscle-brained swordsman,' and I was the one who exposed her true identity. If you were as great as you claim, you would've known from the start."
Alistair clenched his fists. "You… you absolute menace—!"
Leonhardt chuckled. "Come on, be honest. You're just mad I figured it out before you did."
Alistair groaned in frustration before taking a deep breath. "Listen here, you smug bastard. Sylvaine von Aschcroft is one of the most skilled assassins I've ever encountered. Her stealth, her ability to mask her presence, and the way she blends into her surroundings—she's on an entirely different level. Even I, a top-ranking mage, couldn't detect her identity until she was exposed."
Leonhardt raised an eyebrow. "So, what you're saying is, she's probably off on some crazy secret mission right now?"
Alistair nodded. "Exactly. Someone like Sylvaine wouldn't just disappear without reason. If she's not here, then whatever she's handling must be incredibly dangerous."
—
Perspective Shift: Sylvaine
A soft breeze blew in through an open window, rustling the curtains of an elegant bedroom. The sun was high in the sky, casting golden light across the room.
At the center of a large, luxurious bed, buried under layers of soft blankets… Sylvaine let out a quiet sigh, snuggling deeper into the sheets.
Yes. Sylvaine von Aschcroft—one of the most feared assassins and knights in the kingdom—was currently taking an afternoon nap at home.
End of Chapter 9.