Whoosh! Whoosh! Whoosh......

  In the silent streets, Hulim—clad in a mage’s black robe—darted and leaped across the rooftops.

  "Hey, you suspicious figure on the roof—stop right there!"

  Shouts from patrolling guards echoed from the street below.

  But Hulim ignored them completely, instead speeding up and leaving them far behind in a few moves.

  However, the increasing frequency of encountering guards inevitably slowed her down.

  According to the information Hulim had "gathered," the gang’s hideout seemed to be in the western part of the Lower District. Miko had gone missing in the southern part of the Lower District; taking the direct route through the Middle District and part of the Upper District would be the shortest path, rather than circling through the Lower District.

  Of course, the trouble was that this route was heavily guarded by guards......

  Soon, Hulim reached the Upper District.

  The streets here were very wide, lined mostly with manors. Hulim had no choice but to descend to the street level.

  "Ugh! Those guys—what kind of nobles are they! Their stomachs are full of evil schemes! Seriously! Just being in the same room as them makes me want to throw up! And I have to force a smile at those people! When will this suffering end!!! I hate it! I hate it!"

  Inside the royal carriage pulled by an Earth Dragon, Alicia—who had just returned from the dinner party—was venting her frustration on the soft sofa.

  In response, her maid and steward, who was flipping through a schedule, said expressionlessly:

  "Your Highness, please watch your words. If outsiders hear this, it will spark unfavorable rumors about you again."

  "Huh——! But Martina wouldn’t tell anyone, right?"

  Alicia leaned lazily against the sofa and said casually.

  "Even so, you must be careful—walls have ears. Besides, your current appearance is too slovenly, which is really beneath royal etiquette. Please sit up straight."

  "Sigh...... Martina, you’re so strict......"

  "This is my duty. If Your Highness could spare a thought for me, I would be extremely grateful."

  "Additionally, although you’re unwilling, the Emperor has organized a family dinner in two days—you must attend. In five days, Duke Peru has invited you to a gala. In seven days......"

  Martina flipped through the schedule, announcing one arrangement after another without mercy.

  Every time Martina mentioned an arrangement, Alicia’s head felt like it was being hit by a heavy object.

  "Ah——! No! No! I don’t want to! Is this a human life to live!"

  Overwhelmed, she threw a tantrum right there on the sofa.

  "Y-Your Highness——"

  "Who goes there——!?"

  A case of theft: this story is not rightfully on Amazon; if you spot it, report the violation.

  At that moment, a knight’s sharp shout came from outside.

  Martina’s eyes narrowed. She stood up immediately, assuming a combat stance and staring at the carriage door.

  Out of the corner of her eye, she glanced at Alicia—who had already sat up straight. Her earlier lazy and unreasonable demeanor seemed to have been an illusion.

  Meanwhile, not far ahead of Alicia’s carriage, Hulim stopped.

  When she first encountered the carriage, she had planned to pass by as before. But the familiar royal carriage in the middle of the procession gave her a new idea......

  "What’s the matter? Why the commotion?"

  Though still young, Alicia—who already possessed dignity—opened the carriage door and stepped out. Martina, her maid and steward, stood silently beside her.

  "Your Highness."

  A knight quickly saluted and pointed to Hulim in the black robe ahead.

  "This unknown person suddenly appeared and rushed to the middle of the road. I suspect malicious intent—please be careful and return to the carriage."

  "Unknown person?"

  Instead of following the knight’s advice, Alicia looked in the direction he indicated.

  It was then that Hulim pulled down her hood.

  "Huh?"

  Alicia was shocked, then jumped off the carriage.

  "No need to panic—this is one of our own!"

  She even pushed past the knight and walked toward Hulim.

  "Your Highness?! "

  Alicia’s actions left the knight at a loss. He feared she might suddenly be in danger, but he couldn’t contradict her after she’d signaled there was no threat. He could only grip his weapon tightly—at the first sign of trouble, they would swarm and execute the suspicious figure on the spot.

  It wasn’t until they saw Alicia and Hulim talking peacefully that the knights breathed a slight sigh of relief, loosening their grips on their weapons slightly. However, they didn’t let their guard down. As the two talked, they quietly spread out nearby, keeping watch over their surroundings.

  "Hulim, why are you dressed like this? Are you off to do something?"

  "Alicia, I need your help right now."

  "Help? Me?! "

  Alicia was surprised, but seeing Hulim’s serious expression, she immediately realized the gravity of the situation.

  "Okay! What happened? I’ll definitely help you!"

  Hulim then told Alicia about the criminal gang that had appeared in Langard, targeting and abducting Manacos students—and that Miko had been taken by them.

  "What!?! How could something like this happen!?"

  "Alicia, I’m going to the gang’s hideout to rescue Miko. But their exact strength is unknown. So please notify the City Guard...... No! Notify the Garrison Knights and ask them for reinforcements."

  "I understand! I’ll go right away! Hulim, you be careful too—don’t act recklessly!"

  Hulim silently pulled her hood back up.

  "Don’t worry, I won’t act recklessly......"

  "Martina, let’s go to the Garrison Knights Headquarters!"

  "As you command, Your Highness!"

  As Alicia returned to the carriage, the entire procession changed direction and sped toward the Lower District. Meanwhile, Hulim’s figure merged into the night again, disappearing in the opposite direction.

  ......

  "Is this the place......"

  Arthur arrived at the ruins of a large church that had been abandoned for years due to a fire.

  No one would have guessed that beneath this seemingly ruined site, there was a hideout for a criminal organization.

  Walking into the ruins, inside the abandoned church—whose main structure was still mostly intact—a bonfire burned. Two men who looked like tramps were sitting around it.

  Hearing footsteps, the two tramps exchanged a glance and silently reached for their waists.

  "Who is it?"

  "Hey now, don’t be nervous—one of your own~!"

  The two tramps stared blankly at the sudden figure whose face was hidden beneath a black robe.

  "One of our own?"

  "What are you talking about, kid? I’ve never heard your voice before?"

  "Huh?! Are you two serious!? It’s only been a few days since I left, and you’ve already forgotten me!"

  The robed figure sounded very angry.

  The two tramps suddenly felt uncertain.

  "Could he really be one of us?"

  "N-No, that can’t be right? No one has left recently, right?"

  "Right, ask him the password......"

  As the two tramps whispered to each other.

  The robed figure seemed even angrier.

  "Huh?! You two are still doubting me!? It’s me! Me! Look closely—can’t you recognize me anymore!!?"

  With that, the robed figure strode toward them angrily, as if about to teach them a lesson.

  "N-So...... who exactly are you?"

  "Yeah, tell us the password first!"

  The two tramps tried to confirm further, but the robed figure was already beside them.

  "I already said...... it’s me——"

  Thud! Thud!

  Powerful blows struck the two men in the abdomen.

  "Ugh——!""Ugh——!"

  "Y-You...... who are you......"

  The two tramps fell unconscious.

  Beneath the black hood, a faint voice sounded.

  "Me? I’m Arthur......"

  Ps:Thank you for the support from Illusion of Eris! In gratitude, I'm adding an extra chapter for everyone in honor of Illusion of Eris. Thank you all!!