Royal Capital City… Inside an Underground Inn…
The dimly lit, smoke-filled Inn was the meeting ground for gamblers, outlaws, and those engaged in illegal activities that thrived in the underbelly of the city.
Amidst the clinking of coins and the hushed voices exchanging bets, in a shadowy corner of the room, five women sat in deep discussion.
These women, dressed in worn and dull-colored clothes, looked out of place in the otherwise lively environment. They were Spies from No Man’s Island, a land forgotten by most, but not by those who understood power.
The leader of this women group, Ria-Semen, leaned forward on the grimy wooden table, her sharp eyes scanning her comrades as she spoke in a low, commanding tone.
“Tomorrow is our golden opportunity. The Emperor has already announced that he will conduct a public trial at the Royal Arena Court. It will be the perfect time to strike.” Ria declared in an excited tone.
Her comrades, all hardened women trained in secrecy and warfare, listened intently as she continued.
“If the masked man is sentenced to death, both the Stick Family and the Frost Family will revolt in his support. That conflict will give us the chaos we need. We can strike amidst the turmoil, take out key members of the Royal Family, and create enough confusion to weaken the Empire from within. Our main target will be the Queen, who is likely to be there as a witness.”
A woman dressed in red, sitting directly across from Ria, raised a brow and spoke cautiously, her voice tinged with uncertainty.
“But, sister… Are you sure about this? What if the masked man is set free? We can’t afford any mistakes.”
“Exactly. All of our sisters will be there, inside the Royal Court. If things don’t go as we planned, we could all be trapped—and once we’re inside, there’s no telling if we’ll make it out alive.” Another woman, Chelli, who had been nervously tapping her fingers on the table, chimed in.
Ria’s eyes sparkled with determination as she flashed a confident smile, her fingers gripping the edge of the table.
“Don’t worry about mistakes. We have enough time to strike and escape before the Forbidden Army from the Fire Mountains can respond. Once we’re done, the Royal Capital will be in chaos. We’ll be long gone before anyone can figure out what happened.”
She paused, letting her words sink in before adding,
“I’ll inform the Master now. If she approves, all our sisters will gather here by midnight. We cannot lose this opportunity.”
Her confidence seemed to ease some of the tension in the room, but Chelli still looked unconvinced.
“Who is this masked man, really?” Chelli asked in a curious tone. “We don’t even know his true identity. What if he’s more dangerous than we think?”
Ria shrugged as she stood up, her eyes cold and calculating.
“Who cares? We’ve been training the forbidden arts in isolation for a long time. This is not about him—it’s about our mission. Whether he lives or dies is irrelevant. But if he dies… the chaos that follows will be to our advantage.”
The group fell silent, contemplating the risk. But Ria’s unwavering confidence seemed to settle the unease in their minds.
–
Inside the Throne Room of the Royal Palace…
The grand Throne Room was dimly lit, the massive hall eerily quiet. Emperor Ryon Lionheart sat alone on his imposing throne, sipping from a goblet of fine wine, savoring the taste as he leaned back comfortably. His thoughts seemed distant, but his eyes gleamed with a secret delight.
With a slight smirk, he reached for the golden glass orb beside him and sent out a communication request. The orb flickered for a moment before the image of Jason Mama, the head of the 9 Realms Association, appeared within its glowing surface.
Jason, with his typically sharp and impatient demeanor, leaned forward, his expression tinged with curiosity.
“Ryon, what now?” Jason’s voice was impatient. “You were at my palace just hours ago. Why are you calling me so soon?”
A grin spread across Ryon’s face as he took another sip of his wine, the taste enhancing his mood even further.
“Jason, I have some very, very good news for you,” Ryon said, his tone teasing. “You might even jump like a kid after hearing it.”
Jason leaned back, crossing his arms, his brow furrowed in suspicion.
“What is it?” he asked, his voice still guarded. “Did you stumble across some powerful treasure ?”
Ryon chuckled, his laughter echoing through the empty room.
“Oh, it’s better than any treasure. You remember that masked kid? The one who won the War God’s inheritance?” Ryon asked, his voice dripping with amusement.
Jason’s expression soured immediately.
“Why are you bringing him up?” he grumbled. “Don’t ruin my mood with that nonsense.”
Ryon’s grin widened, and he sat up straighter, clearly enjoying the moment.
“Well, you’ll be pleased to know that the masked kid is now sitting in my prison ,” Ryon said, his laughter growing louder.
Jason’s eyes widened, the irritation in his expression replaced by utter shock.
“What?! How did that happen?” Jason asked, now fully engaged. “How did you capture him?”
Ryon waved his hand, dismissing the details for the moment.
“I didn’t capture him. He came on his own. He killed the Doom Family king and his daughter inside the Royal Palace grounds,” Ryon explained, leaning back once more. “It happened during some private meeting in the musical hall. And now, that little masked bastard is in my prison, awaiting trial .”
Jason’s face twisted into a wicked smile.
“Then why are you waiting ?!” he demanded. “Go kill that masked bastard right now and send his head to me. I want it as a trophy!”
But Ryon shook his head, sighing.
“I can’t just do that,” Ryon replied. “I’ve already announced a public trial, and his crime hasn’t been proven yet. Besides, he has the support of my brother’s family . If I kill him now, without cause, it’ll spark a unnecessary tensions.”
Jason’s irritation returned.
“What nonsense are you talking about? You’re the Emperor! No one will question your actions. Just end him and be done with it.”
Ryon chuckled softly, enjoying his wine once again.
“Don’t rush, Jason,” he said, his tone calm and deliberate. “Tomorrow, during the public trial, his crimes will be proven. And after that, I’ll have him hanged before the entire realm. It’ll be far more satisfying for you to see his end publicly. Trust me.”
Jason’s lips curled into a cruel smile, but there was still impatience in his eyes.
“Fine, but don’t disappoint me, Ryon,” he warned. “I want that boy’s head.”
Ryon raised his goblet in a mock toast, his eyes gleaming with amusement.
“Tomorrow, Jason. Tomorrow, you’ll be satisfied.”