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The Asura Kingdom, recognized as the world's most powerful human nation, stood firm on the western plains of the Central Continent. Even the Human-Demon War four centuries ago had failed to topple it. With a vast population, complete agricultural self-sufficiency, and a thriving mercantile economy, Asura was a land of prosperity.
The four great noble families of the Greyrat lineage guarded the kingdom's borders, their territories forming a protective ring around the royal capital. The main roads connecting these lands to the capital were paved with smooth stone—a luxury reserved only for royal avenues in other nations.
In Asura, it was simply the norm.
"Your Highness… please…"
"Oh? Hehe~ Don't worry, I'll be gentle~"
"Mmm…"
Snap.
The quill in Dillick Ratebat's hand broke. He stared silently at the word "norm" on his parchment, now smudged with ink, as the indecent sounds from the next room continued. With a sigh, he closed his eyes and tossed the ruined pen into the wastebasket. Retrieving a neatly folded handkerchief from his breast pocket, he meticulously wiped his fingers clean.
His movements were refined, his dark brown hair swaying gently over his shoulders.
Today marked the tenth month since Dillick Ratebat—honors graduate of the Asura Royal Magic Academy, personally recommended by his father—had taken up his post as the princess's personal guard.
Even after all this time, he still struggled to reconcile the woman in the next room with the charming, affable princess he had met at that banquet ten months ago.
At least she's only like this at night. During the day, she's diligent, sociable, and committed to self-improvement—a worthy heir to the throne.
Dillick's hand paused.
The throne…
Lately, the royal capital had been buzzing with succession disputes. Factions were forming around the "candidates," especially the First Prince, who had already secured the support of Darius two years prior. The Boreas family had also placed their bets early.
But Her Highness…
A flicker of concern crossed his face before a memory surfaced—one from a month ago, when the princess had been the first to step onto the newly repaired Artel Bridge. The crowd had swarmed, their cheers deafening, their faces alight with admiration.
Even now, the image remained vivid in his mind.
Dillick smiled.
There's no need to worry. Her Highness possesses a charm unlike any other.
"Ah…! Y-Your Highness, no…!"
Even within the magic academy—a hotbed of anti-Asura sentiment—no one had ever spoken ill of the princess. Such was her magnetism.
"Oh? Hehe~ 'No' what? Be clear~"
She will become humanity's leader after the Laplace campaign. A monarch beloved by her people!
"P-Please…!"
Nodding to himself, Dillick tuned out the escalating moans from next door and carefully refolded his handkerchief before tossing it away.
At just thirteen, this middle-ranked noble and accomplished mage picked up a new quill and resumed writing:
The Asura Kingdom is a land free from hunger. Centuries of peace have allowed its nobility to grow corrupt, squeezing taxes from the people—yet so long as none starve, discontent remains manageable. Large-scale rebellions and civil wars are unlikely.
But stagnation has taken root. Magical and technological advancements lag behind the Dragon King Kingdom and the Northern Magic Triad. Our current dominance remains unchallenged, but if this persists for another century… what then?
The Dragon King Kingdom has long coveted these fertile central plains. Should the Magic Triad also turn their gaze southward…
Dillick's eyes narrowed behind his glasses, candlelight flickering across the lenses.
Asura needs change. This much is certain.
None of the other princes are fit. Their bids for the throne cater too much to the nobility. Should they ascend, corruption will fester, progress will stall, and foreign interference may even be tolerated.
Knock knock—
Dillick turned toward the door, blinking in surprise before his expression brightened.
He strode over and opened it to find a maid waiting respectfully.
"Lord Dillick, you have a late-night visitor in the reception hall."
"Understood. I'll head there now."
"Aah—!!!"
The sudden cry from next door made both Dillick and the maid freeze.
The maid's cheeks flushed, but her gaze remained fixed on Dillick's slender, refined features.
Clearing his throat, Dillick feigned obliviousness to her look.
"Prepare tea in the reception hall."
"...As you wish, my lord."
———
On the other side of the wall, golden hair spilled across white sheets like sunlight.
Amidst that radiance lay bare skin, smooth as polished jade. Azure eyes shimmered like the misty lake behind the Silver Palace—soft, enchanting, veiled in haze.
Her oval face bore a demure smile, exuding elegance and warmth.
From the neck down, not a stitch of clothing remained. Candlelight danced between golden strands, tracing hypnotic curves.
This was the "Most Beautiful Princess in Asuran History"—renowned for inheriting the looks of the kingdom's first queen.
And her true nature:
Ariel leaned over her prey, propping her chin on one hand as she studied the blushing servant beneath her. The regal grace from moments ago had vanished, replaced by something darker.
Yet her voice remained sweet as a songbird's.
Knock knock—
Ariel straightened abruptly, frowning toward the door.
Sunlight cascaded down her bare back as Dillick's voice filtered through.
"Your Highness, your guest has arrived. The one we discussed earlier."
Ariel blinked. "Understood. Have him wait in the reception hall."
"Yes, Your Highness."
She turned back, eyed her saliva-slicked fingers, then smeared them across the servant's lips before yanking her up by the hair.
"Hurry up. Then dress me."
"Y-Yes…"
———
Minutes later, Ariel stood fully attired in courtly robes. Smiling, she lifted the servant's chin with a finger.
"You served me well today. You've earned a reward~"
As the servant flushed, Ariel gently stroked her cheek—then turned away.
Her eyes opened.
In an instant, her aura shifted.
All traces of desire vanished, replaced by gentle warmth that invited trust. Dignity and grace flowed through her like water.
The "Most Beautiful Princess in Asuran History," beloved by the masses since age eleven, had donned her mask once more.
Ariel Anemoi Asura was ready.
———
Late that night, silence enveloped Boreas Manor.
In Philip's study, documents lay scattered across his desk, their ink still fresh. But the man who usually worked there deep into the night was absent.
A breeze rustled the papers, revealing hastily scribbled notes:
[Royal Capital—Ars: Succession Struggle Begins]
[Current Frontrunners: 1st Prince, 2nd Prince… (ink blot) 2nd Princess]
[1st Prince]
Active in palace/noble circles. Never misses high-society events.
Known supporters: Darius, James, minor upper nobility. Still recruiting.
Strategy: Court the elite. Darius serves as advisor. Highest odds.
[2nd Prince]
Suspected ties to foreign ambassadors/underground factions. Frequently visits the Red Dragon's Jaw (border stronghold), possibly currying favor with Zephyros & Aeolos.
However, both families traditionally remain neutral in succession disputes. Unlikely to succeed.
Strategy: Exploit 1st Prince's blind spots. Low odds.
[2nd Princess]
Popular support.
Known supporters: Notos (Pilemon seems hesitant), minor lower nobility.
Strategy: Grassroots appeal. Shows signs of having advisors but remains inexperienced. Lowest odds.
Footsteps—
The door opened without a sound as Ghislaine entered, sealing it behind her. Her gaze swept past Philip's desk to where he sat arranging chess pieces by the guest table.
Philip glanced up, smiling.
"What brings you here so late? Have you reconsidered my proposal?"
Ghislaine ignored the jab, silently extending a letter.
"From the royal capital."
Philip arched a brow, examining the seal before chuckling.
"How popular our Allen is. Quite unlike his father, who kept getting rejected."
Ghislaine's expression stiffened.
"If I became your concubine, wouldn't Lady Hilda object?"
Philip unfolded the letter as he replied.
"It was her suggestion."
Ghislaine blinked.
"You know how she overthinks things. Last year's… episode with Allen left her convinced she's a burden. She started pushing me away, saying I should take another concubine—preferably you, to keep you at Boreas permanently."
Philip shook his head, amused.
"The Boreas family owes her, yet she acts like the debtor. She didn't want to 'pressure' me."
"Emotionally, Allen takes after her. They both value bonds deeply. Unlike me—cold and pragmatic."
Ghislaine studied Philip's face.
"Is that what you believe?"
Philip's grip on the letter tightened. After a pause, he smirked self-deprecatingly.
"When I sent that letter last October, it was to spare Hilda further pain. If even Father couldn't sway Allen, and the boy himself seemed torn… I wanted to give him an out. A reason to leave Boreas and find peace."
Ghislaine eyed Philip's bowed head.
"But that would've ruined your plans to bind him to Boreas. You did this… for Lady Hilda?"
"Allen could wait. But if Hilda broke beyond repair, I'd never forgive myself." Philip sighed. "Yet before my letter could even return, Allen resolved everything himself—even won Father over. Again, he surprised me. I expected him to come to me."
His fingers traced the paper's edge.
"Hilda smiles more now. That's good. But…"
Setting the letter down, he returned to the chessboard.
"I'd planned to let Allen and Hilda bond longer before advancing my next move. But with the succession struggle beginning, this outcome works."
"Won't Lady Hilda—"
"I know my wife. Her pain wasn't from Allen's absence—it was from him being raised by James, never knowing she was his mother. That wound has healed."
"And if things go well in the capital? She'll see him often. In some ways, Hilda and I want the same thing. She craves closeness; I need Allen focused on the right path—not gallivanting as an adventurer like Paul, vanishing for years."
Philip's lip curled.
"Paul, heir of Notos, threw it all away to play adventurer. Now he's stuck as a backwater knight in Buena Village. Pathetic."
He lifted a chess piece, exhaling sharply as he placed it at the board's center—directly before his king.
"Allen's stage is the capital. He's a born politician."
"But with James as our enemy, Allen can't remain 'Boreas' under the 1st Prince's faction. There, he'd just overlap with James—who's already the next Boreas head."
The piece struck the board with finality.
A queen.
"So before Allen goes to the capital, I'll find him a new 'queen'—a patron to unleash his potential."
Philip's eyes gleamed.
"We'll crush James."
"No—not just James."
"We'll trample the entire 1st Prince faction."
"And ascend to Asura's pinnacle of power."
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