Arc 1 : Epilog

[Raul's PoV]

The survival exam has ended. Nine people died, devoured by monsters in the forest, and three others were killed by Ouroboros agents. However, the academy didn't release this information to the public. Their reputation would suffer if word got out that their instructors had allowed killers to roam freely at the exam site.

To be honest, the only reason I was able to defeat those three assassins was because I knew about their unique skill, Slippery Skin, and they knew nothing about my abilities.

In a life-and-death battle, knowing your opponent's skills is crucial. It can be the deciding factor. If they had adapted to my abilities even a bit faster, it would have been me who died in that fight.

That's why it's critical for me not to recklessly use my magic or signature skills in public.

That was my first real battle. I have to become much stronger, draw back public resentment to unlock my new Profound Codex. I also need to push Olen Mask to start crafting artifacts I can use in battle.

Currently, we're in Navajo City—the capital of the Duchy of Artagnan, a northern region of the Empire ruled by Duke Julian de Artagnan, Valeria's father. I think she's visiting him during this break at Castile's Magic Tower.

I'm in the city center to buy a newspaper. Supposedly, the temple is announcing the candidates for Saint, who will soon undertake a trial in Notredame, the Holy City.

In the game, Ariel would undergo three trials with three other Saint candidates.

Speaking of Ariel, she healed me in the middle of Monster Forest. She's truly a good woman, and it's only fitting for her to become the Saint of Diana's Temple. I'm sure she'll be able to save many more people after her induction as the Holiest Maiden in this world.

Arriving at a stall that sells newspapers, I buy one to catch up on news about the Empire.

"How much for this newspaper?" I ask the vendor.

"Only 20 kufers, sir."

I hand him a silver coin and take a paper. "Keep the change."

"Thank you, sir. May you have a pleasant day."

After buying the paper, I sit on a bench along the roadside to read.

There's interesting international news: increased immigration from the land of Kuwalid, Tsardom Slavia under monster attacks that have devastated the land, and lastly... the selection of new Saint candidates from various countries.

"This can't be right, can it?" I mutter, shocked by what I read.

That's because, among the four names listed as Diana Temple's Saint candidates, Ariel's name isn't there.

"Ughh... Have I altered the storyline again?"

---

[3rd PoV]

In a cave within the Republic of Venetia, six mysterious figures wearing masks are gathered to discuss something.

They are members of The Masquerade, a heretic group highly sought after by followers of the Goddess Diana's Temple.

"I've discovered where the Fool's Mask bearer is," says a woman holding a book. "He was detected using it again three days ago in the Duchy of Hernand—Empire of Aragon, specifically in Monster Forest."

"Isn't that where the academy students were taking an exam?" a woman in dancer's attire murmurs.

"You're right, Dancer," replies the book-holding woman. "That means... the mask bearer is an instructor there or one of Grunbelt Academy's students."

"Ugh... I don't want a young recruit," grumbles a man holding a doll. "They're the type to die quickly, just like the last Fool."

"Puppeteer, you're in charge of locating and recruiting them," says the woman with the book.

"Huh? Why me!?" the doll-wielding man complains.

"Because you're the only one here without a partner," the book-holding woman replies. "The Temple has intensified their efforts to eliminate the Children of Destruction, so we must recruit him quickly for our upcoming plans."

The Masquerade... a heretic group sought by the Goddess Diana Temple's authorities. They frequently engage in murders, kidnappings, and robberies.

People still don't know the reason behind their actions. What's clear is that the Temple hunts them down because they protect Children of Destruction, using them as weapons to strike at the Temple.

---

[??? PoV]

The sound of galloping horses rings loudly in my ears, and the piercing cold wind feels like needles against my skin. I'm with a company of 100 soldiers, heading toward a village reportedly attacked by a horde of monsters.

After riding for two hours, we finally reach the village.

From a distance, we can see monsters wreaking havoc, destroying villagers' homes, while some villagers fight desperately to protect their loved ones.

"Attack those monsters!" orders a knight.

His name is Ivan Vasily—Captain of the Romanova Palace Guard.

Why would the Captain of the Guard bother to handle monsters in a village? Because Tsardom Slavia, my homeland, is experiencing a shortage of troops due to monster attacks across the land.

"Evacuate the villagers!"

The soldiers begin fighting the monsters.

I dismount my horse to help in the battle.

"Your Highness! Leave this to us! You don't need to intervene!" Ivan says, trying to stop me from entering the village.

"Do not stop me, Ivan," I reply, staring at him coldly. "With my magic, I can easily wipe out these monsters, sparing the lives of our soldiers!"

"But, Your Highness, if you keep using magic, your condition will—"

I cut him off with a burst of mana aura, silencing him.

"This is an order from your Princess, Ivan. Do you dare defy it?" I ask seriously.

Hearing my words, Ivan bows his head in silence. I rush into the village to assist the soldiers.

"Ice Spear!"

I extend my palm toward a monster about to attack an elderly man, conjuring an ice spear that flies into the monster's neck.

The monster dies instantly.

I quickly help the old man to his feet.

"Are you alright?" I ask as I assist him.

"Yes, I am fine, Your Highness," he says, trembling. "Thank you for saving me, Princess Alisha."

"No problem, please hurry and evacuate. 300 meters back, priests and soldiers will help you with the evacuation."

The old man nods and leaves.

Roaarrr!

A loud monster roar echoes.

I turn and see a six-meter-tall Yeti tearing apart our soldiers' formation.

"Aghhh! Help me!"

One soldier is kicked by the giant monster, flying through the air.

"This monster is too strong! Retreat! Fall back!" shouts the platoon leader.

I quickly close in to help. For a monster this size, third-tier magic won't kill it instantly. I'll need fourth-tier magic.

I raise my palm toward the monster and begin chanting a spell.

"Blizzard Rain!"

After reciting the spell, a large magic circle appears above the monster. Massive ice shards begin falling, showering the monster.

-Roarrr!

It collapses under the barrage of ice, some shards even piercing its body.

Shortly after, the ice storm stops. The giant monster's body is shattered, broken by my magic.

"Long live Princess Alisha!"

"Long live Princess Alisha!"

Live, huh? Hearing that word makes me want to laugh.

After defeating the monsters, I head back to the carriage to return to the Romanova Palace. My task here is done.

Inside the carriage, I gaze out the window at the beautiful, snow-covered landscape stretching as far as I can see. Nearing the end of the year, the weather in this land grows more extreme.

With these monster attacks showing no signs of stopping, we'll struggle through this period. There will be food shortages, inadequate shelter to survive the cold, and many who will lose their livelihoods due to this disaster.

Tsardom Slavia is not a wealthy country; the land here isn't as fertile as the southern lands, and we rely mainly on mineral exports for our primary income. We are trying to develop other sectors, but it will take time to see results.

Even though our country has the world's largest territory, it's mostly barren, snow-covered land.

Our location isn't ideal for trade, making our mineral exports far from optimal.

Thinking about my homeland's worsening state weighs heavily on my heart.

"Uhuk!" I cough.

My head feels dizzy as a fit of coughing overtakes me, making me collapse. A bloodstain on my palm reveals blood that has trickled from my mouth.

"My condition is worsening..."

Yes... I have an incurable disease, and the priests estimate I won't live past 20.

"I must do my best for my country with the little time I have left..."

.

.

.

Upon arriving at the palace, I immediately hurried to my sister's room. In a few months, she would have to leave for the Holy City of Notredame to undertake the Trial for selecting the next Saint of the Temple of Diana.

When I entered her room, I saw a butler talking with a girl who had shoulder-length gray hair.

These two were the most precious people in the world to me.

"Ah, Sister! You're home?" greeted Anastasia, noticing my presence.

"Princess Alisha, you've returned," said the butler.

I smiled warmly at him.

His name was Leon; I met him when we were children, ten years ago. He was the same age as Ana—my sister. But I knew the truth about his real identity.

Leon's real name was Leonidas Agonid—the prince and sole heir of the Greco Kingdom, which has now become a republic. His entire family had been executed by their people, and all noble titles were abolished in that land. They had adopted a form of government similar to the Republic of Venice.

He also possessed the legendary sword Balmung, which had always been wielded by the Kings of Greco as a symbol of authority.

However, Leon himself was unaware of his true identity. I hesitated to tell him, as I didn't want him to act rashly and put his life in danger.

All he knew was that he was the son of a farmer whose village had been destroyed by monster attacks.

"Ana, how are your studies going for the upcoming Trial?" I asked my sweet sister.

"Very well! Archbishop Rasputin's lessons are easy to understand!" replied Ana, looking enthusiastic.

"My sister is indeed talented!" I praised, gently stroking her hair.

Knock! Knock! Knock!

"Excuse me, Your Highness."

I heard the voice of a servant from outside the room.

"Princess Anastasia must resume her training," said the servant. "And you are also summoned by the Tsar to his study."

Hearing this, Ana stood up from her seat and walked out of the room.

"See you later, Sister, Leon!" she said, waving her hand.

Now it was just Leon and me alone in the room. Glancing at him, I noticed his expression had changed.

"Alisha!" He took hold of my hand. "I was so worried about you! Why didn't you let me come with you to hunt those monsters?" His tone was filled with frustration.

Indeed, this is how we speak when no one else is watching. That's because Leon and I have been together since we were young. Now he's seventeen, the same age as Ana, who is a year older than me.

"I've told you before, haven't I? Your job is to protect Ana," I said as naturally as possible. "I'll be fine on my own; have you forgotten? I'm really strong."

"But... I always want to be with you, Alisha!" Leon exclaimed, hugging me tightly.

I was aware of Leon's feelings toward me, yet I couldn't respond to them. My time in this world won't last much longer. I hope that he and Ana will one day build this country together, marrying as Tsar and Tsarina.

Leon may even be able to claim the throne of Greco someday. If this happens, the future of this nation will be much brighter.

For that reason, forgive me, Leon, for not being able to return your love, even though I want to.

"We should go meet my father, Leon," I said, gently breaking away from his embrace.

"Alright."

We then left Ana's room and made our way to my father's study.

Along the hall, the servants lowered their heads as they saw me pass. They were from noble families who no longer had any role in their former homes.

Leon, however, was my exclusive attendant, different from the others, his status far above theirs despite his troubled background.

Once at my father's door, I knocked.

"Father, it's me, Alisha."

"Come in, my child."

With his permission, we entered the room.

My father was seated at his desk, reading a report, a stack of documents in front of him, a testament to his tireless work.

"Ah, Leon, you're here as well?" Father said, noticing my attendant.

"My apologies for interrupting, Tsar Feodor," Leon said, bowing.

"It's alright; you're practically family in this palace."

Father was also aware of Leon's true identity. That's why he didn't mind Leon being close to me and Ana. It seems he also has a similar plan to marry Leon to Ana one day.

"Sit down, Alisha. There's something I want to discuss with you," Father said, his tone slightly different this time.

I nodded and took a seat across the table.

I was curious about what he wanted to tell me. Apart from matters of state, he rarely talked to me about anything else.

"You're aware of our nation's current state, aren't you?" Father began.

"Of course, Father. This is the worst condition our country has faced in twenty years," I replied, feeling heavy-hearted about it.

"One week ago, Duke Alvaro de Garcia from the Empire came here to propose a business arrangement."

Duke Alvaro? I believe he is the head of intelligence in the Aragon Empire, ruler of the Duchy of Toledo in the Empire's northeastern region.

What could he want, coming all the way from the south?

"He promised significant trade and investment in our country," Father continued, his expression shifting.

"Isn't that good? Given our country's current state, that would greatly help our economy," I replied hopefully.

In recent years, no businesspeople or other nations have wanted to trade or invest in Slavia's Tsardom. That's because of the sudden monster invasions we've been facing. It makes them doubt the security of any potential cooperation with us.

But what would make Duke Alvaro want to invest here, considering our dire state?

"But there's one condition he has set for this partnership," Father said, looking reluctant.

"What kind of condition?"

I would do anything to save our country. If it could make this nation better in my remaining time, I would gladly do it.

"You have to marry his son after graduation."

Hearing Father's words, I could hear Leon clicking his tongue in frustration. But Father ignored him and kept his gaze on me.

"What do you think, Alisha? I don't want to force you."

Marriage? With only two years left in my life?

"I'll give you a day to think about it," Father said, noticing my hesitation. "You and Leon can go; I still have matters to attend to."

We left my father's study, and I was still lost in thought about what he had just said.

It's true, the Duchy of Toledo is one of the wealthiest regions in the Empire. The Garcia family is also known for their vast fortune. If this partnership goes through, our country will recover much faster.

"Alisha..."

Hearing Leon call my name, I turned to him. His face looked sad, as though he was about to cry.

"Please, reject this offer, Alisha," Leon said with a trembling voice, his fists clenched tightly.

"Why should I reject it? With this, Tsardom Slavia will thrive, and I can dedicate the rest of my life to the good of my country."

I looked into his eyes with sincerity as I said this.

I knew why Leon didn't want me to marry another man. It's because he loves me; he doesn't want me to be with anyone else but him.

However, I would give him a chance this time. If he had the courage to confess his feelings to me and talk to my father, showing that he could help improve our nation's state, I would refuse this marriage proposal.

But Leon could only look down in silence at my question.

I could only sigh, then continue on to the palace library. Leon tried to follow, but I stopped him. I wanted some time alone.

Arriving at the library, I took down a book on the world's noble lineages.

I turned to the section on the Aragon Empire and began reading about the Garcia family.

"Raul de Garcia, huh?"

What kind of person would my future husband be?