The Prelude of War/ The Phantom Emerges

"This whole kingdom's history is so fascinating, I could get lost in the words, but that is enough for now time for my date with that comfy bed," Aran said in a tired voice.

Walking to the exit Aran notices a dim burning candle out his heavy eyes.

Someone is a night owl.

He approached the source of the light, where he saw a sleeping beauty with her head resting on an open book.

"This is no place for a princess to be asleep, up we go," Aran uttered cautiously lifting Mira onto his back.

"Thanks for bringing the princess back to her chamber, she sometimes spends nights in the library trying to figure out ways to retake the kingdom," Elliot explained.

"She really shouldn't push herself so hard she is still young after all and particularly important to this kingdom, she should leave all of that to me it's what I am here for after all." He declared

"I could say the same to you as well you are still young, and I believe you will also be important not just to the kingdom but to Mira herself," Elliot said but it fell on deaf ears as Aran had passed out from exhaustion.

(Hafeld-Capital of the Ailatha Kingdom)

"You called for me Emperor Mace." A red hair man said as he knelt before the imposing figure.

"It is now time for you to snuff out the last flame of resistance in the west, Xander." The figure said without showing the least emotion.

"I understand sir, but that would mean passing through dragonkin territory, they are strong fighters." Xander comments

"A commanding general of the empire should be excited to show their unwavering strength, or you rather I punish your family." The Figure threatened.

"I understand my Emperor, Long live the Vicerin Empire."

"If it's the power you need, I will be happy to lend you some." A cold and aging voice said stopping Xander in the castle corridor.

I didn't even sense him, behind me.

"Master Jasper, I haven't seen you in a while how have you been?"

"I didn't come here for formality, but to fulfill your innermost wants Xander, Haha!!"

"Five more minutes," Aran responds to the knocking on his room door.

Bang! Bang!

"Okay, I am coming to keep your pants on."

He pried himself from his sleeping prison, opening the door to an unexpected guest dressed in a white shirt and green pleated miniskirt with an elegant atmosphere around them.

"You are a very heavy sleeper," Mira noted

"What did I do to deserve a visit from the Princess," Aran replied jokingly

"Elliot suggested I take a rest and show around the city, and being the kind person I am I agreed to do so."

"Well Thank you, princess Mira, I will be right back just let me freshen up."

The moment Aran shut the door a sigh escaped his mouth.

I haven't been around many girls, but she is the most attractive girl I have ever seen before it's almost impossible to hold my composure around her.

Mira and Aran left the castle, exploring the noisy and crowded marketplace which sold from fruits to armor, and anything the mind could think of as the duo moved further from the epicenter of the city something became more apparent.

"So is this the slums?" He Inquired following behind the Mira with his hand in his pockets.

"We are in the commoner district, is that what you call your world." Mira answer.

"You could say that it is usually full of crime due to the high poverty rate in the area."

"Mira... Mira!!" small voices shouted as footsteps approached them.

The princess was rapidly surrounded by young children dressed in ragged clothes, with some covered in dirt.

"I haven't seen you guys in a while, how have you been," Mira said with a beaming smile as she patted one girl's head.

"We have been doing fine, except for one thing." one boy spoke up.

"What would that be?"

"Miss Marget has been worrying about the rumored Phantom has been on a killing spree lately." The brown hair little girl shuddered.

The phantom who is that Aran pondered.

"I can see from your expression that you don't know of the Phantom, so I will enlighten you." Mira dictated towards Aran in an annoyed tone.

"I am all ears."

"The phantom is an assassin who has killed many people in the commoner's district no one knows their reason, and every time the royal guards are too late to catch him."

"Mira who is this boy with you." A brown hair girl curiously asks.

"He is supposed to be the hero, that will help restore our kingdom to normal."

"That is so cool!!" The children said in amazement.

"If he is supposed to be the hero, why isn't he helping catch the phantom, or is he a fake hero." one of the boys said in an insulting tone.

Everything went quiet for a moment as that comment created a stiff atmosphere, in the already deteriorating area.

"He can't even wield a sword properly, how could he defeat a professional assassin like the phantom." Mira ridiculed.

"Who side are you on, I just lack in physical combat but I flourish with my intellect," Aran replied.

Aran grabs Mira's hand pulling her close to him as a blade airly passes her neck.

Luckily, I Activate Eagle vision and knew something like this would happen.

"Fwoo!" Aran whistled as an arrow flew in the direction of where the blade came from, but it missed its target.

"Princess you and the children get to a safe crowded area, I have some business to deal with," Aran warned with a serious expression, taking no for an answer.

"I am not a child, I can wield a blade better than you."

"That is not the point, who is going to protect the children if someone chases after, them, now go."

She was at a loss for words, follow Aran's instructions, and led the children to a safe area.

"Aran sir I lost them." A voice emanated into Aran's head.

"No need to worry Leon, I know exactly where they are." Aran held his finger to his head as replied with his thought.

This telepathy is especially useful even if it is just a level 1 skill.

Aran ran through the maze of ally ways in search of his target, who safely sat on the roof of an old apartment.

The target giggle as their hunter seemed to be run like a headless chicken.

"What are you laughing at?" Leon said as he shot at the cloaked figure.

The cloaked figure unsheathes a short sword, closing the gap between them and Leon could only dodge.

After every slash, the cloaked figure's movement became more confident and wild as they pushed Leon back.

"Got you now!"

Going in for a vital strike left Leon with an opening as he deflected the attack with his hidden dagger before slashing at the cloaked person.

The cloak blew away revealing a violet hair girl with sharp eyes which stare intently at her opponent.

"So this is the Phantom, who knew such a beautiful girl could commit that many murders and so skillfully don't you agree Leon."

"Huh, yes sir."

"Come on keep your head in the game, she isn't even that faze with the numbers against her, letting your guard down will be fatal," Aran warned as he focused on the battle to come.