Yuna looked through the documents detailing the workings of Ravine City.
The more she read, the more a headache set in. It was so formal—reminded her of those dreadful days interning at a company and sorting through endless accounting files.
Those stiff words and massive info dumps were nothing like how she used to tackle account questions back in university.
City Lord Borris Akne had given her records of the city's performance for the past few years. He was surprisingly transparent, not hiding a thing. In fact, he looked rather proud, eager to show off the steps he had taken to improve the city he lorded over. Since this was all being broadcast, this was the perfect stage to showcase his achievements. If the emperor happened to be watching? All the better. With evidence that Ravine was running smoothly, the emperor would trust him more and leave him alone to manage his city in peace.
Borris didn't know if Yuna could even understand the documents—but either way, it publicized his city. Whether she grasped it or not didn't matter, so he had no qualms letting her read them.
As far as Yuna could tell, the city was doing just fine under Lord Borris. And honestly, she didn't have a shred of administrative talent to suggest improvements anyway.
"Quite good. I don't understand much, so I'll just walk around the city instead."
With that, Yuna stood up, gave a short curtsy, and hurriedly left the room. Better to run away quickly before she embarrassed herself and looked completely ignorant.
The audience watching the projection shook their heads. The Heart Class representative, it seemed, was just that—a child. Still, at least she wasn't causing trouble. They quickly lost interest in her panel and turned their attention to the more impressive one—His Highness the Crown Prince.
As expected of royalty, he showed sharp administrative instincts, easily spotting discrepancies and identifying ways to improve the city further.
The moment he arrived at his assigned city, he immediately took control, issuing instructions left and right. His classmates worked in smooth efficiency under him, producing artifacts that could block the Black Rain.
Eusia Orbs—naturally resistant to water, excellent for crafting water-proof artifacts.
The Diamond Class had collected plenty of them during the academy's domain competition. Since they excelled at artifact refining, it wasn't surprising they had a stockpile.
Meanwhile, on the Club Class side, Dane Lethiferous was unsurprisingly brilliant as well. His management skills were outstanding.
If the Crown Prince gave off CEO vibes, then Dane radiated Managing Director vibes.
And then there was the Spade Class.
Surprisingly, Enyo was managing quite well—completely unlike her usual brute-force behavior.
Each city had a projection, so Yuna could see her fellow representatives' performances, and they could see hers.
Yuna sighed imperceptibly.
It wasn't that she was dumb or completely clueless about management. The problem was scale. Managing an entire city was on a completely different level, and she had zero formal training. Better to let those who handled administration year-round keep at it.
Fortunately, Lord Borris didn't seem to mind her lack of participation. Honestly, what could she even contribute? Unlike her classmates… well—wait.
Apothecary.
Right. That was something she did know.
She might as well refine as many potions as possible.
But before that, she still wanted to walk around the city. She never really got the chance to properly explore a fantasy-world city. This was her chance.
…Or so she thought.
Did she say she wanted to look around the city?
Could she take those words back?
Regret. Yuna regretted it so much.
Because standing right in front of her… was someone she never wanted to see again.
Aria. That was her name.
An assassin. The very same assassin who had terrified her back when she was traveling to the city with her grandfather, Aunt Mila, and Austin.
"Messe—Yuna," Aria corrected herself quickly.
Her face was alive with excitement and palpitation. She had finally found her again. The one who had given them hope. The divine messenger—Yuna.
"Miss Aria," Yuna called out reluctantly.
"You still remember my name!" Aria's expression was pure delight.
Yuna grimaced inwardly. How could she forget the first real-life assassin she had ever met?
"So Miss Yuna enrolled at Evigheden Academy. A class representative, no less. You're amazing."
Aria didn't find it strange that a divine messenger would go to school. Even saints and saintesses attended academies. For a messenger blending in with the masses, it was only natural.
Yuna's lip twitched at the compliment. The normal response would've been to ask what Aria was doing here—but truthfully, Yuna had no desire whatsoever to know what this assassin was up to.
"I still have things to do, so I'll take my leave. It was… nice meeting you again, Aria."
Aria's lips trembled, her voice filled with trembling joy. "Yes, it's nice meeting you again… With you here, I have strength for my work tonight."
A chill ran down Yuna's spine. Strength for her work? What does that even mean?
In what way??
She didn't mean assassination work, right? …Right??
No, Yuna quickly shook her head, refusing to think too deeply about it. Out of sight, out of mind. Out of sight, out of mind.
She forced a soft smile, as if their conversation were the most ordinary thing in the world, making sure not to betray a single odd reaction—otherwise people might start thinking she was Aria's accomplice.
Fearing any other untoward incidents, Yuna went straight back and focused instead on brewing potions.
Her days were spent inside the apothecary room, rarely taking charge of administrative work.
The people's attention soon shifted away from Yuna and instead focused especially on the Crown Prince.
.....
The First Prince watched his younger brother handle and take control of a city.
"You say the Celestial Maiden won't stay in the palace?" the First Prince asked, his expression unreadable.
"Yes, Your Highness."
"Hmm… I see."
The First Prince picked up the letter that the Celestial Maiden had written to the palace—a star reading in exchange for peace while she stayed in the Capital.
But the letter, or rather the information she provided in her star reading, was far from desirable.
A devastating storm was coming. The light barrier that the Temple of Light provided for now was only temporary.
The First Prince understood that a deity's favor was always fleeting. More importantly, the current favor carried no stated cost. And a favor that came free was always the most costly. He would be far more at ease if the barrier were withdrawn altogether. Although for the empire…
"I don't believe that old hag is unaware of the raging storm about to wreak havoc on Lalrem Empire, yet she still sends her student out like this."
Zei remained silent, not commenting.
"…But with the people's attention drawn to Evigheden's students, there is less panic and the rumors are suppressed."
Rumors claiming that Lalrem Empire had incurred the wrath of the Light God, or worse—that it had been abandoned by it.
Before such talk could spread and cause widespread panic and gossip, Evigheden Academy had stepped forward and stolen the masses' attention.
Did the Light God's followers think he wouldn't know they were the ones spreading the rumor?
And Oriel Academy—most likely, they too had a hand in its spread. Tch. Quite audacious. Still, the panic of the Light God's followers was expected. After all, they no longer had their Light God Temple; it had long been converted into the Temple of Light, dedicated to another deity that happened to bear the same title of "Light."
Though having another deity trying to reign in Lalrem Empire was undesirable, it was still better than the return of the Light God's temple and priesthood.
As the First Prince thought about these "Light" followers, his mind turned to the assassins who had begun running rampant in the empire.
They would leave a bold inscription at the site of their deeds:
"We work in the darkness to serve the Light."
The First Prince rubbed his glabella, irritated. Those assassins gave him a headache. They were unlike any others. Why was it that all strange things seemed to sprout from Lalrem Empire and not anywhere else?
Indeed, their targets were always corrupt and morally depraved individuals. But their disregard for proper law and order, killing whomever they judged guilty, had begun stirring dissatisfaction among the nobility—especially among those who were far from righteous and now lived in fear.
The First Prince narrowed his eyes. If those assassins were at his disposal, it would be a welcome force. But they were not. Instead, they remained elusive and independent—growing ever more powerful.
As royalty, the First Prince detested any force that existed beyond his control or even outside cooperative terms.
A new deity, powerful followers, and a different breed of assassin who did not simply take money and carry out any task—but acted on principle. And principled assassins were the hardest to deal with.
Come to think of it, these three shared one common thread: Light.
Were the Temple of Light and these new assassins, labeled the "Assassins of Light," serving the same deity?
Those assassins even bore a stigmata.
It felt as though all manner of strange forces were converging upon Lalrem Empire.
The First Prince let out a long, weary sigh.