The night was thick with silence, but Light could already feel the storm of betrayal rising.
From his vantage point, he noticed soldiers marching steadily toward the princesses' tents—on the second prince's orders. He knew he didn't have much time.
With a flicker of movement, Light activated his Focus, cool mind skills and slipped through the camp like a whisper in the wind. His first target: the elder princess's tent.
---
The First Princess
As Light entered, the princess turned sharply—eyes wide with tension. Her guards reacted immediately, drawing weapons with precision.
But Light didn't flinch. He didn't draw his own blade, didn't even take a step. He merely shifted his body ever so slightly, letting their swords miss him by inche. Each movement was deliberate, calculated. He was still, but untouchable.
His gaze never left the princess.
She understood instantly.
> "If he wanted to kill me," she thought, "I'd already be dead."
With a subtle hand gesture, she signaled her guards to stand down.
> "You're not here to kill me, are you?" she asked, voice steady but wary.
Light said nothing. He simply observed her, then spoke softly.
> "You're in danger. I know a path out—one that leads you safely to your mother. If you move now, you'll live."
The princess hesitated.
She didn't trust him, not entirely—but she also understood she had no better option. Her eyes flicked to her belongings. She was already preparing to escape before he arrived. His offer only confirmed her fears.
Light drew a rough map on a scroll and pointed.
> "On foot. Horses will expose you. Avoid the main road. Soldiers are posted at every known exit."
The princess listened carefully.
> "I won't forget this," she said. "If you ever need anything, find me. What's your name?"
Light only replied with a cold glance.
> "Don't forget your words. Many of your allies died today."
Then he vanished.
She followed the map—but not completely. Her instincts led her to deviate slightly, just in case. Trust was a luxury, and she was not naive.
---
The Second Princess
Light knew time was short. Without pause, he entered the second tent.
This one was quieter. Inside were only five people—three guards, two servants. As the guards moved to attack, the second princess stopped them with a calm raise of her hand.
> "Let's talk," she said, eyes never leaving Light. "What's your offer?"
Light was caught off-guard.
> Offer?
He remained unreadable, then replied slowly:
> "Forget my offer. What's yours?"
The princess nodded, amused. "Get me out safely—and I'll reward you handsomely."
> "If I wanted gold," Light said flatly, "I wouldn't be here."
She clenched her fists.
> "I don't care about gold either. I want my mother safe. I want us alive. Just tell me what you want."
Light paused, then gave her two choices.
> "One: a quiet life. You live hidden with your mother, in peace—but with no power. Two: Power. But your mother's safety will depend entirely on you."
> "Choose."
Soldiers were closing in.
> "Power," she said instantly.
Light smiled. "I thought so."
And in a blur, he killed all three guards and the two servants—before they even realized what was happening.
The princess didn't flinch.
> "You knew they were traitors?" Light asked.
> "They were spies. Harmless as long as they stayed still. But one wrong move, and the wrong mouth opens—I couldn't risk that."
Light's opinion of her changed.
> She's not as innocent as she looks.
He led her to the edge of the jungle and gave her a precise hiding location—told her to pack light, carry food, and avoid noble dresses. Then, he left her with no goodbye.
---
The Second Prince
Light returned to the second prince's camp just as soldiers were preparing to move. He appeared openly now—standing before the prince and his elite circle.
Gasps spread. All eyes turned.
The second prince narrowed his gaze.
> "You neither fought for us, nor against us," he said coldly. "You saved no one. And now you appear?"
> "I was on a mission," Light replied calmly. "Not to fight."
> "Mission?" the prince asked. "Whose orders?"
Light didn't answer.
The prince fell silent, understanding. Only the emperor could command an Elite Unit.
> "Why are you here now?" he asked.
> "From now on," Light said, "I'll stay by your side. Like a shadow."
The prince's thoughts swirled.
> Is he here to observe me? To judge me? Or is this a sign… that I've been chosen?
He hid his confusion behind a smile.
> Either way… having an elite agent beside me strengthens my claim.
---
That night, Light remained hidden—just beyond the firelight, veiled by darkness and silence. The wind had died, but tension still clung to the air like smoke after battle.
Then came the faint crunch of boots on wet soil.
A messenger entered the prince's tent, breathless, his voice low and urgent:
> "By morning," he whispered, "the emperor himself will arrive."
The second prince froze.
Then—he shot to his feet, eyes wide, blood draining from his face.
> "The emperor… here? Now? Why?"
His voice cracked—caught between awe and panic.
For a long second, he stood still, thoughts spinning.
He tried to compose himself, but the tremble in his hands betrayed him.
From the shadows beyond the tent, Light listened, unmoving.
A faint nod.
> "So that was his plan all along," Light thought. "Not to choose an heir—but to let ambition devour the unworthy… until only the last liar remained."
---
Midnight had settled over the forest like a velvet shroud. The winds had quieted. Even the crickets seemed to hold their breath.
Light moved through the darkness with purpose, following the route he had mapped hours earlier—the one he had shared with the second princess.
But as he reached the designated spot, his eyes narrowed.
She was gone.
No trace. No scent. No disturbance on the leaves.
A chill crept down his spine.
> "Did someone find her? Was she captured? Or did she wander off the route?"
He didn't panic.
Instead, he closed his eyes for a breath, then activated every sensory skill he had—Focus, Hearing, Scent, and Pattern Recall.
The forest unfolded around him like a living map.
And then—he heard it.
The clash of steel.
It was faint, but not far.
He moved.
Silent. Swift. Shadowless.
Soon, through a gap in the foliage, he saw them.
Two warriors locked in brutal combat.
Their blades sparked in the moonlight, slashing and parrying with killing intent. Each step they took was deliberate. Each strike fueled by something deeper than hatred.
And between them—on the forest floor—lay a still figure.
Long dark hair. Torn royal cloth. Barely breathing.
> "The second princess," Light's mind whispered. "She's alive… but unconscious."
His eyes rose again.
Now he recognized them clearly.
One was the Assassin Queen—her movements sharp, yet slightly off. Her form was perfect, but her focus divided. Her footwork was defensive. She was shielding the girl.
The other—faster, more aggressive—moved like a storm wrapped in silk and steel.
The Rebellion Queen.
She was injured, yes—but gaining ground.
Relentless.
Predatory.
Light's jaw tightened.
The Assassin Queen's blades deflected a furious strike—but the Queen of Rebellion didn't stop. She feinted low, twisted mid-air, and came in from the side—forcing the Assassin Queen back a step.
Light watched, every breath measured.
His body didn't move, but inside, something shifted.
> "She's not just fighting to win…"
"She's fighting to finish it."
He looked down at the second princess again—still unconscious, entirely vulnerable between titans who had no room for mercy.
And in that moment, as the blood-soaked leaves rustled around him, Light felt something stir.
> "The pieces are shifting again…"
"And I'm still not sure who's playing the board."
For once, he wasn't smiling.
His usual confidence had narrowed into something else—edge, calculation, and restraint.
The jungle smelled of blood. Of betrayal. Of unspoken truths.
And yet—
> "This isn't over," Light told himself, eyes never leaving the two queens.
"It's only changing shape."