The moon hung in the sky like a silver sickle,
as if announcing that the hour of judgment was drawing near.
Deep within the forest, two shadows moved in silence.
Kaito and Adelheid.
They advanced cautiously, circling the outer wall of the Kingdom of Avernor—
the very kingdom that had summoned him…
and then discarded him like trash.
"Is this really okay?" Kaito whispered, glancing up at a watchtower.
Adelheid answered without the slightest hesitation.
"Commander, this is not a simple infiltration.
It is the first strike against the world.
The time has come for them to understand that we are no longer 'those who defend,'
but those who judge."
They both hid within the shadow of a tall tree.
From there, they could see a supply entrance to the castle.
Several soldiers stood guard with relaxed posture, joking among themselves without a care.
"What's the plan, exactly?" Kaito murmured.
"Do we fight? Do we force our way in?"
Adelheid smiled.
"No. We will use their arrogance.
The same arrogance with which they spat on you when you arrived in this world."
Kaito frowned.
"…Does your ability work on several people at once?"
"If they are empty inside, yes.
And the nobles and soldiers of this kingdom are—without exception.
Slaves to a rotten system.
That is precisely why… they are the perfect pieces to begin with."
Without hesitating for even a single step, Adelheid advanced and revealed herself to the guards.
"Who goes there!?" a soldier shouted, leveling his spear.
"Curfew has already passed, girl! What are you doing here?"
"I'm terribly sorry… I got lost.
I just arrived in this city…" Adelheid replied with a shy smile, lowering her gaze in feigned embarrassment.
The soldiers exchanged glances.
One of them smiled lewdly.
"Well, looks like tonight won't be boring."
"Come with us to the post.
We'll give you… all kinds of 'help.'"
"Of course…" Adelheid said softly, placing her red-gloved hand gently over her chest.
"But first—"
> Skill Activation: "Iron Will (Eisen Wille)"
Dark energy exploded outward like a shockwave.
The soldiers' bodies froze instantly; their pupils trembled.
Their smiles vanished… leaving nothing behind.
"…Why… did we say such things…?" one murmured as he dropped to his knees.
"How could we doubt… the ideal of this person…?"
From the bushes, Kaito stepped into view, eyes wide.
"…You did it again?"
Adelheid nodded.
"Commander.
They are yours now."
The soldiers immediately straightened, rigid as statues.
"We await your orders, Your Excellency."
Kaito hesitated for only a second… then spoke firmly.
"I need the kingdom's military maps.
Trade routes, weakly defended points, guard rotation schedules—everything."
"Understood!"
"Then gather ten soldiers.
Not elites.
I want those who hate the current system.
Those who despise their superiors and desire change."
"I know a few," one replied.
"There are several potential traitors at the lower-district post.
We will gather them discreetly."
"Good," Adelheid nodded.
"When you are finished, return to the forest.
And do not trigger any alarms."
The soldiers withdrew in silence, like automatons.
Kaito watched their backs, unable to calm the rapid pounding of his heart.
"I can't believe it…
They're completely under our command already…"
Adelheid turned toward him with a proud smile.
"Today, we have stolen information from a great kingdom.
Tomorrow, we will take its territory.
And someday…
the people of this country will kneel before you."
Kaito remained silent for several seconds.
Then, he slowly smiled.
"…Very well.
I will make this rotten kingdom remember every humiliation it gave me.
And when our banner flies over its ruins…
they will regret it."
Adelheid bowed her head solemnly.
"Those are the words of a true Commander."
Thus, beneath the moonlight,
the first step toward his empire was taken.
Not through fire.
But through
absolute obedience.