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They often mixed such words into their speech to make information warfare a daily occurrence.

You know how even seasoned swordsmen incorporate training into their everyday lives?

‘In that sense……’

Tail Star.

Even I’m not exactly sure what it means. But from the context, I assumed it was referring to a target they were pursuing.

The other two, though— I definitely knew what they meant.

‘Full Moon.’

Most organizations compare their leader to the sun. Even the Emperor, for instance, is often likened to the sun. However, the Mask of Night compares their leader to the ‘moon’.

After all, the very name of their organization contains the phrase ‘of night’.

‘And above all, there’s the word, ‘dosari’.’

Yes.

If my memory is correct, these were all ‘everyday codes’ used by the Mask of Night.

Of course, a real code would be impossible to decipher even with this much information.

‘Could Narakas really be losing his grip on the organization?’

I was particularly intrigued by the word, ‘dosari’. It refers to fruit that falls before it gets the chance to ripen.

At first, it might seem like it refers to someone who was once a promising prospect.

That fruit, however, can fall due to both internal and external forces. Pick it as you walk by, take a bite, and toss it on the ground. That’s what a ‘dosari’ is.

In other words,

‘Someone who can be discarded at any time they wish. That’s the extent of the value they place on me.’

That stings my pride a little.

Count Kaiman.

I didn’t think much of it when he sent that letter, but could Narakas really have been planning to stab me in the back?

‘……No.’

The idea that Narakas has only betrayed me now, after all this time, seems less plausible now.

Rather, the earlier theory that he’s losing his grip on the organization feels closer to the truth.

‘Things are becoming more tangled, instead of unraveling.’

I shook my head, clearing my thoughts. I decided there was no need to overthink it.

‘Let’s just do what I always do. My way.’

The ones who could answer my questions were right in front of me.

“Are you all mute? Why are you here?”

“……”

“You’ve got fake faces on instead of your masks, so I assume you know you’re not in the clear.”

Boom!

The killing intent pouring from them intensified. Among them, the aura of the head Mask bastard I’d been chasing stood out as particularly dangerous.

‘That must be the navy mask, one of only three in the organization.’

Narakas had mentioned this. He said he’d dispatched a navy mask to this region to investigate.

“……Prince, I don’t like you.”

“Oh? So you’re finally showing your true feelings.”

“So don’t provoke me any further. If you provoke me more than this…… I might just kill you right here.”

Suddenly, I considered it from their perspective. How would these junior Masks view me?

‘How else? As that guy said, they’d want to kill me right now.’

If they weren’t careful, they risk becoming an enemy of that vast Empire because of me.

If that happened, these Masks in front of me were as good as dead. They were, after all, aiding the greatest rebel in the history of the Empire.

‘It looks like my first hypothesis was right after all.’

It was at that moment that my suspicion solidified into certainty. Yet, even so, there was still an unsettling feeling I couldn’t shake.

Narakas hadn’t just taken his position yesterday, he’d held it for decades.

“Is this why they say that there’s no use living for a long time?”

So, I decided to confirm the source of my unease. There was no response. Even their killing intent showed no significant change.

‘They clearly don’t have much loyalty to their leader. If they were my subordinates, they would’ve charged at me with everything they had.’

What was I missing?

As my thoughts spiraled, I couldn’t help but grin.

“I’m in a terrible mood right now. There are too many things on my mind.”

“……”

“What were you planning to do here, with your leader in the dark?”

“……”

“I’ve heard the leader of Verdant Vale is Trevor, the Swordsman of Illusions. Were you planning to catch this traitor of the empire and offer him up to the Emperor, swearing new loyalty? All the while keeping it a secret from your leader?”

“……”

“Was the Emperor that terrifying? So much so that you’d make things more difficult for the man who’s practically your father? You pathetic cowards.”

“……!”

At that moment, the killing intent around me reached its peak.

* * *

Reaper Scans

[Translator – San]

[Proofreader – Abstract]

Join our discord for updates on releases! https://dsc.gg/reapercomics

* * *

The name he used when introducing himself to outsiders was ‘Navy No. 3’.

Also known as ‘Gold’ within the organization, he genuinely disliked the prince.

‘Should I kill him?’

Of course, it wasn’t just because of his personal feelings. The benefits of killing him far outweighed those of letting him live.

‘If I kill the prince…… not only would I eliminate the risk posed by the Empire, but I could also establish a new relationship with the Meeke Principality.’

In other words, it would be like catching two birds with one stone. What would I lose in return?

‘……Hardly anything. Just a little bit of the boss’ trust.’

The loss was negligible, really.

“I’ll take care of it.”

Did his subordinates sense what he was thinking? One of them, who was kneeling beside him, quietly stood up.

“That arrogant brat of a prince…… How much must he be underestimating the Mask of Night to act so high and mighty? If we leave him alive, we’ll keep being dragged around by him, even without our gullible boss nearby. In that case……”

The subordinate deliberately trailed off. Gold didn’t bother to respond either. His silence was good enough of a ‘go-ahead’.

Moreover, the subordinate standing beside him was well-known for his fiery temper.

‘……I usually berate him for not keeping his composure as an informant, but today, I find it rather satisfying.’

At the same time,

“Not even the king of the Meeke Principality, or the true power behind the throne, the queen, would dare spout such nonsense in front of us.”

Gold hesitated for a moment. He suddenly thought, ‘Maybe bringing parents into this is a bit much……’

But he quickly shook his head. The dead tell no tales.

‘He’s as good as dead anyway……’

However, once again, the prince’s response far exceeded their expectations.

“I’ve never cared about my parents, anyway.”

“……?”

“My parents may bow to you, but why should I? Don’t you think so?”

“……!”

Contrary to expectations, it was the subordinate who fell for the prince’s provocation.

“And since we’re on the subject of parents, aren’t you guys worse than me?

“What do you mean……?”

“While your father’s out working his ass off to feed you, you kids don’t even listen to him. Instead, you’re planning to sleep with someone else’s wife, causing all kinds of trouble.”

Gold unconsciously clenched his fist tightly. What kind of comparison is that? Saying it like that makes us sound like the real villains.

“What kind of bullshit……?”

“You lack respect for your father, you filthy little brats!”

“……!”

Gold closed his eyes tightly.

He wasn’t exactly a pious person, but he had internally prayed to the gods countless times by now.

At the same time, any lingering hesitation in his heart disappeared.

“……Just kill him, Green No. 7.”

“Yes, sir!”

The response came immediately, as if it had been eagerly awaited. The killing intent from his subordinates had already reached a point beyond control.

After all, the prince was a walking disaster waiting to happen. However, as a leader, Gold maintained his composure until the end.

Or rather, he tried to.

“Don’t let your guard down. According to the information, the prince has already reached the rank of Expert. He recently earned a knighthood in the Kingdom of Hart, so his skills are verified.”

“Yes, I’ve heard.”

There are only thirty people in the entire organization classified as green masks. From that level onward, they’re all skilled fighters.

After all, information warfare involves infiltration, escape, and stealth. Physical prowess wasn’t optional, it was essential.

“It’s strange. To think you’re trying to kill the boss’s client without his permission……”

“Don’t resent me too much.”

There was no need for further conversation. Once you’ve decided to kill someone, it’s best to do it swiftly and quietly.

But then,

“Stop! Stop right there!”

“……!”

Gold couldn’t accomplish his goal. His face crumpled like paper.

“Boss……?”

“Narakas.”

Soon, Ancelot muttered the name of their new visitor. He had already known. Narakas had arrived here earlier, like a scout.

That familiar voice calling ‘Ancelot!’ from earlier had also belonged to him.

“My head’s about to burst.”

Since Narakas’ appearance, the discomfort Ancelot felt had reached its peak.

If it was the real Narakas, he wouldn’t have let things within the organization reach this point.

With that thought, he began to see everything that had happened in the past in a different light.

“Haven’t I told you over and over again!? To leave the prince alone!”

“……But Boss, the prince has already clearly crossed the line.”

“Crossed the line, my ass! It was an order! Are you saying my words mean nothing to you?”

“……”

Gold finally shut his mouth in response to Narakas’ angry outburst. Realizing he’d let his emotions get the better of him, he sighed deeply.

“And! If you’ve already decided to kill someone, isn’t it essential to gather accurate information in advance? You call yourselves informants……!?”

“Pardon?”

“If you fight him, you’ll lose. You’ll die. Especially you, Navy No. 3. If you’re leading the mission, shouldn’t you at least know the strength of your opponent? Or are you just underestimating him because he’s young?”

“……!”

Silence fell over the room. Of course, none of this mattered to Ancelot.

“Hey.”

At the sudden call, Narakas flinched.

“I think I need to ask you the same question I asked that Navy Mask earlier.”

Ancelot stepped forward. There were many mountains to climb. He didn’t have the luxury of being dragged down by someone he considered an ally.

So,

“Who are you?”

He wasn’t going to drag this out.

“Wh-What are you talking about?”

“You’re not Narakas.”

“……!”

He was going to uncover the true identity of this imposter.

***