The palace of the Levicious Empire was never truly quiet.
Even in the deepest hours of the night, whispers moved through its halls like ghosts.
Servants carried rumors from one wing to another.
Knights exchanged information during patrols.
Nobles gathered in candlelit rooms to discuss politics.
And tonight…
Prince Kyle Gray had become the center of those whispers.
---
Inside a dimly lit chamber within the noble district of the capital, several men sat around a round table.
Expensive wine filled crystal glasses.
The air smelled faintly of incense.
A nobleman with silver hair spoke first.
"So it's true."
Across from him, another noble nodded.
"Yes."
He leaned forward slightly.
"The third prince has changed."
A third man scoffed.
"Changed?"
He took a sip of wine.
"The useless prince suddenly decides to wake up early and train with the Levicious Knights?"
The silver-haired noble nodded.
"That is exactly what happened."
Another voice spoke from the shadows.
"And he visited the Lumina Cathedral."
Silence fell across the table.
The men exchanged uneasy glances.
The Lumina Church was not an institution that nobles liked to involve themselves with.
Too powerful.
Too mysterious.
The silver-haired noble sighed.
"This is troublesome."
A younger noble asked quietly.
"Do you believe the rumors?"
The silver-haired man leaned back in his chair.
"That the prince suddenly gained intelligence?"
He chuckled coldly.
"I believe nothing happens without a reason."
The man in the shadows spoke again.
"And the reason?"
The silver-haired noble's eyes narrowed.
"Perhaps someone is supporting him."
Another noble frowned.
"Who?"
The answer came slowly.
"…The church."
The room grew tense.
One noble shook his head.
"No."
"The Lumina Church does not involve itself in royal succession."
The silver-haired noble smiled faintly.
"Officially."
No one argued.
Because everyone knew the truth.
The church's influence ran deeper than anyone liked to admit.
---
Meanwhile, inside Prince Kyle's residence…
Kyle was sprawled across his bed like a defeated warrior.
His entire body ached.
Every muscle screamed in protest.
"Training is torture."
Joshua sat beside the bed, carefully applying medicine to Kyle's bruised arm.
"You did very well today."
Kyle groaned.
"That's a lie."
Joshua shook his head.
"It isn't."
Kyle lifted his head slightly.
"I lost every fight."
Joshua smiled gently.
"But you didn't quit."
Kyle blinked.
"…That's surprisingly encouraging."
Joshua finished applying the medicine and tied a small bandage around Kyle's arm.
Luis stood nearby with his usual calm posture.
"You showed determination."
Kyle stared at the ceiling.
"I showed stupidity."
Luis ignored that.
"Most people would have stopped after ten minutes."
Kyle turned his head.
"How long did I last?"
Luis answered calmly.
"Two hours."
Kyle sat up suddenly.
"Two hours?!"
Joshua laughed softly.
"You seemed very focused."
Kyle rubbed his face.
"I must have been possessed by a motivational spirit."
Luis's lips twitched again.
Kyle pointed accusingly.
"You enjoy watching me suffer."
Luis answered honestly.
"A little."
Joshua covered his mouth to hide another laugh.
Kyle flopped back onto the bed.
"I'm surrounded by cruel people."
But despite his complaints…
There was a small sense of satisfaction in his chest.
For the first time since arriving in this world, Kyle felt like he had accomplished something.
Even if it was just surviving two hours of training.
Joshua stood up.
"You should rest."
Kyle nodded.
"That sounds like the best plan today."
Luis walked toward the door.
"I will return tomorrow morning."
Kyle's eyes widened.
"…Tomorrow?!"
Luis looked back calmly.
"Yes."
Kyle groaned.
"Merciless."
Joshua escorted Luis to the door.
Before leaving, the commander paused.
His gaze returned to Kyle.
"Your Highness."
Kyle lifted his head.
"Yes?"
Luis spoke quietly.
"Be careful tonight."
Kyle frowned.
"Why?"
Luis hesitated slightly.
"The palace feels… strange."
Kyle sat up again.
"What does that mean?"
Luis shook his head.
"I cannot explain it."
Then he left.
The door closed behind him.
Kyle looked toward Joshua.
"…That sounded ominous."
Joshua nodded slowly.
"Yes."
Kyle sighed.
"Everything sounds ominous lately."
Joshua smiled softly.
"You should sleep."
Kyle nodded.
"Agreed."
---
Midnight arrived silently.
The moon hung high above the palace.
Silver light spilled across the gardens.
Inside Prince Kyle's residence, everything appeared peaceful.
Servants had retired.
The corridors were quiet.
And inside his room—
Kyle was asleep.
But suddenly—
A faint sound echoed through the window.
Click.
Kyle's eyes opened instantly.
His instincts screamed danger.
Someone was inside the room.
Kyle remained perfectly still.
Slowly…
He turned his head.
A shadow stood near the window.
The moonlight revealed a figure dressed entirely in black.
A masked assassin.
Kyle's heart started pounding.
Great.
An assassination attempt.
The assassin slowly approached the bed.
A dagger gleamed in his hand.
Kyle's mind raced.
He had trained for exactly one day.
This was terrible timing.
The assassin raised the dagger.
And at that exact moment—
Kyle kicked the blanket directly into the assassin's face.
"Surprise!"
The assassin stumbled backward in confusion.
Kyle immediately rolled off the bed.
His heart raced wildly.
The assassin recovered quickly.
The dagger flashed through the air.
Kyle barely dodged.
The blade sliced the side of his sleeve.
"Okay!"
Kyle shouted.
"This is very rude!"
The assassin didn't respond.
He lunged forward again.
Kyle grabbed the nearest object—
A chair.
He swung it wildly.
CRASH.
The chair shattered against the assassin's shoulder.
But the man barely reacted.
Kyle gulped.
"Of course he's strong."
The assassin attacked again.
Kyle stumbled backward toward the door.
But suddenly—
The door burst open.
A blur of silver flashed across the room.
CLANG.
Luis Stark's sword blocked the assassin's dagger.
The impact rang like thunder.
The assassin immediately jumped backward.
Luis stood between Kyle and the attacker.
His violet eyes were ice cold.
"You chose the wrong target."
The assassin didn't speak.
Instead—
He threw a small black object at the floor.
Smoke exploded across the room.
Kyle coughed.
"Seriously?!"
When the smoke cleared…
The assassin was gone.
Luis ran to the window.
But the palace rooftops were empty.
The attacker had disappeared into the night.
Luis returned to Kyle.
"Are you injured?"
Kyle checked himself quickly.
"Just my pride."
Luis examined the room carefully.
Broken furniture.
A shattered chair.
A torn sleeve.
Then he looked back at Kyle.
"You fought back."
Kyle shrugged weakly.
"I panicked creatively."
Joshua suddenly rushed into the room.
"Your Highness!"
His eyes widened at the destruction.
"Are you alright?!"
Kyle nodded.
"I think so."
Joshua looked relieved.
Luis's expression remained serious.
"This was a professional assassin."
Kyle sat down on the edge of the bed.
"…That's comforting."
Joshua looked frightened.
"Who would send someone to kill you?"
Kyle sighed.
"Let me guess."
He raised one finger.
"Political enemies."
Second finger.
"Nobles."
Third finger.
"Maybe someone who doesn't like the fact that I changed."
Luis nodded slowly.
"All possible."
Kyle rubbed his face.
"I knew this would happen eventually."
Joshua looked shocked.
"You expected this?"
Kyle nodded.
"I'm a prince."
He looked toward the window where the assassin escaped.
"And apparently I'm a very inconvenient prince."
Luis's gaze darkened.
"This will not happen again."
Kyle raised an eyebrow.
"You sound very confident."
Luis replied calmly.
"I will personally guard you tonight."
Joshua looked relieved.
Kyle smiled slightly.
"Well."
He stood up slowly.
"My life just became very exciting."
Joshua asked softly.
"Are you afraid?"
Kyle thought about it.
Then he looked toward the dark window.
"…A little."
But then he smiled.
"Good thing I started training yesterday."
Luis nodded slightly.
Joshua smiled gently.
But none of them noticed—
Far away, on a distant rooftop—
The masked assassin watched the palace silently.
Then he turned and disappeared into the darkness.
His mission had failed.
But the game…
Had only just begun.