Among the serene bed of stars, the forlorn glow of the silvery moonlight danced deep into the night.

The soft breeze, ever so gentle, wafted inside the quiet room.

There, I saw the visage of a woman sitting, skimming through the papers before her.

"Clara," I called out.

"You're here? Read this first. This comes from Assassin." She rose from her seat and delivered the document to my desk as I slowly descended, landing on the chair.

"Hm...Okay, so it is pretty much confirmed as a fact at this point. They're not even trying to hide it anymore." I studied the content with a conflicted mind.

"More like a lot of them have been waiting for something like this to happen. It's not like they can keep the secret forever. It is enough that some of them can get a headstart." She scoffed.

I couldn't deny her. As she said, many of these nobles had been staying true to their innate desire to raise the banner of war since the plague, and so, this conquest was just like rain in a desert for them.

"What about the two princes?" I queried.

"As we suspected, they're not showing it on the surface, but they're trying to dig something. Especially the event from a year ago." Stated Clara.

Well, I would, too, if I were in their shoes. The Saint, who stayed quiet in the royal palace for years, was now trying to start something just a short year after his bout with a mysterious figure.

If they were to find a way to understand the Saint's mind and please him, they would have to start at the root of it.

And to my dismay, I was stuck in more or less the same place as the two princes and their factions. I had so many questions to ask that old man...

But first and foremost would be, why a conquest out of the blue?

I mean, if he was trying to lure me out, there were so many viable ways rather than a conquest. It simply didn't make any logical sense.

So, our best guess was that he was just bored out of his mind, and knowing him, that might just be possible, which was way worse, in my opinion.

"Hm...What's this?" A bit lost in my thoughts, I finally read the report Clara suggested in all.

It was a report regarding our success in taking down yet another Slave House. The content itself was not that much different than the one before it, but the way it was presented seemed a bit off.

"It's too easy, Shepherd...and too quiet for our liking." Answered Clara shortly.

Stolen from Royal Road, this story should be reported if encountered on Amazon.

I immediately knew what she was on about. "They're still not doing anything?"

Of course, by they, I meant the Phantom Squad.

"It's like they're trying to wash their hands clean off from slavery. It's fishy, but we don't have the people to cover everything..." Her frown grew thick.

"Besides, we've got our hands full with the upcoming birthday party." Added Clara.

"Hm..." I pondered in silence.

"...What are you thinking?" Muttered the woman, calm and poised, different from her usual playful tone.

"I don't know...I also don't like how these things go. There are so many things unfolding at the same time, and we have so little time to try and figure things out...Anyway, make sure to tell Trodin to stay close and keep his eyes on Margareth at the party in case something goes wrong." I tapped the task and rubbed my temple.

'Should I go and confront the Saint? Or spend more time and go after the Phantom Squad? ...No, it's too risky, and I can't afford to show myself. Not yet...The oracles and awakened will find me in a heartbeat, and I'm not strong enough to fight them by myself...What about the party? Grandfather will be there, but if trouble comes to find us, worst case, I will be forced to move...'

Torrents of thoughts came and clashed from all sides, forming a huge torrent of thoughts that flowed chaotically inside my mind.

"Everyone knows the risks, Shepherd. With both princes in the same room, the air can't be that peaceful. Still, they would know better than to make a mess under the Saint's nose, don't you think?" Assured Clara, snapping me back to reality.

"I guess so..." A heavy sigh escaped my lips.

I took a deep, long breath and glanced at her, constructing my words carefully inside before I spoke. "Clara...are we still going on with that?"

She rolled her eyes, seemingly too tired to answer me for the umpteenth time.

"Yes, we are going with the plan as it is. The Harpers will hold an extensive performance at the royal capital while trying to fish out any information we can find. Paladin and Merchant will enter the party using their invitations with the same goal. Assassin and the shadows will spread themselves and be on standby if something happens. And as for you, Shepherd...You'll stay put and do nothing unless the situation asks for it." Finished Clara in one breath with wide eyes, slightly panting.

Sensing the persisting discontent that plagued my face, Clara added on. "You realize we're being this careful in case someone can somehow recognize you from a year ago, right?"

"I know..." I heaved low.

Although Renata did say the Saint prevented them from finding out, it would be foolish of us to digest that premise at face value. For all we know, some random magician might've caught the entire thing by using an enchanted magical lens from far away. Who knows...

"Then what's the reason you're acting like this?" Shot Clara bluntly.

"I don't like this...Having nothing to do..." My voice hardened towards the end.

She paused briefly at my remark before finally walking away from my desk, landing back on the couch as she threw her feet up the table, acting like a third-rate thug.

"Get over it, Shepherd...I'm not gonna play nice, patting you on the back like Assassin would. I'm here to tell you to get a fucking grip...Keep your priorities straight and your mind focused. There's a difference between actually having nothing to do and acting like you have nothing to do..." Casting a sideways glance, Clara spoke coldly.

It felt like shit, but she brought a good point. '...She's right...I'm acting like a fucking baby again...'

I pushed the chair, leaning back, and watched the misty glow from the distant moon perch down into the room. Basking in its glow, I closed my eyes and let my thoughts swim free.

"Spy..." I called in a low and grating tone. "Be careful...And give my regards to the Seatholders too..."

"You can count on us~." Replied her, back with a tinge of playfulness.