"So, who exactly are you?" (Barnett)

The large swordsman casually had his great sword on his shoulder, a massive Dadao sword that almost touched the ground.

His crimson eyes carefully observed the man in black-red armor before him, uncertain if he is an ally or not.

He stood before Barnett, arms folded with an air of formidable confidence. The alien designs of his black armor were unlike anything Barnett and the others had ever witnessed, momentarily diverting Clovea's attention from her ongoing battle to shoot her arrows.

"I'm the Hidden One, Yomi." (Yomi)

(I always wanted to appear before people like this!! What do you think now huh?! I'm super cool right?! ✨)

Yomi, Ryuji's Shadow Clone spoke with his robotic voice thanks to the suit.

(Thankfully no one discovered my clone... And turns out I can use my suit even with my clones!)

Barnett tilted his head, surprised by the appearance of this man before him. However his instincts told him that Yomi wasn't weak at all. And that feeling alone was enough for the Barnett to grin widely with his fangs in display.

"Are you with us or against us, Yomi? Though I don't mind either way. These guys are pretty boring after all." (Barnett)

Suddenly the hooded woman stopped Barnett, Fladdwyn, and Ninon from aiming their weapons at Yomi as she walked past the knights.

The hooded woman then removed her cloak in front of Yomi, completely surprising her knights.

Ryuji's original body froze for a moment, momentarily halting his fast-paced combat against the remaining Red Cloak Soldiers.

She had beautiful long pink hair that reached her slim waist. Her hair was wavy and lustrous. She wore a thin golden belt around her waist that emphasized her curves, with a red scarf hanging down next to her Sabre's scabbard.

She looked up to the man in a very foreign looking armor with unknown origins. Her brilliant gaze was locked into those wasp-like eyes Ryuji's suit had.

A pair of bright blue eyes, however, Yomi was captured by their unique feature. Golden cross-shaped pupils shone subtly, matching the epaulettes of her pure-white uniform, which reminded Yomi of a sea admiral.

(I've never seen eyes like that...)

With GHOST's voice ringing in his ears, Yomi anticipated the incoming attack from the left faster than the Crescent Knights who stood behind the mysterious woman in the white uniform.

"THAT'S THE PRINCESS! GET HER HEAD!!"

"No!" (Fladdwyn)

The knights could not react in time, though the Princess Dinarina stood before Yomi without moving a finger. She fearlessly watched Yomi with her cross-shaped eyes as he dug his armored foot into the ground and unleashed a powerful punch aimed at the chest. Powerful enough to raise dust from the ground with a loud boom, immediately killing the assassin.

-Tumm!-

As Yomi's punch connected with the assassin's chest, the force of the impact sent a shockwave rippling through the air, silencing the would-be attacker for good. The Knights stood frozen in disbelief, their eyes darting between Yomi and the revealed Princess Dinarina, the true heir of the throne, unsure of what to do next as they were impressed by Yomi's display of power. Barnett even whistled.

"Princess Dinarina! You can't expose yourself like that!" (Fladdwyn)

The former Gnome assassin said, holding the position of second in command of the Four Crescents, a special group of knights chosen by the Dinarina herself with the duty of safeguarding the Princess.

Princess ignored them with a gentle smile aimed at Ryuji in disguise. She softly spoke while putting her blade back in her scabbard. To Ryuji, she sounded someone that is from Edo period. He noted how she called herself 'Warawa'

「Warawa (妾) = A classic form of females addressing themselves as 'I' in Japanese. Let's not forget that Ryuji is hearing everything in Japanese.」

"I need your help to save this Kingdom, Tenacious One." (Dinarina)

"You... How do you know that name?" (Yomi)

"I shall explain my side of the story once we are in a better place." (Dinarina)

"Princess! Do you know this man?" (Barnett)

Dinarina nodded as she faced her Knights.

"He is tied to that person who saved me from captivity eight months ago." (Dinarina)

Her words shocked Ryuji in his mind and that's when he decided to take out his frustration from the Red Cloaks.

(Dinarina and M has a connection.)

Within the mist of hot ash, Ryuji jumped up so high that he managed to wrap his legs around a study wooden beam on the ceiling. Standing upside down, his hands quickly formed the required Ninja Seals.

"[Ninpou: Great Fireball Jutsu!]" (Ryuji)

A massive explosion consumed the remaining Red Cloak soldiers, instantly annihilating every last one of them. The sheer force of the blast caused Milgard and his comrades to instinctively shield their faces, as the explosion reverberated throughout the entire structure.

-BTOMM!-

(I knew he was a quadruple elementalist, but it is very impressive when I see for it myself.)

Fladdwyn thought to herself as she cut down another assassin. Her daggers flashed as she passed through her adversaries like a whirlwind.

Because of her past as a master assassin, she was able to recognize the techniques used by the inexperienced Scorpion assassins.

Dinarina's knights circled around Yomi as Fladdwyn removed the head of the final assassin with her swift blade while Yomi and Dinarina were casually conversating.

"What do you say, Ry- Yomi-dono? Will you lend me your strength to save this ruined Kingdom?" (Dinarina)

Yomi towered before the Princess with his arms folded, however Dinarina was unfazed by his menacing appearance.

"Did you meet her?" (Yomi)

Ryuji's suspicion was confirmed by a nod from the Princess. He was now certain that he was the part of something great. And his desire to unfold the mystery behind his reincarnation influenced his reply.

"Sure. I'll help you. But you will answer any of my questions after this." (Yomi)

"In the name of Dinarina Ariadne Gi Neolan, I swear that I will." (Dinarina)

(Her name is so long! As expected from the royalty...)

Clap... Clap... Clap... Clap.

Suddenly, the air within the room grew cold as the sounds a person clapping reverberated around the warehouse, causing everyone to raise their weapons.

"True to your reputation as one of the greatest heroes of this Kingdom... All of you fought so brilliantly."

It was a single man who appeared before the broken door, walking through the fallen Red Cloak soldiers nonchalantly with an elegant stride. The moonlight passing through the cracks in the roof illuminated his handsome face under the cylindrical hat.

"Who are you?" (Dinarina)

He wore what could only be described as a butler's uniform, and his monocle gave him the appearance of a villain straight out of a Sherlock Holmes film.

"Oh, Your Highness. I am nothing but a simple servant of my Lady, who wishes to rule this Kingdom."

He briefly saluted Dinarina before he spoke, his voice echoed with a hint of sincerity and respect, contradicting his sinister demeanor.

"You have proven yourselves worthy of the title, heroes, and your efforts tonight shall be etched in the annals of history.”

His elegant stroll came to a halt as everyone was on their guard. Even Ryuji backed away towards the group with his sword pointed at the ominous butler.

"But do you know the phrase; history is written by the victors. And I plan to take all of your heads to my lady, who is growing impatient. Especially your head, Princess Dinarina."

The last bit of his cold words prompted Clovea to fire an arrow at him.

"[Power Shot.]" (Clovea)

But to her surprise, the Butler caught the arrow with his hand, breaking it with ease.

"How fragile. Seems like I should show you the difference between our abilities..."

"Watch out, he has a Prana Heart!" (Clovea)

As expected, the Elf easily detected the surge of magicules within the Butler's body.

The butler pulled out a thin blade from his cane, discarding the scabbard as the blade began gloving with a dark red hue.

"[Mana Blade.]"

A blade imbued with his constantly replenishing magicules, enhancing both its durability and lethality.

The Evil Butler left a circle of dust in his previous location as he leapt forward, hurling towards the Princess.

Ryuji was quick enough to parry with his sword, but to his surprise, a single dent was etched on his black Ninjato.

Sparks began to flash and brighten up the dimly lit workshop, symphonic sounds of steel clashing into each other in a very fast exchange echoed throughout the building.

"How impressive! To think that blade can withstand my blows! I, Ustrauth shall respond to your blade with seriousness!" (Ustrauth)

"How honest of you, but I don't fight clean!" (Ryuji)

Ryuji kicked the powerful Butler back before stabbing the ground with his sword, then proceeded to form hand seals.

"[Ninpou: Mud Wall!]" (Ryuji)

A wall of mud appeared from the ground, hiding Ryuji's presence. Then the Shinobi followed up with a fireball jutsu which broke through the wall as it hurled towards Ustrauth.

Assuming a fencing stance, Ustrauth sliced through the fireball with his thin blade, completely catching Ryuji off guard before he attempted to piece Ryuji with his blade.

"Checkmate!" (Ustrauth)

"Ryuji! No!" (Melodia)

"Buraza!" (Milgard)

Even the Princess was shocked, the thought about losing her precious knight so quickly after finding him horrified her.

"[...Earth Clone Jutsu!]" (Ryuji)

The glowing red blade hit a clone instead of Ryuji as he skillfully used it to shield himself. The clone hardened and turned into stone upon being stabbed, stopping Ustrauth and surprising him.

Ryuji took advantage of Ustrauth's momentary confusion and swiftly launched a counterattack as he took his sword back, aiming for the sorcerer's exposed flank. The black blade sliced through the air with a whistle, carrying with it the determination to end this battle from the start, but to everybody's surprise, Ustrauth swatted Ryuji's blade and then kicked him away.

-Tumm!-

Ryuji barely managed to block the kick, however his bones felt the power behind it.

(This guy... He is even stronger than Saull!)

Ryuji grimaced with his arms crossed before his chest.

"Tsk. This won't be as easy as I thought." (Ryuji)

Barnett and the other knights were impressed by Ryuji's display of techniques.

"What is that technique? Never seen anything like it!" (Barnett)

"We don't know either. He has a very different way of using magic on top of being able to use all four elements on a Magister level." (Clovea)

"Magister you said?! What a beast. I can't wait to fight him!" (Barnett)

Ninon and Fladdwyn rolled their eyes at the battle maniac.

The elf replied, using her [Elven Eyes] as she meticulously observed the fight with her bow aimed at Ustrauth, however her hands were tied—Not wanting to risk for a friendly fire.

"He alone won't be enough. That man is very powerful, we have to help him." (Dinarina)

The Princess pointed her hand out confidently, as if commanding her troops in a battle.

"Ninon, Yomi, attack from the front with Ryuji. Support Ryuji with your reach, Ninon." (Dinarina)

Ninon immediately dropped to one knee upon hearing the Princess call her name, showcasing her unwavering loyalty.

"Barnett, Fladdwyn and Milgard, look for an opportunity and guard them. Switch with Ninon and Ryuji when I tell you." (Dinarina)

"Yes, Your Highness." (Fladdwyn)

"Yeah!" (Milgard)

"Melodia, I want you to strengthen me when I tell you. For now, focus on healing anyone that gets hurt. Meanwhile, Clovea, you look for any openings to shoot Ustrauth. You don't need to hit your target. Just distract him when I tell you." (Dinarina)

"Y-Yeah." (Clovea)

Clovea was not surprised. Dinarina, who appeared to be a young woman in her twenties managed to come up with a perfect formation, allowing Clovea to realize that Dinarina lives up to her epithet, 'The Ambitious Princess.'

Clovea definitely heard about Dinarina's remarkable accomplishments and strategic brilliance demonstrated during the intense border conflict between the weakened Neolan Kingdom and the formidable Sarnesse Kingdom precisely a year and a half ago. Despite the overwhelming numbers of the Sarnesse Kingdom, Dinarina managed to repel the invaders on Fel-Toulon hills, recapturing the border while being outnumbered one to five.

Many people spoke of the incredible foresight the Princess possessed, a tactical genius and a brilliant strategist.

Melodia stood poised next to Dinarina in her elegant Cleric outfit, almost looking like a Princess herself next to her childhood friend, Dinarina.

"It's been a while since we fought alongside, dear Melodia." (Dinarina)

Melodia sighed.

"You and your enigmatic plans... I guess I like that part about you." (Melodia)