The empire of Valencia is the superpower of this continent. Their military might is unfathomable and its territory spans over more than half the continent.

It's not just a large army. Valencia has in possession S rank powerhouses in the hundreds, whereas normal kingdoms rarely reach the two digits. In that aspect, Arcadia with over a dozen was a cut above the rest.

Ark had heard that a requirement to be a deputy in a knight order is qualifying as S rank. Yes. Only to be second-in-command.

Thus he didn't dare underestimate Gideon, especially not his eerily quiet guard in black armor.

"Fiance?"

Well, he was too shocked to even do anything. It was the first someone had managed to surprise Ark that badly. Granted, he didn't like this at all.

"I have heard you went to recover somewhere away. During the past few days, I had courted this magnificent lady whose vast heart had come to accept me. Oh, how blessed I am." His handsome features and glistering green eyes only accentuated Gideon's thinly masked condescending attitude.

Ark spoke in a calm, calculated tone. "Is this...? No. I must have been mistaken."

"What is it?"

"I'm sorry, but for an infinitely short moment I've seen an expression common amongst dead men."

"Dead men?"

"Yes, dead men," He paused. "Or more accurately, idiots who dared mess with me only to be burried in the ground. Ah, but surely a gentleman as mature and wise as your lordship cannot be like that. How unfortunate would thay be."

For a slight moment, Gideon's mouth drops slightly and his expression stiffens. But he recovers quickly.

"You must have defeat many powerful opponents. Very impressive for your age. For an A rank."

"Hmph, S rank." Ark corrected.

It might be currently self-proclaimed, but it's not a lie. He had battled an S rank monster on equal ground and achieved a nigh infinite supply of magic power. With his mental capacity and a lot of practice, Ark was confident he would soon be spamming advanced-grade magic with ease.

The guard, who had stayed silent until now, apparently thought differently. "I wouldn't even give you a B rank..."

"What did you just say?"

Ark could take most insults and provocations without reacting. He would swear at them and plot revenge in his mind, but it was always calculated. Never reckless.

"I only said that rumors are often exaggerated." The guard gazed at Ark with a clesr countenance.

Taking a moment to appraise the guard, Ark relaxed slightly.

Dressed in jet-black armor, the man was a knight who carried himself with dignity and discipline.

He didn't look down on Ark. His eyes were examining him without prejudiceor disdain. They were solemn and restrained. Humble.

It was a surprise to see someone so humble from the arrogant empire. Almost as if he's... reasonable.

(That's kinda disgusting.)

Naturally, the power-obsessed Ark found this decency hard to take. Still, it helped him regain his senses.

"Indeed, rumors often gives one too much credit. But that is very bad. It could cause people to become rather impudent, don't you think?"

(I will kick that punk in the nuts!)

And he lost it again after a cheap provocation.

Ark was really about to do it—to an imperial noble!—before Silvia spoke out.

"Lord Gideon, please refrain from such rude suggestions. Ark is personally recognized by Elizabeth Avalon the Sage and he has saved my life on more than one occasion."

"Is that so? Oh, please do accept my humble apology. You too, Darius."

Theatrical and insincere. Gideon was showing no remorse. In fact, he enjoyed the situation and still made fun of Ark with his attitude.

(Is this really the dynamics between you two? Why are you acting so mild like a fucking nun? This is pathetic.)

Ark was shocked seeing this interaction. His fists clenched tightly as he stopped himself from yelling.

Do you doubt the eye of the Sage? Even saying it like that as a suggestion could have been enough to make the haughty noble bite his words back. The empire is greedy for talent, and the Sage was a force the empire had sought with great interest. No single noble would dare damage the chances of recruiting her.

But Silvia didn't say that. She wasn't a fool who cannot deal with nobles, but she chose not to. This was a proof of the disadvantageous dynamics she had with Gideon. And that only made Ark more agitated and upset.

"I'm leaving." Ark assumed a cold tone.

"W-wait! Why exactly did come all the way here? Did you have some business with Commander Julius or something?"

As his eyes met Silvia's, Ark felt his emotions stir with every passing second. The look of The Sylphid who is a powerful figure in Arcadia was that of a pitiful person. There was no pride. No confidence. The will flickering within her enchanting lavender eyes is suppressed and sealed.

It was a sight Ark found digusting.

"I thought I had, but apparently not."

Walking away, he was enraged and humiliated. He wanted to hurt Gideon for looking down on him, as well as to forget the expression Silvia had.

After safely leaving the area, Ark promptly hid his presence.

His stealth ability is inferior to a true assassin, as an expert could detect his magic power without even using magic. But through Phantom, Ark can divert any attention and liken his presence to air.

Getting behind the target, he grabs their shoulder and startle them.

"Little girl, spying is very rude."

It was the girl he had briefly encounter during the first demon attack. The one he had borrowed a sword from.

This narrative has been purloined without the author's approval. Report any appearances on Amazon.

"I-I didn't! You don't have any proof!" She quickly denied, but Ark didn't listen.

"Don't care. Tell me eveything you know about the current situation. This," a crazy spark flared in his eyes for a feelting moment. "Isn't a request."

Ark wasn't one to take a beating like a punching bag. It wasn't the drive to save his rival. No, Ark was irritated by Silvia even more than Gideon.

(Whatever the situation is, I will fuck it all up.)

The girl—Wendy—had explained the situation after being prompted.

"I see. They sold The Sylphid in order to strengthen the relations between Arcadia and Valencia. Have there been any reports of demons while I was away?"

"No. It's been quiet so far."

"Then why the urgency?"

Why sell the kingdom's pride for no reason? The demons were properly dealt with and the situation is leaning heavily towards their side. Arcadia's military might isn't half bad either.

"I think that that vile guy offered large funds." Pausing, Wendy seemed to hesitate. "But that doesn't sound like Duke Clarent at all. He won't ever trade his daughter for money."

Although she was sure it was an act unbefitting the duke's character, Ark didn't share this sentiment.

Scums hiding behind the title of a noble were everywhere. Selling their own blood for more power and connections wasn't unthinkable. They were trash masking their rotten core with expensive garmets and perfumes.

He didn't know the duke well enough, so he didn't rule out this possibility.

"Only one way to find out. Let's confront the duke."

Ark spoke with confidence. He would use his abilities to the fullest and get to the bottom of this. Once he did, the path to take will be clear.

"The duke isn't currently present. Please leave."

Unfortunately, they weren't admitted entry.

The words of the butler caused Ark to frown. He was blatantly lied to. But saying nothing, he turns back and leave without a fight.

"Why are you leaving? The butler is definitely lying."

"There's hardly a reason right now. We gotta do this smart. Raising a fuss won't help, and there are things to do before. I will leave it for tomorrow. For now, could you tell my commander not to wait for me?"

Wendy bit her lips. "Can we really save her?"

It was a reasonable doubt, but Ark couldn't care less. He had decided to intervene in this situation to mess up Gideon, and as for Silvia he has yet to decide. Still, he wouldn't take the insults he had suffered silently.

"Your doubt matches your ability, not mine." He walks away.

The sun had already set, painting the sky deep red at the end of the horizon. A chilly wind of early fall blew gently. This calm of an evening was a stark contrast to the turmoil plaguing Ark's heart.

His destination was the royal palace. One doesn't just waltz into the palace uninvited, but Ark had sufficient status.

There was no one around him, but Ark smirked. He glanced behind him.

"You are the princess' guard, right? Was I so predictable she knew I would come?"

From the corner he had looked at emerges Princess Iris' guard. His expression was wary. Clearly, being detected by Ark had surprised him.

"Yes, Her Highness is expecting you. Follow me."

"Understood."

(The brat should be sleeping. I still can't guess why she is abnormally cunning.)

Princess Iris sat comfortably on the sofa, signaling Ark to seat in front of her. The childish charade was gone, leaving her with a royal and dignified aura. She was serious.

"I'm tired so lets cut the small talk and get down to business."

"Fine by me."

"So, I'm assuming you have come to affirm the involvement of the royal family in Lady Clarent's engagement."

Ark glared at the princess. His expression was blank as he mimicked the dignified aura of the princess using his Skill.

"Why did you sell her? What sort of game are you playing, princess?"

"How did you know I was behind this?"

"I'm not playing games here. Stop messing around and just tell me why."

He was serious. Phantom was activated to fully scan every bit of emotion and thought.

The princess is without doubt a genius with uncanny wits unbefitting her age. Although she is someone you can't afford to underestimate, she had hidden her fangs and caused everyone around her to make that dire mistake.

'Everyone except Ark. He read me like a book before we ever held a conversation. I mustn't make him an enemy.'

Wary of Ark's peculiar sharpness, Iris is determined to convince him of her methods. In fact, she had prepared for this as soon as the marriage contract was brought.

"I have three reasons: one is that the funds provided from the empire would allow us to mobilize troops or send support for distant villages. The current number of demons is unknown, but as how they had sent dozens of demons it is safe to assume their numbers are larger than we would normally expect."

As the Demon King has yet to be chosen, it is a force of demons under the leadership of a powerful demon, most likely aspiring to become Demon King eventually.

The fact that the Immortal Dark Star got many demons, who are naturally selfish and self perservent, to go on suicide attacks he had orchestrated goes to show his dangerous charisma and manipulation ability.

"Second is that I got a Knight of Black to come as aid, with an option of more in the case the situation escalates!" The confidence in her tone expressed it was the best condition out of the three.

Sadly, Ark was unfamiliar with this term.

"A Knight of Black?"

"It isn't as prominent as other orders, but the Knights of Black is the strongest knight order in the empire. Their weakest members are S rank and each one has special powers and great skills. Although the order itself is rather small compared to others, they are the most prestigious and powerful knight order. The guard accompanying Alba—Lord Darius—is also one."

Sensing deep respect and admiration coming from the princess, Ark inadvertantly frowned.

(That sounds awefully lot like the Solitary Wolves. What's the big deal about the empire anyways? As if I needed them.)

Ark spoke only for himself, because that's the only thing he cared about. He wasn't thinking of the betterment of Arcadia, unlike Iris, and he let his pride dismiss relying on the empire.

"The third reason is, well..." Iris looked down as if the floor was very interesting all of the sudden. "It was to protect the Sylphid."

"Elaborate."

"I believe that the power of the Wind Avatar is something the demons will pay close attention to. I'm afraid Lady Clarent will exploited and hurt as she is still not strong enough, despite her immense potential and talent."

That's right, Silvia was still too weak compared to the tremendous power she holds. Ark visibly nods his head in agreement.

Potential and talent are what one has yet to fulfill, room for growth. It matters not how great one could eventually, so long as they aren't at that level yet. Their enemies were monsters out of this world.

Silvia didn't experience leaps of growth like Ark had recently experienced, but she did grow steadly. She holds qualification for being considered S rank.

But true powerhouses were those beyond S rank.

Those whose power surpassed a certain threshold were granted a rank to classify an existance in an entirely different realm: a Titan. It was an atrocious level of power that there were only a handful in the whole continent.

So the princess guessed that the Immortal Dark Star is at least at that level, or could deploy enough power to rival Titans like the Lightning Knight Julius and Elizabeth the Sage.

"Do you understand now, Ark? It was the only way."

"I understand. I would've done the same were I to be in your position."

Was it though? Even as he sat silently and listened, Ark wasn't convinced one bit. The princess who had appeared wise and confident before suddely became cowardly.

"Then you—"

"But that's why you shouldn't have done this."

He understand her reasons, but despite it—no, because of that, he firmly rejected Iris' plan.

"Why are you acting as if we've already lost? Princess, you put the cart before the horses. Your action has no justification before the reconnaissance the existance of large number of demons."

"But there are. So many of them. Enough to make us despair!"

Iris spoke only with sincerity and desperation. Her conviction was firm, as if she believed her own words were the truth beyond the shadow of the doubt.

But she didn't have evidence to back it up? It was ridiculous.

In his mind, Ark swore at the princess enough to win a death punishment. He clicked his tongue at the little girl who was controlled by fear.

"Then I will be the hope to dispell it."

Ark wanted to be the Hero. Therefore, rather than relying on others, even people like the Sage, he had always relied on his own strength and wits to overcome stronger foes.

That's right. Ark was familiar with despair and powerlessness. It was integrated into his daily life every he moved his body whether to walk or fight. Thus, he was keenly aware how one yearn for hope, like the princess right now.

"I don't know why you fear so much, but you cannot let it be your driving force. I'm here. I won't lose to anyone, so rely on me."

(Or rather, don't plan shit expecting I'd go with it. I give a crap about you being a princess. If you screw up, I won't listen.)

Ark didn't have a shred of loyalty in his blood. He was after his own goals and only stuck with Iris for as long as it was convenient. As she did something Ark had disproved, he had no qualms defying and criticing her.

He was also a jerk. From experience, he knew what buttons to push in order to increase the princess' favor towards him.

Iris felt a burden on her shoulders lighten. His words resonated with her core and made her face wear an expression no nine-year-old should have. She was clearly deceived by words filled with fake sincerity.

Any decent person would hesitate saying words they don't mean though...

"What are you going to do?"

Ark rose from his seat and strode to the door. "I don't know. Something not cowardly."

Not looking back, he majestically ignored the princess' guard who had glared at him with quiet rage. It was a relief as it meant Iris had predicted Ark's reaction to some extent. That she was indeed smart.

"Something I wouldn't regret."