In a humble dwelling within the heart of the Royal Capital, a man named Owen Waverly sat in a room with a rather ordinary setup.

The room was adorned with simple wooden furniture, and at its center lay a large oak table.

On the table was a meticulously detailed map of the capital of the Brolia Empire, though it didn't extend to include the intricate layout of the palace itself. There was also a report placed over it.

Owen, a commoner living an unremarkable life, was staring at the letter and reading its contents.

The letter’s contents stated, “The target is approaching as scheduled.”

The letter’s contents were naturally talking about Edwin vi Rocswell, the Seventh Prince of the Brolia Empire.

Not just this letter, but the report placed ahead of Owen also talked about it.

The report meticulously outlined Edwin's daily routine, describing how he began his day by rising early, taking a bath, and then proceeding to the library.

There, he dedicated three to four hours to reading, presumably with great dedication.

Subsequently, Edwin visited the palace's garden, where he occasionally encountered Sylvie.

The report revealed that he spent many hours in this peaceful sanctuary before proceeding to his mother's chambers, concluding his daily activities in the palace.

Besides the daily report, Owen had another document in his possession, a weekly report that had been updated recently.

This report detailed a change in Prince Edwin's routine that had piqued Owen’s curiosity.

“Since a month ago, Prince Edwin began to leave the confines of the Royal Palace once a week," he spoke aloud the details of the reports to himself. "He ventures into the bustling streets of the Royal Capital, always accompanied by a considerable number of Royal Guards."

Owen could imagine the prince's excursions, visiting libraries, herbal gardens, and other green spaces within the city. He pondered the reason behind this change in routine.

'Tired of the palace libraries and gardens, perhaps?' he thought, considering the possibility. 'A change in scenery is quite natural, even for a prince.'

With a brisk stretch and a yawn, Owen rose from his chair. He donned his dark trench coat and pulled a hat low over his brow. As he headed out of his room, he couldn't help but anticipate the events of the day.

'Today is the day Prince Edwin visits the Royal Capital.'

Owen's thoughts raced as he considered the significance of the letter's contents. He muttered to himself, 'It's fortunate that the target is advancing according to the schedule. This means that, as per my prediction, Prince Edwin will visit the Verdant Haven Garden today.'

The Verdant Haven Garden was the final jewel in the crown of the capital's gardens. It was the largest of them all, a sprawling herbal sanctuary meticulously maintained and generously funded by the Royal Family.

As Owen continued his journey toward Verdant Haven Garden, he couldn't help but mull over the details of his mission. His thoughts raced faster than his footsteps as he contemplated the impending encounter with Prince Edwin.

One question gnawed at him like an itch he couldn't scratch: How many guards would the Seventh Prince have brought today?

His mental calculations harked back to previous observations.

During Edwin's last visit to the garden and the libraries within the Royal Capital, he had been accompanied by three guards.

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The week before that, it had been just two guards.

Owen's worry stemmed from the possibility that today Edwin might bring four guards.

Four guards would pose a significant challenge for Owen.

He had meticulously prepared array formations to handle and, ideally, distract the guards, but these formations were designed to manage no more than four individuals at a time.

If Edwin decided to bring four guards today, Owen's carefully laid plans might crumble like a house of cards.

'Owen,' he chastised himself silently, 'you must stay vigilant and adapt to the situation. The unpredictable nature of this mission is precisely why you were chosen.'

As he continued through the lively streets of the capital, Owen couldn't help but chuckle at the absurdity of it all. Here he was, an unassuming commoner, mentally strategizing against a prince and his potential retinue of guards.

The thought of a covert operation amidst the vibrant chaos of the market square made him shake his head.

He pressed forward, his determination unwavering.

Today, he would reach the Verdant Haven Garden, and whether it was two, three, or even four guards, he would find a way to accomplish his mission because this would be his last chance.

Owen continued his casual stroll through the bustling streets, maintaining an unassuming facade while keeping a keen eye on his surroundings. It was a skill he had honed over the years, blending into crowds, becoming part of the city's rhythm.

As he waited near the Verdant Haven Garden, he observed the ebb and flow of people around him. The market square was teeming with activity, merchants peddling their wares, children chasing after colorful kites, and couples strolling hand in hand. It was the heartbeat of the Royal Capital, a symphony of life and commerce.

After what felt like an eternity, he finally spotted a magnificent carriage approaching, drawn by three resplendent white horses. Riding alongside it were two figures on grey horses, fully clad in armor. The sight was unmistakable: Prince Edwin's guards.

However, a wave of surprise and relief washed over Owen as he realized there were only two guards accompanying the carriage.

His heart beat quickened, and he couldn't help but think to himself, 'Good fortune seems to favor me today. With just two guards accompanying Prince Edwin, my plan should proceed without a hitch.'

His confidence surged as he watched the approaching party. The heavens appeared to be on his side, aligning the pieces of his plan perfectly. This mission was his, and he was ready to execute it flawlessly.

With a stealthy grace that belied his unassuming appearance, Owen slipped into the tranquil embrace of the Verdant Haven Garden. In his quiet pursuit, he watched as Prince Edwin and his two guards entered the garden.

Everything was unfolding precisely as he had meticulously planned. Owen couldn't help but feel a surge of satisfaction at the success of his elaborate illusion array, which he had dedicated the past seven days to perfecting.

As he sneakily trailed the prince and his guards, Owen reflected on the simplicity of his plan. It was working seamlessly, deftly diverting the attention of the two guards with its subtle artistry.

During the preceding weeks, Owen had meticulously observed Edwin's interactions with his guards during visits to the garden and libraries in the Royal Capital.

He had scrutinized their every movement, their walking speed, gestures, and noting how the guards dutifully adhered to the protocol of staying close to the prince. This invaluable insight had allowed him to craft his illusion with impeccable precision.

The illusion itself operated on two fronts. It subtly guided Edwin towards a specific spot near the pond in the north of Verdant Haven Garden, providing Owen with an ideal location to execute his secret mission without interference.

Simultaneously, the illusion convincingly conveyed to the two guards that Edwin was in their company as he proceeded to his chosen destination in the west side of garden, mirroring his customary behavior during these weekly visits to gardens in capital.

To bolster the illusion's authenticity, Owen ensured that Edwin would appear to be seated in a meditative pose, mimicking his typical behavior in the garden.

This choice was deliberate, designed to keep the guards from growing suspicious, and it provided Owen with the uninterrupted time he required to accomplish his task.

From Edwin's perspective, the illusion maintained the faithful presence of his two guards accompanying him.

As Owen silently moved through the verdant garden, he couldn't help but marvel at how smoothly the mission was progressing.

His thoughts buzzed with the intricate details of the task at hand.

'This mission is unusually tough,' he mused to himself. 'The higher-ups want it to look like an accident, not murder. The Empire mustn't suspect a thing, or our Assassination Organization will be in grave danger.'

Over the past week, he had meticulously crafted the illusion array and observed Edwin's every move. Not a single detail could afford to be overlooked.

'Once Prince Edwin reaches the designated spot,' he continued in his thoughts, 'I'll strike his neck with the dart coated in sleeping elixir. It's bound to make him fall asleep instantly.'

The pond in the northern part of the garden had water that was unusually dense, far from suitable for humans. It was the perfect tool for the job. Edwin's demise would be swift and silent.

Once the prince met his unfortunate end, Owen planned to dispel the first illusion array that he had artfully woven across the entire garden, immediately activating the second one.

'The moment the first illusion shatters,' he contemplated, 'the guards will be in shock, realizing Edwin isn't with them. When they finally spot him, all they'll witness is Edwin leaping into the pond. No matter how swiftly they react, how many healing aids they employ, they'll be helpless to save him.'

In Owen's thoughts, the mission played out flawlessly.

Finally, Edwin arrived at the designated spot, which was beneath the expansive shade of a colossal tree.

Its thick trunk offered comforting support as he settled on the lush green grass, leaning back against the sturdy bark. A serene smile graced his face as he closed his eyes, surrendering himself to the gentle embrace of the surrounding breeze.

The garden's serenity enveloped him, each passing moment a testament to the tranquil paradise he had sought.

With each rustle of leaves and the soft caress of the wind, he found himself in harmony with the natural world.

His fingers gently brushed through the cool grass beneath him, and the sun-dappled canopy overhead painted patterns of light and shadow on his face.

As Edwin settled himself in the chosen spot beneath the sprawling tree, Owen gracefully landed on a sturdy branch of a tall tree, keeping a discreet distance.

He retrieved a dart with sleek, dark needle from the pouch at his waist and focused his attention on the prince. This was the moment.

The weight of the mission rested heavily on Owen's shoulders.

He recognized that the precision of his dart throw was of the utmost importance, for it had to find its mark on Edwin's neck, without error.

The garden's tranquility served as a stark contrast to the tension brewing within Owen.

A sudden wave of nausea disrupted his concentration, making it difficult for him to focus properly.

Owen noticed that his chakra felt restless, a clear sign of his sleepless nights.

He mused to himself, 'It's probably because I've been working nonstop on those damn illusion arrays. I'll catch up on some serious sleep once this mission's over, and my chakra will bounce back for sure.'

Determined, Owen steeled himself, suppressing his restless chakra and locking his gaze onto Edwin. As he prepared to release the dart, his focus was absolute.