Under the night sky lit by a plethora of colorful lights, Taylor and Caelus ran across rooftops, careful to avoid the populated areas. There was no one on the streets save for a handful of guards.
The pair landed on stone ramparts overlooking Jester's Lot.
"Damn... It's just like Senior Alicia had said," Taylor muttered with a subtle gasp. "Look at the buildings. All ruined and desolate. The roads are chipped and covered with fallen debris. Not a single soul to be seen. This place... really did see hell."
"You're a resident of the empire, aren't you?" Caelus asked. "Why do you seem so surprised?"
"I never left the Reinhall Dukedom for any extended period of time. Or rather... I was never allowed to. My only mission was to train and hone my swordsmanship. Everything else was obsolete. The last month here at Rhodeia College had my longest stretch away from home yet."
"Hah. Sounds like you need to get out more often, regardless of what you are allowed to do."
"Hmph. Inspiring words from an outcast of five years."
"I do my best."
"Obviously."
Taylor stepped toward the edge of the roof, glancing back.
"Well, let's see it then. You've been out there doing who knows what, so you must have some experience. Think you can keep up?"
Without waiting for an answer, he stepped off and began his stride through the shadows of the ruined district.
"Asshole," Caelus whispered under his breath before turning to the sky. "Shadows, reveal thyself in the moonlight's embrace."
For a moment, the silence remained unbroken. But then, as if the shadows themselves had answered his call, the rooftops came to life.
Nearly thirty figures emerged from the darkness, silent and still as gargoyles. Some crouched along ledges while others stood, fully ready for what was about to come. Each wore the same cloak, yet piercing through their hoods, not once, but twice, were a pair of pointy fox ears.
One figure dropped down beside him with a graceful thud.
"Shadow Lyra reporting, Master Caelus," she greeted him with a hand over her chest.
"Thanks for answering my call, Lyra," he said. "I take it that your infiltration was handled without raising suspicion."
"Indeed. It was made much easier with Commander Alune's help."
"Good. And... Commander Xaede. Is she doing well?"
"Ever since you disappeared without telling her a word, she's been consuming alcohol every night. Especially the ones created by humans because they reminded her of you."
He was at a loss for words while looking upon this kitsune who had just broken such news with the blankest face, as if it were the most normal thing in the world.
"Alcohol... reminded her of me...?" he mumbled.
"I'm just stating what I witnessed," Lyra replied, still unbothered. "In any case, after she received Alune's message informing her of your request, she shattered many bottles while we tried to hold her back."
"H-hold her back?"
"She desperately wanted to come here to personally assist you, but a member of the Malevolence will certainly find it difficult to hide their presence."
Caelus shuddered at the thought of Xaede coming here. He very much missed her, but to meet her here would likely spark another war, especially if she were intoxicated.
"Thank you for holding her back, Lyra," he sighed. "It must've been difficult."
"It very much was."
"Let's begin. Shroud yourselves within the darkness and follow me. Wait for my signal before you act."
"Yes, Master Caelus."
"Then... Shadows, move out."
An explosive firework — the biggest one yet — lit the skies and drowned the stars. Just beneath, the parade was passing through the streets without issue. Cheers and applause roared from both sides where a lavish chariot was being pulled by four magnificent horses.
In the front row sat the emperor and the empress. Just behind them was the crown prince and the crown princess.
"What's with the look on your face, dear sister?" Asta asked, masking his contempt with worry. "You are in front of the people of this empire. Your people. Look at all of them. Smiling, waving, and admiring you."
"I am not worthy of their praise," Aria mumbled.
"Perhaps. But you should do the bare minimum and give them what they want. Go on."
Aria hesitated, but after a subtle glance from her father, she choked back her anxiety as best as she could and lifted her wave. The moment she did, the cheers heightened to the point that it was almost deafening.
"You see?" Asta chuckled. "The people love you, Sister. You owe it to them to at least smile and wave back. We are the imperial family, after all."
She didn't say anything after that. Instead, she kept her gaze fixated on the people as she passed them by. From the commoners to the nobles, she saw everything.
A child with wide eyes, grinning at her as if she were the Goddess herself. Admittedly, it was flattering, but everyone else offset that moment of respite.
In front was a small group of men who were clearly nobles, eyeballing her as if scheming about how they would use her next.
Toward the back were commoner ladies who really couldn't make their jealousy more obvious.
Nonetheless, she smiled and waved, just like her brother told her to. She practiced this posture for as long as she could remember, until she became numb to the feeling. Perhaps at one point, she had wished for more, but those thoughts have long since been buried along with the hopes of this young princess.
Then, a subtle glint appeared in her eyes.
There were many guards stationed just behind the crowd, and among them was a small group wearing the swordsmen's uniform of Rhodeia. One of them inconspicuously glanced over.
"...Senior Shion," Aria whispered.
He planted his finger over his mouth, which made her recall a moment between the two of them just a few days ago.
"How are you feeling?" Shion had asked her.
"Not very well, if I'm being honest," she replied with a crooked smile. "The day draws nearer, yet I find myself more and more anxious."
"It's only natural. After all, not only are we about to get involved in demonic activity, you'll also be conspiring against the empire."
"It's really not much, though. All I have to do is draw the guards away from Jester's Lot, right?"
"True, but the fact remains that you'll have to lie to your family."
Aria reached a hand for her elbow, a clear sign that just the thought of it weighed heavily on her mind.
"You don't have to do this, Princess," Shion said. "I'm sure we'll be able to find a workaround to get into Jester's Lot undetected. No need for us to risk your position."
"N-no!" she exclaimed before taking a step back. "I mean... I want to help. In whatever way I can. If I don't, then..."
I'll stay trapped in this cage that I never tried to escape from.
But she left that part out. Her silence hung heavy, so Shion decided not to press any further.
"I got it. Then we'll proceed as planned. I'll try to follow the chariot as closely as I can. When you see me to do this..."—he mimicked a shush motion—"That will be your cue. Do whatever you can to divert attention away from the north side. Once you do, I'll head out."
Aria took a deep breath, then faced Shion with resolve.
"I understand."
She recalled those words, and while uneasiness still weighed on her chest, there was no way for her to back down now. Not while the mission depended on it.
And so, she leaned forward.
"Father?" she called out.
"What is it, Aria?" he replied with his gruff, weathered voice.
"I'm not sure if this is the right time, but... I saw a group of suspicious people in the alleyway over there."
She pointed toward the south, away from the direction of Jester's Lot.
"They were wearing robes, so I... I couldn't see their faces."
"What nonsense are you spouting, Sister?" Asta grumbled. "I was looking over there the entire time, and never once did I see such a thing."
"I caught it for just a split second. They were making the corner right as we passed them by."
The emperor remained silent without turning around. Meanwhile, Aria was hoping that her hesitation was enough to convince him. He then leaned toward the edge of the chariot, where the captain of the imperial guards was riding closely.
"Radon. Take your guards and scour the area. If you find these suspicious people that my daughter speaks of, apprehend them immediately. Kill them if you must. The festival is an important event for our empire. Nothing must get in its way."
"As you command, Your Majesty."
The captain pulled the reins back, his horse galloping away while the other guards followed behind. As the word spread among their ranks, more from the perimeters dispersed to join in the nonexistent search.
"Thank you, Father," Aria said.
"Rest easy, Aria. Today is a monumental day. As your brother said, you should smile."
"Yes."
And she did smile, but not for the same reason. Her mind was now at ease, for she kept her promise to Shion.
Good luck, everyone.