The choas at midnight

In Groacia,
Eidrin was patiently watching the palace from a distance. He had no idea how to enter it.

Eidrin (thought): “What should I do? There are countless soldiers guarding the palace, and I have no way to get inside.”

Eidrin kept observing the city. He noticed a man buying a huge amount of goods from a large grocery shop.

Eidrin (thought): “That’s a lot of supplies for someone living near the palace. I bet those things are for the royal kitchen. That means the man must be connected to the palace.”

Eidrin approached the man who was carrying the goods.

Eidrin: “Hey, you. Where are you going with all that stuff?”
Man: “What? You don’t know me?”
Eidrin: “No, I’m new here.”
Man: “Oh, I see. I’m a cook in the royal palace.”
Eidrin: “Really? You don’t look like a palace cook.”
Man: “What!? You don’t believe me? Then let me prove it — I’ll make you some food myself!”

Eidrin followed the man to his house (most likely his own), and the cook prepared a meal for him.

Eidrin: “Oh, this food is amazing! I love it.”
Cook: “Thank you.”
Eidrin: “Do I need to pay you for this?”
Cook: “No, it was a challenge, remember? I did it to prove myself. Now you see that I really am a cook, right?”
Eidrin: “Yes, but I still doubt you work in the palace.”
Cook: “What!? Why!?”
Eidrin: “If you were from the palace, you’d have served me food inside it.”
(Eidrin purposely provoked the cook.)
Cook: “Are you insane? Only invited people can enter the palace!”
Eidrin: “Then prove to me that you’re really from there.”
Cook: “Alright, what do you want me to do?”
Eidrin: “Tell me what the palace looks like from the inside.”
Cook: “That’s easy! I deliver food to every room. The kitchen is in the north wing, the king’s chamber is in the south, the princess’s room is in the west, and…”

The cook continued describing the entire layout of the palace.

Cook: “So, do you now believe I’m from the palace?”
Eidrin: “Yeah, I believe you. Anyway, you gave me food, so I can’t leave without returning the favor. Take this.”

Eidrin handed him a few gold coins.

Cook (thought): “Who is this guy, really?”

That night, Eidrin decided to break into the palace.
According to the cook, there was a secret passage at the back, where fewer guards patrolled. Around midnight, most guards would be drowsy, believing no one would dare to sneak in with so many soldiers stationed outside.

Eidrin slipped through the back passage and climbed the wall silently. He made his way to the western wing, where the princess’s room was — on the third floor.

Unbeknownst to him, a man in a red cloak was watching from afar.

Eidrin (thought): “I can’t believe I’m actually breaking into a royal palace… and for what? I don’t even know what to say to a princess. I’m terrible at talking to girls… Anyway, everything is for my friend.”

Eidrin quietly scaled up to the third floor and reached the princess’s window. Inside, the princess sat by her mirror, lost in thought.

Flashback: Inside Groacia Palace

Marina: “Big brother, why did you insult the messengers from Francia? They were innocent. Did you even read the letter they brought?”
Merlin: “Why are you asking me such questions? Were you interested in that proposal?”
Marina: “What!? I… I didn’t say that!”
Merlin: “So you are interested, then.”
Marina: “Not exactly, but that man, Romero — he was the one who saved me. He seemed like a kind and strong man, someone who could protect me for life.”
Merlin: “He might be good, but… forget about him, Marina. I’ll find you a proper prince. All of this could be a trap by Francia.”
Marina: “A trap? Why would they do that? I’ve heard Francia is a righteous nation.”
Merlin: “Maybe. But that 12-nation alliance they’re part of — it’s corrupt. They destroy nations that oppose them without mercy. If Francia were truly righteous, why would they ally with them?”
Marina: “Oh… I see.”

*Flashback ends*

Eidrin (thought): “Is that the princess? She really looks the part.”

He quietly unlatched the window and slipped inside. Marina gasped and froze in terror, thinking a thief had entered her chamber. She reached to call the guards.

Eidrin: “Wait! Don’t call the guards — I’m not here to harm you. I’m an ally.”
Marina: “What!? Really? How can I trust you?”
Eidrin: “I’m Eidrin from Francia — Romero’s friend.”
Marina: “Romero’s friend?”
Eidrin: “Yes. I believe you’re aware of the marriage proposal we sent.”
Marina: “Yes. I’m sorry about my brother’s behavior. He was a little… rude.”
Eidrin: “Yeah, but that’s fine. Anyway, I’m here to ask you one thing — do you love Romero or not?”
Marina: “What?”
Eidrin: “Romero told me you two met at a gambling den — that he saved you. He’s madly in love with you. He used to chase many girls, but now he says he can only imagine you in his life. Tell me, do you love him back?”
Marina: “What can I say…? I’ve only met him once, but that was enough to understand what kind of person he is. To be honest, I haven’t felt deep feelings yet, but I do admire him. I have no problem seeing him that way from now on.”
Eidrin: “So you’re saying you’re ready to love him?”
Marina: “Y-Yeah… but my brother—”
Eidrin: “Wait! Someone’s hiding there.”
Marina (panicked): “What!?”
Eidrin: “I can sense someone behind the window.”

He drew his sword and moved toward the window—
Suddenly, Romero leapt inside!

Both Marina and Eidrin were shocked.

Eidrin: “Romero!? How did you even get here? Were you following me this whole time?”
Romero: “I left one day after you did. I tried to track you but couldn’t find you. Then I learned about the palace layout from locals. When I was sneaking around, I saw you climbing the wall.”
Eidrin: “You scared us both… but perfect timing. Now, talk to her yourself.”
Romero (laughs): “Yeah, but give us a little privacy.”
Eidrin: “Oh, now you want privacy? Just speak your heart already.”
Marina: “Romero… I’m so happy you took such a risk just to see me.”
Romero: “This is nothing! Eidrin and I have faced far greater dangers. But I need to tell you this — I really love you. If you love me back, will you come to Francia with me?”
Marina: “Wha… what can I say… I… I love you too.
But I can’t leave my family right now. I want our marriage to be arranged through both nations.”

Romero’s heart overflowed with joy.

Romero: “Then—”

Suddenly, the giant bell in the top of the palace rang.
The man in the red cloak was the one ringing it.

Marina (shocked): “Oh no! Someone saw you both and sounded the alarm! The guards will wake up!”
Romero: “What!?”
Eidrin (tense): “We need to escape—now!”
Romero (panicked): “Yeah! Marina, I’ll come back for you. Until then—goodbye!”
Marina: “Goodbye!”

Eidrin and Romero jumped out the window. They landed safely on the ground and sprinted away, but by then, the guards were fully awake.

Eidrin: “A little faster, Romero! We have to get out of here!”
Romero: “Eidrin, I feel like someone’s following us…”
Eidrin: “I can’t sense anyone… can’t even see—”

Suddenly—
Romero: “Wha—!?”

The man in the red cloak appeared out of nowhere and stabbed Romero’s shoulder with a sickle.
The blade pierced straight through.

Romero (in pain): “Aaaahhhhh!!”
Eidrin (shocked): “What!!”

Eidrin rushed forward and shoved the attacker away.

Eidrin: “Romero, are you okay!?”
Romero: “I… don’t think so.”
Eidrin: “Don’t panic! Focus your Warrior Madness and heal it. You can do it—don’t lose focus!”

The man in red stood up, twin sickles glowing with red aura. His face was hidden, his height nearly the same as Eidrin’s.

Eidrin (thought): “Who is this guy? Why is he attacking us?”

The man lunged, and Eidrin blocked with his sword. His movements were impossibly fast and fluid.

Eidrin (thought): “What’s going on? I can’t predict his moves—or even sense him! Is he immune to Warrior Madness? No… I can still overpower him with strength and skill.”

A fierce duel erupted. Romero was trying to heal himself.

Romero (thought): “Who is this guy? He’s insanely powerful. He must have Warrior Madness too.”

The cloaked man’s attacks were relentless. Eidrin barely managed to dodge and block, unable to land a single strike. The man was silent — no words, no breath, only deadly precision.
At one point, he lunged toward Romero, but Eidrin intercepted, striking him away. Still, the man refused to retreat.

Romero: “Eidrin! He’s repeating his attack pattern! If you can recognize it, you can beat him!”

Eidrin focused.
Each swing, each slash — the rhythm became clear.

When the cloaked man charged for his final attack, Eidrin dodged perfectly, flashed behind him, and countered with a powerful strike. Their eyes met midair.

Suddenly — soldiers arrived from all directions.
The red-cloaked man evaded Eidrin’s blow and vanished into the darkness.

Guards surrounded Eidrin and Romero, weapons drawn. Romero had healed his wound mostly but still winced in pain. Eidrin raised his sword again, ready to fight.

Romero: “Eidrin… I think surrendering is the best choice now.”
Eidrin: “What!? Why?”
Romero: “You’re already exhausted from that fight. I’m not in shape to battle either.”
Eidrin: “…Fine.”

From the center of the guards, Lucaris emerged out.

Lucaris: “Romero of Francia… and?”
Eidrin: “Eidrin of Francia. We broke into the palace for personal reasons. Our king had no knowledge of this — he bears no responsibility. We surrender.”

Continue........