In the study the next morning, Seraphina’s gaze rested on a disturbing region of the map.
A forgotten city of the Demon Realm.
As for why she suddenly noticed it…
It all went back to the intelligence delivered that morning by Bask and the Bloodborn covert network.
The reports spoke of supplies with untraceable origins and merchant caravans that vanished near the border.
Every single trail pointed toward one place: a lawless, chaotic city lying right beside the Fangs of Terror’s sphere of influence, a city that belonged to no clan at all.
The City of Hell.
Such an environment was the perfect breeding ground for black-market dealings.
Moreover, she had been wanting to see the true underbelly of the Demon Realm with her own eyes, and she still lacked a concrete destination.
This place might be the most real one of all!
She needed evidence. She needed to see for herself how those anti-demon bolts were entering the Demon Realm. She needed to know whether her orders truly reached the very bottom.
And, at the same time, it was a perfect chance to slip away from Movira’s watchful gaze for a while.
“Lina.” After sending Ailinuo away with an excuse, Seraphina called softly.
Lina, who had been waiting quietly in the corner, stepped forward at once. “What is it?”
“Mmm… prepare two sets of clothes that can completely hide our identities.” Seraphina’s increasingly delicate skin would stand out far too much—and be far too dangerous—in a place like that.
Lina frowned in confusion, but when her eyes landed on the spot Seraphina had marked on the map, worry filled her voice. “You plan to go there personally? It’s too dangerous. We could simply dispatch a squadron of cavalry…”
“And then what?” Seraphina cut her off, tone resolute. “The moment cavalry appears, the Fangs of Terror will have vanished after hearing the wind. Besides, their representatives are still inside the Demon King’s Castle right now—every military movement here is watched by their eyes.”
“More importantly… I’m also trying to find ‘allies.’ If I can bring that city directly under my command, it will become a blade aimed straight at the heart of the Fangs of Terror!”
She picked up her quill again and drew the city’s outline on the map until it resembled the sharp tip of a sword, stabbing deep into Fangs of Terror territory…
“There might not be a need for such trouble…” Lina offered what she thought was practical advice. “If you truly wish to strike them with this city, it would be faster to simply march the army to its gates.”
“Why are you being violent too?”
Seraphina looked up, meeting Lina’s emerald eyes with puzzlement. Yesterday this same girl had inspired her toward peaceful solutions; today she was talking about annihilation.
“Aren’t you the violent one? Everything you just said was hinting at attacking them.”
“No… you misunderstood…”
Seraphina shook her head, fingertip returning to the map. “Sending the army is the very last resort, and far too conspicuous. The moment we do, the humans… will seize the chance to invade as well. One tug and the whole body moves!”
A cunning glint flashed in her eyes, like a mastermind plotting from the shadows. “I want that city in my grasp. Once I control it, I choke off their weapon-smuggling routes.”
“We don’t need war. We only need to stage a few ‘accidents’ and let them collapse from within. The highest form of warfare is to subdue the enemy without fighting!”
In truth, even Seraphina had not been entirely certain of her goal at first, but Lina’s persistent questions had forced her to crystallise it.
Now the next step was to evade Movira’s surveillance.
But there was still today’s task to complete…
“I’ll visit Duke Dekrian this afternoon…” Seraphina murmured to herself.
As dusk approached, an utterly ordinary carriage (the kind only minor, impoverished nobles would use) stopped beneath the ancient Bloodborn castle.
When the servant relayed the news to Dekrian, his first thought was that yet another bankrupt noble had come seeking patronage.
One or two such cases were fine, but lately there had been far too many.
It made Dekrian frown slightly. “Arrange guest quarters for them and see to their needs casually.”
With that, he sank back into his book.
“But, Your Grace… the visitor is… Her Highness the Princess Regent…”
The Regent?!
“You’re certain?!”
Even as he questioned, Dekrian was already out of his chair in a flash, snatching his coat from the rack.
“This old servant would never dare not mistake Her Highness!”
Not a mistake…
Years of experience and the lessons passed down from his father told him instantly: the Regent’s arrival was completely covert!
While hastily straightening his robes, he barked orders to the servants outside. “Open the side gate at once! Escort Her Highness through the hidden passage directly to my study, and seal the entire castle! Anyone who saw the carriage is forbidden to speak of it—severe punishment awaits those who disobey!”
Dekrian could almost guess why Seraphina had come in such secrecy. It was certainly no ordinary courtesy visit.
Combined with the recent intelligence from his own covert agents, everything pointed toward a single answer.
The orders were relayed layer by layer. Seraphina was quietly amazed at how perceptive Dekrian was.
Under a servant’s guidance, she slipped silently to the thickly carpeted hidden chamber before his study.
Dekrian had already dismissed everyone around him and waited alone.
He bowed deeply, voice lowered. “Your Highness! Your personal arrival fills this humble one with trepidation. May I ask what matter is so urgent that you come in this manner?”
What puzzled him was not only the plain carriage, but also Seraphina’s ordinary travelling clothes and the human maid behind her dressed just as plainly.
Seraphina stepped into the study. The hidden door closed soundlessly behind her.
She lowered her hood. In the dim light, her violet eyes shone especially bright. She spoke directly.
“Duke Dekrian, your wisdom allows you to read my intent—there is no need for alarm. I have come because I must travel to the City of Hell—Asma!”
Dekrian’s pupils contracted sharply. He had guessed she was concerned with that matter, but he had never imagined she would go there herself!
“That lawless city… Your Highness, if you go… it is far too dangerous! Allow me to send agents instead—”
“No, Your Grace. I cannot explain it fully, but I must go in person!”
Seraphina’s tone brooked no argument. “The reports on paper are too cold.”
Dekrian drew a deep breath. Since Seraphina wished to enter the city through his channels, she must already be aware of his power distribution there…
And this was also a show of trust in him.
It was an enormous test. Helping her reach the city was simple, but… if anything happened to Her Highness, how could he ever face His Majesty?
Yet if he refused, he would likely lose this Regent’s support…
A perilous move!
“Well… Your Highness, the hour grows late. Perhaps you could rest here for the night?”
But the moment he saw the look in Seraphina’s eyes, he immediately changed tack. “If that truly will not do… then at least stay for dinner. I have already ordered the kitchens to prepare a meal. It will not delay you long.”