Part 2
Selka strode through Arkenfel's streets as if the entire world belonged to her.
Every gaze fell on her—not out of courtesy, but because her presence demanded it. Her beauty was hypnotic, but what truly made time stand still was the way she inhabited the space. She didn't walk—she seemed to float.
Thanks to her mental magic, she could be anyone and, at the same time, remain unseen. But this afternoon, she chose to be unforgettable.
Her destination was the Nobles' Social Club—a nest of vanity, power, and disguised ambition. She wore an intense crimson gown, form-fitting and provocative without ever tipping into vulgarity. Pure couture venom.
The receptionist announced her with a forced bow.
"Ladies and gentlemen, please welcome the Duchess of Ludbridge."
A made-up title. A surname that didn't exist in any registry. Yet no one dared question it.
Selka seated herself at a central table, crossed her legs with perfect poise, and snapped her fingers. Immediately, a young waiter hurried over, hands trembling.
"G-good afternoon, Your Grace. What may I serve you?"
"I want Beef Wellington, caviar, and a fine dessert wine from the select vintage. No frills, and make it quick," she said without looking at him.
The young man nodded clumsily and retreated as fast as he dared, afraid one stray glance might lose him his head.
Then a middle-aged man approached, wineglass in hand and a self-satisfied smile on his lips.
"May I join you?"
Selka glanced at him only long enough to register him as an unwelcome piece of furniture.
"And you are?"
"Count Maurice Leverick."
"Just Count? How disappointing… I had expected someone… greater," she purred, arching an eyebrow.
"Within Arkenfel, I hold the greatest power. See how no one dares approach when I'm here?"
"I don't know… perhaps you're famous for beheading those who contradict you," she murmured—just as the waiter returned with the wine.
"That as well," he laughed. "But in truth, I'm the Regent of Arkenfel."
Selka narrowed her eyes, feigning interest.
"Really now?" she said, sipping sensually. "Why, then, is a man so busy wasting time in a club, harassing young women instead of ruling?"
"I always have leisure moments. Arkenfel is an impenetrable fortress. I can afford such luxuries."
Selka snapped her fingers in silence. Instantly, a subtle wave rippled through the air. An imperceptible mark settled on every noble present—mental seals, harmless… for now.
"If you don't mind, I'd like to enjoy my Wellington in peace," she said, her tone unchanged as the waiter brought her plate with shaking hands.
Maurice let out an arrogant chuckle.
"How fascinating. In all my years, no woman has ever told me 'no.'"
Selka picked up her knife and fork with lethal elegance, slicing her steak with smooth precision.
"There's a first time for everything, Count Maurice."
The count slammed his fist down on the table. For a heartbeat, even the violinists stopped playing.
Selka didn't even flinch.
"What a vulgar man… I suggest you leave with whatever dignity you have left."
He leaned in, warm breath against her ear.
"I told you… no one tells me 'no.'"
"Good luck with that," she replied without looking at him.
Maurice stalked away, outraged. And Selka… simply continued eating.
Meanwhile, Lina was not having it quite so easy.
Unlike Selka, Lina couldn't use her light magic.
Any trace of energy that didn't match Aira's magical signature would raise suspicion.
She was limited to moving like her, acting like her—even using Aira's holy sword instead of her own strength.
Despite the restrictions, Lina moved through Arkenfel with quiet discipline.
First, she inspected the Adventurer's Guild, carefully scanning the mission boards, reading names, noting the types of requests and the parties taking them.
She memorized every detail: races, movement patterns, armaments.
On the streets, her sharp eyes followed the watchtowers, checkpoint rotations, narrow alleys that could be used for escape or infiltration.
"Sera," she whispered, without moving her lips. "Are you there?"
"Yes, Lady Lina. How may I assist you?"
"I'm a little lost. Where's the trade center?"
"Head southwest. You'll find the merchant district. There's a trade guild there, quite busy around this time."
"Thanks."
She walked with purpose, mimicking Aira's upright, confident gait. No one questioned her.
Once inside the marble halls of the merchant guild, she found what she was looking for: a massive billboard displaying incoming convoys, their routes, and estimated arrival dates.
"Interesting… a supply convoy from Norrendel is arriving soon," she murmured, taking mental note.
"Aira! Doing some shopping?"
A female voice made her turn. A young paladin approached with a smile, wearing the same uniform.
"Luna!" Lina said without hesitation, faking a familiarity she didn't feel. "Just checking when the meat from Norrendel gets here."
"Same old Aira. Never change, huh?" Luna grinned—then looked her over. "…Though… is it just me, or did you shrink?"
A chill ran down Lina's spine. At barely one-sixty, she was clearly shorter than the real Aira. Without thinking, she frowned and crossed her arms.
"Hmph… Must be your imagination, Luna."
"Alright, alright, don't get mad," Luna laughed. "Want to go train at the campus? I heard there's a new mission posted on the inner board."
Lina hesitated only for a heartbeat. Her mind had already redrawn the map.
Perfect. The campus is General Balliard's training center. If I can observe their methods, I can gauge their true combat capability.Celestia must be smiling on me.
"Sure, let's go."
The two of them walked together, exchanging casual laughs and greetings with other adventurers—blending in seamlessly.
Upon arriving at the campus, Lina knew she'd made the right call.
Hundreds of soldiers were training nonstop.
Units divided into squads, synchronized maneuvers, live combat drills using enchanted weapons.
A tower of magical evaluation. A forge blazing in full operation.
Arkenfel wasn't just a stronghold—it was a war machine.
This… this is what Yamato needs to see.
Without showing it on her face, Lina smiled inwardly.
That same night…
Lina and Selka sat quietly in the main hall, sipping tea.
Junya's house—now the Void's base of operations—felt too pristine, too empty.
But it served its purpose.
"Did you find anything useful, Lina?" Selka asked in a calm, casual tone, as if they were discussing the weather.
"Yes," Lina replied, spreading a map across the table. "I marked all relevant points in this area, along with the busiest trade routes."
She pointed precisely.
"A food convoy will arrive soon. It's coming from a farming town called Norrendel. Arkenfel's main food supply."
"Hmmm. Interesting."
"As for their military strength… around a hundred thousand soldiers, divided between four generals. Ten adventurers rank SSS. But nothing unmanageable… if we strike with precision."
Selka set her teacup down with measured grace.
"I see you've done your homework," Selka said, a faint smile tugging at her lips.
"Yeah, but not being able to use light magic is a pain. I feel… restrained."
"At least you can walk around without being recognized. I don't have that luxury."
"And you? Made friends with the nobles yet?"
"Let's just say… I've marked them. All of them. One more detestable than the next." She took another sip, then added, "Though, I'll admit… there were a couple who might actually deserve to live."
"That's for Yamato to decide. Our duty is to observe… and report," Lina replied calmly, folding the map closed.
Just then, Yamato entered the house.
His coat hung loosely off one shoulder, and his face was drawn—eyes betraying a full day of poisoned diplomacy.
"Pretending to be Junya is exhausting… I feel disgusted with myself," he muttered, collapsing onto the sofa.
"I'll prepare a hot bath," Lina said, rising to her feet without waiting for a response.
"I'd appreciate it…" he murmured, closing his eyes for a moment.
As Lina walked off in silence, Selka stepped closer to the sofa and unfolded the map before him.
"We've mapped out the supply routes, the watchtowers, and the military distribution," she explained.
"This here is the convoy path. This line is the underground canal that connects to the noble district. And this point in red—this is the spiritual heart of Arkenfel. If it falls, the city's symbolic order collapses."
Yamato studied it silently.
No words were needed.
Because from that room, in a house gifted by the enemy… the Master of the Void began to draw his plan.
From within.