CHAPTER 281

After the empire’s conquest war was somewhat settled in a previous life, scholars discovered a subtle commonality among the numerous wars.

It was that ‘a capable king opposing the empire dies either early in the war or just before it starts.’

On the contrary, there was also completely contrasting data that kings who were called tyrants or despots, like those of Grandia, survived until the end of the war.

Meanwhile, rumors circulated that there was a ‘King Slayer’ group operating within the empire. It was said that incompetent kings were actually more beneficial for the empire, hence they were spared, which was a taunt added to the rumor.

At the beginning when the rumors spread, many denied the conspiracy theories, believing it was simply brave people dying young. However, as the conquest war was drawing to an end and a famous superhuman king from the western continent was assassinated in his own palace, everyone had to acknowledge the truth.

– There is a group of assassins within the empire, capable of killing even superhumans.

For the world’s power holders, the group had become a source of fear, different from the empire’s Imperial Inspection Division. The assassins, known as the shadows of the empire or sometimes as ghosts.

Logan had no opportunity to experience their reputation first-hand, as only those at the summit of the world could meet the messengers of death. However, he had heard of their characteristics through rumors.

Namely, that to the eye they appeared as ordinary people, yet they moved like ghosts, and when they died, they self-destructed causing an explosion that devastated the surroundings.

Thus, Logan could infer the identity of these people only belatedly, and he felt a chill in his heart.

“Why are they already….”

Is the empire starting a war?

At this point?

Even though he was alert and using all his information-gathering capabilities, he didn’t know?

As all sorts of thoughts surged through his mind.

“Ah, I’m sorry, Your Majesty. I thought they just liked each other…”

Rick’s rambling apology from next to him, kneeling on the ground, broke Logan’s train of thought.

‘Right. For now…’

It was time to check the surrounding situation.

“No, you’ve done nothing wrong. In fact, you’ve earned a merit. But how did you feel that something about them was suspicious?”

The question came because Logan knew that he too wouldn’t have noticed the stealthy aura if he had just passed by at a distance.

“Well, I…”

“What?”

“I just thought they were sending secret signals while pretending not to know each other…”

At those words, Logan could only give a hollow laugh. It was just like a cow walking backwards chancing upon a rat.

It was absurd, but it was that absurdity that allowed Logan to again gather his senses.

‘Right. They could have sneaked into the palace earlier. It’s entirely possible. Since we found them first, it’s not war yet.’

But why does it feel so ominous?

“What were their names again?”

“Jo, John and Ken.”

“Re-investigate the process of their entry into the palace. And contact Damian to come to the palace.”

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

“Stand tall, Rick. Thanks to you we caught the suspicious ones. You’ve done nothing wrong.”

“Really? Ah… Yes! Of course, Your Majesty! Ha ha.”

Logan patted the shoulder of his long-time attendant and summoned the knights around him.

“Call everyone working in the royal palace to the hall. I need to inspect them all.”

“Yes?”

“Gather everyone. Servants, soldiers, knights, no exceptions.”

“Yes, yes!”

“Keep the servants gathered here for now. Until everyone’s identity has been verified.”

“……Yes.”

As Logan ordered, the dispersing knights…

However, the sudden summon to gather all staff of the palace proved ineffective. Logan only tired himself out checking thousands of people, and the assembly itself ended up being a waste of effort.

Moreover, the commotion spread rumors that something had happened in the royal family.

—

“There was nothing suspicious about the two men’s entry into the palace.”

“What?”

“However, their behavior seemed to change at some point, according to those around them.”

“……Explain.”

At Logan’s words, Damian hesitated for a moment before continuing.

“Although they were originally of a gloomy disposition, they used to respond occasionally, but after Your Majesty’s wedding, they seemed to have become even gloomier. Generally, since they were like that already, people didn’t take much notice.”

“……So you’re saying they were switched at that time.”

“We are speculating as such.”

“Hmm. So, that’s when……”

“Yes?”

“Nothing. Keep going. The others?”

“There are three servants and six soldiers who did not respond to the summon and have disappeared. We are tracking their whereabouts, but…”

“It’s going to be difficult.”

“I apologize, Your Majesty.”

“No, it can’t be helped.”

“Yes?”

Logan spoke as if he knew the identity of those men, leaving Damian puzzled, but his lord did not resolve his question.

“What about the empire?”

“Yes?”

“Any unusual reactions? Strange movements? Are you in contact with Philip?”

“Yes, I am checking daily by message as instructed, but there were no problems until yesterday.”

While finding the king’s somewhat irritable reaction strange, Damian respectfully replied. He noticed the king visibly relax and felt a renewed sense of doubt.

“Is the incident in the palace related to the suspects from the empire?”

“……Probably.”

“How would Your Majesty know that…”

“There are unofficial sources that pass me critical information.”

The remark could have caused offense, but Damian felt relieved instead.

‘Of course. His Majesty does not rely only on me.’

It would have been problematic for his barely years-old information organization to be overly trusted by the king.

Damian admired his meticulous lord once again and did not forget his duties.

“May I then receive information about them? That would ease the task.”

“Only fragments. You guys won’t be able to find it easily.”

“Would the unofficial sources be the same?”

“……Yes.”

“Better than nothing.”

Watching his lord’s flustered look, Damian made a decision.

Someday he would turn his lord’s sigh into admiration.

He would strive even harder to surpass the other unofficial sources.

After sending Damian away, Logan let out a sigh of relief.

‘It’s not a war yet. Let’s be satisfied that we’ve eliminated the ghosts that snuck into the royal palace.’

And let’s prepare more.

So as not to be caught off-guard again by any sudden situations.

That day Logan, based on the newly sprung memories, went on to meticulously record all information about the empire.

—

Spies from another country had infiltrated the palace.

There was an attempted assassination of the king.

The unexpected royal summons and the testimonials from the servants caused ominous rumors to swirl within the palace walls.

Swept up in the chaos, the attendants couldn’t grasp the full situation, further fueling the rumors.

Even as the security in the royal palace tightened and access control became stricter, the atmosphere of the capital city of Grand grew colder.

Outside the walls of Grand, in a corner of the slums, five masked men took refuge in a dark room without windows.

In the dim light of a single candle flickering in the darkness, one of the masked men spoke first.

“How did you manage your subordinates that the ‘Designers’ moved first?”

“I apologize. Perhaps they acted out of misplaced loyalty, underestimating the young king…”

“Is that what you call an excuse?”

The remark was low but filled with dense murderous intent.

The one who had been answering took a step back and bowed their head.

“Please forgive me…”

Watching them, the masked person gazed coldly and then turned to the others.

“This is our first official order. To accomplish it this way… If word of this reaches the Committee, what will His Imperial Majesty think of us!”

“……”

“Number 2, in charge of the infiltration team, you’ll be confined. You’re out of this operation.”

At those words, the bowing masked person stepped back in silence.

The leader then turned his gaze to the others.

“This operation cannot fail, especially after such a mishap. Double the number of already assigned personnel and request reinforcements. Then wait until they all arrive.”

“Double the personnel?”

“So many…?”

“Hmm…”

“The royal palace’s defenses have already been strengthened. We must complete the mission perfectly, even if it means leaving some casualties and traces. That is my judgment as the field commander.”

With that statement, all remaining masked individuals nodded in agreement.

—

One month ago, the incident served as a wake-up call for Logan.

Therefore, he drew upon information unrelated to his past self, information he had forgotten, to cross-reference and reevaluate all possible scenarios.

He concluded that the biggest overlooked threat was still the ghosts.

Their ability to infiltrate foreign palaces as easily as if it were their own. Traces were left only when facing superhuman kings.

Meaning, they were superior beings that no ordinary magic or security system could prevent.

The countermeasure had to be simple.

‘I need to increase my skills so as not to fall to them, and have a contingency plan to quickly muster nearby forces should an incident occur.’

With that thought, Logan, who had consulted with his mentor, unexpectedly gained huge success.

– Uh-huh. After only a few months, you’re worried because your skills haven’t improved… Ha, ha. That’s unbelievable… No, I shall help.

– The ultimate goal is to maximize your senses, to eventually surpass the limits of the five senses and establish a solid sixth sense. That’s the sure sign of a high-level Aura User.

Following his mentor’s advice, Logan committed himself to perfecting his senses.

With years of meditative practice behind him since his return, he continued nocturnal training, focusing on expanding his senses and detecting intruders.

Thanks to this, he achieved significant growth once again.

– It actually works…

– Yes?

– Oh, don’t mind me, Your Majesty. Ha ha. I was just surprised how easily the development of the sixth sense came. Oh, why am I tearing up…

Within a few days, amid his mentor’s amazement, Logan felt pride in the unique trait ‘Up’ he had designed.

And today, Logan abruptly woke up from sleep.

Inside the vast sensory field created by the ‘seven’ force cores pulsing in his heart, he discerned foreign movements infiltrating.

The sensory field began to shrink as consciousness returned, but Logan had already sufficiently detected the alien motions sneaking into his chamber.

Logan subtly grasped his wife’s hand without showing signs on the outside.

Although startled, thankfully, his wife seemed to recognize the signal and began to adjust her posture, breathing calmly and evenly.

He soon felt the flow of the force within her body quicken, aiding her body’s preparedness for combat.

The preparations were flawless.

Yet despite all this, Logan couldn’t help but worry.

‘An encounter again so soon? Has the war with the empire been pushed forward?’

His heart was suffocating with anxiety and unease.

But without an answer in hand, Logan decided to take out his stress on the encroaching enemies.

Concentrating on the approaching presences, Logan saw shadows slipping in through the silently fallen window.

Flash.

Swoosh!

In an instant, golden light flashed, followed by a sound of something splitting and blood spraying.

Simultaneously, a black-masked assassin appeared out of seemingly empty air.

It was an incredible hiding skill, unbelievable to the eye, but the masked person, sliced lengthwise through the torso, collapsed twitching, eyes wide in shock within their mask.

Along with the culprit, the shadows that had infiltrated the chamber silenced themselves further in the darkness. But their momentary hesitations had already been vividly caught by Logan’s sixth sense.

Feeling secure as his wife, who had risen to her feet, drew her sword, Logan’s mind felt even more at ease.

“How many?”

“Currently ten, no, fifteen.”

Although unarmed, there was no way he would lose in this situation.

“You little rats. I’ll kill every last one of you.”

With a vicious smile, Logan raised his fighting spirit.