30 Years Have Passed Since the Prologue

28 – 8. Counting the Stars (2)

*

Eugene was determined. He constantly spoke up to prove his worth.

“That kid?”

“Lily Downer. A sophomore in the Knight Department! Level 32. Just an average level, sir!”

“And that kid.”

“Who? Oh, the one with the black hair? Mary Philipson, also a sophomore in the Knight Department! Level 29. Seems a bit lacking in studying!”

Ivan looked at Eugene with renewed interest.

To find a host, Ivan had skimmed through profiles of all undergraduates at Yansk University. He couldn’t recall every detail, but years in the Special Operations Unit had honed his ability to memorize personal information.

Ivan now knew this kid’s hit rate was nearly 100%.

“A walking profile page…?”

Ivan and Eugene were strolling through the campus. The university bustled with numerous students amidst the semester.

With enough subjects for the experiment, Ivan could delve deeper into Eugene’s status panel performance.

“It organizes perceivable things.”

For instance, it’s like a restricted access database. It shows what Eugene can know and access at the moment—details like the opponent’s level, name, position.

To uncover more, you need ‘understanding’ of the subject. The closer you get, the more detailed the profile you can extract.

In essence, this kid was born for espionage.

“The backdrop’s impressive. A clergyman from a noble family. Within the Union Kingdom, he’d pose no issues in any country.”

Moreover, the requirement for accessing advanced information was merely ‘familiarity.’ Rather than attempting espionage, simply mingling in social circles could yield intel.

And there’s one more trick to leverage this ‘information access restriction’ status panel.

This kid’s panel doesn’t register information he can’t access.

So, to put it the other way around—

What he doesn’t register, as a student level, means an entity beyond the scope of understanding. How many at Yansk University wouldn’t recognize the noble’s son?

Therefore, this kid…

“Specialized in uncovering spies limited to school grounds.”

After discovering this much, Ivan, with Eugene in tow, meticulously surveyed the entire university. The result: about seven individuals had different names on their admission forms.

“The levels are either too high or not visible, names are different, and positions aren’t even visible.”

“Interesting.”

Ivan mused as they walked. Surprisingly few.

Those worthy of sowing seeds at Yansk University fell into three major categories.

Heirs to the throne, allies’ spies in the Union Kingdom, or demons.

Given that these three categories would have infiltrated with their own purposes, the seven revealed are by no means a large number. Even considering only the Union Kingdom, there are not just ten countries.

“Even among regular students, there are agents.”

Whether they were raised as agents from a young age or had the awareness of being government agents planted within them without their knowledge.

If we exclude a few countries…

“The ones considered too powerful are likely to be accomplices of the demons.”

Among the core members of the Crown Prince’s faction, those classified as ‘strong’ are already under the surveillance of the Intelligence Command.

Considering Princess Elizabeth’s competence, the Crown Prince’s faction cannot possibly cultivate strong individuals in secret.

“Uh… well. Brother. But, is her real name really Yuri? Yuri Frank, right?”

“That’s not a problem. Didn’t they say my name comes out as Ivan?”

“Oh, right. So, how do we find out?”

“Persuasion.”

Ivan nodded and walked towards the courtyard of the correctional facility.

Under the trees on a bench, three female students were chewing on sandwiches.

“Oh, mister!”

“Eek!!”

Two contrasting reactions from the two students. Ivan’s suspicions deepened.

The possibility of it not being a possessed person was high enough. Suspecting based on just the name was nothing more than a guess.

However, the student’s reaction was clearly suspicious.

Ivan, a thoroughly trained former agent, was very adept at disguising himself as an ordinary person.

In other words, it was suspicious for someone to look at an appearance that seemed harmless and typical of a regular gardener and be afraid.

“Isabel, how have you been?”

“hahahaha, has it been that long to say such things? Our first class was just the day before yesterday!”

“Hmm.”

“Did you eat, mister? Who takes care of you? Our cafeteria food is really bad, would you like some of this?”

“Oh, um.”

When Isabel took out a sandwich and handed it to Ivan, Esidisi sighed.

Accepting the sandwich from Isabel’s hand and taking a bite, Ivan stood in front of them.

“Oh, do you know each other? Yuri Frank. A knight department student. And here’s Esidisi. She’s a music department student.”

“Hmm.”

“hahahaha, right. Mister. Just a moment… um.”

Isabel narrowed her eyes as she looked at Eugene standing beside Ivan.

This is the first time I’ve seen him. Who is he? Is he a government agent too?

“Shall we talk privately for a moment?” she asked.

“Eek?! Be-Bella! Just a moment!” Ivan stammered.

Brushing aside Yuri’s strange attempts to stop her, Isabel walked alongside Ivan after putting some distance between them and the rest of the group.

It was only then that she spoke.

“I wanted to talk after class, but you disappeared suddenly. Are you okay?”

“Hmm?”

“No, you’re a government agent, right? We agreed to keep it a secret among ourselves.”

Isabel looked around with a serious expression and whispered, “I don’t know who else Tylis sent besides Lord August, but there’s definitely at least one more. Revealing it so openly in this situation, what if…”

“Revealing?”

“Your skills! You’re a secret agent!”

Ivan tilted his head, studying Isabel.

This small figure, standing only up to his chest, with a slightly lowered face, spoke in a tense, resonant voice.

“I don’t know what the Krasilov government is hiding here, but since you’re in debt… Well. How about I look into it as well?”

“What for?”

“Oh, come on, a spy sent from Tylis! I don’t know if there’s one among the freshmen, but let’s find out!”

Isabel nodded confidently with trusting eyes.

Ivan raised his head, observing her.

Betraying one’s homeland so easily. Does she lack patriotism?

Upon reflection, he realized that he had never acted out of patriotism. He had merely admired the previous king on a personal level.

“No need for that.”

“Huh? This is a really valuable opportunity. It’d be a shame to miss it. Once I graduate, I could rise to a high position in Tylis. Don’t you handle personnel management? And you’re still a government agent?”

What does this child think of the word ‘agent’?

He knew she grew up in the palace, but is the gap between the first impression and familiarity too great?

Ivan nodded expressionlessly.

“If you want to do it, go ahead.”

“…Your attitude is really bad, you know.”

Isabel tilted her head and suddenly asked, “By the way, what are the elves hiding here that they’re still lingering around?”

She pointed her chin towards the sky.

It had been over a week since the start of the new semester, or in other words, almost a month since the entrance ceremony.

Kalion’s warship was still anchored in the airspace above Yansk University.

At first, it was confusing, but now most students were simply reacting with something like, “Elves will be elves.”

However, for Ivan, it was somewhat puzzling. Regardless, that ship belonged to another country, and Yansk University was even located in the heart of the capital.

As the Crown Prince, there might be other reasons, but Elizabeth would never condone such actions. Even the palace and the capital region were supposed to be within Elizabeth’s sphere of influence.

“Well, who can really understand the minds of elves.”

*

“Right, Admiral Veilchest. How did today’s report go?”

“I failed, Your Excellency.”

“I see. Another failure today.”

Ernest nodded with a subtle smile.

“And what did they say in the Krashilov Court?”

“They threatened to bombard us if we don’t withdraw within three days.”

“They made the same threat three days ago. Don’t let it bother you; keep doing what you need to do.”

“Yes, Your Excellency.”

After dismissing the technical officer and being alone, Ernest took out a handkerchief and wiped away his cold sweat.

“Why on earth…”

Every warship undergoes a thorough technical inspection before departure. “Boyle’s Glory,” which he commanded, was no exception.

Of course, this wasn’t a wartime situation, and the departure was merely a light show of military force, not even rising to the level of sparking a diplomatic dispute. So, it had only received a routine technical inspection.

Nevertheless, it was Kalion’s aerial battleship.

During the previous war, it had ruled the skies with terror from the demons. There may have been minor functional faults, but there had never been any disruption to the ship’s navigation.

At that moment, a knock was heard from beyond the captain’s quarters door.

“Your Excellency, someone from the Krashilov Court has come to visit.”

“I told them I had other plans this afternoon, and that they should visit separately in the evening.”

“Well, I explained that, but…”

There was commotion beyond the door. An urgent voice from an officer was heard, “This is inconvenient.” “This is a diplomatic breach!”

Elves inherently had sensitive hearing, especially in indoor spaces.

Clank, the sound of metal accompanied by the rhythmic echo of sharp heels against the floor. Ernest, sensing the arrival, let out a deep sigh.

“Come in.”

“As you wish.”

Without any courtesy, a door behind which abruptly swung open, revealing a graceful woman with silver hair stepping elegantly into the room.

Elisabetta. The leader of these country’s elves.

From Noble mtl dot com

Ernest struggled to maintain his composure and coughed awkwardly.

“Quite impolite. Are you aware that our warship is in the territory of another nation?”

“Of course, I am. Yet, you haven’t shot us down despite hovering in our homeland’s airspace.”

Elisabetta confidently walked to the opposite side of Ernest and sat down gracefully. The resplendent uniform of General Kryslorov sparkled under the indoor lights.

As she clapped her gloved hands, a man standing behind her approached, opening a black case. From within, he retrieved a cigarette and handed it to her, then stepped back with a respectful demeanor.

Before there was a chance to protest the audacity of smoking in the captain’s quarters, Elisabetta’s sharp eyes gleamed.

“So, tell me. How should we… or rather, I, handle you?”

“What…?”

“Our government’s official position has been conveyed. ‘Three days.’ But that’s not my stance. Elves, you have to choose one.”

Elisabetta shook her fingers. Snap. With a magical response, the tip of the cigarette lit up.

Swoosh, exhale.

Accompanied by a deep exhale, white smoke seeped out. Amidst the thick smoke, violet eyes shone like predatory beasts.

“One, explain what you’re plotting right now, and then seek cooperation.”

“And if we refuse?”

“Send lumberjacks your way.”

As the cigarette smoke dispersed, a beautiful face of a royal, now sporting a gentle smile, emerged.

As if the momentum from before was a lie. Elisabetta spoke with a smile.

“Fortunately, your warship seems to be made of wood, not iron.”

“Insults…!!”

Calling an elf a lumberjack…? In the realm of diplomatic investigations, there couldn’t be a more severe insult.

As Ernest fumed, Elisabetta shrugged and stood up.

“An insult, it seems. Perhaps that’s the only answer I’ll get.”

“You alone cannot represent the will of the monarchy. Do you truly think you can get away with this?”

The confrontation between the Crown Prince and the Princess was already internationally renowned, extending beyond the mere power struggle to the imminent threat of civil war.

In the midst of such a situation, was it right to openly oppose a powerful nation of the Alliance Kingdoms? If Callion sided with the Crown Prince, the Princess’s position would undoubtedly be greatly shaken.

With that meaning in her growl, the Princess smiled faintly.

“To dare to threaten the Court Minister in Freichankaya. What an amusing jest, Commander.”

“Benefit…!”

“And, Commander, take heed.”

Elizaveta opened the door to the cabin and glanced back briefly.

Purple eyes resembling those of a bird of prey sparkled.

“I am the will of the royal family.”

*

“Your Highness, the Minister of Foreign Affairs is urgently inquiring.”

“The author of royal blood is in such a hurry.”

Elizaveta walked on the deck, chuckling.

There was no deviation from expectations. Such was her aura.

“Proceed as planned. Summon Banka.”

“Do you wish to meet him personally?”

“Cherkatov Kyeong. Have I not told you already? We should meet again at a more suitable time, at a more appropriate place.”

No romance.

Elizaveta glanced at Dmitri once and changed her stride.

*