Chapter 23
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 23
Chapter Title: Recruiting the Security Team (2)
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Shadow Moon Squad, or Shadow Moon Corps.
A highly secretive organization whose existence is barely known, yet it's firmly acknowledged because they frequently appear at imperial events and affairs.
They definitely exist, but almost nothing is known about them.
The only confirmed fact is that they're packed with exceptionally skilled knights.
As such a mysterious group, they're a favorite topic among gossip-loving busybodies, spawning countless rumors and tall tales.
Some say they're the most covert blade guarding the gracious moonlight.
Others claim they're knights who move through darkness untouched even by moonlight.
There are tales that they're a secret organization assembled solely from the imperial family's most talented individuals.
Amid all these rumors about their nature, one thing stands out as common to every story.
'The knights of the Shadow Moon all have silver hair bordering on white and piercing blue eyes.'
Anyone hearing that might scoff.
'Come on, how could everyone in the same organization have the same hair and eye color?'
'Isn't it just a mysterious rumor tacked on because so little is known?'
That's the logical take.
While mages are known to have their hair or eye color change based on the nature of their magic power, it's exceedingly rare for knights.
How could a group assembled from people with similar talents all turn out to be silver-haired, blue-eyed beauties?
It'd be impossible unless they all came from the same womb or shared the same blood in their veins.
Yes, unless they shared the same blood.
Lyris's earliest memory was being confined to the deepest room in a massive mansion.
Not even windows—just thick curtains blocking them, and even if pulled aside, heavy planks nailed over them made opening impossible.
With no lights, only thin rays of sunlight and moonlight seeping through cracks served as illumination in that tiny prison.
Spending so long in such a place naturally erodes any sense of time.
Otherwise, you'd go mad.
Her sole link to the outside world was the three daily meals slid through a small door slot.
No other sounds reached her, as if no one lived in the surrounding rooms.
Just the footsteps announcing mealtime, three times a day.
She couldn't recall how long she'd been there, but perhaps that's what allowed her to endure.
Around the time she began wondering if she'd spend her life alone in that dark room...
Having fallen asleep with her arm as a pillow, just like always, she awoke to a commotion.
The corridor, eerily silent at night as if utterly deserted, was different that night.
Screams echoed down the hall.
Ear-splitting shrieks filled the air from every direction, as if making up for years of silence.
Startled by unfamiliar voices, she trembled at the approaching footsteps.
Clanking metal rang out, followed by a massive explosion.
Boom! The thick iron door, securely locked, burst inward with a whoosh.
It flew across the room in an instant, smashing through the boarded-up window.
"To think there's someone in a place like this..."
The knight who entered scooped up the shivering girl from the corner and carried her out. She passed out in his arms, awakening in the imperial palace.
Unlike the dark, lonely room, the palace was vast.
Not fully free, but she could at least visit the small garden right outside.
No longer neglected, servants attended to her every need.
She quickly regained a human appearance.
Her hair, unkempt and dragging on the floor, now tamed.
Her skin, pale from lack of sun, now radiant.
Under expert care, she soon gleamed with beauty.
Happy days followed.
Learning complex etiquette and rigorous physical training wasn't easy.
But it beat being locked in that dark room, so she managed.
As puberty hit and she grew rapidly, she noticed all the children she encountered in the palace had silver hair and blue eyes like hers.
Soon after realizing they shared blood, armored knights arrived.
She faced two choices.
Remain deep in the palace, producing imperial heirs... or become a Shadow Moon knight, serving loyally as the imperial family's limb.
Either way, escape from the imperial grasp was impossible.
Illegitimate or not, imperial blood was blood.
Diluted nobility still demanded control.
Hating confinement, she chose knighthood, ushering in grueling days.
Rising before dawn for training, occasionally deployed on perilous missions that nearly killed her.
She often questioned if this was right, but at least it beat her childhood prison. Content with that, she focused on the present.
Soon, she earned a solid reputation in the Shadow Moon Corps.
No organization dislikes silent, competent workers.
Into this routine existence reached the hand of the Third Prince.
"Hm, she's quiet but gets the job done well."
"Even in the Shadow Moon Squad, we rarely see anyone this taciturn."
"Not quite on the level of the famed 'Silent Lord Godnil,' but... that's fine. She speaks only when needed, and her skills are solid."
Her lofty superior knelt instantly, paying respects and asking if more was required.
Lyris knelt too, gauging the mood, when the prince chuckled.
"I'll take her with me."
"P-Prince...? Even for Your Highness, taking a Shadow Moon knight like that..."
"Why? Can't I?"
"We are all His Majesty's blades. There's precedent against it."
"Ah, if it's about private soldiers or throne ambitions, don't worry. I've already given up on succession."
"...If that's true, a roundabout approach might allow it."
Before she could process her sudden reassignment, the prince summoned her. Rising cautiously, he smiled.
"No need for that in front of me."
Walking the long palace corridor, he waved off bowing servants, urging them on. Lyris was baffled.
"I hate rigid etiquette and rules. Just do what I say well enough."
They arrived at his detached palace—not the inner sanctum of power, but a quiet scenic outpost.
He raised her from her loyalty kneel and issued his first order.
"No more kneeling from now on. It's a hassle telling you to get up every time."
With that, he flopped onto the bed.
"Your tasks are on that paper. Handle them, then spend the rest of your time as you like."
Waiting for more orders, she heard only steady breathing—he'd fallen asleep.
Thus began Lyris's life as the Third Prince's direct subordinate.
"Quite the fine selection of liquors."
"Glad you approve. I heard you enjoy fine wine now and then."
He tilted his glass, silently urging her on. She obliged.
"I'm something of a drinker myself. I know the value of that one glass at day's end."
Right on cue, the ordered drinks arrived.
She raised her glass at his glance; he lightly swirled his.
The cool liquor warmed her from within.
"Not that I'm saying we should drink buddies."
Her eyes asked why sit beside him then. He shrugged.
"Don't you prefer drinking alone?"
She didn't speak, but another stoic sip sufficed.
Details aside, as a knight in an imperial-order squad, she'd been swamped lately.
For such folk, end-of-day drinks were priceless routine.
Better not pester for rapport; this distance was ideal.
"...I think I see why my lord sent me."
"Oh?"
"You've been quite busy lately."
"Haha, knights like you must be busier. Me? Just hustling to make money."
'Not just that, it seems...' she muttered, draining her glass and meeting his gaze.
"Another round of the same."
Ordering without looking away, he smirked as she leaned back.
"Showing such hospitality, I should return the favor to balance the scales."
"Wasn't expecting that, but refusing wouldn't be polite. I'll gladly accept."
"Heard you're seeking capable fighters."
"Not just brute strength—we need people who can represent our hotel."
Purely for muscle, famous mercenaries or adventurers would do, paid well—they rarely betray.
Their world prized reputation over merchants' like his.
Swiss mercenaries in his past life honored contracts even unto death, right?
But their breeding fell short.
Hotel guests included wealthy commoner merchants and adventurers, but mostly nobles.
To nobles, adventurers were still paid hounds, improved image or not.
Call them 'companions' not 'pets,' share tables? Many would recoil.
Hence, cherry-picking security talent was tough.
"Sound approach."
Lyris fit perfectly, but her sworn loyalty...
Poach her? Success or failure spells trouble.
Dabble with an imperial knight? Imperial blood, however illegitimate?
If one's life was that secure, he wouldn't stop them.
"You worked with a knight order before."
After days of top-shelf pampering, she produced a small metal brooch from her pocket.
"Their leader changed, so operations shifted slightly."
He examined it under the light, pocketed it.
"Didn't expect this much help. Thank you."
Timing perfect, she took her fresh cocktail, resuming her impassive face.
"My lord merely used me. Just don't forget."
"As if I would."
She nodded, glass in hand, rising.
"Need anything else? Say the word—VIP suite, we'll accommodate."
To her quietly departing for upstairs:
She waved lightly in acknowledgment, ascending the stairs.
"Whew, sorted again."
Fingering the brooch, he stood.
"Not tonight... Set up a meeting, Sion."
"Leave it to me."
He drained the watered ice glass, left a gold coin.
"Boss?"
"Same top treatment next time she visits."
"Leave it to me."
Exiting the bar to the lobby, sunset glowed golden.
The sun dipping below the horizon, matching Arselia's hair perfectly.
"Ah, when do we go ring shopping?"