The Sleepless Nights of Yosrahim Capital
The nights in Yosrahim's capital never slowed down.
We were staying at the VIP guesthouse right next to the imperial palace. The beautiful gardens and antique mansion structure were impressive enough, but the interior was plastered wall-to-wall with wallpapers in every artistic style imaginable and rare decorations shipped in from every corner of the world.
As we stepped inside the mansion, Armida sister said with a hint of regret.
"But the Great Saintess is here, and the emperor doesn't even come out to greet her?"
"How could he show his face? Even if he didn't care about saving face, he couldn't come out. There's some politically sensitive stuff mixed in."
Armida sister tilted her head at my words.
"What?"
"The Yosrahim Empire is the suzerain of the Light faction, but there's no shortage of Yin-Yang faction influence inside it, right?"
"Yeah."
"If they send the wrong political signal here, the other Light faction nations will start worrying. Like, is the Yosrahim Empire switching to the Doctrine of Darkness? That would shake the unity of the entire Light faction."
Armida let out a short groan.
"Ugh. Humans really live complicated lives."
"Valkyries aren't much better."
"What about us?"
I gave Armida sister a knowing look. She'd lived in Chronos for so long, but she still couldn't read the room on how things worked.
But that wasn't a bad thing. If she were part of that crowd too, my stomach would be in knots.
"Yeah. You should live just like you do, sis."
"What's that supposed to mean?"
"Your whole life is carefree as hell."
"Is that sarcasm?"
"Highest praise you'll ever get."
With that, I picked a room and headed inside.
The one I chose was a spacious room on the first floor overlooking the lawn out back. It was a bit cramped compared to the others, but perfect for sneaking out—it opened right to the outside over the wall.
A little later, after dinner, I started prepping for my nighttime stroll.
"Nothing's changed."
I walked the capital's streets with utter familiarity. High-end restaurants and taverns lined both sides. Memories of ditching school with friends during my academy days to get plastered felt like yesterday.
Soon, I slipped into a nearby upscale tavern.
"You can't come in!"
I got bounced at the door by the staff. It was a classy spot for nobles, and with my cheap wig and sparrow-like rags, I didn't fit the dress code.
As we argued for a while, a man's voice came from inside.
"Let him in. He's my guest."
It was Luto Viscount. The uniformed manager looked troubled.
"Viscount, that would offend the other VIPs."
"No, it'd be an honor."
"Pardon?"
"That's Baekmyeon right there."
At that, a bunch of the patrons turned to stare. Armed nobles and devout faithful types. I had two Great Saintesses as lovers, and I was the hero who'd single-handedly crushed the famed General Bastain.
"Ah, right..."
Soon, I followed the welcoming Luto Viscount into a quiet private room. It was fully sealed, perfect for talk. As I sat, drinks and appetizers arrived.
"I hope it's to your liking."
Looking at the lavish spread, I nodded approvingly.
"I don't care about quality. Quantity's what matters."
"Glad to hear it."
I leaned back in my chair and fixed Luto Viscount with a steady gaze.
"Alright, straight to business. When's the execution date?"
"Three days before the Great Saintess visits the Karl territory."
That made it exactly ten days from now.
"This won't cancel her visit, right?"
"No, sir."
This guy thinks I'm an idiot. Something big was clearly brewing in the territory—Shura's visit wasn't happening smoothly.
"Good. Now, who from your side is helping me? I don't even know Brian Count's face. Need a guide."
"Knight Roland."
I narrowed my eyes. Roland was the knight who'd guarded me back in noble academy days. Quiet, loyal type—odd he'd be in on this.
"Roland?"
"The knight who served close to Grand Prince Yan, who was killed at the Divinum Cathedral."
"And?"
"After the Grand Prince's death, he's been sidelined in the territory and harbors a lot of resentment."
"Yeah? Reliable?"
"Yes. He's deeply committed to this."
I clinked glasses with the viscount.
"Got it. But what's the real goal here? What do you gain by taking down Brian Count?"
"Do you really need to know?"
"Would be nice. I'm doing the job, but the setup stinks. No high-profile assassinations on the side, right?"
"Well, nothing on the day itself. And nothing that'd tarnish Baekmyeon's reputation, of course."
"Sure?"
"Yes. I stake my life on it."
I tore into a perfectly seasoned hunk of meat.
"Fine. Now, what after the job's done?"
"Head to Obray Viscount's mansion."
I paused with my glass midway to my lips. Obray Viscount was one of my uncles. Third in line for grand duke before, now second after my "death." If Yozef died, he'd be next in line for the Karl family.
The picture was crystal clear. I take out Brian Count, someone kills Yozef, and later Uncle Obray takes over the Karls. Neat little story.
"How do I get to the viscount's place?"
"Knight Roland will guide you properly."
"Yeah? And after that?"
"The viscount will handle the rest."
"Hmm. Not bad."
"Yes. I trust only in you, Baekmyeon."
I downed my drink and extended my hand.
"First, the fee. Our agency requires upfront for shady gigs."
"Of course. I brought it."
Luto Viscount pulled out a subspace pouch and dumped it—gold coins poured out. Six thousand leafs, the fee. I counted every one; it checked out. I pocketed them all.
"Oh, one more thing."
"Yes, speak."
"Heard there's another Master in Karl territory. Sword teacher to that degenerate grand prince or something."
"Ah, you mean Meyer Viscount."
"Right, Meyer Viscount. He won't be a problem, will he?"
The viscount waved it off.
"No worries there. Right after last year's incident, he offered his resignation to Grand Duke Karl and went into seclusion."
"Kicked out?"
"No. The grand duke desperately wants him back. Viscount Meyer is Karl territory's military might."
I chuckled.
Fair enough—Dad wouldn't boot Meyer Viscount. Beyond his rigid loyalty, few matched it. Mid-tier Master, commander of all Karl forces, and the one imperial court noble from Karl they truly trusted.
With Meyer Viscount at his side, Dad got raw power and imperial trust.
Meyer Viscount was pure Yosrahim bloodline nobility.
"Got it."
The chat with Luto Viscount wrapped quickly. Wasn't here to drink, and I didn't fancy all-nighters with dudes anyway.
Plus, tomorrow I had an audience with my uncle the emperor. No room for slip-ups—better hit the sack early.
'Will this go according to plan?'
I pondered as I strolled the capital's night streets again. This plot was refreshingly straightforward. Uncles gunning for grand duke seat team up with sidelined central faction after my death for a power flip? Simple, interests aligned perfectly.
The wildcard was Dad, Karl Grand Duke.
He surely knew about this tidy setup—what was he doing?
In my past life, Dad tracked my every move like it was his own. I ran the territory, sure, but only as his puppet stamping orders. Anything risky to power stayed firmly in his grip.
Yet his biggest threat to Yozef—my uncle—was tangled in this. He'd sniffed it out. Wouldn't step out front since the emperor was involved, but he'd be moving pieces.
"Heh. This plan's doomed to fail 100%."
"Probably. Karl Grand Duke's no pushover."
I squeezed my eyes shut at the old man's voice replying to my mutter. Ah, Grandpa Crankypants. Cloud Grandpa. I ignored him and kept walking.
At the next intersection, unassuming Cloud Grandpa strolled out, hands behind his back. I smoothly veered away.
He tailed me.
"You're tangled in some fun business."
Looked like he'd eavesdropped on Luto Viscount. This guy hated stalkers, yet here he was playing one.
I spun around, annoyed.
"Hey, old timer. Play dumb and let's both live longer."
"Just worried. Karl Grand Duke's a dangerous bastard."
"I know."
"Then why dip into this intrigue?"
I patted the subspace pouch in my pocket.
"Got paid. Six thousand leafs, big bucks. Just neutralize Brian Count. Simple."
Cloud Duke stroked his chin.
"That's what makes it weird. From the emperor's view—or that slimy prime minister's—better off dead. Why keep him alive the hard way?"
"Why?"
"Brian Count's glued to Karl's grand prince and that Lady Helen, whispering sedition. Rebellion against the empire, say."
I clenched my fist. Knew Brian Count would screw up eventually. Even hardliners need caution, but with Yozef and Aunt Helen backing him, he went wild.
Luckily, me and Meyer Viscount kept him in check before. Without us? Party time.
"Damn, old man, got nothing better to do? Snooping on useless worldly drama."
"Karl territory's a major empire threat. If they rise up, headache city."
True. Weak militarily, but declare independence with orcs? Empire's screwed.
Meteria Wall crumbles instantly.
And Karl bordered orc plains—easy alliance, support.
"So, what'll you do?"
"Brian Count's handing you pretext. Why not sweep 'em on the way? Itchy backs make wars messy."
Next year, big clash: Yosrahim Empire vs. orc tribes. Past life, Karl got wrecked by Grollmog's preemptive strike. This time, Cloud Grandpa'd handle it.
Golchi headache territory all around. Poke here, poke there.
"Don't. Karl's safe. Dad's there."
"That's why I'm uneasy. Unreadable guy."
"He won't betray the empire."
"How can you be sure?"
"Gut."
I quickened my pace.
Now I got why Dad let this play out. Empire and Cloud Grandpa eyeing Karl. For Dad, couldn't ignore the radical independence hawk by Yozef and Aunt Helen.
Cloud Grandpa stuck to my side.
"Anyway, drop that. Other talk."
"What?"
"How old are you?"
"Thirty-one."
"Huh. How'd you hit high-tier Master?"
I gritted my teeth. He'd scanned my mana. Public thought I was mid-tier.
"Ate a lot, grew fast."
"Heh. Don't wanna say, huh."
"You know now. Bye."
I cut the convo, but he followed.
"How'd you break my mental attack before? First time ever—curious."
"Used to it. Another'd have worked."
"Ho. Beat my mental assault through death and fear familiarity? Not a happy life, eh."
"Don't ask. You wouldn't get it."
"Maybe I would. We might be alike."
I stared at Cloud Grandpa.
"No way. Someone who could wouldn't prep kid war games. You'd snag a hot granny and chill. Even soothe Grollmog's beef. What're you doing? Tsk tsk."
"You don't get the situation. Think I want war? No choice."
"Grandpa, life's unpredictable. Bad turns good, good turns bad. You think you're saving the empire, but you might doom it."
"Think I'll lose to Grollmog?"
I stomped in frustration.
"What've you heard? Don't win. Winning's losing. Argh."
"Huh?"
"Forget it. Go home. Bedtime."
At the guesthouse, I hopped the wall. Thought he was some transcendent loner, but stalking hobby now? People change when death nears.