Stepping back in time to shortly before Vihera and Tilleul began their ruckus at the front gate...
Near one of the castle back entrances stood Theoreme, his lieutenant Siance, and five men dressed as menial laborers. Despite their lowly attire, they were actually Third Prince Faction Knights. Since Vihera and Tilleul were openly marching through the main entrance to serve as a loud diversion, it only made sense for the rest of the unit to remain as inconspicuous as possible.
To that end, while Theoreme and Siance both carried longswords at their waists, they wore common clothes rather than armor. While Vihera drew the attention of the castle garrison, they would seize the chance to rescue their imprisoned lord. Their first step was sneaking inside through one of the many service doors scattered along the castle walls.
“Lord Theoreme, isn’t she late?” one of the men whispered.
“Knowing Kyuken, I just hope she hasn’t tripped over her own feet,” another replied.
“No kidding. Remember when we were prepping that night raid on the bandits' hideout...?”
“Oh, I remember that! I still laugh about it. I mean, her skills are solid, but why does she get like that sometimes?”
Theoreme glanced at his subordinates. They were whispering so as not to be overheard, but he didn't scold them. Instead, a satisfied smile played across his lips. Even as they prepared to infiltrate the heart of the enemy stronghold and raid the wing where the Third Prince was held under house arrest, they showed no signs of debilitating tension. Their confidence was a reliable asset.
It wasn't that they were oblivious to the danger; they understood the gravity of their mission perfectly. Their lack of nerves stemmed from their absolute trust in Theoreme and their burning desire to rescue their master, Mercurio.
“Honestly, my men are almost too good for me,” Theoreme murmured.
“Do you really think so?” Siance said, standing close by. “I believe it is precisely because they serve under Lord Theoreme that they’ve become the men they are today.”
Siance spoke with his usual lack of emotion. Theoreme’s smile widened just a fraction. He knew Siance well enough to understand the pride the man felt for their subordinates, even if it never reached his face. Siance seemed to find the general's scrutiny annoying; though his expression didn't change, he gave Theoreme a flat, sideways look.
“Something the matter?”
“No, nothing at all.” Theoreme suddenly focused on the presence behind the door. “All right, the easygoing part is over. It looks like our guest has arrived.”
The moment the words left Theoreme’s mouth, the casual banter evaporated as if it had never happened. The men shifted instantly into a state of combat-ready focus.
If everything went according to plan, the back entrance door would open to reveal Kyuken. However, they were moving against the State Upper Management. It was entirely possible that a company of knights or soldiers would be waiting on the other side. They waited in the silence, hands hovering near their hilts. Then, with a faint, metallic groan, the door began to swing open. Tension crackled through the group.
“Sorry to keep you wait—oh? What’s with the faces?”
Kyuken peeked out from the gap, dressed in her maid uniform. The team exhaled as one, their shoulders relaxing slightly.
“It’s nothing,” Theoreme said. “What’s the situation inside?”
Kyuken straightened up and immediately began her report. “As expected, most of the staff and guards have headed to the arena for the fighting tournament finals. Security inside the castle is considerably lighter than usual. However, there is one issue...”
Theoreme felt a familiar twinge of unease at her hesitation. Siance stepped in to prompt her. “Be specific.”
“There are four knights stationed near Prince Mercurio’s quarters. They’re quite skilled, and they weren't there yesterday.”
“I see. So His Highness Cabajid read our move and adjusted accordingly?”
“Likely so. But if he really intended to stop Lord Siance and the general, this force seems half-hearted. If he were serious about preventing the rescue, he would have stationed his personal experts alongside the knights.”
“I suppose you're right,” Siance agreed. He thought of the serious, training-obsessed woman and the childish yet top-tier fighter who served the First Prince. If Cabajid had truly intended to block their path, he would have deployed specialists of that caliber. As skilled as the imperial knights were, a mere four of them couldn't hope to stop Theoreme or himself.
Theoreme placed a hand on Siance’s shoulder. “Speculating won't change the facts on the ground. Our priority is rescuing Prince Mercurio. Lady Vihera should be starting her diversion any moment now. We move as soon as the opening presents itself.”
“Right. Overthinking is the enemy of action,” Siance replied. “Lead the way, Kyuken.”
The maid nodded and ushered them through the door. As they stepped inside, they were greeted by a refreshing coolness that stood in stark contrast to the stifling autumn heat outside. The castle’s interior was regulated by magic items, creating a comfortable sanctuary.
Theoreme took a deep breath, acclimating his body to the cool air, and then gave his men a sharp nod. They followed Kyuken deep into the castle. With so many people attending the fighting tournament finals, the halls were nearly empty. They reached the inner sectors without encountering a single noble. Occasionally they passed other maids, but upon seeing Theoreme and Siance, the women simply gave polite bows and continued on their way, assuming they were seeing officials on urgent business.
As they pressed on, a distant roar of commotion began to echo through the stone corridors.
“Vihera has begun,” Theoreme whispered.
Everyone nodded. Only Kyuken, who had been out of the loop regarding the specific diversion, widened her eyes. “Her Highness Vihera is the one...?”
“Indeed. Now, pick up the pace. Once she starts rampaging, the entire castle will be in an uproar.”
“Understood. This way!”
Kyuken led them through the labyrinthine corridors for another five minutes. They reached the high-security guest wing, an area so deep within the castle that even the maids were nowhere to be found.
“We’re almost there.”
“Yes... though it looks like we’ve run into a welcoming party,” Theoreme noted.
Two knights were walking toward them from the far end of the hall. Their eyes weren't on Kyuken, but on the man standing behind her. Recognition flared on their faces, followed by the stiffness of sudden tension.
“Lord Theoreme? What business do you have in this wing?” one asked, his voice tight.
“So you know me. In that case, save us both some trouble and let us pass quietly.”
As he spoke, Theoreme signaled his men behind his back. Neutralize them.
“I’m sorry, my lord, but we have strict orders from above not to let you pass.”
“Is that so? Because the one ahead is my master, Prince Mercurio?”
The moment the name left Theoreme’s lips, his men lunged. The knights were momentarily stunned—not because they didn't know the prince was there, but because Theoreme had addressed the situation so directly. That split second was all the opening the specialists needed.
They tackled the guards, covering their mouths to stifle any cries for help. Other knights moved in behind them, delivering precise knife-hand strikes to the base of the guards' skulls.
It would have been faster to punch them in the gut, but the guards were wearing half plate armor. Punching steel was a fool's errand. Theoreme’s men didn't want to kill their own countrymen by snapping their necks, so they settled for the technical knockout.
If Her Highness Vihera heard that, she’d call me soft, Theoreme thought with a faint, wry smile. No, she enjoys the fight, not the killing. She’d probably just laugh and call me a hopeless fellow.
They stashed the unconscious guards in a nearby empty room.
“Kyuken, were these two of the four you mentioned?”
“Yes, General.”
“Good. Let’s finish this. Siance?”
“If this is the level of expertise we’re facing, neutralizing the remaining two won't be an issue,” Siance stated flatly. The subordinates grinned at the lieutenant's confidence before following him back into the hall.
Just a little further... we’re almost there. Prince Mercurio, hold on.
They crept down the hall until Kyuken suddenly raised a hand, signaling for silence. As the group froze, the sound of muffled voices drifted from the room at the end of the passage.
“Gods, I wish I were at the arena. Why do we have to rot away in this hallway?”
“Shut up. You know the brief. There are reports of a faction trying to spring the prince.”
“Pah! You mean that coward Theoreme? That 'Fallen Hero' who came crawling back with his tail between his legs after the Spring War?”
“Hey, careful. If that 'Fallen Hero' actually shows up, we’re the ones who have to deal with him. You haven't forgotten that, have you?”
“Relax, relax. We’ll handle him just fine.”
Theoreme’s men felt the veins bulging on their foreheads. Siance’s expression remained stone-cold, but the predatory pressure radiating from him intensified until the air felt heavy.
They couldn't wait any longer. Besides, Theoreme knew his men wouldn't be able to sleep if he didn't let them have a piece of these guards. He gave the signal to breach.
Kyuken kicked the door open.
“Huh? Back so soon...?” one of the guards started, assuming his colleagues had returned from patrol. He blinked, his jaw dropping when he realized a maid was standing in the doorway.
The second guard was faster. The moment he spotted Theoreme behind the girl, he reached for his longsword. But the shock of the maid’s entrance had already cost him. Before his fingers could even wrap around the hilt, Siance was a blur across the room. A single, heavy knife-hand strike to the side of the guard's neck sent him collapsing to the floor.
The first guard didn't even get that far. Theoreme had the longsword tip of his blade at the man's throat before he could move, while the subordinates swarmed him, pinning him to the ground. The entire room was neutralized in near-total silence—a testament to the lethality of Theoreme’s personal guard.
“So,” Theoreme said, his voice calm and cold. “I believe I’m that 'Fallen Hero' you were talking about?”
“Y-You... you actually came here? D-Do you think you can get away with this?!”
“I suppose we’ll see. It certainly won't be easy.”
Theoreme had his own suspicions. Cabajid likely wanted them to come. By forcing them to spring Mercurio from the castle, the First Prince would have the legal justification he needed to strike the Third Prince down for treason. But with Mercurio’s life in danger within these walls, Theoreme had no choice but to play into the trap.
“Forget about me,” Theoreme said, pressing the blade slightly against the man's skin. “Tell me where Prince Mercurio is.”
The knight man’s eyes flickered instinctively toward a heavy door at the back of the room—a door separate from the one they had entered through. It was a reflexive twitch, but it was all the confirmation Theoreme needed. He knew exactly where his master was.