Plain Girl Hero of Darkness
Mysterious Girl News Shocks the Kingdom

[Imperial Army, Main Camp of the southern war stage of Farnesse Kingdom, Kaspar castle.]

-"Captain Samuel died in his fight."-

The words in the urgent report sent by the soldiers guarding the Canaria road caused a commotion in Kaspar castle that night. The bonfire at the main gate lit up stronger than usual, and all the patrols put on a tense face. The side gate opened, and the corpse of the headless dead soldier was brought to the castle.

"Captain Samuel was killed in battle?" Five-year-old General Osborne asked in a confused tone. He held a position of high authority within the Arsbelt Empire, and was the supreme commander of the southern war theater. He was a famous general who was adept at attacking and defending.

The Non Commissioned Officer (NCO) raised his head and replied, "Yes, Your Majesty, the guards from the city of Canaria immediately went to the scene to confirm, and found Captain Samuel's corpse without a head. There were more than ten corpses in the same state. We found a body while we were talking."

"Corpse without head?... Their heads might be taken to get a reward. That's natural, because Captain Samuel's fame has spread among the Royal Army" Osborne said.

"I'm sorry for my insolence, but this is not the work of the Royal Army." the NCO replies.

Hearing that, Osborne furrowed his brows. "That's not the Royal Army huh? ... Who killed Captain Samuel? Don't tell me it's a bandit."

"Allah ... Ermm..." The NCO suddenly stuttered.

Seeing such NCO behavior, a man with ice-cold eyes and hair neatly combed back urged the soldier to continue with a gesture from his chin. The man was the General Strategist, Colonel Paris.

The NCO said, "M-According to the survivors, Captain Samuel was cut down by a beautiful girl. To his horror, the girl slashed down with a black sword in one strike."

"A horrible girl killed him?" Paris could not understand it.

The NCO continued, "Yes sir. The monstrous girl was supposed to be on her way to the Royal capital to enlist into the Royal Army."

The absurd report from the NCO was dismissed by Paris with a laugh. The stories made by the poets sound more plausible. Paris was from the intelligence division, and he would never admit to the unreasonable reports of a monstrous girl so easily. He judged that the information must have diverged somewhere along the information line.

Paris said, "Enough that shit, I'm asking the soldiers directly involved, take them in."

NCO trembled when he heard that, he shook his head weakly and said, "Unfortunately, the survivors are all mentally unwell, and cannot communicate well. Upon seeing their circumstances, there was a rumor among the men, they said that the monsters had allied themselves with the Kingdom."

"Oh ~, it has reached that far yes ... So the report is correct?" osborne said as he set his sights on Paris.

"My lord, why do you believe that shit. Besides-" The Paris speech stopped.

Osborne raised his left hand to cut off Paris' speech. "Paris, it's a waste of time no need to say anything more."

Paris wanted to talk more, but as Osborne said, since the army had lost control of their emotions, it was impossible to gather any further information. Continuing would be a waste of time, and they could no longer waste it.

"Yes sir, forgive me for losing my composure." NCO bowed its head.

"It's okay - I understand the situation. Thank you for your hard work, you were fired - "Osborne cried.

"Sorry for my interruption, may I ask for a little time?" NCO pleads.

Osborne will lay off the NCO but a man sees an opportunity to interrupt. She was wearing a robe that looked like it had been dyed by the darkness of the night, and a veil covered her head. In short, he looks very suspicious. He was only in his mid-thirties, but looked like someone in his sixties. Her face under the hood was very thin, but her eyes were bright.

He is Chancellor Dalmes, who is here for inspection duty on behalf of the Emperor ..

Paris hears Dalmes was once part of the Analysis Division which was a dead end career. But, he rose through the ranks at an incredible speed in the past few years. In the prosperous Arsbelt Empire which had risen to extraordinary heights, he held the post of chancellor, the second highest post after Emperor.

"... Mr Chancellor, is there something bothering you?" Osborne.

Dalmes shrugged his shoulders while smiling suspiciously. "No, no, it's not a big deal. I was just curious about the black sword mentioned ... About that sword, can you explain it in more detail? " Dalmes asked the NCO.

The NCO was surprised by the sudden question, and eyes began to wobble.

"Calm down, just explain whatever you know." Dalmes said in a calming tone.

Under the candlelight inside the room, the NCO's cold sweat was clearly visible and conspicuous. How else would he be so nervous, as it was rare for the Imperial Chancellor to ask questions directly to the NCO. However, the NCO's inaction in responding broke Paris' patience by saying, "How long will you keep Lord Chancellor waiting? Answer me!"

"- No, no, sir. S-I don't know! I only know that the sword is black!" The NCO finally answered, and Dalmes smiled when he heard that.

"I get. I understand now, you can go." Dalmes.

"Yes sir! P-Excuse me!" The NCO saluted, and left the room quickly.

Dalmes used this opportunity to stand up from his chair and said, "Then I will leave. Please don't hesitate to contact me if you need anything."

"It's late, thank you for honoring us with your visit" Paris said.

"You're too good." Dalmes answered.

Paris lowered his head and Dalmes waved his hand gently. He then tidied up the folds on his robe, and left the room quietly. For some reason, Osborne noticed Dalmes leaving the room with a pale face.

"Your Majesty, what's wrong? You don't look healthy." Paris asked Osborne

"............"

"Your Majesty!" Paris reached out and shook Osborne's shoulder, and finally caught his attention.

"You've recovered. What's going on?" Paris asked again.

"T-No, it's okay, don't mind me." Osborne replied with a forced smile.

"I get. Well ... hemmm about that monster-that girl, if that's true, surely the spy I sent will report to us about her." she said.

"Ehm, y-yeah. We have to tighten the security of the castle for now" Osborne said.

"certain. I have to take care of the matters relating to Captain Samuel, forgive me." Paris lowered her head.

As Paris moved further away, Osborne leaned his head against the table. He felt a chill on his back, and his heart was pounding.

He took out a cigar with trembling hands, and lit it after several tries. After taking a deep breath, Osborne recalled back to the scene he had seen before.

That nightmare scene. (Paris doesn't seem to notice ... Whatisit? The shadow of Chancellor Dalmes wriggled like a living being ...

...****************...

...To Be Continue's...