Kill my brother, the girl with the peach-colored hair told her.
　The girl is Princess Farina.
　The girl is Princess Farina, which means her brother is the prince of the Kingdom of Arvan.
　The murder of a prince is no joke.

"You want me to be a royal killer?

The crime of killing the royal family is a serious one.
　At any rate, you can't complain even if you get your whole clan killed for intending to kill the royal family when you accept the request.
　Of course, the one who asked for the job is just as guilty. If it becomes public, even the four great dukes, let alone Princess Farina, will not escape the penalty of death.

''Yes, it would be for the good of this country.
'The reason is that the Countess of Grunfeldt boned me, but wouldn't it be premature to kill her for that alone?
'No, it's more than enough to eliminate it. It's a bit strange. It would be fine if he just fell in love with her and made some favors and tribute to her by raising the heat, but he seems to be giving his support to the aristocracy. If the prince does that, the balance between the kingdom faction and the aristocracy will be upset.

There are two types of aristocrats in this country.
　The first is the aristocracy, which seeks to increase the power and independence of each territory, and the second is the kingdom faction, which thinks mainly of royalty.

Touahade is a kingdom faction.
　The reason for this is that when thinking about a country, it is in the national interest for the royal family to take the lead, rather than each nobleman acting on his own.
　Otherwise, they wouldn't act as the hands and feet of the state.

''So that's what you mean. Then what is the prince you want me to kill?''

Even if we say prince, there are five of them officially alone.
　If you include his illegitimate children, there are twelve.
　Whoever it is, it's going to be a very different story.

"I'm Lycra, the Second Prince.

The big one.
　The next king is considered to be either the eldest son or the second son, or one of them.
　Originally, the first prince, who was the eldest son and had an outstanding track record, was head and shoulders above the rest.
　However, in recent years, Lycra has made a remarkable performance and become a rival.

Initially, we planned to make Prince Lycra the next king. He's straightforward, straightforward and easy to manipulate. But I guess that's why the Countess Grunfeldt had her eye on him...it's just creepy. She's honest, but not stupid. I can't believe she would betray her country just because she fell in love. I could think of brainwashing, drugs, all sorts of things, but all I know is that it's too late for that.

I thought it was too early to tell, but the situation is so serious that it has to be.
　If the snake demon tribe Meena is controlling them, then they're in over their heads.

I agree with you that they should be eliminated as soon as possible.
　I can't allow the prince to be a puppet of the demon tribe.
　As a Touahade, he is worthy of wielding a blade.

Is that why you were asked to do it personally by Princess Farina?
Yes, if it's only Uncle, you'll suspect he's trying to overthrow the state.

Yes, that would be true.
　When it comes to royal killers, you can't trust them unless they're royalty directly.

''That makes sense. Then I have one big question. Will you allow me to ask you a question?
Yeah, go ahead.

It's a bit irreverent, but when the story gets this big, it's hard to overlook something.

'The royal family must make the request directly. Why did they send out an impostor instead of Princess Farina, even though they thought so?　That would be an unnecessary hunch.

Princess Farina's expression hardens and she slowly smiles.
　It's a different smile than the one from earlier. The previous one was dainty, but it smelled somewhat fake.
　But if I had to say, the current smile is a living expression.

''........Why did you think I was an imposter?''
'That hair. The peach-colored hair that only appears on royal women. It proves you to be a fake.
Even though I'm peachy?
Yes, the color is exactly the same as Princess Farina's. It's a wonderful concoction. How difficult it would be to recreate that color but there is a hint of dye in the air. I can tell that they use a discreet scent and seem to hide it with perfume. That hair has been dyed and made up. If it were you, you wouldn't imitate it like that.

It's always bothered me.
　If it wasn't for me, I wouldn't have noticed it.
　But assassins are always observing their surroundings, honing their senses so that they don't overlook any little thing.
　An impostor came with a case that should be requested directly by the royalty.
　This should be suspected to be a set up.

''Hmph, hahaha, I've been found out. I've never been found out, not even by the King. That's as good as it gets. The best of Touahade, rogue Touahade!　Father, I've taken a liking to Master Rouges.
Nevan, it's a little early to be making things clearer.
That's all right. I mean, he already knows who I am.

Nevan.
　It is the only daughter of the Duke of Lomarng.
　He is the senior figure in the academy.

What's this all about, Duke Romarnung?
'Excuse me, I had to try a few things. Kian compliments you too much. I have no intention of deceiving you by deceiving me in the name of royalty. You wouldn't believe me with words, so I'll prove it.

With his words, the servant behind him steps forward.

He takes off his wig, wipes his face with a wet towel and removes a thick layer of makeup.
　Then her peach-colored hair is revealed, revealing a figure with the exact same face as Nevan in front of her.

'It's nice to meet you. I'm Farina. I'm sorry, I'm sorry. I was opposed to all this mischief.
'But it's good to know what Master Lugue's power is as a result, isn't it? Let me introduce you. This is the real Princess Farina. And I am Nevan Romalung. I'm her shadowman from time to time.
Princess Farina, it's nice to meet you. I'm Lugue Touahade. Henceforth, it shall be known to you.

He stood up and knelt down to show his loyalty to the royal family.

'Oh, since you did it earlier, it's fine. Please return to your seat. I cannot proceed with the conversation. I'll leave the rest to the Duke of Romalung.''

Snappily, Princess Farina bows her head.
　He's a low-profile person, it's hard to tell which one is the shadow warrior.
　.........Really, Princess Farina and Nevan are very similar.
　I suppose the power of make-up makes them look alike, but even so, it's impossible unless the originals are quite similar.
　The Duke of Romalung laughs at my confusion.

I'm sure Nevin and Princess Farina look alike. They are cousins. That's why Princess Farina calls me her uncle.
I see. So that's why you're a Shadow Warrior.
Yeah, you're the first one to see it through. As you can see, this is a request from proper royalty. Does that put you at ease?
'In a manner of speaking. There's one more thing I'm curious about. Why did Princess Farina make that request?　The fact that you have the Duke of Lomarng with you proves that you are in control of the royal family, but you should be either the first or second prince.
That, my friend, is because of the king's wish. The king says that Princess Farina is the best, but she is not a king because she is a woman. That's why he has asked me to help Princess Farina to use her powers. He knows that it would be best to assign Princess Farina a mate and make her turn as king, but he has been unable to find a suitable partner. The next best thing, though, is to manipulate the second prince. So, after some achievements the second prince has a stronger say in the matter, and now this.

So that's it.
　In this country, only men can be leaders.
　Princess Farina, from the beginning, was not qualified to do so.
　So even though he needed a tangled hand and used the second prince as his pawn, he was robbed of a piece at the worst possible time.
　Then we'll have to take care of it.

''I'm convinced. What if I refuse this request?
Don't expect to get away with it. You've learned too many secrets that you shouldn't have. Besides, you know what you're talking about. You'll know what I meant by bringing out Orna's tea leaves and giving us Maha's name.
Yeah, almost.

I find it hard to believe that Irg Balor and I are the same person.
　We were very careful to keep that part under wraps.
　But we have to find out if he really knows that and to what extent he is sure about it.
　As we spent some time chatting, he began to tell me the answer I wanted to know.

'You and Maha must be lovers. I've found out that Touahade and Orna have a deal to make. Not only that, but Maha is looking too much into rogue Touahade, and there are sections of him that are trying to protect him. He wouldn't go that far with a mere stranger. Besides, he went out of his way to meet you at a party the other day. Inevitably, your relationship emerges.

So that's what happened.
　It's not that they found out that I'm Irg Balor, but that Maha investigated me and found out about my movements of devotion and suspected that I and Maha were lovers.

........It's not fatal to be thought of as such.
　Rather, it's one of the insurance policies, a decoy to hide Irg's identity.
　There's no need to bother correcting him.
　Let's just let it pass as it is.

'So you can't get away with it. Let's take it on. However, you will need support and appropriate preparation. I can't do it right now.

I know that. It's due in two months. We'll provide you with Prince Lycra's schedule here. Kill him when you're ready.

That's very helpful.

Is that the end of the story?
Hmm. That was the original plan. I have a proposal. If you are willing, Mr. Lugue, would you be willing to marry my niece?
You didn't think it was your niece?
'Of course, Princess Farina. As long as the piece called the second prince is gone, we'll need a new one as soon as possible. In that respect, you're good. You're excellent and understanding, a holy knight and [the chosen one]. The current you would be a match for Princess Farina. You're going to be the next king, which isn't a bad deal for you either.
'Father, that's lovely. I think Princess Farina and Master Roug are a good match for each other.
'If it's all right with you, Master Lugue, I'd love to have you. I know you very well.

The fact that you know me well is probably the result of your research into me.
　Even if you don't realize that I'm Irg Balor, the deal between Touahade and Orna.
　Since Maha has researched me and found out that I support him, we should assume that he has gathered all kinds of information.

'Let me hold off on that. For the sake of both of us.

I wanted to say no, but if I did, I'd be on the corner.
　So I made the escape that I was concerned for them.
　When the assassination is found out, if they have a connection with me, Princess Farina will be ruined.

'You're very kind. I like you more and more.
'Princess Farina, when you are married, you must lend me your rogue from time to time. As Duke and Lady of Romalung, I need him. Your father agrees with you, doesn't he?
'Such a man. How could I disagree?

Lending, perhaps as a stallion.
　...The dukes of Romalung are an anomaly.
　Every nobleman strives for better blood in his choice of spouse in order to produce better children.
　But the dukes of the Romalungs have gone too far.
　They want to use all their strength to obtain the best genes. If they have better genes, even if they are married, they will take them and create the next generation.
　If there are any that oppose us, we will use our power to crush them and take them away.

They ignore the other person's character, position, and all that kind of thing, and only take into account their superior abilities and looks when they are crossed.

In this way, they have continued to take in the most superior blood and continue to improve the human breed.
　The result is right in front of us, the Duke of Romalung and Nevan.
　Both of them are inhumanly beautiful and have overwhelming abilities.

''We'll have to talk about that one some other time.
Then I'll ask again when the assassination is over. Also, I'll greet you there again when school starts. I'm a senior. Don't ignore it.

Nevan laughs. A smile that isn't a made-up one.
　I've been spotted by a ridiculous person.

Even in the worst case scenario, we can just pile our bodies on top of each other.
　But I'm going to escape whenever possible.
　After all, Tart is looking at me with his cheeks puffed out and a face that looks like he's about to cry.