"Night... how I look forward to it..."

The setting sun had long dipped below the horizon. As the last traces of twilight faded, night descended upon this world.

An airship streaked past at breakneck speed, like a shooting star tearing through the thick darkness.

Specks of light scattered from the swirling magic around it, creating a dreamlike aura from afar.

Above in the heavens, the once pure full moon now bore an eerie, seductive hue!

"Yuri? What are you still doing here? There’s a drinking contest in the tavern. Want to check it out?"

Bai Ling appeared behind Yuri without warning, gazing at the motionless girl with a puzzled look.

She followed Yuri’s gaze into the distance but naturally saw nothing.

"Oh? So many ways to kill boredom," Yuri chuckled lightly, not turning her head.

A drinking contest, as the name suggested, was simply a duel of alcohol tolerance.

At its core, it was just a little game to liven up the atmosphere.

But humans’ love for crowds remained unchanged, even in another world.

With just one person stirring things up, the mood could turn incredibly lively.

Of course, if you had good tolerance, you could even make a little money.

Generally, the stakes weren’t very high.

But judging by Bai Ling’s expression, this time it wasn’t mere fun and games.

Even so, Yuri had no interest whatsoever.

Besides, she wasn’t fond of strong alcoholic smells.

"Huh? You’re not going?" Bai Ling tilted her head, Yuri’s disinterest clear. "Alright, I’ll go. I’ve only heard about these contests—first time seeing one!"

"...Have fun."

Yuri waved at the girl, watching her flutter away excitedly like a butterfly. But the smile on Yuri’s lips slowly faded.

She really was a sheltered young lady, getting excited over something like this.

"But then again, such a beautiful night needs something to set it off..."

As if recalling something, Yuri flicked her pure golden hair like a waterfall and turned without hesitation, walking opposite to Bai Ling.

Every move she made was completely under someone else’s watchful eye.

"...Interesting."

In a lamplit room, a black-robed figure gazed at a crystal in his hand, displaying Yuri’s retreating figure.

Behind him, a man and woman stood quietly, their gazes filled with unspoken words.

After a long while, when the crystal turned blank, he looked up at them. "The plan proceeds."

"Is it really okay?" Betty frowned slightly, voice low. "Just now, she—"

But before she finished, a bone-chilling cold made her shiver.

Gray eyes beneath the hood glinted with icy killing intent. "Proceed as planned. Once Shadow rendezvous with us, you and Sen make your move."

Startled, Betty stepped back, her face paling.

The young man named Sen frowned, shielding her behind him. "Understood. If nothing else, we’ll prepare now."

"Mhm."

The black-robed figure nodded, watching them walk toward the door.

But before they reached it, the door swung open from outside.

A uniformed middle-aged man gave them a casual glance, then brushed past toward the black-robed figure.

"My men are in position and ready. When will our target arrive?"

Click!

As they spoke, Betty and Sen slipped away.

Unfazed by the closing door, the man’s gaze stayed fixed on the black-robed figure.

The figure didn’t glance up. Only the eerie gray light beneath his hood flickered.

"Don’t be impatient, Vesser. You know the target isn’t an easy bone to chew."

"Hmph. I said it last time—if you hadn’t threatened my family, I’d never help you."

Vesser snorted coldly, disgust plain on his face. His eyes even brimmed with thick killing intent!

The black-robed figure merely shook his head slightly.

"Do you... have a choice? We’ve known each other long enough. You know we keep our word. Yes, whether good... or bad."

"...Tch, you lunatics." Vesser’s expression shifted, a flicker of wariness in his eyes. "Clear this up now: my team only causes chaos and distracts the target’s allies. The rest isn’t our concern."

"Of course, that’s more than enough."

Vesser stared silently at the figure for a long moment, then snorted again and turned to leave.

Alone in the room, the black-robed figure remained silent. Slowly, he pulled down his wide hood.

The face revealed was unexpectedly young. No—eerie!

One side held youthful innocence; the other was covered in unknown black markings like graffiti.

Those markings intertwined, giving a horrifying impression of slow, writhing movement!

His light gray eyes shifted. His lips curled into a chilling smile. "Foolish humans, let us together create a hell of sorrow."

At the same time, the crystal before him began to flicker erratically.

As the light intensified, his smile grew even more terrifying.

"For... the Empire? Hahahahaha! Yes, for the Empire!"

As if recalling something, he burst into maniacal laughter, his expression slowly consumed by madness!

Outside the door, Sen and Betty listened to the faint sounds within. They exchanged a glance and both shivered.

"Betty..."

Leaning against the door, Betty looked at the young man with an unreadable expression. "Mhm?"

"We have a promise, right? Once this mission ends, you’ll marry me."

Betty fell silent for a long moment, then looked at Sen and smiled.

"Okay."

You, who say such things... is it because you’ve also sensed that thick unease?

But no matter what, from start to finish... they had no other choice!