Dante, the gray-haired genius of the Austrian Kingdom, was unmatched in wit and a peerless statesman.

Today, he slept in until noon for the first time in ages. He watched the bright, warm flames crackling in the fireplace. Sipping a reviving whiskey by his bedside, he prepared for a day of leisure.

Just weeks ago, Dante had been a busy, miserable soul. He’d spent every day frantically dodging his ward’s harassment, living in constant dread. But after using his unrivaled cunning on that hunting trip—scheming to get Alice into Fort Posein—he finally saw freedom within reach.

Well, minor hiccups had happened along the way. His overly dramatic subordinate had even led elite troops deep into Sylia Forest. Yet, luckily, the accident hadn’t ruined his plan. Instead, Dante exploited it. By "borrowing" his subordinate’s mount, he’d escaped the harsh forest early.

Then, the brilliant strategist Dante revised his scheme. Since his room sat at the fortress’s highest floor—where geniuses and smoke both rise—he locked Alice in the Third Detention Chamber, farthest underground. His plan was now half-complete.

Next, Dante just needed to endure Yulia’s magical harassment. He’d weather the darkest hour before dawn, waiting for her to utter one crucial phrase. Then, victory would be his.

Sure enough, as Dante predicted, Yulia pestered him daily after Alice was thrown into the dungeon. She demanded access to the Third Detention Chamber to visit Alice.

But Dante summoned superhuman willpower—strength he never knew he had. For ten whole days, he withstood Yulia’s unprecedented magical assaults. He held firm to the fortress rule: the Third Detention Chamber was off-limits to everyone but him.

Midway, Yulia even stole a precious silver pencil-shaped material he’d obtained through Alice. Waving the priceless Corpse Ghost Frost Pillar, she threatened to toss it away unless he handed over the keys. Dante nearly jumped out of his skin and almost gave in.

Yet, Dante the Great persevered. He stayed professional, sternly refusing until the very end.

Finally, on the tenth day of Alice’s imprisonment, Yulia declared to Dante: "By my authority as the next Queen of the Austrian Kingdom, I command you, Dante the gatekeeper of Fort Posein, to grant me access to the Third Detention Chamber."

Ah, after all these days of pestering, the little brat finally played that card. Officially, Dante couldn’t allow anyone into the chamber. But if a higher-up gave orders, he could grant special access—shifting blame upward. No rules broken. That was the great, practical philosophy of bureaucracy: Dante’s foolproof blame-dodging tactic, honed over years in the kingdom’s military.

Dante had expected Yulia to realize this sooner. But this naive girl, clueless about office politics, only grasped his hints after days of prodding.

Still, Dante couldn’t smile yet. He had to stay serious, confirming with his future boss.

"I recall your succession rights are pretty low. Who are you fooling?"

"They’ll rise when I come of age!"

"Adulthood grants formal titles, but your rank still won’t be high."

"Then the next queen after that! Or the one after next!"

"Are you truly prepared, my future Queen?" Dante suppressed a grin, keeping a poker face as he double-checked.

"Yes! I command you—grant me entry privileges!" Yulia replied with solemn resolve.

"The key’s here. You remember the unlocking trick. Now scram, wild child!" Dante tossed her the pre-prepared key, hiding his glee.

Just as planned, Yulia vanished from Dante’s sight. She practically moved into the underground cell.

The Third Detention Chamber lay deep below, while his room topped the fortress. A round trip took over an hour. Obsessed with her new friend, Yulia wouldn’t waste time climbing up and down to bother him daily.

Plus, Dante had dumped Alice’s supply duty onto Yulia’s maid, Elaina. At last, he was free from over a year of babysitting.

Truly, Dante—the laziest genius in the kingdom—was peerless in slacking off.

So, Dante dumped all chores on his deputy officer, Feng Indel. He spent his days in luxury, partying nightly. Today, he’d splurged to bring Pleasure Street escorts to his top-floor bedroom for an all-night bash.

Now, Dante had a seductive girl on his left arm. His right hand held a glass of vintage red wine. He gazed tenderly at the beautiful crimson moon outside. Whispering sweet nothings into the top escort’s ear, he also shot smoldering glances at a dancer—elegantly setting the mood for foreplay.

That was the plan. But just as things heated up, his capable assistant, Von Officer, knocked urgently at midnight. He snatched Dante’s cooked duck right off the stove.

"Dante-sama, everything proceeded exactly as planned," Von Officer reported in full military uniform, tense as if facing battle.

"What did you say?"

"Following Chancellor Lawrence’s orders in the document you gave me twenty days ago—right after you returned from the forest—I lured the scheming Great Ghost Clan from Sylia Forest into the heavily guarded Third Detention Chamber. We can arrest them anytime and extract their conspiracy."

"Wait—Lawrence’s orders?"

"The file you handed me shortly after returning from the forest."

"Those days were so hectic with Yulia-sama’s harassment, I almost forgot this critical matter."

What nonsense is this? Dante thought inwardly. But he matched Von Officer’s serious tone. Puffing out his chest, he pretended full control of the situation.

Dante never read documents from the Royal Capital—he always tossed them to Von Officer. He had no clue about Lawrence’s bizarre plan.

But the clever Dante wouldn’t let his negligence show. With effortless grace, he smoothly shifted the burden back.

"Excellent work, my trusted aide. Now, brief me concisely on the operation’s progress."

Per Von Officer’s explanation, the plan "Dante (lol) and Lawrence devised" involved Feng—having prior contact with Great Ghost Clan mercenaries—faking betrayal. He’d defect to gain their trust.

The Great Ghost Clan conspirators, desperate to rescue Alice from the Third Detention Chamber, would seize Feng’s "weakness." He’d guide them into the inescapable cell. Then Dante would personally crush them with overwhelming force and extract their secrets.

"However, when the Great Ghost Clan entered the chamber, they coincidentally encountered Miss Yulia. She was taken inside too. My apologies for involving her."

"No matter—it was part of my plan," Dante replied, recalling Yulia’s past bullying. He hid a smirk.

"Gather the on-duty soldiers, Von. We’re heading underground now!"

Finally grasping the situation, Dante waved grandly. He signaled the escorts to hide in his room while he rallied his men to arrest the Great Ghost Clan.

Sigh. Tonight’s party was ruined.

Dante bid a reluctant farewell to the girls, his heart screaming in silent agony.