"I can't believe my four-year plan has finally come to fruition."
Since I was summoned to this Medieval Fantasy World, Hortana, I've meticulously orchestrated this scenario. Gathering all the major nobles of the kingdom in one place proved to be a challenging feat, making this celebration party a crucial element.
Moreover, the assurance of victory in the Great Demon War was pivotal for everyone's attendance. Had our victory been uncertain, most nobles would have remained in their respective territories. The annihilation of the Alliance army was also a strategic priority. With the demise of the Alliance Army, the Herssian Kingdom would be significantly weakened, preventing immediate retaliation from other Alliance countries after the heavy losses in the last major battle.
In essence, it was no easy task.
It all began four years ago, shortly after my arrival in this world. I was assigned the daunting task of defeating demons on behalf of humanity. I, of course, adamantly refused, urging them to return me to my home—Earth.
After all, I was just an ordinary 20-year-old man at that time. The notion of engaging in life-and-death battles against a demon army for a kingdom I had no connection to was utterly preposterous.
Unfortunately...
"Sorry, Hero, but it's impossible to perform the summoning magic again. We need the Goddess's power to initiate this ritual in the first place, so a reverse summon is even more impossible," explained the priest in charge of the summoning ritual.
"..."
Back then, I naively believed that if I managed to vanquish the Demon King and his minions, I would somehow find my way back home—a common trope in fantasy novels. However, reality soon dashed those hopes.
Lost in my thoughts, I was abruptly brought back by the princess's voice.
"Hero, Hero, Hero! I've already fulfilled our agreement! Now it's time for you to honor your part of the bargain~ hehe," the princess exclaimed, waving my right arm.
Oh.
I almost forgot about Princess Isabella.
The last and most formidable member of the Herssian Royal Family, ironically, became my greatest ally in this operation.
"Of course, I haven't forgotten, Princess. I'm a man who always keeps his word."
Except when I intentionally deceive.
However, this situation did not call for deception.
"Fufufu~ I know you will keep your promise, Hero. Because if you don't comply, you will have to die!"
Her words might sound like an empty threat, considering our vast difference in power. However, she wasn't wrong.
About two years ago, in order to secure the princess's assistance, I had to sign a soul contract with her.
This contract stipulated that, in exchange for the princess's help in eliminating the kingdom's aristocrats and her family, I would have to comply with a specific condition or face dire consequences.
In this case, my death.
Why resort to such a risky and lethal method?
Please, suggest a more foolproof way to gain the trust of a member of not only the nobility but also the Royal Family!
To begin with, I needed someone in an exceedingly high social position to poison all the guests. And who better than the innocent and lovely Third Royal Princess?
"For now, Princess, it's better to commence with the plan we prepared. I sense that some knights and guards are already approaching."
The princess simply nodded, maintaining the smile on her face.
***
The atmosphere in the grand hall turned somber as the magnitude of the tragedy unfolded before the bewildered witnesses.
"Th-This can't be true."
"How could this happen to the Royal Family!"
"N-Not just them... Weren't all the heads and heirs of almost every Noble house gathered at this party?"
"..."
While knights and royal guards expressed their disbelief, Captain Ethan, the leader of the royal knights, maintained his composure. He scrutinized the lifeless bodies, attentively listening to the sole survivor's account—Princess Isabella.
"Sob, sob, sob, u-uhhh, sob, sob."
Amidst her tears, Princess Isabella struggled to convey the shocking events that had unfolded.
"Her Highness, I know this must be difficult for you, but could you please calm down for a minute to explain what happened here? From what I can see, the bodies show no injuries, so it must be some kind of poison or curse magic..." Captain Ethan inquired with visible concern.
"Th-they were fine just a moment ago, but all of a sudden, they started coughing up blood and suddenly collapsed on the floor! I don't understand why this happened... sob, uhh, sob."
While the captain gathered information, a coroner arrived to assess the situation.
"C-Captain, I have been able to confirm that the cause of death is almost certainly poison. By checking the symptoms on the corpses, I am almost certain that it's... Th-the Silent Death poison!"
Silent Death poison—a lethal substance capable of killing even a dragon. Its use, however, was exclusive to the Jacinto Royal Family. The revelation sent shockwaves through the room.
"This doesn't make sense. Why would the Jacinto kingdom make such a reckless attack against us? Aren't we allied countries in the Great War against evil? We have to conduct an investigation first to clarify the details about how they were poisoned and who the possible culprits behind it are."
Captain Ethan cautioned against hasty conclusions, emphasizing the need for a thorough investigation.
"For now, keep this information from leaving the castle! We'll spend the rest of the night investigating what happened. Unfortunately, as so many important people will not return to their homes, tomorrow at noon the truth will be known, so we must hurry."
The weight of responsibility hung heavy in the air. The kingdom faced not only the loss of its monarchs but also the challenge of determining its future leadership.
As the captain deliberated on the impending challenges, Princess Isabella, seemingly distraught, mused aloud, "I-If only Hero Franz were here, I'm sure he could've done something to prevent all of this!"
Her statement stirred a realization among those present—an unspoken belief in the hero's ability to guide them through adversity.
"Princess, even if the Hero were present, he wouldn't be able to prevent this situation. Furthermore, he's probably fighting valiantly on the other continent with the demons right now."
The hero's absence was a stark reality, but some voices murmured that if Hero Franz were present, he might offer guidance to Princess Isabella in leading the kingdom.
"Anyway, your Highness the Princess, we will escort you to your room. Early in the morning, we will have the results of the investigation and make a public announcement that we will discuss with you previously."
As the investigation unfolded, none noticed the hero observing the scene from the sky above the royal palace.
'With this, the blame will fall on the Jacinto's Royal Family.'
The hero, Franz, contemplated the intricacies of the unfolding plot. The method of assassination was carefully crafted to frame the Jacinto Royal Family, aligning with Princess Isabella's mysterious contract. The hero's goals had now accelerated, propelled by the urgency of the situation.
While pondering the enigmatic motives behind the princess's request, the hero watched as Princess Isabella, with tear-streaked cheeks, exited the room.
"But seriously, the princess is truly scary asf... It's a good thing that our goals coincided."
***
The dawn after the poisoning unfolded, revealing the treacherous hand behind the tragedy—the 'Red Queen' wine, a popular drink at the royal palace, imported from the Kingdom of Jacinto.
In the face of compelling evidence, authorities pointed fingers at the Jacinto Royal Family in a public statement regarding the mass murder at the royal palace.
Reactions were explosive and chaotic. Acts of criminality erupted not only among the common folk but also among the surviving members of noble houses who had skipped the royal event. With their noble lineage hanging by a thread, desperation fueled their actions.
"Hand over all your money now!"
"Pillage that store!"
In the heart of the capital, the bustling shopping area, usually filled with workers and customers sustaining their lives, became a scene of anarchy. On this day, people were looting and setting stores ablaze.
"S-Sister, what's happening?" uttered a girl who appeared no older than fourteen.
"We need to get out of here fast, Hally," the older sister replied.
'I can't believe this happened on the day I decided to take Hally shopping,' pondered the older sister. Who could have predicted a mass assassination at the royal palace and the ensuing rapid chaos in the capital?
'Come what may, I won't let any harm befall Hally.'
The sisters sprinted through the streets at full speed.
Regrettably...
"Hey, pretty girls. Where do you think you're going? Why don't you two keep this old man company for a while?"
A middle-aged man confronted the sisters. Escaping from someone like him might have been less challenging if it weren't for a group of men swiftly encircling them.
The older sister gritted her teeth.
"Before you entertain any ideas of escaping..." The old man spoke while extending a cane with his right arm.
[ High-Level Magic - Unbreakable Chains ]
Out of thin air, black chains ensnared the legs of the sisters. Unbreakable Chains, a potent magic spell, affected only those with significantly less mana than the caster. Its effect was straightforward—preventing the victim from moving freely. Moreover, the chains were impervious to breaking unless the caster chose to dispel the spell or perished.
'I-It can't be... Un-Unbreakable chain is a high-level spell that only a select few in the kingdom can perform!'
Was it conceivable that such a high-level magician was attempting to kidnap two random women in the heart of the capital?
Impossible.
That left only one possibility.
'They know who we are.'