‘In the Circle’ of the Empire’s capital, Crownhall.Count Benstone’s cottage, codename 『Drug Cave』.
Around 10:30 PM.
"⋯⋯⋯⋯."
Count Benstone’s party was an extravagant affair, unmatched in its grandeur. Using his son’s birthday as a convenient pretext, he had summoned nobles from distant regions, resulting in a guest list nearly twice the size of previous years.
Benstone's influence, however, was largely confined to Crownhall, making it difficult for him to extend his sway over the rural nobility. There was an odd friction between the nobles that lived in the capital and those in the countryside, but more than anything due to the physical distance, it was hard to ‘recommend’ a drug.
It was natural, after all—distance tends to breed detachment.
Additionally, Benstone lacked the authority to compel these rural lords to flock to his parties. They would typically ignore his invitations saying they had some important work to do as an excuse.
But this time, the timing was in his favor.
Princess Elaine, the First Princess, was returning from the Eastern Frontlines after distinguishing herself in battle. Alongside her direct squad, 『Azure Wind Knight Order』 she was to briefly return to the capital to receive the emperor’s commendation.
To congratulate her on this, nobles from across the Empire had rushed to the capital. They were eager to catch the attention of the person most likely to ascend the throne.Benstone saw his opportunity. With the nobles already gathered in Crownhall for the Princess’s return, they would be more inclined to attend his grand celebration since they were already in Crownhall anyway.
It was the perfect moment to expand his business.
If he could introduce his drugs to the countryside nobility during this event, he could secure their dependency—and with it, extend his influence over them….. And of course, he would be able to earn some money.
Hahaha. Hohoho. Fake laughter filled the ballroom.
Among the crowd moved a valet, slipping between the guests unnoticed. Despite being a valet, his eyes were razor-sharp, but it didn’t draw any attention thanks to him wearing his hat low.
His name was Roderus.
The plan was simple:
He would sneak into Count Benstone’s, or 『Drug Addict』 Zewidi Benstone’s office and collect evidence. Roderus was sure that the office had significant evidence inside.
That meant he would need a disguise. Luckily, Roderus had the ability to change his gender, which he would use for the mission.
Wait for the perfect opportunity → transform into Oh Dae-soo when the timing was right → knock out a maid who was cleaning the mansion → switch clothes with her → infiltrate unnoticed.
While this plan unfolded, he would also use his 'Clone' ability to create an alibi. By forming a Mana Double with his appearance, he could complete the mission as soon as possible.
If everything went smoothly, not only would he be able to retrieve the evidence cleanly, but he would also escape any suspicion. The risks were high, but it was a gamble worth taking.
And everything had to be wrapped up before the party ended. Roderus estimated that the party would end at around 2am.
He had 3 hours and 30 minutes left.
First thing first…… Step 1: find the right opportunity.
The perfect moment would come when Zewidi Benstone was trying to manipulate the countryside nobles. Roderus mingled with the valets, serving food and wine, while searching for an opening.
He listened carefully to the conversations around him. If he paid close enough attention, he knew the moment would come.
“Lady, won’t you grant me a dance? No, lady….. I even wore this cool cape!”
“I think that man is a lost cause. So what if he’s that wealthy, if you’re going to be that egotistical.”
“Hahaha! That's right! I’ve come across a very valuable medicine, and when I put it in my mouth I could go on all day and night⋯⋯."
“Cough, hm⋯⋯."
Among the hum of voices, Roderus could hear one running its mouth. He zeroed in. When the snake went in for the bite, he’d make his move.
“What can I do to make that cool knight pay attention to me?”
“But aren’t there side effects?”
“If you'd allow me, I could show you. The common thread between a party and a bed... is a beautiful woman. Tonight, if you wanted—"
“Ugh, I’m not used to a dress⋯⋯."
Not yet. But the moment was approaching. If that deal goes through, and and the conversation turned more intimate⋯⋯.
"⋯⋯⋯⋯?"
He thought he heard a familiar voice just now. Roderus quietly turned his head.
In the midst of the crowd, he spotted Kim Ruru, fidgeting and looking around as she stood in a well decorated dress.
“Why’s she here⋯⋯?"
Roderus blinked, first glancing at Zewidi Benstone, then back at Ruru. For a moment, he hesitated.
An opportunity... or a friend?
Roderus chose to help his friend. He slipped through the crowd until he was standing next to her. A moment after, their eyes met.
Just as he was about to ask why she was in such a dangerous place...
In that moment, delight and happiness bloomed like a flower in Ruru’s eyes. Her entire body was radiating excitement. She stretched out her arms and shouted.
“Oh Dae-soo!!”
Roderus quickly pressed his index finger to her lips.
“Quietly.”
"⋯⋯Oh Dae-soo⋯⋯!"
“I meant you should stay quiet, not just repeat the same thing softer. Now, why are you here?”
“So, remember when we met at that dessert cafe? Then we had the third chase, and there’s this guy named Ronald in the Capital Knight Order—you know him right? Recently, him and I⋯⋯."
Ruru began to babble, eager to explain every detail from start to finish, but Roderus quickly covered her mouth. There were too many ears around.
“......Just follow me.”
Roderus grabbed Ruru and led her out of the ballroom.
===============================================================
The 2nd floor of Count Benstone’s cottage, Balcony B-3.
Around 10:50 PM.
Roderus and Ruru arrived at a deserted balcony, away from the noise of the party. It was a romantic spot, with the moon casting a soft glow over them.
Peering down at the garden below, they could see drunken guests. But if they spoke softly, their conversation wouldn’t reach them.
Ruru, feeling her heart race, placed a hand on her chest and looked up at Roderus and asked.
“Hey….. Hello? I tried dressing up a little. How do I look?”
“......This really isn’t the time for that kind of question, you know?”
“Then what is it time for?”
“Why are you here?”
At the sight of Roderus crossing his arms and entering RSS (Rigid Serious Stern) Mode, Ruru grumpily responded with a tired expression. This mode of Roderus had a high level nagging skill.
To avoid a long speech, it would be best to answer obediently.
“Ronald said that this place is really suspicious. So they were going to investigate…… But if things don’t work out a fight might break out. My job was to infiltrate and turn things around if it goes south. “
“Looks like our missions align….. I’m here to gather intel too. This place is a drug den.”
“Vigilante work?”
“Something like that. Kim Ruru, if you asked the Capital Knight Order to cooperate on this mission… do you think they’d agree?”
Ruru paused, deep in thought, before shaking her head.
Given the current climate, where too many incidents had occurred, the rift between the Magical Girl Pure Knight and the Capital Knight Order was far too wide to mend.
Because when Roderus was trying to escape their chase a very….. Unfortunate damage had occurred. Ruru spoke solemnly.
“If you hadn’t burned Ronald’s mustache, it would have been fine. But after that happened during the last chase…... He got pretty angry.”
“He should be thanking me for getting rid of that dirty mustache.”
The grudge of a middle-aged man stripped of his identity wasn't easily forgotten. Expecting cooperation now was unrealistic.
Even if their objectives aligned, a plan without mutual agreement could easily spiral out of control. The Capital Knight Order would try to catch Roderus, and he, in turn, would be forced to resist.
And he lacked the skills to support the Capital Knight Order while remaining undetected. But he also felt uncomfortable about choosing to pull out entirely.
Now, with the increasing number of guests causing distractions and leaving security gaps, it was the perfect time to take down Count Benstone’s illegal drug operation. The timing was too perfect to ignore.
Checking the clock, he had about 3 hours remaining.
He would have to start moving forward with the plan soon to avoid being too late. Time wasn’t something he could afford to waste in a situation that was growing riskier by the minute.
As the night deepened and the nobles got more drunk, slipping away from the ballroom one by one, the number of those on Benstone’s side—or those he'd bribed—would increase.
Fewer eyes meant they could be more aggressive.
He had to move. He was going to make Ruru promise to simply enjoy the party and stay out of the mission, then proceed with his plan.
Just as he made up his mind and fiddled with the transformation device, the balcony door swung open. A valet entered, pushing a cart.
“Excuse me. I thought that you might be in need of some refreshments.”
"⋯⋯⋯⋯!!"
“A noblewoman alone on a balcony with a young valet—this could stir unwarranted rumors. Like an illicit meeting that ignored the rules of class and status.”
Roderus quickly adjusted his stance, adopting the posture of a proper valet. He acted as if he had left his post momentarily to fulfill an order from a noble.
"⋯⋯⋯⋯."
“Uh, uh? Do I have to speak? Uh, ah. We don’t need cookies…… Huh?”
Both Roderus and Ruru squinted, recognizing the valet in front of them. A voluptuous body and pink ponytail. Yellow eyes hiding the fierceness of a wild beast.
They both knew her name.
“......Yuri Frostlover?”
“Ho-How are you here?!”
Grip-!
Roderus stepped forward protectively in front of Kim Ruru, his hand gripping the transformation device. Likewise, Ruru also reached into her pocket, her fingers closing around her power armor activator.
Just as the tension reached its peak, the woman standing before them—one of the Four Heavenly Kings in the Organization of Evil—adjusted her glasses and slowly pulled out an identification card from her side.
Chareruk.
A magical seal of the Imperial Defense Bureau. She spoke plainly.
“Yuri Lanster. I’m an agent of the Defense Bureau. It’s been a while, 『Pure Knight』."
“......D-Defense Bureau Agent!!”
“You said the executives of the Organization of Evil were all otherworlders…… Were you from the same world as ours, Yuri Frostlover?”
Roderus tensed immediately at the sight of his former enemy. And Yuri Lanster merely shrugged as if she didn’t care at all.
“It was all just a dream. And besides, we were defeated. If you can't let go of a grudge after you’ve already won... well, then there’s really nothing left to say.”
"⋯⋯⋯⋯."
“You must be after Benstone. We at the Imperial Defense Bureau are the same. I believe that maybe, we might be able to find a common interest.”
She said as she outstretched her hand.
If it had been 『Eternal Dark』, the one responsible forRuru’s death, Roderus would never have even considered an alliance. But 『Yuri Frostlover』 was⋯⋯.
Despite the wicked acts she had committed against Magical Girls using tentacles, she had never actually killed anyone. Nor had she ever ambushed innocent citizens.
And if she really was a Defence Bureau agent, this situation was an opportunity—a chance to take down Benstone in one move. However, however⋯⋯.
“Ah, perhaps you are hesitating because of the tentacles incident.”
Roderus’ voice rose in anger.
“......Shut up! I’ll smash your head open if you try anything weird!”
“Even if you act all tough like that, from the point of view of someone who knows exactly where all your sensitive spots are, it’s just a kitten trying to sound fierce—"
“I’m gonna kill you⋯⋯!!"
“Calm down, calm down, Dae-soo!! She’s a kind Unni who gives us massages whenever we meet!!”
Kim Ruru barely managed to calm Roderus’ anger, whose pride had taken a serious hit. He combed his hair back, sighed and reluctantly came to an understanding.
“There’s no other way…… A temporary alliance. Just this once.”
“Don’t slow me down, Magical Girl.”
Three hours remained.
Thus, an unexpected alliance was dramatically forged.