After spending most of the day reviewing various construction records from the capital over the past two to three years,
Shar stood beside a massive map, stroking his chin.
His mind automatically began analyzing the situation from different perspectives.
Years of experience surfaced naturally.
After some contemplation, he picked up a pen and said softly to Jem Woz, "First, the more conventional locations—places with hidden terrain and low foot traffic, yet not too far from populated areas."
As he spoke, he began marking the map, circling several areas and numbering them sequentially. Most of these were ancient, abandoned sites within the capital—areas that had fallen into disuse over time, now serving as slums or warehouses.
After drawing seven or eight circles and numbering them, Shar continued, "Next are the better hiding spots. These are either extremely remote, making them hard to detect, or situated right within bustling crowds, using the sheer volume of people to mask any suspicious activity. The former isn't too difficult—no matter how well they hide, performing a Demon ritual would leave traces in those desolate areas. The latter, however, must have local nobility acting as their shield, or they'd be discovered immediately. Plus, the chaotic nature of such places makes them harder to investigate."
He resumed marking the map, starting from the city center and working outward, stopping after identifying about ten locations, each labeled accordingly.
"These spots are tricky to investigate—various factions are tangled up there, mostly seasoned players. If possible, it's best to have the Church handle it. After all, they've taken your favors.
Being outsiders, they'll act more ruthlessly and won't fear offending people, making them well-suited for the task. Another thing—their sensitivity toward cultists is far sharper than regular soldiers, giving them a much higher chance of uncovering problems."
After considering this, Jem Woz nodded in agreement.
"Good.
They do want to establish a presence in the capital and could use this as an opportunity to flex their muscles, proving their strength to the various factions here. I doubt they'd refuse such a request."
Seeing his suggestion accepted, Shar nodded solemnly. "Now, the most critical locations. If it comes to a search, I strongly advise you to move alongside the Church. Otherwise, it might trigger chaos."
Though puzzled, Jem Woz replied, "...Understood," noting Shar's serious expression.
"Next are the best—and worst—possible locations. If any cult is operating here, even if they're not the Twisted Spirit Society, they're undoubtedly plotting something sinister. They'd become a major future threat to the Maddon Duchy. So if discovered, I recommend immediate annihilation—at any cost."
At this, Jem instantly grasped that the upcoming locations would be particularly troublesome.
Shar's first mark was the royal palace, followed swiftly by the Beast Fighting Arena, the Central Library, and the residence of Count Ate...
Any one of them would be extremely troublesome to deal with—either holding high positions of power or backed by complex networks of influence.
Jem Woz immediately felt a slight headache coming on.
To investigate all these locations along with the previously circled ones would essentially mean offending a quarter of the capital's nobility, including even some members of the royal family. This was undoubtedly unfavorable for his upcoming coronation ceremony.
Noticing his hesitation, Shar sighed and said, "This isn't the time for excessive caution. If we fail, we lose everything. So shedding some blood is unavoidable, no matter whose blood it is... If the critical locations turn out to be compromised, I hope you won't hold back. Whoever it is, striking hard and fast is the simplest solution."
The implication was clear: Jem Woz should show no mercy and eliminate any threats on sight without hesitation.
If places like the royal palace had been secretly rigged with Summoning Rituals, then the Twisted Spirit Society must have conspired with one of Jem Woz's siblings—otherwise, it would have been impossible to hide from him.
Conversely, if the Society's headquarters in the capital were somewhere like the Beast Fighting Arena or the Central Library, their collaborators would have to be among the highest echelons of the nobility—possibly even more influential than ordinary princes or princesses. In that case, Jem Woz might find himself severely constrained.
This wasn't to say Jem Woz was soft-hearted.
As a prince—one on the verge of wearing the crown—Shar knew full well that Jem's rise above his numerous siblings meant he was anything but merciful.
Though not quite a legendary schemer, he was certainly ruthless enough. Otherwise, his position wouldn't be as secure as it was now.
Still, those in power often had more considerations weighing on them, and such concerns could easily lead to situations spiraling out of control.
Shar had witnessed similar scenarios in other nations before.
Jem Woz understood Shar's meaning perfectly. After a moment of silence, a glint of ruthlessness flashed in his eyes as he made his decision: "...In that case, we'll leave the most sensitive targets for last. First, we'll clean up the other locations. If absolutely necessary, I won't hesitate to let the capital run red with blood."
As Shar had said, half-measures would only leave lingering threats to rebound later.
In that case, it was better to act decisively and eliminate everything thoroughly. The capital had festered with corruption for too long anyway—this was the perfect opportunity for a purge, to finally rid himself of all those lingering uncertainties that had plagued his judgment.
"Tomorrow," Jem declared, "I'll have my loyal troops from the army enter the city. Then we'll crush everything in the simplest way possible."
Hearing Jem Woz's firm resolve, Shar finally smiled.
"Good. Now you're acting like a proper crown prince. A soft heart can't hold a throne steady."
Raising his glass, Shar toasted him: "May tomorrow go smoothly."
"Let's hope so..."
Jem Woz replied with a resigned sigh.
In his heart, he was already calculating how to stabilize the situation in the capital after taking action.
The next day, early dawn.
The sky was still far from bright, shrouded in deep gloom.
"Halt! Don't come any closer! Which unit are you from? Have your commander come forward and identify yourselves!"
Looking at the domestic troops outside the city gates, the officer in charge of the gate, Crote, tightened his grip on his weapon, muttering to himself.
'What the hell is this? Sending so many troops into the city overnight—could they be planning a coup!?'
Just as he was considering whether to sound the alarm immediately, the ranks of the soldiers below parted, making way for a figure holding a torch and riding a Warhorse, who advanced to the front.
After illuminating his face with the torch, Jem Woz spoke in a deep voice, "Crote, it's me!"
"Your Highness Jem?"
Recognizing the face revealed in the torchlight, Crote immediately relaxed slightly. Since it was the Crown Prince leading the troops, the worst-case scenario could be ruled out.
After all, no one would rebel against themselves!
Jem Woz issued a straightforward command: "That's right. Open the gates now!"
"Yes, Your Highness! Please wait a moment!"
Without hesitation, Crote obeyed the order—after all, he had been personally appointed by Jem Woz.
Years ago, when Jem Woz was still competing with his siblings for the position of Crown Prince, he had been placing his own people in key positions. Crote was one of them.
Watching the gates slowly open before him, Jem Woz nodded in satisfaction.
Though it had been just a casual move, it had proven somewhat useful. Otherwise, as someone yet to inherit the throne, he would have had to consider other factors more carefully.
With a gesture, he led his troops forward, flooding into the city like a tide.
Silence. Utter silence.
There was no sign of revelry or nightlife.
In this era devoid of entertainment, the streets were somewhat lively in the early hours of the night, but by the late hours, not a soul could be seen—not even brothels operated around the clock.
Even in the capital of a duchy.
At this moment, the area around the city gates was completely silent, save for the marching footsteps of soldiers and the clatter of Warhorses' hooves.
"Crote."
Gazing at the pitch-black city district ahead, Jem Woz exhaled softly.
Crote stiffened and hurriedly responded, "At your service, sir!"
After giving him a casual glance, Jem Woz spoke with grave seriousness, "The nation is now in a crisis. I've received intelligence that heretics are hiding in the capital, plotting to harm the entire duchy. From this moment onward, you are to secure the gates—no one enters or leaves without authorization. Anyone who disobeys is to be executed on sight!"
Hearing this order, Crote immediately felt uneasy. With his limited manpower, suppressing the entire city's movement would be nearly impossible. If unrest broke out, they might not hold. But orders were orders—he had no choice but to comply. Steeling himself, he replied, "Understood! The mission will be accomplished!"
Seeing the conflicted yet obedient expression on his face, Jem Woz found it somewhat amusing and casually said, "Good. I'll assign you a few hundred soldiers. Make sure to stabilize the situation and avoid any major chaos! Understood?"
Krot immediately beamed with joy: "Yes!!"
He had never dreamed that he would one day hold military authority.
Though this authority was temporary and couldn't be used freely.
At the very least, he could still enjoy the thrill of it!
He promptly followed a Knight to receive his troops, his eagerness unmistakable.
After all, every man longed for such an opportunity.