Chapter 144 The First Shot
Edited by: Kanaa-senpai
I was on my way to Elisabeth’s bedchamber with my guard knight Freya when, in the middle of the silent corridor, the air behind me turned taut. A presence ran through the air faster than I could turn – as if space itself had warped. Ashraf, the Teleportation Demon, stood there without a sound. And then came the troubling report: a number of suspicious persons had gathered outside the manor.
”What kind of forces? How many?”
”Yes, sir. Two hundred soldiers at the main gate. And to the rear, in the northeast and northwest directions, there is one high-ranking sorceress lying in wait at each position.”
While listening to Ashraf’s report, I pulled a surveillance magic artifact from my breast pocket and checked the footage of the manor’s perimeter.
The group at the main gate appeared openly, without concealment.
The image on the artifact’s screen carried a cold, distant tone. The soldiers’ disciplined movements and the sorceresses’ ominous silence told me one thing clearly: this was a real threat.
At the head of the imposing force sat a familiar middle-aged noble – Duke Crowley – astride a fine warhorse. Beside him rode the First Prince of the kingdom, Liam, also mounted.
The soldiers behind them were no regular Holy Knights of the Kingdom. Those were Duke Crowley’s personal troops.
And the hidden sorceresses positioned around the manor were exactly where Ashraf had said they’d be, skillfully concealed.
(He even prepared ambushers. This is definitely a military takeover.)
”Hey. What the hell is that weird footage?”
Freya must have sensed something from my unfamiliar magic artifact and my grim expression. She asked, suspicion in her voice.
”Yeah. It’s footage of the manor’s perimeter. Looks like Duke Crowley and Prince Liam are planning to attack this place.”
”Wha – ! Hey, wait, what are you talking about?!”
Freya’s face went pale.
(The reason Prince Liam would lead troops to attack this manor – could it be that he’d caught wind of my “overly close” relationship with Elisabeth, his fiancée? Given the timing of her private visit to the manor, that’s the most likely explanation. If that’s the case, I won’t even bother making excuses.)
Quietly, my mind shifted into combat mode.
No hesitation.
If I retreat here, the trust of those I’m meant to protect – and my pride – all of it will crumble.
(Then I’ll meet them head-on. Openly, fairly, I’ll accept their challenge and light the first flame of this war. But… using Duke Crowley’s private troops instead of the royal family’s Holy Knights is a little strange.)
Without jumping to conclusions about the enemy’s intentions, I decided to eavesdrop on their conversation first, then plan our response.
”Freya. Go to Princess Elisabeth right now and report the situation accurately. And Ashraf – you handle the two ambushers in the rear. Let them have the ‘first shot.’ Let them fire. But after that, dispose of them.”
”Got it!”
”Understood.”
I used communication magic to give the guards strict orders not to respond to anyone at the gate, then deactivated the automated interception devices I’d set up around the manor grounds.
This manor is always protected by a powerful anti-magic barrier. Even if the enemy catches us by surprise, a couple of magic attacks won’t do any real damage.
I changed my destination from the bedchamber to the main gate and began walking quietly.
Beyond the door at the end of the corridor, I could feel the air growing tense. With each step, I almost felt like my footsteps echoed through the entire manor.
I walked forward without hesitation, heading out to face the enemy waiting beyond the walls.
Duke Crowley’s POV
Duke Crowley had secretly dispatched two hundred elite private soldiers and five high-ranking sorcerers from his territory to the Royal Capital. And now, they were just about to assault Margrave Grimlock’s manor.
Beside him stood Prince Liam, the next king of the kingdom, quietly awaiting the action.
The grand justification for this brazen attack: he had received solid information that Xenos Grimlock had enslaved the dwarf princess – who should have been under the protection of the Crowley family – turning her into a plaything and committing unspeakable atrocities.
To rescue the weak princess in the name of justice – that was their stated cause.
”Now then, Your Highness. Are you certain Grimlock’s son has no inkling of our movements?”
Duke Crowley, cowardly and overly cautious to the core, even now – on the eve of attack – couldn’t help but double-check.
”There’s no need to worry. I’ve kept a close eye on him at the academy, and he hasn’t shown the slightest sign of vigilance toward us.”
Prince Liam answered with a confident voice.
The prince had previously been concerned that when the arrogant freshman challenged Xenos over the “Liliana confinement incident,” Xenos Grimlock’s wariness might increase. But at the time, he’d used quick thinking to publicly declare, “Xenos is fully cleared of suspicion,” in front of witnesses.
Afterward, he’d continued to watch carefully – but there was no sign that the manor’s security had been strengthened.
”And… the dwarf princess is definitely inside the manor?”
”Yes. No doubt about it.”
Prince Liam was growing slightly irritated by Duke Crowley’s incessant nagging.
(Caution is fine, but this is excessive…)
”Then I shall take the position of a ‘fair third party’ from here on. I leave the rest to you, Your Excellency.”
”Ah – yes. Leave it to me…”
Despite a faint unease at the Duke’s pathetic, overly tense demeanor, Liam quietly withdrew his horse to the rear of the assembled troops.
From here on, Duke Crowley had to carry out the siege alone.
First, the opening strike by his sorcerers, as planned.
Three were positioned around him. And two high-ranking sorcerers were hidden behind the manor as ambushers.
”Then, magic-ready-“
Drawing his sword from its sheath with a trembling hand, Duke Crowley raised its point toward the vast Grimlock manor and gave the order.
”–FIRE!!!”
With the sharp signal, the three sorcerers simultaneously unleashed high-powered magic attacks at the manor – a cannonade from the front.
The manor was protected by a powerful anti-magic barrier. But the impact of the devastating explosions shook the ground, the windowpanes rattled violently, and the entire manor trembled.
Five seconds after impact –
From two points behind the manor, a second volley of powerful magic attacks struck as a follow-up. Two barrages, each shaking the earth.
With an overwhelming assault like this, that “Zero Mana” incompetent – Zero the Loser, Xenos Grimlock – must be panicking by now, surely trembling in fear. That was the Duke’s reasoning.
(He must be crying his eyes out right about now.)
If the head of the house was in that state, there was no way the defenders could mount an organized resistance. And seeing himself surrounded by this many troops, the brat would surely wave the white flag and surrender.
Duke Crowley’s usual face, so often lacking in confidence –
For just that moment, a sneer of cruel mockery spread across his lips.
He was certain of his victory.
—
Summary:
Xenos receives intelligence of an assault on Grimlock Manor, identifies Duke Crowley and Prince Liam as the leaders, and deduces the attack stems from his relationship with Elisabeth. He deploys Freya to protect Elisabeth and Ashraf to neutralize the rear ambushers, then walks toward the main gate to meet the enemy head-on. In Crowley’s POV, the Duke believes his overwhelming force will crush Xenos and is certain of victory, unaware of Xenos’s calm counter-measures.
—
Trivia:
Xenos has a surveillance magic artifact that shows real-time footage of the manor’s perimeter.
The manor is protected by a powerful anti-magic barrier that can withstand several magic attacks.
Xenos has pre-set automated interception devices around the manor grounds which he deactivates to allow the enemy’s first shot.
Duke Crowley’s private soldiers are distinct from the Kingdom’s Holy Knights, indicating he is acting outside royal authority.
Prince Liam previously used the “Liliana confinement incident” to publicly declare Xenos cleared of suspicion, lowering his guard.
Ashraf is a Teleportation Demon, capable of silent entry and rapid tactical deployment.
Xenos’s nickname “Zero the Loser” stems from his complete lack of magic (Zero Mana).
The attack is justified by Crowley with the claim that Xenos enslaved the dwarf princess under Crowley family protection.
Prince Liam explicitly positions himself as a “fair third party” to avoid direct responsibility while still supporting the attack.
Crowley’s internal monologue reveals he believes Xenos is panicking and crying, not calmly preparing a defense.
Notes:
• Elisabeth – Princess of the enemy Adrastea Empire, Prince Liam’s fiancée, and the game’s main heroine. Dignified and diplomatic even when cornered or falsely accused, she is targeted by Violetta’s assassination plot. While Xenos exchanges opinions with her, her heart has shifted from Liam to the protagonist, showing visible relief at his arrival while unconsciously avoiding relying on her fiancé.
• Ashraf – A Teleportation Demon who serves as the guardian of Xenos’s mansion, protecting it against potential attacks. They possess presence-concealing magic, which the protagonist copies and uses to infiltrate the tea party.
• Freya – Guard knight assigned to Xenos. She acts as a direct subordinate and protector, showing familiarity with Xenos through her casual speech. Her composure breaks upon learning of the military threat, revealing her investment in the situation and concern for Elisabeth’s safety. Loyal knight and personal guard to Princess Elisabeth. Has fiery red-brown hair and a strong, prideful demeanor. Secretly longs for both Elisabeth and Xenos, hiding her desires behind professionalism. Princess Elisabeth’s loyal knight. Openly hostile toward Xenos. Sharp-tongued and protective of her charge. Shows intense loyalty to Elisabeth.
• Duke Crowley – Duke who governs the Dwarf Tribe territories. Thin, frail-looking, and indecisive. He fears conflict and avoids decisive action, concerned primarily with protecting his own position and concealing his oppressive exploitation of the dwarves.
• Crowley – Bearing the Bartholomeus family name, this cowardly, conflict-averse Duke of the Asgard Kingdom oversees the Dwarf Tribe’s jurisdiction. Outwardly posing as a protector of dwarven culture, he deceitfully exploits them and secretly orchestrates Princess Eil’s sale into slavery. He is relieved when Prince Liam’s attention turns toward the Grimlocks rather than exposing his schemes.
• Liam – Liam Asgard, the golden-haired, emerald-eyed Crown Prince of Asgard, is Liliana’s older brother, betrothed to Elisabeth, and liege to Elliot and Aldrick. Though possessing royal Light Mana and a sense of justice, he speaks with polished grace to hide a manipulative, calculating ambition. Scheme-driven to destroy his rival Xenos and obsessively steal Cecilia, he uses his authority to incite war.
• Grimlock – Xenos’s family name.
• Xenos – Job: Heir to a high-ranking noble house; Relationship: Owner of Lilia; Has romantic connections with Elenor, Cecilia, and Lizel; Item/Magic: Summoning magic, [Substitution Collars]; Note: Was caught up in a Royal Palace explosion and missed three days of school. Pragmatic and calculating personality. Job: Noble of Grimlock family, protagonist; Relationship: Manipulator of Princess Liliana, pursuing Serena; Item/Magic: [Ring of Transformation]; Note: Reincarnated villain with game knowledge, calculating and arrogant. Job: Theater Owner and noble of Grimlock family; Relationship: Fiancé to Cecilia; Item/Magic: Game knowledge/metaknowledge; Note: Reincarnated villain protagonist who knows the original game script.
• Liliana – Known as the “Angel of the Asgard Kingdom” for her golden hair and sky-blue eyes, this princess is the younger sister of Prince Liam and Elenor. While maintaining a refined, angelic public facade, she is a manipulative mastermind who wields explosion magic. As Serena’s liege and the true culprit behind recent assassination attempts, she carefully hides her dark nature behind whispered, noble asides.
• Lilia – Xenos’s fiercely loyal, trauma-resilient Head Maid is a lovely, pale, busty woman with long dark hair, a chest tattoo, and a nullified crest. Dressed in a black uniform, she maintains refined, icy elegance when disciplining others, especially Elenor. While formal and efficient with guests, she masks deep, jealous anxiety for Xenos, finding her greatest joy in serving him and sleeping by his side.
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Edited by Kanaa-senpai.
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