No noble in Langard was unaware of this person......

  The world’s greatest prodigy in a thousand years—someone who had defeated countless high-rank powerhouses at just twelve years old and claimed victory at the Royal Martial Tournament.

  Beneath this deceptively youthful appearance lay the immense power of a high-rank warrior, far beyond what her looks suggested!

  Against her, he stood no chance at all......

  "I-I surren......"

  Whoosh——!

  Before he could finish the word "surrender", a beam of light struck Berzera Ud square in the forehead.

  His eyes rolled back, and he collapsed to the ground, unconscious.

  Looking down at the subdued Berzera, Hulim Heyerar said flatly:

  "This is too much trouble. So please just go to sleep."

  Hum——!

  At that exact moment,

  the floor of the entire hall suddenly lit up with the glow of a Magic Circle.

  Hulim tapped her toe and prepared to leap out of the circle.

  But before she could escape,

  rings of light converged around her, forming glowing halos that encircled her body.

  Hulim glanced at the halos trapping her—and instantly understood their effect.

  A Magic Circle designed to seal Fire, Light, and Non-attribute magic, as well as restrict movement.

  "......You’ve certainly prepared for every eventuality."

  Tap, tap......

  Footsteps echoed through the hall.

  "Welcome, Hulim Heyerar!"

  A man with a scale tattoo on his forehead smiled as he spoke to Hulim.

  "......"

  Hulim’s calm gaze swept over the group, finally settling on the man with the scale tattoo.

  A scale tattoo......

  So this is the one behind it all?

  "Who are you?"

  Hulim asked coldly.

  "My apologies for the lack of manners~! Let me introduce myself: I am ‘The Investor’—someone who travels between nations to invest in those with ‘potential’."

  "‘The Investor’? That hardly sounds like a real name."

  Stolen from its rightful place, this narrative is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.

  "Hehe, you’re right—it’s just a codename. But I abandoned my real name long ago, so you may as well treat this as my identity~."

  "......"

  Hulim studied "The Investor" carefully before speaking slowly:

  "I have a question for you."

  "By all means. I’m in no hurry~. After all, I have plenty of time."

  "The Investor" replied casually, looking completely at ease.

  Despite his overly relaxed demeanor, Hulim showed no reaction, her expression remaining calm.

  "What is your true goal? To incite civil war in the empire?"

  "Hehe, you seem to have misunderstood something."

  "The Investor" chuckled,

  "I must clarify: we are pacifists. We never use such crude methods as you imagine to achieve our aims."

  "......Pacifists?"

  "I know what you’re thinking—you believe I’m simply stirring up conflict to make everyone fight to the death, don’t you?"

  "Is that not the case?"

  "Of course not~! Let me ask you this: what do you think wealth is?"

  "......"

  As he’d claimed, "The Investor" seemed in no rush at all. Instead, he appeared eager to converse with Hulim.

  "Most people think wealth is money—and in many cases, the two are interchangeable. But to us, money? Treasures? No, no! None of these are true wealth! The essence of wealth——"

  "Is value!"

  "Anything with value is part of wealth: people, territories, organizations, even status—everything that holds worth is wealth. This is the true meaning of wealth!"

  "What we control is never something as shallow as gold coins. It is the ability to mobilize valuable things at any time."

  "And the means to control that value is investment! Give a little support, and in return, you gain far more than you gave! That is why we call ourselves ‘The Investors’."

  "And since it is investment, we would never make a bet that offers no return from the start, would we?"

  "......I see. So your investment in Drehack is genuine? But from what I know, Drehack would never accept your investment."

  "You’re absolutely right," "The Investor" replied with a smile. "Drehack would never take our investment—he’d order us executed the moment he laid eyes on us."

  "But you must understand: a faction is not made up of a single person."

  "It is a complex collective of interests. What Drehack refuses to do does not mean others in his faction will reject it......"

  ......

  Rewind to a day before the attacks on Alicia’s and Felena’s factions.

  One of the core members of Crown Prince Drehack’s faction—Marsim Letyer—was visited by a strange guest......

  "What is your purpose here?"

  Marsim asked coldly.

  He had heard of this man—a figure with an unsavory reputation.

  "Please calm yourself, my lord. I come bearing sincerity~."

  "The Investor" said with a smile.

  "Hmph! Sincerity?"

  Marsim scoffed.

  "Someone like you would know nothing of that!"

  "Hehe~, it seems you have many misunderstandings about me. But even if you intend to dispose of me, would you hear me out first before making your decision?"

  "......"

  Marsim studied "The Investor", who showed not a hint of nervousness, in silence for a long moment before speaking:

  "......Very well. Let me hear what you have to say."

  "Thank you, my lord~!"

  "The Investor" bowed slightly, then continued: "Lord Marsim, what do you think of Crown Prince Drehack’s current position?"

  "A foolish question. There is nothing wrong with his position."

  "Let me rephrase: do you believe his Highness will ascend to the throne?"

  "What did you say!?"

  Anger flared in Marsim’s heart.

  "Crown Prince Drehack will certainly claim the throne! That much is obvious!"

  "Hehe, is that truly the case? Lord Marsim, do not deceive yourself~!"

  "You——!"

  Marsim flew into a rage, as if he was about to throw the man out.

  But in the end, he did nothing......

  "See? You did not drive me away, which means you know the truth deep down, do you not?"

  "......"

  Marsim remained silent, refusing to respond.

  "The Investor" pressed on:

  "It is true that Crown Prince Drehack is currently the most promising heir among the four contenders—but only if......"

  "Princess Alicia of the Ninth Rank does not exist~."

  "You are aware of the talent Princess Alicia has displayed at Manacos Magic Academy, are you not?"

  "......I am. But what of it?"

  Marsim said stubbornly.

  "Hehe~, what of it?"

  "The Investor" said slowly, unhurried.

  "If Princess Alicia graduates at the top of her class, it will be irrefutably proven that her talent is unmatched among the current royal family."

  "And the Serions royal family has always chosen the most capable as heir. Do you think~,"

  "when Princess Alicia becomes the acknowledged heir with the greatest talent, Crown Prince Drehack’s position will remain secure?"