Does the Assassin Girl Dream of the Mana Doll?

Without looking back at Georg and his men, the prince and his knights marched on their horses.

Was it his imagination, or did the main street leading to the royal castle seem less crowded than usual? He couldn’t help but smile wryly at the thought that this might also be Georg’s doing. That cheerful yet meticulous man probably had a hand in everything.

“I’m still treated like a child…”

Since he was young, he had been able to handle most things on his own. He was probably an easy child to raise. Mature, or some might say, unlovable. Yet still, he thought. Meeting an adult who made him feel he had much to learn was something he felt genuinely grateful for.

And because of that…He regretted sending him into that perilous situation.

Still, he didn’t regret his decision. Rather, he resented his own immaturity and the circumstances that had forced him into this situation. But that was something he would have to carry with him into the future.

That burden was something he must carry forward into the future.

No, he would absolutely carry it forward.

He resolved this firmly in his heart.

…The castle gates came into view.

This is where his real test began.

“Open the gate! Let us through!”

Riding at the forefront, he called out in a strong, clear voice that was almost mesmerising. The gatekeeper, about to open the gate without question, shook his head hastily, snapping back to his senses.

“Your Highness, what is the meaning of this?”

“It’s urgent. This isn’t something I can explain to you. Or do you refuse to obey a prince’s command?”

“…You are right. My apologies, Your Highness.”

The guards, sensing something amiss from the prince’s expression and the determined look of the knights behind him, nodded meaningfully and opened the gate.

Riohart nodded in acknowledgment and was about to ride through when he was stopped.

“Halt!! Even for you, Your Highness, such behaviour is unacceptable!”

Several soldiers approached, their faces unfamiliar. They were probably the chancellor’s men or the queen’s private guards.

“Oh? Is there a problem with my actions?”

“Of course. Even if you are the prince, this is the royal castle. The current ruler is Her Majesty the Queen. This is her domain. You should refrain from acting on your own.”

The soldier puffed out his chest, speaking with a condescending tone. The prince stared at him intently….Servants tend to resemble their masters, don’t they? The soldier’s smirk carried the same subtle malice as the Chancellor’s. To still speak this way while facing a prince and his knights—he had quite the nerve. Or perhaps it was simply arrogance.

The prince chuckled slightly, which made the soldier frown in confusion.

“Is something funny…?”

“Oh, I was just curious. What’s your rank? Under what authority are you speaking to me?”

“Huh…? I was…appointed by the Chancellor to guard this place…”

“I see. And your official title?”

“T-that’s…um…”

“Well, that… I…”

The soldier hesitated.

Normally, invoking the Chancellor’s authority silenced any opposition. He had taken that for granted as his own power.

But it didn’t work on the prince before him. That was something he simply couldn’t comprehend..

“So, you have no official position, and yet you’re questioning me?”

“It’s because it’s the chancellor’s order…”

“I see. So, the chancellor’s orders take precedence over the laws of the kingdom and your rank?”

“What? … I, I mean…”

Finally, the man seemed to realise what he had done and said. And he saw the cold, unfathomable look in the prince’s eyes. His legs trembled, and he took a step back.

“I see. Thank you…. Now I can finally let go of my last hesitation.”

The prince smiled, a gentle, almost out-of-place smile. And then, in the next moment:

Whoosh.

A faint sound of slicing air.”

G-gah…?!”

The prince’s sword, drawn in an instant, slashed through the soldier’s throat. Blood spurted out, and with a soundless gasp, the soldier crumpled to the ground.

Immediately, screams echoed through the castle. Undeterred, the prince wiped his sword clean and took a deep breath.

The smell of blood seemed particularly strong.

“Silence!! Drop your weapons and surrender! Resist, and I will show no mercy—you will be cut down!”

The men, shocked by his words and struck by his gaze, shuddered, then threw down their weapons and fell to the ground. The knights quickly moved in to bind them.

The prince glanced around—most of those present seemed to be on his side. He felt a small sense of relief.

“Hear me! I will now confront my mother! If necessary, I will let my sword speak for me! If you wish to remain neutral, so be it. If you oppose me, step forward now!”

Everyone in the room bowed their heads and knelt. The prince nodded. A few did so reluctantly, but he chose to ignore it.

“Everyone, dismount! We are moving to the next phase of the operation!”

The knights who had entered the castle followed his command, dismounting in perfect unison. Their flawless movements were so impressive that a few onlookers couldn’t help but stare in awe.

“Now, as planned. Ellie, and you all, you are the key to this. I’m counting on you.”

“Yes, understood. We won’t fail.”

“Leave it to us, Your Highness.”

Ellie bowed her head, and the prince nodded.

Then, turning to Letty, she said,

“I’ll be going now.”

“Mm… Ellie.”

Letty smiled at Ellie’s usual bright smile and nodded. Then, after a moment of thought, she beckoned Ellie closer.

“Yes?”

“… Be careful.”

Letty whispered as she gently held Ellie close. She thought she heard the sound of Ellie freezing in place.

A few seconds later, Ellie pulled back, slapped Letty’s shoulder lightly, and exclaimed—

“That! That’s exactly what I mean—being so reckless!”

“…This feels a little unfair…”

Laughter erupted from those watching the exchange, causing Ellie to blush furiously.

“Ugh, I’m going! You’ll see!”

Despite her words, Ellie’s footsteps seemed light as she headed in the direction of the Emperor of thunder’s Garden,’ where the magic core was located.

Maybe I went too far, Letty thought with a tinge of regret.

“…I’m sorry about this, Egret. I know you didn’t want to be separated, but I need you here.”

“I understand, Your Highness. Ellie will be fine; there’s no need to worry.”

The prince nodded.

Nodding in reassurance, she tried to suppress the feeling of being slightly torn.

But that feeling faded quickly as she switched to her “work” mindset.

“Thank you. … Let’s go.”

The prince looked around at his knights. They were all seasoned veterans of Georg’s Third Knight Order. Every one of them had a determined look on their faces.

“Soldiers! We are about to enter the castle!
This is the beginning of the end!
This is the start of a new future!
Give me your lives!
Let’s go, and let’s seize it and seize the castle!”

A thunderous roar echoed through the hall.

How heavy it felt to bear their faith and trust.

But this was the path he had chosen, and they had followed him.

“Charge!”

At the prince’s command, 90 knights charged, swift and orderly, as they began their assault on the castle.

Next: The Invincible Girl and What People Say”