“When’s the perfect time for people to let their guard down?”
Common knowledge says it’s between 3 and 4 AM.
That’s when sleepiness hits hard, and with dawn approaching, it’s easy to get complacent.
So, assassination attempts are super useful during this time. Not only do people attract less attention, but sneaking away is also a breeze.
But as widely known as it is, it’s also easier to guard against, and the longer the target is kept relaxed, the higher the success rate tends to be.
Especially the high-ranking folks, who are always under threat of assassination—it’s not exactly a piece of cake. Each has their own tricks up their sleeves for dodging such attempts.
In that sense, one should think differently. If everyone is wary during the night and early morning, why not target during a relaxing morning instead?
If you attempt an assassination in broad daylight, the target is bound to be taken aback, and you’re definitely upping the chances of success.
“At first, he said he had a question and wanted me to open the door. Since I was familiar with him, I gladly obliged.”
“Hmm.”
“Then he scanned the room a few times before springing a surprise attack on me. I honestly never saw it coming.”
After sorting things out, I heard the details from Danyerin.
It seemed he had planned the attempt while I was away, but he just happened to show up at the perfect moment.
He even messed up by opening the wrong door—turns out it was Danyerin’s room. Bad luck for Lee Yeon-joo for sure.
“What about Resistance?”
“He seemed paralyzed as if someone put something in his water. He slowly started to recover after you arrived.”
“Hmm…”
Somehow, he was eerily calm and didn’t shout a peep. Even Danyerin, who would normally be flustered, appeared too composed.
I lowered my head. Underneath lay the subdued Lee Yeon-joo, trapped under my backside.
His hands were tied, so all he could do was squirm. Plus, a cloth was stuffed in his mouth.
“What are you going to do?”
“First, let’s hear the story. If he’s working for your brother…”
“Mmm! Mmm!”
Danyerin’s expression turned icy as she glared at Lee Yeon-joo. He looked like he had something to say, trying to wriggle free.
This is my cue to make sure we clear up any misunderstandings between them, or else one of them might end up missing—whether by losing their life or leaving the Academy.
“Let’s at least hear him out first. How we proceed can come after that.”
“So, you’ll let him go?”
“Yeah.”
I untied the cloth as she wished. As soon as the gag came off, Lee Yeon-joo gulped down a deep breath.
But I couldn’t let my guard down yet. Danyerin slowly raised his chin with one hand.
Their black eyes, a trait from the Eastern Empire, locked onto each other. While Danyerin remained calm, Lee Yeon-joo had a look of fierce defiance.
“For someone trying to kill, you seem awfully brazen. Should I gouge those eyes out to feel better?”
“… …”
Despite Danyerin’s frightening threat, Lee Yeon-joo didn’t break eye contact. If anything, he seemed stubborn.
Danyerin, intrigued by that stubbornness, let out a strange sound and plunged straight into the matter.
“As I said earlier, if you’re working for your brother, I can’t let this slide. I’d rather not dirty my hands, but I’ll have to report this to the higher-ups.”
“… …”
“By the way, didn’t you mention you’re from Johan? Are you trying to eliminate me under the guise of independence for Johan?”
Danyerin, thoroughly informed about the political situation, seemed to have pieced everything together already.
She had come to the Academy for a breather and safety, but her intuition was sharp.
Plus, she had gathered all the information she could before arriving.
At this moment, Lee Yeon-joo’s homeland, Johan, along with the entire allied nations, held a grudge against the Hwan Empire.
“If that’s the case, I can understand, but it’s unfortunate. I’m distanced from the royal family, you see. You think they’d bat an eye if you took me out?”
“… …”
“No. They’d probably revel in my death. It would also serve as a convenient reason to strike against the allied nations.”
Danyerin was spot on. Her demise would be a bonanza for the Hwan Empire.
They desperately needed a justification to oppress the allied nations, and the assassination of a princess from one of those nations? That was golden.
Throughout history, seizing control and declaring war would be seen as justifiable. In that moment, Johan would be utterly crushed.
From the perspective of the allied nations, this was the worst-case scenario. A simple wrong move could leave Johan reeling.
“Who is behind this plot? Did your brother really give you the go-ahead?”
“… …”
“If you keep quiet, I’ll report it to the higher-ups just like that.”
I can practically hear your eyes rolling. You must be deep in consideration right now.
Just to clarify, Lee Yeon-joo did not get directives from the Crown Prince. During the last melee, numerous nations got involved, remember?
During that skirmish, someone from Lee Yeon-joo’s hometown came forward; that person instigated the whole thing.
The problem is that person is a traitor. Just one word says it all.
No matter how clueless they might be, no one would make such a decision unless they had some inkling of what they were doing.
In a place like this, with limited access to information, it’s not surprising they wouldn’t know Danyerin is getting sidelined by the royal family.
Thus, they probably went ahead and did this.
‘All the patriotism but zero political insight.’
Her sister and professor, Yeonhwa, definitely had a better grasp on the political situation.
To hide their treachery, they must have become a pawn of the Hwan Empire. It’s likely Yeonhwa has superior information.
If these two had cleared up their misunderstandings earlier, we wouldn’t be stuck in this mess. It’s a tangled situation in every way.
“So, you’re still not willing to speak?”
“… …”
Lee Yeon-joo sealed his lips even upon Danyerin’s inquiry. I watched with a puzzled expression.
Normally, Lee Yeon-joo should be showcasing his hatred for Danyerin and the Hwan Empire.
They lost their homeland with eyes wide open, traditions and culture collapsing around them.
For an ordinary citizen, it might be manageable, but for Lee Yeon-joo, a high-ranking noble’s offspring, it would hit harder.
Danyerin didn’t have much to say on this front either, leading to a more gradual exchange of dialogue.
‘Should I be patient for a bit?’
I quietly waited for Lee Yeon-joo to speak up. It seemed he had something to say, judging by his opening and closing mouth.
He wouldn’t pull out some nonsense lie again, would he? I mean, it’s already all out in the open.
“… …I’m jealous.”
“Jealous?”
“You and Sivar. I see you two cozy up every night.”
“… …”
No way, really?
“While some can’t even get near you, others are slipping off into secret affairs. That’s why.”
“… …”
“Ohhh…”
Suddenly, I was out of words, and Danyerin let out an interesting sound.
I couldn’t tell if he was serious or just playing around. As I mentioned, the last time it blew up in our faces.
Still, flaunting such lies? What’s he banking on?
“You’re asking me to believe that…?”
Danyerin looked equally bemused, caught off guard by his response, about to question him further.
Finally, she stared at me with wide eyes for what felt like forever while I just stood there dumbfounded.
“Hmm… I can’t deny it’s not completely implausible.”
“… …?”
What do you mean it’s plausible? Why are you nodding your head alone?
I don’t know what my usual impression was, but I guess Lee Yeon-joo’s fib caught on.
When I was utterly speechless, Danyerin redirected her focus to Lee Yeon-joo.
“So, you saw the two enjoying each other’s company every night, couldn’t take it, and tried to kill me?”
“Right.”
“Why target just me? Other women are openly enjoying themselves too!”
“Not completely monopolized, are you? But you, you’re all alone in the spotlight.”
It’s like a pathetic excuse, but it’s a ridiculous one. No doubt about it, this excuse is something else.
Without hesitation, I jumped in.
“But wait, last time you were going on about being independence fighters?”
“Last time? What are you talking about?”
I explained everything one by one to Danyerin, how Lee Yeon-joo had been spying on us and chased after us.
And how after subduing him, he spilled all the details. Just a reminder, I left out the part where I thoroughly checked him out.
“That’s a lie. The truth is, I have feelings for you. That’s why I went this far.”
“… …”
“You know what you tried to do back then. I didn’t want another incident on the dirt floor.”
He seemed to be spilling secrets without saying anything. How does he lie so effectively?
His acting skills must be impressive. He looked genuinely jealous, pouting his lips while sulking.
If this were Earth, he might have become a star actor. Sure, he would slip up, but the talent is there.
“Had I known this would happen, I would have mustered the courage earlier… It’s tough enough to get close, now add secret meetings.”
“Hmm…”
Danyerin observed Lee Yeon-joo for a moment before turning her attention back to me, contemplating something quite deeply.
As we locked eyes, I eagerly wanted to signal that it was a lie. But Danyerin was quicker on the draw.
Because she had a smirk on her face.
For whatever reason, mischief was evident in that smile.
“Now I understand. It’s true, Sivar is a man of many sins.”
“Isn’t that right?”
“Looks like I should give you a chance after all.”
“Huh?”
Danyerin’s words about giving a chance made Lee Yeon-joo exclaim in surprise. He clearly didn’t see that coming.
Then Danyerin motioned for me to come closer. I complied silently, allowing her request.
Consequently, Lee Yeon-joo instinctively sat up. However, with his hands still tightly bound, he couldn’t move much.
“You acted out of jealousy due to your deep affection for Sivar. Can I take that as established?”
“Uhh, yeah…”
“Then… Sivar?”
“Yeah.”
“If he adores you that much, don’t you have something to say?”
Danyerin’s teasing question hit me like a bolt. I realized, ‘She knows this is all a lie.’
It seems she caught on to Lee Yeon-joo’s desperate attempt to escape this predicament.
Using the mixed rumors and impressions about me, he spun a decent tale, but in front of Danyerin, it fell flat.
It was a long shot, but it was definitely a gamble worth taking. However, that gamble had been compromised long before.
‘Seems like she wants to mess around.’
So it’s a matter of challenging each other at a game of high-stakes Go-Stop.
I picked up on her intentions and nodded, then turned to Lee Yeon-joo.
“You really like me? For real?”
“Yeah, for real.”
“Not lying?”
“I swear on the land and sky, I’m not!”
What a blatant lie. Do you even believe in those gods?
Ironically, Chaos is absent in this scenario. He might even feel a bit left out.
I seem to have the formula for spinning that left-out emotion into something delightful.
“Then let me touch your chest.”
“…What?”
“Let me touch your chest.”
If you really like me, show it. That’s the condition.
At this bold, manly request, Lee Yeon-joo’s eyes began to tremble.
He looked at Danyerin, seemingly asking for an explanation on this twist.
“Hehe.”
Danyerin flashed a mischievous smile before quietly holding my hand.
Then, she slowly guided my hand toward her chest, allowing me to feel the softness.
This was both overt and subtly suggestive. This setup implied our relationship is a certain way and that she’s willing to go along with it.
“I’m magnanimous, you see. If it comes down to it, I’d prefer we enjoy these secret rendezvous together rather than solo. Didn’t you say you come every night?”
“W-well…”
“Why’s that? You didn’t lie, did you?”
“N-no!”
Danyerin gently lowered my hand, but mine remained stubbornly on her chest.
Looks like it was instinctive, almost subconscious. But that’s got to be an answer in itself.
“S-so…”
Lee Yeon-joo’s gaze was unfocused, darting around. He must be in a whirlwind of thoughts right now.
What’s it going to be? Back down or push further?
Last time, we almost got in a real mess, so this time should…
“T-touch me!”
“… …”
“You can touch me!”
Seriously, he’s calling for a last-ditch effort. It’s getting ridiculous at this point.
On the other hand, Danyerin was clearly amused, letting out soft chuckles. To anyone watching, it was pure comedy gold.
While I was tempted to take advantage, it feels like we had to put a stop to this. So I bluntly said,
“There’s nothing to grab onto.”
“You little sh—…!”
You’re smaller than Luna. Why should I feel guilty about touching?
“Let me touch you! Or I’ll spill the beans on your little romance!”
“… …”
Do I really have to touch?
![[TS] The End of Magical Girls Has Come](https://i3.wp.com/darkmtl.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/1737407792-8993-TS-The-end-of-magical-girls-has-come.png?resize=85,105 "[TS] The End of Magical Girls Has Come")
