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Chapter 5: Turning the Trap

Author: MsKath_writes
last update publish date: 2026-08-29 14:10:12

Two hours before dawn, the forest surrounding the eastern wing of the Rosenthal Estate was swallowed by darkness.

The moon hung low behind a layer of clouds, casting only faint traces of silver light between the towering trees. The wind whispered through the branches, carrying the scent of damp earth and pine.

Thirty royal knights moved silently through the forest.

Or at least, they tried to.

Their armor had been wrapped in cloth to muffle the sound of metal, while their horses were led carefully between the trees. Each man knew the importance of the mission. They were not there to fight.

They were there to plant evidence.

Several heavily guarded iron chests were being carried toward the Rosenthal vaults. Inside them were forbidden dark-magic artifacts—corrupted crystals, cursed remains, and objects that could easily be used as proof of treason.

Once the evidence was discovered, the Rosenthal family would have nowhere to run.

The captain raised one hand, bringing the group to a halt.

“Quietly,” he whispered. “Once the chests are inside, send the signal to His Highness. We strike at first light.”

The knights nodded.

None of them noticed the figure watching them from above.

A soft laugh suddenly drifted through the trees.

Mocking.

Amused.

Completely out of place in the silent forest.

“Is this really the best the royal guard can do?”

The captain froze.

The voice came from somewhere above them.

“Moving through the forest like a group of clumsy bears.”

Every knight looked upward.

Their expressions changed instantly.

Sitting comfortably on a thick tree branch was Evelina Rosenthal.

Moonlight illuminated her dark dress and the strands of hair framing her face. In one hand, she held a delicate porcelain teacup.

She took another leisurely sip.

The captain stared at her in disbelief.

“Lady Evelina...?”

Her lips curved into a faint smile.

“Good evening, Captain.”

His shock quickly turned into panic.

“Guards! Seize her!”

The soldiers immediately reached for their weapons.

“She must not alert the estate!”

But before a single knight could move, the ground beneath them suddenly cracked.

Dark-purple flames erupted from the earth.

They spread rapidly, forming a perfect circle around the thirty royal knights.

The horses screamed and reared in terror.

“What—?!”

The captain stumbled backward.

“Dark magic!”

He drew his sword and swung at the flames, but the moment the blade touched the purple fire, an intense wave of heat forced him back.

“She’s a witch!” he shouted. “Kill her!”

A quiet silence followed.

Then footsteps emerged from the darkness.

One.

Two.

Then dozens.

Figures clad in pitch-black armor slowly appeared between the trees. Their armor carried a silver crest that every soldier in the empire recognized.

The Valemont Northern Corps.

The empire's most feared military force.

The temperature seemed to drop the moment they appeared.

Then a man stepped from behind an ancient oak.

Duke Lucien Valemont.

His dark coat moved with the wind, while a massive broadsword rested casually against his shoulder. His ice-blue eyes were colder than the winter air surrounding them.

He looked at the royal soldiers.

Then at Evelina.

Finally, his gaze returned to the captain.

“Touch a single hair on her head,” Lucien said quietly, “and I will feed your bones to the northern wolves.”

The threat was delivered so calmly that it became even more terrifying.

The royal knights froze.

One by one, their weapons slipped from their hands.

“D-Duke Valemont...?”

“Why are the Northern Knights here?”

No one answered.

They already knew.

They had walked straight into a trap.

Evelina calmly jumped from the branch.

Her boots touched the ground without making a sound.

She walked toward the iron chests abandoned by the knights and stopped in front of one.

With the heel of her boot, she kicked it open.

The lid slammed against the ground.

Inside were blackened skulls, corrupted crystals, and several objects pulsing with an unmistakable dark aura.

Evelina stared at the contents.

Then she looked toward the captain.

“Captain.”

Her voice was calm.

Too calm.

“You came here under Prince Cedric's orders.”

The captain swallowed.

“To plant forbidden dark-magic artifacts inside Rosenthal territory.”

His face became pale.

“Isn't that correct?”

“I... I have nothing to say.”

Evelina's expression did not change.

She stepped closer.

“You don't?”

“No.”

A faint smile appeared on her lips.

“Then perhaps the System can help you remember.”

[SYSTEM NOTIFICATION.]

[Skill Activated: Mind Pressure — Level 1.]

Dark-purple sparks appeared around Evelina's fingertips.

The moment the magic reached the captain, his entire body stiffened.

It felt as though an invisible mountain had suddenly been placed on his chest.

“Gah!”

He dropped to his knees.

“Stop!”

Evelina simply watched.

“Who ordered you?”

The captain gritted his teeth.

“Nothing...”

The pressure intensified.

“Tell me.”

“His Highness!”

The words burst from his mouth.

“Prince Cedric ordered us!”

The other knights stared at him in horror.

The captain continued, unable to stop himself.

“He wanted to frame the Rosenthal family! He planned to have your father arrested and seize the family's mines and northern territories!”

Silence fell over the forest.

Evelina's eyes turned cold.

So that was Cedric's real objective.

Not merely revenge.

Control.

He wanted everything the Rosenthal family possessed.

Evelina released the magic.

The captain collapsed onto the ground, breathing heavily.

She turned toward Lucien.

“Keep the chests.”

Lucien's eyebrow lifted.

“And the soldiers?”

“Alive.”

His expression darkened slightly.

“Leaving traitors alive can be dangerous.”

Evelina smiled.

“Dead men tell no tales.”

She glanced at the terrified captain.

“But living men who are terrified enough to speak?”

Her smile became sharper.

“They make excellent witnesses.”

Lucien stared at her for a moment before a slow smile appeared on his face.

Evelina turned toward the distant horizon.

“Take them to the Imperial Council at dawn.”

Her voice was filled with absolute confidence.

“Let's see how Prince Cedric explains why his own soldiers were caught carrying forbidden dark magic into Rosenthal territory.”

[QUEST COMPLETED.]

[Framed Raid Successfully Stopped.]

[Rewards Granted: Secret Guild License — Unlocked.]

[+200 Magic Points.]

[Prince Cedric's Political Reputation: -40%.]

Evelina's eyes flickered as she read the notification.

She had done more than survive.

She had taken Cedric's weapon and turned it against him.

And by morning, the entire capital would know.

Behind her, Lucien approached.

His footsteps stopped only a few inches away.

“You really are a dangerous woman, Evelina.”

His voice was low, almost amused.

Evelina glanced over her shoulder.

Lucien leaned slightly closer, his breath brushing against her ear.

“And I think I'm going to enjoy every second of working with you.”

Evelina didn't flinch.

Instead, she smiled.

“This is only the appetizer, Duke.”

Her amber eyes gleamed beneath the fading moonlight.

“The real feast begins when the empire burns.”

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