A critical moment!

Jiaye felt a deep unease.
The world’s plot was unraveling.

But Loyre’s shock was no less than theirs.

Tonight, she’d used the Sorcerer-exclusive skill [Astrology] to calculate her chances of assassinating the empress.

Result?
Almost 50% success.

Compared to the 1–2%—sometimes 0.5%—of previous days, this was extremely high.

Astrology was a divine insight skill.
Its accuracy depended on the caster’s level.
For Loyre, it was only a reference.

But she couldn’t wait.

The high-tier spell scrolls had been used.
The longer she delayed, the faster her borrowed power would fade.

So she used the Assassin skill [Shadow Step] to escape the Wilton and reach the Hodir.

A skill only unlocked at Dragon-Tier, [Shadow Step] let her become a shadow—moving freely, unseen.

The Dragoncleaver Guards didn’t sense her.

Loyre planned to sneak directly into the empress’s room.
But the Hodir was massive.
She searched—no luck.

Then—she spotted Black, acting suspiciously.

To her, Black knew her true identity and Jörmungandr’s location.
His identity was definitely not ordinary.

So, on impulse, she followed.

Never expecting—Black’s movements were too abstract.
Left, right, zigzag—she, an Emperor-Tier Assassin, lost him.

After searching, she found nothing—except a secret passage.

Intuition told her—this is important.

So she entered.
Wound through twists and turns—finally reached the end.

The moment she opened the panel—two strange faces stared back.

A masked man and a noble girl.

Though her power had temporarily skyrocketed, Loyre was still a young girl.

The sudden shock made her eyes widen, mouth open—but Black and Jiaye exchanged a glance—simultaneously clamped hands over her mouth.

Silenced her scream.

But now—awkwardness.
From two staring—three.

Black sighed.
He gestured for silence—moved aside, making space.

Luckily, the empress’s wardrobe was huge—three could fit.

They fell into silence.
An awkward tension filled the air.

Black feared his plan was ruined.
Damn game—too many variables!

He didn’t know—he was the cause of all this.

Loyre followed their gaze—saw the room—her heart surged with joy.

After long searching, found at last!

By accident, she’d found Elizabeth’s chamber—thanks to that traitor, coward, pervert Black.

Though she didn’t know the others—as long as they didn’t interfere, she didn’t care.

She needed one moment—one perfect chance to strike.

“…Lucy, thank you. I’ll go bathe now.”

Elizabeth awoke from her nap, speaking softly to Lucy.

“At once, Your Majesty.”

Lucy, serving the empress for years, knew her duties.
She ordered maids to prepare the bath—then walked toward the wardrobe—to pick nightwear.

Inside the wardrobe, the three hearts leapt into their throats.

No!
If caught now—my Violet-Gold Dragonbone / my priceless treasure / my assassination—ruined!

The same thought raced through their minds.

Jiaye and Black even considered retreating—but held firm.

Don’t come here! Don’t come here! Don’t come here!

They prayed in silence.

But Lucy—among all wardrobes—stopped at this one.

Her hand reached for the handle.

Instantly, Jiaye tensed, eyes sharp—calculating escape.
Thirty-six strategies—retreat is best!

Loyre formed a hand seal—a black dagger materialized—[Stellar Blade], an Emperor-Tier Assassin skill.

One of the highest-tier Assassin techniques—instant kill on Dragon-Tier and below if unguarded.

She planned to kill Lucy first—then strike the empress.

Black reacted too—cold sweat turned to drenching sweat.
He wasn’t a protagonist.
No overpowered skills.
Just a Level 10 Pirate.

“That wardrobe’s sleepwear doesn’t suit me. Pick another.”

Elizabeth suddenly spoke—pointing to the next wardrobe.

“Yes.”

Lucy released the handle—opened the other wardrobe—pulled out a pink silk nightgown.

“Your Majesty, the bath is ready.”

With that, Elizabeth and Lucy left—heading to the adjacent bathroom.

“Phew!”

All three exhaled—tension finally broken.

That was incredibly close.
The goddess of luck favored them.

But the relief was incomplete.

Though they’d just survived together, to Jiaye and Loyre—the others were strangers.

With unknown goals, the air turned tense again.

Black feared they’d fight—one, he’d be caught in the crossfire; two, noise would alert Elizabeth—still death.

“Ahem. Ladies—nice to meet you! Let’s shake hands, steal together! No fighting!”

Black whispered, altering his voice so they wouldn’t recognize him.

Luckily, both were calm.
Even without him, they wouldn’t really fight.

After all—they were on the same ship now.

Black opened the wardrobe door—rushed straight to the treasure chests!