An attack force of one hundred would definitely attract attention within the capital but strangely, nobody seemed to notice them.

"Uhh, Kenj- I mean, Kai can I ask you about why despite all the noise and the amount of knights, nobody in the streets seem to notice us."

Arata was one of the only few left in Memento Mori who still casually conversed with Kai.

"Camouflage. It's basically hiding in plain sight. I use magic to make people avert our path and obscure their vision. Right now, all those people see is an empty road and everyone avoids them due to my magic. Nobody notices us and none of them have knowledge that they're being manipulated. If I make any moves like going near them or using magic that would threaten their current status, the camouflage would be instantly seen through. It's useful for tailing others but not useful for assassinations and the like."

Arata studied his words but when the word 'assassination' came out of Kai's mouth, he flinched.

"Kai, I haven't heard anything from Natsumi but what's the reason for the demon subjugation?"

"...A coup d'état."

When Yoko's question was answered, everyone's eyes opened wide.

"A coup?!"

"Yeah... Though only one place has started the revolt, they've gotten the consent of the major powers to avoid interference. It could start this month or the next and with the power of the duke of Mariko Palace, it'd be easy to conquer the kingdom without my presence. With various promises, the other palaces will be able to receive the future help of the Mariko Palace once they've taken control of the kingdom."

Natsumi had a grim face when Kai told them the truth.

"The duke of Mariko Palace had already threatened all the other palaces with his power and influence except the Sakamoto Palace who are their conspirators. If we are to wipe out the start of the coup before it happens, the Sakamoto and Mariko Palace, the coup will never happen nor will any of the other palaces be suspected of treason. On the other hand, if it happens, whether they fail or win, the damage to the kingdom will be so severe that I doubt the kingdom will be able to stand for another decade without being invaded. Even with my power, I won't be able to save the kingdom from that."

Yoko raised her head.

"You keep emphasizing your power but exactly how strong are you right now?"

"I defeated an A-class without any major injuries and I'm even starting a war against an S-class, what amount of power do you think I hold?"

Yoko's eyes opened wide.

"S-class?!"

"Close. My level of power is slightly below S-class and the peak of A-class. A-class, fifth step. If I were to train my magic a bit more, I would be classified as S-class. I could've reached it since long before but the moment I do, I'll be targeted by many people and kingdoms, I haven't been prepared but after I subdue the demon, all necessary plans would be complete."

Everytime Kai said the word 'demon', there was anger in his words. Yoko who was with him during those years knew the reason for his rage and didn't try to pursue any further.

After half an hour of walking, they finally arrived outside Mariko Palace. It wasn't very far from the royal castle.

"Remember, we aren't allowed to say we are members of the kingdom unless we are certain of our victory. If we fail, the citizens will begin to doubt us because this operation was not announced publicly. Not to mention the fact that the demon can corrupt those near them with miasma. Don't kill anyone unless necessary but even more so, don't die. Those are your missions."

Kai said without turning around. That back of his felt like it was a mountain for everyone.

"Now, let's start."

With that, the invisibility faded and Kai channeled his mana.

Erina was still on her bed writhing from the pain. Although it was fading slowly, the pain still wasn't pleasant. It would last for a day longer before Erina can even channel her mana.

"...I have to reveal his schemes...!"

Just as Erina tried to stand up from the bed, a huge explosion resounded and the whole palace shook. Erina who was on the edge of her bed fell down on the floor. If she was able to use her mana, she'd figure out who fired it but other than her magic eye, she couldn't channel the least bit.

"What is...?"

The tremors and falling from the bed caused Erina more pain. The poison temporarily made her body near to that of a normal human's but even with her weakened state, she was still many times stronger than a normal human in their best condition. Normally, she wouldn't feel pain even with twice the height she fell.

Just as she tried to figure it out, the door opened; revealing Yasuo, Hyosuke, and one other figure who looked similar in age to Erina.

"Brother...?"

"It's nice to see you again, Erina. Though I wish it would've been under different circumstances."

The one who spoke was Erina's half-brother, Mariko Yoshino. He had been in charge of the palace along with an aide during the year that Erina and Hyosuke weren't present. Because Erina's condition was revealed to him, it was evident that he was working under her father.

"Outside is a group of over a hundred people wearing armor. The armors are designed like the royal guards' but they all had different patterns. It's evident that they're from the kingdom. In the lead is a black-haired man with weird black clothing. Do you know of them?"

When Yoshino first talked, Erina was bewildered but when he mentioned the black-haired man, her eyes widened.

"I see, so it's someone you know. When I hear about black hair I remember the clan that you had visited with father, is it a survivor from there? I had heard that there was only one survivor though, the woman."

Hyosuke covered his mouth.

"I see. It's the boy who had managed to burn me using golden flames."

"Golden flames? Don't they use darkness?"

"That boy can manipulate not one but many elements. He's undertaken a trial like you."

"I see, but I haven't heard of golden flames before. I'll deal with him."

Hyosuke shook his head.

"No, you will take care of his companions. If put together, they're at the level of A-class but the survivor from that clan has a reputation of being unrivaled in solo battle. I've heard that she'd lost during a spar though. But with the power I gave you, you should be able to take care of them. Do not under any conditions fight that black-haired man, you have no chance."

Hyosuke's voice was cold but Yoshino's expression was the same as ever.

"I will do as you say, father."

With that, Yoshino left the room. Hyosuke looked at Yasuo and the latter nodded. He carried Erina on his back and together with Hyosuke, they left. Erina struggled on the way but with the pain from the poison, she couldn't resist.

"GYAA!"

A handful of guards were blown away with a single swing of Kai's scythe but none of them were killed.

For every soldier killed, the country's military power would decrease so they had to save as much as possible. Kai understood this the most as one of the kingdom's main power.

The members of Memento Mori hesitated to join the fight but with Yoko's lead, they attacked. Natsumi was the most reserved during fighting because these were the people that lived in her kingdom, she tried her best to only incapacitate and not injure. Kazuki had little hesitation but he obviously held back his power. The two of them had their mouth and nose covered but anyone who's close to them would immediately be able to identify them.

Arata didn't use his spear and continued to use only his shield to knock the guards out. They were only on the garden outside the mansion, there were very few guards here who were C-class. Not to mention that students in the academy are stronger than those who haven't attended. Umi kept encasing the guards' heads in water to suffocate them and only releases when they lose consciousness.

An all-out battle or a battle where one side kills and the other subdues, there's no question as to which fight is harder. The guards were trying to stop the intruders with all they had while the royal guards and Memento Mori had to subdue. Even if they were stronger, they still had to exercise extreme caution. Half the royal guards were capturing those who were incapacitated and half were fighting. Normally, it would only be a matter of time before they're defeated because of the place but with Kai's power, they swept through everything smoothly.

Nobody was injured enough to the point that they can't fight because with each of Kai's swings, wind accompanies and knocks away the enemies. The guards inside the palace would go outside of the house at any moment. And sure enough, the gates opened wide and revealed over a hundred guards at C-class with some B-class. Just like the royal guard.

Kai stopped his own team's advance with his scythe.

"Throw down your weapons and state your affiliation, intruders!"

The guards had spears pointed at Kai and the others. There was quite a distance between the two but that distance was nothing to C-class, none of them were normal humans.

(A/N: Just to make it clear, these knights have C-class bodies and B-class bodies not magic power.)

Kai said nothing and placed two his fingers inside his mouth. Kai whistled; everyone on his side was confused while the enemy became vigilant.

"Attack!"

Kai didn't tell his own force that. Instead, dozens of cloaked figures appeared from the shadows and many other places. The guards from the palace didn't stand a chance, each one of the cloaked figures had the fighting force of five of them.

One cloaked figure stood beside Kai.

"Kai, you could give us two or three week's advance next time. I know that we're indebted to you and our mission also coincides with this particular event but do you know how hard it is to call troops from another kingdom. The reinforcements would've arrived tomorrow but rushed over here because of your message."

"Sorry about that but some circumstances forced me to ask for your assistance as fast as possible."

"The engagement?"

Kai fell silent and the cloaked figure sighed.

"Does the princess already know about this girl you're rescuing?"

"Of course, I wouldn't do anything without informing her."

Natsumi tilted her head.

"Are you talking about me?"

"No, I'm talking about her."

Kai raised his pinky.

"Ahhh..."

It was Yoko's turn to question.

"What does that sign mean?"

Kai looked up for a bit before turning his gaze back at Yoko.

"I'll tell you all soon. We have to end this fast because there's still the finals later."

When the members of Memento Mori heard that, they remembered Kai's slaughter and Kai's figure now, they were hesitant but knew he wasn't cruel because of how everyone treated him.

"You're right. The sooner we end this the better. It's already 2 hours past midnight, we have to end this before the sun rises or else we'll garner the attention of the entire capital. The people in the mansion's area have already been evacuated though I don't know when you did it. Go, we'll hold back these people here."

Kai nodded at the cloaked figure.

"Split the Red Sea!"

When the cloaked figures heard that, they all dashed to the center of the guards and created a line. Then, they slowly pushed the guards to the side; opening a path for Kai.

"Inside the palace, we'll encounter more guards. The royal guards will keep them busy while the eight of us are headed straight for Erina and the demon."

Kai said that as he prepared to run.

"W-wait, Kai! We'll get blown away!"

Arata panicked, they all saw the sonic booms that come when Kai leaps before.

"Don't worry."

The cloaked figures were strong but their numbers were limited and so the guards gradually forced them back in the middle.

Instead of running, Kai only took the position and placed his hand on the floor.

"[Group], [Mach Speed]."

The royal guards and Memento Mori felt like some invisible force binded them together and next thing they knew, they were already in the palace.

Although Memento Mori was still dumbfounded, the royal guards seem to have experienced it before and quickly prepared themselves. Only a few seconds after they entered, the guards who were about to rush out encountered them, now they were surrounded.

Kai cracked his knuckles and spun his scythe so fast that it looked like he was holding a round shield.

"Let's pierce through."