“…Mr. President, I can confirm that the mission to capture the high-value-target “Brutus” in Peshawar Pakistan has failed. Our troops have been either wiped out or significantly weakened within the city, and we have lost all communications. If anything, it is time that we call in the Russians to provide logistical support and the necessary manpower to investigate what happened.

I am already aware of the Spetsnaz units that have been deployed along side our Green Beret and CIA assets, but I can’t say that will be enough to secure the Pakistani president’s daughter. Worse enough is that mercenaries under the Afghani payroll have entered Pakistan to assist the insurgents throughout the country, so all I can fear is another armed conflict with over 3000 nukes at stake.”

- Classified phone call between General of the Army Kennedy Adams and the POTUS.

Part 1: The Silver-Haired Demon

She was the first-born Princess, Leccamaradel Emma Araish.

Though such a title held little meaning in today’s world. She was no more than an ‘honorary guest’ at the royal palace. Her former military title as Chieftain had been reduced to a mere honorary role. She held no power, no influence. Such a state was pitiful for a member of the royal family of the Kingdom of Yondel.

Each step token on the grounds of the royal palace served a reminder of the life she had once held. Sure, she was still pampered by all those around her, but it was never the same as it formerly once was.

The words of maids, butlers, and members of the Royal Guard filled the palace. Yet she paid no mind. Though stripped of her power, being a Princess still had obligations to both the royal court and the people of her kingdom.

With her black dress comfortably hugging her body, and her heels making audible sounds against the marble floors, Leccamaradel walked at a normal pace to her next destination for the day. Under the careful watch of an older butler, she continued to her destination, which was the royal vault and its accompanying offices where the economic elite would figure out how to adjust the governmental budget.

Approaching a wooden door at the end of the long hallway, Leccamaradel paused before knocking on the door. An audible “thud” came from inside the room, and moments later the door swiftly opened. Her eyes furrowed at the man before her; all chubby, but with a sharp calculating gaze, Vise Count Porodale Mororcos served under the king as his financial advisor.

“Vise Count Mororcos, pardon me for the intrusion.” Leccamaradel said in a professional manner as she curtsied.

The Vise Count looked upon Leccamaradel which made her uncomfortable, yet he made no move as he let out a long and exasperated sigh as he stepped away from the door, “Princess Araish, what might you be visiting me for?”

Withdrawing a small scroll from her belt, Leccamaradel presented it as she announced her intentions, “I am here in place of the king to speak about how funds will be distributed to the military.”

Mororcos took a glance around the Princess before nodding his head and turning to enter the office he now occupied. “Fine” He said, “Be it as it may.”

Entering the room, the Princess took her time looking around. To the left a large wooden fixture held several shelves of neatly and properly aligned books. On the right, a large table with different manuscripts, orders, and mostly accountant-based documents laid spread out in an unorderly fashion.

“Pardon me.” She said softly and with a slight smile.

With the Vice Count impatiently waiting, Leccamaradel quietly walked over to the table he was waiting at. Noticing two cups and a pitcher of tea waiting on the table, it was clear that this meeting would be longer than both expected.

“Now, your highness… I believe the report I gave to both the King and the Grand Harbinger. Tell me, what is it that is wrong with how the funds will be distributed?” Mororcos questioned putting the Princess on the spot.

Not yielding to the Vise Count, she answered firmly without pause, “The King and the Grand Harbinger best believe that the funds should be reallocated to the rearmament of our legions. The King in particular believes that further development and research of flint technology should be put on hold or possibly outright canceled due to the mage divisions that have grown in size as of late.”

“That man is a fool.” Vise Count Mororcos said aloud as he pinched the bridge of his nose, “He is a fool for believing that we will survive this next war without the proper tools necessary to win. Our enemies have already employed such technologies, yet here we are putting all of our hope into several divisions of conscripts who will leave once their allotted time has expired.”

“He also mentioned that further use of mercenaries and adventurers should be considered and that a portion of the funds should be directed to improving such groups.”

The Vice Count snapped as he suddenly bolted from his chair. He breathed heavily as he paced around the room at an unusual pace, “He-he believes that this kingdom will survive? With all his stupid decisions, its no wonder that the military has fallen into shambles, and that our allies have slowly distanced themselves from us!” An idea suddenly sprang into Mororcos head as he returned to his seat, “You know what? If he wants to destroy what the former king built, then he shall do so! Just don’t be surprised when “he” and his “men” come knocking on our walls!”

A crawling sensation made its way around the Princess’s foot, yet she made move to remove such a sensation, hell at this point her face betrayed no emotion to what she was feeling.

“Vise Count, although I value your opinion, the recommendation I have made is nothing more than a royal order that has come from the King himself.” She spoke directly and without emotion, “It would be in the best interests of both yourself and your family if you follow such orders.”

“What blasphemy has the king taught you dear Lecca?” The Vise Count whispered as he sat back down in his seat with a cold sweat running down the side of his face, “Fine. Julius, come here!”

A younger man came out of an adjacent room with a stack of papers in his hands. Seeing who was in the room, the boy quickly placed the papers aside and brushed his golden hair momentarily before showing a short bow.

“Ah! Princess Airish! I did not expect you to be here.” He said nervously.

“Please raise your head.” Lecca said in a comforting manner as she adjusted herself in her seat.

With a light red-hue on his face, the boy no older than seventeen years old obliged and stood up straight. “What brings you to such a place Princess?” He asked in a kind manner as he tilted his head and scratched the back of his head.

Before the Vice Count could answer, Lecca cut him off as she provided her own, “I am simply here to assist you both in deciding the new budget for the military.” She said with a soft smile on her face.

“I see…” Julius answered in an uncertain tone as warmth ran through his body. “Then I will be glad to provide my services.” He proclaimed as he pulled up a spare chair and brought himself to sit with the Vice Count.

A small smile grew on Lecca’s face as continued to press her burning question that had been laying at the back of her mind even before she arrived at the office, “Julius, may I propose a question to you.”

As if he were enchanted by every word she spoke, the naïve boy nodded his head attentively giving her the opportunity to speak while the Vice Count watched in confusion. “Then tell me; how much of yourself do you devote to the throne and all members of the royal family.”

Putting up a salute and speaking loud and proud, Julius answered the question with all his might, “I not only devote myself to the honor of the throne, but if any member of the royal family were to ask something of me, I would gladly give all of my ability to the cause!”

Surprised at the proclamation, and in awe at the bright look on the boy’s face, all Lecca could do was provide was a satisfactory nod which made the boy glow red in the face. Raising from her seat, Lecca excused herself as she walked to the exit of the room.

The Vice Count suddenly sprung from his chair and followed the Princess as he spouted out questions as to why she was now leaving.

All Lecca could say in a strained voice was, “Please keep to yourself Vice Count Mororcos, it has kept you alive for this long, so why bother stopping?”

Absolutely appalled by the response he gained; the Vice Count turned around.

An image was burned into his mind as he watched Julius’s face morph into something completely unrecognizable.

Part 2: One Final Effort

“Over there!”

“Capture her!”

“I’ve got it!”

A chorus of voices bellowed out through the courtyard of the royal palace as the Royal Knights and Royal Guard had finally apprehended a female intruder.

The crowd had long gathered the attention of the royal family, and more specifically Princess Lecca had appeared on the grounds during the pursuit. She was flanked by the same butler that had been watching her during her previous visit to Vice Count Mororcos and behind him was three members of the Royal Guard.

“You damn witch! Think you can cast your spells on royal grounds huh?”

In the late evening sun, Lecca and her escorts walked down the steps that led to the front courtyard of the palace. Her black dress was swept in the growing wind, and her steps grew graceful as the distance between her and the witch fell ever short.

“Your highness if I may…” Lecca’s butler spoke softly as he stopped her by the shoulder, “It is wise to be here? I believe you have other duties to attend to…”

Lecca provided a genuinely soft smile to the frail old man as she ignored his warning, “It’s okay. I believe this is something I should participate in. After all this is a matter of security is it not?” She questioned which gained a defeated look from her butler.

“Of course. Please proceed at your leisure.” He said while slightly stepping backwards and lightly bowing at the same time.

Reaching the end of the staircase, Lecca stepped onto the stone flooring spread amongst the gardens that hosted a plentiful amount of colors ranging from brilliant blues, to hazing reds of the lycoris radiata flowers. The guards dressed in their more pristine and prestigious uniforms waited for the Princess to approach. Each one on edge, for what was about to happen to the intruder.

Five guards kept their weapons trained on the intruder, while another two kept her on her knees by holding her by the arms. Each one gave of sweat as it had been only two weeks since the last encounter with a witch.

“Ah Princess!”

Calling out to Lecca was none other than that of Knight Captain Maximus Orwell. The Knight Captain had been the one responsible for executing the infamous “Orwell’s Charge” where he and 200 calvary rode into battle against a horde of 400 monsters with minimal casualties.

“Captain, it is good to see you and your men are up to par.” She said boldly gaining several whistles from the other guards.

“You wound me, Princess!” Orwell said in return as he feigned holding a wound above his heart, “Either way it seems we are up to par, as we’ve successfully captured this intruder, a witch to be exact.” He said while guiding Lecca to the intruder.

The sun burned fiercely as it revealed the colors adorning the witch. Brown trousers, a black tunic, and green over-cloak with an accompanying mask, Lecca knelt in front of the intruder who swiftly looked away, until forced to look at the First-Born Princess.

The witch had long brunette hair that was in a bun and green eyes. She looked directly into Lecca’s brown eyes.

“I already know that you will refuse to say anything to protect whomever you served or whomever hired you.” Lecca began as the knights around her watched with interest, “This interrogation will not go far even with torture. Yet, there is something I can offer you if cooperation is something you consider.”

“What would that be?” The woman asked with venom.

“You are a witch. You are someone that can rival most of the kingdom’s mages. You are capable of destroying most backwater towns solo, yet no one said that destruction couldn’t be applied to a more populated or sophisticated region.” The woman froze and her face scrunched in frustration as the Silver-Haired Princess continued, “You perhaps had the mission of drawing out a member of the royal family, but I suppose I am not the one you are looking for? Tell me what is your mission? Assassination, bribery, capture of another member such as myself?”

“You God damned royalty!” The woman yelled gaining a swift strike from one of the guards making her go into a coughing fit.

“Watch your tongue intruder!” The guard said.

“You knew this would happen. Your capture was paramount to your mission. So, I will be kind enough to provide a single opportunity for you to confess before other methods are used.” Lecca threatened.

“Princess you are right! Torture won’t work!” She wailed and laughed.

Tired of this game, Lecca stood up and approached Orwell who was waiting patiently. “Captain, I request your blade.” She ordered, making the captain’s eyes shrink about the action she was about to perform.

“Your majesty?” He questioned drawing his blade and presenting it to the Princess.

“There is no other choice. We must do it.” She said with a solemn look.

Taking the sword, Lecca approached the intruder and aligned the end of the sword with the witch’s chest. The woman fell silent as she misinterpreted her fate, and without another word, Lecca stepped forward and plunged the blade through the chest of the witch.

Crimson blood shimmered in the red hue of the sun as it dripped onto the ground. The witch looked up with tearful eyes as Lecca moved her hand to the head.

“W-what?” The witch murmured out confused on what was about to happen.

“Like the others before you I would prefer mercy, but there is only one way to get what I want.” Lecca said in a reassuring, yet cold voice. “You must understand that there are those that still know the nullification arts. The First-Born Princess is one of three hundred that remember.”

The witch’s eyes grew in shock as a stream of energy began to exit her body and into Lecca’s hand. The guards surrounding Lecca watched both in horror and interest as the life was being drained out of the intruder.

Once complete, the woman dropped to the floor dead. A pool of black liquid exited from her eyes, nostrils, and mouth. Lecca whipped her hand as she removed the excess energy that she couldn’t absorb.

“Princess you truly are a demon.” Captain Orwell complemented with a smile as he turned around to the sounds of someone running towards the group gathered.

“Princess!” A maid called out, “The King is ready to proceed with the summoning ritual!”

Princess Lecca stood up from the ground and carefully wiped off the blood on Orwell’s sword before answering the maid, “So, One Final Effort?”

Publicly Available Information: Nullification Magic:

Among the powers of typical magic spells, the power of Nullification is a forgotten art that is practiced by those only of royal blood. Due to this ability being limited, it has become a status of power, and is believed to possess the power to alter basic human understanding of magic well beyond any ancient records.