Three pillars support the Republic of Veneto.
Gold, Shadow, and finally, the Sea.
The assassins of the Nightwalker Family operate in secret, risking their lives and shedding blood in the shadows for the sake of gold.
They operate everywhere, with one exception: above the sea.
The only place in this world where the influence and reach of the Nightwalker Family do not touch is the sea, for the sea is the domain of the Serpent Family.
How could this country, as small and cramped as a grain of millet, maintain naval superiority as the largest in the continent in terms of ‘scale and quantity’? How could it reign as the hegemon of the oceans, commanding an invincible fleet of over 3,300 ships?
Of course, it cannot be compared to the prestige of the Nightwalker Family, which acts as the manager of gold alongside the shadows, with its members serving as the First Lord of the Treasury and the Minister of Finance for generations.
However, in this country where land routes are blocked by the Nightsky Mountains and the Empire, even the Nightwalker Family has no choice but to cooperate with the Serpent Family, which considers itself the pillar of the sea.
No matter how skilled the walkers of the night are, they cannot dare to match them on the sea — or more accurately, on the water.
“It is a rare occurrence for the Serpent Family to send an invitation,” Sien said.
“I agree,” Laila replied.
It was truly unusual for them to send an invitation in this manner.
“To think they would ‘reveal themselves’ outside of the water.”
Laila did not deny it and shrugged her shoulders.
“Still, the timing is good. I have many things to discuss with them anyway.”
“You are going to the capital, then.”
“You speak as if it is someone else’s business.” Laila let out a small laugh and continued. “This is our business.”
At those words, Sien also broke into a smile.
‘The time has already come.’
Just as she said, this was by no means a distant matter for Sien.
***
The Great Council, the Senate, the Council of Forty…
The political system of this country, which officially claims to be a republic, was built under a plausible ideal of monitoring one another and making decisions through republican consensus according to republican ideology.
At least, that was how it appeared on the surface.
In a certain secret room within the Doge’s Palace in the capital, Veneto.
The room, filled with darkness even in the middle of the day, contained no obvious gold decorations or works of art. It was a secret conference room with a desolate and bleak gray landscape, where a single marble table sat alone.
“Welcome, Duke of Nightwalker.”
As Laila appeared in the room, everyone who had been seated rose in turn and approached her.
“Donna Nightwalker.”
“I greet the esteemed Mother of Assassins.”
Following the etiquette of the Republic, they politely kissed the back of her hand, showing extreme courtesy as if they were facing the true ruler of the country.
As they said, she was the true ruler of this nation.
The men kissing the back of Laila’s hand were also among the ‘True Rulers’ of this country, even if they could not dare to match her standing.
The Doge, the Great Council, the Senate — the political systems revealed on the surface are merely the tip of the iceberg.
Of course, they have their own roles. However, they were nothing compared to what lay beneath the iceberg, in this room.
The Room of the Council of Ten.
The key policies that determine the nation’s fate — including diplomacy, intelligence activities, and war — are not decided by the Doge or the Council.
It is decided by the ten rulers in this room, an organization known as the Council of Ten.
“Since the Chairwoman has entered, let us begin the meeting.”
“I apologize for keeping you waiting, dear members.”
The true rulers of this nation, and the ruler above those rulers, spoke.
“And it is a pleasure to see you again, Admiral Raffaello.”
“The honor is mine.”
A man wearing a pure white coat bowed politely. He was a handsome man with hair as blue as the sea and sapphire eyes.
Raffaello Serpent.
The young and energetic head of the Serpent Family, the pillar that supports this country from the sea. The undefeated admiral who commanded the Republic’s proud Invincible Fleet.
“I am truly surprised that you would set foot on land during such turbulent times.”
“I suppose so,” Raffaello replied with a chuckle. “I’ve been waking up in the middle of the night lately, worried that the fleet I lent out without a word might be blown up by those idiots.”
“Thanks to those rental fees, the development funds for new warships were provided to the State Arsenal,” Laila asked, feigning ignorance. “Haven’t you been constantly begging for a budget allocation?”
“Well, I did ask quite a bit.” Raffaello shrugged nonchalantly. “I am always in awe of the Finance Minister’s ability to move money. It seems like money just duplicates itself while you’re breathing.”
“Money has a way of attracting more money.”
“Ha, the future of our country is truly dependable,” Raffaello said. “As for me, I have so much invested that I’m reduced to measuring the water temperature every day.”
“That is enough idle chatter, Admiral,” another member who had remained silent spoke up.
Shylock de Medici, the Governor of the National Bank of the Republic of Veneto.
“And my esteemed Chairwoman,” continued Shylock, the old head of the Medici Family and the world’s most notorious usurer. “The recovery of the war funds lent to the Seven Kingdoms and Charlemagne is a matter upon which the fate of our country rests.”
“You need not worry about that.”
“If I may be so bold as to ask, could you swear upon 1 pound of flesh near your heart?”
“I could swear on my flesh and heart as many times as you like. It is almost a regret that I only have one heart to wager.” Laila smiled and continued. “However, I intend to wager something far more valuable.”
“The name of the Star and Dagger.”
Leaving behind Shylock, who hurriedly bowed his head, Laila spoke.
“Do not worry. We will certainly recover the borrowed money and the interest.”
As the First Lord of the Treasury, who supports the ‘Gold and Shadow’ of this nation, and as the Mother of Assassins.
“Just as our family has always done.”
Right then, a voice that was exceptionally casual and peaceful, almost like cold water being thrown into the room, was heard.
“I mean, really, what has this country ever done for us that we should go through all this trouble?”
“A-Admiral Raffaello!”
“How dare you utter such nonsense in this place!”
Amidst the ensuing embarrassment and pointing fingers, Laila did not respond. She merely smiled quietly.
“The Admiral is entitled to say that.”
Laila spoke with a smile. The market-like commotion died down immediately afterward.
“Because it is the advice of the Serpent Family, who have risked their lives and shed blood for this country more than anyone else.”
“Hmph, but surely it cannot compare to that of the Nightwalker Family.”
Gold and Shadow belonged to the Nightwalker Family. The position of Governor of the National Bank held by Shylock de Medici was just that — a governor’s seat. It was the same for the heads of the other merchant families present.
Their positions could be replaced at any time.
But the positions of Laila and Raffaello, who faced her, were different.
“Well, I didn’t come all this way just to play around.”
“It seems you have a busy schedule, Admiral Raffaello.”
“I am usually a very busy person,” Raffaello replied with a smile. “I have a mountain of dates scheduled… and I also came up to the capital with my vulgar younger sister after a long time.”
“Oh, Lady Marine?” Laila asked back at the unexpected mention.
“Well, since I’m here, I thought I’d host a party and invite your ‘child.’ I assume you’ve already received the invitation.” Admiral Raffaello shrugged. “I heard my immature younger sister has developed quite an interest in Don Sien.”
“Lady Marine’s interest? That is truly interesting.”
“As it happens, the two are the same age.”
“Is Lady Marine also 17 this year? Isn’t she turning 18 soon?”
“She has a bit of time before she turns 18; she just turned 17,” Raffaello replied. “Well, who knows. Maybe they’ll hit it off and we’ll end up being in-laws.”
“Hmm, do you really think so?”
“Well, now that I think about it, there’s ‘no need to worry’ about that —”
Raffaello abruptly cut himself off. At the same time, the corners of Laila’s smiling mouth froze coldly.
“Oops, my damn mouth is acting up again.”
“Admiral Raffaello.” Laila continued with a cold smile. “This is not the sea that you are so proud of. Before you make such foolish jokes, could you at least mind the time and place?”
“I sincerely apologize, esteemed Grand Duke.”
Admiral Raffaello, who had been smiling nonchalantly the whole time, finally wiped the smile off his face and bowed deeply.
“— It seems this fool briefly forgot that he is incompetent outside of the water.”
***
At that same hour, in the Nightwalker Family’s villa in the capital.
“A butler serving the Serpent Family greets the esteemed walker of the night.”
Before Sien, who had arrived in the capital with Laila, an elderly gentleman in a suit appeared and showed his respects.
“The Duke of Nightwalker is already staying at the mansion with the head of the Serpent Family.”
In the city of water, Veneto, amidst the waterways that flowed like veins and the canals that curved like labyrinths, the ‘butler’ of the Serpent Family stood without even a ferry.
He was submerged in the water as if swimming, his body hidden from the waist down.
“Would you like to head there immediately by riding on my back?”
“I appreciate the gesture, but I will decline.” Sien shook his head with a wry smile. “It has been a while since I was in the capital. Please tell my mother and the Admiral that I will row a ferry there myself.”
“I understand, Don Sien. I shall deliver your message.”
At Sien’s answer, the butler bowed his head and submerged directly into the water.
*Splash!*
The elderly butler’s body sank as if a fish were diving into the water, and in place of human legs, a fish’s tail emerged with a splashing sound, creating ripples on the surface.
As was apparent, the butler serving the Serpent Family was not human.
He was a merman.
‘No matter how many times I see it, I can’t get used to that sight,’ Sien thought, looking at the merman butler gliding through the city’s waterways.
He climbed onto a ferry that was moored nearby, paid the fee, and began to row himself through the city’s canals.
A guest who should have been properly received rowed his own boat after accepting an invitation from the Serpent Family, the house of merfolk.
He organized his thoughts, being the person who knew better than anyone else the end that would eventually come for their race.