Hate me, Miss Witch!

As for the script, isn't it obvious? The Daybreak Organization, originally established with the purpose of "changing the world at dawn," faced the cruelty of war and slowly began to corrupt, darkening in nature. In the end, it's quite reasonable that it would become the hidden hand meddling in wars, wouldn't you agree? Companions who once shared the same ideals were fated to walk entirely different paths. Light and Darkness, righteousness and evil... It's the most perfect and classic script, the kind one never tires of, no matter how many times it's seen.

But then again, as the future arch-villain mastermind, having just me, the founder, is a bit too shabby.

Shiayar's thoughts flickered, and he summoned the Crimson astral spirit body dumpling, cradling it in his arms.

"Crimson, later you and the others should also get some uniforms tailored. Put them on to bolster our Daybreak Organization's image."

"MEEP? (Me?)"

The little silver spirit was also a bit puzzled, wondering why its Beastmaster kept coming up with such ingenious ideas.

We're just Pet Beasts, aren't we taking on too much?

"No worries. We're just here to make up the numbers. A long robe to cover you, a mask to wear, Silver Element to bolster your form, and spiritual power to shield your presence from detection will be enough. No one will know if it's a person or a beast inside."

Shiayar pinched the Crimson dumpling. "That settles it. However, to prevent any records from being passed down that might expose us and lead to our social death in reality, you all need to change your names."

"Crimson, as for you—"

Shiayar thought for a moment.

"In this Echo of History, you will be renamed Shiana from now on."

"MEEP! (Master, I like this name! It has such a 'couple vibe' with you!)"

Having been by Shiayar's side and influenced by him for so long, even his Pet Beasts had learned certain trendy terms.

"WHINE."

Inside the Soul Pact Space, Silver whimpered mournfully, burying its head in its fluffy tail.

Fair-weather friends are truly fair-weather friends. They don't hesitate for a second when they see a chance to get ahead. It's enough to drive a mink mad!

「...」

Unlike his first novice mission, where Shiayar's range of activity was confined to the vicinity of the capital of Azure Garden Dukedom, this official mission's Echo of History encompassed the entire territory of Escarnia. Moreover, perhaps due to the fusion with the Sands of Time, Shiayar's affinity with time and space had significantly increased. Even after several months, he hadn't felt the slightest sensation of being rejected by the river of time; the period he could remain had been substantially extended.

But it was also during these few months that the entire situation in Escarnia underwent a heaven-and-earth-shattering transformation.

Isadella, bearing the name Artorigus, rose like a comet, making a name for herself across the chaotic lands of Escarnia. With the added advantage of her identity as the prophesied child of the Sword in the Stone, coupled with her inherent strength and formidable leadership abilities, Isadella gained the allegiance and support of nobles and Great Knights throughout Escarnia in less than a year.

The Alliance Forces of knights rallied around Isadella. Perhaps because they had been suppressed for too long, the knight-vassals, having finally found a leader, erupted with astonishing combat power. Under Isadella's leadership, who always charged at the forefront, they achieved several great victories, crushing the allied forces of Vortigern and the Abyss Demons and reclaiming large swathes of lost territory. Along the way, they also cleared the wilderness of remaining Abyssal creatures, as well as the rampant marauders and horse bandits.

All of this transpired within a few short months. Due to the slow spread of news in such a chaotic world, by the time Vortigern, the Dawn Church, and other factions began to take this emerging alliance of knights and nobles seriously, they were shocked. They discovered that the alliance had already reestablished a land of order amidst the chaos. In both scale and substance, they had already become a power to be reckoned with, rivaling the Holy See and Vortigern's forces, establishing themselves as the fourth major power in this tumultuous land.

And as the leader of the Alliance Forces, the prophesied figure, Isadella also received a new title: The ideal monarch, the knight among knights—"Knight King."

But, as the name of the Knight King rose like a comet, two other names echoed throughout the entire territory of Escarnia alongside it:

"Black Knight"—Cain.

And the Daybreak Organization.

Countless powerhouses and nobles gathered around Isadella, among whom were even 6-Ring existences. However, before the dark-haired knight, they all paled in comparison. He was not Isadella's subordinate, yet he was never absent from any crucial battle, always fighting at the vanguard. Even the most formidable commanders had to admit that before the Black Knight, all other displays of valor seemed meaningless.

Every time he charged, he plunged deep into enemy formations, facing what seemed like certain death. Yet, whenever he emerged from the mountains of corpses, he was always unscathed. Not even his black cloak with red clouds, the Daybreak Organization's signature, was ever stained with blood. No one had ever witnessed the Black Knight injured.

Having fought countless battles without injury or defeat, some even began to call him by a new title: the "Battle Veteran King." However, Cain himself, a dark line appearing on his forehead, quickly put a stop to it, forcefully prohibiting this title.

The Daybreak Organization behind him likewise became renowned, rescuing civilians from the tides of demons and the ravages of war at countless critical junctures. The meaning behind "the dawn that would change this world" was sung by countless displaced people. Even wearing the black cloaks with red clouds became a fashion statement, a trend.

「...」

"Cain."

"You and your Daybreak Organization, do you truly desire no reward?"

"Territory, titles, power second only to one... or perhaps, beauties?"

"Although current conditions are still somewhat harsh, given your and the Daybreak Organization's achievements, making such requests would be entirely reasonable."

On the city wall, watching the Black Knight return unscathed once more from a sea of corpses and blood, Isadella couldn't help but speak.

She was not a king who failed to understand human nature. Although in both the Echo of History and in reality, Isadella, as the "King of Ideals" in whom the people had placed their hopes, held herself to the strictest tenets of integrity and righteousness. But she also understood clearly that such integrity and righteousness could only be used to discipline herself, never to constrain others. Everyone has selfish desires; incorruptible saints are a minority. If one truly wished to win the hearts of the people, then when it was time to reward merit and bestow honors, there could be no ambiguity.

And so it was. Under her system, the cohesion of the allied nobles and vassals grew ever stronger, often allowing them to display combat power far exceeding their past capabilities.

However, Cain and the Daybreak Organization behind him were different. Although they had never formally declared they were joining her camp, Isadella knew one thing clearly. Without Cain's fearless courage and the Daybreak Organization's terrifyingly effective intelligence-gathering capabilities, which allowed her to anticipate the enemy every time, she could never have achieved such a series of swift, decisive victories and accumulated vast military achievements in such a short period.

Despite his immense contributions, Cain had never actively requested any reward. It was as if, apart from fulfilling the original intention of "Daybreak," he desired nothing else.

"If you insist on giving something, then just give me some gold, silver, and jewels," the Black Knight in the black and red-clouded cloak chuckled casually, speaking in a laid-back tone.

Isadella fell silent.

So-called gold, silver, and jewels—such treasures were the least valuable things in these chaotic times. Trade markets had long since collapsed, making them far less attractive than tangible benefits like titles and fiefdoms. Evidently, Cain had only mentioned it casually because she insisted, not because he genuinely cared for such monetary wealth. Besides, even if he took the money, where would he spend it?

The next moment, Isadella saw the Black Knight walk to the edge of the city wall.

Through the eyeholes of his whirlpool mask, his dark eyes scanned the scene within the city walls: residents living in peace and contentment.

"You are the leaves bathed in sunlight; I am the root hidden in the depths."

"Power, status, territory—such things do not concern me."

Cain's words remained somewhat enigmatic, yet they carried a profound meaning.

"As long as you can ultimately bring peace to this land."

"And then create the new nation of our ideals, I will be satisfied enough."

Just as Shiayar finished speaking these words, he saw text appearing on the light screen in his mind.

[Important character 'Knight King's' favorability towards you has increased by 5 points.]

[Current favorability: 50 (Trusted)]