The day had passed in the blink of an eye…

  The moon already stood high in the sky, shining with its fragile light and illuminating the pitch-black night, while clouds paraded beside it in a most captivating spectacle. Inside Shin and Manu’s room, countless sheets of paper littered the floor, filled with incomprehensible scribbles and writings in a language from another world. In the middle of it all stood a weary figure—it was me. The day had been long, and I hadn’t had much time to advance in the Jegal art; however, I had managed to improve my mastery. I should be fully operational for the mission.

  — Yawn

  As fatigue steadily took over and I was about to take a cold shower to clear my head, one of the house’s maids knocked on the door.

  — Sir, Lady Cynthia asked me to tell you that everyone is waiting for you downstairs.

  They’re waiting for me? Checking the time and date to make sure I hadn’t made a mistake, I couldn’t understand why they were looking for me. Maybe a meeting for tomorrow?

  Reassured by that thought, I got up and headed downstairs, hoping to clear things up once I was with the others.

  Walking down the stairs while stroking my mustache, I was stunned when I reached the bottom.

  A knight from ancient times was standing there—or rather, a person clad in gleaming steel armor, radiating a noble aura, his face hidden behind a helmet and a cape that gave him an air both menacing and captivating. I recognized him immediately by his build: it was Donavan.

  Standing behind the valiant knight was the princess. Although she was surely more powerful than the knight here, she was dressed elegantly, wearing a simple yet refined combat dress in blue and white that highlighted her attractive features and athletic figure. Her golden eyes shone behind her mask—one of the kind worn at high-society masquerade parties. It was Cynthia.

  To her right, sitting perfectly upright, almost solemnly, was someone dressed as a giant pink teddy bear, with a huge heart emblazoned on its chest: Haru.

  Finally, last but certainly not least, stood proudly at the center of it all. A person dressed elegantly yet simply, wearing a luxurious gray suit, dark gloves on both hands—one of which rested on a steel cane. Draped over his shoulders was a wide, open coat. The most ridiculous part was his demon mask, paired with a top hat perched atop his head, giving him an utterly terrifying appearance. It was Shin.

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  — What’s going on here?

  I finally blurted out, overwhelmed by the shock. That was when the maids handed me my costume, and, driven by impatience, I quickly got dressed.

  My outfit was a futuristic green armor, with a breastplate featuring a bright green energy core at its center, matching green mechanical boots and gloves, and finally an astronaut helmet serving as a mask.

  — Looks like everyone is ready for the meeting.

  The demon snickered.

  — When I told you we’d do this with style, I wasn’t joking.

  The princess added, laughing along with the devil.

  — If I gathered you here, it’s not just for the costumes. We’re starting our operation at midnight.

  Everyone was stunned. Yet they all knew he had respected the plan to wait until tomorrow, even if he intended to act at the very first hour.

  — Since you insist, we’ll start the operation at midnight.

  Cynthia conceded with a sigh as she took her seat. Everyone simply followed her lead; after all, striking early would at least guarantee the element of surprise. No one would expect criminals to return to the scene of their crimes less than forty-eight hours later.

  — For obvious reasons, we must remain anonymous. From now on, we are Twilight, a criminal organization, and each of us will have a codename based on the Major Arcana of the tarot.

  Codenames, huh? I hope I get a good one—something like the Chariot or the Hierophant.

  — Manu will be the Hermit. Donavan will be the Chariot. Cynthia, the Empress. Haru, the Lovers. And finally, me—the Fool.

  The moment Shin finished his sentence, I was already repulsed by my codename. Couldn’t he have picked a better one? And more importantly, why is Donavan the Chariot and not me? I’m sure he decided that the moment he asked for the costumes.

  — Today’s mission will be to attack the auxiliary base located on the opposite side of the city. That’s where their archives and data branches are stored.

  Picking up on what Shin had just said, Cynthia added:

  — That’s where I’ll receive my payment for helping you—namely, the data on Valhalla.

  — What’s more, I think it’s the location with the fewest human personnel. Even if security is tight, we’ll have fewer people to face. Low risk, high reward.

  Donavan’s remark was reasonable, even though there was a far more important reason why we were targeting that place.

  — We might find out why they’re trying to recreate the monsters there—maybe even their formulas.

  I added seriously, reminding everyone that Rubis was still dangerous.

  — You’re right. That’s exactly why we’re going there. And of course, don’t worry about Javis, Haru: I’ve instructed the maids to give him his “medication” whenever necessary, and he’s under regular supervision, just as you asked.

  Shin said as he turned toward her. In a nearly bitter voice, she replied:

  — I know. As long as I keep my word, everything will be fine.

  — In that case, the operation will begin in three hours.

  Snickered the Fool—the zero card, the card of beginnings.