Monsters, Demons, Phantoms... They're All The Same

"It would seem that the new students at the Hero Academy have reached your expectations, Your Highness." Count Eldrin Thorncrest of the Wailwa Region to the North East of the capital of the Reunen Empire.

"So I've heard myself. There've been more heroes this year than the last five years combined. It seems that the late High Priest's prophecy was true." Marquess Thorian Emberforge house.

"We can't confirm that." Duke Varyn Illendrin. General of the Empire's military. A powerful man who resides in the southern region of Limore along the coastline. "Let's not jump into conclusion."

"It was only a speculation, your grace. There's no need to be so serious about it."

"A speculation that no one asked for, Lord Emberforge." Baron Oswlod Draxel. The youngest man to recieve a noble title.

"How dare a Baron talk to me like that. Especially one of lowly birth such as yourself."

The Baron was enjoying it, standing beside duke Illendrin at the throne room.

"Don't get mad, Marquess Thorian. He was only joking." Standing beside the throne, the first prince of the empire. Prince Aldences Reunen.

Other nobles present laughed at the Marquess.

"Alden. Behave yourself. One wrong move, and you'll never have the chance of fighting for the throne."

She said that even though she already sat on it and had a crown on her head. 

"I've already lost it to you. Father doesn't even acknowledge me. Your the crown princess, Jezebel."

"He doesn't do so because you're still young."

"He did it to yo--"

"This isn't the time or place to discuss this. Wouldn't you agree, Your majesty?"

"My... How bold of you to interrupt a member of the Imperial family as he speaks, Lord Emberforge."

"He is but a child. He doesn't understand the ways of a noble."

The throne room grew silent. They knew that the Marquess just made an unforgivable mistake.

"Anyways, your majesty. The tournament will soon arrive in just a few months. This may very well be the last. Wouldn't you agree that the time has come for you to explain to us the reason for holding the tournament?" The duke asked.

"Hmm? The reason?"

During the first annual anniversary of the Hero Academy, an idea of how to celebrate it was brought about by the princess. The idea of holding a tournament for the students. One with high stakes and high rewards. But it was seen as uncouth by most of the nobles. They didn't like the idea of showing their children blood and gore in a learning institution.

However, 10 years ago, when Jezebel came of age, she was granted absolute power over the empire as the crown princess. And her first accomplishment was establishing the tournament.

Now called Jezebel's Tournament, it is held once a year on the fifth month of the year. The winner is granted a whole day's stay with the princess. Not only that, they're rewarded with a fortune, a title of Jezebel's Heroes, and anything reasonable they request.

However, since she didn't need to convince anyone that the tournament needed to be put in place since she could do it herself, she never really gave a reason for establishing it.

"But you already know the reason just from looking at the rewards they're granted."

"I refuse to believe that it's only used for gathering heroes! Knowing you, there has to be something you're planning for the future. You see everything as some kind of chess game."

"A chess game where my opponent can flip the board and ruin everything like it was never there... You're reading too much into it, Duke Illendrin. And even if it were true, what kind of scheme would I come up with to beat someone as powerful as Nerezza Vingar? Do tell."

"..."

"We're not fighting you're average enemy. In cases like these, brute force is our only option. But we don't have that kind of force. That is why we gather heroes through means like these. Making them show what they can do so we can at least have a chance."

"Is that truly all there is to it? If it is, that means that you haven't considered the danger imposed by demons and phantoms."

"..."

"His grace is taking things a little too far."

"Agreed... But he does have a point."

"We haven't really paid attention to demons and phantoms. Could this be a failure on the side of the Imperial family?"

Of course. Putting all the blame on the Imperial family even though they still had a part in it.

That comment didn't faze Jezebel at all though. She kept her professional smile on her face.

Demon activity is said to have increased as of late. But there hasn't been any backing to this claim, or at least, not as much as you'd think.

When monsters first began their... that... 15 years ago, demons activity before then was practically none existent. Then there were only two events involving them during that year. Ever since then, there's only been three recorded incidents.

the first one was during Jezebel's debut into high society. It snuck into the palace posing as one of the invited guests.

Luckily it was fairly easy to subdue for the guards, who did it before it could cause major damage. Upon investigation, it was discovered that the noble it posed as had gone missing, presumed dead w week after searching. He was the only one affected by the whole ordeal, him and his family.

The second time was just a straight up attack on the capital of the Empire, a little over 5 years ago. Less than a dozen lives were lost, thanks to the help of a certain hero who's currently a student at the Hero Academy.

The third time was a lot more recent, taking place during a parade held for knights who returned from a war. 

Its crazy to think that there's still some nations partaking in war even with all these things happening. 

That demon was also taken care of by the same hero.

The phantoms, however, they are by far the most dangerous threat to, not just humans, but everything that's alive in the continent.

Roughly a year after the ascension of Nerezza vingar, a phenomena occurred, dubbed as The Hollo.

For no particular reason, phantoms all over the continent shrieked continuously for several hours. In some places, it is said that it was louder than a banshee.

Physically, none of the phantoms could be seen or heard. The source of the screams couldn't be pinpointed due to their echoing effect.

Children and even adults got nightmares, some even went mad during that time. And ever since then, there has been unrest about what the phantoms could do.

This was when the nation of monsters was blamed for the phantoms since Sector F was taken over by them, meaning that phantoms were considered their 'citizens'.

This mass allegations came to an end quickly though, since it isn't possible for any living being to control what a phantom thinks or should do. And since there was practically no way of knowing if they'll attack, there was unrest among the people.

They doubted their safety and the safety of their loved ones. Some thought they'll get killed in a nightmare, or tortured to death or other horrific things. Many were having sleepless nights, and just as things were about to get worse, a new saint was announced by the Eastern church.

She was used as a sign of hope to all. Hope that someone will come to save them soon. Not only that, she 'prayed' for the entire continent not to have any bad dreams and for all of the people to be confident.

The people were assured by her that the goddess will protect them from what they can't fight for themselves. 

These were all words though, meant to interfere with the mindset of the people. To make them think that they were safe and prevent things from getting out of hand.

In truth, humans have no way of fighting phantoms. At least, no known way.

It is weird though, that all phantom attacks were never proven. Some even sounded ridiculous to believe.

This and the fact that there was nothing that could be done, were the reasons why phantoms were never taken seriously.

But what did Jezebel think of the matter? Did she believe that phantoms weren't a threat, or that they shouldn't focus much on demons? Did she try to investigate why demon activity is or might be on the rise in the near future? Did she try to figure out a way of fighting back against phantoms?

The duke wanted to figure this out. But unlike his enemies, Jezebel wasn't the easiest to read.

The discussion in the throne room had gone on for quite a while...

"There's no longer any reason to fear the monsters." Viscount Milel Havonious put out his point. "I know they destroyed two kingdoms and left one without a ruler, but back then, there was only one hero."

"What are you trying to say? That children are more capable than a professional hero just because there's a large number of them?" The duke asked.

"I'm saying that one hero definitely won't perform as well as hundreds!"

"Hundreds?! We have less than ten!" Another noble shouted.

"Which is still more than ever recorded during a single generation! Not to mention that the hero who fought for us 15 years ago is still here with us!"

"Lord Milel."

"Y...Yes, your highness."

"I understand the point you're trying to put out, but shouting in my presence... That I cannot abide by."

"My apologies, your highness." He knelt down on one knee and lowered his head. "Please forgive me."

"...When you think about it, in just a few months, we will have the strongest military to ever be built by a nation on this continent for the last ten thousand years. Maybe even more."

"Indeed, your highness. Then, if I may ask, why are we still discussing about ways to defeat Nerezza Vingar and the nation of monsters?"

"Clearly you haven't witnessed any of the deeds that our enemy has done."

"I know of them--"

"But you haven't seen them or felt their effects."

"I...uh..."

"Our enemies have grown to a point never seen before on this continent. Even the era of the Monarch Beast pales in comparison."

"Although we're not fighting majorly extraordinary beings like back then," She continued. "We are still fighting phantoms, known for being practically invisible, monsters which I don't have to explain, and demons, who, judging by their recent activity, are preparing for something... Like the rise of a new demon lord."

"A...demon lord?!"

"Impossible!"

"My lady, how can we be so sure that--"

"How can you be so sure that it isn't a demon lord? There hasn't been one for 65 years. What makes you think that the time isn't ripe for a demon lord? We have the monsters who're planning to kill us all, unrest from phantoms, and most of all, demon activity."

"But..."

"We're not fighting three different enemies, we're fighting one. They will all attack at once. Do you think we have a chance to survive?"

"..."

The duke's questions were answered. She really did consider all the enemies there are. 

But that only raised more questions. What did she plan for all of those? Her confidence speaks a lot. 

'Jezebel,' He wondered. 'What are you?'