"Phantom Rebirth: The Last White Raven’s Path to the Ultimate Assassin"

The castle halls were silent.

Moonlight streamed through the tall, arched windows, casting long shadows across the stone floors. The flickering torchlight barely reached the far corners of the corridors, leaving most of the palace in darkness.

Guards stood at their posts, their armor glinting in the dim light.

None of them noticed the white-haired figure slipping through the halls, her steps silent as death.

Seraphis moved like a shadow, her presence nothing more than a faint shift in the air.

The new Queen’s office was just ahead.

A Late-Night Conversation

Alice sat at her desk, surrounded by stacks of parchment. Reports, decrees, political documents.

The weight of the crown was already pressing down on her shoulders.

She let out a deep sigh, rubbing her temples before leaning back in her chair.

And that’s when she saw her.

Seraphis.

Sitting comfortably on the couch in the corner of the office, one leg crossed over the other, spinning a playing card between her fingers.

Alice’s breath caught.

Her instincts flared, and her hand flew to the dagger on her belt.

"What the hell are you doing here?" Alice demanded, standing up so fast her chair nearly toppled over.

Seraphis only smirked.

"Relax, your Majesty. If I wanted you dead, I wouldn’t be sitting here waiting for you to notice me."

Alice’s fingers twitched over the hilt of her dagger. She hated how easily Seraphis could move through the most heavily guarded place in the kingdom without anyone noticing.

It was unnerving.

"Just here to check on you," Seraphis continued, stretching her arms above her head. "You did a good thing for the capital. We’ll see how long it lasts."

Alice narrowed her eyes. "And what’s that supposed to mean?"

Seraphis shrugged. "Kings and Queens rise and fall all the time. The people cheer at first. But when winter comes, when food runs low, when decisions become difficult… that’s when you’ll see how much they really love you."

Alice clenched her jaw. "I know that. And I know it won’t be easy. But I didn’t take the throne expecting gratitude—I took it to fix this kingdom."

Seraphis grinned. "Good answer. Let’s hope you stick to it."

She reached into her pocket and pulled out a small amulet.

A silver pendant, engraved with the symbol of a white crow.

She placed it on Alice’s desk.

"Take this."

Alice looked at it suspiciously. "What is it?"

"If you ever need to get in contact with me, just imbue your mana into it, and I’ll find you." Seraphis’ voice was casual, but there was something serious in her eyes. "If you’re ever in trouble, I’ll come find you. Just thought you should know."

Alice hesitated. She stared at the amulet, then back at Seraphis.

"Why?"

Seraphis tilted her head.

"Why are you doing this for me?" Alice pressed.

Seraphis was silent for a moment. Then she leaned back, her white hair catching the dim light as she spoke.

"I was born and raised in this kingdom, you know."

Alice blinked.

"I was just another orphan in the slums. Grew up watching nobles feast while people starved on the streets."

Her voice was calm, but Alice could hear the underlying edge—a quiet anger that had never faded.

"I learned early on that there’s no such thing as ‘good’ and ‘evil’ in this world. Just power. Just people doing what they need to survive."

She exhaled, rolling the playing card between her fingers.

"But you?" Seraphis’ golden eyes flickered up to meet Alice’s. "You’re trying to prove me wrong. You think you can actually fix this place. Maybe you can."

A small, knowing smirk tugged at her lips.

"Maybe you’ll fail."

Alice’s grip tightened on the amulet.

"And if I do?" she asked.

Seraphis stood up, stretching lazily.

"Then I’ll be the first to remind you that hope is nothing but an illusion."

She turned toward the window, the wind from outside ruffling her cloak.

"But hey, I do hope you succeed. That’d be a nice change of pace."

Alice stared after her, feeling a strange mixture of frustration and intrigue.

Then, just as quickly as she had come—

Seraphis was gone.

The Queen’s Thoughts

Alice sat back down, turning the amulet over in her hands.

Seraphis was dangerous.

A shadow that moved in the night, striking with precision and then disappearing without a trace.

She was a monster to some.

A hero to others.

And yet…

Alice felt safer knowing that someone like her was watching over the kingdom.

She placed the amulet in her pocket.

And for the first time since taking the throne—

She allowed herself to smile.