Having listened to the Ice Snow Witch's explanation, Hyperion rested her chin on her hand and nodded.
"Why me?"
If there were any hope of success, Hyperion would naturally do her best to help.
It was just that, in her view, this mission was exceptionally daunting—far beyond what a student visiting the Northern Continent during vacation for a research project could bear.
"Even if elites from the Kingdom of Asethelan could disguise their identities, once they take action, it is difficult to conceal their signature traits. Even if they infiltrated the Protos Empire, they wouldn't be able to go all out. Second, that prison possesses an ancient Demon Realm relic barrier capable of tier detection. If a Tier 7 or Tier 8 attempted to slip in, they would be detected immediately. After all, there are only so many Tier 7s and Tier 8s in the Northern Continent, and every one of them is known by name."
Although even the Imperials had yet to fully decipher the vast amount of demon relics in the Protos imperial capital, they had become even more adept at utilizing the intellectual heritage of the demon race than the demons themselves.
Of course, this plan had another prerequisite: Hyperion was the last princess of the demon race.
Even if anyone else had the chance to rescue a great demon, it wouldn't carry such immense strategic significance.
"What specifically should I do?"
Hyperion was reasonably certain that the Ice Snow Witch had proposed this plan to her only after careful consideration, and that she would provide her with support and assistance.
Yet most of her successes to date had been intertwined with Lanqi; she had no idea what she could accomplish all on her own.
"I will have our contact in the Protos Empire prepare an identity for you. Once we send you into the empire's northwestern province, you'll first spend some time adapting to your new identity as a wealthy merchant's daughter. Next, he will arrange for you to transfer to the Imperial Knight Academy, enrolled in the third-year combat division."
The Ice Snow Witch opened another document box, retrieved the dossier on the Imperial Knight Academy, and handed it across to Hyperion.
"This school..."
Hyperion murmured in bewilderment as she scanned the information.
"The Imperial Knight Academy's third year features a high-difficulty practicum course: undergoing training as a prison guard in that perilous prison."
The Ice Snow Witch leaned forward slightly, reaching out to turn two pages for Hyperion and pointing out an elective course for the third-year combat division.
"This is also the simplest and least suspicious way to infiltrate that prison."
To powerful and ambitious youths, this perilous prison in the imperial capital, brimming with demon heritage, was also a trial ground. Inside, not only were the convicts dangerous, but the guards also required formidable strength and survival skills.
If one could fulfill their duties and assignments while advancing deeper into the dangerous interior of the prison, successfully passing the trial meant they were guaranteed to become a pillar of talent prized by the empire.
Conversely, if one perished midway, it could only be attributed to excessive arrogance or a lack of capability.
"Are there any vulnerabilities in this prison?"
"The prison was built a thousand years ago by the demons themselves. In terms of its rules and logic, it favors demons over humans. However, under the empire's strict oversight, no one with demon blood is permitted inside, making it impossible to slip in under a disguise."
Having said this, the Ice Snow Witch looked at Hyperion, confident she already understood.
Hyperion possessed an extraordinary disguise magic—an ancient demon intellectual heritage that did not belong to this era. With it, she could bypass all the modern detection methods of the Protos Empire; seeing through it would require an epic-grade detection spell of Blood Clan authority caliber.
"The heavier a person's demonic inclinations, the more like a fish in water they might feel in that prison. Often, the students from the Imperial Knight Academy who pass that course with top marks end up becoming the empire's most terrifying, sinister heroes."
"Then I..."
"You are Efatia's daughter. I believe you will have no problem. After all, I've heard about what you did in the Temple Banquet Shadow World."
"..."
*No, that wasn't me.*
Hyperion held back her tears.
Yet if she came clean now and confessed that Lanqi had done it all, it would be like pushing all the blame onto him. She couldn't bring herself to betray a friend like that.
"If there's hope of rescuing that great demon, do your best to try. With her help, operating inside the prison will be much easier, and I will also create opportunities to receive and extract you. But if there's no hope, do not take unnecessary risks. Simply withdraw from the prison normally, drop the course, and return to the Kingdom of Asethelan."
Sensing Hyperion's lack of confidence, the Ice Snow Witch softened her voice.
"I'll give it a try..."
Hyperion owed Lanqi an apology; for the time being, she wouldn't be able to help him complete their research project of searching for the slate. She could only prioritize the Northern Continent's bigger picture.
If she had a chance of rescuing that great demon, it would alleviate a great deal of pressure for the Kingdom of Asethelan and the Church of the Goddess of Fate.
"Three months from now, there will be a ridiculous ballot vote in the imperial capital to decide which Cardinal of the Resurrection Church will be the empire's shot-caller."
At this point, the Ice Snow Witch gave a faintly sarcastic sneer. She had long grown disgusted with the empire's outrages.
"The Protos Empire naturally won't feel at ease leaving three Cardinals in its very heart, so on that day, the vast majority of its high-tier combat forces will be concentrated in the imperial capital."
"Could it be that I'm supposed to attempt the prison break on that day? Wouldn't that be the most dangerous?"
Hyperion had seen that news as well.
On that day, not only the Protos Empire, but likely every nation in the Northern Continent connected to this impending war would be focused on developments in the imperial capital!
It was even possible that once the internal disagreements and power distributions among the three Cardinals were resolved, the empire would declare a historic start to the war.
"To begin with, there is no way to breach that prison by force. Even if you succeed in freeing the great demon, you will definitely have to smuggle her out in secret. That day will actually be the safest, because everyone's attention will be diverted to the vote in the capital. Furthermore, it is taken for granted that no one would ever attempt a frontal assault on a suburban prison, so on major occasions, part of the security forces stationed outside the prison will be redeployed to the heart of the capital."
Furthermore, under normal circumstances, the empire's Tier 8 powerhouses guarded various regions. Even if the great demon were smuggled out of the prison, once the empire caught on, breaking through the blockades and cordons toward the northwest would be exceedingly difficult.
Only on the day of the vote would there be a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity where most of the empire's strongmen were concentrated in the imperial capital. As long as she could secretly escort the great demon out and gain a certain distance, even if the empire reacted, a chase with the great demon escorting Hyperion would be far easier than breaking through fortified lines.
The Ice Snow Witch assured Hyperion that Asethelan would also arrange reception; once they managed to flee into the Protos Empire's northwestern province, the rescue would be considered a success.
"*Hiss—*"
Having heard this, Hyperion drew in a sharp breath.
She suddenly realized a problem.
Among the Cardinals participating in the vote three months from now, one happened to be Lanqi's target of devotion—
The Bishop of Extinction, Askesan.
If Lanqi had safely arrived in the Protos Empire by now, contacted the Resurrection Church according to the original plan, and begun his wild ascendancy...
Then the next time they met, they'd be playing cops and robbers on opposing sides!
With that guy acting as the cop, it wasn't a question of which side he'd help—it was that he would definitely make life miserable for both sides!
Chapter 251