The banquet hall they arrived at exuded an atmosphere far more luxurious than expected.
“They must have restored the old castle.”
Just as Jun muttered, the ancient castle towering at the summit of the mountain range bore clear marks of the passage of time, needing no embellishment to convey its age.
“And that over there… that’s the knights.”
“Hoho, that’s right. That’s the Heavenly Dragon Knights, the Emperor’s personal unit.”
The Heavenly Dragon Knights was an elite unit directly under the Emperor.
Each member was a level 7 or 8 warrior.
If Jun remembered correctly, the captain of the knights had even reached level 9.
“The captain won’t be here. He’s a busy fellow in many ways.”
“You know him personally?”
“I was once his teacher, and now we’re close friends.”
Even though his former student had surpassed him in skill, Aden didn’t show the slightest hint of dissatisfaction.
“Sir. I greet the Sword of the Empire.”
Around then, a knight appeared to receive the group, who had just arrived at the castle entrance.
“That’s an old nickname. I’ve retired. Now, that friend Ben is the Sword of the Empire.”
“I doubt the captain would agree with that.”
“He is a stubborn one, that’s for sure.”
After a brief exchange and verification of their identities, the knight quickly led the group inside.
“So, how many have attended this time?”
“Everyone has confirmed their attendance.”
“Hooh. That’s a rare occurrence.”
From what Jun had heard, in previous years, not everyone who received an invitation to this banquet actually attended.
Of course, rejecting an invitation from the Emperor came with significant political consequences…
The Emperor must not be concerned with such things.
Otherwise, such a casual reaction wouldn’t be possible.
“So then, who has arrived so far?”
“The Altas Adventurer Party and the Black Shield Knights.”
“Oh ho, some formidable folks have arrived. Say, Jun. You’ve gone through quite a bit of trouble bringing this old man all the way here. It might not make up for it, but would you mind if I introduced you to those acquaintances of mine?”
“I’d be grateful to meet them.”
Now that he had come this far, there was no reason to avoid it.
Jun nodded quietly and, for the time being, they headed to the rooms they had been shown to rest from the journey.
***
After Jun and the others left to unpack, Aden who was now alone watched their backs for a moment before moving on.
His steps took him to the upper levels of the old castle.
“Sir!”
“You’ve all worked hard. Is the prince inside?”
“He’s with Lady Natalie.”
“Then I’d like to see him for a moment.”
At the entrance guarded by none other than members of the Heavenly Dragon Knights—
Aden knocked lightly and stepped inside the room.
A vivid, colorful scene unfolded before him.
Paintings of all kinds adorned the walls and ceilings.
Each one looked like a masterpiece in its own right.
“Ah, Sir Sword Soul.”
“It’s been a while, Dexter.”
The First Prince Dexter had been quietly reading a book. He rose to greet Aden warmly.
“I’d heard you were invited to this banquet.”
“If His Majesty calls, how could I not answer?”
“But what brings you up here?”
“There are a few matters I urgently need to discuss.”
As he said so, a certain seriousness could be sensed in Aden’s gaze.
“If they’re urgent matters, then—?”
“Javier’s carriage fell off a cliff.”
“What?!”
Dexter’s eyes widened in shock.
Of course they did. Though they were born of different mothers, they were still brothers.
“Fortunately, he was found early, and with the help of an artifact, he’s unharmed.”
“That’s… truly a relief. But how did it happen?”
“For now, we’re treating it as an accident, but… there are a few unnatural elements to it.”
According to Aden, Javier’s fallen companions had been quite skilled individuals.
They were young but had already grown to level 4.
And yet, such people had lost their lives in nothing more than a carriage accident?
Aden found that highly unlikely.
Even so, the fact that two of them had died so abruptly clearly indicated that something was at play.
“Indeed… there’s something inappropriate about calling this a simple accident.”
“Which is why I intend to investigate this matter. Dexter, will you help me?”
“Of course. This concerns my brother, after all.”
Aden smiled at Dexter’s natural response.
The crown princes of this generation didn’t have poor relationships with one another.
Though Javier had found it a bit difficult to approach them.
“Did you perhaps come to see us for another reason? I hate to say it, but… if someone really attempted to assassinate Javier, we would naturally be the first suspects.”
“Neither you nor Natalie have any reason to do such a thing. And even if you did, you wouldn’t have done it so sloppily.”
Javier was a prince. Naturally, he would have artifacts to protect him. But the attacker hadn’t even verified whether or not he had such protection.
“Even thinking about it coldly, it just doesn’t seem like something you two would do.”
“That’s… true. Then whom are you suspecting?”
“Beneth.”
At that name, Dexter tilted his head.
“Sorry? You mean Javier’s mother?”
“She doesn’t think as rationally as you or I do.”
“.……!”
Only then did Dexter fully understand what Aden was getting at.
“She’s trying to drive a wedge between us…? But why?”
“Since the old days, those who wished chaos upon the empire never really needed a good reason.”
“Phew…”
Things had become complicated.
Sensing that instinctively, Dexter turned to glance at the blonde woman sleeping on one of the sofas.
She was his sister and the one who had filled the room with her paintings.
“She was up late painting until dawn… We’ll speak to Natalie about this once she wakes.”
“Very well. I’ll go see His Majesty.”
“Yes,.”
“Oh, and one more thing.”
Just as Aden was about to step out of the room, he seemed to remember something.
“There was someone who found the traces of the fallen carriage before I did. A young man who came here with me.”
“With you, Sir Sword Soul?”
“Yes. He’s from a group called the White Whale Mercenary Group.”
“Ah…”
Weren’t they the ones who had recently been making quite a name for themselves?
“I think it wouldn’t be a bad idea to try cooperating with them.”
“Understood.”
Even if the mercenary group’s skills were only half as good as the rumors claimed, they couldn’t be ignored. More importantly, it was said that they were receiving support from the Gillen Merchant Guild.
And if it was the Gillen Merchant Guild, it would certainly be helpful in gathering various kinds of information.
Dexter quietly bowed his head to Aden in gratitude.
“Thank you, Sir Aden.”
To be honest, it might not have been something Aden needed to personally get involved in to this extent.
After all, the possibility of it having simply been an accident couldn’t be entirely ruled out.
But Aden still remembered the vision shown by the shaman.
If, like in that vision, the empire were to go up in flames… the reason would undoubtedly be a rift between the princes.
The only way to shake a solid empire that much was to break it from the inside.
***
Not long after, Jun who had been resting in a lavish room so luxurious it was hard to believe it had been refurbished from an old castle stepped outside together with the returning Aden.
“Maya, you could’ve stayed and rested in the room.”
To their surprise, Maya had come out on her own.
“I’ve got a good feeling. I’ll go with you.”
Normally, Maya wasn’t one to enjoy meeting people, and yet here she was, choosing to follow along.
What kind of feeling was she talking about?
Whatever it was, there was no harm in Maya moving so proactively, so Jun and the others followed Aden down the first-floor hallway.
“My goodness, the Altas Adventurer Party, of all people.”
Seeing Aiden beside him, eyes sparkling with excitement, Jun asked,
“You know that Adventurer party?”
“Yes! I read about them in an adventure book at the bookstore not too long ago. The Altas Adventurer Party was featured in it…”
Indeed, the Altas Adventurer Party was fairly well-known and reputable.
To the point of being invited by the emperor himself.
“Hoho. They are a sharp bunch. I hear they’ve discovered a new area again.”
“Could it be the Grand Temple of Deidas?!”
“Oh? You’ve heard of it?”
“Of course! The book I read only mentioned that they’d found traces of it… I can’t believe they actually went looking for it!”
“I heard they made some decent discoveries. That’s why they were invited here.”
Just as Aiden was about to pat himself on the back for stepping out into the world again—
“Oh dear, look at me. I completely forgot to deliver this to that person.”
“What is it?”
“I was asked to run a small errand. I need to send this letter to someone.”
Who would dare ask Sword Soul to run an errand?
The thought briefly crossed their minds, but it didn’t last long.
“Sorry to trouble you, but… could you perhaps deliver it for me?”
“Ah… of course!”
Just moments ago, Aiden had been full of excitement at the thought of meeting the Altas Adventurer Party, but he couldn’t bring himself to refuse Sword Soul’s request.
I can always see them later at the banquet!
With that hope in mind, he asked Aden,
“By the way, where should I deliver it?”
“If you head out through the corridor on the opposite side, you’ll find the castle’s central garden. Let’s see… around this time, he’s probably feeding the beasts. The fellow raises monsters as a hobby.”
Aiden found it odd that someone would keep monsters as a hobby, but he nodded without much thought.
“I’ll be back soon.”
“Take your time.”
With that, Aiden departed, and soon after, Jun, Maya, and Eleanor followed behind Aden.
Before long, they arrived at a door.
Even before Sword Soul could knock, someone opened it from the inside.
“Oh my, Sword Soul?”
“Lady Kyler. It’s been a while.”
“Ohhoho. So even I get called ‘Lady’ by Sword Soul?”
“Well, given the setting. More importantly, have you been well?”
“I’ve been doing just fine now that I’m here. But who are the people behind you?”
“They’re the ones who escorted me here this time. The White Whale Mercenary Group.”
“Oh!”
As someone who led an adventurer party, Ron Kyler immediately recognized Jun and his companions.
“To think I’d see such well-known figures here. I actually heard news of your safe return just before coming here.”
“It’s a pleasure to meet you. I’m Jun, leader of the White Whale Mercenary Group.”
“Likewise. I’m Ron Kyler, leader of the Altas Adventurer Party.”
Judging by the surname, she seemed to be of noble birth.
If Aiden were here, he’d be chattering away with all sorts of explanations.
Not that it was particularly important.
“Still, for Sword Soul himself to come introduce you. Now that’s unusual.”
“I’ve had quite a bit of help, actually. By the way, I heard about your latest exploits. I didn’t expect that little snot-nosed girl to be making a name for herself already.”
“My brother tends to be a bit too ambitious.”
“Well, I suppose that explains it.”
“Would it be all right if I asked what kind of adventure it was?”
At that moment, Maya was the one who spoke up which was rare.
It was unusual for her, someone who almost never initiated conversation with strangers.
“Fufu, a curious young lady, are you? I don’t see why not.”
After all, what could be more enjoyable for an adventurer than talking about their adventures?
She explained it without hesitation.
“The Deidas Temple our Altas Adventurer Party discovered had five levels. There, we found traces of the King of the Dead, Deidas.”
“…The King of the Dead.”
“That’s right. But unexpectedly, we ended up running into the Eroders.”
The Eroders.
They were the same beings Jun had encountered while searching the Witch’s Forest. They were creatures that had once infested Iron Lava.
“The Eroders, huh? Must’ve been dangerous.”
“It was. And then a command-type showed up… Oh?”
At that moment, Jun turned his head, sensing a faint but clear killing intent from beside him.
There stood Maya, unable to suppress her aura for the first time in a while.
That was it.
The command-type Eroders were the ones who had destroyed Maya’s tribe.
“I’m sorry. She has memories of losing her companions to the command-types.”
“…I see. What a tragic experience.”
Fortunately, Kyler fully understood Maya’s reaction.
When living in Blackout, there were beings whose very name could stir killing intent.
“…I apologize.”
“Still, that’s impressive. Most people would show fear before anger after going through something like that.”
“……”
“Which is probably why your mercenary group is so exceptional. Anyway, while dealing with the enemy encampment we ran into, we managed to pick up a clue. It was in a hidden dungeon on the sixth level.”
She had left out many details, but they had pioneered a new area and even discovered the location for their next adventure.
It was undoubtedly a valuable gain for the Altas Adventurer Party.
“The King of the Dead… Sounds quite intriguing.”
“Though I doubt we’ll get to see him in person. It’s the sixth level, after all.”
“Maybe we will, maybe we won’t. This is Blackout, isn’t it?”
“True. It’s a place where you can’t predict anything.”
At that point, Kyler spoke again, sounding slightly regretful.
“I’m sorry, but I was just in a meeting with my members. I don’t think I can spare more time right now.”
“No worries. Thanks to you, I got to hear a very intriguing story.”
“I’m glad to hear that. Let’s continue the rest during the banquet.”
With that, she returned to her room.
Jun glanced at Maya.
“Found it.”
Though it was in the unfamiliar language of the Ancestor-Worshipping Tribe which was unintelligible to most,
Jun somehow understood what she meant.
That look in her eyes was unmistakable. It was like a hunter who had finally found the trail of long-awaited prey.
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