Chapter 162: Natalie

As expected, just as the Guide had warned, a wave of intense dizziness washed over them as they traveled through the portal.

It was even worse than the nausea they felt when crossing between the level fields.

However, they were all seasoned Level 5 fighters. This much wasn’t enough to throw them off.

Anyway…

“This is… incredible. We’ve really made it to the first level…”

They had arrived at a place they had seen before. It was the Count’s reception room.

As Aiden looked around with wide eyes, the portal closed behind them, and stillness returned.

“Um… So, what do we do now?”

“Well… if we just walk out, won’t people think we’re intruders?”

They hadn’t gone through any formal entrance procedure, but Jun who preferred to settle matters as quietly as possible simply sank into the sofa.

“Someone will probably come if we just wait.”

He meant that since the Count had gone so far as to send the Guide, he’d likely show up in person too.

But in truth, things played out a little differently.

Spatial magic… but I sensed something else too. Did he use an imaginary dimension? To minimize the impact on this dimension? That’s quite clever. Still, not easy to pull off.

In fact, Jun had been busy organizing the insights he’d gained from observing the Guide’s spatial magic.

Perhaps because they’d spent enough time with him, the others didn’t bother him and instead took the chance to rest in their own ways…

The Count arrived about two hours later. After a maid, who had come to clean the room, screamed in surprise.

***

“You could’ve at least let someone know you’d arrived.”

“Haha… That didn’t quite occur to me.”

“Clearly, the Guide left quite an impression on you. Enough to make you forget even something that basic.”

There was a subtle sting in his words, but the Count didn’t make a big deal of it.

“Haah… I suppose I have no choice. I’m the one who’s inconvenienced here. Now then, do you have any idea why I called for you?”

The others had gone off to different rooms, and now Jun was alone, facing the Count. After a brief pause for thought, he responded.

“Could it be… His Majesty is coming here?”

“Haha… No, not quite.”

No matter how important Blackout was, the Empire’s true heart was still on the surface.

In fact, aside from the first emperor, no other ruler in history had ever visited Blackout during their reign.

“Then… have members of the imperial family come down?”

“That’s right. Three members of the Imperial family…those who will one day shoulder the Empire’s future have descended into Blackout.”

First Prince Daniel Dexter.

First Princess Erinas Natalie.

Third Prince Turen Javier.

Jun’s eyes widened in disbelief.

Now I understand why our mercenary group was summoned.

It wasn’t just that members of the imperial family had come down, which was a rare enough event on its own, but three of them all at once.

And if I include Aiden, that makes four.

If something terrible were to happen while all four were gathered, it would be a disaster for the entire Empire.

Surely the Emperor understands that better than anyone. So why allow this?

As if reading Jun’s thoughts, Count Mordenain let out a bitter smile.

“As you know, last year’s season in Blackout was riddled with problems.”

The previous season had nearly experienced two full-blown Dimension Reversals.

Although Jun and his team’s efforts during those events had made them famous and turned their stories into tales of heroism…

The public reaction wasn’t all admiration. Fear had spread widely among the Empire’s citizens as well.

“On top of that, we’re dealing with the growing threat of the Heavenly Church lurking in the Empire’s shadows.”

“That’s why they came down here, isn’t it?”

To suppress the rising fear and unrest, members of the imperial family had come to Blackout themselves.

“Exactly. You’ve been away, so you wouldn’t know, but His Highness Dexter and Javier have already arrived at the Black Forest.”

“The Black Forest…?”

“The Fairy Queen raid. It was wrapped up very successfully. Largely thanks to your contributions.”

Thanks to the generous information Jun had provided, the operation had apparently gone much more smoothly than anticipated.

“To send both princes there… That’s quite the bold move.”

“Indeed. And as a result, public sentiment has improved considerably.”

“But… is that the end of it?”

By now, a certain sharpness had crept into Jun’s mage-like gaze. In response, the Count simply shrugged.

“If others had your perceptiveness, it would be quite exhausting. You’re right…if that were the only reason, the three of them wouldn’t have come all the way down to Blackout.”

“It seems you’ve obtained quite a lot of information on the Heavenly Church.”

“Lady Natalie is the one who secured it.”

Jun was surprised at the unexpected speed of progress, but at the same time, his expression was far from bright.

“Do you have some idea of what’s going on?”

“……From what I’ve heard, Lady Natalie enjoys an exceptional reputation in high society.”

“You’re well informed.”

Natalie’s artistic talent was nothing short of unrivaled.

Even in the game, the paintings of the First Princess were regarded as treasures capable of amassing incredible wealth.

And with the added advantage of her imperial status, her paintings were so sought after among the nobility that they were impossible to obtain without fierce competition.

Whenever she graced a noble banquet with her presence, ladies of high birth would practically scramble over one another for the chance to forge a connection with her.

If the First Princess who mainly gathers information through noble banquets managed to uncover intelligence on the Heavenly Church…

It meant that the Church was already deeply entangled with the Empire’s nobility.

I thought I had some breathing room since I got involved years earlier than in the game, but it seems the rot is deeper than expected.

That was likely why the Emperor had chosen to make such a drastic move this time.

“His Majesty must be trying to show the true gravity of the situation through this incident.”

“……Your insight leaves me astonished several times a day.”

Indeed.

The Emperor had gone so far as to throw his own children into danger for the sake of the nobility.

For the Heavenly Church, which sought the Empire’s collapse, there could hardly be a more tempting lure.

And Blackout, no less, was their home ground.

If they could wipe out the Emperor’s bloodline in one blow, the resulting chaos would be immeasurable.

Both sides have thrown down their boldest moves.

And if the Heavenly Church were to take the bait—

Should they succeed, the Empire would fall into decline far faster than in the future Jun once knew.

On the other hand, if the Emperor prevailed, he could use this opportunity to expose the Heavenly Church to the world and instill a grave warning in those nobles who had dealt with them.

He even put his own children on the line, all to minimize the blood that would be spilled.

To some, the current Emperor was a wise sovereign; to others, a ruthless tyrant.

Realizing that truth anew, Jun shut his eyes tightly.

No wonder Adrian in the game gradually lost his sanity.

What kind of burden must it be to stand at the very pinnacle of humanity?

At the very least, Jun didn’t want Aiden to be the one forced to bear that weight.

Which is why I can only hope the royal family remains as harmonious as it is now.

And so, he had no choice but to answer the Count’s summons.

“Then, what exactly is our mercenary group to do?”

“For the time being, I would ask you to guard the three of them.”

“A showpiece. Just for appearances, then.”

“Precisely.”

When it came down to it, there were surely those in Blackout stronger than the White Whale Mercenaries.

The Count’s request was little more than a facade.

“Heroes who defended Blackout last year. And now, imperial members walking alongside those same heroes. What a splendid picture it paints.”

But beneath that elegant surface, there would be a flurry of hidden tasks, like the frantic paddling beneath a swan’s graceful glide.

“The most visible, yet the least noticeable in the enemy’s eyes…that’s what our mercenary group is meant to be.”

“That’s right.”

To the citizens, they would embody peace; to their enemies, they would inspire complacency.

Though the fame Jun and his companions had earned was by no means small,

When measured against the vastness of the Heavenly Church, the White Whale Mercenaries still had ample room to be underestimated.

“Still, there’s no need for you to shoulder too much pressure. We’ve already prepared sufficient forces on our side to safeguard the three.”

Instead, those forces would remain in the shadows, ready to act when the true crisis arrived.

Jun didn’t bother asking the Count about their presence.

The Count’s already given me plenty of information.

From here on, all they had to do was carry out their part of the job.

“Well then, how much small change will be left this time?”

“…You really know how to hold a grudge. Don’t worry. I’ll stake my name to make sure you and your group gain access to the Imperial Treasury.”

The Imperial Treasury!

Even in the game, it was a place you could only enter maybe once if you had Adrian with you.

Jun was already thinking of the various artifacts and hidden pieces he could obtain there.

Just the thought makes my mouth water…

Soon after, Jun shook hands with the Count and signed the contract.

But… how am I going to explain this to Chloe?

Already anticipating her nagging, Jun decided to deal with it in the wisest way possible.

I’ll just tell her after everything’s done.

***

The First and Third Princes were still at the Black Forest Fortress, and the only member of the royal family currently staying in the Origin City was the First Princess, Natalie.

What was Natalie’s personality like again?

In the game, she was portrayed only in passing from time to time. How should he put it…

She was like a doll with its thread cut. She was lifeless and listless.

At the same time, she gave off a strangely mysterious vibe. Combined with her beautiful looks, many players had picked her as their favorite character.

She was also quite a skilled enchantment mage.

From what he vaguely remembered, she had learned magic left behind by Shylock and used it in a unique way. She was applying it to her artwork.

“Haah… Why did Father have to dump such a troublesome task on me?”

But seeing her in person now… how should he describe it?

A shut-in NEET?

That was the only phrase that came to mind. She was sprawled halfway across the sofa, completely unbefitting of a princess.

“It’s a pleasure to meet you. I’m Jun, leader of the White Whale Mercenary Corps.”

“Yeah… Nice to meet you. I’m Natalie. Just call me Natalie.”

“Yes.”

“For now, my older brother and younger brother haven’t returned yet. If those two came back quickly, I’d have fewer annoying things to deal with…”

The First Princess wore a face that screamed how bothersome all this was.

How had someone like her managed to track down traces of the Heavenly Church?

“Oh, but I am thankful to you for one thing… Thanks to you, I was able to save some time.”

“What do you mean by that?”

The information Jun had handed over to the Imperial family regarding the Heavenly Church had been extremely limited.

Knowing too much would’ve only made him look like a spy.

So how had this princess, someone he’d never even met before, benefited from it?

“You included information about that person, remember? That… what was his name again? The baron who used to run ‘Azure Cloud Party’.”

“Ah. You must mean Weyrnain.”

Hershan R. Weyrnain.

A former Blackguard and now a baron.

He was the knight who had come after Jun in the Witch’s Forest, trying to settle the grudge that arose after Jun exposed the Azure Cloud Party’s schemes.

“That’s right. I started with him and traced the information backward… and the trail was easier to follow than I expected.”

“I didn’t think it would all link back that way. That’s impressive.”

“You’re lying. Don’t bother flattering me. I find that kind of thing exhausting.”

“My apologies if I was out of line.”

In truth, Jun had once tried to gather information on Weyrnain through Chloe.

But right after that, the massacre at the Gillen Merchant Guild occurred, and in dealing with the aftermath, he lost track of the lead.

“There’s no need to think too deeply about it… Anyway, how’s my brother doing…?”

The topic suddenly shifted.

But Jun didn’t miss a beat. He nodded and replied without hesitation.

“He’s doing well enough.”

“Hmm, is that so… Thank you. For taking care of him…”

As she said this, she reached down under the sofa.

What she pulled out was a large, rectangular, gift-wrapped object.

“A painting?”

“Yes. A present for my brother…”

What kind of painting could it be?

Jun was well aware of her artistic skill, so he was deeply curious. But he didn’t show it.

It must be precious. The protective enchantments on it are incredibly delicate.

Aiden would probably love receiving something like this.

With that, Jun accepted the painting she handed over.

“Well, as for the rest of the conversation…”

Yaaawn.

As she let out a long, drawn-out yawn, her eyelids began to droop.

Jun leaned in slightly to listen.

“When the other two come… we’ll finish…”

With those words, Jun quietly stepped away.

Let’s hope the First Prince is at least normal.

A sloth-like First Princess.

A crybaby Third Prince.

Hoping at least the First Prince would be somewhat decent, Jun returned to his companions.