Chapter 99
Chapter 99: What the Hell, Where's My Demon?
"The First Prince?"
Viktor heard the title and fell into thought.
In his memory, neither of the 2 princes had any detailed backstory within the game's lore.
Between the 2 of them, what Viktor knew more clearly was that the First Prince was stationed at a border city in the Empire's south.
The Empire's southern border—that was where Adventurers gathered.
Because within the vast city, there existed a Magical Creature Rift that had been cordoned off.
It was a high-difficulty Dungeon zone.
The Rift produced an endless stream of Magical Creatures, all of formidable strength.
The enormous spatial fissure resembled the gate of a city, and the great castle beyond that gate was the Magical Creature Abyss.
The Abyss was divided into a hundred layers, each populated by Magical Creatures of varying strength and type.
Adventurer parties formed by Players who ventured inside could slay Magical Creatures to train themselves, and also collect a substantial amount of materials.
But most importantly, at every 10-layer breakthrough within the Abyss, an extraordinarily powerful item awaited.
Collectively referred to as "Imperial Relics."
In the game, each time Players reached a 10th layer, a staggering Beast Tide would appear.
Players who cleared the layer unscathed within the time limit—or who met certain special restrictions—would earn the right to claim these Imperial Relics.
And those Players were few and far between.
Imperial Relics granted Players extremely powerful attributes and effects, but the brutal requirements meant very few Players could ever meet them.
Fortunately, Viktor was still one of those few who had.
If the opportunity arose, he was considering whether to go back and challenge it again.
"The First Prince, huh....."
As a Player, his impression of the First Prince was basically nonexistent.
After all, both being princes, Players couldn't encounter members of the royal family as easily as they would other NPCs.
All the more so because—
Viktor glanced over at Auréliane, who was resting.
Upon hearing news of her elder brother's return, Auréliane didn't seem to have much of a reaction.
Though she had probably already known, this Princess hadn't remained in the Imperial Palace either—she had shown up early in the morning to train for today's lesson.
Familial bonds within the royal family.
Both princes were Cannon Fodder-tier characters. After Emperor Aubery's death, Auréliane had done away with both of them in short order.
So Viktor had absolutely no interest in this prince who'd slain a dragon and dragged it back for show.
"Not going."
"I'm not wasting my breath on those hypocrites."
Slay one dragon and expect every noble in the land to come greet you?
Your father Aubery had killed one at 17.
"Tsk, fine then."
Leah shook her head helplessly, as though Viktor's answer was exactly what she had predicted.
So the words she'd had ready changed, and her tone carried a few notes of dry sarcasm.
"Our esteemed Council Member does indeed have every right to skip—alas, I still have to go and play nice with a bunch of idiots."
As she said it, she snuck a glance at Auréliane.
The young Princess had no particular reaction—she even nodded in rather sincere agreement.
Because she hadn't gone either.
Seeing that, Leah looked quite satisfied. She smiled, waved a hand, and turned to leave.
"Well then, I won't disturb you 2 teacher and student any longer. Have fun, Your Highness."
She had just turned to go when Viktor's voice rang out:
"Bring Cocotte along."
Leah paused slightly, a few question marks rising in her mind.
Bring Cocotte? What for?
She blinked, then seemed to understand.
"She was a former Council Member, after all."
Having said that, Viktor said nothing more and turned back to face Auréliane.
"Get ready. We're about to begin today's lesson."
Auréliane snapped to attention immediately.
"Yes, Teacher!"
Viktor swept a hand through the air. A few wisps of green energy drifted slowly to the ground and coiled together.
Small Magical Creatures crawled low against the earth, their green carapaces catching the sunlight as they curled into compact forms.
Several green shadows materialized from thin air, hovering aloft, beating their wings, biding their time at a distance.
Ever since Viktor had gained Druga's power and mastered the skill of summoning Magical Creatures, he no longer needed to go to any trouble finding a suitable combat location for the Princess.
Leah watched the remarkable scene, clicked her tongue twice, and said:
"My, that is quite thoughtful of him."
And when has he ever been that thoughtful toward me?
She added the line silently in her heart, then turned and left.
***
At that moment, the Imperial Palace was buzzing with noise. Numerous nobles had gathered to welcome the First Prince's return.
Before the golden castle gates, the nobles arranged themselves into 2 rows, with the Second Prince standing at the very front.
The mounted retinue gradually drew closer to the Imperial Palace. The man clad in golden armor at the front led a fine horse forward, coming to a halt before the assembled ranks.
The enormous dragon skull behind him was laid bare before the crowd.
Jess Rether was also among the noble ranks, but unlike before, the shadow that had hung over him seemed to have lifted—he appeared almost radiant again.
As though everything that had happened to him before had been wiped from memory.
The Second Prince narrowed his eyes at Jess Rether, sensing something amiss.
Strange.
Though somewhat taken aback, he gave nothing away.
Not that anyone was paying attention to him.
Because that enormous dragon skull had seized the attention of every noble present.
They gathered around it, exclaiming in admiration:
"So this is the dragon that had been terrorizing the southern border...."
"Slaying a dragon—Your Highness Aubeny's achievement is truly extraordinary."
"Indeed, truly reminiscent of His Majesty in his prime!"
Aubeny, clad in golden armor, paid no mind to the nobles' flattery. He let them gape and admire the dragon skull he had brought back, while he himself wore an affable smile and walked over to the Second Prince, saying calmly:
"My dear younger brother, was it Father who sent all of you to receive me?"
"I am greatly honored that Father holds me in such regard."
The Second Prince likewise kept a smile on his face as he looked at the First Prince and replied:
"Yes."
"Elder Brother has returned to the Capital after slaying a dragon—it is a great merit in itself. Father naturally would not wish to slight someone who has rendered such distinguished service."
He placed just a touch of extra weight on distinguished service, but the First Prince seemed entirely deaf to the implication, simply smiling at Owaise.
"It seems that the years I've been away have not put any distance between us as brothers."
"That puts my mind at ease."
Aubeny waved at the crowd of nobles surrounding him and called out cheerfully:
"What's everyone still waiting for? Come, come inside—don't keep Father waiting."
Ushered along by the throngs of nobles, he made his way slowly into the Imperial Palace.
Leaving only Owaise standing where he was, a dark mood rising within him.
"It seems you're not particularly fond of him?"
A voice that was not his own sounded near his ear. The Second Prince watched the backs of the retreating crowd and responded to it, his tone indifferent:
"A man who strives to appear perfect in everything only makes me sick."
"But he is fortunate—everything he does succeeds."
The nobles were busy fawning over that distinguished man in golden armor, and his words were heard by no one.
His gaze fixed on that elder brother who stood at the center of everyone's attention, Owaise's voice turned cold.
"Yes. That is why I despise him."
***
Within the Grand Hall, Aubeny knelt on one knee. Beside him, the enormous iron cage housed the dragon's colossal skull.
Aubery's expression was impassive, but he still offered the First Prince a mild word of praise.
"Well done."
"Slaying a dragon—your merit is considerable. Speak, then. What do you want?"
"Father, clearing threats for the Empire is my duty. A reward is not important."
Hearing the First Prince's response, the Emperor nodded.
He had just opened his mouth to say something when Duke Livi leaned in and murmured quietly into his ear.
"Your Majesty, Count Clavena has not arrived."
"Hmm? Hahaha, yes—quite right."
Aubery, as if recalling something amusing, narrowed his eyes and looked over at Aubeny.
"My child, I have nothing particular to reward you with. There is, however, one matter I ought to raise."
Aubery narrowed his eyes and laughed lightly.
"You and Owaise are both getting on in years—it is time you were wed."
"Otherwise, word will get out, and here stands my great Empire with 2 princes and 1 princess, all unwed—people who don't know better might think my children lack prospects."
He looked at Aubeny, who had gone somewhat rigid inside the hall, and said with a warm chuckle:
"Jess."
"Your Majesty."
Jess Rether stepped forward and gave a slight bow to the Emperor.
The Emperor slowly said:
"I recall that you previously mentioned you had identified a candidate for Aubeny."
"Why not tell us again today—who is this candidate?"
Everyone else stood dumbstruck, not daring to breathe.
They all had the distinct feeling that the Emperor was using the First Prince as a vehicle to issue a warning to the Rether Family.
After all, the Emperor's attitude toward the Rether Family had been decidedly unfavorable of late—and before that, Jess Rether had managed to provoke Viktor yet again.
But this time, Jess Rether was not as impulsive as before. He carried himself with measured composure and replied without haste:
"Your Majesty, the matter of His Highness's betrothal should be decided by Your Majesty personally. As an outsider, I would not dare presume to interfere."
"Oh?"
Emperor Aubery looked genuinely surprised. He studied Jess Rether, then nodded with evident satisfaction.
"It seems you have shed those emotions that had no business being there."
"You may step back."
Jess Rether bowed deeply once more, then turned and rejoined the ranks of the nobility.
The Second Prince stood nearby, his expression unsettling.
Because he, too, had noticed it.
Jess Rether's rage—had it vanished?
That had been the exquisite gift he had prepared for Aubeny.
What was going on?
For the first time, he felt himself losing composure.
The Second Prince struggled to contain his emotions, his body trembling faintly.
But at that very moment, a Court Eunuch approached the Emperor and said respectfully:
"Your Majesty, the Clavena Family has arrived."
The Emperor was somewhat surprised—the one who had come this time wasn't Viktor?
Moments later, Leah came into the Emperor's view.
But more eyes turned toward the figure at Leah's side.
......A cloud?
As the white cloud drifted slowly closer, the crowd could finally make out that something appeared to be lying on top of it.
It looked like a person.
The Elf raised her head, let out a yawn, and showed not the slightest trace of respect for the imperial family.
She straightened up, and the instant she saw the Emperor, she waved at him without the least inhibition and called out in greeting:
"Oh, Aubery, long time no see~"