Chapter 14

The prince sat gloomily in his office chair.

There were mountains of matters to consider.

But now, one thing was troubling him.

"What was Father thinking, giving that unknown man the 'Black Sword'?"

In a way, it might have been better to give him half of the treasures in the treasury, which had been accumulated over a long history. Though they were valuable, they were ultimately unused. They had considerable monetary value, but they were unnecessary. At best, they were decent practical items or works of art.

But –

"Of all things, really, that sword –"

In contrast, the 'Black Sword' was different. It was a bundle of practicality. Its value was entirely different from the myriad treasures that lay in the treasury.

Before the prince was born, the current king, in his adventurer days, formed a party with the [Six Saints] and ventured into the deepest part of the 'No Return Labyrinth.' After a life-risking journey that took several years, he returned – and the 'Black Sword' was the most significant of the 'Labyrinth Relics' obtained from that exploration. Also known as the 'Unbreakable Sword,' this black sword was made of mithril, orichalcum, and magic iron. No matter how hard one tried to scratch it with any metal, it would not be damaged. Once, as a test, it was struck with the 'Dragon Tooth Hammer,' a hammer said to be made from the fang of an ancient dragon, which was used by dwarves to forge orichalcum weapons. The hammer shattered miserably.

The material was completely unknown, a mysterious substance. Since the sword was brought back, every possible investigation had been conducted. The conclusion was that no known technology, skill, or magic could even scratch it.

There was no harder metal known to exist in this world. It was also unclear why this supposedly unscratchable material was so damaged. What had happened in the deepest part of the labyrinth in the past – and what the labyrinth was – remained a mystery. As a first-class relic, it was supposed to be at the top of the national treasures.

Other countries drooled over it, wanting to see it, and some even offered vast sums of money to obtain it. Until now, Father had refused all such requests.

To casually hand it over to that suspicious man, whose identity was unknown – it was truly incomprehensible.

"I can understand the desperation, but –"

Who was that man? It seemed his strength was genuine. Gilbert, who challenged him to a mock battle, couldn't even land a hit.

The question was whether he was really an ally.

That man, Noal, or whatever his name was, seemed to have genuinely saved his sister from the 'Minotaur.' That's why Father, who was so strict, gave him something that matched the value of Leen's life. But even as a savior of his sister – there was too little information to trust him. It was unnatural that he happened to be there when the princess was attacked by the 'Minotaur.' He appeared in an unnatural situation and left without giving a proper reason.

His strength, which defied common sense, and his attitude before the king of a nation – he was crude and ignorant, but showed no loyalty to the country. Leen seemed to be quite taken with him. Given the circumstances, it was understandable. But was it really right to let that man be close to his sister?

If he had the power to defeat the 'Minotaur' – he could be a tremendous threat.

"There is still no material to trust him, but –"

However, the fact that Father recognized that man was significant.

The king, the highest authority, whose decisions were absolute, at least for the Cres family. If Father ordered him to trust that man, he had no choice but to obey. But such an order had not been given yet.

So, for now, he didn't think Father completely trusted that man.

"Does Father understand the current situation?"

No, given Father's nature, he probably did. He must have sensed the ominous atmosphere enveloping the country.

"In that case –"

It was a bet – a desperate move in a difficult situation.

Thinking about it, the recent inexplicable decision made some sense.

Father probably bet on that man. A bet against what was to come. Regardless of who that man was, he could wield the 'Black Sword' – that was certain.

Even the [Undead] Dandalg, known for his immense strength, groaned when he swung it. The [Thousand Swords] Sig refused to take it, saying it was too heavy. Even Father, in his prime as the leader of the [Six Saints], could barely hold it with both hands – that 'Black Sword.'

He swung it with one hand. It was indeed a good place to entrust it for now.

However, it was a dangerous bet with a double-edged sword.

"– Something will surely happen soon."

The ominous movements of neighboring countries. The use of 'Summoning Magic' in the heart of the capital. The blatant sabotage aimed at the royal family's lives.

– What will they do next? If I were in their position, now would be the time to act.

Though it's bad for Leen, it would be a good strategy to have her with that man. If he wasn't an enemy, it would be like having a bodyguard capable of slaying a 'Minotaur' alone. Conversely, it meant he could kill her at any time. At least, if he didn't, he wasn't an enemy yet. That's what he wanted to believe.

"Time and people – are lacking, indeed."

There were too many uncertainties about that man. But the situation left no choice but to trust him. The state of their country was that dire.

– The country is peaceful now. But that's just on the surface. The situation is rapidly progressing beneath the surface. There were not enough people – and there was no time left to wait for the enemy's move.

"I need to gather information –"

The prince muttered this, put on the gray coat hanging on the wall, left the office, and headed to the city.

Thank you for reading.

I can't respond, but I'm receiving a lot of heartwarming feedback.

Thank you (tears of gratitude).