Chapter 5

On that day, a shockwave ran through the capital.

The Minotaur, a monster from the deepest level of the capital's oldest dungeon, the "No Return Labyrinth," commonly known as the "Deep Abyss," suddenly appeared in the city.

The moment the monster appeared, all the senior guards stationed at the entrance of the dungeon were killed.

The "Talented Princess" Linneburg, who had just returned from exploring the middle levels, was also nearly killed.

"Is it true? That the Minotaur appeared at the entrance of the dungeon?"

"Yes. According to the only witness and survivor, Princess Linneburg, it is undoubtedly true. It seems to have been caused by a summoning spell activated by someone."

The prince clenched his teeth upon hearing the report from the chief of staff of the Royal Knights, Darkein.

"Then, the appearance of the Minotaur was indeed a human act?"

"Most likely. The activation of the summoning spell seems to have come from a 'Mage's Ring' worn by one of the victims. We were able to recover the remains of the ring along with the corpses. It used an extremely high-purity magic stone, which is not commercially available and is an extraordinary item."

Chief of Staff Darkein said this and took out a fragment of a purple-red gem.

"I see. Then, can you narrow down the possible manufacturer to some extent?"

Summoning magic is a highly advanced technique that requires a precise magic array inscribed by a high-level mage and a high-purity magic stone.

Moreover, a magic stone capable of sealing a Minotaur, classified as a Special A [Disaster Level] threat, is not something that can be bought with the money of a mere wealthy person.

The number of people who can prepare all of these is naturally limited.

"Yes. According to the head of the Mage's Guild, the 'Mage Saint' Oaken, the magic pattern residue on the magic stone suggests that it likely came from the Magic Empire Delidas. The wavelength of the magic tools produced in their country's cutting-edge magic tool manufacturing facilities is very similar. Furthermore, using a magic stone of this purity, it is entirely possible to confine a Minotaur in a ring-sized barrier."

The prince's face darkened as Darkein continued his report.

The three countries surrounding the Kingdom of Creuse:

The Holy Kingdom of Misra to the west.

The Magic Empire Delidas to the east.

The Commercial Autonomous Region of Sarencia to the south.

Among them, the Magic Empire Delidas, located to the east of the kingdom, is now the strongest country on the continent.

It is also a country that constantly exerts pressure on our nation.

"Could this be retaliation for that incident...?"

The Magic Empire Delidas has expanded its military power in recent years, backed by its rapidly developed magic tool manufacturing technology.

At the same time, it has been invading other countries to expand its territory.

In such a situation, it has also approached our kingdom, saying,

"In exchange for lending us military power, give us the rights to the dungeon."

Such a demand is fundamentally unreasonable, and they know it.

Our kingdom is a small country that relies solely on abundant dungeon resources and the human resources that gather around them.

If we lose our foundation, the very operation of the state will be impossible.

Naturally, my father rejected it, saying, "We will defend our country ourselves."

However, the emperor of the Magic Empire, Sigurd Delidas III, is not the type to accept such a rejection.

Thus, he has responded to our refusal with retaliation and intimidation.

That makes sense.

"No. It can't be that simple, can it?"

There have been provocations before.

But this time is different.

My sister is currently undergoing the trial of succession to the throne according to the kingdom's laws.

At times, she is alone and defenseless.

They took advantage of this to target her life.

When the Minotaur was summoned, a barrier to hinder the princess's actions was also set up.

It is clear that they intended to eliminate her.

Moreover, they left obvious evidence, as if they didn't care if it was discovered, and boldly carried out the attack.

This hasn't happened in decades.

In other words—

"The assassination attempt on my sister, Linneburg—. The purpose is not to intimidate our country, but to provoke us into starting a war, isn't it?"

"Most likely, as you suspect."

If my sister, the First Princess Linneburg, were assassinated, we would have no choice but to launch a nationwide search for the culprit.

Even if the assassination attempt failed, it would be the same.

And this time, the evidence was left in plain sight.

As if to declare who did it.

Or to show off their power.

Identifying the perpetrator would be easy.

It's as if they are openly declaring it.

But if we confront the other country with this as a reason—war is inevitable.

They must want that.

"Provoking us, crushing us head-on, and taking our resources—. And they no longer even try to hide it."

It's a clear provocation.

As if to say, "If you can, try it."

It's an obvious and unjust interference, and the fault is clearly on their side.

But if we appeal to the surrounding countries—

"It would be futile, wouldn't it?"

Until now, the power was balanced.

The Kingdom of Creuse, with its central dungeon resources.

The Magic Empire Delidas, with its northeastern mountain resources.

The Holy Kingdom of Misra, with its northwestern forest resources.

The Commercial Autonomous Region of Sarencia, with its southern marine resources.

Each played its role,

Compensating for what they lacked through trade and negotiation,

Maintaining peace for hundreds of years.

But the good relationship that had been maintained for a long time was fragile and collapsed due to the recent prosperity of the Magic Empire.

The invasion of countless small countries' dungeons by the Magic Empire triggered the surrounding three countries to align their steps and make unreasonable demands on our country, which is geopolitically weak.

The Magic Empire's goal is clearly "dungeon resources."

They seem to want them desperately.

The relics of the "No Return Labyrinth" that will give them even more power.

We probably have no allies around us.

The three countries have likely already completed their negotiations on the distribution of resources after the invasion.

From the kingdom's perspective, it is the worst scenario, being surrounded on all sides and with all neighboring countries becoming enemies.

"I can understand Father's thinking, but—"

My strict and inflexible father has always rejected their unreasonable demands.

From important matters to trivial ones, he has rejected everything that goes against morality.

As the king of a country, it is a natural and correct attitude.

I understand the logic and think it is right.

But because of that, there is friction.

Because he adheres to principles, the relationship with the surrounding countries is deteriorating moment by moment.

This incident is a threat to my father, the current king, who has never bowed to pressure.

The other side no longer intends to hide it.

And the other surrounding countries probably understand what is happening.

What that means is—

"The situation is truly critical now."

The situation is so urgent that it gives the prince the impression that there is no time to waste.

"Darkein, I don't think this sabotage is limited to this incident. There may be other tricks set up within the country. Investigate that as well."

"As you wish."

"And—"

There is another issue.

"About the man who saved Lin—"

Lin is the childhood name of Princess Linneburg,

And the prince still calls his sister by this nickname.

The survivor, the princess, spoke of a man who single-handedly defeated the Minotaur of the Deep Abyss.

But it was a hard-to-believe story.

The prince himself heard the story from the princess, but it didn't make much sense.

The man reportedly easily deflected dozens of heavy blows from the Minotaur with a mass-produced broadsword.

And it all happened in just a few seconds.

—Impossible.

That was the first impression when he received the report.

At least, based on his own knowledge and common sense, it was hard to believe.

But as he continued to listen, it became even more unbelievable.

The man reportedly deflected a siege axe made of mithril with a broken broadsword and used the axe to decapitate the Minotaur.

That was an impossible story, no matter how you looked at it.

Assuming such a man exists,

It would mean that there is a person with combat skills superior to the Six Saints, who once faced the Minotaur in the deep levels.

The "Six Saints," an S-rank adventurer party,

Were the six people who, under the leadership of the current king, my father, explored the deep levels of the "No Return Labyrinth."

When they encountered the Minotaur in the deep levels,

Even the legendary warrior of the party, the "Undying" Dantarg, was prepared to die.

Covered in muscles harder than steel, with eyes that could not be injured by arrows or swords,

It was only thanks to the magic of the "Mage Saint" Oaken and the dungeon relic, the "Black Sword," that they managed to defeat it.

They used all their strength and barely managed to kill one, abandoning all the treasure in front of them and fleeing back.

The Minotaur is that much of a threat.

To defeat it alone—

It was like a hero from a fairy tale had stepped out of a story.

It was hard to believe.

"My sister was probably confused. It would be better to calm her down first and then hear the story again."

She was in danger of losing her life.

Even a prodigy who reached the "Silver" rank at the age of 14, long before I did, would be confused.

It was her first time, and it was understandable.

Or, was it really a Minotaur?

But that question has already been resolved.

One of the "Six Saints," the "Sword Saint" Sig, confirmed the monster's body and declared it was indeed a Minotaur.

It didn't add up.

The only way to explain it was if the person my sister described actually existed.

"Have you found out where the man went? Someone must have seen him at the scene."

"Well, he was seen, but—"

"He was seen, but what?"

"According to the testimony of those who rushed to the scene, he 'vanished like a phantom right before their eyes.' We have not been able to track him since."

"What is that? What does it mean? Did your skilled reconnaissance team just let him slip away? What is the point of—"

The prince was about to say, "What is the point of having elite troops," but remembered that they were very capable subordinates and closed his mouth.

"I understand what you mean. But they did see the man. He—simply disappeared without a sound."

"—In other words, he is so skilled that even their perception abilities couldn't track him—"

"…That's right."

Who is this guy?

A man who can easily defeat a Minotaur alone and is so skilled that even our elite troops can't track him.

—Such a person is hiding in the country?

Tensions with the surrounding countries are rising.

Something is starting to happen.

"Understood, that's enough. Investigate quickly. Don't waste a moment."

"Yes."

The elderly man bowed briefly and hurriedly left.

"We need to advance multiple strategies simultaneously."

The other side has taken a bold approach.

A reckless method that doesn't care if it is discovered.

—That means only one thing.

"It might be close."

A war might break out soon.

Or—perhaps it has already started.

I need to advise the king.

But given my father's keen intuition,

He might have already noticed and made preparations—

Still—

The man is the only thing that worries me.

If he is not an enemy, he would be a great ally.

He saved my sister's life, and I hope he is on our side.

But—right now, he is an unknown entity.

Why did he leave without revealing his name, as if fleeing?

That alone makes it hard to consider him an ally.

"Sweet expectations should not be held."

In this situation—

It's tempting to cling to sweet expectations.

But the prince shook his head.

"If everything my sister said is true—"

I can't afford to cling to such things in my position.

My sister's story is like a fairy tale,

Where a hero comes from somewhere to save the day in a crisis.

"I'll think about it calmly."

Another element to consider has been added to his mind.

The prince sat in his chair, trying to organize his thoughts and sank into deep contemplation.