♢ In the Grenflare Empire ♢
Einherjar Palace was situated in the heart of the Grenflare Empire. It was the largest artificial construct on the entire Southern Continent as well as a symbol of the empire’s prosperity. Beyond the entrance was the presence chamber, where one could speak with the emperor. The chamber’s colossal door swung open, and a sophisticated-looking knight emerged. A medal resembling a golden Pegasus adorned her chest, denoting her as a Heavenly Knight, the highest rank one could attain among imperial knights.
Her name was Airi Areus Grenflare. She had suppressed a minor rebellion in one of the empire’s vassal states and had just finished reporting the results to her father.
He’s working me, his own daughter, like a pack mule! Airi lamented to herself.
“I am not the sort of emperor who gives his most capable subordinates the luxury to lounge about. You did well, Airi. You shall be sent your reward soon,” the emperor—Airi’s father—had said. He looked far more youthful than his actual age.
Airi was grateful for his words, and she knew he had a high opinion of her. This was necessary, as she aimed to succeed him on the throne. However, accepting that fact didn’t make her schedule any less packed.
I’ll spend tomorrow resting up. Her soldiers had done well in suppressing the rebels. She would reward them with time off. She continued to walk down the long, straight halls of the palace, lost in thought. All the nobles and high-ranking knights stared at her as she passed them.
“Look! It’s Princess Airi!”
“She’s always so cool and beautiful...”
“I hear she and her lover, General Berthold, are seeking to become the next rulers of our empire!”
“Ahh! Our country will be in such safe hands!”
They were whispering, but... I can hear you all, you know? Lower your voices, for goodness’ sake. However, Airi didn’t tell them off. There would be no end to it if she started correcting this behavior. Whispers and gossip were an unavoidable part of her everyday life. I know that it’s my fate as a member of the imperial family, but the attention I receive no matter where I go is... It was something Airi still wasn’t used to.
“Do you look outside the window every time you hear a bird sing?” her father had once said, but she didn’t think she could emulate his nerves of steel just yet.
If only he was around... The face that appeared in her mind’s eye was that of her childhood friend. When she’d had him at her side, she had felt she could pass the time in peace. But to wish he were here was akin to wishing for the moon. Airi picked up the pace, doing her best to ignore the noise around her as she made for the exit. But then, through the rabble, she heard some concerning words.
“Hey, did you hear that someone defeated a Discipline Beast in Babel all by himself?”
“Wow! I wonder who he is and where he’s from. Is he a Holy Knight from the Alliance? Or maybe a Dragon Knight from the Republic?”
“I hear he’s an Imperial Swordmaster.”
“Oh, that’s wonderful news!”
“So tell us! Who defeated the Discipline Beast? Surely he’s someone famous.”
“He’s an imperial citizen who became an explorer. He must be some inconsequential clout chaser who lost his marbles.”
“Well, hold on to your hats for this part—the one who pulled off that feat was the Santafield son!”
“You mean the one who apparently only has white mana?”
“That’s right! The oddball who was the first in his class at the military academy yet transferred over to Lykeion Magic Academy.”
“I still hear people lamenting about his lost potential. If he had mastered either Barrier Magic or healing magic, he could’ve become the best in the entire empire.”
“Well, he did want to become a swordsman, so...”
“His father is the great Imperial Sword. Of course he wants to follow in his old man’s footsteps.”
“Still, defeating a Discipline Beast is an incredible achievement. I’m sure his father’s happy to hear about that.”
“You said it.”
Airi walked over to the chatting knights, her heels clacking on the floor. “Tell me more about what you were discussing.”
“P-Princess Airi!” When they recognized who had addressed them, the knights snapped to attention and raised their hands in smart salutes.
♢ Imperial Army Intelligence Corps ♢
Airi entered the headquarters of the Imperial Army’s Intelligence Corps, which gathered and compiled information from the entire continent. All the agents inside were busy with their tasks. As every one of the documents lining the shelves contained confidential information, very few people could access this room, with Airi—as an imperial princess—being one of them.
“Sorry to intrude.”
“If it isn’t Princess Airi! What brings you here today?”
“Did something happen in the Last Dungeon?”
At Airi’s question, the man sitting in the middle of the room—the supervisor of the Intelligence Corps—furrowed his brow. “So the rumors have reached your ears as well. Your Highness, your childhood friend has been making a name for himself in the dungeon city.”
“I’d like to see the recordings of him.”
“Of course. Right this way.”
The Intelligence Corps kept all the footage that the Satellite System recorded within the Last Dungeon so they could scout any promising or skilled explorers who weren’t affiliated with the empire. They also secretly maintained contact with the imperial explorers sent to the dungeon city to better keep an eye out for potential assets.
The footage the officer showed Airi depicted the 20th Level of Babel. At first, Eugene simply ran away from the three-headed monster—Cerberus, the Guard Dog of the Underworld. He looked rather pathetic as he picked up the girl who was accompanying him and dove into the hollow of a giant tree.
But then the footage showed him standing up against Cerberus. With a flaming crimson sword in hand, he faced the monster alone. He seemed incredibly brave, and the sight piqued Airi’s interest.
“What’s that magic sword?” she muttered.
Airi knew for a fact that Eugene could only use white mana. However, the sword in his hand was glowing a vivid vermilion.
“I’m guessing it’s mana from Sumire, the girl with him. Apparently, she’s a reincarnator who’s inhabiting the body of an Ifrit. He used that same magic sword to defeat the Boss on the 10th Level,” the head of the Intelligence Corps explained.
An Ifrit reincarnator? This was the first time Airi had heard about her. She continued watching. Despite Eugene’s initial disadvantage, he pushed back Cerberus with an impressive strike. Kirin, an advanced technique of the Niten Enmei-ryu... It brought back memories.
Airi had trained with him, but even after all their time together, she’d never reached his level of skill. Part of the problem had been that, as a princess, she couldn’t devote all her time and attention to swordsmanship; there had been many other things that she’d needed to learn as well. But the main reason was that Eugene was simply leagues above any of the other swordsmen at the military academy. Clearly those skills hadn’t declined during his time at the magical academy either. Yet another detail caught Airi’s attention.
“What was the magic sword he used at the end of the battle? At first glance, it looked like any other black mana sword, but...”
“Considering it lopped off the head of a Divine Beast, there’s surely some secret behind it. We’ve been looking into it as well. Our guess is that it has something to do with the dungeon city’s ruler, King Uther. He’s always been the secretive type.” The head of the Intelligence Corps stroked his beard, a troubled look on his face.
After pondering for a few moments, Airi asked, “As a member of the Imperial Army’s Intelligence Corps, what is your opinion of that battle?”
“It was fantastic. The Discipline Beast’s irregular appearance on the 20th Level means we can’t say they’ve passed the 100th Level, but I’m sure they’ll accomplish that feat in time.”
“I see,” Airi replied calmly. In the footage, Eugene was conversing with the reincarnator girl.
“If that’s all, I’ll stop the video.”
“Wait a second. Can you make the audio louder?”
“Of course.”
He adjusted the volume until they could hear what the pair were saying. In the video, Eugene was comforting the crying girl—the Ifrit. Something he said made the girl smile.
“Become my partner, Sumire. Let’s aim for the 500th Level together.”
“Yeah! Let’s go!”
Airi watched as Eugene and the Ifrit girl shook hands.
“The 500th Level? What a lofty goal, young Eugene. It’ll be a glorious moment in imperial history should he accomplish it.” The head of the Intelligence Corps chuckled heartily. It was clear he didn’t take Eugene’s words seriously at all.
In the footage, the dungeon staff used Ambrosia Tears to revive the students the Divine Beast Cerberus had killed, and the reincarnator girl reacted with almost exaggerated surprise. It didn’t take long before the din of the explorers’ conversation filled the room. They discussed the price of Ambrosia Tears and debts—things of no consequence to the princess of the empire.
The head of the Intelligence Corps was about to suggest that they stop watching the video but changed his mind when he saw the dead serious expression on Airi’s face. Perhaps she’s relieved to see her childhood friend in good spirits, he thought.
Not once did Princess Airi’s eyes shift away from the footage of the 20th Level of Babel.