Act 1. Travel Kingdom (1)

In fact, I already knew that Yurien was very different from the rumors. ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠Even in Season 1, the Travel Kingdom existed, but they didn't delve much into related stories. Still, while leveling up, I'd gathered and organized every bit of lore information about the world.

But I had no intention of sharing this high-level info easily with viewers. So I vaguely brushed it off as "black curtain vibes" and picked the 2nd Prince.

. . .

Yurien and I entered a hidden passageway inside the tavern.

"Did you make this place, 2nd Prince—no, Yurien?"

At his request to just use his name in private, we'd been chatting casually as we passed through the tunnel.

"...Yeah. I needed a place to breathe, you know. This is just about the only spot the kingdom's eyes don't reach."

"Ah, I see..."

"Here we are. Come on in."

The room Yurien led me to was plastered with countless photos, maps of the kingdom, and traces of intense planning.

"What in the world..."

I couldn't help but be shocked by the photos and records. I'd suspected scheming, but the scale was even bigger than I'd imagined.

"That's right... This is the collection of everything I've gathered over ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠the past decade or so. First time showing it to anyone."

I picked up one of the many documents on the desk and started reading, soon stunned again.

"The 1st Prince... made a deal with a demon...?"

"...Yeah. Let's sit and talk. This story's a long one."

. . .

1st Prince Callis, contrary to public perception, had an incredibly strong lust for power. No—obsessively fixated on the throne to the point of madness.

To knock out the brilliant and capable 2nd Prince Yurien from the succession race from a young age, he'd engineered an environment where normal growth was impossible. He pressured Yurien's entourage using his own position, denying him even basic treatment befitting a prince. He spread bad rumors artificially, twisting public opinion so Yurien couldn't gain support.

As a result, Yurien naturally lost the king's trust and drifted from succession.

Callis tried every trick to sideline Princess Arie too, but when nothing worked against her unparalleled intellect, anxiety set in.

"Hahaha! Looks like you want something! I can help. How about a deal?"

Albarox, Legion Commander of Greed, slowly approached the 1st Prince.

"Begone, demon! Who do you think you're tempting?"

Of course, the 1st Prince was sane at first and didn't buy it.

"Heh... I'll be watching. Call me when you're desperate..."

But as plans against Arie kept failing one by one, Callis had no choice but to seek out Albarox again.

"...You'll really help me become king, no strings attached?"

"Kuhaha! Of course. I'm a demon who wants a world where everyone's greed comes true!"

And so Callis made a pact with Albarox. After that, his position strengthened steadily.

"That demon hasn't shown its true colors yet... but you know what those demon scum are like."

"Definitely... Those arrogant, cunning bastards have no reason to just lend power."

"As you know, my reputation's in the gutter, so no one would believe me directly. I have circumstantial evidence, but no direct proof—that's the problem."

"That's why I'm asking you. I'll disguise you as my attendant. Bring me direct evidence of Callis and Albarox's contract."

Reading the quest details, I finally understood the full situation. But one question lingered.

"By the way, what is the princess doing?"

"...Sister Arie's busy fending off Callis's attacks."

"You know what I mean."

"Sigh... Honestly, she's not interested in kingdom affairs. She only defends when attacked. Rumor has it she's holed up doing some research..."

Research, huh. I'd have to meet the princess during the infiltration. She was shrouded in mystery, so she probably knew something.

I paused at the last part of the quest.

• Class Exclusive (Heir of the Great Witch): Higher Shape Transformation skill proficiency reduces chance of detection by 1st Prince Callis.

Hmm...

My current Shape Transformation skill was only level 6, despite constantly changing my eye color while wandering streets.

"...Can I come back later? I need to prepare."

"Sure. But I can't give you forever. Albarox could bare its fangs anytime."

"Got it. Should I return here when ready?"

"Yeah. Come find me when you're set."

The level gap with 2nd place was still 7 levels. Plenty of time, so my goal was to raise Shape Transformation to level 10.

"I'll take my leave, Yurien."

"Take care."

. . .

"Phew... You all saw that, right?"

I left the tavern, headed to my room, and reopened the chat window.

"Well, they won't know unless they see it themselves. Or maybe the 2nd Prince has been acting all this time, hiding a knife to stab the 1st."

I read the Shape Transformation skill description while answering viewers.

"Well... Gonna hit level 10 on Shape Transformation first before starting."

"So... for today, I'll check on Asella and then log off."

As I went to change the ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠stream title, I noticed a massive pile of donations.

"...Whoa. So many people donated..."

"Thank you all first. Ria, you've donated a total of 680,000 won so far. It's an honor that you stick around for my lacking stream, even paying for it."

"Uh... y-yeah... Thank you, Ria. I'll think of some reaction later."

"Also, Ssora with 430k, OPQA with 210k, Otsu with 200k, Dex with..."

I thanked and shouted out everyone who'd donated 10k or more.

. . .

My vision blurred with purple mist, and the space shifted in an instant.

"Never gets old..."

I teleported to Asella's room. But for some reason, she wasn't there.

"...Asella?"

No answer. I slowly walked around her room.

"Asella?"

Then, a purple door in the corner creaked open. Drawn like a moth to flame, I stepped toward it.

. . .

As soon as I entered, my vision hazed then cleared.

"Oh dear..."

Before me stretched purple mist and butterflies fluttering amid countless graves.

"...What is this...?"

Shaking off the inexplicable emotions, I slowly advanced.

. . .

How long had I walked? Graves still blanketed the ground, purple butterflies swirling around me. No—they seemed to be guiding me somewhere.

Then, a castle-like shape came into view.

Something told me Asella was there. I headed toward it slowly.