Chapter 116
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 116
Chapter Title: The Banquet Hall Where the Heavyweights Have Arrived
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The banquet hall where the elites had gathered exuded an atmosphere far more opulent than expected.
"They've renovated the old fortress," Jun muttered.
As he observed, the fortress towering atop the mountain peak bore plenty of traces of its age on its own.
"And those are... the knight order."
"Tsk tsk, correct. It's His Majesty's direct knight order, the Heavenly Dragon Knights."
The Heavenly Dragon Knights, the emperor's personal knight order.
Every member was a level 7 or 8 user.
Rumor had it their captain had even reached level 9.
"The captain won't be here. He's a busy fellow all around."
"You know him personally?"
"He was once my disciple, and now he's a close friend."
Even though his former pupil had surpassed him in skill, Aden showed no particular reaction.
"Hail! We of the Empire's Sword."
By then, a knight had come to greet their group at the fortress entrance.
"An old nickname from ages ago. I've retired. These days, Ben's the Empire's Sword."
"The Captain wouldn't think that way."
"The boy's as stubborn as they come."
After a brief exchange and verification of their identities, the knight promptly escorted them inside.
"So, how many have shown up this time?"
"Everyone has confirmed their attendance."
"Ho. That's a rare occurrence."
Apparently, in previous years' banquets, quite a few invitees had declined.
Refusing the emperor's invitation naturally carried political weight...
'The emperor doesn't seem to mind.'
Otherwise, there wouldn't be such a reaction.
"Who exactly has arrived so far?"
"The Altas Adventurers and the Blackshield Knights."
"Ho. Some impressive folks. Hey, Jun. Sorry for dragging this old man along. It's not much in place of an apology, but mind if I introduce you to them?"
"I'd be grateful and won't refuse."
There was no reason to dodge now that they were here.
Jun nodded quietly, and for now, they headed to their assigned rooms to rest and unpack.
Once Jun and the others left to unpack, Aden, now alone, watched their retreating backs before setting off.
His footsteps led to the upper levels of the fortress.
"Hail!"
"You've had a hard time. Is His Highness inside?"
"With Lady Natalie."
"Then I'll pay a visit."
The entrance was guarded by members of the Heavenly Dragon Knights.
After a light knock, he entered the room, where a vibrant panorama met his eyes.
Paintings adorned the ceiling and walls, every one a masterpiece.
"Ah, Sword Ghost."
"It's been a while, Dexter."
The First Prince, Dexter, rose from his quiet reading to greet Aden warmly.
"I heard you'd been invited to this banquet."
"How could I refuse His Majesty's summons?"
"But what brings you all the way up here?"
"I have some urgent matters to discuss."
Aden's eyes held an unmistakable seriousness as he spoke.
"Urgent matters?"
"Javier's carriage plummeted off a cliff."
"What?!"
Dexter's eyes widened in shock.
It was only natural. Though from different mothers, they were brothers.
"Fortunately, it was discovered early, and an artifact ensured his safety."
"That's... a relief. But why on earth?"
"It's being treated as an accident for now, but there are some unnatural elements."
From what Aden knew, Javier's deceased companions were no slouches.
They had reached level 4 at young ages.
Yet they perished in a mere carriage accident?
Aden deemed that unlikely.
The fact that two had died so pointlessly suggested something more.
"Indeed... it doesn't add up as a simple accident."
"That's why I plan to investigate. Dexter, will you help?"
"Of course. It's my brother's matter, after all."
Aden smiled at Dexter's immediate agreement.
The imperial princes generally got along.
Though Javier was a bit wary of him.
"Did you come seeking us specifically? I hate to say it, but if Javier was targeted for assassination, we'd be prime suspects."
"You and Natalie have no reason for that, and even if you did, it wouldn't be so sloppy."
Javier was a prince too, protected by artifacts. The culprits hadn't even checked for them.
"Even coldly analyzing it, it doesn't fit you."
"Fair enough. So, who do you suspect?"
"Benes."
Dexter tilted his head at the name.
"Pardon? Javier's mother."
"She won't think rationally like you or I."
"...!"
Only then did Dexter fully grasp Aden's implication.
"Trying to drive a wedge between us? But why?"
"Those who wish chaos upon the empire have never needed grand reasons."
"Sigh..."
Things had gotten complicated, Dexter sensed.
He turned to the golden-haired woman dozing on the sofa nearby.
His sister, and the one who had filled the room with paintings.
"She stayed up until dawn painting... We'll discuss when Natalie wakes."
"Very well. I must see His Majesty."
"Yes."
"Oh, and one more thing."
As Aden turned to leave, he paused as if recalling something.
"Someone spotted the crashed carriage before I did. The young man who came here with me."
"The one with you, Sword Ghost?"
"Yes. From the White Whale Mercenary Corps."
"Ah..."
They were riding high on fame lately.
"Cooperating with them might be worthwhile."
"Understood."
Even if their skills were half the rumors, they couldn't be ignored—especially with Gilenoi Merchant Guild backing.
The guild would provide valuable information.
Dexter bowed his head in quiet thanks.
"Thank you, Aden."
Honestly, it might not warrant Aden's involvement.
It could still be a genuine accident.
But Aden remembered the sorcerer's vision.
If the empire burned as foreseen...
It would be because the princes had fallen out.
Only internal strife could shake such a sturdy realm.
Jun had been resting in a room so luxurious it belied the fortress's renovation when Aden returned, and they stepped out together.
"Maya. You could've kept resting in the room."
Surprisingly, Maya had followed first.
"Good instincts. I'll tag along."
She rarely joined when meeting strangers.
What instinct, exactly?
Whatever it was, her initiative wasn't a bad thing, so Jun and the group followed Aden down the first-floor corridor.
"My goodness, the Altas Adventurers!"
Aiden's eyes sparkled beside him, prompting Jun to ask.
"You know them?"
"Yes! I read an adventure book about them at the bookstore last time..."
Indeed, the Altas Adventurers were quite renowned.
Enough to be invited by the emperor.
"Heh heh. They're sharp ones. Word is they've discovered a new region again."
"The Deidas Grand Temple, perhaps?!"
"Ho. You know of it?"
"Of course! The book I read only mentioned finding traces... To think you'd actually explored it!"
"Heard they got solid results. That's why they're here."
Aiden was about to pat himself on the back for venturing out when...
"Oh dear, look at me. I forgot to deliver this to that person."
"What is it?"
"A small errand. Need to pass this letter to someone."
Who would dare task the Sword Ghost with an errand?
The thought flickered but faded.
"Sorry to ask, but could you deliver it?"
"Ah... Sure!"
Aiden had been buzzing about meeting the Altas group, but he couldn't refuse the Sword Ghost.
'I'll see them at the banquet later!'
With that hope, he asked Aden.
"Where to?"
"Head down the opposite corridor to the central garden. Let's see... He should be feeding the beasts now. The guy's hobby is raising monsters."
What kind of hobby involved monsters? Aiden nodded without much thought.
"I'll be back."
"Take your time."
With Aiden gone, Jun, Maya, and Eleanor trailed Aden.
Soon, they reached a door.
Before the Sword Ghost could knock, it opened.
"Oh my, Sword Ghost?"
"Lady Kyler. Long time no see."
"Hohoho. Calling me 'Lady' now?"
"Positions are positions. Anyway, doing well?"
"Well enough to be here. And who's behind you?"
"The ones who brought me here. White Whale Mercenary Corps."
"Ah!"
As an adventurer leader herself, Ron Kyler recognized them instantly.
"Fancy meeting such famous folks here. Heard about your return just before coming."
"Pleased to meet you. I'm Jun, leading the White Whale Mercenary Corps."
"Likewise. Ron Kyler, of the Altas Adventurers."
Her surname suggested nobility.
'Aiden would've chattered facts if he were here.'
Not that it mattered much.
"For the Sword Ghost to introduce you personally. Quite the occasion."
"They've helped me out in various ways. Heard about your exploits too. Who'd have thought that sniveling girl would shine like this already."
"My big bro's a bit greedy."
"Makes sense."
"Mind sharing what adventure you had?"
Rarely, Maya spoke first.
Unusual for her around strangers.
"Hehe, a curious one. No harm in it."
What adventurer didn't love recounting tales?
She explained readily.
"The Deidas Grand Temple our Altas Adventurers found had five layers. There, we uncovered traces of the King of the Dead, Deidas."
"...King of the Dead."
"That's right. But we ran into Corruptors unexpectedly."
Corruptors.
The parasites Jun had encountered in the Iron Lava while seeking the Witch's Forest.
"Corruptors. Must've been dangerous."
"It was. Then a horde type showed up... Oh?"
Jun turned at the faint killing intent beside him.
Maya struggled to contain her aura after so long.
Yes.
Corruptors—especially horde types—were the ones who annihilated her tribe.
"Sorry. She lost comrades to a horde in the past."
"...No, I understand. Tragic."
Luckily, Kyler empathized.
In Blackout, some names alone sparked bloodlust.
"...Sorry."
"Impressive, though. Most show fear before rage after such trauma."
"......"
"That's why you're a special mercenary corps. Anyway, battling the sudden horde led us to a clue: a hidden dungeon on layer six."
She skipped details, but pioneering a new area and gaining a next target was no small feat for Altas.
"King of the Dead, eh... Intriguing."
"Hard to meet him directly, being on layer six."
"Could be, or not. It's Blackout."
"Hehe, utterly unpredictable."
Then Kyler regretfully spoke first.
"Sorry, but I'm in a meeting with my team. Can't spare more time."
"No problem. Fascinating story, thanks."
"Good to hear. We'll chat more at the banquet."
With that, she returned inside.
Jun glanced at Maya.
"Found them."
Her Choyeong tribal dialect was unintelligible, but Jun got it.
Her eyes gleamed like a hunter spotting long-sought prey.