Chapter 162
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 162
Chapter Title: Natalie
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Just as the guide had said, riding the portal brought on a vicious wave of dizziness.
It was far worse than the queasiness from crossing layer boundaries.
But the party were all seasoned Level 5 users, not the type to be shaken by this much.
Anyway.
"Wow, this is incredible. We actually made it to the first layer..."
They had arrived in the count's reception room, a place they'd seen before.
As Aiden's eyes sparkled and he looked around, the portal sealed shut, restoring silence.
"So, what do we do now?"
"Who knows. But if we just head out like this, won't they mistake us for intruders?"
They hadn't gone through any proper entry procedures... Jun, who wanted to handle this as quietly as possible, flopped onto the sofa.
"We'll just wait. Someone's bound to come."
Since the count had sent a guide himself, surely he'd come personally—or so he figured.
But reality turned out a bit different.
'Spatial magic... and I sense other energies too. Using imaginary dimensions? To minimize impact on this plane? That's clever. Still not easy, though.'
In truth, he was too busy piecing together insights from the guide's spatial magic to notice much else.
Having spent a long time together, his companions knew better than to disturb him and rested in their own ways...
The count arrived about two hours later—after a servant came for cleaning and let out a scream.
"You should've announced your arrival."
"Haha... I didn't think that far."
"Clearly, that guide left quite an impression on you, mage that you are. Enough that you overlooked the obvious."
There was a bite to his words, but the count didn't make a big deal of it.
"Sigh. Our loss, then. More importantly, do you know why I called you here?"
With the others headed to separate rooms, Jun was left alone with the count for a private talk. After a moment's thought, he answered.
"Has His Majesty come down personally?"
"Haha... no."
No matter how vital Blackout was, the empire's heart lay on the surface.
Among past emperors, only the founder had ever visited Blackout during his reign.
"Then... have members of the imperial family descended?"
"Spot on. Three who will one day shoulder the empire have come to Blackout."
Crown Prince Daniel Dexter.
First Princess Erinas Natalie.
Third Prince Turen Javier.
Jun's eyes widened impossibly.
'Now I see why he called our mercenary corps.'
Three royals descending to Blackout together—an unprecedented event in imperial history.
'With Aiden, that makes four.'
If something catastrophic happened while they were all gathered... it would spell disaster for the empire.
'The emperor knows this better than anyone. Why risk it?'
As if reading his doubts, Count Mordena offered a wry smile.
"As you know, last year's Blackout was riddled with issues."
The previous season had nearly seen two Dimension Reversals.
Jun and his comrades' exploits had skyrocketed their fame, turning them into heroes in many eyes.
But it had also sown fear among the empire's people.
"Especially with that shadowy foe, the Heavenly Sky Cult, lurking in the empire's underbelly."
"So that's why they've come."
To quell the growing unrest, even venturing into Blackout itself.
"Exactly. You, being away, might not know, but Prince Dexter and Prince Javier have already reached Black Forest."
"Black Forest..."
"The Fairy Queen raid. Wrapped up splendidly. Largely thanks to you."
Thanks to the intel Jun had freely shared, the Fairy Queen攻略 had gone smoother than expected.
"Sending two princes there... bold move."
"It was. Public sentiment has improved nicely because of it."
"But is that all?"
A glint of sharp insight flickered in the mage's eyes. The count shrugged.
"If everyone had your instincts, I'd be exhausted. Correct. They wouldn't send three royals for that alone."
"You've gathered substantial intel on the Heavenly Sky Cult."
"Princess Natalie obtained it."
Jun was surprised at the speed but couldn't fully smile.
"Something on your mind?"
"...From what I know, Princess Natalie enjoys tremendous renown in high society."
"You know your stuff."
Natalie's artistic talents were unmatched.
'Even in the game, her paintings were treasures that fetched fortunes.'
With her royal status as a bonus, her works were impossible to obtain among nobles.
Whenever she graced a noble gala, matrons would lose their minds vying for her favor.
'For the first princess, whose intel sources cluster at those galas, to uncover Heavenly Sky Cult traces...'
It meant the cult was deeply entwined with the empire's nobility.
'I thought acting early had nipped it in the bud, but it's more rotten than I feared.'
Hence the emperor's drastic measure.
"His Majesty seeks to reveal the crisis's gravity through this."
"...Your insight never fails to impress me, several times a day."
Indeed.
The emperor had dangled his own children as bait for the nobility's sake.
For the Heavenly Sky Cult, craving imperial chaos, it was irresistible.
Blackout was their home turf, after all.
Slaughtering the emperor's bloodline would unleash unparalleled turmoil.
'A mutual high-stakes gambit.'
If the cult bit and succeeded, the empire would crumble faster than Jun knew.
If the emperor won, this could expose the cult worldwide, sobering any nobles in league with them.
'Sacrificing his children to minimize bloodshed.'
To some, the current emperor was a wise predecessor; to others, a ruthless overlord.
Realizing this anew, Jun squeezed his eyes shut.
'No wonder Adrian went mad in the game.'
What burden did the pinnacle of humanity carry?
Jun wanted Aiden spared that weight.
'So I must hope the royals stay at peace.'
Thus, he had no choice but to answer the count's call.
"What, then, do you need from our mercenary corps?"
"For now, protection for the three royals."
"A show for the public, surface-level."
"Precisely."
Stronger forces than White Whale surely existed in Blackout.
The count's request was pure theater.
"Heroes who saved last Blackout. Royals walking with those heroes. What a picturesque scene."
Yet beneath the beauty, frantic duties churned like a swan’s frantic paddling.
"Most visible to the masses, yet overlooked by foes. That's us."
"Exactly."
Comfort to the people, complacency to enemies.
Their fame wasn't trivial, but against the cult's scale, White Whale could still fly under the radar.
"No need to overstress. We've ample guards shadowing them for real protection."
They'd act from the shadows, stepping in at crises.
Jun didn't press the count on details.
'He's already shared plenty.'
From here, they just needed to excel at their role.
"So, what's our cut this time?"
"...Persistent, aren't you? Rest easy. On my name, I'll get you into the imperial vault."
The imperial vault!
A place even Adrian's status barely granted once in the game.
Jun's mind raced with artifacts and hidden gems inside.
'Drool-worthy just thinking about it...'
Soon, he shook hands with the count and signed the contract.
'But how to explain to Cloi?'
Her scolding already echoed in his head. Wisest course: the coward's way.
'Tell her after it's done.'
The crown prince and third prince were still at Black Forest fortress. The only royal in Bijou City was First Princess Natalie.
'What was Natalie's personality like?'
In the game, she appeared fleetingly as... what?
A lifeless doll, threads unraveled.
With an enigmatic aura and stunning looks, she'd topped many players' favorites.
'A skilled enchanter herself.'
From vague memories: she'd learned Shylock's magic, applying it to her paintings.
"Sigh... Why did Father saddle me with this hassle?"
But the real first princess was...
'Basement-dwelling knitter?'
She sprawled half-prone on the sofa, utterly unbefitting her station.
"A pleasure to meet you. I'm Jun, captain of White Whale Mercenary Corps."
"Yeees... Nice to meet you. I'm Natalie. Just call me Natalie."
"Understood."
"My brothers haven't returned yet. If they hurry back, I could ditch this chore..."
Her face screamed annoyance.
How had she sniffed out Heavenly Sky Cult traces?
"Ah, but I owe you... Saved me time."
"Pardon?"
The intel Jun had passed to the palace on the cult was minimal.
Too much knowledge risked spy suspicions.
How had this stranger helped?
"You shared info on that guy too. The... what was it. Baron running 'Azure Cloud'."
"Ah, Wernein."
Hershan R. Wernein.
Ex-Black Guard baron.
Whose Azure Cloud schemes Jun exposed, fueling a grudge that led to a knight's ambush in Witchwood.
"Yes. Traced back from him... and the tail popped up quicker than expected."
"I never imagined it'd connect like that. Impressive."
"Liar. Skip the flattery. It tires me out..."
"Apologies if I offended."
Jun had once tried gathering Wernein intel via Cloi.
But Gilenoi Merchant Guild chaos derailed it, leaving no tail to chase.
"No need to overthink... Anyway, how's my little brother...?"
The topic shifted abruptly.
Jun didn't flinch, nodding promptly.
"He's doing well enough."
"Hmm, is he... Thanks. For looking after him."
She reached under the sofa.
What she pulled out: a large, rectangular wrapped package.
"A painting?"
"Yeah. Gift for my brother..."
What masterpiece lay within? Jun knew her skill well but hid his curiosity.
'Precious one. Delicate protective enchantments.'
Aiden would love it.
Jun accepted the painting.
"Anyway, no more long talks..."
Yawnnn.
Her eyelids drooped as she stretched the yawn.
Leaning in, Jun caught her murmur.
"When the other two arrive... then..."
With that, he quietly withdrew.
'Hope the crown prince is at least normal.'
Slothful first princess, crybaby third prince.
Praying the crown prince bucked the trend, Jun rejoined his comrades.