The Beginning of Revenge (1)
Across the center of the continent, in the vast Great Forest, there was a legend from long ago.
That the legacy of the legendary Queen of the Succubus Tribe, Katrinna Ru Belta Ruchelia, who had no equal four hundred years ago, lay dormant there.
It was by no means an empty legend. However, that legacy was not mere gold and silver treasures.
The legacy left by Katrinna Ru Belta Ruchelia was none other than her successor, who carried on her will.
Her name was Runasa Ru Belta Ruchelia. A being once praised as the Princess of the Succubus Tribe.
However, until today, she had to remain sealed for a period of four hundred years.
Throughout those long years, Lesana never forgot for a single moment.
To avenge her mother, who was murdered by a cruel betrayal.
And those detestable Six War Princesses who betrayed her.
And finally, the first wheel of destiny began to turn to fulfill her grand resentment.
"Princess-nim, the long-awaited news has arrived. It seems one of those women's successors has arrived here, following the traces of the monsters you instructed us to spread as bait."
"Indeed, have they finally come? It has been a truly long, long time. How much time has passed since the day I vowed revenge for my mother in this darkness?"
A colossal cavern where darkness, so deep one couldn't see an inch ahead, had taken root. In its center, two shadows, appearing to be human figures, were visible.
One belonged to a woman respectfully bowing her head towards the center of the cavern.
From her distinctive posture and speech, and especially the sword glimpsed at her waist, she was presumed to be a knight.
The other was seated in the center of the cavern.
A woman sitting arrogantly on a massive chair, as if it were a Jade Throne.
With a presence reminiscent of a king, she flashed clear, blue, jewel-like eyes that shone even in the darkness.
Towards her, the knight's shadow bowed its head once more.
"Congratulations, Princess-nim."
"So? Those filthy, disgusting six women. Which one of their successors has appeared?"
"A sword engraved with the sun's emblem. The presence of the Spirit of Flame. And above all, that utterly repulsive appearance of red hair and red eyes. There's no mistake! It's Arkbena Mizaria!"
"Arkbena Mizaria. In human tongue, the Crimson Flame Sword Princess. So, Ligne Isolina's successor has come? Hmph, hmph-hmph, hmph-hmph-hmph-hmph."
The shadow called Princess began to laugh, her shoulders shaking.
Indeed, she couldn't help but laugh. It was truly a preposterous twist of fate.
Ligne Isolina.
The woman she hated so much that even after all these years, she still appeared in her nightmares.
Because she was...
"The woman who ended my mother's dream and pushed me into this terrible hell. To think that her successor, of all people, would be the starting point of my revenge. Fate is truly capricious."
"Princess-nim..."
"Hmph-hmph, yes, that would be good. Starting with her successor wouldn't be bad. Marka. Prepare yourself. It's a guest who has come after a long time, isn't it? As one who inherited the blood of a king, I must observe proper etiquette for guests."
"Yes, I will obey your command!"
Vowing to protect her Lord at all costs, the knight stood up.
At the same time, the bloodshot eyes of the monsters, who had been holding their breath in various parts of the darkness, began to open.
Meanwhile, at that time, a woman was stepping into a dungeon hidden deep within the Great Forest's remote areas.
Soft, long red hair reaching her waist, and pristine white skin without a single blemish.
Breasts so ample that even a G-cup would be insufficient, and a trained physique with no excess fat whatsoever.
Furthermore, an outfit that brazenly exposed her skin, as if to display her pride in herself.
She was truly a beauty whose equal would be hard to find.
However, her true identity was by no means merely that of a beautiful woman.
Because she was Larze Isolina, one of the only six War Princesses boasted by the 'Igatella Empire', the ruler of the continent, and blessed by the Spirit of Flame.
"Hoo~~~ I managed to follow the traces of the monsters all the way here, but it's too dark to see anything. No choice then. Flame Light!"
With a simple command, a blazing flame lamp appeared in the air.
This was indeed the power that the Crimson Flame Sword Princess, blessed by the Spirit of Flame, could wield.
Illuminating the darkness with brilliant flames, Larze cautiously advanced through the dungeon.
As she did so, she recalled anew the circumstances that led her here.
It was during her usual travels across the continent, chasing after the 'Golden Magic Sword'.
Suddenly, news arrived of an unknown disaster.
An invasion of monsters of unknown origin had occurred in the Imperial territory near the Great Forest.
Its scale was too organized to be dismissed as a mere accident, and moreover, its frequency was increasing with time.
However, if that were all, there would have been no need for Larze to act.
The reason she moved was entirely due to personal circumstances.
It was for Tine Millerania, another War Princess just like her.
"Tine. I wonder if she's resting safely? I hope she won't overexert herself anymore, please."
Perhaps because she suddenly recalled the friend who was the reason for her coming here? Larze's complexion darkened rapidly.
To Larze, Tine was a precious friend, so much so that she could be called a sister since childhood.
This was an extremely unusual case among the War Princesses.
Because most other War Princesses would either keep each other in check or ignore them.
But Tine and Larze were different.
Due to the strong friendship shared by their predecessors, the two were able to forge a deep bond from childhood.
Therefore, they even made a promise to help each other when they were in hardship or pain.
And Larze came all the way here to keep that promise.
Because Tine's territory, located near the Great Forest, was in danger due to continuous monster invasions. And Tine, in her current state, was not in a position to overcome that crisis.
"Tarcheka!"
Larze's face twisted frightfully as she uttered the name of another War Princess.
Tarcheka Balsarodme.
It was also the name of a War Princess whom Larze particularly detested among the Six War Princesses.
Because she scoffed at the traditions upheld by the predecessors Larze respected, calling them foolish.
And she brazenly displayed her ambition for power, disregarding her status as a War Princess who should maintain neutrality.
Above all, the reason she could not forgive Tarcheka.
It was because of what happened to Tine due to her ugly ambition.
In Tine's dark, dark territory, as if on the brink of ruin.
The rage she felt when she heard that her friend couldn't even get out of bed was still unforgettable.
She couldn't forgive it. To hurt such a kind and tender-hearted child.
"You'd better be prepared! Once this is over, you're next!"
Flames, surging from the enraged Larze, had somehow become a massive pillar of fire, swirling around her.
It was truly a form like a disaster that humans could not approach.
Nevertheless, Larze, realizing her state belatedly, hastily suppressed the flames and wiped away her cold sweat.
"Hoo~~~ I still have a long way to go. To think I can't even control my own emotions. I need to strive harder! But... this is really... awkward."
Suddenly, a bitter smile bloomed on Larze's lips.
The reason was quickly apparent.
The presence of hundreds of monsters, staring at her with bloodshot eyes in the darkness.
Undoubtedly, it was because of the unnecessarily flashy flames just now.
Larze couldn't help but sigh at her own mistake.
However, a moment later, as if it were for the better, she laughed fiercely and drew her sword.
"Yes! Let's think positively! It's actually for the best! From the start, handling things secretly and quietly wouldn't suit me, would it!? I'll rampage splendidly! Because that is the way of Larze Isolina, one of the Six War Princesses, praised as the 'Crimson Flame Sword Princess'!"
A bird-like figure, engulfed in flames befitting her epithet, soared up, illuminating the darkness.
The monsters caught in that brilliant light writhed in pain, unable even to open their eyes.
Not missing that opportunity, Larze unhesitatingly plunged into the midst of the monsters.
And she began to unleash a peerless display, befitting the name of the Crimson Flame Sword Princess, without holding back.
- Kyaaaaaak!
- Kiek! Kieeek!
- Kaaat! Kaat! Kaat!
Screams of monsters, gripped by fear, erupted from everywhere.
Monsters, each treated as top-tier by the Adventurer's Guild.
Against just a single human, they fell helplessly without even a single resistance.
Even the unintelligent monsters couldn't help but question this unbelievable sight.
Why were they being so helplessly defeated by a mere human?
Of course, the answer was all too simple.
"Weak! Weak! Weak! You're weak! Did you dare covet my friend's land with just this much strength!? Did you dare provoke the wrath of me, the Crimson Flame Sword Princess!? You foolish, stupid monsters! Die, realizing the bitter price for the sin you dared to commit without fear! Haaaat!"
Larze let out a battle cry and raised her sword.
Then, flames swirled and surged around her sword.
Soon after, that current of fire poured out in all directions with the force of a storm.
It was a power that couldn't even be compared to what she had shown before.
With that, the battle was decided.
The monsters began to flee with all their might.
Of course, Larze was not one to simply stand by and watch.
The Crimson Flame Sword Princess chased after the fleeing monsters, decisively cutting off their breaths one by one.
Thus, without even realizing it, she was heading deeper and deeper into the dungeon's darkness.
Without even noticing the two pairs of eyes watching her from the darkness.
"Is that her successor? The Arkbena Mizaria of this era? Hmph-hmph, she's quite similar, isn't she? Especially that reckless, impetuous personality of hers."
"Princess-nim. Let's proceed."
"Yes. Let's begin. The delightful, delightful beginning of revenge."
Giving herself over to an excitement akin to pleasure, the Succubus Princess began to move.
However, Larze was completely unaware of the malevolent will targeting her.