91. The Inherited
I don't have any skills for interrogating people. But Mercedes clearly wanted to spill her guts about something, so it didn't take much convincing.
"It's all your fault. Because of you, His Highness has gone all weird...!"
The story naturally kicked off with resentment aimed at me. I let that part slide past my ears.
"His Highness was originally a gentle soul who loved peace. He was never suited for fights or conflicts by nature."
"That guy? He declared war."
"You can spout that nonsense because you know nothing about His Highness! He wasn't like that before!"
Shit, I'd brushed off her insults fine, but this was so absurd I couldn't help but snap back. Dammit, I shouldn't have.
Properly pissed by my retort, Mercedes launched into a spiel about how gentle and kind the prince really was. I mostly tuned it out, but even skimming it, the story reeked of rose-tinted glasses.
Still, it wasn't entirely wrong. Elenoir, who liked bold types, always ragged on him for being a wimp.
"But after ascending the throne, His Highness changed completely—like he was a different person. Even his eyes were utterly different."
"Eyes that once shone with sharp intelligence lost their light, speaking only of the dry emotions reminiscent of the previous king."
"The old you would say every day that somehow, you'd end this endless conflict...!"
Boiling it down: the guy flipped the moment he inherited the throne.
"His Highness declared my defeat in the duel with you as the spark of the war and exiled me."
That part was as expected. She'd been kicked out over the duel.
"I tried everything to bring His Highness back, but a swordswoman like me who only knows the blade... had no way to do it."
"Maybe he just showed his true colors once he became king? You got in the way, so he ditched you."
"I've told you a dozen times His Highness isn't like that! Humans really are rotten from the head down!"
Who's the one talking about heads? If yours worked right, you'd think the same.
"His Highness had already... told me he wouldn't hold the duel against me."
Mercedes fiddled with her severed ear as she continued.
"He said it was a relief I wasn't hurt worse, not to worry about the loss, and that he'd find a way to fix my ear..."
Her blue eyes seemed to yearn for the past.
"If he couldn't find a way in a hundred years, he'd take responsibility himself..."
Mercedes's voice shrank to a squeak. A faint blush colored her cheeks.
Holy shit, what a load of crap. Those two had been brewing a thousand-year pure love saga. Post it on the community story tab, and it'd blow up.
Anyway, I got the picture now—why she hated me so much. She probably didn't really believe it was my fault deep down. Just escapism. Fixating on one target to bury the emotions.
I knew that feeling all too well. No way I couldn't.
But that kind of denial makes it hard to face the real problem.
The prince's change was obvious. Inheriting the throne.
The moment I reached that conclusion, a quest alert popped up right on cue.
Dark Elf's Book - Queen's Command
📍 Description: Amid a century of war, the dark elves have fallen into a disadvantage. The human kingdom, quick to learn and grow, has become incomparably stronger than a hundred years ago. Perhaps the dark elves' fondness for humans has caused hesitation in battles against the kingdom's forces. On top of that, arrogant high elves are charging in aggressively, leaving no respite for the dark elves—especially for their queen, who commands the war and bears all responsibility.
You've uncovered suspicious information about the forces behind this war through solo actions. Digging into it might lighten the queen's burden.
(Warning: This quest is extremely difficult. Recommended for parties of 25+.)
🎁 Quest Goals:
1. Uncover the secret.
2. Expose the black curtain.
3. End the war.
I went straight to Elenoir and relayed everything Mercedes had told me. Stripping out the fluff, it was a simple summary, so it didn't take long.
"That's definitely strange. Even more so that he exiled his own first knight—before even declaring war."
Elenoir, who'd known the prince and Mercedes for ages whether she liked it or not, said as much.
"But you—you're saying you'll confirm it with your own eyes? What do you mean?"
Elenoir asked with a stiff expression, eyeing me already geared up.
"Exactly what I said. I need to see for myself."
I planned to infiltrate high elf territory and check the prince's face personally.
The updated quest goals and description signaled this was the finale of the long faction quest. No more hesitation.
Clear it the simplest, fastest way.
"It's too dangerous! Even for you, charging into their camp alone?!"
Elenoir scowled and yelled. It wasn't her usual worried look. More like she was pissed.
"Not alone."
But I had no intention of storming in solo like she thought.
"Going with Mercedes. She seemed frustrated about the prince too."
No grand persuasion needed. Mercedes was still hunting ways to fix him. Teaming with a lowly human grated, but for His Highness, she'd ally with devils themselves?
Following her infiltration route, we could reach the prince with minimal fights. Honestly, if Mercedes and I went all out, even a frontal assault wasn't impossible. Seeing his face wouldn't solve shit, but grab him and shove a blade in—he'd spill every secret.
"But... but..."
Elenoir bit her lip uncertainly, uncharacteristically hesitant. She looked worse than ever.
Looking closer, she'd been off for a while. I'd slept with her as much as she wanted, but the starlight in her eyes just dimmed. She seemed to sleep fine, yet always tired. No more of her old free-spirited confidence.
Today was the peak.
Couldn't figure out why, no matter how I racked my brain.
"No, it's nothing. How could I stop you?"
Elenoir muttered to herself in confusion, then spoke in a weary voice. So pathos-laden I almost said I wouldn't go.
"..."
No, don't sweat it. No matter how human she seemed, she was just a soulless tin can. Ditching a key quest over an NPC? Ridiculous.
I'd sworn never to stop.
I returned Mercedes's gear, recharged the pendant, and hit the road immediately. Was a bit worried at first, but a green alliance icon floated properly over her head. Safe to call her an ally now. The system never lied.
"This place has changed a lot too."
The deep Great Forest, first visit since the Floor 7 showdown, was totally wrecked by war. The nature high elves cherished? All hacked down. Wide roads and watchtowers everywhere.
"His Highness ordered it himself. Even the apple tree full of our memories—he felled it without mercy."
Mercedes grimaced and droned on with more nostalgia. Boring shit, so I tuned it out. Let her ramble, and now she was cursing the human kingdom—the war's root.
"No respect for the World Tree, greedily claiming territory rights... utterly barbaric."
Then, heavy footsteps echoed from afar. With our sharp senses, we quickly pegged the source.
"Guess they heard you badmouthing 'em, huh?"
A kingdom unit targeting high elf camps had pushed this far in. Elite troops, by the sound.
"Hmph, perfect timing. You're fighting for Elenoir's side anyway, right? Let's thin the enemy here."
"You nuts? We're infiltrating. Why pick a fight with randoms?"
"What do you take my skill for? I can slice ordinary human grunts silent."
Exile must've been rough; her personality had flipped from Floor 7.
"Kinda reminds me of some bitch who bragged about skill, arms crossed, then got her ass beat."
"..."
"Get your head straight. Ain't you thinking of your precious Highness?"
Mercedes shut up like her mouth was glued. Finally, words got through.
We left the kingdom soldiers be and began our stealth run toward the high elf castle.