Episode 115
Around that time, the arrival of Mikhail Lancaster caused quite a stir in the labyrinthine city of Labyrinthos.
Mikhail Lancaster, a prodigy of the sword, often said to be the closest to the Seven Swords of the Continent.
It was understandable for ordinary adventurers or mercenaries to get caught up in the “Artifact Rush,” hoping for a quick fortune. But this was the second son of the Lancaster Duchy, one of the three great ducal families of the Empire!
In the demon lord’s territory governed by Viscount Saxon, the weight of his presence was indescribable.
Yet, the shock of Mikhail Lancaster’s appearance wasn’t confined to the demon lord’s territory alone.
The Lancaster Duchy, renowned across the land, had sent its prominent heir, Mikhail, beyond the northern frontier to the demon lord’s realm. In a sense, he was the first major figure to venture into the northern frontier, and the impact of his actions on the Empire was beyond measure.
The era of northern exploration and the Artifact Rush had become more than just a “craze.” It was a veritable whirlwind.
In other words, the opportunity for a quick fortune in the “labyrinth city” was no longer just for adventurers and mercenaries; even the Empire’s nobility was beginning to take notice.
Where there’s gold, there’s always a swarm. While Mikhail Lancaster might not be a “fly,” his presence certainly acted as a catalyst for the swarm.
Around that time, Edward of Dulles, an S-rank adventurer in the labyrinth city, was feeling quite anxious.
He had been quietly expanding an “underground trade” in collaboration with several guilds, all while bowing to Viscount Saxon’s rule. His efforts to unite adventurers and expand his influence within the city were progressing smoothly.
After all, the Dulles family was a renowned noble house in the Empire, and even Viscount Saxon couldn’t easily lay a hand on them.
To maintain the northern exploration era and the Artifact Rush, the cooperation of the nobility was indispensable. No matter how much Saxon disliked Dulles, he couldn’t simply dispose of him like a common criminal. Not even if he was the infamous “Black Prince.”
Just as Philip, the son of the holy knight, was the only survivor of that black-and-white duel.
That’s the nature of nobility. In this world, the value of life is not equal, and Edward of Dulles firmly believed in the worth of his noble blood.
It was then that news spread of an unexpected figure arriving in the labyrinth city.
The second son of the Lancaster Duchy, Mikhail Lancaster.
Edward of Dulles didn’t hesitate. He intended to propose an alliance with his “Noble Adventurer Alliance.”
This labyrinth city held more value than a mithril mine. And he couldn’t let all the profits go to the Saxon family. The ultimate goal of the Noble Adventurer Alliance led by Edward was not just to be “mere miners,” but to eventually wrest control of the city’s shares from Viscount Saxon.
“What do you say, Prince Mikhail? Surely, nobles like us can’t mingle with those of lowly blood.”
Nobles, lowly blood. That was the common sentiment among most nobles towards those not of their kind, and Mikhail Lancaster responded with a gentle smile. Was he agreeing to the proposal?
“Regrettably, here I am merely an ‘ordinary adventurer.’”
Mikhail Lancaster replied.
“Moreover, it’s not the nobility of blood that saves us from the depths of the labyrinth.”
With those words, Lancaster smiled softly. Words one wouldn’t expect from one of the Empire’s foremost noble families.
In the face of Lancaster’s humility, Edward of Dulles was left speechless.
Some time later, in the depths of the labyrinth.
“So, this is where you were, Prince Dale.”
A voice came from behind, without a hint of presence. It was Mikhail Lancaster’s voice.
”…”
At the sound, the S-rank adventurer known as “Faceless” turned his head. Beneath his hood lay an impenetrable darkness, and the shadow remained silent. But the silence didn’t last long.
“How did you know?”
A voice, tinged with a hint of amusement, emerged from beneath the shadow of “Faceless,” without any magical disguise.
“Who could possibly fail to recognize the presence of the ‘Black Prince’?”
Mikhail Lancaster laughed, his “Peacemaker” sword enveloped in a red and white aura.
Faceless, or rather Dale, remained composed, unfazed by the “ruthless nobility” that surrounded his blade.
“Why did you follow me?”
“I was merely curious.”
Mikhail Lancaster answered.
“Why the ‘Black Prince’ and ruler of the demon lord’s realm would conceal his identity and venture into the labyrinth.”
“It is merely training.”
“Were the knights of Saxon Castle not suitable opponents for your training?”
Mikhail adjusted his grip on the hilt of Peacemaker and asked again.
“Then how about me as your training partner, Prince?”
“Surely, Prince Mikhail, you must know.”
With those words, Dale’s shadow beneath the hood shifted as he continued.
“There’s a rule among adventurers in the labyrinth: those who cross swords are banished from the demon lord’s realm and can never return.”
A rule established by Viscount Saxon to maintain order in the labyrinth city.
“In the darkness of this labyrinth, is there anyone to enforce that rule?”
Mikhail Lancaster asked, seemingly amused.
It was at that moment.
”…!”
In the darkness, a presence moved.
A chilling wind swept through, and silhouettes surrounded Dale and Mikhail.
Men wearing bird-beak masks and clad in black coats.
They were the high-ranking assassins of the “Shadow Court,” now serving as Dale’s subordinates.
But no matter how skilled they were, they couldn’t deceive Mikhail, who was close to the Seven Swords of the Continent. What surprised Mikhail wasn’t their presence, but rather the presence of “one assassin” among them.
Even Mikhail Lancaster, said to be closest to the Seven Swords, hadn’t sensed the presence until the blade was at his neck.
A sword so stealthy that even he couldn’t detect it.
It could only mean one thing.
The continent’s greatest assassin, one of the Seven Swords.
“The Killing Sword…”
“Don’t take it too hard; I mean no harm.”
The master of the Killing Sword, Baro, replied nonchalantly.
“It’s not like I enjoy holding a blade to the neck of the son of the Empire’s greatest swordmaster.”
The greatest swordmaster, the title held by Mikhail’s father, who succeeded the late divine sword.
“Is the ‘Shadow Court’ monitoring adventurers in the labyrinth?”
“At least in the areas they can oversee.”
As the ruler of the demon lord’s realm, Viscount Saxon commanded various organizations. The Night Raven Knights, the Winter Sentinels, the Black Armor Company, and the Shadow Court. Each carried out Dale’s orders within their respective domains.
“You knew from the start that I was following you.”
“And you, Prince Mikhail, knew that and followed me.”
Their conversation continued, one question leading to another. Mikhail had followed Dale, knowing he was being followed, and Dale had used his subordinates to track Mikhail, who was aware of it all along. It was a provocation from the start.
Though the fact that the Killing Sword was directly involved was unexpected even for him.
“That day, at the black market in Guild City… the city master mentioned that Prince Dale had taken control of the ‘Shadow Court.’”
At least in front of Mikhail Lancaster, there was no need to hide the truth.
“Your actions, Prince Dale, never cease to amaze me.”
“As the second son, I can’t compare to Prince Mikhail, who is poised to become the heir of the Lancaster Duchy.”
In this world, inheritance follows the principle of primogeniture, and among nobles, the weight of that rule is significant.
If a head of a family refuses to pass the title to the eldest son, would the son accept it quietly? And if other nobles encouraged a coup, it could easily lead to a succession war.
Especially for a ducal family, it could ignite a flame that engulfs the entire Empire.
Despite knowing this, the Duke of Lancaster’s decision remained unchanged. He had officially named Mikhail as the heir and was solidifying his succession.
“You didn’t come all the way to the northern demon lord’s realm just to cross swords with me.”
Understanding this, Dale spoke.
“What brings you to my territory?”
Finally, they broached the topic they had both been concealing, setting the stage for negotiation.
“How much do you know about Richard Lancaster, the eldest son of the Lancaster family?”
Mikhail Lancaster asked.
“I know he won’t sit idly by while the second son becomes the head of the Lancaster family.”
“Indeed.”
Mikhail Lancaster nodded calmly.
“And recently… Lady Margaret, the eldest daughter of the Duke of York, has become engaged to my brother.”
The House of York. One of the great noble families, just below the three ducal houses. This engagement with the eldest son of the Lancasters could only mean one thing.
“If my father decides to break the tradition of primogeniture and begins the process of naming a successor, the Yorks will likely support my brother under the guise of ‘protecting the empire’s traditions.’”
Unconsciously, Dale recalled the emblem of the House of York.
The Lancaster emblem was a red and white rose, symbolizing ruthless nobility.
The York emblem was a blue and white rose, symbolizing wise nobility.
“The Wars of the Roses…”
Dale muttered to himself.
At those words, Mikhail Lancaster gave a bitter smile.
“What do you think, Lord Dale?”
Mikhail asked with a smile.
“Would you lend the strength of Saxony to our House of Lancaster?”
“Is this for the peace of the Lancasters?” Dale asked, recalling the saying that peace can only be achieved through war.
“Indeed.”
“An alliance between the two ducal houses could potentially threaten the continent’s balance.”
Dale continued.
“Moreover, both the empire and you, Prince Mikhail, are aware of the item I acquired at the ‘black market’ that day.”
The heart of Barbarossa, one of the three great ducal houses. For the House of Saxony, which holds that heart, to ally with the future heir of the Lancasters could only mean one thing.
“The empire would not be pleased to see the three ducal houses united under Saxony.”
Despite knowing this, Mikhail extended his hand to Dale, and Dale couldn’t help but smirk at the contradiction.
“And aren’t you, Prince Mikhail, a patriot who values ‘the peace of the empire’ above all else?”
“Ah, I do indeed wish for the peace of the empire,” Mikhail replied with a knowing smile.
“But for the ‘perfect peace’ I envision, some degree of destruction is a necessary sacrifice.”
As if to say that destruction precedes creation.
“In this world, there is a give and take.”
Mikhail Lancaster continued.
“In exchange for an alliance with the House of Saxony, I am prepared to show the appropriate ‘sincerity.’”