Leon van Noah appeared, dressed in a robe adorned with countless jewels. Flanking him were the two superhumans, his personal guards. With the Yuda Raid Party following close behind, his entrance was an extraordinary spectacle.

Leon gave a light wave and spoke.

-Thank you all for coming. Though His Majesty has passed, I hope that for today, you will put it all aside and enjoy the banquet.

His magically amplified voice echoed through the hall, likely the work of Viscount Crowell, who stood beside him. Duke Centrix was a knight, Viscount Crowell a mage. With two superhumans at his command, Leon had truly spread his wings.

The nobles offered polite applause and nodded.

“His Highness didn’t show his face at all during the funeral. It seems he’s regained his spirits.”

“Are those the two superhumans who received the oracle and went to the Dios Dungeon ten years ago? I hear they’re to be granted fiefs. I wonder what the political landscape will look like now.”

“The Yuda Raid Party is formidable as well. Over forty top-tier A-rank Raiders. Though he’s a Raider, Yuda… no, Prince Arthur van Noah is different, I suppose. Tch. To think a bastard would crawl his way back in.”

The two factions watched Leon with caution, their reactions varied. Taehyun, meanwhile, ground his teeth as he stared at the man who had summoned him.

‘So that bastard invited me. Why? To keep Count Dinen’s faction in check? Or was it simple curiosity?’

In truth, it didn’t matter. The very act of inviting him reeked of hostility.

“So that’s Leon van Noah. He looks like a pampered bookworm, but he’s certainly popular.”

“…I don’t like him,” Narae muttered. “I like Taehyun more.”

Unlike the other young ladies, Narae and Songyi were unimpressed. Taehyun stroked Songyi’s hair and surveyed the room. The few remaining royalist nobles gathered around Leon, while the neutral and aristocratic factions remained at their tables, likely holding back until they could get a better read on the prince.

‘The second day will be the crucial one. Judging by their attitude, they plan to leave me alone for now.’

Before long, Leon was heading back upstairs, leaving only the Yuda Raid Party in the hall.

Yuda—no, Arthur van Noah—slowly approached Taehyun’s table.

“You’re the Dungeon Master of Balak?”

“What of it?”

“I wasn’t particularly interested, but it’s nice to finally meet you. Maybe it’s because of that Seunghoon fellow… Do you happen to know a dungeon called Velvet?”

Velvet, the A-rank dungeon in the North. It was the one they had been trying to conquer for ages; of course he’d be interested. At the name, Narae and Songyi flinched. As members of the same faction, they knew exactly who Seunghoon was.

“Oho. Those two seem to know something.”

“…Tsk. Think what you want.”

“Tell him I said hello. I’ll pay him another visit once I’m done here.” Arthur waved dismissively and walked away.

Taehyun sighed and glared at the two girls. “What was that?”

“I-I’m sorry. It was just… involuntary,” Narae stammered.

“I’m sorry, Taehyun,” Songyi added quietly.

It would be a massive headache if Arthur took an interest in Balak. Fortunately, that hadn’t happened, but he still had to warn them. After cautioning the two about information security, Taehyun’s first day at the banquet came to a close.

—

“The designated room for you and your companions is right here. If you should need anything, please use this communication device. Well then.” The maid handed him the device and turned to leave, but Taehyun and Narae grabbed her at the same time.

“Why are we in the same room?” they demanded in unison.

“I-I was only guiding you as instructed! With all the other nobles visiting, there are no spare rooms! Please, I beg your understanding!” The maid bowed hastily and fled.

Left alone, the two sighed and faced each other.

Narae was the first to speak. “Y-you’re not thinking of anything perverted, are you? You sleep on the floor! Songyi and I will take the bed!”

“Nuh-uh. I’m sleeping with Taehyun,” Songyi declared, already patting the space next to her on one of the two beds. With two beds, there shouldn’t have been a problem, but Narae was unconvinced and began to argue with her.

‘My stress levels are going to skyrocket if I stay here.’

Taehyun slipped out of the room. He had nowhere to go, but it was better than being in there. His feet led him to a garden within the royal palace grounds. He wandered inside, admiring the countless flowers.

At a small table, a woman sat alone, leisurely enjoying tea.

‘Who is she? A princess? I don’t remember seeing her at the banquet.’

As he pondered, the crunch of gravel underfoot gave him away. The woman looked up, startled.

“Wh-who are you?”

“…Just a passerby.”

“Pardon?”

“Just passing by. Pay me no mind.”

Like a lost traveler, Taehyun tried to leave, but she stood and called out. “W-wait! Aren’t you the one my brother Leon invited?”

“I don’t know anyone by that name. I just happened upon this garden.”

“Pfft. You’re a terrible liar,” she said with a giggle. “Besides, this is the Marius Garden. Even nobles are forbidden entry. If you’re caught, you could be executed.”

“Is that a threat?”

She nodded without hesitation, then beckoned him over. Taehyun scratched his head and approached her table.

“So, you know who I am, yet you’re not afraid?”

“Mmm, I suppose so. To be honest, lately there’s someone I’ve come to fear more than any demon.”

“Hm.”

“Oh, where are my manners? I am the third princess, Regia van Noah. You probably didn’t see me at the banquet. I tend to avoid crowds.”

Regia van Noah, the third princess. Her two older sisters had long since married into foreign royalty, leaving her behind, likely because she was past the age for a suitable match. With her father’s recent death, it made sense she would be seeking solitude here.

Taehyun offered a polite bow. “It is an honor to meet you, Princess Regia.”

“Oh, please, no need for formalities. You’re not a noble, you’re a Dungeon Master.”

“Well, if you want, I’ll do that.”

“…Aren’t you adapting a little too quickly?” she asked, flustered, but a smile soon revealed her dimples. She was, as befitting a princess, remarkably beautiful.

Taehyun played along, steering the conversation. It was mostly small talk about palace life, but occasionally, Leon’s name came up.

‘I didn’t expect to meet a princess, but if she’s not afraid of me… I can get some information out of her.’

Gradually, Regia’s expression hardened, likely at the thought of her brother’s transformation.

“My brother was always such a kind person,” she began, her voice trembling. “But a few days before our father passed away, his attitude suddenly changed. He acted like a different person. The way he looked at me, as if I were a stranger… I’ll never forget it.”

“This person you’ve become more afraid of… it’s your brother, isn’t it?”

“Yes. After Father died, he completely distanced himself from his retainers and kept to himself. If Sir Centrix and Sir Crowell hadn’t returned, he would have been utterly alone. I have no idea what he’s thinking, or why he changed so suddenly. I just don’t understand.”

Taehyun, pleased with the unexpected intelligence, rose from his seat.

“Wh-where are you going?”

“We’ve talked enough, and I’ve listened to your story. I’m getting tired. Perhaps we’ll see each other again, though I doubt it.”

“Oh, I’m sorry. I must have kept you for too long.”

“It’s fine. By the way,” Taehyun added, turning back with a cold sneer, “you never once mentioned Arthur van Noah, did you?”

He left the garden. Alone at the table, Regia lowered her head, her fists trembling.

—

“Your companions have already gone to the baths. There shouldn’t be any other nobles there now, so you may go right in. I shall guide you.”

A passing butler led the way. It seemed the other two had already gone to wash up.

‘They have a separate bathhouse? Whose idea was this?’ It was essentially a hot spring.

The butler led him to an entrance with two doors, left and right, indicating they were separated by gender. Taehyun noted the male figure on the left door and went inside.

‘Not as nice as the Master Room, but the facilities are decent.’

From numbered baskets for clothes to fine silk cloths, it was a luxurious setup by any standard. Taehyun undressed and stepped into the bath area, which was filled with thick, white steam. It was an open-air bath, much like a natural hot spring. Feeling his fatigue melt away, he was about to step into the water when his eyes met someone’s across the pool.

He fell silent.

She was dumbstruck.

Through the steam, he saw fair skin, gracefully sloping shoulders, and slender arms. A completely naked woman was soaking in the water.

Taehyun stumbled back in shock. “Wh-wh-wh-what!”

“…Taehyun?”

“Th-this is—!”

Just then, Songyi also appeared. Taehyun broke into a cold sweat and stared at Narae, whose face was beet red. She started throwing everything she could reach at him.

“What do you think you’re doing?! Get out, now!”

“Dammit!”

—

He was too stunned to speak.

Having fled in a hurry, Taehyun checked the sign again. It was clearly a pictograph of a man. On a hunch, he touched it. Mana flared, and the image changed.

‘Damn it. Who played this prank?’ The signs for the left and right baths had been swapped. Grinding his teeth, Taehyun entered the correct bath on the right.

“Ahahaha. That scream was quite something,” a voice drawled. “So, did you get a good eyeful?”

“…Was this your doing?” Taehyun growled.

The young man already soaking in the bath nodded. Taehyun suppressed his rage and submerged himself in the hot water.

“All right. Why did you summon me? What do you have to gain from a ‘demon’ like me?”

“There is nothing I wish to gain. Nor is there anything I desire.”

“Then you invited me just to make a move on Count Dinen? Leon van Noah.”

At his question, Leon smirked. “My time isn’t so worthless that I’d summon you for something so trivial. You know that, don’t you?”

“Aha. Right. So high and mighty. The great crown prince has graced us with his presence.”

“…Crown prince, you say.”

“Hey. You.” The laughter died. Leon’s gaze shifted. With chilling eyes, Taehyun asked, “Who the hell are you? Are you really the crown prince, Leon van Noah?”

He fell silent.

“You sent that bastard Centrix to drag me here. There has to be a reason.” No royal would invite a demon out of simple curiosity. Leon had to know that.

“A reason,” Leon mused. “There certainly is one. I’m tired of the formalities. Shall we speak plainly?”

“…What?”

“Hey. Taehyun Yoo. Let me tell you something interesting. Why do you think Leopard van Noah’s illness took a sudden turn for the worse?”

“Don’t tell me—?!”

Leon’s lips stretched into a wide, unnerving grin. “That’s right. I killed him.”

—

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by NovelKeep