96 – Fetal Movement (2)
A week has passed since my father left the throne.
The long-awaited treasure has finally arrived.
“Your Highness. We have located the boundaries of the dungeon discovered in Soleil.”
More than a month has passed since the order to investigate the dungeon.
Because it is a very dangerous place, even if you explored it very carefully, it was a place where time passed nearly 5 times slower, so it took 5 to 6 months to explore the entire dungeon.
“It took quite a bit of time.”
“The biggest factor was that the maximum number of people was 20.”
Usually, in order to open a two-way gate, the connected location must be confirmed using the magic formula ‘coordinates’.
However, in a situation where we did not know what kind of monster would come through the gate, it was not possible to hastily install a two-way gate that shared each other’s coordinates.
Therefore, we installed a gate in one direction to allow only emergency escape and conducted an investigation.
Usually such gates were quite unstable, so multiple gates could not be installed in places where one could not be sure what unexpected situation might occur.
The maximum number of people is 20, and half of them are deployed as troops guarding the gate.
Of course, the exploration had to be delayed.
“It appears that all personnel mobilized for the search are safe.”
“Yes, Your Majesty.”
This part bothered me the most, but I was glad.
“Then I guess I’ll have to get ready soon.”
“I wish you good luck.”
As the Prime Minister said that, he placed another bundle of documents on my desk.
“I think this will be my last job.”
This is a situation where a fight over the fate of the empire may begin.
But don’t you think it’s a bit too much to ask people to do paperwork right before leaving?
Did you forget that your leaving work on time was due to my efforts, Prime Minister!!!
This must be what it means to be stabbed in the foot by an ax you trust.
I felt dizzy.
I sighed and started the last task the Prime Minister gave me.
Will a war soon begin where we will miss this tedious paperwork?
I felt like my hands were shaking slightly.
‘Priscilla….’
I will definitely protect it this time.
I pondered again the resolution I had already pondered over a hundred times.
***
“This moment today will be recorded in history as Your Majesty’s first great step into battle.”
Sir Pedro helped me put on my armor with all his fuss.
“Sir Martin. “Am I speaking too fast?”
“Don’t worry. And even such remarks are recorded in the Annals.”
“hahahaha! “I hope you exclude this.”
Sir Pedro laughed cheerfully and then began examining my armor with a serious expression.
“Are you experiencing any inconvenience?”
“Excellent. Even though my whole body is covered like this, I don’t feel uncomfortable.”
“Then that’s a relief. However, the seams are fragile, so you must always be careful.”
Sir Pedro said this and took a final look at the joints of the armor.
“… “If you had been born into the Count Abarka family, Your Highness would have taken the position of next knight commander.”
It was indeed a high praise worthy of Sir Pedro.
“Use this black one.”
Sir Pedro handed me a sword with a very nice sheath.
“This is the sword that was given to me by my ancestor, Count Abarka. “It’s a gem that even a decent black business card can’t produce.”
Count Abarka….
Suddenly, the two famous swords that had not been auctioned off at the auction came to mind and he felt like his head was hurting.
I had already decided which sword to take with me.
But just in case, I decided to take the sword given by Sir Pedro with me.
“Thank you.”
“Oh, this is truly a quality that can be called the dawn of an empire.”
If Sir Bertrand is a knight, Sir Pedro is a soldier.
It could be said that it was such a confident statement.
“Hmm.”
Yes, I am the Seventh Dawn of the Empire.
I felt like a strength was being lifted from my shoulders.
“Whoa…” . “Then we’ll meet again as soon as we’re ready.”
“”Yes!””
In Soleil’s dungeon, there existed a creepy slime-like monster.
Even if safety has already been secured, there is no guarantee of what lies beyond the barrier.
So, you should use whatever is available.
With that judgment in mind, I headed to the sanctuary in the basement of the first treasure vault.
‘I can’t believe the moment has come to use this…’ .’
My heart fluttered as I saw the Holy Sword, the most important item in the legacy left behind by the First Emperor and the symbol of His Majesty the First Emperor.
This is because the letters written on the pedestal of the holy sword seemed that heavy.
[I hope you only use it when an unprecedented crisis comes to the empire.]
The empire has faced numerous crises, both large and small.
Among them, situations that threatened the survival of the empire were repeated as many as five times.
Even in such moments of crisis, not a single emperor used this sword.
This is a sword that even the second emperor, who would have needed this force and symbolism more than anyone else, used.
I was about to pull out that sword for the first time in a thousand years.
‘Please allow me.’
You may have to fight an unknown creature.
Isn’t this the moment when an unprecedented crisis has come to the empire?
With that judgment in mind, I reached out for the sword sheath.
Wow.
A strange sensation was conveyed as if the sword was alive.
“Whoa…” .”
I very slowly raised my sword and pulled out the sword of invitation from its scabbard.
The sword of the invitation was black in color, as if looking into the darkness of an abyss.
In the dungeon of Soleil, I saw a vision of His Majesty the First Emperor wielding this sword.
At that time, a warm yet threatening light emanated as if it contained the sun….
Thinking like that, I slowly began to use the mana of the sun.
Then, letters radiating the light of the sun began to appear on the sword that was as black as ink.
That was the first text I saw.
But strangely enough, I could read the text.
[To my dear comrade]
There were such words written on the surface of the sword.
From Noble mtl dot com
“To my dear comrade.”
It was a strange feeling.
Even though the text was unreadable, I was able to naturally understand its meaning as I stared at it blankly.
It was literally a transcendent power beyond human common sense.
“Whoa.”
It was done.
It would be wrong to judge the Holy Sword, which is said to have been given by God from the beginning, based on human common sense.
I took one last look at the sanctuary and bowed my head.
“May the sun god’s protection be with you.”
Forever and ever.
***
The people who first explored Soleil’s dungeon gathered again.
“Is everyone ready?”
As I was looking around while saying that, I saw Cynthia looking at me with a complicated expression.
“Well, student council president….”
“What is it?”
“Do I really have to go…?” ?”
As Cynthia said that, she looked at the magic tool held by so-and-so.
Unlike the Garden of Thorns, you can now enter Soleil’s dungeon without Cynthia.
She seemed to be asking if she could leave out.
‘That won’t work.’
I plan to take off the mask of that man named Miles in Soleil’s dungeon.
So, even if it was other people, Cynthia had to be taken with her.
“Your abilities may be needed again at the border of the barrier. “Follow me quietly.”
“Ugh….”
When Cynthia screamed in pain, Dior clung to her and began to comfort her.
According to my memories of my past life, I couldn’t help but look like a sweet man.
‘There are straw sandals too….’
I have heard such a story.
It was said that among the migratory birds that migrate in flocks, those that are eliminated are abandoned.
All the birds that are culled are those that have health problems.
Most groups that are eliminated in this way die according to the laws of nature.
But sometimes, there are people who comfort each other’s wounds and eventually reach their intended destination.
“It’s okay. “I will protect you by my side.”
“His Majesty Dior….”
Just like those sticky idiots.
“….”
What is it, Priscilla?
Do you really want me to make such a stupid statement?
What is a woman’s heart?
I looked at the people around me and called Priscilla in a whisper.
“Priscilla.”
“Yes, Maximilian.”
“Don’t leave my side.”
“… Yes!”
I felt like the tension was released in an instant.
“Then let’s leave.”
─ Yes!
And so we took our steps towards Soleil’s dungeon.
“I’ve been waiting for you, Your Majesty!”
“It was hard. Was there anything unusual?”
“Yes!”
Then it’s time to get started.
“Sir Pedro.”
“Yes, Your Majesty. “Then let’s go!”
So, holding in hand the map the advance party had made, we began to advance toward the border of this unknown dungeon.
Everyone was moving forward while being cautious in all directions, but I pretended to look around and always kept Cynthia and Dior in my sights.
“You have to watch your step when you walk, Cynthia.”
“Yes, yes…” .”
It may be a journey so dangerous that you may lose your head.
But they look like a couple entering a haunted house.
Perhaps that was why people were staring at Cynthia and Dior from all directions.
‘It’s a little too much, Dior.’
Dior’s sticky sweet panam was actually my order.
From the beginning, the main purpose of going to this dungeon was to remove the mask of a man named Miles.
That’s why my eyes always had no choice but to follow Miles.
But then there was a high possibility that the unknown man would notice my gaze and become wary.
Then it was necessary to avoid explicit attention, and that was a smokescreen operation using Cynthia and Dior.
Look, everyone keeps giving attention to the two people because they are more attached than necessary.
Thanks to this, we were able to monitor Miles without any suspicion….
‘I’m very excited.’
No matter how you look at it, it was a move full of dark intentions that would capture Cynthia’s heart by using the swing bridge effect.
Even though he had reformed, it seemed like his essence had not changed, and his unique shadyness still remained.
Even though that guy looks simple, he is a dark-hearted guy with a crueler side than you think.
I’m glad I’m not forced to play SM.
Thinking like that, I clicked my tongue.
“I’ll take a break here and then go!”
We walked and rested and walked and rested, endlessly moving toward the border of the dungeon.
After walking for two days, we were finally able to arrive at the base camp set up by the advance team.
“Then everyone will take a one-hour break and then eat.”
We rested together in the large space provided at the base camp.
After resting for an hour, we prepared a meal together.
“Then we will start serving food.”
The people in this group who are most skilled at making field meals are me, Priscilla, Kyle, and Sir Pedro.
So, it was a natural progression for me and Priscilla to mainly cook and serve him.
“If it’s not enough, ask for more, Kyle.”
“Thank you, Chairman!”
Kyle.
“Is that enough, Ludwig?”
“This is an honor beyond my grace, student council president.”
Ludwig.
I slowly served food to my colleagues.
Everyone felt like their tension was relieved to a great extent by the steaming hot food.
And finally, a man named Miles came forward holding a bowl of food to receive his meal.
“Now, my dear comrade.”
“Thank you─”
A man named Miles, who was saying thank you after receiving the stew I made, suddenly stopped moving.