Chapter 12

“Her Royal Highness, the Second Princess?”

Hugo exclaimed in surprise. And for good reason…

“Isn’t this some kind of false rumor? If it’s Her Royal Highness, the Second Princess, she’s supposed to be a master skilled in martial arts, capable of venturing into the Maze herself… Besides, if anything happened to her, as a member of the royal family, she could easily call upon a Holy Knight or Holy Lady to heal her.”

That’s right.

The Second Princess, Elysia von Arsedium, was the bloodline of the Emperor who ruled the Arsedium Empire, the most powerful nation in the Western Continent.

What’s more, her talent in martial arts was exceptionally outstanding, to the point that it was rumored even the head knights of the royal guard couldn’t defeat her.

And yet, they were saying her strong body was unwell? Even if that were true, the Second Princess wasn’t someone neglected by the royal family. If there were issues with her health, it was certain that either a Holy Knight or Holy Lady, messengers of the gods, would be summoned to treat her—or at least something from the royal treasury would be used.

So hearing she was unwell… honestly, it was hard to believe. Eri added:

“It’s just a rumor after all. But it’s not entirely baseless… After returning from the Maze, she briefly left the Academy and returned to the palace. Since coming back to the Academy, she hasn’t been showing her face much in public.”

“Hmm…”

“People who saw Her Highness after her return from the Maze say she was covering one of her eyes as if she’d lost it… But I don’t know any details. It seems the royal family has silenced those who know.”

“Silenced, huh?”

“Yes. They didn’t explicitly say they were silenced, but you can tell from the circumstances, right? That’s why people suspect something’s up. Plus, it’s true that the princess had an incident in the Maze and temporarily returned to the royal palace…”

“So everyone assumes Her Highness is unwell. But since stirring things up would invite trouble from the royal family, it’s become an open secret that everyone quietly whispers about.”

Yujin finished the last sentence. When he spoke, Eri flinched slightly and her complexion turned a little pale, but she eventually nodded.

“Yes, yes… That’s why when I heard about the Panacea, I suddenly thought of Her Highness and spoke up…”

“Hmm, I see.”

This was also news to Yujin. After all, he was still a newbie when it came to the game called “Maze Academy.”

Perhaps he might learn related stories as the plot progressed, but honestly, it wasn’t something Yujin cared about.

Somewhere in the world, someone dies every day. Even if the rumors about the princess were true, from Yujin’s perspective, she was no different from anyone else.

The only difference was that, unlike nameless individuals who faded into obscurity, she held a position known to everyone.

Just as Yujin was thinking this, Chrome the Dwarf Warrior spoke up.

“Haha! Anyway, if what you say is true, maybe this guy here could cure Her Highness’s illness? With a name like Panacea, it must be worth something, right!”

It was a somewhat sudden statement. Everyone was taken aback by Chrome’s abrupt outburst.

Eri said, “C-Chrome… What do you mean all of a sudden…”

“Hey, am I saying something weird? It’s possible, right? Earlier, Hugo asked if this guy’s goal was to create a Panacea, and if that’s true, then there’s a chance he could help, isn’t there?”

Chrome seemed to have made the comment casually, like a joke at a drinking party. Yujin chuckled and replied,

“Haha, even so, that’s probably expecting too much. I’m just an insignificant mage, and the Panacea thing was just a metaphor. I don’t actually aim to make one.”

“Hmm, is that so? That’s disappointing.”

Whatever he found disappointing, Yujin merely smiled lightly.

Anyway, as the mood warmed up and everyone finished eating, Hugo spoke up.

“Well, let’s get some rest. How about watch duty?”

“Since we have ladies from the Academy with us today, how about pairing up in twos? Having just one person on watch duty feels a bit unsafe.”

Chrome suggested. Although he bluntly mentioned the lack of safety, Eri and Sia could only awkwardly laugh without arguing.

“Then let’s go with Chrome’s suggestion… Though, since we’re seven, we have one extra person.”

Leader Hugo.

Scout Mirien.

Warrior Chrome.

Mage Yujin.

Student Mage Eri.

Student Priestess Sia.

And Hans, who lacked presence but was undoubtedly part of the group as a porter.

That makes seven. Pairing up in twos leaves one person out.

“Oh, then I’ll take two shifts.”

At that moment, Yujin volunteered. After all, since becoming a Dragon, he no longer needed sleep.

“Are you sure about that?”

“I’ve already received enough consideration. I’m fine.”

With a smile, Yujin responded to Hugo’s question.

“Thank you, Yujin. Then we need to pair everyone up… Hmm…”

Hugo glanced at Eri and Sia. It was obvious they lacked experience with watch duty.

Ideally, Hugo or Mirien should take one each, but Hugo, as the leader, understood the situation. While both Eri and Sia were female, they weren’t particularly close with Mirien, likely due to her taciturn nature.

In that case, perhaps it would be better if Chrome and Hugo each took one, or maybe Yujin could help.

However, Eri and Sia seemed even more uncomfortable or uneasy around Yujin than they did with Mirien. In that case…

“Let’s do this: Eri will be with Chrome, I’ll be with Sia, and Yujin can alternate between Mirien and Hans. That should work.”

He paired Eri with Chrome, since they seemed to get along well, while he himself would pair with Sia. Finally, Yujin could handle watch duty with the remaining two.

“Any objections?”

“…No.”

“I’m fine.”

“I think I’m okay…”

“I… uh, I think I’m alright.”

“Hmm… Well, I’m fine too.”

“Haha, then I’ll leave it to all of you.”

Thus, the watch schedule was decided.

Soon, the group began preparing for sleep…

***

Since Yujin was assigned twice in a row, he ended up with the last shift—technically the third.

After taking watch with Mirien during the same third shift, he would alternate with Hans for the fourth before departing the next morning.

This was Hugo’s consideration, ensuring Yujin didn’t have to take the toughest second watch.

After catching a short nap…

“Yujin, it’s your turn.”

Hugo woke Yujin for his second shift. Thanks to his heightened senses and mental acuity, Yujin awoke instantly.

“Haha, thank you for waking me.”

“Not at all. Then, good luck.”

With that, Yujin headed outside. As he left, Hugo approached Mirien, who was sleeping in a corner of the tent, to wake her next.

Meanwhile, Yujin stepped outside first, breathing in the night air and settling into a folding chair near the tent.

…Rustle…

Shortly after sitting down, the sound of Mirien emerging from the tent, hood drawn over her head, reached his ears.

“…”

Upon stepping outside, she silently stared at Yujin with her piercing blue eyes visible beneath her hood before sitting in the other folding chair beside him.

“Did you sleep well? The third shift is almost as tough as the second.”

“…”

Despite Yujin’s inquiry, Mirien remained silent. Yujin continued to gaze ahead with a smile.

That’s when it happened.

Swoosh…

“…You.”

“Hmm?”

Suddenly, Mirien’s voice rang out, and the cold touch of steel pressed against Yujin’s neck.

“…Who are you, really?”

“…”

Mirien was now looking down at him with icy winter-like eyes, holding a dagger to his throat.

“…”

Yujin gazed calmly at her, smiling faintly, and spoke.

“Is this how Elves usually greet people?”

“!”

Her pupils trembled at the word.

Elf, one of the Ain races.

Also known as forest sprites, they were a long-lived race blessed by nature, renowned for their beauty compared to humans.

Her grip on the knife tightened as she leaned closer, responding to his implication.

“How do you know?”

A factual admission. She confirmed she was an Elf. Yujin laughed lightly in response.

“Haha, well, maybe it just struck me because you’re so beautiful.”

At his smooth reply, Mirien furrowed her delicate brows and glared at him menacingly.

“Do I look like I’m joking?”

“Joking… Ah, you’re right.”

At the word “joke,” Yujin’s enigmatic smile deepened as he continued.

“If I were to make a light-hearted ‘joke’ here, would this tense atmosphere ease up a bit?”

“What? What…”

“『Isolation』.”

BOOM!

“…!”

In an instant, the world transformed.

Everything around them turned pitch black, as if someone had painted a white sheet of paper entirely with black ink.

There was nothing around them. Just Yujin and Mirien, the only two beings present.

Strangely, despite the complete absence of light, their figures were crystal clear to each other.

“Wha…t…!”

“Haha, that’s quite the expression.”

Standing up from his seat, Yujin pressed down on the dagger Mirien held with his index finger as he continued speaking.

“The tense atmosphere has eased, which is great. Now, how about we have a healthy conversation without any threats?”

With a perpetually smiling face, Yujin suggested.