READ NOVEL ONLINE Chapter 12
“Are you talking about the Second Princess?”
Hugo said, sounding genuinely shocked. And honestly, who wouldn’t be?
“Isn’t that just a ridiculous rumor? The Second Princess is someone who’s so skilled she could navigate the Maze herself… Besides, even if she were unwell, she’s royal—surely a saint or a divine healer could be called to help her.”
Exactly.
The Second Princess, Elysia von Arsedium, was the daughter of the Emperor of the Arsedium Empire, the most powerful nation in the western continent.
She was said to have such remarkable martial arts talent that even the knights of the royal court couldn’t hold a candle to her.
The idea that someone so strong could be sick? Even if that were true, she wouldn’t be neglected by the royal family; surely they’d call upon a saint or the holy knights to heal her. Or at least notify the royal quarters.
But now they’re saying she’s unwell… Honestly, I find that hard to believe. Eri also chimes in.
“It’s just a rumor. But it’s not completely baseless… After her trip to the Maze, she briefly left the Academy and returned to the palace, and since then, she hardly shows her face around here.”
“Hmm…”
“The last people who saw the princess after returning from the Maze said she was covering one of her eyes… That’s all I know really. The palace seems to have silenced anyone who knows anything about it.”
“Silenced, you say?”
“Yeah. They didn’t outright say they were silenced, but you can tell from the situation, right? So people are sensing that something is off. Plus, it’s true that the princess had a crisis in the Maze and temporarily returned to the palace…”
“So that’s why everyone thinks the princess is unwell. If anyone pokes too deep into it, the royal family won’t sit quietly, so it remains a sort of open secret.”
This last remark was from Yujin. As he spoke, Eri flinched slightly, her face a bit pale, but she nodded in agreement.
“Yes, yes… So when I heard talk of a Panacea, it suddenly made me think of the princess…”
“I see,” Yujin replied, just as clueless as before. After all, he was just a newbie in the world of the ‘Maze Academy’ game.
As he progressed through the story, he might learn more about it, but honestly, it wasn’t something he was particularly concerned about.
Somewhere in the world, someone was dying every day. Even if the princess’s condition was real, to Yujin, she was just one among many.
The only difference was that she was well-known while the others faded away nameless.
Just as he decided to let it go, the Dwarf warrior Chrome piped up.
“Haha! If that’s true, then this guy here might be able to cure the princess’s illness! I mean, it’s called Panacea for a reason, right?”
It was such a sudden comment that everyone was caught off guard by Chrome’s enthusiasm.
Eri reacted, “C-Chrome, where’s that coming from?”
“What? Did I say something weird? It’s totally possible! Earlier, Hugo here asked if you were trying to create a Panacea, and if that’s true, then this guy has a shot, right?”
Chrome seemed to be joking around, but Yujin laughed as he responded, “Haha, as much as I appreciate the vote of confidence, I think that’s a bit much. I’m just an ordinary mage, and I was only using ‘Panacea’ as a metaphor; I have no plans to create one.”
“Hmm, is that so? That’s a bit disappointing.”
Not quite sure what Chrome found disappointing, Yujin simply smiled lightly.
Anyway, as the atmosphere warmed up, and everyone finished eating, Hugo spoke up.
“Alright, it’s about time for bed. How shall we handle the night watch?”
“Since we have the ladies from the Academy here, how about pairing up in twos? Having one person on watch alone seems a bit worrisome.”
Chrome suggested. Even though he openly admitted his worries, Eri and Sia just awkwardly smiled and didn’t oppose it.
“Then we’ll go with Chrome’s idea… But wait, with a party of seven, it seems one person will be left out.”
Hugo, the party leader.
Scout Mirien.
Warrior Chrome.
Mage Yujin.
Student Mage Eri.
Student Priest Sia.
And then there’s Hans, who’s technically part of the party but doesn’t do much besides carry stuff.
So they’re seven. Pairing them up leaves one person without a partner.
“Ah, then I could just take the night watch twice.”
At that, Yujin stepped up. Ever since becoming a dragon, he didn’t really need sleep anymore.
“Are you sure that’s okay?”
“I’ve already been accommodated enough. I’m fine with it.”
In response to Hugo’s words, Yujin smiled and said.
“Thank you, Yujin. Then we need to decide the pairings… Hmm…”
Hugo briefly glanced between Eri and Sia. Clearly, neither of them had experience with night watch duties, so pairing them up would be a bad idea.
He wished either he or Mirien could take one of them under their wing, but as the party leader, Hugo had a decent sense of things. Even though they were both girls, Eri and Sia didn’t have that close of a relationship with Mirien.
Mirien’s quiet, reserved nature didn’t help with that. So pairing Chrome with Eri and himself with Sia seemed like an option. Or even Yujin.
But Eri and Sia seemed even more uncomfortable around Yujin than they were with Mirien. So…
“Let’s do it this way. Eri will be with Chrome, I’ll take Sia, and Yujin can alternate between Mirien and Hans.”
This way Eri, who seemed to get along with Chrome, could pair up with him, and he’d go with Sia. Yujin would be fine alternating with the other two. It seemed reasonable.
“Any disagreements?”
“…No.”
“I’m good with it.”
“I think I’m okay too.”
“I guess I’m fine as well.”
“Hmm… Yeah, I’m good with that.”
“Haha, then let’s all do our best!”
And with that, the night watch was all set.
Before long, everyone prepared to sleep…
***
Yujin was assigned the third watch, right after taking the second watch, which was a bit of a rough spot.
After standing watch with Mirien, he’d stand with Hans for the fourth after which they’d leave right away the next day. Hugo had thoughtfully ensured he wouldn’t have to take on the most demanding watch.
He settled down to grab a bit of rest…
“Yujin, Yujin, it’s your turn now.”
Hugo, who had the second watch, woke Yujin up. Thanks to his sharp senses and mental acuity, he quickly shook off the sleep.
“Haha, thanks for waking me up.”
“No problem. Good luck out there.”
After that exchange, Yujin stepped outside, taking a breath of the night air as he found a folding chair near the tent.
…Rustle.
As he sat there for a while, he heard the sound of Mirien, her hood flipped back, stepping out of the tent.
“……”
Once outside, she paused and with her striking blue eyes peering out from beneath the hood, she took a seat next to him.
“Did you sleep well? The third watch can be just as tough as the second one, you know.”
“……”
Even with Yujin’s question, Mirien remained silent. Regardless, he kept a smile on his face as he stared ahead.
Then, out of nowhere…
Swish.
“…Who are you?”
“Huh?”
Suddenly, Mirien called to him, a cold metallic feeling pressed against Yujin’s neck.
He subtly turned his head to the side.
“…What are you?”
“……”
Mirien looked down at him with winter-like chilling eyes, one hand gripping a dagger and pressing it against his throat.
“……”
Yujin stared back at her with a grin. He finally spoke.
“Is this how elves usually greet people?”
“!”
At that, Mirien’s gaze wavered.
Elves, a term referring to one of the races known as wood fairies, who were blessed by nature and renowned for long lifespans.
It was well-known they were generally more beautiful than humans.
When she seemed to suggest that she was an elf, she pressed the blade closer against his neck.
“How did you know?”
Her words, effectively an admission, acknowledged her elven identity. Yujin chuckled, replying, “Haha, well, it might just be that you’re too stunning, and I thought that might be the case.”
Mirien furrowed her delicate brow, leaning in threateningly.
“Do I look like I’m joking?”
As he heard the word “joke,” Yujin gave a mysterious smile as he replied, “If I do something light-hearted ‘just a prank,’ maybe it will ease this tense atmosphere?”
“What? What do you mean…”
“『Isolation』.”
Bang!
“…!”
In that instant, the world shifted entirely.
Everything around him was engulfed in pitch blackness, like someone splashed black paint all over a white canvas.
There was nothing in the vicinity. Just Yujin and Mirien, the two of them alone.
Interestingly enough, in this lightless realm, their presence appeared more vivid than ever.
“W-What…!”
“Haha, that’s quite the fun expression you’ve got there.”
Having somehow gotten to his feet, Yujin gently pressed down on the dagger Mirien held with his finger and continued.
“The threatening atmosphere seems to have lifted now. So how about we have some good, clean conversation without all the hostility?”
Yujin said, still smiling brightly.