Published: September 10, 2025
※This time is not from Satou’s perspective.
※Typo corrections made on 2016/1/28.
◆Rumork Royal Castle Detached Palace◆
“――Your Highness, what news of the Weaselfolk?”
“They say they will make the Shadow Castle appear once again, and demand to be let inside.”
The Second Prince of the Rumork Kingdom answered listlessly to the minister of his faction who had entered the room.
A civil official following behind the minister took his instructions, dismissed the guards outside the door, and closed it.
“The Shadow Castle? Is that even possible?”
“Of course not.”
Impossible reasons flooded the Second Prince’s mind one after another.
“The barrier gate can only be opened by a young princess wearing the ‘Treasure Key Necklace,’ which is forbidden to be taken out except during the grand festival. And it’s guarded by sentries who even turned away that Hero King Yamato.”
A legend crossed the Second Prince’s thoughts.
The great demon king who had once ruled the continent was defeated by Hero King Yamato, who represented the symbol of “the strongest” in his eyes.
He could not imagine an opponent even that “strongest” couldn’t beat.
“Still, it’s a shame. If it weren’t for the divine sentries, Your Highness could claim the Divine Era treasures sleeping in the Shadow Castle…”
“Are you asking me to become a grave robber?”
“No, no, just to inherit a small portion of our ancestors’ treasures.”
The minister’s words stirred the Second Prince’s heart.
Taking advantage of that moment, the civil official behind the minister whispered.
“Isn’t it possible that the Weaselfolk agents’ contact with the criminal guild recently relates to this matter?”
“――Do you mean those criminals incited by them are planning to kidnap Lumia, the Shadow Princess?”
“I’m afraid that is likely…”
The minister nodded to the Second Prince’s concern.
“Could it be that those B-rank adventurers from the Saga Empire who had an audience with His Majesty the other day were also summoned by them?”
“That is a possibility. There are reports that a scout-like adventurer wandered deep inside the castle, where no guests come or go.”
No matter how many petty thugs there are, infiltration of the Shadow Castle would be difficult; but if high-ranking adventurers active on the labyrinth’s front lines are involved, the success rate changes drastically.
“Have our loyal knights stationed near the festival grounds.”
As he commanded the minister, the Second Prince also stood up.
“I will go as well. It’s a brother’s duty to rescue his sister.”
In his heart, he pictured rescuing his sister from the criminal guild and adventurers, securing the Shadow Castle’s treasures, and confiscating the arrogant Weaselfolk’s trading company.
No one present contradicted his preemptive plans.
◆Rumork Sixth Princess Lumia◆
“Lumia is unusually quiet today.”
My heart aches at my brother’s bright smile.
Though Lumia and I have switched places as the festival’s Shadow Princess role, my brother seems completely unaware.
Perhaps, without pink hair, I am not recognized as his sister.
“If you’re tired, I’ll handle the greetings from the villagers. Just drink some fruit water and smile as best you can.”
“Thank you, brother.”
I forced a smile to respond to his kindness.
――As the sun set, bonfires were lit around the festival grounds.
“Oh, this is some fine wine…”
“The representatives brought it in barrels earlier.”
“To bring expensive wine by the barrel, there must be wealthy merchants present.”
My brother sipped the wine in high spirits.
Though I have never tasted it, I heard this country’s wine is bitter and unpleasant, so this must be imported from a neighboring land.
“For Lumia-sama, here is some grape water.”
“Thank you.”
Offered by an unfamiliar maid, I sipped the translucent red liquid.
――Sweet.
A refined sweetness like the sugar water served at my elder brother’s coming-of-age ceremony.
I forgot my earlier gloom and drank the sweet grape water down eagerly.