Ch.93Chapter 93: Joining Forces.

The investigation and interrogation of the crime organization leaders took place at the guard station, but with Princess Elias’s authority, both Valt and the princess were able to participate in the investigation.

However, what they discovered wasn’t much different from what Sikel had voluntarily disclosed.

They had merely been manipulated by the Dark Council.

Moreover, since Sikel had died, they couldn’t locate the artifacts hidden by the criminal organizations.

They were certainly hidden somewhere, but without knowing who the accomplices were, and given the countless secret places within the imperial palace, it was impossible to find them.

It meant there were many safe places where one could store a few artifacts.

Though capturing the crime organization leaders was a significant achievement, it yielded less substance than expected.

Valt and Elias left the imperial guard’s investigation room and set out to return to the academy.

Normally, Elias would travel by carriage, but since there wasn’t one large enough for Valt, they decided to walk together.

As they walked side by side, the princess glanced at Valt.

‘A strange man. Different from anyone else.’

Feeling her gaze, Valt’s eyes met Elias’s.

“Hmm? Do you have something to say, Princess?”

‘The way he treats me so casually… and yet, I don’t dislike it…?’

She had seen countless people clinging to the emperor’s authority.

Some out of loyalty, some out of fear, some out of admiration—her position as the emperor’s beloved youngest daughter made it all too easy to sense these emotions.

But the man before her was different.

To him, she was simply the daughter of the Narenara Empire’s emperor.

No discrimination, no prejudice. Just equality.

Though he too was said to be of Kwan’s bloodline, that was merely a recent designation. Fundamentally, it was Elias who had held the prejudice that they were barbarians wandering the southern regions.

But working together on this mission had greatly changed Elias’s assessment of Valt.

She had been interested in him since their encounter at the tournament, but at that time, she couldn’t mingle with Valt’s group due to various nobles’ children and matters of face. Now she regretted wasting those past few months.

“How did you become so strong?”

At the sudden question, Valt scratched his head with his index finger.

“Well, it just happened that way.”

Elias couldn’t hide her exasperation at such a half-hearted answer.

“Ha, well, never mind that. What are you going to do now?”

Her real intention was to ask about his future plans.

Valt had clearly shown interest in the monster wave yesterday. He would surely be heading north to the Caldrian Range.

“It would be good to take on missions in the north as well.”

Now deeply involved with the Dark Council, Valt had resolved to no longer avoid them.

Valt’s goal was to learn magic and, beyond that, to establish a foothold for expansion into the continent.

In a way, the continent’s chaos could be an opportunity for the Gerongs of the south.

Taking advantage of the continental turmoil to advance toward the center could make it easier to claim territory.

But Valt didn’t think that way.

He had a premonition that if the current situation was left unchecked, something ominous would occur.

If the monster wave and the gates to the demon realm opened, the southern Gerongs wouldn’t be able to advance into the central regions either. Demons were catastrophic beings. If they descended upon the earth, the central continent would become a land not worth advancing into.

“I’m coming with you. I’m going to travel with you all from now on. Any objections?”

At Elias’s words, Valt made a slightly troubled expression.

“Hmm… I don’t mind, but everyone else seemed uncomfortable around you…”

“W-who!? Who said they’re uncomfortable with me!?”

“Why are you so surprised? You’re a princess of the empire. Lisa, Seirun, Riduin—all humans would naturally feel uncomfortable around you.”

But Valt acknowledged Elias’s abilities.

Her independent swordsmanship using a rapier as her main weapon was decent, but Elias had a talent for command.

If Lisa could devise strategies and Elias could take command, it would greatly reduce Valt’s burden.

Moreover, since all the members of this diverse group were individuals of some standing, they tended not to listen well to anyone other than Valt or Elias.

Elias looked slightly shocked at Valt’s words.

Though she was a princess, she was also an academy student. It was natural for a young woman to care about her reputation and relationships.

“I… I see…”

Seeing Elias slightly dejected, Valt smiled.

“Still, it seems they don’t dislike you.”

With a brightened face, Elias replied.

“O-of course! What do you take me for? I’m the princess, and my social relationships are perfect!”

“But didn’t you use a more authoritative tone when everyone else was around?”

“W-well, this way is easier for conversation!”

Though it was trivial banter, the point was that Elias wanted to join Valt’s group.

Having a princess included would naturally bring more benefits than drawbacks. If the Dark Council’s spies had deeply infiltrated the imperial court, it would be easier to obtain information from Elias.

In a way, it was something Valt should have requested.

“Training together would be better. You still have too many unnecessary movements.”

Valt didn’t like the formal, noble and royal style of swordsmanship. A sword should be more ruthless.

In Valt’s view, Lisa, Airin, and Seirun’s swordsmanship seemed much stronger and more practical.

“Great, I’ll train with you starting today.”

“Heh, our training is tough. We won’t go easy on you just because you’re a princess.”

“That’s exactly what I want!”

***

“So… you want the princess to do muscle training too?”

When Robin asked, Valt nodded.

“Yes, everyone saw how much stronger Airin has become, right? The princess is too thin. She needs more muscle.”

While it was true that Airin was the thinnest among Valt’s group, Elias wasn’t far behind.

Originally, her swordsmanship focused more on speed and technique than power, using a light sword, so she maintained a slender body.

But Airin’s case proved that building muscle was more effective for swift swordsmanship.

“Would that be acceptable to you?”

When Robin respectfully asked Elias, she nodded.

“Of course. I am the princess of the Halkin Empire. I will not shy away from mere muscle training.”

“The princess will train with us now. You can drop the formal speech, Princess.”

At those words, Airin stepped forward with a bright face.

“Great! Elias! Shall we start together!?”

Lisa had a fit at Airin’s sudden forwardness.

“Hey! Hey! Airin! What kind of manners are those!?”

But Airin just shrugged.

“Why? At the academy, classmates are all supposed to be friends, right? Isn’t that true? If we’re going to stand on ceremony, the professors shouldn’t speak casually to Elias either, right?”

It was even stated in the academy rules. Academy students learn equally, regardless of status or rank.

But with nobles and commoners already divided, nobody paid attention to such rules.

However, since Valt and his diverse group enrolled in the academy, such an atmosphere was genuinely developing.

The most noticeable thing was how Valt’s group treated each other comfortably. And Valt’s group treated the central continent’s nobles and royals with the same casual demeanor.

Rather, when someone approached calling him “Prince Valt,” he would simply say, “Just call me Valt,” clarifying the form of address.

As a result, royalty and nobility from other kingdoms became less concerned about each other’s status and position.

Elias smiled brightly at Airin’s attitude.

“Haha! Good. Airin! Let’s begin! Lisa, you should call me by my name too.”

Lisa already had an extraordinary level of friendliness.

“Really…?”

“Yes, I, Elias, don’t go back on my word…”

As soon as permission was granted, Lisa’s chatter assaulted Elias’s ears.

“Wooooow!! This is amazing!! After making friends with princesses from other races, now I’m friends with the princess of my own country!! Unbelievable!! Unbelievable!! Elias, do you know? I came to the imperial capital when I was 5, and I saw you from a distance. I thought, ‘Who is that beautiful girl?’ Then my father told me you were the youngest princess of the empire!! Wow, I was so envious—being a princess is so cool, right!? Ah! Not that I dislike my own family…”

Elias’s expression became slightly dazed at the sudden change, unable to gather her thoughts amid the endless chatter.

“Um… y-yes, I see.”

“Anyway, this is great!! With Elias on our side, there’s nothing to fear!! Hehehe!! I can’t believe I have a royal friend too!! Sticking with Valt was definitely the right choice!! Let’s do strength training together!! I need to build some muscle too!!”

And so, Lisa, Airin, and Elias went off to do strength training under Robin and Victor’s coaching, while Valt headed to the training ground to meet Riman.

Riman had promised to have a match with Valt to celebrate becoming an 8th-floor master.

‘This should be interesting.’