The second chance of the uncrowned king - (Isekai)

Point of view: Susan

I collapse into the same chair I've used for years. I hate this mental exhaustion—I'd a thousand times rather fight a grade-6 monster than be stuck in situations where my hands are tied.

Did I do the right thing? Was it right to ask Maki? Would it have been better to hire people I don't know? A sea of questions churns in my head. I didn't want to involve him at first, but this is an opportunity for both of us: he could make a name for himself and gain better standing in the city, and I could strengthen my position on the council.

I felt tremendous joy when he accepted; it showed me the trust he places in me. I wouldn't have been upset at all if he'd refused—this place is dangerous and he knows the consequences.

Remembering that moment brings me joy, but the smile fades when I imagine the worst scenario: seeing him leave and never return. No—that won't happen. Maki already has experience moving and surviving in dungeons, and his raw power is on another level now. He can go and come back; I wouldn't be surprised if he ends up killing the boss.

I hadn't realized how long I'd been mulling it over before feeling confident in my decision—almost an hour of thinking whether asking Maki was right or wrong. In the end, my conclusion is: Maki is mature and strong enough to face this problem; he'll know how to decide based on the situation.

Another option keeps flashing in my head: my daughter. Areci is as strong as that little monster, but the differences between them matter. My daughter lacks the life-and-death experience Maki has, she doesn't have a healing affinity, and her sense of responsibility as a hero won't let her back down or run if other people are at risk.

Inviting her might also harm the group—Maki has a little of that syndrome when he's near people important to him. In the worst case, both of them would stay and fight to the end and lose their lives. Areci is one of the few people who won't slow Maki at this rank, but worrying for each other could be detrimental.

My daughter also carries many responsibilities at the school, and it's time to prepare her more as my successor—not to mention she can already rise to Ruby rank. I envy how Maki, as a beloved son, can do more without the responsibilities of inheriting territory.

What do I do about my daughter? More than an hour weighing pros and cons leads me to a clear decision: Areci is not ready for this strange new dungeon. I'll postpone her ascension for a few months and send her to dungeons with security personnel where she'll risk her life within limits, so she can gain the experience she needs before she advances.

Will I send Maki alone? I don't know if that's wise. That way he can move freely, unhampered by others, but going alone is risky—no team. I shake my head. Maki is already like a full team by himself; it's better to let him go alone. If I send another team, it will go separately.

This is also a small contest to raise or lower our influence within the city council. All participants will carry a device to count how many monsters they slay; at the end, whoever contributes the most will receive the greatest benefit.

I'm surprised the Empire didn't hesitate to lend those devices—the archduke must have thought about our plan and wanted to curry favor. That's another problem on its own: that territory within the Empire has enough power to be its own kingdom. I've heard rumors of independence. I wouldn't be surprised if they seek it peacefully or by force—the old man is crazy, and this new dungeon gives him an unlimited source of strong cores.

If he studies it well, lets the dungeon grow, and figures out the proper way to plunder it, he'll gain massive military power. The council is not naïve; we know dangerous things are opportunities. There's surely a rare treasure inside we can't exploit because of where it appeared.

This tale has been unlawfully lifted from Royal Road. If you spot it on Amazon, please report it.

I sigh in exhaustion—I hate thinking like this. If it weren't for the lives of people I care about at risk, I wouldn't do it. I'll let Maki go alone and hire a decent mercenary team; with my protégé there he should rank high in contributions. It's not easy to send a limit breaker.

"Come back alive, Maki. If you die, I'll go to hell myself and bring you back." I can only hope for the best. I will trust him with every part of myself.

Point of view: Maki

When I open my apartment door, a couple of lights are on. I'm a little puzzled and immediately activate my Personal World—I sense someone on the sofa, a towel on their head, something in their hands.

Brendu is sitting comfortably after a shower, reading on that smart device like the phones from my previous world. "While one trains and strains to become someone in this life, others relax in the comfort of someone else's house because they were born royal." I joke a little with her.

Brendu looks at me; I can see a fake smile and anger in her eyes at my joke. "Come here, hard worker—I want to give you a hug." Her words send a shiver down my spine.

I use my new movement skill, Dimensional Step, to appear in front of her. My face is just centimeters from hers; her anger melts into happiness and surprise in an instant.

"You did it? Congratulations." She jumps up to hug me. I grab her by the waist and spin her in the air. "I'm happy for you and a little disappointed—it took you much less time than me. Well, I can't compare to a phenomenon like you." Does she really see me like that? I can't read her Imra to confirm.

"Am I a phenomenon? I feel more like a genius—very smart, handsome, funny, and kind." She rolls her eyes at me. I stop spinning and pull her close; she wraps her arms around me.

"Yes, you're a phenomenon—the horrifying kind that eats children when they misbehave." Brendu sticks her tongue out, teasing.

"Well… if you call me ugly, I could go spend the night with someone else and end up eating her." I make a joke that lands horribly wrong.

As I laugh at my failed joke, I get a blow to the stomach. I managed to coat the area before impact, but it wasn't enough. "Who are you going to see? Who tried something on me knowing who I am?" Her eyes are scary—very scary.

"You know I'm joking." I compose myself and send life mana to the spot she hit. "You only hit me to relieve stress." Brendu pokes my forehead with her index and hits me hard again.

"Why was that?" I pout—maybe I deserved the first hit, but not the second.

"Really? It's a small price for your first joke." She's right—I lost.

"Why are you the only one allowed to hit me?" I wouldn't dare touch a hair on her head with bad intent—my uncle could come from the other world to beat me if he saw me hitting a woman.

"Would you dare touch a princess of another kingdom? Do you want to cause discord between our nations?" Brendu jokes while trying to keep from laughing.

I can't hold it anymore and burst into laughter; she joins me and we tumble onto the sofa together. After a few minutes we calm down—she tells me about her day and I dash to the kitchen as fast as I can.

"At least I expected to get a 'thank you' before you ran off." Brendu complains; I stop halfway thanks to her words.

"Sorry—and thank you, Your Highness. You're the best." She brought a couple of dishes from one of the city's best restaurants. Good food is always welcome.

While I savor the meal, I tell her every detail of how I obtained the skill and the issues that followed. I fall silent for a moment, wondering whether to tell her about Susan. I decide to keep it a bit longer; I'll tell her on the last day before I leave—at least I'll disappear for two weeks and she has the right to know.

"Is something wrong? You went quiet." Brendu looks at me seriously, scanning and judging with her eyes. "Maki, I've come to know you well after so many days together. You're an open book and I can tell when something bothers you. If you can't tell me now, I understand—but please do it soon." Her words silence me. I opened my heart to her when she did, and we promised to trust each other.

"It's nothing important—just a small problem I can solve. Give me a few days to get more information and I'll tell you then." I try my best smile.

She gets up, comes close, cups my cheeks with both hands and presses her forehead to mine. "I'll be waiting. Never forget—you can always trust me." I close my eyes as she opens her Imra to let me see her feelings.

I do the same, showing complete trust. "I know, Brendu. I trust you. You can trust me for anything. If the princess is in danger I'll be the prince who does everything to rescue her." We stay like that for a few seconds; she returns to her seat.

"Would you come rescue me even if it means facing my father?" she asks with a laugh.

"I would—just ask and I'll come for you, princess." We both smile, sincere with each other.