NOVEL NEXT Chapter 99: Damn It, Where’s My Demon?
"The Crown Prince?"
Viktor pondered upon hearing this title.
In his memory, neither of the princes had detailed stories in the game's background.
Between the two, Viktor knew more clearly that the Crown Prince guarded the border cities in the southern part of the empire.
The southern border of the empire was a gathering place for adventurers.
Because within the massive city, there existed an encircled monster rift.
It was a high-difficulty dungeon area.
The rift contained an endless stream of monsters, with extraordinary strength.
The enormous spatial rift resembled a city gate, and behind the gate was a massive castle that served as the abyss of monsters.
The abyss was divided into a hundred levels, each populated by monsters of different strengths and types.
Adventurer teams formed by players could enter to kill various monsters for training and obtain considerable amounts of materials.
Most importantly, every ten levels within the abyss contained extremely powerful items.
Collectively known as 'Imperial Artifacts'.
In the game, at every tenth level, an astonishing number of monster waves would appear.
Players who could clear the level unscathed within the time limit, or under special restrictions, would qualify to obtain these Imperial Artifacts.
And those players were few and far between.
Imperial Artifacts could provide players with very powerful attributes and effects, but under such stringent requirements, very few players could achieve this.
Fortunately, Viktor was still one of those rare players who had managed it.
If given the chance, he was considering challenging it again.
"The Crown Prince, huh..."
In his player's impression, the Crown Prince was basically untouchable.
After all, as a prince, players couldn't easily meet royalty like other NPCs.
Moreover.
Viktor glanced at Aurelianne, who was resting.
Upon hearing the news of her brother's return, Aurelianne didn't seem to have much of a reaction.
Although she probably knew about it already, this princess hadn't stayed in the palace, but had come early in the morning to train for today's lesson.
'Royal family affection.'
Both princes were cannon fodder-level characters. After Emperor Aubrey's death, they were quickly disposed of by Aurelianne.
So Viktor didn't care at all about this prince who brought back a dragon to show off.
"I'm not going."
"I don't want to waste my breath with those hypocritical nobles."
Killing a dragon requires all nobles to welcome him?
Your father Aubrey killed one when he was seventeen.
"Tch, fine then."
Lia shook her head helplessly, as if Viktor's answer was expected.
So she changed what she was about to say, her tone carrying a hint of sarcasm.
"Our esteemed councilor indeed has the right not to go. Alas, poor me, I still have to go and deal with a bunch of fools."
As she spoke, Lia secretly glanced at Aurelianne.
The little princess had no extra reaction, and even nodded in agreement.
Because she wasn't going either.
Seeing this, Lia was very satisfied and waved her hand with a smile.
"Then I won't disturb you two teacher and student. Have fun, Your Highness."
She was about to leave when she heard Viktor's voice:
"Take Cocotte with you."
Lia was slightly stunned, several question marks popping up in her mind.
Take Cocotte? What for?
Blinking, she seemed to understand something.
"She is a former councilor after all."
After saying this, Viktor said no more and turned back to Aurelianne.
"Get ready, we're about to start today's lesson."
Aurelianne quickly perked up.
"Yes, teacher!"
Viktor waved his hand, and several strands of green energy slowly fell to the ground, intertwining.
Tiny monsters crawled on the ground, their green shells reflecting the sunlight, curled up in a ball.
Several green shadows appeared out of thin air, flying in the sky, flapping their wings, waiting for an opportunity in the distance.
Since Viktor had acquired Durga's ability and mastered the skill of summoning monsters,
He no longer had to worry about finding suitable battle locations for the princess.
Lia watched this magical scene and clicked her tongue twice, saying:
"My, how caring."
I wonder when he's ever been this caring towards me, she added in her heart as she turned to leave.
.......
At this moment, the palace was bustling with noise as many nobles gathered to welcome the Crown Prince's return.
In front of the golden castle gates, the nobles lined up in two rows, with the Second Prince standing at the forefront.
The iron cavalry gradually approached the palace, and the man in golden armor at the front led his warhorse to the front of the line.
The huge dragon head behind him was exposed to everyone's view.
Jace Resser was also among the noble ranks, but unlike before, he now lacked some of his previous gloom, seeming to have regained his vigor.
It was as if he had completely forgotten everything that had happened before.
The Second Prince narrowed his eyes as he looked at Jace Resser, feeling something was amiss.
Strange.
Although he was somewhat surprised, he didn't show it deliberately.
But no one would pay attention to him anyway.
Because the huge dragon head attracted the attention of many nobles.
They gathered around the dragon head, exclaiming in amazement:
"So this is the magic dragon that was causing havoc on the southern border..."
"Slaying a magic dragon, His Highness Aubrey has achieved such a feat, it's truly astonishing."
"Indeed, he truly has the style of His Majesty in his younger days!"
Aubrey, clad in golden armor, paid no attention to the nobles' praises. He allowed these people to examine and admire the dragon head he had brought back.
He himself walked up to the Second Prince with a friendly smile, saying slowly:
"My dear brother, did Father send you to welcome me?"
"I'm honored that Father thinks of me so."
The Second Prince also wore a smile as he looked at the Crown Prince, saying:
"Indeed."
"Elder brother returning to the capital after slaying a magic dragon is a great achievement. Naturally, Father doesn't want to neglect such a meritorious official."
He emphasized the words "meritorious official" slightly, but the Crown Prince seemed not to notice at all, merely smiling at Owiser.
"It seems that the years I've been away haven't created a rift in our brotherly affection."
"I'm relieved to see that."
Aubrey waved to the many nobles surrounding him, saying hospitably:
"What are you all waiting for? Let's go in, don't keep Father waiting."
Surrounded by the nobles, he slowly walked into the palace.
Only Owiser was left standing in place, a wave of gloom rising in his heart.
"It seems you don't like him very much?"
A voice not his own sounded in his ear. The Second Prince, watching the backs of the departing crowd, responded faintly:
"A person who tries to be perfect only makes me feel sick."
"But he's lucky, everything he does seems to succeed."
The nobles were busy flattering that noble man in golden armor, and his voice wasn't heard by anyone.
Gazing at his elder brother who was the center of attention, Owiser's tone was cold.
"Yes, that's why I hate him."
......
In the great hall, Aubrey knelt on one knee, with the huge iron cage containing the magic dragon's enormous head placed beside him.
Aubrey's face was expressionless, but he still faintly praised the Crown Prince.
"Well done."
"Slaying a magic dragon is no small feat. Tell me, what do you want?"
"Father, eliminating threats to the empire is my duty. The reward is not important."
Hearing the Crown Prince's words, the Emperor nodded.
He was about to say something when Duke Rivi beside him leaned down to whisper in his ear.
"Your Majesty, Count Viktor hasn't arrived yet."
"Oh? Hahaha, right, right."
Aubrey seemed to remember something interesting, narrowing his eyes as he looked at Aubrey.
"Child, I have nothing much to reward you with, but there is one thing I must mention."
Aubrey narrowed his eyes and chuckled lightly.
"You and Owiser are not young anymore. It's time for you to consider marriage."
"Otherwise, if this news spreads, people might think that in my vast empire, with just two princes and one princess, all unmarried, that my children are incompetent."
He looked at Aubrey, who had stiffened slightly in the hall, and said with a smile:
"Jace."
"Your Majesty."
Jace Resser stepped forward and gave a slight bow to the Emperor.
The Emperor slowly asked:
"I remember, you said earlier that you had found a suitable candidate for Aubrey."
"Why don't you tell us today, who is this candidate?"
Everyone else was somewhat stunned, not daring to make a sound.
They all felt that the Emperor was using the Crown Prince to warn the Resser family.
After all, the Emperor had been quite displeased with the Resser family recently, and Jace Resser had also offended Viktor again.
But this time, Jace Resser wasn't as impulsive as before. He spoke calmly and composedly:
"Your Majesty, the matter of His Highness's marriage should be decided by you personally. As an outsider, I dare not interfere in this matter."
"Oh?"
Emperor Aubrey was surprised. He looked at Jace Resser and nodded with satisfaction.
"It seems you've rid yourself of those unnecessary emotions."
"You may go back."
Jace Resser bowed deeply again and turned to return to the ranks of the nobles.
The Second Prince was nearby, his eyes looking somewhat frightening.
Because he too had realized.
The anger in Jace Resser had disappeared?
That was the exquisite gift he had prepared for Aubrey.
What was going on?
For the first time, he felt he was losing his composure.
The Second Prince could barely control his emotions, his body trembling slightly.
But just then, a eunuch came to the Emperor's side and respectfully said:
"Your Majesty, the Kravina family has arrived."
The Emperor was somewhat surprised. The person coming this time wasn't Viktor?
Soon, Lia appeared in the Emperor's line of sight.
But more people focused their gaze on Lia's side.
...A cloud?
As the white cloud slowly approached, people finally saw that there seemed to be something lying on top of the cloud.
It looked like a person.
The elf raised her head, yawning, showing no respect at all for the royal family.
She straightened up, and the moment she saw the Emperor, she waved at him without any hesitation, greeting:
"Yo, Aubrey, long time no see."