Episode 7: The Self-Proclaimed Charismatic Kongming (Part 3)
I can’t quite remember when it started. When the topic of favorite creatures came up, Prince Ryuguin would answer without hesitation that he liked ants and bees.
“Why insects? Most people would say dogs or cats, right?” he would often be asked in return. He would quickly grow tired of the question and dismiss it with a casual, “Well, I suppose small bugs can be cute too.”
Gradually, even that exchange became a chore, and he began to give generic answers like, “I like dogs,” or “Cats are definitely the best,” as a standard response.
As a child, he had learned about social insects, though he couldn’t recall if it was from television or school. The ecosystem of certain insects, like bees and ants, was remarkably unique, resembling a caste system similar to human society.
The majority of individuals forming a colony occupied the lower tiers of this insect hierarchy, assigned roles as workers or helpers. Without any doubts or complaints, every member of the colony toiled tirelessly for the sake of a single queen, dedicating their lives to her service.
Young Ryuguin was deeply moved when he heard this story. With a surge of excitement in his chest, he came to a profound realization.
The position of the queen, the sole ruler of the colony, was precisely where he believed he belonged.
Though this thought process was sparked by his understanding of insect ecology, it was entirely self-driven. It wasn’t about what anyone else said; it was a powerful, innate sense of self-awareness and desire that led him to believe he was meant to be above others, while the majority should serve him without question, dedicating their efforts and resources to his cause.
Thus, for Ryuguin, the ants and bees that had imparted this truth to him remained his most cherished creatures.
Eris lay unconscious, covered in blood.
“Hey! Wake up! This is rude to me!”
Despite Ryuguin shaking her, she didn’t stir. Faced with the horrific scene before him, even he began to panic, instructing the others to heal Eris and to carry her swiftly to the infirmary once they were done.
“Hmm, is it really possible that one cannot draw the Holy Sword?”
Once Eris had been taken away, Ryuguin turned to Mika and Angelica, his curiosity piqued.
“I’m sorry, Hero-sama… There are still many things we don’t understand about the Holy Sword,” Mika said, bowing her head, while Angelica shrugged her shoulders.
“Then we must come up with an alternative plan.”
“Oh my! An alternative plan! As expected of you, Hero-sama!!”
“Your keen insight is truly admirable, Hero-sama.”
Simply stating the obvious earned him praise—this was none other than Prince Ryuguin.
The two heroic beauties before him showered him with compliments, and his chest swelled with pride, feeling more exhilarated than ever.
That day, a ridiculous, high-pitched laugh echoed throughout the Lemone Guild, “Ah-hahaha!!”
“This Holy Sword, said to be the treasure of the Arcana Kingdom…”
With Eris absent and the Holy Sword lying on the floor, Ryuguin poked it with his toe, as if handling a hazardous material.
“Mika, do you know of any sword that is equal to or greater than this one?”
That was a question that should never have been asked. It was the beginning of a tragic turn of events.
Perhaps due to her devotion to the Hero or her nature as a devout cleric, Mika never lied.
“A sword that can rival the Holy Sword… I do have one in mind. However—”
“But what?”
“No, I apologize.”
“Don’t worry about it. Just answer.”
“That sword is called the Affirmative Sword.”
Thus, Mika revealed the existence of the Affirmative Sword, explaining that it was used to govern the Sealed Domain, that it was protected by Holy Knights, and that breaking the seal would unleash a horde of monstrous creatures along with a terrifying labyrinth. She divulged all of this at Ryuguin’s request.
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