It was late February, that ephemeral period just before spring when patches of lingering snow still clung to the corners of the world.
From the heights of the Imperial Castle, one could look down upon the Imperial Capital, watching it stretch from horizon to horizon. At this altitude, depending on the day, even the clouds drifted by at eye level. In a room on one of the castle's upper floors, a boy sat on a stone balcony, framed by the grand vista.
His name was Radius Vin Leomel, the Third Prince.
He sat with one elbow on the table, eyes skimming a piece of parchment held in his other hand. As the wind ruffled his hair, he projected a distinctive charisma that belied his young age. After a moment, he let out a deliberate breath, as if reaching a conclusion.
"Mirei."
At his call, a lovely girl—a hybrid of the Cait Sith and human races—appeared instantly. She skipped toward Radius where he waited on the balcony.
"Did you call for me, nya?"
"Yes. It’s regarding the recent disturbances. There are a few details that bother me, so I’ve decided to issue a formal request to the guild."
Mirei’s ears twitched at his words. Though she thought the suddenness was typical of him, she simply smiled and replied.
"If it’s about the burglaries at the magic tool workshops, the knights are already on the move, nya."
"I am aware. However, I wish to investigate this personally. The more eyes we have on this, the better."
"Understood, nya. So, I just need to head to the guild and post the request, nya?"
"Naturally, you are to keep my identity hidden."
"I know the drill, nya. I’ll use the name of the merchant guild under Your Highness’s influence. I might as well post it as a Special Quest while I’m at it, nya."
"Do so. You can frame it as an investigation into thefts that affected the merchant guild’s own assets."
"So, you want any and all information we can get our hands on, nya?"
"Exactly. No matter the path we take, I need more intel and more hands on deck."
Mirei bowed, promising to arrange everything according to his wishes. As she turned to leave, her tail flicked playfully.
"I bet Your Highness will end up seeing through the whole mystery yourself before the request even gets picked up, nya."
"If that happens, so be it. But if information surfaces in a corner I cannot see, then the effort will have been worth it."
"Hmm... understood, nya. Well then, I’ll start making the preparations, nya."
She turned to leave the room but paused to look back one last time.
"Come to think of it, Your Highness—the production system for that potion you developed last year is finally ready, nya. I hear it’ll be hitting markets across the country starting very soon, nya."
"That is good news."
Once Mirei had departed, Radius leaned against the balcony railing, his gaze drifting over the city below.
Two days after Radius gave Mirei her orders.
Ren, who was eager to earn as much as possible for his academy entrance fees and to send money home to his village, decided to make this a day for hunting. He arrived at the Adventurer Guild in the early morning.
The guild branch in Erendil was several times larger than the one in Clausel. While powerful monsters rarely appeared near the city walls, the capital’s status as a major hub made it a perfect base of operations. The adventurers coming and going were often veterans, clad in high-quality gear. Inside, the guild was packed, bustling with the noise of the attached tavern and dining hall.
Ren didn't stand out as much as he had in Clausel. Here, there were many other young men and women his age. His eyes eventually landed on a brand-new notice posted on the wooden bulletin board.
(A Special Quest?)
It was the very request that had been the talk of the Lion Holy Chancel recently. The client was listed as the "Arnevelde Merchant Guild." It stated that several workshops belonging to their magic tool artisans had been burglarized and requested an investigation into the perpetrators.
"Does that catch your eye?"
A female guild employee approached Ren, speaking from his side.
"Well, a little—"
"Then allow me to explain! Please, follow me to the counter!"
"Wait—what?"
Ren found himself being towed toward the counter by his arm. Rather than resist her aggressive salesmanship, he allowed himself to be led.
"Here are the reward details! The down payment, the information fee, and the completion bonus come to—"
"Wait! This is too fast! What’s with the sudden rush?"
"M-My apologies! The truth is, there are... circumstances. We would very much like for you to accept this! Between you and me, we can even top off the reward with a little extra!"
It was highly irregular for the guild to offer a private bonus on top of a client’s reward. Ren reflexively took a half-step back.
"W-Wait! There's a perfectly good reason for this!"
"...I'll listen, for now." Ren sighed.
"Do you know of the Arnevelde Merchant Guild?"
"I do. They’re a rising star in trade and shipping. They also developed that multi-purpose potion, right?"
They were likely the fastest-growing company in the Empire. Ren himself had relied on their potions frequently during his time playing the Legend of the Seven Heroes.
The woman explained that despite the notice being posted, very few people had shown interest. Even considering how new the post was, the number of inquiries was unnaturally low.
"Our Erendil branch has a good relationship with the Arnevelde Merchant Guild," she continued. Apparently, the guild received preferential pricing on potions and other trade goods in exchange for their cooperation.
"I’m just a kid, as you can see," Ren said, trying to find a polite way out of the suspicious offer. "You’d be better off asking an adult."
The guild employee simply smiled.
"Do you remember the Steel-Eating Gargoyle?"
Ren’s eyebrows twitched.
"We know who you are. We wouldn't dream of suggesting that Ren Ashton, the boy who solo-hunted a Steel-Eating Gargoyle, is 'insufficient.'"
Ren realized it would be ungraceful to keep refusing based on it being "troublesome." He straightened his posture and addressed her properly.
"Tell me the rest. I’ll use it to decide whether to accept."
"Understood. We have heard the following from the Arnevelde Merchant Guild."
The intruders hadn't touched the money or valuables; they had stolen only documents before vanishing. The merchant guild's primary goal was the recovery of those papers. They were certain the crime was the work of a group numbering between several and over a dozen individuals.
"How can they be so sure of the numbers?"
"Based on the methodology. Since they bypassed workshops with heavy security, it's believed there are several professional thieves in the group. Furthermore, thefts occurred almost simultaneously at several different locations across the city."
Ren nodded. If the targets were scattered, a single person—no matter how skilled—couldn't have hit them all at once.
"Let me think about it," Ren said. He didn't want to commit immediately, especially since he had no lead on where to start.
"One last thing. Why are so few people taking this job?"
"For rookies, it’s too dangerous. For veterans, they prefer jobs that pay better for less legwork. Investigations like this are notoriously tedious for the reward offered."
"I see. That makes sense." Ren sighed.
Ren sat on the edge of the lake where he usually hunted Berserk Fish. He leaned back, ignoring the chill of the melting snow, and stared up at the early spring sky.
He was conflicted. Between the Demon King Cult’s appearance in the Baldur Mountains and these strange thefts, he couldn't help but feel a connection.
(But seriously... searching for thieves with zero clues...)
The client wanted the clues themselves. But where should he start? He wasn't a professional investigator, and he wasn't a knight. Most of the capital's internal intelligence was out of his reach.
"Still, it's weird that the knights haven't found anything."
The thieves had targeted magic tool artisans. They had stolen only documents. It was possible a third party was paying for specific research, but to vanish without a trace inside the Imperial Capital was no small feat.
"There has to be someone with the Uncurse skill in their group."
In the Legend of the Seven Heroes, Uncurse was vital for bypassing magical locks and seals. Jelkku had been obsessed with it to break his elven seal. If the thief group used Uncurse, they wouldn't have to break anything physically, meaning they wouldn't trigger alarms or leave signs of forced entry.
He stared at the clouds. The Arnevelde Merchant Guild and the knights had surely already considered this. So why were they stuck?
"There's likely a mole," Ren muttered.
The Imperial Capital was heavily guarded. A group of several people couldn't just walk out of the gates with stolen goods under their arms unless they had help—or a very clever way to hide. Ren looked down at the lake. The ice was thinning, and the Berserk Fish were beginning to swim more freely in the depths.
Around the same time.
Radius had just finished a hot bath to shake off the fatigue of an all-night research session. Damp hair clung to his neck as he sat on his sofa, sipping a cold drink.
He had been buried in public duties lately. Between finishing the final exams for the Special Merit Class and traveling abroad three times in a single month, he had only recently been able to focus on the thefts.
A knock came at the door.
"It’s me, nya."
"Enter," Radius called.
Mirei walked in, carrying a letter. She sat on the sofa opposite him without waiting for an invitation.
"Did I disturb your brooding, nya?"
"I don't mind. What have you found?"
"I brought a summary of the latest reports, nya."
Radius took the letter. It contained details on the defense systems of the victimized workshops. He had been obsessively checking how each magical ward had been deactivated. He was also looking for any connection between the workshops and known Uncurse users.
"They say the thieves left no trace, but that is impossible," Radius said. "They must have had a collaborator within the city."
The guards and knights were already working on that theory.
"These defense systems are massive magic tools. They are designed to neutralize intruders or alert the city guard with sound. This time, they were systematically shut down. To do that without destroying the equipment requires a master of Uncurse."
"And a single user couldn't hit all those spots in one night alone, nya."
"Exactly. The Uncurse user’s role wasn't to steal; it was to open the doors. They would move from shop to shop, deactivating wards, while teams of accomplices followed behind to clear out the documents. It's the only way the timing works."
Mirei nodded. "It would be even easier if the plan was drafted by someone who actually worked at one of the workshops, nya."
"The most frustrating part is that the thieves vanished like mist. I suspect they modified some of the stolen equipment to hide their getaway carriages. But the real failure lies with the workshops themselves. They were so afraid of their proprietary research being leaked that they delayed reporting the crimes to the knights."
By the time the investigation started, the trail was already cold. Even the Empire's finest knights couldn't find a shadow that had been gone for hours.
"They valued their profit margins over the law," Radius said coldly. "Mirei, keep digging. I want to know who delayed those reports. They might be part of the ring."
"Understood, nya. Leave the legwork to me."
"I am leaving for Eupeheim. Ulysses Ignat has likely been investigating this in the shadows while I was away. I’m going to see what that man knows."
Radius stood to change his clothes. Once ready, he took a small bag and left the castle with his Imperial Guards in tow.
Ulysses Ignat had indeed moved faster than anyone.
By the time Radius arrived at the Ignat Manor the next morning, Ulysses was already waiting in his office.
"My master’s target was intercepted two days away from the capital by magic ship," Edgar said, his tone perfectly neutral.
"Was intercepted? You mean—"
The butler looked to Ulysses. Receiving a nod, he continued. "Yes. As you suspect, the man is currently in our basement."
Ulysses had captured the traitor before the knights even knew who he was.
"We have interrogated him and confirmed the list of stolen items," Edgar added. "There are no discrepancies."
Radius looked at Ulysses with a mixture of respect and wariness. "I am truly glad you are an ally."
"Hahaha! I'll take that as a compliment," Ulysses replied with a grin. "I was going to report it today anyway. No sense in keeping it a secret."
"What was the motive?"
"Money. He was approached with a deal and provided the technical support for the heist. We believe his contact is the mastermind."
"An incident of this scale, all for gold?"
"I'll leave the sentencing to the Imperial courts," Ulysses said, his expression darkening. "Our concern is the purpose behind the stolen documents. Edgar, the files."
Radius took the papers and scanned them. His eyes narrowed. "These all share a common theme."
Ulysses nodded. "Information on the magical infrastructure of the Imperial Capital and Erendil."
Documents detailing the specific wards, sensors, and magical tools used throughout the cities had been targeted.
"They’re looking for a gap in the city’s defenses," Radius whispered.
"Perhaps. But we must find out where those documents are now. Our prisoner doesn't have them; he was just the locksmith. In fact, they tried to kill him once the job was done. He only survived because he sensed the danger and ran."
"I'll credit his survival instinct, at least," Radius said. "I’ll arrange for his transfer to the capital's high-security prison. But first, I want to know if the Demon King Cult is involved."
"As do I," Ulysses agreed.
The two shared a quiet moment over tea until Ulysses broke the silence. A strange, predatory pressure emanated from the Marquis.
"Tell me, Your Highness. If the Cult is involved, what do you intend to do?"
"Capture them and squeeze them for every drop of intel," Radius answered instantly.
"No, that’s the 'obvious' answer. I mean... really. What do you intend to do?"
The cups clinked as they were placed back on the table.
"Are you merely going to 'handle' it?" Ulysses asked, his gaze piercing.
Radius understood the challenge in the older man's voice. "That’s a pointed question."
"Forgive me. But I need to know how sharp Your Highness’s fangs are."
"A foolish question," Radius said, standing up. "I am the Third Prince of this Empire. This time, we will be the ones who strike."
It was the answer Ulysses had been waiting for.
"I am of the Lion King’s lineage," Radius continued, his voice echoing with authority. "If there are fools who dare to bare their fangs at us, I will shatter those fangs and burn the very den they crawl out of. I will show no mercy to those who threaten Leomel."
Radius grasped the doorknob. "Ulysses, I’m going to pay back the debt from the Baldur Mountains."
Ren eventually decided to take the Special Quest. It seemed like a good way to get a pulse on the city's underbelly. After getting Baron Lezard’s permission, he headed to the guild the following day.
However, the moment he walked in, he found the place in an uproar. Adventurers were crowded around the tables, shouting.
The female employee he had spoken to yesterday rushed over to him. "I was hoping you'd come!"
"What’s happened?" Ren asked, his voice tightening.
"A group of young adventurers was attacked just outside the city. It wasn't monsters. They said a man in a robe came at them with insane strength, swinging a sword like a madman."
"Is everyone okay?"
"They’re being treated, but they’re in bad shape. They said he was using Earth Magic."
Ren turned to the crowd of veterans. "Is there any proof it’s the thief group?"
"Who else would it be?" one man growled. "Bandits don't use high-level magic around here. Those bastards have stopped hiding."
Ren knew he had to act. He hurried back to the Clausel Manor to inform Lezard. He found the Baron in his office, looking grim.
"Lord Lezard, have you heard?"
"Yes. Weiss has already been dispatched to the capital to ensure Lithia's safety. She's staying with the Riohard family, but I want our own eyes there."
Ren stepped forward. "I’m going out to check the perimeter. I’ll coordinate with the road guards and help evacuate anyone still in the area."
The plains surrounding Erendil were lush with early spring growth. Usually, they were filled with merchants and travelers, but today the atmosphere was heavy.
Ren dismounted from Io and approached a group of road guards.
"I’m here on behalf of Baron Lezard Clausel."
"You? You’re just a boy."
"Wait," another guard said, squinting at him. "I’ve heard the rumors. The Hero of Clausel... are you Ren Ashton?"
Ren winced. "Please, just 'Ren' is fine. That title is embarrassing."
The guards' tension eased slightly. "Well, Master Ashton, the Baron wants us to prioritize evacuation. We're looking for anyone still out on the roads."
Ren noticed a large, high-quality tent set up in a corner of the plains. It was guarded by men who didn't look like common adventurers or road guards. They had the disciplined aura of elite soldiers.
As Ren was preparing to head toward the nearby mountains, a man from the tent approached him. He was tall, dressed in a clean white shirt, but his muscular build suggested he was a seasoned warrior.
"Young man," the stranger said. "It is dangerous out here. You should return to the city."
"I appreciate the concern," Ren replied, "but I have a job to do. I’m a knight’s son, and I’m here to help."
The man looked at Ren’s horse. "Is that horse... part monster?"
"You have a good eye."
"Then you are from a family of means. You should cherish your life."
"I can't just sit by while people are being attacked," Ren insisted. "Actually, I was planning to pick up a request from the Arnevelde Merchant Guild today, but the guild was a mess when I arrived."
The man’s eyes sharpened. "Our request?"
"Yeah. I was looking for a lead on the traitor from the capital workshops."
The man went silent for a moment. "Wait here."
He disappeared into the large tent and returned moments later. "My lord wishes to speak with you."
Ren dismounted and followed the man. Inside the tent, the lighting was dim. A boy sat in a chair, his silhouette visible but his face obscured.
"My apologies for the sudden summons," the boy said. His voice was strangely raspy—Ren suspected a magic tool was distorting it. The voice felt familiar, yet he couldn't quite place it. "Please, make yourself at ease. Speak to me as you would a friend of your own age."
"I... don't really have many friends my own age," Ren admitted.
The boy in the chair went silent. The sound of a book being placed on a table echoed in the small space.
"Hahaha! Then I suppose it can't be helped! But please, ignore our status. I just want to hear your story."
Ren decided to drop the formalities. "Fine. So, why did you call me in here?"
The men standing outside the tent stiffened at Ren's casual tone, but the boy inside just leaned forward.
"You mentioned a traitor within the merchant guild."
"Yeah. I figured someone used Uncurse to let the thieves in and then helped them escape the capital. They’re probably being used as a sacrificial pawn now."
"Heh... you’re quite right about that."
Ren sighed. "I figured as much."
"Who do you think caught him?" the boy asked. "The Imperial Faction? The Hero Faction?"
"It was likely Marquis Ulysses," Ren said confidently.
There was a sharp intake of breath from the boy in the shadows. Ren smiled. "You shouldn't react so obviously if you want to keep your identity a secret."
"Why do you think it was Ulysses?"
"Because there aren't many individuals in this Empire who can move faster than the state itself."
"You seem quite familiar with him."
"We've crossed paths. But honestly, if there’s anyone who could move faster than Ulysses, it would only be one person."
"And who is that?"
"Radius Vin Leomel. The Third Prince."
The silence in the tent was absolute. The boy finally nodded. "I see. You are an observant one."
The conversation was interrupted by a shout from outside. "We found him! The man from the reports! He’s heading into the forest toward the mountains!"
Ren turned to the tent. "I’m going. It's better to act before things get worse."
The boy in the shadows spoke up. "Wait. I’ll tell you this much—we found traces of the thieves’ hideout just a few hours ago. We’ve been clearing the area of civilians to ensure no one else gets caught in the crossfire."
"That’s a relief. But I’m still going. As a member of House Clausel, I can't stay here."
"I’ll say it again: don't. You’re smart. Don't throw your life away."
Ren laughed. It wasn't a mocking laugh, but one of absolute conviction. Even the soldiers outside felt the sudden shift in his presence—the unmistakable aura of a master.
"Protecting what I can isn't a foolish choice," Ren said firmly. He turned and walked out of the tent.
Radius—for it was indeed him inside the tent—watched Ren go. He called one of his men inside.
"Your Highness," the man said, bowing.
"I’ve heard Ulysses has been close with the Clausels lately. That boy must be the one. Follow him. Ensure he doesn't get hurt, but do not interfere unless necessary."
"Understood."
"And if he starts investigating... assist him." Radius leaned back. "He has a strange gravity about him. I want to see what he does."
The man in the robe was found thirty minutes away, near the base of the mountains. Imperial Guards, still disguised as merchants, were already on-site.
"The target attacked us but retreated into the forest," one reported. "He used Earth Magic to manipulate the terrain."
Ren arrived just as they were discussing their next move. "Which way did he go?"
"Into the mountains. The trail went cold near the old Forestworm holes."
The Forestworm holes were an ancient network of tunnels, much like the ones Ren had seen in the East Forest back home. Most people forgot they were there, but Ren knew the terrain like the back of his hand.
He dismounted and led the disguised guards to a hidden entrance. "Here. The ground is too soft here; someone used magic to disguise the opening."
Ren drew his Iron Magic Sword and delivered a clean vertical strike. The mountainside crumbled, revealing a dark tunnel.
"A monster nest?" one of the guards whispered.
"The thieves used this as a base," Ren said, stepping inside.
The tunnels were wide enough for ten men to walk abreast, and torches were lit at regular intervals. As they moved deeper, Ren sensed a sudden draft.
"I figured you'd be here," he muttered.
A group of robed men lunged from the shadows. Ren didn't even draw his blade fully; he used the pommel of his sword to strike the leader in the solar plexus, knocking the wind out of him instantly. The Imperial Guards followed suit, moving with precision to neutralize the rest.
"Who... who are you?" a guard asked, watching Ren move with terrifying efficiency.
"Just a knight’s son," Ren replied. "Let's keep moving. You guys handle the prisoners."
Ren led them deeper into the nest. Within minutes, they reached a large central chamber. Robed figures swarmed from the dark, but Ren moved through them like a ghost. He reached the Earth Magic user in the back before the man could even finish an incantation.
The man’s eyes were bloodshot, his muscles unnaturally distended. He gripped a staff that pulsated with a sickly, dark energy.
"You're the one," Ren said.
"Wh—how—"
"Save it for the dungeon."
Ren didn't use his Great Tree Magic Sword. He didn't need to. A single, focused strike from his iron blade sent a shockwave through the man's body, shattering his concentration and his magic.
The hideout was cleared in minutes.
Ren and the guards returned to the plains with the prisoners in tow. Radius stepped out of his tent, his eyes wide as he saw the line of captured thieves.
"You cleared the nest? Alone?"
"The guards helped," Ren said, though the guards themselves looked embarrassed to take any credit.
Suddenly, the Earth Magic user, who was being loaded into a wagon, let out an inhuman scream. His skin turned a bruised black, and his eyes bulged. He lunged toward Radius, wielding a stolen sword with desperate, jagged movements.
"Your Highness!" a guard shouted.
But Ren was already moving. From atop Io, he swung his Iron Magic Sword.
"So it is the Demon King Cult," Ren muttered.
The man’s body had been rigged to self-destruct—the dark power granted to him was now consuming him. Ren didn't hesitate. He delivered a heavy strike that sent a wave of force through the air, knocking the man unconscious before the dark mana could fully erupt.
"I’m heading back to Erendil," Ren said, not waiting for a thank-you. "I need to report to Lord Lezard."
Radius watched him ride away.
"He's a Strong Sword User," one of the guards whispered.
"Yes," Radius replied, his voice full of wonder. "He certainly is."
Ren reported the events to Lezard. The Baron was silent for a long moment.
"Which was more dangerous? This man, or Asval?"
"Huh?"
"Sorry. A bad joke." Lezard sighed. "Because of you, this thief business is over. But if the Cult is involved, we are only at the beginning."
A knock came at the door. Yuno entered, holding a letter. "A message for Master Ren. The guild says it’s urgent."
Ren opened it. The handwriting was rushed. It was a message from the "Arnevelde Merchant Guild," asking to meet at a specific location in a back alley near the guildhall.
Ren stood at the end of the alley.
"Proceed to the corner and stop," a voice called out.
It was the boy from the tent. He was standing just around the corner, his back to the wall. This time, his voice wasn't distorted. It was clear and regal.
Ren realized he definitely knew this voice.
"You surprised me today," the boy said.
"I could say the same."
"You cleared the nest before my own guards could even draw their steel. It was impressive."
"I think you would have found it eventually," Ren said, leaning against the opposite wall.
"Perhaps. But I want to close the Special Quest now. By my authority, it is complete."
"Is that legal? I never officially signed the contract."
"Work is work," the boy replied. "The guild will accept it. I’ll have the documents sent to the Clausel Manor for your signature. And the reward will be doubled."
They spoke for several more minutes—just two boys talking about the city and the world. Eventually, the boy checked his watch. "I have to go. This was... quite refreshing. Thank you."
"Same here. See you around."
They walked in opposite directions. Mirei appeared from the shadows to join her master.
"Mirei, I’ve found an extraordinary man."
"Oh? A poet, nya?"
"Hardly. His intelligence, his skill... and that courage. It’s been a long time since I felt this excited."
"You sound like you've fallen for him, nya."
"Perhaps I have—in the way one admires a peer. It’s rare to find someone who treats me so normally."
"That’s only because he doesn't know you’re the Prince, nya."
"Maybe. But I have a feeling we'll be seeing much more of Ren Ashton."
A few days later, Radius met with Ulysses Ignat on the castle balcony.
"Your Highness, I hear the thief group has been dismantled," Ulysses said with a smirk.
"It wasn't my doing," Radius admitted.
"I know. And I also know you’ve been in contact with 'him.'"
Radius looked at Ulysses. "You're well-informed."
"I am. And I’ll give you a word of advice, Your Highness—do not meddle with the Clausels or the Ashtons. They are under my protection."
Radius laughed. "I have no intention of making an enemy of you, Ulysses. I merely enjoy the boy's company. He’s the only person who speaks to me without trembling."
"Hmph. Just see that it stays that way."
A week later, Ren was eating at a restaurant in Erendil when a nervous waiter asked if he would mind sharing his table. Ren agreed.
Moments later, Radius sat down opposite him.
"Speak to me as you did before," Radius said. "No formalities."
"You’re asking for the impossible," Ren replied with a dry smile.
"Perhaps. But I insist. Let's eat."
They talked for over an hour. Radius explained that the Arnevelde Merchant Guild was his own creation, started when he was only ten. He also confirmed that the thieves were likely pawns used to probe the city's defenses while the Cult moved in the shadows.
"There's also the matter of Bishop Lenidas," Radius said. "He vanished during a pilgrimage. We suspect the Cult took him to destabilize the Church."
Ren nodded. The pieces of the puzzle were starting to fall into place.
As they finished their meal, Radius stood up. "I enjoyed this. We'll speak again soon."
"I'm sure we will," Ren replied.
As he watched the Prince leave, Ren realized that the game’s story had truly shattered. In the original timeline, these two had been bitter enemies. Now, they were allies. And he was standing right in the center of the change.