Dungeon of Pride, Laplace

At the same time, the southern gate of the capital city of Ellesmere, was particularly bustling for some reason as the inhabitants of the city peeked at the carriage that was being received by multitudes of soldiers and knights.

These people might not have been that shocked if it were any other knight; however, the one that came to receive this entourage, was none other than the strongest knight captain of their Kingdom Cyrus Skyler.

The name carried such weight that there was not even a single soul in this city or perhaps this entire region who have not heard of his name. His valour of single-handedly erasing a guild that could even take place in the list of top ten guilds of their Kingdom, slaying a Disaster class monster along with various other achievements still rang to this date.

It was because of the existence of this man, that the royal family was able to somewhat keep the top five guilds of their kingdoms in check.

If not for the name of Godwin from the Sea God's Trident, making its wave during this past couple of years, perhaps the name Cyrus Skyler would be on the lips of every individual of this city.

For a man of such calibre to have come personally to receive the guest in this carriage, it would be a lie to say that these average citizens of this place were not curious about the identity of the people sitting inside.

Their shock of personally witnessing the Knight captain had only just subsided when another shock hit them out of the corner. An entourage led by the first prince of the Kingdom of Ellesmere, Alstin Elrand Ellesmere was also here to welcome these people.

A commotion immediately erupted amongst the crowd, people who were normally very difficult to meet or even lay eyes on, were coming here one after the other.

Ignoring the ordinary mass who were crowding all around them, the first prince got down from his ride which seemed to be a different breed of horse like the Bane Moose from the north-western territory.

Alstin after getting down from his horse, approached the entourage and saw the Knight captain who was already here to welcome them. He performed a courteous bow that was expected from his royal standing and introduced himself to the people inside the convoy.

An old man wearing a black robe that carried the insignia of a castle and a sword in blood-red colour, stepped down. He was holding a staff that was engraved with a large core stone and used it as a support.

Behind him followed a lovely young lady whose appearance was just like a flower delicate yet beautiful to the eyes. She released a calm presence that gave others a feeling of a serene and tranquil lake. Just like the old man, she too was wearing a uniform like black robe and carried a staff that was a little less impressive than the one in the hands of the old man.

After the two got down from the carriage, the dozen or so guards accompanying them, stood quietly a few steps behind the two. All of the were wearing red armours with the insignia of the Sanguine empire.

"Hoho, we are quite honoured to be greeted by the First prince and the renowned Knight captain of the Kingdom" the old man thumped his staff on the ground and nodded at the two people who had come to greet them.

"What is Sir Vouves saying, it is our honour to meet with the royal court magician of the Sanguine Empire and a world-renowned Ranker," Alstin said smiling brightly.

The old man in front of them who had tied his white beard in dreadlocks was not only a powerful Ranker of the Adventurer's Association but also one of the three protectors of the Sanguine empire. As long as these three giants stood by the empire, they wouldn't topple even if dozens of low ranking kingdoms like the Kingdom of Ellesmere or Ingolf attacked them.

"Haha, all this means nothing to an old man like me," Vouves said before propping the lovely young lady behind him forward.

"This is my disciple that this old one is proud of, Alice introduce yourself… haha". His carefree laughter rang around the surrounding which had turned silent at some unknown time.

The pretty lady beside Vouves, gave a bow of courtesy and spoke in a dreamlike and sonorous voice.

"Nice to meet you all, I'm Alice Elma Sanguine".

The first prince and the knight captain wore shocked expressions as they gazed at the pretty lady who appeared to be less than twenty years old. However, what shocked them was not her appearance but the last name that she carried. Sanguine, this single word was enough to tell them that the lady was from the royal family.

"So it's Princess Alice, forgive me for not being able to recognise you," Alstin said in a tone that sounded humble yet not servile.

The princess did not reply and simply stood there motionless Seeing her attitude, the royal court magician, Vouves explained.

"Please don't mind her, her temperament is like that, other than magic, she does not hold interest in anything".

Alstin laughed and shook it off as nothing; however, internally he was thinking 'So the princess of the Sanguine empire being an oddball was true after all'.

There were many rumours floating about the only princess of the sanguine empire being an oddity, despite being born into royalty, she had no such regalness. Her behaviour was unlike what would expect from a person of her standing. The rumours were so peculiar that they even reached their Kingdom of Ellesmere.

While these were the thoughts of the First Prince Alstin, the knight captain was considering something else entirely. While it may be true that she was an oddity amongst royals in the way she carried herself, the powerful aura she released, told others something else.

Even from his view, the girl standing prettily beside Vouves, was a huge clump of talent to the point where even he dreaded her a little.

'Well if she wasn't a genius, there was no way old man Vouves would have made her his disciple in the first place' Cyrus sighed. He then ordered the dumbstruck knights and soldiers of the kingdom to create space for the delegates to pass through.

"Sir Vouves, Lady Alice allow us to escort you two to the palace" Cyrus stated. He was just about to lead the carriage driver when the royal court mage of the sanguine empire spoke up.

Vouves revealed a bitter smile "About that, we are waiting for one more person".

"Hm? One more person?" the knight captain scrunched his brows and repeated.

Old man Vouves nodded his head and said with a heavy sigh "That troublemaker ran out somewhere the moment we entered the city saying that he wanted to explore this place on his own. Haaah… it seems that Cedrick did not teach him any common sense or manners at all".

Cedrick… the moment that name came up, it was not only the knight captain but even the first prince of the kingdom wore an astonished face. Why wouldn't they? After all, Cedrick Just like the old man Vouves, was one of the three protectors of the empire and a strong ranker whose name thundered across these parts of the continent.

However, they had no time to react to that as the meaning behind those words from Vouves finally dawned on them. It was no longer a secret that Cedrick the [Sword King] had accepted a disciple not too long ago. That disciple had an unimaginable amount of talent when it came to swords and was even rumoured to be groomed as the next [Sword King].

The news spread like wildfire to the surrounding kingdoms and the reason for that was because the disciple that he had chosen was none other than the young crown prince of the sanguine empire.

"What?!" As expected, the first prince and the knight captain could no longer keep their emotions in check and voiced out.

                                   -----

The young boy wearing a black uniform and a navy hat looked at the gang of thugs surrounding a man in black robes and smiled. His energetic face and that cheeky smile of his, gave others a friendly and harmless presence.

"No matter if it's the empire or the kingdom, you are bound to always have hoodlums like them" he said without trying to mind his words. Since he did not keep his voice low, of course, these rough and tough thugs heard him clearly.

They made a face as if asking who forgot their kid here.

"Now now, I'll give you three seconds to scram from my sight. I cannot guarantee anything after that" the young boy whose height could only reach till the waist of these thugs, waved his hands and declared nonchalantly.

These thugs who were already in a bad mood after one of their companions was knocked unconscious, did not have the patience to go along with the antics of a child and snapped.

The leader amongst them, took heavy steps towards the boy as if trying to appear more intimidating and pulled the collar of the latter.

"Listen brat… run back to your mama if you don't want us to break those milk teeth of yours. This is not the place for kids like you to run your mouth" the thug snarled bringing his face closer towards the boy. 

He thought that this would scare the boy and compel him to run, but contrary to his expectations, the boy seemed to be unfazed.

"One…" he suddenly heard a word coming out of the latter's mouth.

"Two"…

"Three.."

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