From the perspective of the second prince, Cain Liestier...



I thought it would be easy to take him in, but he's quite a challenge.

　This is the meeting room of the main tower of the "Magic Guild".
　After seeing off Yuki and the others, the second prince Cain had a bitter smile on his face.

But as long as he's Iris's guardian knight, he's still close to us. We could always bring him into our faction (faction).''
You're not too frightened, are you?

　As he poured more tea into Prince Cain's cup, Demeter, the C-class magician, said.

''As for myself, I didn't expect Yuki-Grossaria to refuse His Highness' invitation itself.
Oh, yeah, Demeter.
''Yes. Once she joins His Highness' faction, Yuki-Grossaria will no longer be looked down upon as the bastard child of a local nobleman. She would be the first to gain both knowledge and information about magic. I don't see why I would miss that opportunity.
Maybe all of that doesn't make sense to him, you know?
If that's the case, I don't know why Yuki-Grossaria joined the 'Magic Guild'.
Yeah, I don't know. That's why it's funny.

　Prince Cain held his mouth and laughed.

''It's really funny. When he joins my faction, I'd love to have him on my side.''
If that happens, I guess I'm out of the picture.
You're special, Demeter. I won't put you off a familiar face who studied magic with me.
"...it's a pleasure. Your Highness.

'This is the end of the story. It's about that hidden passage that Yuki-Grossaria's party found.
"I have just made contact with the 'Cainites' in the second level below the dungeon.

　Demeter said, looking at the parchment at hand.

'Your Highness Iris, Odette-Suray and Yuki-Grossaria reportedly found a hidden door at the location they reported on. But...
What is it?
'They said the switch was near the ceiling, hidden by moss and grass. They say it's very small... how did they find something like that...
Well, I'm not sure.
Is that all right?
What they found is useful to the Magical Guild and thus to the Liestier royal family. I have no problem with that. I don't care why.
"...if that's what Your Highness wants.
So, do you think we have a monopoly on this information?
So far, Guild Headquarters hasn't received any information on the switch's location.

　Demeter nodded.

''Withholding information would be possible if Yuki-Grossaria is a 'Cainist'. Because there is a way to give up the reward from this information and give another reward instead of pretending it never happened. However──
He refused to join the 'Cain School'. Then we'll have to go public.
The 'Zamelites' will have to use that corridor, too.
'It can't be helped. Instead, it weakens the meaning of their defeat of the 'Giant Ogre'. I've heard that the hidden passage goes out to the third level of the fort. You can go through the Ogre's dwelling and get to the fourth level.

　Prince Cain tapped the parchment at hand with his fingertips.
　The information written on it was about the sorcerer of the 'Zamel School'.

''Old Zamel must have wanted to make his granddaughter a hero. He has hired two C-class mages of the 'Zamel Faction' to escort him to the Adventurer's Guild. Being part of the party that paved the way to the 'fourth level' would be a perfect debut for my granddaughter... hmm?　What's wrong with you, Demeter? You look gloomy.
No....

　Demeter, a C-class sorcerer, shook her head (headgear).

'I was wondering if Flora-Zamel herself would like that.
'I've heard stories of Alec-Keels and her interfering with your magic transmissions.
'Yes. I don't think that was the intention of Flora-Zamel herself.
I don't care. She is Old Zamel's grandson. Just as I was born into a royal family and have a reasonable duty, Flora-Zamel was born into a famous family of magic. It's only natural to expect reasonable results from the sorcerers of the 'Zamel School'. No matter what kind of person Flora-Zamel herself is, the same will continue to be the case.
I know, sir. I just...
"Just?
I was wondering what that boy.......Yuki-Grossaria would think.
'Hmm. Demeter seems to like him quite a bit.
It's a strange thing about him. He's only thirteen years old, but he seems to be very calm and collected - he seems to have a different set of values than we do.
'I see. It's unusual for Demeter to care that much. I guess I should bring him into the faction after all........hmm.

　Prince Cain snapped his fingers with a snap.

''Baron Grossaria - no, it's difficult to move the Viscount family. This one has a weakness that a sorcerer (Kachel) from the 'Magic Guild' has interfered with the exam. I guess we should turn our hand from his companion's family's home, the Duke of Surrey's family...

　Demeter was staring at that profile, which had sunk into thought.
　The second prince, Cain, is as talented in politics and intrigue as he is in magic.
　As a heir to a royal family, he has been involved in power struggles since he was a child.

　One of the strategies is that Prince Cain has taken up residence in the Magic Guild.
The "Magic Guild" has members who are the children and sons of noblemen.
　If you unite these magicians and make them your allies, you will be able to raise your status in the royal palace. This is something only Prince Cain, who has a talent for magic, can do. The only person who could oppose him would be Iris, who has the same talent for magic.
　But her mother is a side room. She can't be a rival to Prince Cain, who was born from his rightful wife.

(His Highness Cain knows how to use his talents.)
Talent, knowledge, talent, people - how to use it all.
(When your highness is in a position worthy of his talents, this country will experience a new level of development...)

　Whether he continues to rise to the highest rank of the "Magic Guild" or heads into the world of politics with the support of the nobles - either way, Demeter thinks that His Highness Cain will be able to do it.
　It's a very good idea to be able to have a good time.
　This is the same since the time she was the first to recognize the talent of Prince Cain and became his first subordinate.

''──That's right. Their enclosure is now good. The only thing left to do is to search for 'Elysian'...──Demeter.
"Yes, Your Highness. Your Highness.
''The 'Zamelites' are building a replica of the 'King's Horse (Lord)'. You're sure of that information?
It's still in the prototype stage, but I'm sure of it. We've got someone on the ground in there.
Then maybe it's time to do the same.

　Prince Cain put his hand on Demeter's shoulder.
　He stared into her eyes and told her.

''Thanks to Yuki-Glossaria's party, we're able to go to the third level without consuming magic power. Then the fourth level is the fastest way to explore the fourth level by wearing that thing (..........). Can you please, Demeter?
Of course, Your Highness.
I've prepared some magic crystals. If we can proceed while replenishing our magic power, we should be able to fight for a long time. We've calculated the amount of time we can operate it. The rest is up to you. I don't think the blood-red armor is appropriate for you.
No.

　Demeter knelt before Prince Cain.
　He held his hands on his shoulders in offering and closed his eyes as if in prayer.

It's a good idea to have a good time with them. I will don the ancient artifacts and tell His Highness the mysteries of the lower levels of Elysium.
I'm counting on you. My first in command, Demeter.

　And so the second prince, Cain, and the C-class magician, Demeter, exchanged vows.