[Content Warning: Graphic Content Ahead!!!]
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[In a crevice hidden deep in the valley of the Ancients lies a labyrinth full of evils and wonder. Hidden within lay Oberon's bride, the songstress of the Gods locked up in her gilded cage.
-Legends, Celes]
A long time ago, when the gods and goddesses roamed the lands, it was said that the Queen of the Fairies almost caused the end of the world. With her song, she awakened the Elder Gods from their deep slumber.
On that day, the world was swallowed by tempest. Heavy rain came and quickly flooded the lands and with that, the apostles the Elder Gods spread madness and agony among the people.
Humans, Elves, Dwarves, Beastmen, Demons, and even Monsters, none were spared from the madness that drowned the world.
Parents turned insane and ate their child piece by piece. Humans mated with animals. They started cannibalizing one another. And from their body grew tentacles.
But when the world was almost consumed whole by the Elder Gods, came a light of hope in the form of a young man.
The Gods of the Pantheon gave their life to give power to the boy and the boy did not disappoint.
On his back came out wings of light, with each flap it cleansed the souls of the madmen.
With a single slash, he ended the lives of his enemies.
The land was freed from the storms and floods.
But still, half of the world was already eaten up by the ocean, never to be seen again.
He killed the Queen of the Fairies, locking up her soul in the depths of the earth.
Never to return to the cycle of reincarnation.
Thump
I closed the book that I found in the library. The legend of the Hero huh? It has been 17 years since I have reincarnated in this world.
A world of swords and magic, the ones that I know from RPGs. It doesn't seem foreign to me anymore.
How to say this… I was reborn as the son of the Emperor of Aria and the Consort. Unlike my siblings who were born from concubines, I was given special treatment by my father.
"Brother, what are you reading?"
Calling in front of me I saw a young girl blonde girl dressed in a luxurious purple dress, Aleya, my sister sporting a cheeky smile.
"It's the legend of the Hero, Aleya." I said.
"Do you want to be like the Hero, elder brother?" Aleya asked.
"A Hero? Hahaha… That is quite a huge dream for me."
"What are you talking about? If we are talking about huge dreams, then aren't you already going to be the crown prince later?" She said in a smug tone her arms akimbo.
It seems like she really is proud of me huh.
"And also, the Hero is our ancestor, so you have the blood of the Hero!" She added.
"Hahaha…then, since you are also his descendant you can also be the Hero you know?" I said to Aleya.
But still, this is what my father has been preparing me to be since I was born, to be the inheritor of the throne.
But really, it is easier said than done. Throughout the years I saw my brothers die of unknown circumstances, I do not know if I will be the next one.
The competition for the throne is a scary game, brothers killing brothers just to have a chance to be the king, it disgusts me.
But to survive I also have to dirty my hands, and now I am here at this point. I do not feel sorry for trying to live another day, even if it means killing my siblings.
But Aleya, she is my only light in this palace. Her innocent smile must never be dirtied by politics so I strived to overcome all the obstacles, to protect her forever.
Thud
A maid entered the library and came toward me, and she bowed in a practiced manner.
"Prince, the ceremony will be starting soon, please follow me to the preparation room."
I said my farewell to Aleya and quickly followed the maid.
When the time for the coronation ceremony came, I entered the Throne room, there I saw many important figures even including the Temple of Purity's Pope Adolf, and the current Guild Master of the Adventurers Guild, Yamato.
"The prince has arrived!"
Sitting on the throne is my father, the Emperor of the Aria Empire, Helmite. With his imposing look, I walked toward him and kneeled.
The crown of the crown prince was presented to my father by a duke.
He grabbed the crown then stood up and walked toward me.
"You've really grown Cleo."
I remained kneeling with my head looking at the ground.
"Do you know why I named you Cleo?"
I shook my head.
"It is because I want you to bring Glory to this kingdom, and right now you are proving yourself worthy, I know what you've done to get this far, I know all of it." The emperor chuckled and gave me a smirk.
"And now, today, all your plans have borne fruit."
I remained indifferent to his remarks, I have done this for Aleya and not your empire. The blood that touched my hands was all for her, and only her.
"On this day, I now crown you as the inheritor of my throne. The Crown Prince of the Aria Empire, Cleo Dominicus Aria!"
Buuuuuup
The emperor declared with his resounding voice and the trumpets were blown to signify the declaration of the new crown prince. The guests clapped to show their congratulations to the future emperor.
After the crowning ceremony was done there was a banquet that included all the guests that came.
While I was eating, I saw the Guild Master of the Adventurers Guild, Yamato coming toward me. Yamato looked like a young and slender man with black hair and narrow eyes, not really looking like he was an adventurer or even close to it, he looks more like a cunning merchant than the rumored SS-ranked adventurer that he was said to be.
He bowed then I gestured for him that it was okay.
"Congratulations on becoming the new crown prince, your Highness."
"Well, thank you." I returned the pleasantry.
"You know, I have been interested in adventurers for a while now."
Well, I sure am because I read stories about them all the time back on Earth.
"Oh, what interests you about adventurers, your Highness?" he replied, surprised by my sudden interest in the subject.
Noblemen commonly have a low opinion of adventurers because they commonly cause a ruckus, and they live by killing monsters, thus they see them as dirty barbarians.
"Hmm, I guess about monsters and stuff, and adventuring into dungeons, those stories really amuse me."
"Oh, then you will like this news. The adventurer's guild currently has the plan to conduct a huge expedition in the future."
"An expedition? To where?"
"An expedition into the depths of the Great Cyral Labyrinth, the one currently known as the biggest dungeon in the world." Then he beamed at me and said with excitement.
"A researcher was able to find some traces of Madness from the corpse of an [Ignis Jackalope] from the recent Dungeon Overflow in the west and with that even with that small trace of Madness from the corpse is a clue to a certain Legend." He continued with unmasked enthusiasm.
Madness? Do you mean you found a psychotic rabbit?
"What Legend?" I said, with an intrigued look on my face.
"The Legend of the Hero." His smile turned even deeper.
"So, by mentioning this, what do you want?" I asked, I know that he won't be just mentioning something like this casually, A reason for a huge expedition by the Adventurers Guild is not a casual matter.
"Well, I would just like to ask for some funding, your Highness." He bowed to me.
"And how does this expedition of yours affect or relate to me in any way?" I feigned nonchalance about the story, but even so, he already knew that I was hooked by the sole mention of the Hero, just an inquisitive look from me was enough to tell.
A man who is not cunning enough cannot climb to the rank of a Guild Master in a short amount of time, and this guy, I heard is still in his 30s.
"The royal family of the Aria Empire, it was said that you were the direct descendants of the Hero from the legends, and if you really are, then you must at least have a slight interest in knowing more about your ancestor, your Highness." His smile which looked jolly now looks like the smile of a seasoned businessman.
He knows that he caught me in his trap.
In our family, there is a rumor that has been passed down from generation to generation that the tomb of the Hero in the burial grounds of the Aria Empire doesn't really contain his remains and never did.
The Hero was said to have suddenly vanished one day and left the throne to his son. He never came back after that, and he has never been found even up to today.
But now there's a clue, and I have a huge hope that he left something for his descendants. To protect Aleya I need to get my hands on everything that will be able to help me protect her.
I smiled at him and said, "I will send a messenger into your office, wait for my instructions, and don't tell this to anyone else."
He bowed then said, "Thank you, your Highness."
I gestured towards him that I have accepted his bow and he left.
The Hero's inheritance, I must get it at all costs.
For Aleya, all for Aleya.