Dungeon of Pride, Laplace

She did not disclose the identity of the individual they were searching for because they were here on a secret mission. It was not because she didn't trust them. Every member here belonged to the same faction and was someone that could be trusted.

In any case, even if she told them, they would either not believe her or would be too afraid to dive inside the dungeon. Simon's infamy when he left the capital was earth-shaking, his achievements and the mark of battle that he left behind was still there.

Those who had witnessed the battle that day spread the news everywhere and by now everything was so exaggerated that some facts were no longer the truth. Everybody feared that mysterious demon that had turned their capital upside down.

If this group knew that the one they were searching for was precisely that demon noble, their faces would be a sight to see. This would only just cause unwanted fear and distress in their group. knowing that, Alvara had no other choice but to keep it a secret from them for a while.

Though it was not like all of them were unaware of the identity of the person they were searching for. Alvara's eyes shifted towards the assassin with the [Hunter] class leading the group.

Everybody made a dissatisfied voice when they heard the guard captain's words voice; nevertheless, they weren't among those people who couldn't take a clue, they swiftly understood that there was a big reason for keeping the identity of the individual a secret.

However, the more Alvara hid it from them, the more curious they became. The thing that bugged them was that even though the mission was a secret one, the identity of the individual was so tightly kept that even they, the members involved in this search, did not have a clue.

From the start of the dungeon descent seven days ago, they have been repeatedly shouting his name on every floor as they descended. But even until now they haven't even the slightest clue or indication as to which floor the individual was on or whether he was alive or not.

"Hey who do you think this person we are searching for is?" the woman with the staff asked in a hushed voice.

The burly man beside her locked his brows before saying "I don't know but given the secrecy of this mission, I would say he has quite a high identity".

"Tsk… even I know that. For the guard captain who is tasked with the safety of the princess to act personally, that person's identity was anything but simple" the woman curled her lips and mused "I was asking because I think that there might be a special relationship between the two… hehe".

She didn't know who this Simon was but at the very least she could tell that it was a male from that name.

"Shhh… are you trying to get us in trouble? You know what will happen if you utter such blasphemy right?".

The burly man hurriedly put his finger on his lips and gestured for the woman to be quiet. Drops of perspiration trickled down his face and he only sighed in relief when he saw that the guard captain didn't hear them.

"Hmph… you are too timid for big fellow aren't you Burg"...

Burg's mouth twitched when he heard those words from Marba. This girl was too fearless and didn't know when to shut her mouth.

"Hmm… I wonder if this man is as talented as that guy who is trying to court the princess" Marba played with her staff and mumbled.

"Are you talking about Lucas Blackwood from Castelia City?" Burg asked a little interested in whatever hypothesis this woman was cooking up in her head.

Marba nodded her head… "The very same one". Right after saying that she looked in front of her, the guard captain was still busy minding her own business and leading the group.

"It is said that Lucas Blackwood was officially accepted as the branch manager of the Adventurer Association in Castelia city. Not only that, his achievements in this past year was extremely shocking with him raiding quite a few dungeons and bringing back lots of treasures".

"His charisma along with his talent was extremely shocking and it even stood out during the battle of the finest. He is good friends with the second and third princes and a little birdie told me that the second prince is trying to put forward the proposal of betrothing princess Cynthia to Lucas".

"What?!!" Burg couldn't help but yell out. His sudden voice attracted everyone's attention and they turned their head to face him.

"Ahaha… it's nothing, I just accidentally stumbled" Burg hurriedly shook his head apologising for his sudden rise of voice.

"You big fellow why are you yelling out for?" Marba cursed and swung her staff at the burly man.

"How do you expect me to react when you drop a bombshell like that? the Second prince is trying to betroth princess to that Lucas.. are you sure about that? For some reason, it doesn't feel right. Miss Cynthia is the princess of this kingdom while Lucas comes from only a marquis family. Even if he became the branch manager of the adventurer's association, the disparity in status between them is too large".

Burg rubbed his chin and remarked.

"Humph… you are only saying that because you don't know anything. King Henry's health is deteriorating very fast, and even the best doctor in our capital is unable to heal him. It is only a matter of time before he…"

"Anyways, when that time comes there would be a fierce power struggle as to who would inherit the throne. The faction of the first and second princes is locked in a fierce struggle while the third prince is only obsessed with martial prowess".

"In a situation like this what would happen if one side suddenly gains new allies? It is rumoured that there are two dukes backing Lucas Blackwood. Because of this, the second prince is trying to deepen his relationship with Lucas so that he could gain their support when the time comes and rope the two dukes into his faction. "

Marba spat out and proudly puffed her chest.

So that's how it was, it was only now that Burg understood the full picture that was going on at the royal palace back in the capital. No wonder he was trying to betroth the princess who Lucas fancied to him.

Like this not only would he gain a loyal ally but will also gain the support of the two neutral dukes, Montford and Redcrest which will give him an edge over the first prince.

"Uggh" Burg felt a headache coming thinking over the complicated schemes of the higher ups of their kingdom. It wasn't impossible to imagine the changes that were bound to come once the current king steps down.

While he was thinking all that, the assassin that was leading them through the tunnel, suddenly raise his hand. Seeing that, everybody in the group halted their steps, their eyes followed the direction his finger was pointing and they soon noticed a light coming from the end of the tunnel.

As the group cautiously proceeded forward, they noticed that where the tunnel ends, an enormous space opened up beyond which stood two huge doors made of stones.

"This is?!"  Burg muttered stepping out of the tunnel. The stone doors in front of them were more than ten meters big and have a drawing of a fierce beast carved on them.

"This must be the mysterious chamber those people were talking about" Alvara studied the stone doors and muttered. There was no doubt in their minds now, they really had stumbled upon the place that was the hot topic amongst the adventurers.

"What do we do now, guard captain" the assassin leading the front turned to face Alvara.

Alvara folded her hands and contemplated for a while, it had been more than a week since they dived inside the dungeon. They have been calling his name for a while yet the person did not show up.

Alvara when she first came to the tower town did some investigation and found out that the deepest floor that had been explored was the 38th floor. After a week of progress, they were currently on the 25th floor… their group was far from reaching the deepest floors of this dungeon.

Considering that they were even capable of reaching the deepest floors, it would end up taking a marginal amount of time. Alvara couldn't spare any more time than she already had diving inside the dungeon.

She was the guard captain tasked with the safety of the princess after all, and cannot leave her side for too long. Some people in the royal palace might even begin to suspect something if she was away for too long, thus Alvara had to finish her mission fast.

Well, even if she put it like that, It sounded easier said than done. She had no idea how to make that person show up plus there was also a concern that he won't show up at all.

After all, he had not received the best of hospitality from them when he arrived at the capital. They might even hold a grudge against them.

On the other hand, Alvara couldn't just leave without completing her mission.  So what can she do so that can make that person appear in front of her? While she was thinking that in her mind, the enormous stone doors coincidentally appeared in front of her eyes.

Suddenly an idea flashed in her mind and her eyes became resolute. To make that person show up, they must first gather his attention and what better way to do it other than by clearing this mysterious chamber?