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Chapter 10 - 9. The Start of Disappointment and Reflection

Lucas watched as Rian and Ria, after the battle with the corrupted Elves at the holy site, tended to the wounded soldiers. Despite being a prince and princess, they did not hesitate to help the injured around them, and they showed a reverent attitude as they cleaned the dirtied objects from the cathedral. Lucas was impressed by their actions, but it also made him reflect on how he himself had acted all this time.

Rian knelt beside a wounded soldier, wrapping a bandage. His hands were stained with dirt and blood, but Rian didn't mind at all. Ria, too, carried medical supplies and comforted the soldiers, and when she saw the cathedral's sacred objects covered in dust, she began to wipe them clean herself.

Lucas: (to himself) "As a prince and princess, they don't avoid their duties; they lead the way..."

Seeing their dedicated attitude and sense of responsibility, Lucas realized how much he had been coasting on his comfortable life. He had been consumed by jealousy toward his brother and by the grief and anger over his mother's death, and he became aware that he had never properly done what he was capable of.

That night, Lucas returned to his room and sat on his bed, lost in thought. He recalled his past self, ruminating on the anger and disappointment he had felt for not ascending to the throne. After Alexander became king, he had been trapped in the feeling that he was living in his brother's shadow.

Lucas: (to himself) "I was jealous of my brother, and I was filled with anger over my mother's death. But now... shouldn't I try to be more like them?"

Lucas began to ask himself questions. He started to think seriously for the first time about what his responsibilities were as a prince, and that there was much more he could do than just sit on the throne. He felt that the example Rian and Ria had set was not just about carrying out a mission, but about true dedication to one's country, and he had his first moment of reflection.

*****

Episode : The Start of a Small Decision

A few days later, Lucas went with Rian and Ria to the district where Altechna's lower class lived. The scene was completely different from the royal court and was an unfamiliar place for Lucas. The streets were narrow and crowded, and the people were struggling to make a living day by day. For the first time, Lucas came face to face with a reality completely different from the comfortable life he had enjoyed.

Rian and Ria were there to find traces of the Noktus, speaking with merchants and residents. Despite their royalty, they spoke with the people without pretense, genuinely trying to understand their hardships. The children in the street cheered when they saw Rian and Ria, and the merchants approached them in a friendly manner.

Merchant: "Thank you so much, Prince and Princess, for coming here in person. People like us, nobody pays us any mind."

Rian took the merchant's hand with a sincere smile.

Rian: "It is our natural duty as descendants of the royal family. We are all people of the same nation."

Watching this, Lucas began to think again about his own position and role. Rian and Ria were not simply preserving their royal dignity; they were communicating with their people and striving to solve their problems. Lucas realized that he had never considered how he should use the power he possessed.

Lucas: (to himself) "What have I ever done as a prince...? Even while being with them, I've never seriously thought about my own role."

That day, Lucas returned to the palace and opened his wardrobe. Hanging there were the magnificent princely clothes he used to wear. He stared at them for a long time, then, as if having made up his mind, reached out and took out a plain, practical outfit hanging to one side. It was a small decision to focus on practical action rather than outward appearance. Lucas cast off the ornate decorations and changed into more comfortable and practical attire.

Lucas: (to himself) "It's not the outward appearance of being a prince that matters, but how I act."

A small change was beginning in his heart. It was the first step away from a past obsessed with his appearance and status, toward finding what he could truly do.

******

Episode : The Noktus's Secret Deal

Lucas, looking slightly awkward in his different, practical clothes, came to meet Rian, Ria, and Brunok. Rian and Ria sensed the change in him from his altered attire and tidy hair. Rian approached with a bright smile.

Rian: "Lucas, you look totally different today! Guess you're done playing the prince for a while, huh?"

Lucas smiled lightly and nodded.

Lucas: "That's right. I'm going to stop relying on my title as a prince and focus on more important things."

Ria nodded calmly, affirming his decision.

Ria: "That's a good choice, Lucas. Right now is a time when we all need to work together. Let's focus on today's task."

Brunok grinned.

Brunok: "Haha, now you look like you're ready for some fieldwork. Alright, let's get started."

The party headed for a back-alley black market they had learned about from their latest intelligence. It was a place where dark magic and dangerous figures came and went, and where secret, complex deals were made. The team began to scout the area and gather information according to their assigned roles.

As Lucas entered the place where the secret deals were made, the surrounding merchants began to take notice of him. He looked around with a tense expression and approached stealthily, but the merchants seemed to have already recognized him.

Merchant A: "Isn't that the prince of Altechna? What's he doing in a place like this?"

Lucas felt their gazes and hesitated for a moment. Rian came up beside him and whispered.

Rian: "Oops, looks like the merchants already recognized you. This might make getting info a bit tricky."

Lucas thought for a moment but then spoke as if he had made a decision.

Lucas: "Actually, we can use this to our advantage. I'll use the fact that I'm a prince to get information."

Lucas approached the merchants confidently and said in a loud voice.

Lucas: "That's right, I am the prince of Altechna. The reason I've come myself is simple. I heard that one of you is connected to the Noktus. I'm here to confirm it."

The merchants were flustered by his direct statement and glanced at each other. One of them began to speak.

Merchant B: "Your Highness, it's problematic to speak so openly here. But... since Your Highness has come in person, I suppose we have no choice but to cooperate."

Lucas smiled at the merchant's reaction and added.

Lucas: "I didn't just come for information. If the safety of Altechna is at stake, I can resolve the issue myself. So it would be best if you told me what you know."

The merchants, seemingly impressed by Lucas's firm attitude, began to leak a little information. They confessed that the Noktus's deals weren't made here in the black market, but actually took place in a much deeper, more hidden location.

Ria quietly approached and analyzed the clues the merchants had leaked from beside Lucas.

Ria: "The place they're talking about isn't around here. The real location where the Noktus deals happen is further in."

Rian's eyes sparkled as he confirmed the information Lucas had obtained.

Rian: "Alright, this is exactly what we were looking for. Let's go find the real deal site."

Lucas looked at his team members and made a decision.

Lucas: "For now, let's pretend to retreat from here and then find the place where the real deal is. If we follow their movements, we'll find out more."

Brunok grinned.

Brunok: "I never knew you were so good at using your title as a prince. Now I'm starting to trust your judgment."

Lucas nodded at Brunok's encouragement.

Lucas: "We need more information, so let's move calmly. So they don't suspect anything."

The team pretended to retreat and left the black market, but they immediately began to move stealthily toward the actual site of the deal. After a pursuit, they discovered the secret location where the transaction was taking place. Rian pointed to it and whispered.

Rian: "Found it. That's the place. It's exactly where we were looking for."

Lucas watched the deal site and whispered.

Lucas: "Now let's approach quietly and figure out exactly what they're up to."

Brunok smiled.

Brunok: "Let's give them a good look-see."

Lucas watched the deal site with Rian, Ria, and Brunok, preparing to uncover the Noktus's real plan. At this moment, they had reached a critical juncture that went beyond simple information gathering, one that would reveal the true nature of the Noktus.

Lucas had now changed more than just his clothes; he was undergoing a true transformation. He resolved to become a true guardian alongside Rian, Ria, and Brunok, to protect both Altechna and Elysium.

*****

Episode : The Noktus's Suspicious Deal

Rian's party hid carefully at the deal site, watching the situation unfold. In the shadows of a dark alley, they observed the meeting between Altechna's weapon merchants and figures presumed to be from the Noktus. Rian clenched his fists and whispered.

Rian: "Look at that, they're definitely up to something! Let's jump them, right now!"

Brunok let out a rough breath, agreeing with Rian.

Brunok: "Yeah, Rian's right. Let's go grab those bastards right now."

However, Ria calmly stopped them, stepping in to mediate.

Ria: "No, it's too risky to go in now. We need to watch a bit longer, until we know exactly what they're planning. Getting more information is what's important right now."

Rian and Brunok looked dissatisfied, but they followed Ria's judgment and agreed to hide a little longer. Lucas decided to go along with Ria's opinion, but he was reluctant to hide in such a shabby, dusty place. Accustomed to the luxurious life of the palace, he found the environment uncomfortable, but he made a firm decision and hid quietly.

Lucas: "This place is a real mess... Even hiding here is a pain. But we have a job to do, so I guess I'll have to bear it."

Ria placed a hand on his shoulder and spoke softly.

Ria: "You're doing great, Lucas. Just hold on a little longer."

In front of them, the weapon merchants and the figures who looked to be Noktus began to take something out of a cart. The merchants carefully opened a heavy box, and inside was an assortment of sparkling metal pieces, large gears, and clear crystals. The Noktus figure looked at the contents with interest, then took a hammer from his pocket and picked up one of the metal pieces.

Without even examining it, he struck it casually with the hammer.

Clang.

A clear, sharp metallic sound rang out, revealing that the object was no ordinary metal. The Noktus figure then took out crystal fragments and gears from the box and began to assemble them onto the metal piece. Rian gritted his teeth and muttered under his breath.

Rian: "What is that? It's not like they're making a weapon... This doesn't seem like a simple deal."

Ria narrowed her eyes, watching their movements carefully.

Ria: "The Noktus aren't just collecting metal. They're combining metal, crystals, and gears. I think this has some kind of mechanical purpose."

Lucas listened to Ria's words and steeled his resolve. The feeling that they were plotting something more complex than a simple arms deal grew stronger. He focused on the situation at hand, not taking his eyes off them for a second.

Lucas: "We need to dig deeper. I have to find out what they're trying to build."

Brunok snorted and leaned toward Rian.

Brunok: "Seeing as they're gathering up gears and all, looks like they're trying to build some kind of machine. We can't just let that happen, can we?"

Rian clenched his fists and managed to rein in his emotions.

Rian: "Yeah, it feels like they're planning something big. Let's just watch a little longer for now."

Lucas listened to Ria and steeled himself. Convinced that they were engaged in a dangerous plan that went beyond a simple transaction, he prepared to continue watching.

But in that moment, a rat and a cat suddenly appeared where Lucas was hiding. As the dirty rat scurried past his feet, Lucas instinctively recoiled, his face scrunching up.

Lucas: "Ugh, seriously... a rat?!"

His voice echoed a little too loudly, and even the cat was startled and leaped into the air. Lucas was flustered and tried to cover his mouth, but it was too late. The loud noise made the weapon merchants and the Noktus figures turn their gaze toward Lucas's direction.

Weapon Merchant: "Who's there?! Whoever's hiding, come on out!"

Rian shot a look at Lucas and whispered in a low voice.

Rian: "Ah, damn it... We're busted. This is bad!"

Brunok clenched his fists and ground his teeth.

Brunok: "Can't be helped. Guess it's not the time for hiding anymore."

Ria calmly assessed the situation and made a quick decision.

Ria: "If we've already been discovered, we should be proactive rather than run. Ready?"

Rian nodded and quickly drew his weapon.

Rian: "Alright, if we're busted anyway, let's do this!"

Lucas also gripped his weapon, preparing himself. He accepted that he had accidentally revealed their position, and now he had to find a way to resolve the situation.

Lucas: "My fault. But we can't back down now. Whatever they're doing, we have to stop it."

Rian, Ria, Brunok, and Lucas charged out toward the deal site where the weapon merchants and Noktus figures were. They could no longer just watch. It was time to fight directly. Lucas cast aside his princely dignity and moved forward, showing the face of a true warrior.

Now, Rian's party was set to fight to thwart the Noktus's plot and protect both Altechna and Elysium.

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