"Please make sure to visit my estate later!"
Isabel, expressing her regret at having to leave due to other obligations, departed while exuding a clear sense of disappointment. Watching her leave, Joy stared blankly at her desperate expression, then sighed and swept her hand down her face.
"What could have possibly happened between Lady Allen and the Countess of Artea, known as the Iron-Blooded Merchant, to make her act so servile?"
Unable to bring myself to answer her question, I simply started walking. I had no confidence in explaining that the head of the Artea family was someone consumed by her devotion to the divine.
Realizing I had no intention of responding, Joy stopped pressing for an answer and instead scanned the surroundings.
"There are a lot of intimidating people here."
"Well, this is an island of adventurers. It's bound to feel different from other territories."
Arthur's explanation was accurate. The archipelago, filled with reefs and impossible to reach without knowing the route, technically had a ruler but was practically ungoverned.
Simply put, there was nothing to gain from managing it, so no one wanted to take responsibility for it.
Farming was difficult, and while the dungeons scattered across the islands were unique, the resources obtained from them could be found in other dungeons as well.
Everyone judged that the cost of managing all 14 islands and their dungeons outweighed the benefits, so while the archipelago technically belonged to the kingdom, no noble cared to oversee it.
So who manages the inhabited islands? That responsibility falls to the Adventurer's Guild.
The 14 dungeons, each with moderate difficulty and unique characteristics, became a popular training ground for adventurers. Attracted to the potential, the Adventurer's Guild proposed to the kingdom that they would take over management of the islands and pay taxes.
The kingdom, having struggled to find anyone willing to take charge, gladly accepted the offer. Thus, the islands became known as the "Islands of Adventurers."
"Thanks to that, this place became a must-visit location for anyone pursuing an adventurer's lifestyle."
Even after giving this basic information about the islands, Arthur continued explaining their peculiarities—such as the nature of the archipelago and the characteristics of its dungeons. Some of his information was slightly off, but I refrained from correcting him. I didn’t want to ruin his enthusiasm.
Had he always been interested in the archipelago, or had my mention of a test sparked his determination to research? Either way, it was commendable. Students with ambition are much more rewarding to teach.
"But, Third Prince, why are they all so weak?"
Frey, who had been quietly listening to Arthur, posed an innocent yet sensitive question in a tone devoid of malice. His voice, a bit louder than necessary, caused several nearby adventurers to flinch.
"Frey, seriously..."
"What? It's true, isn't it? This place is filled with people who don't even know proper combat techniques."
Frey wasn’t wrong. The adventurers here weren't particularly skilled.
As I mentioned earlier, life here is harsh, and there’s little to gain. The ones who stay are the self-proclaimed adventurers—braggarts strutting around with puffed-up chests.
True experts prefer tackling major dungeons on the continent or joining mercenary groups to prove their skills.
Still, there was no need to provoke the adventurers. We’d be staying here for at least a week, and it would be best to avoid unnecessary conflicts. Observing the tense stares directed at us, thanks to the knights guarding us, I noticed Frey about to voice his disdain again and quickly jabbed him in the side.
"I don’t think someone who loses to me all the time has any room to talk, hmm?♡"
"...I’m not weak. I’m just... a clumsy swordsman."
"Sure, sure. A clumsy swordsman.♡"
"I said I’m not weak!"
"Yes, you are. Clumsy swordsman,♡ right?"
"Stop calling me that! I’m not clumsy!"
Caught in his own contradiction, Frey floundered, and I led him toward the lodgings. After unpacking, we’d head straight for the dungeon.
"I heard there are procedures to complete before entering a dungeon?"
"I already took care of that," I replied.
"Of course, I’ve prepared everything. Don’t assume I’m as clueless as the pitiable prince who rots away in the royal palace. It’s insulting."
Most of the formalities were already handled. Having a group of nobles, even minor ones, show up at an adventurer’s guild would undoubtedly cause chaos. To avoid such a scene, I had asked Karia to take care of the procedures in advance, allowing us to focus solely on clearing the dungeons.
"So, Lady Allen, are we heading to the dungeon right away?"
"Yes. Didn’t you get plenty of rest on the ship?"
"You slept all day on the ship, and now you want to rest again? Keep this up, and you’ll turn into a lazy pig."
"That won’t happen!"
As we exited the lodgings arranged by Newman, I noticed an additional figure accompanying the knights assigned to protect us.
A stoic-looking man, he was listening to the knights discuss something when he spotted us and bowed respectfully.
"Greetings, esteemed guests. I am Benver of Rias, your guide for this island. Please, feel free to call me Benver."
To anyone else, he might have seemed like a nobleman, but I recognized who he really was. The man introducing himself as Benver was Karia in disguise.
Her appearance, voice, demeanor—everything about her was different. However, the lingering aura of a fallen god within her revealed her true identity.
So Benedict allowed this journey easily because he knew Karia would be with us. Clever.
"Let’s move quickly. If we’re to clear two dungeons today, we can’t afford to waste time."
Following Karia’s lead, we arrived at the first dungeon, located near the coast. Unlike other dungeons, this one offered decent loot, attracting many adventurers.
Medium-sized dungeons limit the number of entrants, so adventurers usually wait their turn at the entrance. Fortunately, we didn’t have to wait—Karia had already secured our place.
"Jumping straight into dungeon clearing? No break?"
"I love it. Let’s keep this up forever."
"You're the only one who enjoys this, Frey Kent."
Ignoring their bickering, I led the group into the dungeon. As soon as we entered, my friends turned their gazes to me, expecting guidance.
But instead of stepping in, I looked at Arthur.
"Pitiable prince, you’ve memorized the perfect guide I wrote for you, haven’t you?♡ Surely you’re not bluffing about your confidence, right?♡"
Arthur frowned. "Why are you asking that now?"
"Could it be that you haven’t memorized it?♡ How predictable. You’re so pitiable,♡ Your Highness.♡"
"Of course I memorized it. I’m just wondering why you’re bringing it up now."
"Take a guess,♡ Your Highness. I’m sure a pitiable prince like you can figure it out.♡"
"...Are you telling me to lead the dungeon clearing?"
Smirking, I nodded.
"If you fail to clear it within four hours, there’s a very~ special punishment waiting for you.♡ Or, if you prefer punishment, you can slack off.♡"
Arthur’s face turned bright red as I continued teasing him.
"Fine. I’ll do it. But if I succeed, I get to mark your forehead."
"Oh my, how perverse.♡ Wanting to leave a mark on my pristine forehead? How disgusting.♡"
"...Tch."
In response to his irritated click of the tongue, I smiled and readied my mace and shield. Time to play NPC and follow Arthur’s lead.
Joy was well aware of Arthur’s abilities. She had followed his lead several times in dungeon clearing before.
Though his skills seemed overshadowed by the overwhelming presence of Lucy, Arthur’s calmness and maturity were exceptional for his age.
"Lucy, hold the front line but don’t engage directly."
"Sending a cute and fragile girl to the front line—how cruel of you."
"...Frey, handle the two approaching from behind."
"On it."
"And make sure to come back. Don’t go off on your own."
"...Tch."
But the level of skill Arthur was displaying now went far beyond merely being exceptional for his age.
This content is taken from fгeewebnovёl.com.
His leadership abilities had grown immensely since the last exams—remarkably so. Despite this being his first time entering this dungeon, he navigated the paths, dealt with monsters, countered traps, and even strategized against the mid-level boss with expertise that rivaled seasoned knights.
I remember him saying he’d study dungeon strategy from Lady Allen. But it’s been only a couple of months since then, and I doubt he had much time to study. How could he have improved so quickly?
Is the Third Prince’s talent extraordinary? Or is the book Lady Allen gave him just that amazing?
"Joy, don’t just stand there. Prepare your magic."
"It’s already ready."
Snapping out of her thoughts, Joy activated nine magic circles she had prepped earlier. Arrows of ice shot out from the circles, piercing through the gaps in the monsters’ armor.
Soon, frost began forming inside the armor, and the monsters shattered like brittle glass, scattering across the floor.
It was a remarkably efficient and practical use of magic. Arthur, initially surprised by the results, broke into a cold sweat at the display, while Joy remained unfazed.
"Clumsy noble lady, your magic’s gotten more ferocious. Did losing to me annoy you that much?"
"Not at all. After sparring repeatedly, I just realized there’s no need for flashy magic and decided to adjust my approach."
Arthur shot Joy a weary look. "She may have inherited the blood of the Partland family, but her magical talent is beyond exceptional. Maybe Joy, not Jeff Partland, will inherit the family title."
"Ahh?!"
Arthur’s admiration abruptly vanished as Joy slipped on her own ice and tumbled to the ground.
"Pfft... Hahaha! The clumsy noble lady lives up to her name!"
"Stop laughing and help me up already! Quickly!"
Never mind. If Joy were to inherit Partland, who knows what disasters would ensue.
As Joy’s face flushed bright red with embarrassment, Arthur let out a long sigh. Meanwhile, Frey returned, catching Arthur’s attention.
The number of presences behind them had been significant, yet Frey had dealt with all of them in the time it took for Joy’s spell to finish.
"They were weak. Not fun at all."
"...I see. That’s... unfortunate."
If things continue at this pace, I might actually win this reckless bet I agreed to on a whim.
Facing talents as monstrous as these, Arthur clenched his fists and wracked his brain incessantly—to avoid whatever punishment Lucy Allen had in store for him.