"Okay, that's enough."
Hulim dispelled the magic.
Alicia stood up and stretched her body. The injuries she suffered in the battle had recovered.
Then she bowed to Hulim with all sincerity.
"Thanks again, Hulim!"
"You're welcome. I told you it's a piece of cake. Now that Alicia has almost recovered, let's return to the surface."
Alicia nodded gently, "Okay..."
Hulim put the spoils into his backpack and walked directly towards the ground.
"That... Hulim."
Hulim stopped and looked back at Alicia.
"What's wrong, Alicia, do you have anything else to do?"
Alicia's expression was a little conflicted, as if she was hesitating about something.
After hesitating for a while, she finally made up her mind.
"Well, Hulim, I have a request. I wonder if you can agree to it?"
"An unwelcome request?"
Hulim was a little confused.
"What kind?"
"Um... Could you please join me in the dungeon from now on?"
Alicia spoke loudly in a very earnest tone, even lowering her head.
"...Alicia, you mean, you want to team up with me?"
Alicia raised her head.
"That's about it... Could you please..."
"Hmm..."
Besides, I can understand the idea of finding someone to form a team. After all, the knights are not suitable to be teammates, but——
"Why, Alicia, do you have to go to such lengths?"
She is a princess of high status, so why is she fighting so hard?
“… …”
Alicia's expression visibly darkened.
"... ...That's because I have reasons to work hard."
"Hulim, you should have heard about the dispute over the imperial succession?"
Hulim nodded.
Not only have I heard about it, I have also been affected by it.
"Since the founding of the royal family, the tradition of honoring the capable has been established. Every generation of princes and princesses are tested for talent after birth using an ancient magic tool unique to the royal family. If the test shows insufficient talent, no matter how legitimate their status, they are ineligible for inheritance.
On the other hand, if a superior talent is detected, even an illegitimate child can have the right to inherit the throne!"
"Often, there's one person with the highest talent, making the inheritance undisputed. But this generation is different..."
Alicia seemed to recall something unbearable, her expression became even more depressed, with a hint of resentment.
Hulim had heard about the current generation of the Seriones royal family. It was said that this generation had several princes and princesses with high talents, but they were almost equally talented! This resulted in these princes and princesses having equal rights of succession. Anyone could have been first in line to the throne and become the next emperor of the empire.
This also became the fuse of political disputes.
"...My mother is just a commoner. Although she comes from a wealthy merchant family, she has no foundation compared to the Empress and the other imperial concubines. Sometimes, I have thought more than once that it would be better if I didn't have such a talent. Then my mother and I wouldn't have to be involved in disputes and could live a peaceful and stable life."
“… …”
"...Unfortunately, that's just wishful thinking. Even if Father favors Mother and wants to protect us, it will only bring more hatred. And even if I want to give up my fight for the throne, others won't let me go. After Mother was assassinated, I realized one thing."
"If I want to truly protect my mother, then I have no choice but to stand up and fight them! Therefore, I need to become stronger! Only by showing potential that surpasses others can I get the first place in the succession! So--"
"Please, Hulim, please agree to my willful request."
Alicia lowered her head and pleaded with Hulim in an unprecedented serious manner.
Seeing Alicia like this, Hulim became conflicted.
Forming a team? Although this is also included in the academy graduation assessment, it is usually something that Manakos starts to consider in his third year, so it is a bit early now.
What would Semiris do...
"... ...well."
Hulim sighed.
Semiris probably wouldn't be bothered.
"Then you better be prepared. I won't stop to wait for you. If you want to catch up, you need to quickly reach C-rank."
"Really?!"
Alicia raised her head and looked at Hulim with joy.
"Don't worry, Hulim. I won't hold you back. If that happens to me, feel free to leave me behind."
No... ...after all, it's too much to just abandon someone.
Hulim complained silently in her heart.
Then he turned around.
"Let's go back today. I'll tell you when we can enter the dungeon next time."
"good!"
Alicia nodded and followed Hulim towards the exit on the ground.
"Hulim, what are these materials for? I just saw you collecting them."
"They're of no use to me, but the Adventurer's Guild will pay to recycle them."
"Huh? Really? Adventurers are so convenient!"
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