Siegfried stood beside Aedan's bed, arms crossed, his eyes fixed on the court physician, Darius Melverton, who was inspecting the prince. His hands moved over Aedan's body with a practiced but shaking touch. Despite his outward composure, Darius could feel Siegfried's intense gaze on him, and the pressure was building. He couldn't afford to appear incompetent, not now—not when the prince's life was at stake.

"What's his condition?" Siegfried's tone was direct, commanding. His patience was clearly running thin.

Darius wiped the sweat from his brow but maintained his professional mask. "His condition appears to be Mana Reflux, a very rare and extremely dangerous illness," he began with calculated care. "This is when the flow of mana inside the body reverses, probably as a result of an ill-advised attempt at self-meditation in order to strengthen his already oppressive constitution."

Siegfried frowned, his expression darkening. "Meditation? You're saying this was self-inflicted?"

Darius fidgeted nervously, but his voice remained even. "Yes, Lord Siegfried. The fragile health of the prince was not fitted to such an intensive method, considering his level of inexperience." His eyes darted toward Aedan and fluttered with anxiety. "If he had been more skilled this could have perhaps been avoided. but we must focus on the treatment now."

Siegfried's gaze remained unwavering. "And how do we treat this?" he asked, the question lingering in the air, heavy with anticipation.

Darius swallowed, his weight seemingly coming upon him with the moment. "The only known cure," he said with measured slowness, "comes from the sap of the Lucid Wraith Bloom, a flower that grows solely in the dark recesses of the Black Hollow Dungeon." He paused as if choosing his words very deliberately. "Without the flower, I. fear the Fourth Prince's chances are grim."

And, of course, nothing was said about his incompetence. Darius would never acknowledge publicly that he didn't know what to do with such a condition. He presented everything as if the passiveness were not his but was the result of objective circumstances.

With a firm clenching of the jaw, Siegfried vowed, "The Black Hollow Dungeon lay just behind the palace, right under the noses of the king's forces, shrouded in betrayal. An uncharted and unexplored maze of a dungeon, filled with precious resources, to make any deep foray into which was deemed an undertaking daunting even by seasoned adventurers. Few knew its secrets, and fewer still had returned from its deepest shadows.

"We shall organize an expedition," Siegfried said, his voice firm. "I shall speak to the king."

Hours slipped away, and the palace gradually sank into the tranquil stillness of the late evening. When the expedition was finally organized and ready to set off, the sun had long disappeared beyond the horizon. After presenting his report to the king, Siegfried received the royal decree that granted him permission to enter the dungeon. There was no time to lose. Each passing minute was vital, as Aedan's life teetered on the edge of uncertainty.

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Sigurd had a picked company of the most excellent men in the realm prepared for service.

Foremost, Siegfried pushed the plan with determination. Darius was stationed outside Aedan's room, wherein he was ordered to keep apprised of the prince's condition. A few guards had been placed with him, with the one order from the king to let nobody into the chamber unless there was a very great emergency. The orders of the king were: the Fourth Prince's room was to be locked tight, access given only to the physician.

It was the perfect moment for Aedan.

Within the prince's chamber, Aedan slowly opened his eyes. Though his body still throbbed with pain, he was far from incapacitated. Everything had unfolded as intended—Darius had been deceived by the ruse, and now the expedition into the dungeon was set in motion. Thus, the second phase of his plan could commence.

The room was quiet, except for the soft crackling of a hearth somewhere. Aedan moved as noiselessly as possible, slipping out of bed and onto the window. Though his fragile frame shook at every step in climbing, his mind was focused and steady.

He slipped out the window, landing lightly in the palace gardens below. The night air was chill, and the grounds were lit only by scattered torches carried by patrolling guards. Getting around them was more tricky in his current form, but it certainly wasn't impossible. He glided silently, threading his way through shadows with the surety of one who had had many years of practice.

Once inside the armoury, he had spared no time in finding the lightest armor available. His body was too weak to support something that was too heavy, so he chose a set of leather armor-carefully choosing one that was loose enough for him not to have any hindrance in his movements. Then he placed a mask over his face and wrapped himself with a dark cloak.

As he finished getting ready, the door to the armory creaked open; Aedan stiffened.

Two soldiers strode in, the silence breaking for their chatter. "What are you doing in here?" one asked, eyeing Aedan warily.

Aedan kept his face hidden, speaking only briefly. "I'm part of the expedition."

The soldiers exchanged knowing glances. "If you don't hurry up, they're going to leave you behind," one warned. A casual glance at their stats panels was all Aedan needed to see:

[Name: Rhett]

[Age: 29]

[Level: 32]

Strength: B

[Magic: C]

Leadership: C

Loyalty: A

[Name: Jorin]

[Age: 31]

[Level: 35]

Strength: A

[Magic: D]

Loyalty: A

Literature: C

Authorities, Aedan understood, and in this form he knew he wouldn't have a chance if it came to defending himself. Now, though, he nodded and followed at a safe distance.

As they walked away, Aedan overheard the soldiers grumbling to themselves.

"I still can't believe we're risking our necks for the Fourth Prince," Rhett grumbled. "He's scarcely worth the bother."

Jorin snorted. "Because he is a prince does not mean he is not a liability. I'd rather not die in that dungeon on account of him."

Aedan clenched his fists in his cloak, saying nothing. Let them bray, he thought. They would know soon enough how wrong they had been.

The group walked to the entrance of the dungeon, where the rest of the expedition team was waiting for them. Before them stood the Black Hollow Dungeon, with its misty and shadowy entrance. They once again gathered into a party, their faces set in grim determination as they steeled themselves to venture into the unknown.

Aedan remained behind, his gaze fixed on the ominous entrance lying before them. His plan was already working. This dungeon held the key to his survival-and breaking the fate this world had in store for him.