Straf and Cycelia enter the vast, empty and silent palace interior, completely dripping with opulent wealth. Renaissance or baroque decoration styles seamlessly blend together, creating a sense of time period that is very indescript.

「Huh. At least it's a cut above the generic fantasy city. Which way to the throne room?」

Straf takes a look around, peeking at the various Rococo-like furniture, walls, ceilings…

「The throne room? Won't be be hiding?-」

Cycelia looks at Straf with a concerned face as she asks, and he quickly cuts in.

「Nope. Why would he be hiding? I'll be mad if he ruins the cliche by hiding in a closet, or something. Imagine, he just drops dead out of one after I give it a stab. Wouldn't that suck?」

Somewhat nonplussed, Straf stares at Cycelia with narrowed lips and fists on his hips.

「Well… At least it'd be over… The throne room is on the other side of the palace, on the third floor. Follow me.」

Cycelia meekly says, and starts walking deeper into the palace while fiddling with her medallion.

「Third floor? No wonder there's no access ramps anywhere.」

Straf scoffs, and follows Cycelia with his hands in his pockets. Cycelia nervously peeks at each corner before crossing into them.

「…Nobody? Not even the maids?…」

Cycelia mumbles under her breath, as she crosses the corner into the empty hallway.

「What are you so antsy about, Lia?」

Straf asks with his fists on his hips, completely unconcerned by anything as he follows her around with a complete lack of any stealth or finesse.

「Straf! Ssh! Isn't it weird? We haven't seen a single guard, or even a maid…」

Cycelia hushes Straf as he speaks in a voice that echoes across the halls very easily, then nervously looks over her shoulder.

「Maybe the guards are taking a break.」

「In the entire palace? What about the maids?」

Cycelia shakes her head in disbelief at Straf's statement.

「Maybe they're guarding the kitchen.」

Straf shrugs, with his mouth at a slant.

「What? Why would the guards-」

「I meant the maids.」

Straf replies, staring into Cycelia's confused, emerald eyes.

「…Nevermind. Let's just continue, and hope we don't run into anyone.」

She shakes her head and turns back to where they were heading. They continue onward, walking through the ornate halls. They pass multiple dark, oaken doors and finally reach stairs upwards.

「I can't lie, this does add to the suspense, but is this really the best idea if you want to listen to your subjects' problems? Like how their neighbor cursed their cow- Actually, I understand why it's on the third floor now.」

As they climb the stairs, Straf scoffs, amused by his realization. The palace still remains eerily silent, with only their footsteps audible. They arrive to the second floor, and pass by highly ornate and expensive-looking vases on a pedestal, here and there near the walls. They turn a corner, a massive painting spanning the entire height of the wall catches Straf's attention.

「Huh. Nice painting, and I'm not being sarcastic.」

Straf's brows rise as his bored eyes look over the painting of a red dragon on a gloomy, dark brown background. It's soaring through the dark sky in a stylized pose, though it appears to be entering a dive, with its wings spread across the entire width of the piece and looking downward.

Cycelia's worried eyes soften a little, and she smiles gently as she walks up to Straf. A golden plaque below the painting reads 「Redwing」.

「You think? It's my ancestor. He said we all should have a portrait painted, since humans are so short lived… It's a little ironic, since he said that not too long before he died in battle.」

She says and glances at Straf, before looking at the dragon painting. The drab colors, faint orange-reddish hue and blobby shapes impart a very ominous feeling on the viewer.

「And you keep the tradition going ever since, huh? Who's this guy?」

Straf keeps going down the hallway, taking a quick look at the rather mundane portrait of a man with chestnut hair standing in a dignified pose, with his hand resting on the stairs railing.

「That's another of my ancestors, it's Redwing's son-」

Cycelia tries to explain, but Straf keeps going.

「What about this guy?」

Straf cuts Cycelia's explanation short, as he looks at another portrait of another man, standing in a similar old and tired pose with his hand on a piece of furniture, and his hand on his hip. A long, purple cloak trimmed with white fur adorns him.

「That's his grandson, and-」

「Who's this old guy?」

Straf stops, looking at the portrait of an old man with short-cut white hair. He sits upon a throne, elevated on a few steps, dressed in a purple cloak trimmed with white fur.

Smiling kindly at the viewer, the man holds a sword, 『Royal Blueblood Blade』in his lap, the blade of which rests on his knee and is angled downward to better present it to the presumed painter. On top of his white, aged head, there rests a golden crown, encrusted with colorful precious jewels.

「That's my grandfather. It's his most recent portrait, before he passed away…」

Staring intently at her ancestor, Cycelia's expression becomes visibly more sullen.

「Cool hand.」

Straf quips looking at the man's lizard-like, clawed hand covered in red scales, very strongly resembling one of the dragon's limbs from the portrait before.

「Isn't it? He was the last one that could transform to that degree. My father and I couldn't do it… He was a good ruler, and a good grandfather, too. I miss him… I miss everyone…」

She glances at Straf with a faint smile, though there is pain hidden in her eyes. Her eyes return to the painting, and she lets out a sigh as she finishes speaking, playing with her medallion again.

「And this is your father? Since we're going chronological, I assume there was no weird business in your family. I hope.」

Straf walks over to the next painting, another man with chestnut hair stands proudly looking at the viewer with subtle disdain and conceit in his green eyes, holding a scepter in his hand. A golden crown rests on his head, and a purple cloak hangs off his back.

「Yes, it is.」

Cycelia nods, keeping close to Straf. He walks to the next painting. Cycelia attempts to keep her eyes averted from the piece at first.

「And this?」

Facing the painting with his fists on his hips, Straf peeks at Cycelia, before looking over the art piece on the wall. A young boy, no older than 6 years old, is hugging a thick tome close to his chest. He looks at the viewer with huge emerald eyes, the size of which is only outmatched by the gigantic circular glasses on his relatively tiny nose.

The boy smiles awkwardly at the viewer, though it's clear it's a forced smile for the painter. A golden plaque reads 「Otto Redwing」, with numbers and a letter below it, 「3E 11」.

「That's… That's my brother I told you about, Otto. He was a really bright boy. Albus always joked Otto will read through the library, then write his own books to read out of boredom.」

Cycelia manages to muster some courage to look her brother in his bespectacled eyes, smiling briefly as she talks about him. Her smile slowly turns into a frown as she speaks.

「I'd check onto him to see if he's sleeping, and he'd always have his nose stuck in a book. He was always carrying around something to read, or casting spells in the courtyard.」

「Makes you wonder if he wasn't some guy who wasted his entire life and reincarnated into a little boy, huh?」

Straf peeks at Cycelia with a sardonic smirk. She chuckles lightly, a mild smile returns to her face, but quickly fades away.

「Hehe… He really was way too mature for his age… It feels odd, speaking about my brother like he's in the past…」

Cycelia looks away from the portrait down onto the ground, blinking rapidly.

「No portrait of the queen?」

Straf asks, looking at the empty space on the wall remaining on the hallway, enough to last a few generations at least. His face returns to Cycelia, with a smug smirk.

「No… My father was going to commission one for me after I'd graduate the Academy of Magic, but… You know how it went.」

A brief smile returns to Cycelia's face, and disappears as quickly as it came.

「Well, let's go get you the crown for the portrait, before the guards show up.」

「Just one more floor…」

Cycelia nods, and continues down the hallway with a nervous expression, clutching onto her medallion…

…

「Greaves, shouldn't we follow them in?」

Will asks, adjusting his glasses as he stares at the palace gate, guards nowhere to be seen.

「Not yet. Will, you're the last guy I'd expect to be impatient!」

Greaves says in a raised voice, paradoxically trying to be quiet. Alicia and Lian behind them warily eye the streets for any guards.

「I'm not impatient. I'm concerned. Are you not? What if they ran into guards on the way?」

「Then… Shut up, Will!」

Will looks at Greaves with a serious face, and he crosses his arms, grimacing heavily. Greaves barks a demand at Will, and Will only lets out a worried sigh as his eyes return to the palace gates.

「…Fine! Let's go! I bet his plan sucks, anyway!」

Enjoying this book? Seek out the original to ensure the author gets credit.

After a moment of tapping his foot on the ground with his arms crossed, Greaves throws his arms up and storms off in a hasty step towards the palace. Will adjusts his glasses, and follows silently.

「Ahh… All that waiting, and we're going in against the plan anyway?」

Lian sighs and shakes her head, following Greaves and Will ahead of her with Alicia. Will stops and looks over his shoulder up into Lian's dark eyes.

「If you have a bad feeling about this, you should stay outside…」

Will says with a determined look, and adjusts his glasses with a shaky hand.

「…We might not come out, after all. You too, Alicia.」

He glances at Alicia, and turns to face the palace.

「But I can't leave you two alone, what if you get hurt?」

「That's just how it is sometimes, we have some potions, so…」

Alicia hugs her wand closer, looking at Will with concern in her eyes. Lian scoffs.

「Will, you would be more convincing if you weren't shaking.」

Lian says as she walks past him, smirking smugly at him. The shaft of her spear clanks on the cobblestones every few steps.

「Are you coming already!? Hurry up!」

Greaves shouts, and waves his arm for his party to catch up…

…

Straf and Cycelia walk the stairs up to the third floor. An ominous presence fills the entire floor, the plate armor on stands looks almost like honor guard awaiting Cycelia's return, for better or worse. Straf nonchalantly strolls down a T-split in the hallway with his hands in his pockets.

「Which way from here?」

He turns around, waiting for Cycelia to guide him.

「To the left… I can't believe this is really happening… Are you sure you can do this, Straf? We can still back out and try later, one day-」

Cycelia takes a turn, looking down at the ground. She peeks up at the armor stands, clutching onto her medallion. What was once just a curious decoration she passed by many times, is now a threatening specter, silently watching her.

「Of course I can do this, but I'm not doing this. Carrothead is, remember?」

Straf shrugs, walking alongside Cycelia, momentarily glancing at her.

「Yes, but… I'm worried, Straf. To be honest, I'm kind of terrified. I've wanted to run ever since we got to the first floor, but the that fact you're not afraid kept me from it. I should be glad I'm about to end his tyranny, but I've been shaking the whole time.」

Cycelia looks down in shame, dispirited and docile like a beaten dog.

「Why would I be afraid of an old geezer who's going to die by a humanoid carrot with no indoor voice? Why would you? They're going to take turns whacking each other until he drops dead. That's embarrassing, I can't wait to watch.」

Straf scoffs, smirking at Cycelia. His indestructible confidence returns a faint, anxious smile to Cycelia's face…

…

Thud!

「…Here!」

Greaves shouts as he kicks open a door to an empty lounge room. He peeks in and looks around, then backs away looking somewhat perplexed.

「Okay, maybe not…」

「Greaves! Stop kicking the doors already! This is the 5th time you've been wrong! We've been here for one minute!」

Will shouts at Greaves, both making a terrible ruckus in the palace. Alicia sighs.

「Well what am I supposed to do then!? He's hiding here somewhere!」

Greaves shouts back, throwing his arms up. He points his hand at the vast hallways, and the large amount of doors.

「He's not going to be hiding by the entrance! Use your empty head!」

Will shouts even louder, tapping his forehead with his fingers. Lian walks up with a slightly amused, yet troubled expression.

「I hate to say it, but Greaves is right. We don't know where he is, and he could be anywhere. Maybe we should split up?」

Lian suggests, tilting her head at Will.

「Split!? But then we'll be in even bigger danger-!」

Will's eyes widen, and his clenched teeth are partially visible as he cringes due to Lian's suggestion.

「I will keep Will safe, and you keep Alicia safe. I'll take the upper floors first with Will, and you comb through the lower ones. How about it?」

Lian glances at Will for a second, before turning her almond-shaped eyes to Greaves with a sly smile on her face.

「…Alright! But if you find him, call that out! Let's go, Alicia!」

「Eh!?」

Greaves thinks for just a second, then nods his head with a jiggle of his hair. He grabs Alicia by the hand, and runs off with her down another hallway.

「…I don't think you will hear us, though. Come, Will.」

Lian says quietly as Greaves disappears behind a corner. She turns her head towards Will, and nods her head at the stairs. They run upwards to the fourth floor, opening doors and peeking inside as they go.

「So… What were you up to in your room, Will?」

「Nothing.」

Clack. Crrrrrreak.

Lian opens another door to an empty room, peeking in and seeing that it's empty, she leaves.

「Really? You were doing nothing on the floor? That's not what I heard from Greaves.」

Lian knowingly smirks at Will as he looks up at her with a tight-lipped grimace.

「I really wasn't doing anything.」

Will insists, looking away from Lian as he clutches onto his staff.

「My, Will… I understand boys your age need some relief, but the floorboards?…」

Clack. Creeeeeaaaaaak.

Lian smugly grins at Will before opening another door, peeking in, and leaving.

「I wasn't h- It's not like that! It's Greaves's deranged imagination!」

Clack. Crrrrreak.

Will opens another door, after desperately explaining himself.

「Really? So what were you doing on the floor, nothing?」

「It… Might as well have been nothing…」

Will mumbles as he looks away again, pouting.

「What was it, then?」

With her brows raised and an amused smirk, Lian keeps prodding for answers.

「…I was just training.」

「Training? On the floor?」

「I was just doing push-ups, because I'm weak and pathetic and I hate it. I wish I had half the strength of that dumbass.」

Will tells Lian exactly what he was doing, and a brief silence falls between them, interrupted only by an occasional creak from a rusty hinge.

「…Keep at it, maybe you'll become a strong man one day.」

Lian says, looking at Will with a smug, albeit warm smile.

「Yeah, right…」

Will's ears redden a little, and he looks aside again, they continue searching the floor fruitlessly…

…

Thud!

「Ahh!」 「Don't kill us!」

「…Must be here! Tsk.」

Greaves walks into the storage room full of hanging herbs and jars of spices, and he finds a band of maids huddled together, yelping in fear as soon as he enters. They stare at his sword with terrified eyes, and hug each other closer. An older maid jumps in front of him and blocks him from the rest of the women with her arms spread apart.

「Wait! The girls are innocent! They just cook and clean!」

The old maid exclaims as she blocks Greaves's path.

「What?」

Greaves asks, baffled with his eye narrowed.

「You're not a rioter?」

Seeing the young man's confusion, the maid becomes perplexed herself.

「…What?」

Greaves asks again shaking his head a little, now completely confounded with his brows furrowed and eyes narrowed.

「…Are you not here to kill the king?」

The maid asks, slowly lowering her arms as she blinks in confusion.

「Well, I am, but-」

Greaves tries to answer, but the sound of the maid's uniform flapping as she quickly lifts her arms up to block him again interrupts him.

「Don't kill the girls! They have nothing to do with the king! They've been working here since the old one-!」

「Why would I want to kill the stupid maids!? I am looking for the king!」

Greaves asks with a shout, pointing his hand at the white-black clump of scared women past the old maid.

「…So you really just want to get rid of the king? That's all?」

The maid lowers her arms again.

「Yes! Why did this take so long!?」

Meanwhile, Greaves throws his arms up in frustration. The old woman sighs in relief, and then so does the mass of maids.

「He will be up on the third floor, take a left and then straight until a turn, turn right, then the doors on the right will be the throne room.」

As the old maid gives Greaves direction, the maids disperse from their state of critical maid mass.

「There! That wasn't so hard, was it!? Couldn't you start with that!?」

Greaves shakes his head, jiggling his massive orange hair, and he leaves pulling Alicia behind him…