All buildings around the Monster Rift had been reduced to ashes. As the rain fell, both sky and earth became incredibly clear.

The rift, which had been stretched enormously, seemed to collapse like an exhausted being after expelling all its energy, shrinking significantly. The energy surging within also became much more scarce.

As the crystalline raindrops gradually ceased, the surrounding land appeared to have been sufficiently irrigated. Green vegetation began sprouting from the yellow soil, growing skyward.

No one could have imagined that this originally barren cliff-side southern border would now sprout such a vast, lush forest.

Nobody knew exactly what had happened inside the rift. The abnormal situation in the empire's southern region left many people deeply unsettled.

Imperial troops remained on high alert, with massive weapons all aimed at the fluctuating Monster Rift.

The swaying rift gradually triggered disturbances, with powerful air pressure once again gushing outward, as if something was about to emerge.

As the metal cannons targeted the rift, it slowly rippled.

Seeing this, an officer immediately issued orders, waving his arm and shouting loudly:

"Fire!"

Boom! Boom! Boom!

Countless energy shells erupted from the gun barrels with brilliant flashes, piercing through the thick clouds toward the Monster Rift.

In an instant, dust clouds dozens of feet high were kicked up, and the powerful impact created an extremely deep crater in the ground.

As the smoke dispersed, an intense white airflow swirled frantically in front of the man, stirring up the surrounding air and turning what was originally thin and transparent into something thick and dark.

The man hovered in mid-air, with what seemed to be invisible wind gathering beneath his feet to support him.

Those energy shells were all blocked by the wind barrier, suspended in front of him without even grazing Viktor's coat.

He held Erica in one arm while extending his other hand in front of him.

The colorless wind barrier continued to surge upward.

Everyone stared blankly at Viktor emerging from the Monster Rift, unsure how to react.

"What's this?"

"Is this how you welcome me?"

...

"My sincerest apologies, Baron Viktor!"

In a massive steel room, the Crown Prince Albanie bowed deeply to Viktor while repeatedly apologizing.

"I deeply regret that my subordinates attacked you."

"Please forgive us, this was not intentional."

The Crown Prince showed great respect and sincerity.

Viktor stood with his hands in his pockets, watching the Crown Prince bow and apologize, his face expressionless.

He glanced briefly at Erica beside him.

The girl lay peacefully on the bed, breathing steadily in her sleep.

Then, Viktor looked back at the Crown Prince and said calmly:

"So, you mistook me for that monster that entered the rift?"

He was referring to Doragon, the Wind Calamity.

Following the army's logic, they were guarding this southern Monster Rift to prevent more powerful monsters from emerging.

If the person coming out hadn't been Viktor, but rather Doragon rallying a horde of rift monsters...

They would have needed to intercept immediately.

Though the probability was low, it wasn't impossible.

So Viktor could understand.

He looked down at the Crown Prince and said calmly:

"Your Highness, I'm not one to hold such grudges."

Hearing Viktor's words, the Crown Prince finally showed some relief, though his face still carried traces of anxiety.

"I still feel terribly guilty, Baron Viktor."

"I will make amends for this."

Viktor quietly observed him without responding.

Regardless of what this person might be doing behind the scenes, at least on the surface, his behavior was always impeccable.

A perfect hero.

Is that possible?

Then, the Crown Prince turned to look at the sleeping Erica, studying her sleeping face briefly before recognizing her.

"This must be Duke Levi's daughter. I heard she had fallen into the hands of that black dragon."

"Which means that monster has been..."

Viktor replied calmly:

"Your Highness, some things are better left known but unspoken."

"No need for widespread publicity."

The Crown Prince's mouth gaped open as he kept expressing his admiration:

"You are truly both modest and powerful."

"The Empire is incredibly fortunate to have someone like you."

After saying this, he placed his hand on his chest and bowed slightly to Viktor again, expressing his gratitude.

"Since you're new to the South and without lodging, please feel free to use this mansion."

This narrative has been purloined without the author's approval. Report any appearances on Amazon.

"I need to attend to some matters regarding the Monster Rift, so I'll take my leave now."

Viktor didn't stop him, merely nodding slightly as he watched the Crown Prince depart.

The Crown Prince was very tactful, explaining the misunderstanding and leaving immediately afterward to avoid any potential awkwardness.

Interacting with the Crown Prince indeed felt quite pleasant.

At least, his displayed behavior truly matched his reputation.

As a prince, he even personally led troops on the frontlines.

He was tactful in conversations and showed great respect for others.

Despite his noble status, he maintained an elegant and refined demeanor.

The Perfect Hero - Albanie.

No wonder he had so many supporters.

Even Duke Levi stood with the Crown Prince's faction in the game's background.

"But what a pity."

Viktor shook his head.

As long as Princess Aurelianne existed, neither prince would ever ascend to that position.

No matter how much cunning they possessed or how perfect their reputation was.

Viktor glanced at Erica once more before turning and leaving the room.

...

The Crown Prince walked out of the mansion with a military officer following close behind, striding forward quickly.

"Any news from the Beast Guild?"

Hearing the Crown Prince's question, the officer began reporting:

"Your Highness, Guild Leader Hela has returned to headquarters with fourteen top adventurers."

The Crown Prince nodded slightly and continued:

"Make arrangements. I need to meet with Hela."

Following the order, the officer stepped forward first to open the carriage door for the prince.

The Crown Prince's eyes remained perfectly calm, as if no news seemed particularly important to him.

"Keep watch on the third battle line."

"My sister and her group haven't emerged yet."

The officer bowed his head sharply.

"Yes, sir."

...

[Soul-Lurking Corpse]

This was a high-level monster with strength around Rank Three.

Its physical durability was extraordinary - normal blade attacks might even break against this monster's body.

This monster also had a unique attack pattern, merging its body with the ground to launch swift attacks from hidden positions.

Its terrifying destructive power and frightening attack speed gave headaches even to experienced powerful adventurers from the guilds.

However, it had one obvious weakness - it would die completely once its head was severed from its neck.

Aurelianne watched the monster seriously, with the demi-human squad arranged in two rows around her.

Behind the formation, she commanded the squad's attacks while maintaining a steady battle rhythm, continuously casting spells to construct formations and enhance the demi-humans with beneficial effects.

The demi-humans drew their blades and launched wave after wave of attacks against the monster.

Their weapons weren't ordinary - when cutting into the monster's body, they left burning flame-marked wounds.

The Soul-Lurking Corpse slowly twisted its body, surprisingly withdrawing part of its body that had emerged from the soil back underground.

The ground bulged slightly, bypassing the attacking demi-humans and rushing at high speed toward Aurelianne.

"Protect the Princess!"

Seeing this, the other row of demi-humans thrust their blades into the ground.

Dozens of blades pinned the bulging earth in place, leaving the monster unable to break free from the restraints no matter how it tried to writhe its body.

The Soul-Lurking Corpse's eyes grew frenzied with rage, suddenly letting out a fierce howl toward the sky.

Aurelianne's eyes widened as she watched the ground continuing to surge. She shouted to the demi-humans in formation:

"Be careful! Get away from it!"

Upon receiving the command, the demi-humans quickly distanced themselves from the monster.

The moment they left, the Soul-Lurking Corpse began expanding extremely rapidly, even breaking apart the soil beneath it.

It suddenly triggered a terrifying explosion.

BOOM!

A horrifying explosion erupted from its expansion, creating massive air waves that even damaged the surrounding terrain.

As the dust settled, the demi-humans all sighed in relief.

If not for the Princess's early warning, they might have fallen victim to this trick.

Finally, without even needing Aurelianne's command.

The monster, weakened after using its ultimate move, was no match for the group.

Like hunters, the demi-humans collectively pounced forward once the smoke cleared, bringing their blades down hard on the monster's neck!

Slash! Slash! Slash!

The monster's neck was torn apart under the coordinated blade strikes, and its entire body began slowly dissolving afterward.

The ground swallowed its corpse, leaving only a crystalline spherical object on the surface.

The demi-humans quickly retrieved it before this strange terrain could swallow it as well.

After collecting it, they handed the item to Aurelianne.

The princess held it in her palm, examining it briefly.

This was a drop item from the Soul-Lurking Corpse.

[Soul-Lurking Corpse's Eye]

This was the most common material dropped after defeating a Soul-Lurking Corpse.

Aurelianne remembered that Teacher Viktor often collected these things, so she planned to give this to him.

After all, this was her battle trophy.

The battle was over, and all the demi-humans relaxed.

Aurelianne was also very happy that her training course was temporarily complete, and she could finally lead the team back.

The training effect had been remarkable.

Through exploring these thirty levels, both her commanding and combat abilities had improved tremendously.

Thanks also to the Monster Encyclopedia that her teacher had given her, which even contained detailed records of the monsters existing in the Monster Rift.

Otherwise, they wouldn't have handled things so smoothly.

Aurelianne held the material in her hand, just about to lead the team away.

A sense of danger shot up her spine, straight to her brain.

Gwen instantly reacted, immediately moving to shield Aurelianne.

A white blur struck, sending Gwen flying.

She drew an arc through the air before landing on the ground, barely stabilizing herself.

"Your Highness! Danger!"

"What..."

Suddenly, the monster material in Aurelianne's hand vanished into thin air.

She widened her eyes, following her gaze forward.

An extremely tall and pale figure now stood within the demi-humans' encirclement.

She had flowing white hair and snake-like eyes, long and vicious.

More shockingly, on her back grew a pair of black and white wings that swayed gently.

Human? No...

This horrifying pressure that Aurelianne felt was like...

As if countless monsters had been combined into one.

Suddenly, the woman moved.

Before everyone's eyes, she raised the eyeball, opening her mouth as if to swallow it.

Seeing this, Aurelianne's eyes widened as she hurriedly shouted:

"No... don't!"

"That's for Teacher..."

Bang!

Suddenly, an emerald green magic arrow burst forth, striking the woman and sending her flying dozens of feet away.

As the dust settled, the monster's eyeball floated quietly in the air, wrapped in magic.

"Hey, you know what?"

While everyone was stunned, a lazy voice softly rang out.

Cocotte yawned, sitting on a cloud with one hand propping up her face while the other raised limply.

She squinted her eyes, her tone carrying a hint of danger.

"Taking things from children without permission."

"Did you,"

"Get my approval for that?"