Hermes Province

With Dragonheart Academy’s background and connections, they really could afford to not take the Sixth Round Table Knight seriously.

“In addition.”

Troy picked up a beautifully crafted invitation from his desk and handed it to Black.

“Tonight, the academy is celebrating the Golden Feast with a student-organized banquet in the grand hall. Most of the students will be attending.”

“If you’re interested, you might as well join. Consider it an experience of the academy’s atmosphere. After all, you are now a member of the academy.”

A banquet? The grand hall?

Hearing this, a thought sparked in Black’s mind.

He had been worrying about how to sneak into the grand hall area without attracting attention to search for the Ivoran Holy Water formula.

This invitation from the headmaster came at just the right time.

He immediately accepted the invitation, a perfectly appropriate smile on his face.

“Thank you for the invitation, Headmaster. It is my honor. I will be sure to attend on time.”

“I hope you have a pleasant time.”

Headmaster Troy smiled and nodded, picking up the book on his desk again.

“Yes, Headmaster. I will take my leave.”

After putting away the gifts and the invitation, Black exited the headmaster’s office.

His expression became grave.

At tonight’s banquet, he had to use this opportunity to find the formula.

After accepting the headmaster’s banquet invitation, Black left the Sage’s Loft.

He once again strolled along the quiet campus paths of Dragonheart Academy.

He pondered how he should act tonight.

However, this tranquility did not last long. A clamor from up ahead made him stop in his tracks.

Not far away, two people were walking side by side.

The young woman on the left was beautiful and innocent, chattering away.

It was the First Princess, Aphra.

Her crisp voice was completely unrestrained, and could be heard clearly from a great distance.

The young man on the right had a gentle demeanor and a warm, sunny smile on his face.

It was the First Prince, Oscar.

He was patiently listening to his sister’s witty remarks, a hint of helplessness and doting in his eyes.

The moment he saw it was Aphra, alarm bells immediately went off in Black’s mind.

He subconsciously wanted to turn around and take a detour.

He did not want to get entangled with this flighty princess.

However, just as he moved, the content of Aphra’s words made him stop dead in his tracks.

“I don’t want to live! Mom clearly knows I hate all that red tape, but she still insists on sending me to Hermes Province to receive those foreign envoys!”

“I quit! I’m running away from home!”

‘Foreign envoys?’

A thought stirred in Black’s mind.

This term brought back some memories.

If he wasn’t mistaken, the foreign envoys Aphra was talking about should be the delegation from the Red Scorpion Kingdom, a desert nation to the west of the Dragonheart Empire.

The visit of the Red Scorpion envoys was an important event that kicked off the second chapter of the game.

He hadn’t expected to hear news of it so soon.

But on second thought, it was reasonable.

In the original work, Empress Elizabeth had indeed entrusted this task to Aphra.

The core character of this second chapter was also Aphra.

Counting the time, there were still about two months until the Red Scorpion envoys actually arrived.

On the other side, Aphra’s small mouth was pouted, and she continued her protest.

“I’m running away from home! I’m going to travel the world and become a free and unfettered bard!”

“I don’t want to be this First Princess anymore!”

Oscar shook his head, trying to console her with a helpless smile.

“Aphra, this is a sign of Mother’s trust in you, and a trial for you.”

“As for traveling the world… Mother will definitely not agree.”

Aphra retorted angrily, “Why not! I’m just going to run away from home!”

“Mom’s just a hypocrite with double standards!”

“She was able to go on adventures everywhere when she was young and even left behind so many legends among the people. Why can’t I?”

“I think she’s just afraid that my fame will surpass hers in the future!”

The moment the word “Mom” came out.

Not only Oscar, but even Black, who was not far away, felt a wave of embarrassment.

In the entire world, probably only Aphra dared to call Elizabeth that.

Black couldn’t help but complain in his heart.

‘Are Aphra and Alice really blood sisters?’

‘The difference in their personalities is just too big, isn’t it?’

In any case, he couldn’t imagine those words coming out of Alice’s mouth.

Oscar was clearly used to his sister’s unfiltered mouth and shook his head helplessly.

He reached out and tapped her on the head.

“I’m telling you, have you returned all the royal etiquette you learned to your etiquette teacher?”

“Hermes Province is famous for its alchemy and gathers the most outstanding alchemists from the entire continent. It can be called a paradise for alchemists.”

“There are many fun alchemical buildings there. For example, the amusement park powered by magical energy, and that famous Magic Ferris Wheel is inside.”

“Moreover, Hermes Province has the empire’s best alchemists who specialize in forging longswords, and it produces all sorts of famous swords.”

“Mother’s Heaven’s Judgment sword, didn’t it come from there?”

Hearing this, Aphra’s eyes instantly lit up.

“Oh, right! That seems to be the case… In that case, I guess I can’t go.”

She had long been dissatisfied with the sword she was currently using.

Going there might give her a chance to find an even stronger longsword.

Then she remembered something and added.

“Mom said that as long as I’m willing to go, I can choose whoever I want to accompany me!”

She held up a finger.

“So far, only Kristine has agreed to go with me.”

“As for the others… who should I bring?”

Hearing this, Black suddenly had a very bad premonition.

‘Not good!’

Before he could be discovered, he immediately changed direction, quickened his pace, and made a run for it.

However, it was a step too late.

Aphra’s lively eyes darted around.

As a Level 55 swordsman, her keen perception instantly locked onto the figure trying to escape.

“Hey, hey, hey! You in the front! Yes, you! Stop right there!”

Aphra’s crisp voice carried an unquestionable tone of command.

But Black remained calm on the surface.

He didn’t even turn his head, his steps only quickening.

“Hey! Still trying to run?”

Aphra’s willow-like brows shot up. With a slight stir of spiritual power, she executed an exquisite swordsman movement technique.

Her talent was not just reflected in her rapid leveling.

Her comprehension of various skills was also terrifying.

With a few flickers of her figure, she caught up to Black.

A fair but strong hand landed firmly on his shoulder.

Black knew he couldn’t escape and could only turn around helplessly.

Facing Aphra, he performed a salute.

“Dragon-Slaying Guard Black, at Her Highness the Princess’s service.”

Aphra circled him, a sly smile on her face.

“Ehehehe, I knew it was you! We meet again!”

At this moment, Oscar also caught up gracefully.

Black also saluted Oscar.

“Dragon-Slaying Guard Black, at His Highness the Prince’s service.”

Hearing the name Black, a clear look of surprise flashed in Oscar’s eyes.

He began to scrutinize this unfamiliar young man before him.