Marked Ones: Advent of the Demon Prince

"Are you really Intermediate?"

"Yes."

"But that power…the mana pressure was like that of an Advance…maybe more!"

"Do you have a special training regimen?"

"He doesn't look as dangerous as the rumors say. Did you really blow up Alvora?"

A number of the townsfolk and adventurers walked onto the field the moment the match was called. They swarmed Lucius asking a multitude of questions. Natali intercepted them before they could get too close to him. Mar'Eeyen parted the crowd as well.

"Alright you pests, get moving. That's my new expedition member you're harassing." Her massive form scared away most of the townsfolk without a fuss. Most of the adventurers stayed behind for a moment before also walking off with grumbles of complaint.

The guild worker who oversaw the fight directed them back to the guild to complete Lucius's paperwork that had been interrupted by the sudden challenge. Mar'Eeyen and her group followed closely behind with the smaller elf maintaining a careful watch of the surroundings. Her position with the party was likely the scout given how jumpy she seemed at any movement in an alley or the shadows. The third person, a human man with shoulder-length brown hair and unshaven stubble kept his eyes glued to Lucius's back.

Once the paperwork was finished, the four adventurers plus the random human man sat in a private room for party meetings. Everyone already knew who he and the large woman were, so they made introductions of everyone else.

"Natali." The white-haired woman started with a whisper. "Dagger Arts. Ice Magic. Mark of Recall."

A flash of steel shot out of her hand. A dagger vibrated in the center of the door keeping the room separated from the hall beyond. Mar'Eeyen's party looked at the weapon with wide eyes, shocked at the sudden appearance of it. With a snap of her fingers, the dagger vanished and reappeared in the woman's hand.

"Fancy trick. Deadly." The hooded elf admired. "Helena, I'm a Bow Arts and Wind Magic user. Me and the big oaf here are adventurers and this is our Dungeon Guide."

"Berk." The aforementioned guide answered. "Best damned guide to ever enter that damnable pit."

"If you don't like it, why are you still a guide?" Lucius questioned. He was curious what put Berk in such foul mood. Granted, it was just as likely he was an asshole by nature. Or perhaps a hangover. Lucius's nose was hard to fool, only having been tricked a few times. Right now, that nose detected the stench of booze. It basically radiated off the guide.

"Reasons."

"Need gold to pay for your habit?"

"Sure." Berk answered. "But ask any person in this town. I'm the best of the best. With me, you all will have a party with enough numbers to enter the dungeon. Up till now, these two have had to pair up with other groups short of people. How long you two sticking with us?"

Natali stepped forward to answer in his stead. "Until we reach the bottom."

Her words silenced the room. Though, it was only a moment later that Mar'Eeyen broke it with uproarious laughter. "The bottom of the Demon's Stomach, eh? Ambitious, even for the 'Titan'! But I like it. Alright, Berk, think you can pull it off? Getting us to the bottom of the dungeon?"

"Aye. I can make it happen." The man acknowledged. His eyes were still glued to Lucius. Not once had he looked away. Berk clearly hated something about him, but for what reason? "I've been the lowest of any living person after all."

"How far?"

"Seventy-three floors."

"How many floors are there?"

"Dunno. Could be seventy-four, could be a thousand. All I know is that I haven't made it to the bottom yet, and even getting that low cost too much. But if you want someone to lead you to your death in the depths of despair, then look no further."

"Depths of despair?" Lucius grinned. "Just where I need to go. Alright, we're in."

***

Rena sat in the common room of Lefae's personal quarters. Penelope cooed in her arms while playing with a small braid Rena allowed to hover before her daughter's face. For her part, Rena simply enjoyed the company of friends. However, the time for relaxation was coming to an end.

"Are you sure it's okay to rely upon you in such a manner?" she asked.

Adellia and Rubellia smiled at her kindly. "Of course," Adellia said. "We would be more than happy to watch over the little one while you get back to training. We've talked at length regarding how useless you feel at times. Though everyone here knows that Lucius would never feel the same way."

Rena sighed. "I know, I know. Just, I can't help but feel the need to do more. As his first wife, I need to hold my own. At the very least I need to be able to protect myself and my daughter. It's been over ten months since I last cast a spell, let alone held a weapon."

"Tell me about it." Kalliope groaned from the side.

"Quiet you." Jade shot a glare at the wolf-girl. "We have a hard time keeping a sword out of your hands."

"Not so much anymore. These damned pups are making me balloon like a whale. I can scarcely get out of bed, let alone train."

Once everyone's laughter died down, Rena moved Penelope into Jade's arms. "Here, go to mother Jade."

"M-mother?"

"You're a Kane now, are you not? If so, then Penelope is just as much your daughter as she is mine." Rena argued.

The purple-haired woman blushed, but could not help the smile spreading across her face. Rena pulled the rest of her hair into a tight bun, leaving only the braid behind. She had already dressed into her adventurer gear, though some of it had been let out a little to accommodate her slightly larger form. At first she felt ashamed about it, but her mothers kindly reminded her that it was simply a sign of bringing new life into this world.

"Lefae, I am ready. Shall we?"

The princess nodded quietly, grabbing two swords from the hands of her personal attendant by the door. She left the room, leaving Rena to follow her to the training fields for the royal guards. Such a place was supposed to be off limits to someone like her, but with Princess Lefae joining her, no one gave them any flack.

Dozens of men in training equipment sparred with one another. Some had betting pools going on who would be the winner of each match in a pseudo-tournament. Such behavior was unbecoming of the royal guard, but their commanders overlooked the behavior as it boosted morale.

"Well, Rena, come at me with all you have. Show me what it means to you to be an Advance Ranker." Lefae flicked her rapier to the side as she tossed a practice weapon at the redhead.

"I won't be executed if I hit you right?" she smirked.

"If someone tries, they'll have to go through me first." Lefae answered plainly.

"[Ferrum: Iron Barrage]!" Dozens of small metallic spikes, each no larger than a walnut launched at the princess from the ground. Without so much as a blink, Lefae elegantly flicked her rapier. A line of darkness followed, painting the blade's path. The projectiles uselessly fell to the ground before dissipating.

"Try harder, Rena."