THE GENERAL'S DISGRACED HEIR

THE ROYAL COURIER SPECIAL EDITION

IMPOSSIBLE FEAT ACHIEVED: LEVIATHAN'S ABYSS CONQUERED!

By Royal Decree, this special edition of The Royal Courier brings news of unprecedented achievement to all citizens of the Solarian Empire.

For the first time since the reign of Emperor Solinar Solarian III, the legendary dungeon known as Leviathan's Abyss has been successfully cleared!

This momentous achievement comes after countless failed expeditions and the loss of innumerable brave souls who ventured into its depths.

The Abyss, which mysteriously appeared near the golden coasts of Lysora County three centuries ago, has remained an unconquerable challenge until now. Experience tales at My Virtual Library Empire

According to eyewitness reports, the dungeon itself collapsed following the raid, suggesting that the team not only defeated the challenges within but may have permanently altered its very nature.

Leading this historic expedition was none other than Minister Salomonis va Ferrum of Lysora County, accompanied by an elite contingent of exceptional adventurers:

Kairos Vale, the enigmatic S-class Shadow of the Ninth House;

Aria Stormweaver, the formidable S-class Daughter of Storms;

Siegfried, the renowned Knight of the Broken Blade;

Yue, the S-class elven alchemist; and Litty, a promising C-class duelist.

Sources close to the expedition report that the team penetrated deeper than any previous attempt, eventually confronting and defeating the dungeon's mythical demon lord.

Unconfirmed accounts suggest that a mysterious individual may have played a pivotal role in the final confrontation, though official statements have yet to acknowledge these claims.

The Imperial Court has announced plans for a formal ceremony to honor these heroes once they have sufficiently recovered from their ordeal. Rumors already circulate that substantial rewards and titles await them upon their arrival in the capital.

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MARKET WATCH: NEW DELICACY "CHOCOLATE" CAUSES STIR

A mysterious new confection known as "chocolate" has taken the capital's markets by storm. This exotic treat, described as rich, sweet, and unlike any other dessert in the empire, has already become the talk of nobility and commoners alike.

The mysterious company behind this delicacy has promised to release the commodity to the broader market "very soon," though details remain scarce.

Merchants specializing in rare goods have already begun establishing waiting lists for those eager to sample this new sensation.

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The afternoon sun beat down on the cobblestone streets of Imperial Plaza, glinting off the polished armor of guards and the jeweled accessories of wealthy merchants. The usual bustle of the capital's central marketplace had transformed into barely controlled chaos as a crowd formed around a single point of interest—a freckle-faced boy no older than twelve, standing atop a wooden crate.

"Extra! Extra!" Tommen shouted, his voice cracking with the strain of being heard above the din. "Leviathan's Abyss conquered! Read all about the impossible feat! Only three copper pieces!"

What had begun as a normal day of peddling the Royal Courier had quickly spiraled into something extraordinary. The moment the special edition had been delivered to his corner, the crowd had begun to form. Now, nearly a hundred people—many of them wearing the distinctive badges of registered adventurers—pressed forward, waving coins at him.

"I'll take one!"

"Give it here, boy!"

"Three coppers? Highway robbery, but I'll pay it!"

Tommen's fingers fumbled with the papers and coins, trying desperately to maintain some semblance of order. His satchel, normally more than adequate for a day's earnings, was already bulging with copper, silver, and even the occasional gold piece from those too impatient to wait for change.

"One at a time!" he pleaded, though his heart wasn't in the protest. His eyes widened as he looked down at his collection, the coins seeming to shine with an almost magical brilliance.

"I'm going to be rich," he whispered to himself, a giddy laugh escaping his lips as he imagined the look on his mother's face when he returned home.

"Oi, boy!" A burly man with a scar running down his right cheek pushed his way to the front.

"Two papers!" He tossed a silver coin that Tommen barely caught.

"Yes, sir! Right away, sir!" Tommen handed over the papers, not bothering to count out change. "Thank you for your generosity!"

The adventurer grunted, already turning away as he unfolded the special edition.

A short distance away, beneath the shade of a tavern awning, Harkin and his party of mid-tier adventurers gathered around their newly purchased copy of the Royal Courier.

"This has to be some kind of joke," Harkin muttered, his weathered fingers tracing the bold headline.

"The Leviathan's Abyss? Cleared? That dungeon has been a death trap since before our grandparents were born."

Merla, their group's spellcaster, leaned over his shoulder. "Look at the names though—Kairos Vale, Aria Stormweaver... these aren't ordinary adventurers. They're legends."

"Still," Darven added, taking a swig from his flagon, "even S-class adventurers have tried before. What made this time different?"

Harkin's eyes narrowed as he continued reading. "There's mention of some 'mysterious individual' playing a pivotal role. Typical Royal Courier—more questions than answers."

"We should have gone to Lysora County," Merla sighed, settling back into her chair. "Could have at least tried our luck."

"And ended up as another statistic?" Harkin shook his head. "No, there's something they're not telling us. Dungeons don't just 'collapse' after being cleared."

"Hey!" Darven exclaimed, pointing to the bottom of the page. "Forget the dungeon—they're releasing something called 'chocolate' to the markets! Says here it's some kind of sweet that's driving the nobles crazy."

"Trust you to focus on dessert when we're discussing the adventure of the century," Merla rolled her eyes, though she leaned in to read the small article.

"What do you think it tastes like?" Darven wondered aloud. "And who's this 'mysterious company' anyway?"

Harkin folded the paper with a snap. "Probably some Alchemist Guild concoction. They're always inventing strange new luxuries for people with more gold than sense."

As the group debated the potential merits of this new delicacy, none noticed the hooded figure at the adjacent table, listening intently to their conversation before quietly slipping away into the crowded streets.