The airship touched down on the castle's grand platform —the palace a structure designed with precision. Its front faced the kingdom square, allowing the citizens to cheer and witness, while the rear opened into a lavish royal garden.
As the hatch opened, five figures emerged — cloaked in elegance and victory.
The crowd erupted.
"Long live the Emeralds!"
"Our Emeralds have returned!"
"Victors of the fifth S-Rank dungeon!"
The cheering was thunderous, a wave of celebration and admiration. From the castle steps, the King stepped forward, his robes trailing behind him, voice commanding.
"I welcome our Emeralds back! Today is a historic day. Our champions have conquered their fifth S-Rank dungeon — a feat rarely achieved in our kingdom's history. Come, Emeralds, speak to your people. Yanoz stands with pride."
Sebastian, the leader, stepped ahead. His presence was firm, his voice calm yet powerful.
"Greetings, people of Yanoz. I am Sebastian — the leader of the Emeralds and the frontline fighter. Many ask me, How did I become strong? Through training, dedication, and unwavering willpower. No matter who tries to stop you — don't give up. Stand firm. Be the shield that protects the innocent because that is the way of emeralds!"
The crowd roared in approval.
Sapphire stepped forward with a bright smile. "Hello everyone! As many of you know, I'm Sapphire — the healer of the party. Some might look down on healers thinking they are not important, but let me tell you — without us, no one makes it out alive. We mend wounds, restore mana, and keep the heart of the party beating. Healers are just as vital as any sword or spell."
Elijah followed, his tone more composed. "I am Elijah — the mage of the Emeralds. I control the battlefield from afar. I attack with spells and protect my allies using powerful barriers. Magic isn't just power — it's strategy and we are responsible to use it wisely."
Klaus, adjusting his gloves, spoke next. "I'm Klaus — the alchemist. Every party needs brains, and I provide that. My potions sustain us through long dungeons, restore energy, and keep everyone fighting when it matters most people often look down on us but we are the ones who find solution in crucial moments."
Sirius, standing tall like a fortress, finished the introductions. "I'm Sirius — the tank. I take the hits, draw the enemy's focus, and keep them off my allies and even striking them down when necessary. Pain is part of the job, but it's what I do best."
The cheers reached a fever pitch. The people adored them.
The King clapped slowly. "Well said, all of you. I'm sure you're exhausted. Come — rest within the palace."
The Emeralds walked through the towering gates into the castle halls.
But the King's expression changed the moment they were out of public view.
He scowled. "Why have you brought this filth with you?" His voice echoed coldly within the marble halls. "Get him out of my sight!"
Behind the party, walking silently in chains, was Sukiro.
The crowd outside hadn't noticed him. Elijah had cast an invisibility spell to avoid suspicion, but once they were inside the palace, the illusion faded due to the magic in the palace.
Elijah muttered under his breath, "I swear, if Sebastian gave the order, I'd have turned this arrogant king into ashes..."
Sebastian stepped forward, calm but assertive. "Your Majesty, we need to talk. It concerns him."
King: "Tch. First remove him. There's a foul smell coming from that thing."
Sebastian: "We can't. It's about him. But first — could he at least be allowed to bathe?"
King: "What a problem you bring into my halls. Fine. Go take a bath, you filth."
As Sukiro turned to look at the King, something in his gaze made the monarch involuntarily step back.
King: "Tch... Take him to the slave baths. Maid!"
Maid: "Yes, sire — at once!"
Sukiro was escorted down the stone corridors, through servant wings, and finally to a simple yet clean bathing room. The maid began cleaning the dirt and grime from his skin, speaking as she worked.
Maid: "You must be pretty strong yourself, right?"
Sukiro: "...Why?"
Maid: "You were with the Emeralds — the heroes of our kingdom. Don't you know them?"
Sukiro: "Heroes?"
Maid: "Yes! Every one of them is an S-Rank."
Sukiro: "What's an S-Rank?"
The maid blinked. "...You don't know what S-Rank means? Hah — you're a funny one, alright. I like you."
Sukiro, eyes softening slightly: "I like you too."
The maid was visibly flustered for a second but recovered quickly.
Maid: "Anyway... we have five ranks — E, D, C, B, A, and S. E is the weakest. S is the strongest. Most people don't even have a rank at all. Their hearts can't absorb the mana around them."
Sukiro: "...I see."
---
Meanwhile, in the royal council chamber, a gathering of nobles, hunters, and merchants had assembled. The King stood at the center.
King: "Emeralds, tell us what you encountered in the S-Rank dungeon."
Sebastian: "The dungeon was packed with high-tier monsters. High Orcs, dragons, phantoms, and superior goblins — all in one place."
Murmurs broke out in the room.
Merchant: "That variety in one dungeon? That's not natural it was probably a mixed gate?."
Another merchant thought to himself "the more the monsters the more money"
Sebastian: "Exactly. The semi-boss was a fire dragon."
Noble: "And the boss room?"
Sirius: "It was hidden — behind a false wall. Unusual for a dungeon like this."
Sebastian: "And here's the strange part. There was no boss. Instead, we found him — the chained man we brought — lying unconscious in a pond within the boss chamber."
The chamber exploded with voices.
Noble: "A man in the boss room?!"
Hunter: "That's unheard of!"
Merchant: "we have to kill him!"
King, eyes narrowing he whispered to the royal guard beside him: "send donna . Kill him. Immediately. A man surviving in the boss room of an S-Rank dungeon? That's an abomination. He must die."
---
Back in the bath chamber…
The maid was finishing up, rinsing Sukiro's hair.
Suddenly — SHNK!
A glint of steel zipped through the air.
FWIP.
A wire shot through the maid's head — clean and instant.
Her lifeless head splashed into the water.
Sukiro stood frozen — shocked — and the wire turned toward him.
In that split second, he jumped up.
The wire came for his throat — but was stopped.
CLANG!
The assassin's wire was caught mid-air — by Sebastian.
Blood dripped from a tiny cut on Sukiro's neck where the wire had grazed him.
Sebastian, holding the wire tightly, looked around with deadly calm.
"...Come out, Donna."