When Edwin left and the servants dispersed to prepare dinner, Lano ran to Nox with a radiant smile on his face.
“Nox, I’m back.”
“Welcome back, Lano.”
Nox returned the smile to his younger brother’s charming face. Despite the differences in their treatment, Lano, a wise and calm young man, never looked down on his brother, and the relationship between the twins was excellent.
“Hey, what do you think Dad’s matter is about?”
If it was a trivial matter, Nox planned to evade it, and asked quietly near Lano’s ear.
“…It’s probably about our coming-of-age ceremony.”
“Ah… right. Now that you mention it, something like that was being prepared…”
***
In the mansion, besides Nana and Lano, there is only one person who does not look down on Nox.
“Is today’s secret flavor blueberry jam?”
“You’ve got it.”
It’s Chef Pascal, in charge of the stomachs in the mansion.
“I think your palate is superior to Edwin-sama or Lano-sama.”
As he joked, Nox ate in the chef’s laboratory, located at the back of the kitchen.
It had been a long time since Nox was even attended to by the servants. When he went to the kitchen hungry, he was turned away before he could even look inside because there was no food to spare, and he spent his days subsisting on bread and soup that Lano brought him, along with wild fruits around the mansion.
It was then that Pascal, realizing that the twins had different nutritional conditions despite living in the same mansion, grabbed Nox by the collar and dragged him to the kitchen, marking the beginning of their interaction.
In reality, Pascal also prepared suitable meals for Nox, and it was thought that he received his meals as something natural.
However, it was actually discovered that the servants in charge of serving the meals managed to keep them for themselves and distributed them among each other, thinking, “How dare a bastard like him eat the same as Edwin-sama and Lano-sama?”
Pascal became furious and scolded the responsible servants, saying, “You are the despicable ones who tried to deprive the Lord’s son of his meals and lead him to starvation!” This led to Edwin finding out about the situation.
Furthermore, it was discovered that some servants had diverted gifts intended for Lano and Nox from nobles in various regions, without delivering them to Nox.
Despite Lano’s kindness, he was also angered this time, and measures were taken against a considerable number of people for this incident, but Nox remained indifferent.
“How many more times will I be able to eat this delicious food from Pascal?”
After the incident, Lano suggested eating together in the dining room, but Nox preferred the convenience of eating in the kitchen.
Since Pascal himself had taught him table manners, the way Nox ate was more refined than Lano’s. However, only Nana noticed this.
“What do you mean?”
Nox’s enigmatic statement made Pascal raise an eyebrow slightly.
“Dad called us into his office to talk about the ceremony when we come of age.”
“Oh, right, both of us will soon turn sixteen.”
According to the laws of the Kingdom of Akor, turning sixteen is considered coming of age.
For most common citizens, this simply means being allowed to marry and drink alcohol, but for nobles, it holds a more significant meaning.
Being recognized as full members of society, they also take on the responsibilities of a leader.
“Wouldn’t it be a convenient excuse to easily get rid of the bastard?”
“Hmm… I can’t imagine Edwin-sama doing something like that…”
“Well, he would make a magnificent Lord for Pascal. Therefore, make the eve of his birthday splendid. It could be his last supper.”
“I will consider it.”
Despite his rough demeanor, Nox knows that Pascal is a compassionate man.
In the kitchen, Nox eats all the dishes that have been arranged on the table from the start, while chatting, and finishes eating faster than Lano, who is served in the dining room with elegance, and waits for Lano in front of the office before returning.
“Come in.”
“Alright…”
Encouraged by a nod of the chin, Lano, despite his astonishment, knocked on the door as instructed.
“Lano and Nox have arrived.”
“You may enter.”
Edwin’s subdued voice.
“Excuse us.”
Gracefully blending in, Lano entered first, followed by Nox.
Behind his desk, Edwin watched closely as his two sons entered. In Edwin’s blue eyes, the majesty of a prince shone.
“You must know why you are here. It is about the coming-of-age ceremony.”
At the expected words, the sons glanced at each other.
“It’s about reaching the heart of the labyrinth owned by the royal family of Akor, isn’t it?”
Asked Lano.
The labyrinth, created by ancient mages in various lands, was considered a lost artifact.
The space created with ancient magical techniques cannot be undone with current technology. However, it housed monsters within, so it was necessary to eliminate them regularly.
“To defeat the labyrinth lord, who resides on the tenth level, and bring back its core. That is what the coming-of-age ceremony of the royal family of Akor entails.”
In each labyrinth of the royal family of Akor, there is always a powerful being called the “lord.” This lord possesses a core, and by extracting it, the labyrinth calms down for a while until a new core forms.
However, this is no ordinary labyrinth…
“Once the core is extracted, it will take at least several months before a new one forms. Are you saying that Nox should collaborate with me to extract it?”
In response to Lano’s repeated question, Edwin shook his head.
“You will both be asked to compete… The first to reach the heart of the labyrinth and bring back the core will be entrusted with the administration of Eastbeld.”
Eastbeld is an agricultural region located in the east of the Galaxia territory.
It is a farming area that enjoys a warm and stable climate throughout the year, producing a wide variety of agricultural crops and is known as the breadbasket of Akor.
“Do you understand what this entails?”
Being in charge of a crucial area for the country’s food supply means being appointed as the next Duke of Galaxia.
“Yes. I will take this ceremony seriously.”
Nox left the response in Lano’s hands.
