Chapter 212 Where the Funeral Procession Leads
Edited by: Kanaa-senpai
The nobility, who had been gathered in a disorganized clutter, returned to their respective seats the moment the high-ranking officials entered. While they had looked like a single mass when scattered, once they lined up according to the seating chart, the colors of their factions became clear.
First and foremost, the area occupied by the Prince’s Faction stood out. Despite other factions attempting to maintain a solemn sense of decorum, that particular corner visible from the rear rows was filled with people leaning their heads together, exchanging stifled smirks. Even if their whispered words remained inaudible, they could not hide their flighty aura; it was as if they had mistaken a state funeral for a victory banquet.
In stark contrast, most of the Princess’s Faction remained motionless, their postures stiff and corrected. Since many among them still believed Princess Marina was alive, the atmosphere was far from mournful. Instead, they radiated a quiet but certain fury toward the Prince’s Faction, who were acting restless over an empty coffin.
Sandwiched between these two polarized factions, the Neutrals continued to maintain their usual non-interference. They kept their distance from the Princess’s Faction, who were seething over the “murder” of their master, yet some could be seen frowning at the blatant attitude of the Prince’s Faction.
Ultimately, the perspectives of the three groups were entirely different. Despite this being a national rite that the entire country should have been focused on, it was safe to say that practically no one present took the proceedings at face value.
The same could be said for King Valentio, who was the last to enter. On the surface, he followed protocol, even pausing at times to gaze at the empty coffin as if in mourning. However, Prince Arsh, the Princess’s younger brother, was not among the royalty accompanying him. It was clear the King himself had permitted his absence, despite it being his own sister’s funeral.
Of course, everyone could easily guess that Arsh, who adored his elder sister, was in no mental state to endure the ceremony due to emotional exhaustion. However, the fact that the man considered the next head of the Princess’s Faction was exempt from his duty to attend served as the ultimate proof: the King himself had not accepted his daughter’s death.
”Oh, as I thought, he still-“
”My, how unexpected-“
As that realization spread like a ripple, the attendees, who had been maintaining a semblance of silence until then, suddenly grew louder with commotion. The Princess’s Faction raised voices of hope that the King had still left room for Princess Marina was alive, while many in the Prince’s Faction were struck dumb by this unspoken resistance to the state funeral they had forced upon him.
Even so, the more aggressive members tried to raise their voices against the Princess’s Faction, but since shouting heckles would damage the dignity of the state funeral, they avoided direct protest and had no choice but to save face by merely looking disgruntled.
”-While the whereabouts of my daughter Marina remain unknown, we have come to face this day.”
When the King avoided using any words that definitively confirmed her death in his eulogy, the commotion that had briefly settled grew even louder. However, King Valentio silenced them with a single shout through the amplification magic, then proceeded to carry out the ceremony according to the protocol the Prince’s Faction had desired.
As a result, the “closure” the Prince’s Faction¹ sought through this state funeral was thwarted. Even if they wanted to complain, they couldn’t, as the ceremony itself was progressing properly. Their plan to drive a wedge into the King’s authority had backfired; instead, the King had turned it into a perfect opportunity to provide a degree of closure for a father’s feelings while maintaining his sovereign dignity.
”-Impressive.”
”Yes. Even though Her Highness’s safety remains unconfirmed, the flighty atmosphere of the Prince’s Faction has turned sour.”
To them, a political rival’s funeral was meant to be a moment to savor their faction’s victory. They had been excited, thinking the long-delayed opportunity had finally arrived, but once the lid was opened, they hadn’t been able to deal as much damage to the King as they’d hoped.
Certainly, he looked a bit worn down by the emotional toll, but that was natural for a father whose daughter had not returned. If anything, he had successfully projected a sense of unwavering health despite the circumstances.
This undoubtedly emboldened the Princess’s Faction, and the Neutrals, who worried for the kingdom’s future, surely breathed a sigh of relief as well. In the end, because Marquis Aprelton in the front row made no move, the other members of the Prince’s Faction decided to avoid further pursuit, judging it not worth the effort.
With that, the flower offering ended, and the coffin was carried toward the castle gates. The King also saw it off to that point, lingering on the coffin with his eyes for a moment longer before turning on his heel to head toward the balcony.
”-Baron Confianza, Count Alegria² is waiting for you. He requests you accompany him along with your wife.”
”I understand. Roeni, can you go?”
”Yes, dear.”
While waiting for their turn to exit, a soldier who seemed to be a messenger hurried over and conveyed the message to Silcro in a low voice.
From here, the coffin would be sent out into the city under the protection of the guard of honor. The King would stand on the balcony, watching as the citizens lining the streets grieved for the procession. Only those considered high-ranking among the nobility were allowed to be present there; naturally, a Baron’s house would not be invited. Ordinarily, they would be sent back to the waiting room, but the Count had likely judged it best to keep them nearby, considering the possibility of him needing to offer advice to the King.
On that occasion, the advice the Count sought would likely concern the Labyrinth, so Silcro shouldn’t need to intervene. However, it was a breach of etiquette to summon a wife over the head of the family patriarch. Therefore, the messenger had to follow a truly tedious procedure of first addressing the Baron, who wasn’t directly needed.
Thus, they took their leave ahead of their peers in the Princess’s Faction and followed behind the soldier to join the line of high-ranking nobles. After climbing the stairs for a while, they were guided to a room near the balcony and welcomed by Count Alegria, who had entered earlier.
”Ah, you’ve done well to come, Baron. Madam, I apologize for asking while you are tired, but I would appreciate it if you could lend your assistance a bit longer. I find it hard to believe they would try anything else, but Marquis Aprelton will naturally be among the nobles going out onto the balcony.”
”I understand perfectly. Thanks to His Majesty’s brilliant maneuvering earlier, we avoided any trouble, but we cannot afford to show them any openings here.”
As expected, the request wasn’t limited to a consultation in the waiting room but was a request to accompany them to the balcony. King Valentio had already repelled the Prince’s Faction’s offensive once, but the public appearance on the balcony presented different conditions. In the hall, the “atmosphere” was the weapon, and Marquis Aprelton had stayed his hand.
However, on the balcony, with a limited number of high-ranking nobles and away from the public’s direct hearing, the Marquis might directly interject. If the very person who had crushed their previous false report-Roeni-was standing right there, it might give them pause, or at the very least, allow for a counter-response.
As they discussed the schedule for the balcony, there was a modest knock at the door. An attendant entered and informed them it was time. They nodded to each other, and Roeni turned back to Silcro.
”Go on. -Count, I leave my wife in your care.”
”I am well aware. Rest easy.”
His words of send-off were brief, filled with trust, yet his expression held a hint of tension. He bowed deeply, radiating his concern. The Count, sensing the anxiety of a man sending a loved one into a place beyond his reach, gave a large nod.
”Shall we go?”
”Yes, sir!”
Her movements as she stood up were exactly as she had practiced-designed not to bring shame upon her husband. However, in the midst of this power struggle, the danger felt no different than the labyrinths she once ran through. Without thinking, a sharp, low word of military acknowledgment escaped her.
At that response-one directed toward a superior officer-the Count, a man of robust, warrior-like build, returned a bold smirk. It lacked the modesty of a lady, but she was happy to have deepened their trust as comrades-in-arms. She stood tall, playing the part of a soldier waiting for orders.
Following the Count and flaunting her high spirits as she guarded his rear, the high-ranking nobles gathered in the wings realized that the unfamiliar woman was the Baron’s wife, whose recent “performance” was still fresh in their memories. The Princess’s Faction responded with admiration; the Prince’s Faction frowned; and Marquis Aprelton turned away in displeasure.
”Now then, please step out onto the balcony, starting with His Majesty.”
No matter what trivialities occurred, the rite would not be delayed. The Master of Ceremonies issued the scheduled instructions.
As they appeared before the people, the prickly atmosphere vanished. The nobles, stony-faced and solemn, stepped to the railing. Below, the funeral procession waited.
Watching from behind the Count, Roeni scanned the boulevard. The masses filled the streets, watching with bated breath for the gates to open.
-As expected, he is beloved.
King Valentio’s policies had enriched the kingdom. The “death” of Princess Marina, who was to carry on that legacy, had struck them with the impact of a looming tragedy.
Then, after the King delivered a brief eulogy and the coffin emerged, a wave of grief erupted from the streets. Until then, they might have hoped it was a mistake. But seeing the coffin carried out in a state rite made it an undeniable fact.
I was nearly overwhelmed by the raw, surging emotions flowing from the castle town below, but I forced myself to remember my station. I quietly shifted my gaze toward Marquis Aprelton, only to find him wearing a look of profound, smug satisfaction.
Even though King Valentio remained steadfast in his refusal to accept the Princess’s death, a public state funeral¹ would change the hearts of the people regardless of the King’s will. The Marquis was certain that once the ceremony was complete, the governance of the realm would proceed under the objective fact of her passing. This momentum would provide the perfect wind in the sails for the Prince’s faction.
Just confirming this was enough to prove that the Marquis’s gambit in forcing the funeral had borne fruit. As I considered how this would be used to justify future proposals favoring the Prince-and whether I could offer any counsel to counter it-a heavy, suffocating dread settled deep in my chest.
”—Hm? What is that?”
I had been so preoccupied with the potential schemes of the Prince’s faction that I had momentarily let my guard down. I looked up at the sound of a low, gravelly voice laced with sudden anger. King Valentio was leaning precariously over the stone railing, staring down at the scene below.
”Your Majesty, it’s dangerous!” shouted an aide.
His panicked attendants rushed to support his massive frame, but they struggled to pull him back. The King’s grip on the railing was iron-clad, his muscles bulging as he strained to see. I followed his line of sight and gasped. Someone had stepped directly into the path of the funeral procession, throwing the disciplined ranks of the honor guard into total disarray.
”W-What insolence!” one noble barked.
”Is this more of your handiwork?!” another accused.
”Don’t be a fool! What would we gain from this?” a third retorted. “You’re the ones trying to frame us—“
The soldiers of the procession, elite and highly trained, didn’t falter for long. The march ground to a halt. Those closest to the casket immediately formed a defensive circle, bracing themselves to protect the dignity of the Royal Family at all costs. At the front of the line, the lead soldiers moved to intercept the intruders, some acting as a human shield while others moved in to make the arrest.
Amidst the chaos, the nobles of the rival factions began hurling accusations back and forth with no sign of stopping. Even Count Alegria threw himself into the shouting match.
(This is madness… there is no room for advice when they’ve already lost their heads.)
”—This… this is impossible,” a voice whispered.
Because I had distanced myself from the circle of bickering nobles, I happened to catch a faint murmur from Marquis Aprelton, who stood just as isolated as I was. I turned to look at him and was stunned. The mask of effortless composure he always wore-even in the most grueling audiences-had shattered. His face was a mask of pure shock and bewilderment.
Seeing him like that made one thing clear: the disruption of the funeral was completely outside the Marquis’s calculations. It meant we had to consider a terrifying possibility-that this event was driven by something far more significant than mere political sabotage.
(That gear… are they adventurers?)
I squinted to observe the perpetrators. The men already being pinned down were wearing the reinforced leather and protective gear common among those who braved the Labyrinth. Most alarming were the naked blades and magic staves scattered on the cobblestones around them.
At a glance, it looked like a botched assassination attempt. The honor guard’s hostility was understandable, and their swift suppression of the threat was commendable. Yet, I couldn’t shake a nagging sense of wrongness. Would men brave enough to draw steel against a royal procession really allow themselves to be captured this easily? Moreover, using my Blessing to sharpen my sight, I could see they weren’t shouting battle cries-they were screaming in confusion. Their faces didn’t hold the fire of zealots; they held the frantic terror of men who feared for their lives.
”Good god! Over there as well!” King Valentio’s anguished cry rang out across the balcony.
The bickering nobles finally fell silent, turning their eyes back toward the town. Near the inner circle guarding the casket, another group of adventurers had suddenly appeared. This time, the entire court watched in stunned silence as the new arrivals looked around in a daze, immediately cast aside their weapons, and fell prostrate on the ground.
”What is this? What’s happening!?”
”How could that many people get past the crowds without the soldiers noticing!?”
”I-I don’t know… Wait, look! There’s more!”
As if the first group had been a mere opening act, adventurers with drawn swords began appearing all across the castle town. It wasn’t just people; cloth-covered wagons and supplies were manifesting on the very roofs of the buildings, trapped and unable to move.
”R-Roeni-dono! Tell me, what in the world is going on!?” Valentio demanded.
”I… I cannot say, Your Majesty! I don’t know…!” Roeni replied, voice trembling. “But considering their gear and the sheer volume of people… this looks like the entire population currently diving in the Capital Labyrinth!”
The streets were becoming a sea of humanity. The sheer number of people appearing out of thin air was beginning to swallow the funeral procession and the mourning crowds alike, filling every alley and rooftop as far as the eye could see. And the epicenter of this phenomenon was clearly the Adventurer’s Guild-the location of the ‘Gate’ to the Royal Capital Labyrinth.
”Could it be… were all the adventurers inside the Labyrinth just forcibly purged!?”
”Is that even possible!? Why!?”
”Forget that-send a messenger!” Alegria shouted. “Tell the honor guard to retreat to the castle immediately! We can’t proceed with the burial in this madness!”
Despite the unprecedented nature of the crisis-perhaps a side effect of relying on the incomprehensible power of a Labyrinth for national prosperity-the kingdom’s leadership reacted with surprising speed. Realizing that the time for petty infighting had passed, the most capable nobles took charge, leading the majority of the group back into the castle to begin managing the urban chaos.
However, a few remained on the balcony with the King. Among them were Count Alegria, the King’s closest confidant, and Marquis Aprelton, who remained paralyzed, staring down at the thousands of adventurers flooding out from the Guild.
”It can’t be… Not like this…” Aprelton muttered.
”—Paradis. You seem to know what is happening,” Valentio said.
The King, who had been white with rage just moments ago, had regained a cold, terrifying calm now that he realized this wasn’t a deliberate insult to his daughter. He turned his gaze toward the Marquis-the man who usually dodged royal authority with a smile, but was now trembling more than anyone else. The King’s voice was quiet, yet it carried the weight of a death sentence.
The Marquis, looking every bit the eighty-year-old man he was, recoiled as if struck.
”I-I have… in the secret records I’ve spent eighty years collecting from other nations… there are accounts of this! This exact situation!”
”Speak, then,” Valentio commanded. “What is happening?”
It was the right of a high noble to keep secrets, and the King had never begrudged the Marquis his private intelligence as long as he served the crown. But the time for secrets was over. Valentio took a single step forward, an unspoken threat in his eyes. Aprelton began to nod frantically, his voice cracking as he wailed.
”The Labyrinth… someone has conquered it! Because the Royal Capital Labyrinth now belongs to a ‘Master,’ every living soul inside was instantly purged! But that isn’t the disaster, Your Majesty! The problem is that the very foundation of our kingdom’s wealth has just fallen into the hands of a single individual!”
”—What!? You mean…”
For a fleeting second, a spark of hope flickered in the King’s eyes-a desperate wish that his daughter Marina had been the one to achieve the impossible.
But he quickly crushed the thought. Even with her extraordinary skills, the Princess couldn’t have conquered the Labyrinth alone. If the Marquis was right, the lifeblood of the nation was now held by a total stranger. To survive what was coming, he couldn’t afford to waste another second on a grudge.
—
Summary:
King Valentio conducts a state funeral for his daughter Marina, but pointedly avoids declaring her deceased. This move empowers the Princess’s faction and leaves the Prince’s faction frustrated. Roeni is brought to the balcony by Count Alegria to act as a deterrent against Marquis Aprelton’s political pressure.
A state funeral for Princess Marina is interrupted by the sudden appearance of thousands of adventurers in the city streets. Marquis Aprelton reveals that this phenomenon indicates the Royal Capital Labyrinth has been conquered. The nation now faces an existential threat as its primary economic resource has fallen under the control of a mysterious ‘Master.’
—
Trivia:
- The coffin is explicitly empty, a point of contention between the factions.
- Prince Arsh’s absence is a deliberate political signal by the King.
- Roeni’s background as an adventurer makes her more comfortable in high-tension environments than typical noblewomen.
- The ‘Neutrals’ are watching the Prince’s faction with increasing distaste due to their lack of decorum.
- The Marquis forced the state funeral specifically to politically ‘kill’ the Princess’s influence.
- The adventurers are appearing on rooftops and in alleys, not just the main road.
- The King’s first name is Paradis.
- The Labyrinth is the ‘foundation’ of the kingdom’s wealth, suggesting a resource-based economy (mana stones, loot).
- The narrator has a visual ‘Blessing’ that allows for micro-expression analysis
—
Character Insight:
Roeni displays a ‘soldier’s instinct’ this chapter, reverting to military-like responses when facing a high-pressure political ‘battlefield.’ King Valentio shows his mastery of political theater by using ambiguity as a weapon.
King Valentio shifts from grief-stricken and angry to cold and pragmatic, prioritizing the state’s survival over his personal grudge with Aprelton. Marquis Aprelton, despite his 80 years of wisdom, is visibly terrified, indicating the scale of the crisis.
—
Lore And Worldbuilding Context:
The author focuses on the contrast between the rigid noble atmosphere and the genuine grief of the commoners to highlight the stakes of the succession crisis.
This chapter subverts the standard ‘funeral’ trope by transitioning directly into a ‘System Event’ style crisis.
—
Glossary:
Notes:
• Marina – First Princess of Restea—needs labyrinth escort.
• Valentio – King of Restea, a towering figure with sun‑gold hair and a crown, exudes authority yet trembles with agitation over his daughter Marina’s fate. A shrewd politician, he stages her funeral as a tactical display to reinforce his rule.
• Arsh – Marina’s the princess younger brother.
• Aprelton – A Marquis and leader of the Prince’s faction. He seeks to use the Princess’s death to weaken the King’s power.
• Count Alegria – Count Alegria, a high‑ranking noble of the Princess’s faction, depends on Roeni for security and political leverage. He presents a strict, aristocratic exterior—short silver hair, immaculate dark three‑piece suits reminiscent of Vayne Solidor—yet harbors a kind heart and unwavering loyalty to his only daughter, Ashley.
• Alegria – Count Alegria, a high‑ranking noble of the Princess’s faction, depends on Roeni for security and political leverage. He presents a strict, aristocratic exterior—short silver hair, immaculate dark three‑piece suits reminiscent of Vayne Solidor—yet harbors a kind heart and unwavering loyalty to his only daughter, Ashley.
• Roeni – Baroness and wife of Silcro Confianza, former adventurer and guild receptionist, mentor to Yuuri. She runs the family’s labyrinth‑exploration business with sharp instincts and military‑like discipline. Looks like Lisa from a certain game—neat brown hair, practical, no‑nonsense.
• Silcro – Baron Confianza, a short, rotund quiet genius whose family’s survival hinges on exploiting the Royal Labyrinth, uses his unassuming look to his advantage. He is fiercely loyal to the Princess’s faction and protective of his wife, Roeni, his greatest asset and love.
• Paradis – Mentioned as Suzuri’s companion, he was part of the group that explored the labyrinth and was someone she hoped remained safe after she drew the monster away.
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Edited by Kanaa-senpai.
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