When Li took a careful look around, she saw a stretch of lawn with flowers blooming here and there.

It was such a peaceful, idyllic scene that it hardly seemed possible it existed inside a dungeon.

Even so, Li did not lower her guard.

“Master, there is no need for such vigilance. There are no signs of monsters nearby, however…”

“However, what?”

“There is a strange presence.”

No sooner had Trismegistus finished speaking than a hazy human silhouette appeared some distance away.

In an instant, Li launched Andromeda.

[Now, now. Would you kindly retract that rather dangerous chain?]

The Celtic cross charm at the tip of the chain bound the silhouette tightly.

Yet from the tone of voice alone, Li could tell the figure was entirely at ease.

“May I ask who you are?”

[I am the remnant of Richard Alphonse Heliantheus Liese.]

“The Founding King… My name is Li Earlychar Karasebed Kwea.”

Instead of performing a curtsy, Li dropped into a kneeling salute.

In the kingdom, this meant kneeling on one knee, placing the right hand over the chest and bowing the head, the highest form of respect.

[Commendable… is what I would say, but I am little more than an empty shell now. I am not someone who merits such formality. Raise your head. In fact, if ‘Founding King’ is the more familiar title in this era, you may call me that.]

“Then I shall gratefully do so.”

[You are of the Karasebed ducal house, I see. That explains why the path opened… but tell me, who was the one who fell first?]

“The one who fell before me is the current Saint. I believed it to be a dungeon trap and came to rescue her.”

The remnant of the Founding King laughed heartily.

[I see. That is unfortunate. That mechanism responds only to those who carry my blood.]

“Then the cause lies with me. The Karasebed ducal house was on the brink of extinction in the previous generation. My father, who was a royal prince, was adopted into the house.”

[I see. Then you are a distant descendant of mine. Welcome, Li.]

“…What of the Saint?”

[She is merely asleep. There is no need for concern. This place was designed so that only those of my bloodline may enter. It seems a series of coincidences allowed her to slip through. As a precaution, I inscribed a sleep spell here. It appears to have worked as intended.]

He laughed again, cheerfully.

“And what are you doing here, Founding King?”

[Nothing particularly grand. I relinquished the throne to my son and my grandson grew splendidly. I wished to pursue my youthful passion for alchemical magic without interference, so I secluded myself within this dungeon. And before I knew it, I became… this.]

“The influence of the dungeon’s authority, most likely. Even so, I have never encountered such a case,” Trismegistus remarked.

[That would be your familiar, I presume? An intelligent divine relic, how rare.]

“I am Trismegistus, chief familiar of my master, the Omniversal Archive Heaven’s Library, Trismegistus. A pleasure, Founding King.”

[Ho,] the remnant nodded grandly.

[If I may surmise, Sir Trismegistus, you possess all manner of knowledge?]

“Indeed.”

Li felt a bad premonition stirring in her chest.

[Excellent. I have found myself at an impasse in my research. Might you lend me your assistance?]

“W-wait! Founding King, we do not have the time for that!”

Li quickly explained their situation. that they were in the midst of a dungeon practicum at the academy, that others had already returned believing the Saint had fallen into a trap and that she wished to bring the Saint back as soon as possible.

[If that is the case, it cannot be helped. Li, would you visit again when circumstances permit? Then I may converse properly with Sir Trismegistus.]

“I do not mind, but if we are sent here at random, I cannot know when we might return.”

[Naturally, I have considered that. Take this.]

A ring appeared before Li.

It was silver overall, with a large magic jewel set in a square mount.

[In the western tower of the royal palace, at the highest floor, there is a certain chamber with a mechanism prepared. If you channel mana into this ring there, you will be able to teleport here.]

“Then I must inform His Majesty the King.”

[Indeed. Any of my blood should be able to use it, though I would prefer not to be visited too frequently.]

“Please discuss those finer details with His Majesty. I am rather pressed for time.”

[Very well. I shall see to it. My apologies for the trouble, Li. Take this as compensation. Show it to my descendant and do as you please with it thereafter.]

This time, a key appeared before her.

Li accepted it and bowed her head.

“I gratefully accept Your Majesty’s generosity.”

[Think of it as an advance payment for your future assistance. Until we meet again.]

With a snap of his fingers, Li found herself returned to the original chamber.

Confirming the Saint’s presence, she let out a quiet sigh of relief.