Isn’t the wannabe Villain too cute?

It was nearly five in the evening when with a serene smile, Austin approached the office of the second Prince in the central palace.

The guards were informed to not stop Austin from entering inside any time of the day. Except for the inspection near the entrance gate to verify whether it is Austin or not, there was no other disturbance in between his walk to Mikhail's cabin.

"Oh, hey!"

"Uhh...Austin..."

It was Cordelia who bumped into him as she was walking out of Mikhail's office, with some paper in hand.

Cordelia was evidently startled to meet Austin all of a sudden but since she got the chance, there was no way Cordelia was going to miss it.

"For whatever you have done for me and Kyouki is more than I could compensate with my life with. I am truly grateful, Austin."

Now Austin was taken aback by being bowed in such a sincere manner and also the heartfelt gratitude was no helping either. It was the opposite of how he was being treated by her the first time they met in the palace.

Being a yandere character Cordelia bowing to someone who has tormented Kyouki in past was indeed surprising. But he has forgotten the past and has long grown uncaring toward what he read in his previous life.

"I accept your gratitude, so please raise your head."

Cordelia half reluctantly strengthened her back as it felt that she didn't express properly how thankful she was. But it would be too embarrassing to list those things here.

With an apologetic smile adorning her unblemished innocent face, Cordelia spoke in a regretful tone.

"I really wanted to have a chat with you and properly apologize for my behavior from back then but you see I am going somewhere."

As she said, Cordelia lifted the papers in her hand making Austin perplexed as he gestured in questioning.

"I am taking leave from my job and joining Kyouki's journey for some months."

Austin was surprised that Kyouki was going on a journey all of a sudden. But then again, that guy must have been feeling quite miserable. It was just like Kyouki.

And Austin understood his urge to get powerful as soon as possible.

Austin himself after learning about his origin and his true potential has been itching to dive into dungeons and fight until exhausted.

Collecting his thoughts, he smiled at the raven-haired girl as he spoke in a contented tone.

"Be safe out there."

Cordelia was taken aback by that ridiculously charming smile that only a noble like Austin could be capable of. But soon she gathered her thoughts as well and responded in a similar tone.

"Mmm. We will."

_._.

**Kncok*Knock**

**Click**

Just upon tapping on the door, it was parted from the inside before a beautiful woman in her twenties appeared from the other side.

"Greetings, Sir Austin."

"Evening Jeanne."

With a mutual nod, both of them finished their greetings before the secretary guided Austin inside the office where as usual emerged piles of papers and dusted old files.

The room was filled with the smell of caffeine but Austin's liking for coffee and the heaviness of the atmosphere was something that doesn't makes him bothered.

Suddenly he found himself needing to take a lit while sipping on hard coffee.

'Maybe later....'

Mikhail was standing at his place with a grin lifting the edge of his lips as the prince greeted his guest in an enthusiastic tone.

"Good evening, Austin. I hope you had a great night's rest."

Austin felt like sighing since he never actually slept after walking out of the labyrinth thanks to his soon-to-be bride's excitement which soared higher than he ever saw after he asked her hand for marriage.

But Austin can't complain either since it was he who took the lead whenever Luna laid down on his chest, all spent while panting heavily.

'Get yourself together you horndog! '

Reprimanding himself Austin greeted back as they shook hands and sat down facing each other with Jeanne as usual standing some feet to the left of Mikhail.

The two men then engaged in casual conversation which mainly circulated around the Labyrinth and Austin's experience.

Apart from what happened on the fifth and tenth floors, Austin told most things truthfully since there was nothing to hide.

Soon a maid delivered the trolley of tea and snacks which Jeanne took a hold of at the door and proceeded to serve the two without missing a single word that left Austin's lips.

"So there's a chance where we might fight without the support of mana..."

A knitted frown was currently adored on Mikhail's forehead as he heard Austin's words.

According to Austin, there might arise chances where the artifact that the Witch created for the demons might emerge once again on the battlefield.

Luna did kill that Witch who was hiding in the jungle but that doesn't imply there couldn't be any more ancient creatures hidden from bare perception.

Not to talk about Dwarves which now don't seem to be a part of a mere fairytale. If Witches could be alive then so be the Dwarves or maybe creatures like Leviathan.

The situation was growing severe and Mikhail has no issues in accepting that humanity is more or less the same as it was since the first Great war except for some advanced artifacts and weaponry.

"There's an option, Your highness. There's a way to fight while being mana disarmed. And no, I am not talking about a physical brawl."

Mikhail perked his ear and refocused his eyes on Austin. The impatience and anxiety were written over his face and one could easily guess the reason behind it.

Even Jeanne was quite taken aback after hearing so many details and exposure to unheard reality.

Putting the cup back on the saucer, Austin picked a chocolate chip cookie as he quelled their curiosity.

"Mana Craft."

For a second Mikhail thought he heard it wrong since what Austin said was nothing more than humanity's dream ever since they discovered mana core.

However, it's a dream implying it hasn't been achieved yet but the enemy was ready out there.

But Austin's following action made the prince way beyond flabbergasted.

"Check this."

Austin knew that the man in front won't believe it until he doesn't see the proof so he(Austin) took out a dagger from his inventory and put it on the table.

Jeanne got alerted instantly but Mikhail raised his hand in denial before he put his undivided attention on the peculiar short weapon.

"T-this...."

Mikhail was left short on words as he touched the weapon and felt raw active mana radiating from the small ruby embedded at the bottom of its handle and carved in a way to assist in grip.

Unlike how one imbues their mana in their weapon to bring a better version out of it, this short dagger was emitting its own mana energy like it was a living thing.

"If another Mana restrictor goes off in this room, this weapon would work fine for at least seven hours since that mana core belongs to a Terror rank demon. As higher the level goes the longer magical energy a weapon would sustain."

Mikhail felt the weight of the dagger suddenly increasing after he heard of what mana core was fixated on the dagger.

But he held his inner warrior who was itching to try this dagger right at this moment and thought more about his people's development.

Wiping away his awe, Mikhail looked at Austin with a severe expression as he asked in a sincere tone.

"Sir Austin. How much it would require to buy this and any other mana-crafted weapon you have."

Austin leaned back on the chair with a sigh leaking out his lips, since he knew this question would arrive.

Munching on the cookie and finishing it with the last sip of the tea, he spoke in a nonchalant tone, much to the other two's shock.

"It's priceless and I won't be giving anything from my arsenal."

___________________...

A/N: - Any reader out there who thinks this story should turn into a harem with selected members?

Let me know in the comments~