The Prince is the son of the king, who has contracted Stone Fever, an incurable disease that turns body parts to stone and progresses until it reaches vital organs. His condition prompts the king to announce a massive reward for a Cockatrice Beak, which is rumored to be a rare drop from A‑rank cockatrices. This reward triggers a rush of adventurers to the new dungeon near Loft, causing overcrowding and increased danger. The prince himself never appears in the story, but his illness drives the entire adventurer boom that forms the backdrop of the events at Loft. The reward is large enough to live in luxury for life, making it a potent lure for fortune seekers.
