Surviving As the 5th Prince of the Ruined Kingdom

024

Clop, clop.

The lively sound of the horse’s hooves pulling the carriage reached my ears. I slightly opened the window to enjoy the scenery outside.

Baro na, the capital of the Rionel Kingdom.

The carriage was passing through the market.

“The latest fashions from the Arya Kingdom are in vogue these days! Cheap! Inexpensive! Hey, pretty lady over there! Come here and try this on. Just have a look!”

“This Powerful Herb from the Hamil Empire can even raise the dead! Oh my, madam. Come over here! Really, you ask? Of course, come this way.”

“Pick anything, pick anything. Ten for one cron, no matter what.”

Merchants calling out to customers, and customers.

I remembered coming here with my nursemaid when I was young. The difference now was that people paid no attention to whether the carriage passed by or not.

Thanks to changing into an ordinary carriage instead of a royal one on the way, I could catch glimpses of people’s lively lives.

‘This guy’s got a bit of a mischievous streak.’

I chuckled, picturing Alfonso, who was driving the carriage.

With the vibrant market as the backdrop, I briefly reminisced about the process that brought me to the capital.

***

“It’s a mess.”

“Pardon?”

“They say major decisions are made through council meetings with the officers, but in reality, isn’t it because there’s no one capable of leading the Northern Liberation Army?”

“…I can’t deny that. But there are reasons for it. The reason it turned out like this is… Well, you see…”

As Alfonso continued his explanation, my grand dream of rallying the Northern forces, starting with the Liberation Army, to throw chili pepper in the eyes of the First and Second Princes faded like a mirage.

After hearing his whole story, I summed up the situation of the Northern Liberation Army in one sentence.

“In short, the moderates and the hardliners have been clashing since your teacher passed away.”

“It’s an embarrassing story… hahahahah.”

The saying that humans are political animals was not without reason. Even in a place where people had reasons to unite, they were still fighting among themselves.

‘Revenge and rebuilding the clan…….’

The fact that there were two goals already suggested a predetermined outcome. It was only natural for each person’s heart to be more drawn towards one direction or the other.

Perhaps the hardliners favored revenge.

While the moderates leaned towards rebuilding the clan.

“Are there even more extreme individuals among the hardliners?”

“Yes.”

“How extreme are we talking about?”

“Well… that is, you see……”

Watching Alfonso hesitate, an intuition crossed my mind.

“Could it be that some of them are contractors with the demon tribe?”

“No, that’s not the case……”

“Did anyone argue that they should make a contract with the demon tribe? Or did someone actually attempt to make such a contract?”

“……. Yes. Fortunately, the master stopped that person before he could bring about disaster. Not only the aftereffects of the Dark Flower Plague, but that incident further weakened the master’s health.”

That was a relief.

If the one who had contracted with the demon tribe was from the Northern Liberation Army, then forgetting about unifying the North, cutting losses quickly would be the right answer. It could have become a threat to the entire continent.

The mere fact that someone had attempted to make such a contract was problematic in itself……

“Don’t worry. Only the master and I know about it.”

“Are you sure?”

“Of course.”

“But it’s possible that you just think so, isn’t it?”

“Well… I suppose so. But I’m absolutely certain. I’ve erased all records related to that person!”

At Alfonso’s mention of ‘records,’ a simple way to verify came to mind.

“What was the name of the person who tried to cause that disaster?”

“Chris Baer. But why ask the name of someone already dead?”

┕ Tell me the names of people who know that Chris Baer of the Northern Liberation Army attempted to contract with the demon tribe.

「I cannot provide an answer, as there is no information recorded anywhere in this world regarding the query you asked about.」

Verification complete.

Just as the book said, for [Library] to be able to confirm something, it must be recorded in some form or another – at the very least, in some confidential document tucked away somewhere. For now, I could rest assured that it was not recorded in that manner.

The problem arises when it’s not ‘recorded’ anywhere and only remains in someone’s mind……

“Your Highness?”

“Ah, let’s move past that now.”

“Suddenly? Just a moment ago, you were so… Ah! Could it be related to Your Highness’s, um…scar?”

I gave a vague nod.

“How curious. To infer that just from a name… If I’m ever expelled from the palace, I’ll start an intelligence guild with you.”

“Enough with the idle chatter. So, are you a hardliner or a moderate?”

“Under my mentor’s influence, I’d say I’m a neutral party who understands both sides’ positions.”

“Neutral enough to speak out?”

“……”

Alfonzo averted his gaze.

An outcast?

“Including me, there are about three of us……”

Feeling a pang of guilt for having pried into a wound, I changed the subject.

On that first night of treading the ‘Path of the Sovereign’ and gaining my divine power, Alfonzo and I talked long into the wee hours.

And the next day.

While Alfonzo went to fetch breakfast, I sat staring at the Telestone I had placed on the table.

‘From the First Prince’s side, perhaps?’

The bombshell that was the Royal Inspectorate – I couldn’t fathom any reason for the Second Prince’s faction to lob that at me.

Comparing myself to the Second Prince… Ah, yes!

‘The difference between a human and a honeybee.’

With a push of his finger, the Second Prince could burst and crush my innards, but still! I too have a stinger that can prick the Second Prince.

I can spread the ‘suspicion’ among the people that the Second Prince assassinated the Fourth Prince. If I reveal to the world that I proposed he deal with the Ackard issue, he too would be in quite a predicament.

Of course, there is no evidence that the Second Prince ordered Ackard’s assassination. Even if the Second Prince responds defiantly, I may suffer no real harm. But if I were to expose it, I certainly could not escape unscathed.

So, a human and a honeybee.

For now, while it may produce sweet honey, it will be left alone.

At any rate.

No matter how I ponder it, I cannot fathom why the Second Prince would mobilize the Royal Inspectorate to investigate my surroundings.

Of course, I cannot be certain.

Even within the Second Prince’s faction, there are various subfactions. Undoubtedly, some among them dislike me.

If it came from the First Prince’s side, who could it be?

The one whose fury burned hottest when the man spearheading the investigation into Ackard’s mysterious birth returned a chilled corpse.

Perhaps······.

‘The close friend of the First Prince, the chief clerk of the Royal Intelligence Bureau, Earl Miloa Christie.’

Unable to vent his anger at the Second Prince, he might have targeted me instead?

This is the sorrow of the powerless······.

Northern Unification.

That phrase flashed through my mind once more. Though impossible now, can’t one still dream of it?

Fortunately, the Northern Liberation Army has yet to inflict great harm upon the kingdom. Their founder, Alfonso’s mentor, was a moderate who advocated building strength before rising up.

Attacks on the Hamil Empire were permitted, but he turned a blind eye to internal enemies of the kingdom for the time being.

‘There are even beneficial aspects for the kingdom.’

Some view the Northern Liberation Army as a buffer between the Hamil Empire and the Leonel Kingdom. They intermittently conduct guerrilla activities near the newly drawn borders, sometimes in annexed areas beyond.

They occasionally raid merchant guilds run by eastern and southern nobles, sometimes taking hostages too, but cleanly release them once the ransom is paid.

The most reassuring fact is that no news of nobles being killed has surfaced yet.

······ I feel like I’m justifying a terrorist group. I pray no major incidents occur until the day I eventually meet them.

Knock, knock.

“Your Highness, I’ve brought your meal.”

“Enter.”

Alfonso entered, placing a sandwich and milk on the table.

“Sit, have some too.”

“I’m alright.”

“Eat when I tell you to.”

“You have it first.”

After I took a bite, he reached for the sandwich too.

‘Can’t taste it?’

I heard he lost his sense of taste from ingesting something wrong while studying toxicology. Strangely, his sense of smell became exceptionally sharp instead.

‘Wasn’t smell necessary to taste flavors?’

I had doubts but didn’t try to understand. Most things in this life couldn’t be grasped by applying standards from the previous one.

“How are things at the Emerald Palace?”

“The worst.”

He didn’t sugarcoat it by saying it was alright.

To be fair, more than a few witnessed the Royal Intelligence Inspectorate trying to apprehend Alfonso. One of us saw our relationship plummet in real-time that day.

Compared to the effort required to improve a relationship, it takes but a moment for it to fall apart, which is a bit disappointing.

“The new kitchen assistant?”

Didn’t you say you trained under the same master?

“……. He deserted.”

“What?”

“He ran away. Outside the palace. Unlike me, his name and surname were all aliases anyway, so it shouldn’t be a big deal.”

After finishing his words, Alfonso ground his teeth audibly. He seemed quite vexed that the one who had abandoned him didn’t even look back.

For a while, I focused on satiating my empty stomach.

Once I had eaten enough,

“Will you ask the Second Prince for help?”

“……. I’ll have to try. Eat up.”

Although I’m not keen on it, if I get the Second Prince’s help, he can surely prevent the invalidation of the non-arrest privilege I exercised.

Members of the Royal Council who support the Second Prince can cast opposing votes.

The problem is……

Unlike the royal trial, I’ll be indebted to him unilaterally.

Normally, the powerful don’t have to repay debts, but for the weak like me, I’d have to repay tenfold, a hundredfold to such a person.

Still, I can’t let them take my first knight away.

Isn’t there another way?

That’s why, until Alfonso arrived, I was glaring at the telestone the Second Prince had given me on the table.

After finishing the sandwich, I held the telestone in my hand.

‘The magic code for the Chief Clerk’s Office of the Royal Treasury is…….’

I could sense the desperation of those inquiring to borrow money. Just as I finished operating the telestone and was about to initiate communication,

Zziing- Zziing-

The telestone in my hand began to vibrate.

Who could it be?

Upon checking the telestone, it displayed the magic code of the place I was about to contact.

Ahem, I cleared my throat with a cough before answering.

“What is it?”

“This is Count Kleang, Fifth Prince. I heard an interesting incident occurred yesterday.”

“It wasn’t that interesting. Why, offering to help?”

“Even if I wished it were so, my purpose is not that. I have contacted you to advise restraint for the time being.”

Suddenly, my mood soured.

“By any chance, is this the Royal Inspectorate? Did you send this?”

“Certainly not. Can you not guess who sent it? If not, I’m a little disappointed.”

“Alright. But what restraint are you referring to?”

“To ensure Her Royal Highness the Second Queen does not hear Prince Fifth’s name mentioned. She awoke this morning, you see. Now, if you’ll excuse me, I’m quite busy.”

Kleiang ended the communication after delivering his message.

– She awoke this morning, you see.

– She awoke this morning, you see.

– She awoke this morning, you see.

That phrase kept ringing in my ears. Truthfully, I had hoped the Second Queen would remain bedridden for some time.

I was averse to seeking the Second Prince’s aid. Currently, in the [Registry], the Second Queen was my worst relation. With her watchful, piercing gaze, would the Second Prince dare assist me? Even if he did, some members of the Royal Council were allied with the Second Queen.

Alfonso, who had overheard everything, wore a resigned smile. As the saying goes, people smile when troubled – and that was precisely it.

My head began to ache.

For a while, I firmly pressed my thumb against my temples, trying to alleviate the pounding pain.

How could I prevent my right of diplomatic immunity from being nullified without the Second Prince’s help? After pondering this for some time, I looked up.

“Alfonso, didn’t you mention there were high-ranking members of the Northern Liberation Army in Varo Na as well?”

“Not high-ranking, more like elderly advisors.”

“Well, same difference.”

“Not quite. They’re not affiliated with the Northern Liberation Army.”

“I should meet them regardless.”

“But to leave the palace before coming of age, you need permission?”

“Then get permission.”

“And if they refuse?”

“Then I’ll have to sneak out. First, try to get permission.”

And so,

Soon after, Alfonso returned with a permit bearing the royal seal’s imprint.

“You got it easily?”

“Indeed. I’m not quite sure how it happened myself.”

“Your Highness, we’re almost there.”

Jolted by Alfonso’s voice, I looked out the window. We were passing through the intersection.

A signboard caught my eye.

[Queen’s Intersection]

Queen’s Intersection?

‘Where have I heard that before?’

Ah, I remember.

– At the address Queen’s Intersection 34-231, stand in front of the door and shout loudly, ‘Beautiful Sorceress, please take me as your apprentice,’ while bowing nine times.

I had seen such a message, concealed by an overly confident mage, when I had tampered with a problematic ritual from a magic book.