Surviving As the 5th Prince of the Ruined Kingdom

049

Chief Secretary’s Office of the Royal Intelligence Agency.

Miloa had just received a report on who the imperial prince’s fiancée would be, as decided by the Royal Council.

‘So it’s the fourth princess after all.’

Gracia Lionel.

The fourth princess, born to the second queen, was to come of age in May and become a bride in August.

– ((These wenches are my potential brides?))

– ((This one has a nice face but her feet are a bit……))

– ((Oh, this one’s face is nothing special but her dainty feet are quite pretty?))

Despite knowing the princesses were fluent in Imperial Hamil, the imperial prince assessed them like objects. In truth, his heart leaned about 60:40 towards the third princess.

But there were two major reasons the fourth princess was ultimately chosen.

One, Miloa’s deliberate inaction, as secretly agreed upon with Evan.

Two, numerous palace servants witnessed the fourth princess stumbling out of the prince’s bedchambers, her appearance unkempt.

‘Filthy scoundrels.’

Miloa’s face flushed slightly as he recalled the pleasured screams he happened to overhear from the fourth princess when passing by the detached palace where the royals resided.

He was quickly startled and frowned.

It was the side effects of quitting smoking.

Miloa opened the window to let the cold air cool his face.

‘By the way, why hasn’t the fifth prince contacted me?’

Miloa chewed on her thumbnail, restraining her urge to smoke.

Knock, knock.

“Countess Miloa, a telegram has arrived.”

“Bring it in.”

The second clerk who entered through the open door respectfully handed her the telegram.

“Where is it from?”

“Well… I cannot decipher it using the signal system I’m familiar with.”

“Is that so? Then leave and get back to work.”

Sensing that the long-awaited news had arrived, Miloa examined the telegram in her hand with a slightly tense expression.

The symbols listed meaninglessly on the paper quickly assembled into sentences in her mind.

‘Negotiation complete. Highest-grade mana crystal deposit confirmed?!’

It was common knowledge that the higher the grade of mana crystals discovered, the more abundant the deposit. After deciphering the first sentence, Miloa nearly let out a shout, clenching her fist.

This would shut the mouths of those allies who would have gleefully mocked her for failing to stop the 4th Princess from marrying into the Empire.

‘The highest grade, the highest grade…….’

Miloa licked her lips with her tongue.

The dark persona lurking in her intimate depths briefly pondered how to devour the mine.

Soon after, she wiped her mouth with her sleeve as if regretting the thought.

It was an act that could not be easily carried out anywhere other than the Hamil Empire, which was so brazen. Even the 2nd Prince’s faction would have foamed at the mouth, criticizing the 1st Prince’s faction for their lack of morals.

If the multi-racial allied nation of Aden intervened, it would become even more troublesome. It could end up killing the goose that laid the golden eggs.

But more than anything else, the biggest obstacle was undoubtedly…

‘5th Prince, Evan Lionel…….’

Perhaps because she had already been severely reprimanded during the hearing? The mere thought of him triggered a blaring alarm in her mind, questioning what foolish idea she was entertaining.

‘This time, let’s quietly move on, each having gained a reasonable profit.’

She never knew when she might join hands with the 5th Prince again. For that possibility, it seemed fine to leave a precedent of being a good partner, like this time.

‘The profit the 5th Prince would claim……. perhaps 3%, or at most 5% stake in the mine?’

An astounding deposit of the highest-grade mana crystals had been discovered.

With just that stake, he would possess wealth rivaling that of a decent Count’s household.

Miloa considered that level of stake an acceptable concession.

But she did not know.

That Evan’s gain from this mine development project was not ‘reasonable’.

‘······ Why are my hands trembling?’

Miloah’s instincts sent a fierce warning, but unfortunately, she mistook it for the side effects of quitting smoking.

***

“Go, Zidragon!”

“Groooooar!”

Kwakwakwakwakwa-

At my word, Zidragon, a 10m tall faceless dragon, instantly burrowed into the ground. A breathtaking scene every time I see it.

A tunnel that dwarves would need to cling to for days was drilled through in an instant.

“Let’s go!”

“Support the pillars first! Bring rebar!”

“Not size 55, size 77!”

The dwarves who had been watching rushed towards where Zidragon had dug in, carrying rails. Instantly, pillars were propped up and rails for carts were laid around the entrance.

It was an astonishingly fast operation.

As I stood with arms folded, watching the scene, the chieftain Gilrud approached me.

“Truly, you have truly tamed that beast.”

“Didn’t I tell you?”

I replied with a smile, glancing at my skill window. [Beast Taming] was there.

It appeared exactly a week after I started taming the faceless dragon. That day, it gained the name Zidragon.

“Well? Isn’t the 30% stake in the mine not a bad deal? That beast even showed us where the highest-grade magic stones are.”

Not only did Zidragon play the role of heavy machinery in mine development, but it also served as a prospecting tool, accurately locating where magic stones were deposited.

“Hmm······ I was expecting around 5% at most.”

“Isn’t 5% too low?”

“I’m grateful, but business is business. Chasing away that thing alone would merit that much. Not a single copper invested and you want how much. 30% is too much.”

I licked my lips at his words.

If I had just had some capital, securing a 40-50% stake might have been possible?

No matter.

Gaining a 30% stake in a mine that unearths the highest-grade magic stones with zero investment will surely be recorded as a legend in future history books.

Perhaps distant historians will sneer, dismissing it as a fanciful tale.

“Ah, has my request been completed?”

At my question, Gilrud frowned deeply.

He was making another counterfeit [Barisada] at my request.

“Ugh, if it wasn’t for your request, I wouldn’t make such a thing even if I was dying. That’s why I came here. It’s all done, so follow me.”

“Understood. Ziddragon! Listen well to what the foreman asks of you. Don’t cause any trouble. Go back to your nest and rest when the work is done.”

“Groo! Groo!”

Ziddragon nodded as if he understood.

The dwarves glanced at me and him, then focused on their work again.

At first, they were wary of Ziddragon even though I was watching, but after he threw himself to block a dwarf who was about to be crushed by a falling rock, they became close enough to occasionally toss him an iron ore as a snack.

“Let’s go.”

“Yes, Your Highness.”

I chased after Gilrud, who had already left with Alfon and Reina.

And we arrived at his smithy.

“Is this really a counterfeit?”

I couldn’t help but be amazed at the ‘rare’ grade sword that was indistinguishable from [Barisada].

It was incomparable to the one Miloa had brought and left at the palace instead. Reina, who was admiring it beside me, had a look of greed in her eyes, which said it all.

“It’s a poor soul born with an unfortunate fate. If you ever get a chance, let it fulfill its worth as a sword.”

“Understood. It won’t take as long as you think.”

I assured him and took the counterfeit [Barisada].

“Is the sword sheath I requested also completed?”

“Of course. Wait a moment.”

He brought a plain sword sheath. I nodded with a satisfied smile.

“Good. Just right. Thank you.”

I expressed my gratitude to Gilrud and left his smithy.

Back at the temporary lodging made by the dwarves, I told Alfon and Reina to rest, then entered my room.

I gazed at [Barisada], wrapped in cloth, on the table for a moment.

Barisada talks a lot.

I haven’t figured out yet if it’s because she found a conversation partner after 500 years or if it’s just her personality. What’s certain is that she sometimes gives me a headache.

Fortunately, she also sleeps.

If I completely cover the sword with cloth like this, she sleeps for 2-3 days. Is it like blackout curtains?

I carefully unwrapped the cloth from Barisada, making sure not to wake her up.

The hilt had changed from its original form.

I gilded the black sheath to golden and added some decorations. With this alone, almost no one would suspect it’s [Barisada].

It was quite an arduous process to persuade Barisada to make this change. What did she say? That it felt like someone was painting gold paint on the wallpaper?

‘She’ll definitely say something when she sees this too.’

“······What is that shabby thing?”

Oh no, she’s awake.

“It’s just an ordinary sword sheath, as you can see.”

“No way.”

“Why don’t you try it out once? It might be much more comfortable, you know? The current sheath was focused more on sealing than the original purpose of a sheath, wasn’t it? You said it felt a bit stuffy when the sheath was on last time. This ordinary sheath might actually be more comfortable for you.”

“······Just this once.”

With her permission, I swiftly removed Barisada’s original sheath and put on the one I got from Gilood.

Then I carefully asked, “How’s this?”

“Well······not bad.”

She seemed quite satisfied.

I became a little curious about what kind of change had occurred in her previously dim space.

“Yawn··· I’m going back to sleep, so cover me with a cloth.”

“Oh, please go back to sleep right away.”

In case her mind changed, I promptly wrapped Barisada in cloth.

‘It’s tough, it’s tough.’

Shaking my head, I put the original sheath back on the fake one Gilood made.

It looked exactly the same.

Anyone would think it was the real Barisada.

There’s no way the fake could be exposed unless some fool tried to draw the sword from the sheath. A satisfied smile spread across my face as I finally completed the preparations for the perfect crime.

I kept the fake safely and looked at the calendar.

‘Is it about time for Fran to come back?’

While taming the faceless dragon, Fran had been on high alert in case of any accidents. The day after the creature got the name Zidragon, he suddenly disappeared, saying he was going to take a short break.

I didn’t ask where he was going.

It was obvious.

Where else but the elven forest, his hometown?

‘Wasn’t his mother’s tree there?’

The elves’ way of holding funerals is tree burial. Just as humans visit graves to honor their deceased parents, the elves seek out trees.

“Alfonso! Alfonso!”

“The prince’s chief attendant is here, Your Highness.”

“We’ll be going to Merton Dominion tomorrow, so be prepared.”

“Yes!”

***

“Alright, the 5th Prince will be arriving soon, so everyone be alert. Aira! You look so lovely today. As expected of my daughter. And……. why does your hair look like that?”

“What’s wrong with my hair, mother? It’s the latest trendy style in the capital these days! Isn’t that right, Aira?”

Aira, dressed elegantly in a red dress, gave a small nod in response to the Countess’s question.

“Aira, are you not feeling well today? You seem to lack energy.”

“I’m fine, Mother.”

“The 5th Prince will be here soon, so hang in there a bit longer.”

It’s because of that prince, Aira softly whispered to herself.

A short while later.

The 5th Prince’s carriage and the knights escorting him came into view.

The Count scurried out in his house slippers.

“You’ve arrived, 5th Prince.”

“I clearly instructed Alfonso to have you wait comfortably……”

“I conveyed your words exactly as spoken, I swear.”

The Count quickly stepped in to help Alfonso, who was insisting on his innocence.

“hahahahaha, how could that be when the 5th Prince has graced us with his presence? Alfonso is not at fault. Did I not personally come out to welcome you on your first visit, Your Highness?”

But you didn’t bring out the entire household back then, Aira softly muttered to herself once more.

Things had become like this after the news that Evan would jointly develop the magical stone mines with the dwarves.

Thanks to this, the Merton Count’s household gained the immense benefit of being responsible for the first transport of magical stones, so it was an expected outcome.

“Please come inside.”

“Of course. Ah, has Fran returned?”

“Yes, he arrived yesterday and is resting.”

“I see.”

As he followed the Count, Evan gave a slight nod towards Aira. She responded with the brightest smile she could muster.

Suddenly, she heard the voice from when he had saved her from the Imperial beasts.

– ((Stop it.))

The surrounding scenery, sounds, smells from back then······ Everything I could feel was still vivid.

That day, I thought I had met the prince I dreamed of as a child.

The 5th Prince with no backing.

I thought it was worth a try.

But not anymore. In just a month, he became a tree I couldn’t climb. I couldn’t imagine how much bigger he would grow.

Goodbye, my love.

Watching Evan walk with the Count, that’s how I bid farewell to my first love.

***

After a brief discussion with the Count about the mining development, I went straight to find Fran.

She was the reason I came down to the Merton Estate. Just as Ziddragon’s training was wrapping up and I was about to have an important conversation, she abruptly took a vacation.

‘Since it’s late February now······.’

Not much time left.

Her death.