I Obtained Sword God Level Talent

47 – 047. Winds of Change (3)

“Everyone out. I wish to speak privately for a moment.”

Crown Prince Friedrich dismissed all his attendants from the reception room.

As a result, only Frey, Ariel, and Friedrich remained in the chamber.

‘…Ho.’

The Crown Prince, gazing intently at Frey as he drank his tea, let out a small sigh of admiration.

He’s magnificent. Just the man himself is magnificent.

Each and every one of his graceful actions… made him appear as if he were a member of a noble family, boasting a high and mighty presence.

“What is the reason for your visit here?”

It was Frey who broke the brief silence.

His straight gaze, as he drank the tea with its white steam rising, turned towards the Crown Prince.

“I was curious. The birth of a new Saintess, and the appearance of the legendary Holy Grail Knight. I believe there wouldn’t be anyone who heard this news who wouldn’t feel curious.”

Frey nodded without saying anything.

The Empire’s intelligence network was famous even in-game. There was no way the Imperial family, including the Crown Prince, wouldn’t know of the Holy See’s news.

“In truth, I was a little surprised.”

“…?”

“The moment I first saw you, I realized. What it means to be chosen by the gods. The weight resting on your shoulders.”

Frey didn’t bother opening his mouth.

Truthfully, he had no idea what he was even talking about. The only thing certain was that his voice was filled with goodwill.

‘Well, I’m not complaining.’

The position of Crown Prince of the Empire held more power than he had thought.

Especially since this was the man who would ascend to the position of the next Emperor, after the succession was settled.

…So, in a word, it meant he could legally gain a one-sided advantage.

“Although it’s lacking, I will assist Frey-nim in all ways possible, so that you may move forward. If there is anything you need, please tell me without hesitation.”

“…Anything I need, is it.”

Frey opened his mouth in a low voice.

Things he needed? There were many. So, so many. If he could write down everything he needed on a piece of paper, he could probably stay up for two nights straight doing it.

“Nothing in particular.”

But unlike his internal struggle, the answer that came out was extremely short.

It was for a simple reason. Everything Frey needed right now couldn’t be valued with money, or even obtained.

So, telling the Crown Prince what he needed would be a pointless endeavor.

“Hmm! That’s a shame.”

The Crown Prince genuinely sounded regretful.

From Frey’s perspective, it was bound to seem strange. It wasn’t the reaction he’d expected from their first encounter.

‘This, there’s something to this.’

Being treated with favor? He understood that.

But the way the Crown Prince was acting now, it was like he was desperately trying to forge a ‘connection.’

Yeah, like he was seeking an equal exchange for something he desired.

“Your Highness.”

“…Yes?”

Frey’s voice echoed in the reception room.

“Is there something you want?”

“……!!”

“And is it something that requires the help of the newly born Saint Grail Knight?”

“H-how did you know that?!”

A chilling silence struck the Crown Prince like an arrow.

He gaped. They’d only exchanged a few words, and yet Frey already seemed to grasp his intentions.

“Hoo. You’re right. It’s a problem, you see.”

A shadow fell over the Crown Prince’s previously bright complexion for the first time.

Was it something difficult to bring up? Frey waited patiently for him to speak.

“The cause is an incident in the western part of the Empire.”

“……The western Empire.”

“Yes, that’s right. It seems that horrible incidents have been happening at the western border for months now. The situation became so serious, it was eventually reported to His Majesty the Emperor.”

*Squeak—.*

Frey sunk deeper into the sofa.

Just as he thought, the Crown Prince’s sudden visit wasn’t merely out of ‘curiosity.’ He was likely seeking help to solve a problem that was beyond their grasp.

“What is happening there?”

“Soldiers, knights, and mages from the garrison are dying. I know it sounds ridiculous, but they say someone always dies on Sunday nights.”

“Someone dies on the same day, every time?”

Frey, brows furrowed, looked towards the Crown Prince.

Judging by the atmosphere, what he was saying didn’t sound false. It just didn’t make any sense.

“The ministers suspect the birth of a ‘Demon Seed’.”

“……Demon Seed?”

For the first time, Frey’s expression shifted.

The word, which only deepened the gravity of the situation, had slipped from the Crown Prince’s lips.

Only then did Frey grasp the seriousness of the matter. A cult that worshipped demons, the Devil Sect—their involvement in this was a huge threat.

‘Before even entering the mainstream… it’s already chaos.’

‘Demons’ were beings born to hunt and corrupt humans, beings to be feared. Even in ＜Silvering＞, most routes led to a final battle against a ‘Demon King.’

That’s how inseparable the people of this world and demons were.

“All the deceased share the same characteristics. Deep in sleep, during the night… they die. By morning, the number of the dead, bleeding from all seven orifices, increases.”

“Hmm….”

Frey stroked his chin, lost in thought.

Deaths of unknown cause. Deceased sharing a common trait. Even the method of killing—at ‘night’.

‘This… it really does sound like a Demon Seed?’

Frey knew the ecology of Demon Seeds very well. That was why he was certain it was their doing.

“No measure has been effective. Even the priests in charge of the area couldn’t ascertain the cause and gave up. That’s how it came to the Papal See.”

“And conveniently, to meet the rumored heroes, me and Ariel.”

“It’s embarrassing, but that’s accurate. The Pope told me to meet the two of you, rather than himself.”

Clearly mortified, the Crown Prince’s face flushed dark.

‘……Sullivan?’

Isn’t this dereliction of duty? Or did he have something else in mind?

“Ah! Of course, this meeting hasn’t been without merit. I’ve confirmed that Frey-nim is even more impressive than the rumors suggest.”

Unfounded faith.

Seeing the Crown Prince muttering with such a heavy look, Frey nearly chuckled involuntarily.

He had been sensing an oddly favorable gaze since a while ago. Apparently, the Crown Prince was very fond of Frey.

“……I will take on the case.”

“F-Frey! Really?!”

Frey spoke in a low voice. Until now, Ariel had been quietly listening to the conversation, and now she jumped up from her seat, shouting.

“Yeah. This is something I need to do.”

Frey said it with a calmer expression than she expected.

The Devil Sect. And Demon Seeds.

They’re the embodiment of evil, a collective dragging this world to ruin.

The shattered Blood Sect is cute compared to them… The Demon Cult is a gathering of thoroughly insane b*stards, that’s what it means.

“R-really?!”

The Crown Prince shot up from his seat, a look of shock on his face.

His face was wide with relief, showing just how much the unprecedented incidents at the border garrison had been weighing on him.

“However, there are conditions.”

“J-just say the word. As I mentioned before, I’ll help to the best of my abilities.”

Frey nodded quietly, then immediately listed his demands.

“First, find me a large mansion in the central district of the imperial capital. And send a few servants to care for the child. If possible, someone skilled in domestic affairs would be good. And also…”

*Gulp!*

So far, the requests weren’t difficult. The Crown Prince swallowed hard, thinking that. He hoped that the following requests wouldn’t exceed his capabilities either.

“Hand over the ‘Plum Blossom Elixir’, hidden from the imperial report.”

“T-the Plum Blossom Elixir, you say?! How… How does the Knight of the Holy Grail know about that?!”

The Crown Prince, who had been quietly listening to Frey, gasped.

The Plum Blossom Elixir.

An elixir imbued with the spirit and essence of the Mount Hua Sect from the Eastern Continent.

A spiritual pill made primarily from Glacial Stone Oil, the king of all elixirs, and thousand-year-old ginseng, secretly obtained by the Imperial Family and kept in the imperial vault…

‘I-is this also a divine revelation!’

The Crown Prince couldn’t close his gaping mouth.

There are no more than five people in the whole world who know this fact. But how could Frey, who has never even visited the Imperial Palace, know such a secret!

“T-that… That requires His Majesty’s permission. It means it’s impossible!”

“That’s a shame. Ariel, let’s go.”

Frey nodded and smoothly rose from his seat. The most basic rule in a negotiation is not to show your desperation.

“U-uh? Okay!”

Ariel, startled by the unfolding situation, could only blink beside him.

‘Isn’t this exchange rate too vicious…!’

Frey walked towards the door with slow steps. The Crown Prince, watching his figure, clenched his eyes shut.

‘But, I can’t just watch my people, my vassals, die!’

Crown Prince Friedrich.

A man with an overabundance of self-love, yet one who cherishes his people and vassals dearly.

He finally made his decision.

“I, I have a condition——!”

*Thud.*

Frey’s legs stopped. The Crown Prince, having jumped up from his seat, continued, his face slightly flushed.

“As I said! I will request that His Majesty the Emperor hand over the Plum Blossom Order. However, I cannot guarantee approval with my own mouth.”

“……?”

*Then why call me here?* Frey’s cold gaze seemed to say.

“I, if! If this matter goes well, that is.”

*Swish*, Frey turned, staring intently at the Crown Prince.

“H, how about we become close, informal friends?!”

……Close friends?

Frey tilted his head. The first thing out of his mouth was a suggestion to become informal friends. It was hard not to feel a bit bewildered.

“Let’s do that.”

*Click.* *Screeeak—!*

Frey, with a short nod, opened the guest room door and left.

Ariel, having briefly looked at the Crown Prince, also bowed her head and hurried after him, leaving the Crown Prince alone in the guest room.

*Thump!*

The Crown Prince collapsed onto the sofa, staring blankly at the ceiling.

In his mind, he thought he understood why the Holy Grail Knight was asking for the Plum Blossom Order.

The demonic race.

Could it be that he had his own way to deal with those damned things?

Anyway.

“Let’s do that. KYA! So damn charismatic.”

Recalling the conversation just now, the Crown Prince didn’t hesitate to give himself praise with no one to hear it.