Surviving As the 5th Prince of the Ruined Kingdom

027

Evan and Alfonso returned to the Emerald Palace.

The two went straight to the study.

“I’m tired.”

Evan was dazed as if his mind was foggy, having exhausted all his energy in the conversation with Fran. He fell onto the sofa, throwing his body down.

In a posture like a slumped cat, Evan blankly stared for a while before speaking.

“Alfonso, get me some chocolate from the drawer over there.”

“Yes.”

Alfonso opened the drawer and grabbed a handful of chocolate. The magic books neatly stacked on one side of the desk caught his eye.

‘Surely he couldn’t be studying magic.’

There are those who study magic despite not being mages.

Magic scholars.

Eccentrics who study those incomprehensible magic books to satisfy their intellectual curiosity and sometimes give birth to nonsensical wonders of civilization.

Evan, too, was thought to belong to that category.

‘What else are you hiding?’

On the day the Royal Inspectorate barged in, Alfonso had many conversations with Evan.

However, given the circumstances, topics related to the Northern Liberation Army were the main focus. There was little room for personal discussions between the two.

‘Still, you could have at least told me you use magic.’

An endlessly layered prince, like an onion no matter how much you peel it. Concealing a slight disappointment, Alfonso handed Evan some chocolate.

“Thank you.”

As Evan popped the chocolate into his mouth and chewed, his eyes gradually regained their vitality.

“I might live now.”

Feeling that Evan had regained some energy, Alfonso, who had been driving the carriage, voiced the question he had been wondering about.

“Prince, why did you ask the kid those questions earlier? A beautiful sorceress? Bowing nine times? What was that all ab····· Well, in any case, he looked at you strangely, which was a bit embarrassing.”

“The magic book you brought. What was it called······ Ah yes, the book on [Invocation] magic, 『The Source of Fire』. The address of the message hidden in there was that mansion from earlier, and my questions hinted that he would be accepted as a disciple if he followed them correctly. Since Fran has a disciple, I was curious if he really did as I asked.”

“······.”

Upon Evan’s candid statement that he had simply discovered the message mages hide in basic magic books to find promising talents like pearls in the mud, Alfonso was briefly rendered speechless.

In the past, Alfonso had thought Evan did not belong in the genius category because he lacked the unique madness.

He cursed his own discernment at that time.

Among geniuses, there are bound to be exceptional ones. If one stands out among those with madness?

‘They might even seem normal······.’

With this understanding, Alfonso decided not to ask why Evan created a ‘Core’, shackling himself.

Originally, learning the ‘Core’ is a choice made by those lacking talent in both swordsmanship and magic······or those deceived by a charlatan.

Swordsmanship talent, magic talent.

Since Evan possessed innate qualities for both, his decision must have been the right choice. Thinking this, Alfonso resolved to quietly observe.

Noticing Alfonso’s ever-changing expressions, Evan realized he had made a serious misunderstanding.

“It’s not what you’re thinking. I was already in a state of having created a ‘Core’, which allowed me to see the hidden message in the magic book. What that means is, I could design the originally two-dimensional inscriptions in my mind······.”

Alfonso smiled wryly as Evan made excuses with incomprehensible terms.

“It’s alright. I look forward to whatever surprises you have in store.”

“So I was already in a state of handling magic power······ Ha··· No. Think what you will.”

There was a fact Evan did not know.

Alfonso’s thoughts were not mistaken.

The message Fran had hidden in the magic book. It was normal to be unable to decipher it separately from awakening one’s magic power.

Fran, who studied magic at the Crimson Tower.

In the past, for some reason, she was forcibly pushed to revise and republish a few basic magic books of the Crimson Tower.

Through that process, she inserted a few ridiculously difficult problems into basic magic books like “The Origin of Fire.”

And after the draft was made, it seemed wrong, so she quietly deleted them.

It was that draft that Alfonso had passed on to Evan. Because it could be obtained for free.

For Evan, it was like restoring an abandoned hut that had been devastated by a tornado to its original state without ever having seen it before.

Evan, who had only recently been introduced to magic. It was only natural that he did not know the fact that he had lost interest in solving the problems after discovering the message in “The Origin of Fire.”

***

“…… If it’s possible to construct a two-dimensional spell into three dimensions, anyone would have solved the problem.”

“It’s okay. I look forward to what other surprises are in store.”

“So you’re already handling mana…… uh… no. Think what you want.”

I gave up persuading him and shook my head.

“You must have been tired too. Sit down for a bit.”

I invited Alfonso, who was giving an uncomfortable smile, to take a seat.

“I’m more comfortable standing. Really. It’s easier to respond immediately if a memory comes flying at me.”

“Well, suit yourself.”

Saying that, I glanced at Alfonso’s status window.

Soon, a major bomb in the form of a hearing to invalidate his immunity from arrest would drop on his head, so I didn’t have time to ask about his past in detail.

But from what was shown in the status window alone, I could infer a lot.

Alfonso Einverk.

Turning 19 in just a month.

Skills window full of assassin techniques.

He’s even practicing a mana cultivation method that uses poisonous herbs to increase his attribute achievements. Ah, I heard this from him.

‘Who’s afraid of who creating a core?’

I clicked my tongue, remembering Alfonso’s reaction at Fran’s mansion.

Apart from using poisonous herbs, there is a common trait among mana cultivation methods that aim to increase attribute achievements. The further you go, the exponentially harder it becomes to achieve success.

And that’s not the end of it. There’s a bigger problem.

Just like how a rapidly moving car burns through fuel much faster, it consumes your lifespan.

I took out the Beirne mana cultivation method that Fran had given me from my pocket. Its value can be immediately checked by searching in the [Skills] window.

[Beirne Mana Cultivation Method] – 100,000 RP

[Beiern Mana Cultivation Method] – 500,000 RP

The same name, two [Beiern Mana Cultivation Methods].

The former being the original of the Beiern family.

The latter, which I currently possess, is the value of the one enhanced by my great-grandfather, I surmise.

In the past, I pondered why these were divided into two but couldn’t find the answer. It was only after receiving the Mana Cultivation Method from Fran that I finally understood.

Come to think of it, it’s astonishing how magnanimous she was to readily return to me, a descendant of her great-grandfather’s bloodline, a Mana Cultivation Method worth nearly 5 billion in value from her previous life.

The problem is······.

‘I cannot learn it.’

Naturally, I cannot sell it.

I cannot ask Alfonso to learn it either.

Mana Cultivation Methods based on attributes are like bombs residing within the body, so attempting to switch to a moderate Mana Cultivation Method will cause them to explode. It’s not a metaphor; it’s real, and the heart goes boom!

“Suddenly, I felt a bit off. As if my heart was pounding.”

He’s perceptive, that one.

As a joke, I offered Alfonso the Beiern Mana Cultivation Method.

“Want to learn it?”

“You’re speaking in too roundabout a way of telling me to die. If it were 1st or 2nd stage, perhaps, but for someone like me who has achieved 4th stage mastery, learning it would mean instant death. Definitely.”

“Tsk, why switch when you’ve thoroughly cultivated the Einberck Mana Cultivation Method.”

“I regret it too. But I had my circumstances.”

Well, there’s no grave without a story behind it.

For now, I decided to keep it safe and put the Beiern Mana Cultivation Method back into my possession. The day will come when I take it out again.

“Leave it to me. I won’t lose it and will keep it safe.”

“Just in case. Bring back the allowance I gave you for buying magic books.”

“Ah, come to think of it, it seems too valuable an item for me to keep. You should keep it safe.”

Changing the subject and avoiding my gaze, Alfonso.

After the heart-to-heart with Fran, the strength that had left me during my runaway has returned, and it seems the time has come to have another headache-inducing conversation.

“It seems the conversation went better than expected, thankfully.”

“All thanks to the Sword of the North. Just by conveying Fran’s words, it will give the executives who disapprove of the Prince’s plan another chance to reconsider.”

“Yes.”

From the start, my relationship with Fran was one of ‘friendship’, allowing me to speak confidently and unreservedly. Inwardly, I expressed my gratitude to my great-grandfather, who had considered her a close friend.

“Then should we wait for the contact from the Northern Liberation Army?”

I looked at Alfonso with a disappointed expression at his words.

“The hearing may be held as early as next week. We can’t just sit idly waiting for the contact until then.”

“Then what are you doing?”

“We need to prepare various things in advance.”

“Various things? But what if the hearing is held before the preparations are complete? Isn’t the time too tight?”

“We’ll have to pretend to be sick.”

“Huh?”

“They won’t call someone on the verge of death. Since a mere pretense won’t work, we’ll have to drink some dangerous poison to buy time.”

A method often used in both past and present lives.

However, unlike the past life, in the present life, such a simple pretense won’t work due to the existence of spirit channels that can excessively enhance human healing abilities.

“Yeah, the poison of the famous Seven Treasures Herb should do.”

Seven Treasures Herb.

A poisonous herb that grows in a desert of the Hamil Empire.

It’s called the Seven Treasures Herb because it’s so deadly that one dies before taking seven steps after being poisoned. The prince who called the hearing will have to acknowledge it if I collapse due to such poison.

Alfonso’s expression turned pale.

“You could really die.”

“That’s the worst-case scenario. Since we don’t know if that might happen, we need to prepare an antidote in advance, just enough to prevent death.”

“Even if you survive, there could be severe aftereffects. For example, **you could lose your sense of taste**.”

“…You’ve tried it before, haven’t you?”

“You don’t need to worry about the antidote. I already have it.”

It seems my concern about the Northern Liberation Army’s abilities being inferior compared to Pran’s was an unnecessary worry.

It was rude of me to have such concerns about a group that fearlessly feeds its members the Seven Treasures Herb for training purposes.

“I accidentally ingested it. My teacher was shocked.”

…This kid is something else.

Ah, now I remember him saying he lost his sense of taste after accidentally ingesting it. It’s hard to tell if he’s telling the truth or acting, since he’s such a good actor.

“Anyway, we can’t just sit around waiting for a contact that may or may not come. We need to prepare in advance.”

“But what should we prepare first?”

Instead of answering, I stood up from my seat and approached the desk. I opened the drawer and took out the telliston that I had put away.

“Who are you trying to communicate with?”

“Lord Cliang.”

The left arm of the 2nd Prince, the chief clerk of the Royal Treasury.

“What did you wish to discuss?”

“What time is it now?”

“Uh…… 5:50 pm. It will be dinnertime soon.”

I’ve heard he’s a man as sharp as a blade, and doesn’t take calls outside of work hours. He had no leisure to respond to Alfonso. I hurriedly attempted to communicate with Lord Cliang.

“This is Lord Cliang. What is the matter? I believe I had requested that you refrain from contacting me for the time being. Since there isn’t much time left until I get off work, please state your main point within 10 minutes, and I will be grateful.”

This person has absolutely no human warmth.

“I can bring over members of the Royal Council who support the 1st Prince. If you’re not interested, feel free to hang up. I’m refraining myself as you requested.”

“……. What power does the Prince have to bring over members of the Royal Council?”

“Weren’t you aware that I have close ties with the Northern Liberation Army? Then where did you think I obtained the information for the Royal Trial?”

“………”

Lord Cliang fell silent.

Alfonso’s eyes widened as he listened to the conversation. His pupils were showing, so he must have been quite surprised.

– When did you become so closely tied to the Northern Liberation Army? You didn’t even make any arrangements, did you?

It seemed like he was asking that.

I gave him a look that meant, “It doesn’t matter, it will become that way soon.”

– But what will you do if the Northern Liberation Army refuses to participate in the Prince’s plan!

Alfonso’s pupils shook roughly, as if asking that.

Ah, what a bothersome fellow.

The moment the Northern Liberation Army refuses to participate in my plan, it will already be over, in common parlance.

‘I’m already riding on the tiger’s back.’

I steadied my breathing.

Pran passed the [Evan Mouth Technique] with a passing grade. How about you, Lord Cliang?

“Of all times, now……. *sigh* Please go on.”

At least he seemed willing to try and harmonize for now.