The Extra Prince Sets Out To Conquer The World

I flicked my finger and suppressed the sealing magic circles engraved in my blood.

It was too dangerous to show them for long to an excessively outstanding magician like Yekatrice.

“Ah, aah!”

As the magic circles disappeared in an instant, Yekatrice let out a gasp of disappointment.

The magic circles that embodied the essence of the Four Seasons Four Disasters were an opportunity that even she, who had reached the level of a sage, could not easily encounter.

I don’t know how much she grasped the magic circles, but no matter how outstanding, it would have been overwhelming to comprehend even one magic circle engraved by the Sage of the Winter Wood in that short time.

“You probably know that the magic circles inherited through my blood are both the axis that protects the seal of the tombstones and the key itself.”

She nodded.

“I also know that to use it as a key, it’s only possible by killing you.”

To be precise, it was about taking advantage of the gap that occurs in the process of the magic circles being transferred to the next seal inheritor after I die.

Even if they snatched the magic circles like that, the seals were scattered all over the world, so they couldn’t immediately break the seals.

In the novel, even pouring in Arcana’s full power, it required more than 3 years of preparation.

Of course, using the magic circles engraved in my blood as a key was just an expedient method, and there was also a proper way to break the seals.

In fact, Arcana was using both methods, and the proper method has been in progress for about 350 years.

And the completion of that proper method was probably not far off.

In the novel, since Arcana broke the seal using the expedient method, I can only guess that it’s still far off compared to just using the expedient method.

“The fewer people who know, the better. The seal engraved on my body is a secret that even my companions don’t know.”

There was one reason I was speaking indirectly.

“I understand. I won’t mention it to Dalanta, no, even to the other Sages of the Four Seasons.”

“Thank you.”

I didn’t bother to mention the fact that Arcana knows there is a seal on my body.

If I had revealed it, the other Sages of the Four Seasons might have tried to kill me. Even if Yekatrice wouldn’t do that.

Even snatching the seal required quite a bit of preparation.

If they killed me before Arcana was prepared and randomly transferred the seal, the seal would be buried again among the countless descendants of my ancestor.

“How is it? Has it been proven that I am an enemy of Arcana?”

At my playful smile, Yekatrice nodded and apologized to me.

“It has been proven. I apologize for doubting you unnecessarily, benefactor.”

It didn’t matter that I had twisted the fate of death.

As long as it was proven that I wasn’t in cahoots with Arcana in any way, it was done.

“You can repay me amply, including the suspicion.”

At my sincere words, she seemed to think it was a joke and laughed, saying it was funny.

“Yes, I will do so.”

It’s not a joke though? I’m going to make you pay even if I have to force you to live.

When we came out of Yekatrice’s workshop after talking alone, everyone had washed up and was waiting for Yekatrice in a neat appearance.

“Did the talk end well?”

Dalanta asked while moving the warm meal to the table with magic, and Yekatrice nodded with a smile.

“I can’t give you the details because of a promise, but I’ll guarantee it in the name of the Sage of the Winter Wood. This person is not an enemy.”

When she staked the name of the sage, Jade looked at his master in surprise.

It was a natural reaction, as the name of a sage wasn’t something that could be easily staked.

Regardless of her disciple’s reaction, Yekatrice declared,

“Jade. I, no, we have received a favor from Yuan that cannot be easily repaid. So if you are rude to the benefactor or the benefactor’s companions like earlier, I will not forgive you.”

Jade, who seemed dumbfounded at the sudden declaration, soon came to his senses and bowed his head.

“I will keep that in mind.”

“Now, let’s eat.”

At Dalanta’s words, everyone sat down.

Jade and my companions were still quietly eating while keeping an eye on Yekatrice and me.

When the awkward and reticent atmosphere pressed down on the dining table, Dalanta, unable to bear the atmosphere, began to chat about this and that.

I continued the meal while agreeing with various adventures, including stories of vanquishing monsters in the past and funny things that happened on the battlefield.

“This sauce is really delicious. Is it made from pomegranate?”

“Oh, you can tell? I mixed white stock and brown stock, then added a point with pomegranate wine made by fortifying the alcohol.”

“The sweetness and acidity go well with meat dishes.”

When I guessed the cooking ingredients, Dalanta excitedly started talking about the recipe.

Since Yekatrice wasn’t the type to lead the conversation either, Dalanta and I were the only ones chatting throughout the meal.

“This is the most satisfying meal I’ve had in a long time.”

“You also have quite a discerning taste in cuisine. I like it.”

Thanks to that, I only raised Dalanta’s favorability to my heart’s content. But it was true that the food was delicious.

Should I ask him to teach me the recipe later?

After dinner was over, Dalanta and Yekatrice went somewhere as if they had something to say to each other, and I threw a small box to Gilbert while drinking black tea brewed by Zillian No. 45 in the living room.

“Gilbert, catch this.”

Gilbert opened the box with a puzzled face.

Inside were black pills with silver spots.

“What is this? It looks similar to what you took last time, Young Master.”

Well, it’s the same thing, so of course it does.

I don’t know if his eye for detail is good or bad.

“It’s the secret elixir of the Blantzbe=arg Marquis family, Silver Bloom.”

“Wow, is this the famous elixir that created the Sword Demon?”

Gilbert looked at the elixir as if it was fascinating.

“Well, it didn’t exactly create him, but it must have played a part.”

“But why are you giving this to me?”

I chuckled at his innocent question.

“Why would I give a knight-exclusive elixir to a knight? Of course it’s for you to eat.”

“Aha, to eat… What?”

Gilbert looked at me in surprise.

“This precious thing to me?! No, wouldn’t it be better for Precia to eat it than me?”

His question seemed noble at a glance. It was an admirable yet foolish concession, saying wouldn’t it be more efficient for the strong Precia to eat it rather than his weak self.

“Don’t say stupid things and eat it. It’s an order.”

“But…”

Gilbert glanced at Precia. It was natural for him to be mindful of her since she had served me longer.

“Gilbert, a person can’t do everything alone. When Precia isn’t there, you have to protect me by yourself. Isn’t that right?”

When I sought agreement, Gilbert nodded.

“…That’s right.”

“Then don’t you have to become strong to protect me?”

“That’s right.”

“Gilbert, it’s good to think of others. But from now on, conceding becoming strong to others is a betrayal to me. Think only of becoming stronger than anyone else to protect me.”

Gilbert soon nodded.

“I will follow your orders.”

“Go to your room and take it right away. Precia, help Gilbert properly absorb the elixir.”

“Yes, I understand.”

I comforted Precia’s shoulder, who might feel neglected.

“Yours is also prepared. Not giving it to you right now is a punishment for your mistake.”

They fought too violently, but it was too short a time to hold a genuine grudge, so I thought it was probably because she couldn’t control her competitive spirit.

Then rather than scolding her unnecessarily and hindering her growth motivation, it’s better to just let it go.

“I’ve given the punishment, so I’ll let the fight with Jade slide with this. Ah, and Silua, write a reflection by tomorrow night.”

“What?!”

Silua, who suddenly got caught in the crossfire, looked at me in surprise.

“If you don’t write the reflection, be prepared to be scolded.”

“But you let Precia unni slide just like that!”

“Precia at least fought with mutual consent and ended without much damage, but you almost blew up someone else’s house! Tsk! You’re in trouble!”

“Hiing~!”

Silua headed to her room with a sullen face, holding a pen and paper.

I have no intention of being lenient just because she makes a sad face. Spoiled children usually turn into brats.

Seeing Silua’s back as she trudged away, Precia said to me,

“Young Master, Silua is right. I fought a private battle out of competitive spirit without getting your permission, so please give me a proper punishment.”

It was unexpected that she was asking for punishment even though I said I would let it slide.

If it were me, I would have gladly moved on.

At her request, I answered with a question.

“Precia, was fighting Jade because of competitive spirit?”

“…Yes, that’s right.”

“Any ill feelings?”

“…”

Precia fell silent.

“Why aren’t you answering?”

“I don’t… have any. I just think his sappy face is annoying.”

At her answer, I was silent for a moment.

“Certainly, I can think that way too.”

Objectively speaking, Jade was sufficiently pretty.

It’s just that his smiling face was annoyingly sappy.

When I agreed, Precia nodded her head vigorously.

In the novel, the two of them become lovers, so how did it turn out like this?

“Still, try to become friends from now on. There’s no harm in getting close. And if you want punishment that much… write a reflection too. And think about what you should do from now on.”

“You mean what I should do?”

I nodded and waved my hand, telling her to go to the room and feed Gilbert the Silver Bloom.

I don’t know what I’m doing, not being a teacher who teaches kids.

Of course, considering their age, it’s right around puberty, so it can’t be helped.

I was left alone in the living room, mixing brandy into my black tea, and sighed.

“Do you have any business with me?”

At my question, Jade came out from behind a pillar.

“Ahahaha, you knew? And yet you agreed that my sappy face is annoying. That’s too much.”

“When you eavesdrop on others, you’re bound to hear gossip about yourself. You have to take that into account.”

Precia probably knew Jade was eavesdropping and just talked anyway.

Jade sat across from me with a smile.

“That’s true. Ah, please speak comfortably. Master called you a benefactor, and you’re older than me.”

“Making a fuss over just a one-year difference. Then I’ll speak casually, so you can do the same if you want, Jade.”

Even at my suggestion, he shook his head.

“No, it’s alright. I can’t say I’ve lived that long, but maybe because I’ve lived my whole life speaking politely, speaking casually feels awkward.”

Well, that made sense. Speech is also a habit. You need peers around to speak casually.

I held up the liquor bottle and offered it to Jade.

“Want a drink?”

Upon hearing the offer, Jade seemed curious, swallowed his saliva, pondered for a moment, and refused.

“I’m curious about alcohol, but it hasn’t been a few hours since I got scolded, so if I drink on top of that, I think Master will give me a stern order. I’m sorry.”

“You don’t have to be sorry. So what did you want to say that you waited until I was alone?”

At my question, Jade hesitated for a moment and bowed his head.

“I wanted to apologize for pressuring you with mana when you mentioned the hole to another world.”

“The Sage of the Winter Wood is apologizing to me and that’s it?”

When I asked mischievously, Jade waved his hand in embarrassment.

“No! Master isn’t the type to bring up something she scolded about once. It’s just that after having a fight with Ms. Precia, I couldn’t shake off the thought that I was being unnecessarily proud.”

Jade, who smiled bitterly as if the mind to stand up for his master was all unnecessary pride the moment competitive spirit took over in the fight, bowed his head to me.

“I apologize not because you are a benefactor, but as a person who was rude.”

As expected, he was fundamentally a diligent fellow. Ah, I think a bad habit of mine is about to come out again.

At his apology, I sipped my brandy-infused black tea and replied,

“I won’t tell you to speak comfortably, so just drop the honorifics and call me Yuan. Then I’ll accept your apology.”

At my words, Jade gave a bright smile.

“Alright, Yuan.”

I put down the cup with a serious face as I looked at him.

His expression stiffened at what I said next.

“By the way, Jade. Do you know that your master doesn’t have much time left to live?”

I smiled like a mischievous child.