The Prince from Another World Wants to Save the World

Chapter 9: The Mad Prince’s Route (2)

As a result, Jess intended to reward me with a silver medal and land, just like when I defeated the Undead Army.

Once again, I accepted the silver medal but declined the land. Instead, I brought up a proposal that would score me points with the surrounding ministers.

– I am unworthy of receiving land. Instead, I humbly request that the task force I lead to counter the Undead Army be elevated to the status of a knight order.

– A knight order? So you intend to become the commander yourself, even though you’re not a knight?

– The commander can be anyone. I simply want to continue taking the initiative in resolving matters like this one—issues that the Empire might find difficult to handle.

– Then… you mean you want to lead a military force?

– No, a full army would be too large to move efficiently. A small, nimble team like the one we have now is sufficient. The total number of members won’t exceed thirty.

– Thirty? What can you possibly accomplish with just that? No, never mind. Your intentions are noble, so I’ll grant your request.

Jess, caught off guard, suddenly seemed to think of something and approved my request without hesitation.

I could see it clearly. Based on the history of my nine regressions, he was probably already planning my assassination.

He must be thinking that for now, it doesn’t matter what I ask for, because soon he’d put an end to me anyway.

“Your Highness, a messenger from the Imperial Palace has just delivered your silver medal,” Rania said as she entered the room, holding a vial of elixir. I had collapsed in exhaustion as soon as I returned to the estate, but the overwhelming scent of the elixir made me groan.

“Ugh, isn’t there any way to improve that awful smell?”

“Unfortunately, the smell isn’t something we can improve at the moment. For now, we’re focused on enhancing the elixir’s effectiveness.”

“For all that effort, I don’t feel like I’ve grown any taller…”

“I’m sorry, Your Highness,” Rania suddenly knelt, bowing her head.

“It’s all because of my lack of skill. But I assure you, the effects will manifest, so please trust me and continue to take it.”

“Come on, don’t take it so seriously. Get up.”

“Your Highness…”

“There’s no alchemist better than you, so don’t worry about complaints.” I snatched the vial from her hand and drank it without hesitation.

Ugh! Gross!

What is this!? I tried to keep my composure, but my face twisted in disgust. Why did the taste get worse?

“To be honest… it tastes like water from a sewer mixed with rotten tree roots.”

“You have a sensitive palate. One of the new ingredients is the fermented root of the Klezzol tree.”

“So, are the other ingredients from the sewer as well?”

“Of course not, haha… Oh, I apologize.”

Rania giggled but quickly regained her composure.

“My apologies. I can bring all the ingredients right away to show you.”

“No need. By the way, are the ogres receiving the meat?”

Meat—the staple food of the ogres.

Three days ago, as soon as I returned home, I cleared out the large warehouse behind the estate and set up the Connecting Stone there.

I had then instructed the purchase of various meats from the city’s markets to be sent to the ogres. Rania nodded in response.

“I’ve already placed 500 silver coins’ worth of meat into the Connecting Stone. Additionally, I bought the grain flour you mentioned and stored it in the warehouse. It seems the ogres are making bread with it?”

“They should be making porridge, not bread.”

“Huh?”

Oops. That was meant for another group, so there was no need to mention it here.

“Never mind, just focus on sending them meat. The bread isn’t for the ogres.”

“Understood. Speaking of which, I heard that a large shipment of Stone Fish arrived at the market this morning at a very low price. Shall I buy some and send it through the Connecting Stone?”

“The ogres specifically asked for no fish. Send only land-based meat if possible. But I see that the reopening of the Yotun Bay has resumed Stone Fish fishing.”

The surviving Sea Serpents had retreated to an area farther from the entrance of the Yotun Bay, keeping a watchful eye on the situation.

Though the fishermen were still anxious, it was actually fortunate for me. If the serpents had fled too far, it would have made hunting them difficult.

I had already sent three Seal Priests and twenty regular priests to begin the second round of the hunt.

Although the results might not be as significant as the first hunt, given my absence, it should be enough to earn me some credit with the ogres.

But in the meantime, all these operations were draining my finances.

Between the support sent to Elston County, the revival of the Gusf Trading Company, the costs of transporting the Sea Serpents, and the meat sent to the ogres, the 3,000 gold coins I initially received as a reward had evaporated in no time.

Receiving a new silver medal was like a breath of fresh air in these circumstances.

The reward had been significantly reduced, though—only 500 gold coins this time. According to imperial law, since I acted as an individual rather than on orders from the Empire, this was the maximum I could receive.

But that was fine. The ogres would soon be sending me a large quantity of silver ingots.

Of course, selling silver ingots directly was tricky, so I had enlisted the help of the Gusf Trading Company. I instructed them to relocate their headquarters to the capital, Emperoroad, to expand their operations.

“By tomorrow, the Gusf Trading Company will have set up shop in the market. Buy all future meat and elixir ingredients through them. We’ll settle the bill with silver ingots once they arrive.”

“Understood. I’ll make sure to organize the warehouse properly to store the ingots.”

“Right. Keep an eye out in case anything other than ingots arrives. Also, ensure the maids in charge are discreet.”

“I will see to it.”

“We’re also building an annex near the estate to serve as the headquarters for the knight order. We’ll need to clear a large section of the forest for a training ground… Is there anything I should avoid?”

The estate is surrounded by the dense forest owned by the Lunembreth family.

Most of the trees are useless for lumber, but the real issue is that many of the plants used in alchemy grow beneath them. Careless clearing could harm our supply of ingredients.

“You’re free to cut down any trees near the estate. We don’t gather ingredients from this area.”

“Got it. I’ll have Gusf Trading take care of it once they’re settled. By the way, what’s today’s date?”

“It’s September 6th.”

“September 6th, huh. I’ll come down for lunch later, so you can go now.”

“Rest well, Your Highness.”

Rania bowed deeply before leaving the room. The real reason I’d asked for the date, even though I already knew it, was that tomorrow marked the D-Day for starting the new route—The Mad Prince’s Route.

“The Mad Prince… This is the earliest I’ve ever started it.”

Just as its name suggests, this route requires me to do something insane.

It’s so outrageous that if I hadn’t first laid the groundwork to boost my reputation, I’d probably be thrown into prison, even though I’m a prince.

But it’s worth the risk.

Why, you ask?

Because this is the only way to recruit one of the Empire’s strongest knights as my ally.

* * *

“…Thus, the people’s praise for Prince Claude grows stronger each day. What was once a source of great concern for the royal family is now elevating the Empire’s prestige. This is undoubtedly a great blessing for the Empire.”

The investigator beamed as he left Jess’ office, unaware of the prince’s inner turmoil.

“Damn it!”

As soon as the door closed, Jess gripped his head with both hands in frustration.

“This can’t go on. I need to finish this before Claude’s reputation rises any higher.”

“It seems social destruction is no longer an option,” said Firen, the black-armored knight beside him, in a quiet voice.

“After the Undead Army incident, people were still hesitant. But now, the ministers are openly praising him.”

“They were all eager to defend him during the last council meeting. Years of careful planning have crumbled.”

“What will you do now?”

“I have no choice. I’ll have to deal with him myself.”

Jess turned sharply, glaring at Firen’s visor-covered face.

“I’m not going to wait any longer. He needs to die.”

“Assassination? I can attack the Lunembreth Estate tonight if you give the order.”

Firen spoke as if it were a trivial matter. Jess seemed tempted by the idea, but after a brief pause, he shook his head.

“No, this time we’ll use the power of an Archmage. It’s time to summon them.”

Two of the four Archmages in the Empire shared the same mysterious benefactor as Jess. Firen pondered for a moment before speaking.

“We still don’t know which of them attacked Albert.”

“That doesn’t matter. Whoever it was, if they could kill Albert, they can kill Claude.”

“But Prince Claude can use divine magic. He’s blessed by the gods.”

“Miracle? To hell with that!”

Jess slammed his fist into the table in anger.

“Turn Undead only works against the Undead Army! Hah… Anyway, if we kill him with a sword, there’ll be evidence. We need to wipe out all traces with magic.”

“There are rumors that four priests have been assigned as Prince Claude’s bodyguards.”

“And?”

“There’s a divine magic called Protection Magic, which defends specifically against magic. If those four priests are skilled, they might be able to block an Archmage’s spells.”

Firen’s point was valid, but Jess smiled faintly and shook his head.

“No, I’ve received reports that those priests stayed behind in the Yotun Bay. They’re hunting the remaining Sea Serpents. This is actually the perfect opportunity.”

“Claude really doesn’t understand the danger he’s in. How foolish…”

Firen clicked his tongue in disdain. Jess nodded in agreement.

“That idiocy won’t disappear anytime soon. If necessary, I’ll send two Archmages instead of one. With overwhelming firepower, we’ll burn down not just the Lunembreth Estate but the surrounding forest as well…”

“Regent, Sir! Sir Davi of the White Knights requests an audience!”

At that moment, a guard’s voice echoed from outside the office. Jess grumbled irritably.

“Davi? What does he want now… Let him in!”

“His Highness has granted you entry!”

Immediately, the heavy door swung open, and a slender young knight entered the room, bowing deeply.

“Sir Davi of the White Knights greets the Regent.”

“It’s been a while, Knight Master. I did receive notice that you’d be visiting this morning, but… Why is a White Knight here at the palace?”

The White Knights were one of the Empire’s main knight orders, currently stationed in the north, confronting the Northern Coalition of other races.

Davi closed his eyes tightly for a moment, then spoke calmly.

“I took leave to return, as I have an urgent request.”

“A request?”

“Do you remember the petition I submitted two years ago, just before the White Knights were deployed to the north?”

“…Is this about Berit?”

“Yes, Your Highness.”

Berit is a region located northeast of Emperoroad, the Imperial capital.

About 100 years ago, it became a kind of exile zone for the remnants of the Royce Kingdom, the last kingdom the Empire conquered, as well as various other refugees.

In the Empire, discrimination based on one’s origin is forbidden by law. But Berit is the one exception, where such discrimination is allowed.

“For the past 100 years, Berit has been governed by temporary lords. But these lords have exploited and oppressed the people, taking advantage of their lowly origins.”

“Yes, you petitioned to improve the situation.”

Jess frowned, recalling Davi’s petition.

But Berit’s very purpose was to exploit its people.

They are the descendants of those who resisted the Empire until the end. Through strict surveillance and exploitation, the Empire sought to weaken their strength and eliminate the threat of rebellion.

Thanks to this strategy, there hadn’t been a single issue in Berit for over 100 years.

However, during that time, the population of Berit had dwindled to less than half, and most of the farmland had become desolate.

Yet despite this, the people of Berit could not leave.

While regular imperial citizens had the right to travel freely throughout the Empire, the people of Berit were not included in that law. The lords used military force without hesitation to stop any refugees from fleeing.