Chapter 107
Chapter: 107
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>Translator: penny
>Chapter: 107
>Chapter Title: Living as the Prince of an Enemy Nation (2)
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>Childhood was like sand grasped tightly in one's fist—believed to be firmly held, only to slip through the fingers, leaving not even a trace behind.
Logan had grown into a tall, brilliant, and exceptionally talented boy. His calm demeanor and prodigious swordsmanship were enough to earn him the reputation of being the son who had inherited the Holy Emperor's blood most purely.
Yet, even as he increasingly resembled his parents in appearance, Logan found it hard to truly see the current Holy Emperor and Empress as his real parents. He made every effort to behave with utmost courtesy and infuse affection into his actions, but the human heart wasn't so easily swayed.
In contrast, it was ironic that his siblings felt like his true family. Perhaps it was because Gael, who had been an only child before, had never experienced such bonds.
He liked the innocent Masain, worried over the troublemaking Mores, cared for Amelia who had entered the palace late and was still timid, and loved Sisle, whom he had watched since her infancy.
The attachment he felt toward them was likely what kept Logan, who always seemed somewhat detached due to his memories of his past life, tethered to the palace.
But as he grew older and his siblings became increasingly busy with their own lives, Logan began venturing outside the palace more and more.
Under the grand pretext of subjugating sea beasts for the sake of the people, he led a detachment, but Logan knew his own state better than anyone.
He simply wanted to exhaust his body without a moment to brood. While comfortably staying in the palace, he was constantly haunted by memories of his past life, forcing him to grapple with the purpose of his new one.
On top of that, his worsening relationship with Mores was wearing him down. Since Mores was the first sibling he had met after reincarnating, Logan had unknowingly leaned on him emotionally more than he realized.
*Mores. What on earth has happened to you?*
He had always sensed Mores's presence clearly since childhood, yet lately, Logan sometimes found him utterly unfamiliar.
“Logan, all the people of Delcross are praising your valor and character. It is truly an achievement befitting a prince of our millennium-old Holy Kingdom.”
The Empress, whom he met upon returning to the palace after a long absence, spoke with an elegant smile.
Following the [Duty of the Noble], Logan had joined the Order of Saint Bastian at a young age and distinguished himself in many ways as a prince.
Not only was his swordsmanship outstanding, but his thoughtful and upright character, mature beyond his years, had won over knights of all ages in the order, leading some to follow him devotedly.
Those knights called themselves [Lilium], after the lily emblem of the order, and that group later became the detachment under Logan's command.
This time too, he had led the Lilium to sweep through the eastern continent, subjugating sea beasts before returning.
“You, still so young, are already elevating the Empire's name and the imperial family's honor. Your mother is always proud of you, my son.”
Logan smiled bitterly.
He had no desire to raise the Empire's prestige. He simply wanted to protect the Ortonan refugees, lonely wanderers who had lost their homeland, from the sea beasts.
That was the only thing he, reincarnated as the prince of an enemy nation, could do for his country.
“But hasn't that been enough by now? I worry whether you're eating properly, if you've been injured anywhere... That's always on my mind.”
Empress Tatiana, his mother, wanted Logan to stay in the palace now, learn imperial studies, and participate in state affairs. She hoped he would become the crown prince and eventually succeed to the throne.
But Logan could never think of himself as a true Delcrossian.
Even as he relentlessly subjugated sea beasts, he kept returning to the eastern regions almost subconsciously—because deep down, he still considered himself an Ortonan.
-*You think we're grateful to you for this? After you spurred Ortona's downfall!*
-*The people of the east will never forget the grudge for killing our General Gael!*
Logan still vividly remembered how one group of refugees he had saved glared at the Lilium with eyes full of resentment.
In his past life, he had given his life for Ortona, and now he was bearing the blame for that very death.
Was this new life bestowed upon him for that reason?
Not content with sacrificing for the republicans, must he now shoulder the hatred toward Delcross and martyr himself for the enemy nation instead of his homeland?
Logan didn't know.
* * *
“So... you don't know the reason for your new life?”
How much time had passed since the two began talking? The night had deepened into pitch darkness without even the moon.
Fortunately, Seongjin, accustomed to the dark, could clearly make out Logan's expression across from him under the faint starlight.
Ever since realizing the Holy Emperor likely knew his true identity, Logan's face had shown clear signs of agitation. That was probably why he was so readily confiding even his usual unspoken worries to Seongjin.
Moreover, being the only one in the palace with whom he shared such a [secret] likely helped bridge the distance between them.
“Your country was destroyed by Delcross in your past life, so you feel guilty living comfortably as its prince? But if you step up to rebuild your homeland, there are limits as the prince of the enemy nation?”
“That sums it up simply, yes.”
Seongjin's face fell.
What? It was like with Amelia earlier—lately, it felt like he was doing a lot of this counseling.
*Am I more of a philosopher than I thought?*
*Is this profound aura of wisdom from my vast experience just naturally captivating people?*
The Demon King freaked out.
[How can someone overflowing with 'life experience' be so oblivious to himself?]
'What the hell, you bastard?'
He glared instinctively, and Logan looked at him curiously. Seongjin cleared his throat awkwardly and spoke.
“Ahem... Hey. This is just my opinion, so take it with a grain of salt.”
“I'll listen carefully. Please give me your unfiltered thoughts.”
Logan nodded solemnly.
“The reason you lost your country and your life was entirely because of Delcross. But becoming its prince means you can't even properly take revenge, right?”
“Yeah.”
“And even though you've gone out to subjugate sea beasts time and again to help your people, it somehow feels insufficient?”
“Exactly.”
“So what are you agonizing over? There are plenty of ways to resolve both adequately.”
“...Huh?”
As Logan stared with wide eyes, Seongjin shook his head and clicked his tongue.
“Wow, why are all the kids in this house so damn naive?”
Amelia was one thing, but this guy was on his second life—how was he still this pure?
*Dad raised them too softly, tsk tsk.*
“I'll give you an example of one such method.”
At Seongjin's words, Logan leaned forward, his face tense.
“What's the hardest thing to obtain yet most desperately needed to rebuild a nation?”
“......?”
“Capital. Money.”
“Money...”
As Logan pondered and nodded, Seongjin continued.
“Alright, then the solution is simple. Divert some of the Delcross imperial funds and funnel it to your homeland.”
“...!”
“That way, you get moderate revenge on Delcross without crippling it. And it provides your country with the most solid help imaginable.”
Logan's mouth fell open unwittingly.
“But that's...”
“That's what?”
“That's... not right...”
As he trailed off, Seongjin flashed a sly, mischievous grin.
*Of course. For a strait-laced guy who knocks before sneaking into someone else's room, he needs a bit more explanation.*
“If not that, how else did you plan to help your country?”
“If the Ortonans wish it, I'm prepared to abandon everything I have. I'm sorry to Her Majesty the Empress who expects so much of me, but I can't become crown prince here and inherit the throne.”
“Hmm.”
“The problem is that the Ortonans won't trust me, a prince of the enemy nation...”
As Logan trailed off gloomily, Seongjin tilted his head and asked.
“Fine, let's say you leave here and successfully settle in Ortona. What will you do? How will you help the people?”
“Well...”
Logan thought for a moment before answering.
“First, I'd gather those who want to rebuild Ortona. I'd find the surviving remnants of the republicans. Then negotiate sponsorship from the merchant alliances, offering exclusive rights after reconstruction. I'd persuade nobles from territories absorbed by other nations. And rescue the refugees scattered everywhere.”
“Good.”
Seongjin crossed his arms and nodded.
“All solid ideas. But is that something only you can do?”
“Huh?”
“And where will you get the funds to pull it off?”
“......”
Logan was at a loss for words.
Indeed, there were already many in Ortona working underground to revive the nation. Some might even be better leaders than Prince Benicio. There was no reason it had to be him.
Sword Master. So what?
Even when the republicans had a proper army, they couldn't avoid destruction. How much help could one more skilled swordsman provide now?
As Logan's eyes deepened, Seongjin drove the point home.
“Think about it. Would it help your country more if you became a poor spiritual leader guiding the people? Or as a wealthy insider subtly diverting capital from within?”
*Huh?*
“The former could be done by anyone in your country. Only you—a Delcross prince and former Ortonan officer—can do the latter.”
“...!”
“That's something only you in this world can accomplish, Logan.”
Logan's eyes widened hugely.
Lightning-like realization rippled through his blue eyes like waves.
The Demon King sighed deeply.
[No, you demon!]
Logan slowly rose from his seat and said.
“I see. So that's the reason for my new life...!”
The boy, who always smiled sadly with a serene, subdued air, now gazed intently somewhere with sparkling eyes, rekindling a hidden passion he hadn't known was there.
Toward the invisible far east—the land of his lost homeland.
“So the meaning of my reincarnation as a prince is to freely embezzle Delcross's capital and divert it to Ortona!”
*Hmm, that sounds a bit off when said aloud.*
*...Probably something like that?*
But one fact Seongjin overlooked was that this pure prince was far more rigid than he anticipated.
The next afternoon, during an audience with the Holy Emperor after a truly long time, Logan spoke with a grave expression.
“Father, I have a favor to ask.”
The Holy Emperor, who had been gazing into his teacup, looked up and blinked at the resolute determination in the boy's blue eyes.
“A favor.”
“Yes. Please... increase my allowance.”
“......”
“A lot... no, a huge amount!”
Luis, the chief chamberlain who had been serving tea beside him, tilted his head.
“I believe the amount allocated to Your Highness is not insignificant, but how much exactly do you require?”
“Hmm, double what I get now? No, triple?”
“Pardon?”
“How much budget does it usually take to run a country?”
“A country...”
The embezzlement funds he planned to siphon off secretly, Logan was boldly demanding as an allowance.
Luis subtly checked the Holy Emperor's reaction.
After a moment of silence, the Holy Emperor slowly raised a hand to cover his face and spoke.
“Do as you like with the allowance. However, Logan...”
“Yes, Father.”
“Do you hang around with Mores these days?”
“......”