Chapter 30 - Becoming the Crown Prince’s Rival
Chapter 30 - Becoming the Crown Prince’s Rival
“…Haah…”
-Not the reaction I expected. No surprise, no hostility—just sighing right off the bat? What’s this about?
“Ah. Shut up. No, actually—how about you disappear again and pretend this never happened?”
-What nonsense are you spouting?
“Ah, please… I was finally enjoying some sweet sleep after so long, and now another headache pops up. What the hell…”
You damn System, didn’t you say Vertus’ soul or whatever residue was harmless when absorbed?
[The lingering soul of Vertus currently residing in the user’s dantian exists in a purely spiritual state incapable of interfering with the material plane. Therefore, the entity remains harmless.]
-So that’s how it is.
“…Hey, wait—can you hear System messages?”
-Hoh. So you call it ‘System.’
“…”
Thud. Thud.
-I’m lodged in your lower abdomen. So if you want to get rid of me, I’d recommend slicing your belly open with a sword rather than bashing your head against a wall.
I diverted my steps from heading back to the dormitory and walked into the garden instead.
“First… let’s take this one step at a time. Weren’t you supposed to be dead?”
-You’re looking at a perfectly intact soul and still think I’m dead? That’s the strange part here.
“Right. Unfortunately, you’re still alive, is that it? Next question. What are you doing in my dantian?”
-That’s what I’d like to ask you. If you wanted to destroy my soul, you should’ve just destroyed it. Wasn’t it you who absorbed it instead?
“That’s…”
Well, after defeating a boss, you loot the drops, right?
I thought absorbing it would make me stronger or grant me some ability or something…
“Will you kindly get out of my body?”
-I’d love to, but for some reason, I can’t budge from this ‘dantian’ organ in your lower abdomen.
“…System.”
[Vertus’ soul is currently bound to the dantian.]
-See?
“I’m gonna lose it.”
So now I have to carry around this voice that does nothing but annoy me with useless commentary.
“Look, if you were gonna die, you should’ve just stayed dead forever. Why’d you suddenly wake up again?”
-I was originally submerged in your dantian’s demonic qi, barely conscious. But as the demonic qi gradually diminished, my soul became exposed…
-And most crucially, that Herthe girl’s mana flowing into your dantian was the trigger. The foreign energy made me open my eyes.
“…Wait. You know Herthe?”
-Yes. When I descended before, there were a few humans who managed to hold me back somewhat. The Herthe clan was one of them. Their black flames were certainly irritating.
“Ah, yes. Must be nice living so long.”
I plopped down under a tree.
“System. What was the point of making me absorb Vertus’ soul? I didn’t get any stronger from it, and it doesn’t even replenish my demonic qi. All I got was another annoying voice in my head.”
-How rude. Though I may have fallen to you, Heavenly Demon, the fact that I can torment you like this is rather satisfying.
“See?”
[Explanation. Vertus’ soul can function as a detector for demonkind.]
“?”
-??
[Analysis of Vertus’ soul within the dantian has been completed. Its wavelength pattern has been identified.]
[Henceforth, when mana with a similar wavelength is detected, samples will be transmitted to Vertus within the dantian, using him as a filter to determine whether it belongs to a demon.]
[In other words, if any demonkind enters within a 200-meter radius, Vertus will react.]
“…Oh-ho.”
-W-Wait, hold on! Don’t joke around! Why would I ever do something like that for you?!
[Negation. This process operates independently of Vertus’ will.]
The tables have turned.
“That’s how it is. Care to comment?”
-…
“Why so silent…”
-Kuhahahaha!
“Wh-What’s with you? All of a sudden.”
-Fine! Go ahead and try to use me as you please, humiliate me all you want! Your life won’t last much longer anyway!
“…What do you mean?”
-Did you think I was the only Fallen Deity to descend upon the human realm? The others have also completed their long preparations and are gradually executing their own plans to corrupt humanity!
“…”
-You may be exceptional for a human, but do you really think you can face the rest of the Fallen Deities alone?
-When the demons claim your soul and your flesh is thrown to the beasts as feed, I too shall be freed… Until then, I shall delight in watching your futile struggles. Kuhahaha!!!
[Negation.]
-What?
[Vertus’ soul is currently bound to the dantian.]
-And what of it?
[Should the dantian’s owner cease all life functions, the dantian will deactivate and dissipate, and Vertus’ soul bound to it will naturally vanish as well.]
“You hear that?”
-…Can we pretend this never happened and let me go back to sleep?
The next morning, during the servants’ assembly.
The head butler announced—with visible displeasure—that I had been promoted to Parmela’s personal attendant and would accompany her to the Academy, along with the new assignments and schedules adjusted for her impending return from vacation.
By promotion standards, this was an even more unprecedented leap than a commoner being hired as a page boy. But this time, the servants didn’t seem particularly surprised.
Likely due to my demonstrated competence as a butler, but more importantly, saving Parmela during the subjugation mission had sealed the deal.
-…As expected, Lady Parmela has awakened to the Herthe family’s ‘tendency’…
-…A commoner butler who saved her not once, but twice? That’s exactly her type…
I could hear the servants whispering about my relationship with Parmela, but I tuned it out. And I’d keep tuning it out.
The very premise that Parmela had fallen for me was wrong.
A duke’s daughter falling for a commoner who happened to save her? Someone’s been reading too many romance novels.
And even if she did confess, I’d refuse.
Looks, background, ability—Parmela lacked nothing.
But her status as a duchess was too high. That was the problem.
After centuries as the Heavenly Demon, I’d had my fill of noble politicking, scheming, and all manner of scandals.
If I ever took a wife, a commoner—preferably the daughter of a wealthy merchant—would be ideal.
…I’m getting ahead of myself. Let’s move on.
As Parmela’s personal attendant, I underwent two weeks of rigorous training under the head butler.
The physical strain wasn’t the issue. Sure, under the pretext of “needing swordsmanship skills to protect the lady,” the head butler put me through endless drills and sparring sessions.
Though I debated using demonic qi at times, the training was bearable.
The real problem was etiquette lessons.
Memorizing dozens of etiquette manuals, being tested on every single rule—
This wasn’t just college entrance exam-level hell; it was on par with the Demon Sect’s specialized training in elemental demonic arts.
‘Double salary, five-day workweek…’
I chanted this mantra like a spell whenever I felt like quitting.
Finally, the day came to leave Bainwood.
That morning, the villa bustled with servants preparing for the return to the imperial capital, Astrum, where the Herthe family’s main estate and the Academy were located.
As departure time neared, all but the minimal staff required to maintain the villa gathered at the main gate.
Most servants boarded cargo carriages in groups of six, but Parmela’s entourage was exempt.
The head butler, a few maids, and I boarded a separate carriage.
Except…
“I’m riding alone?”
The carriage the head butler pointed to was far too luxurious for a mere attendant—almost indistinguishable from Parmela’s own.
“That’s how it is. The lady said she had urgent matters to discuss with the head maid and would ride alone with her.”
“Then I’ll ride with you, Head Butler.”
“My carriage is already full.”
“Then I’ll join the other servants—”
Tap.
The head butler placed a hand on my shoulder.
“Give it up. Lady Parmela specifically ordered ‘special treatment’ for you alone.”
“…”
-Why the sour face? Your ‘master’ has graciously provided this luxurious carriage just for you—shouldn’t you be grateful?
Calm mind, clear reflection—responding means losing…
And so, I found myself alone in an absurdly spacious, crimson-upholstered carriage—so opulent it was almost oppressive.
Clunk. Clunk.
At least the ride was smoother than a standard carriage.
‘Whatever… Might as well relax.’
I was seriously considering stretching out on the wide seat when—
“As expected. The attendant Parmela favors receives special treatment.”
Crown Prince Edgar, his annoyingly shiny silver hair swaying, sat across from me, resting his chin on his hand as he stared intently.
“Jealous~ Well, this works out nicely for me—gives us a chance to talk alone.”
His casual demeanor made it seem like he’d been riding with me from the start.
-Hoh. So this is the crown prince of the Arkesia Kingdom—no, Empire now? You’re quite popular, Heavenly Demon.
‘Shut up.’
I mentally warned Vertus to stay out of this.
“To what do I owe the honor? Lady Parmela is in the carriage ahead.”
“I wanted to talk to you.”
“While I’m flattered by Your Highness’s visit… I don’t see why it had to be now.”
“Really? You don’t know? Parmela’s been shielding you so fiercely since the subjugation. Not that I’ve had much chance to see her.”
The crown prince clearly wanted to meet Parmela, but I hadn’t seen them together since the mission.
Rumors said he hadn’t even been allowed to visit the villa—was that Parmela’s doing?
It really drove home how influential the Herthe family was.
Turning away the crown prince like that and facing no consequences…
“May I ask again why you sought me out?”
“Why play dumb? You already know everything, don’t you?”
He smirked, curling one corner of his mouth in displeasure.
“…My apologies. I truly don’t understand. Please enlighten this humble subject.”
“Hah. Look at this. Still pretending, are we? Head Butler Krabel trained you well…”
Edgar scrutinized my face, then suddenly froze as if realizing something.
“…Wait, you seriously don’t know?”
“?”
“Tell me about my relationship with Parmela.”
“You’re… engaged, aren’t you?”
“Didn’t you hear what happened after that?”
“No…”
Why would Parmela gossip about her love life to a mere attendant?
“Then what’s your relationship with Parmela?!”
“I’m her personal attendant.”
“Besides that!”
“Uh… I’ve saved her twice?”
“…”
What? Something feels off here…
“Hah.”
The crown prince slumped forward, covering his face with his hands.
“Hahahahaha!!!”
He suddenly burst into mad laughter.
“Wh-Why are you—”
“So that’s it! Not even lovers yet, just a commoner who hasn’t even confessed properly—and the crown prince of the Arkesia Empire is…”
Huh?
Did I mishear that? Could you repeat that…?
Snap.
Just as suddenly, he stopped laughing and turned deadly serious.
Is this guy insane? Terrifying…
“Theodor.”
“You… called?”
“I, Edgar Arkesia, 91st descendant of the Arkesia line and crown prince of the empire—”
Silver light gathered in his right hand, forming a one-handed sword.
He stood abruptly and pointed the blade at me.
“—hereby declare that I recognize you, Theodor, as my rival in love.”