Chapter 142
Chapter 142
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Translator: uly
Chapter: 142
Chapter Title: The Crown Prince's True Face
-----------------------------------------------------------------
“......”
What?
This guy wasn’t someone to greet with a smile like that.
But I quickly realized which “Eli” he was referring to.
“Adel. It’s been a while.”
The man who entered through the door called out my name with a smile.
It was the same unfamiliar voice I’d heard earlier, and a face I’d never seen before.
‘...Right.’
There was no way the person called “Eli” in the imperial palace could be Elias.
The man with lemon-yellow hair that shone like Adelbert’s sat down on the sofa by the window.
Elizabeth Hohenstaufen.
He was the only “Eli” accepted in the imperial family, and by line of succession, the next emperor.
‘...First time meeting the crown prince.’
I never imagined it would be under these circumstances.
As I looked down at him, my lips curved up without me realizing it.
It wasn’t coincidence that he was called Eli. Elizabeth was one of his middle names, not his first.
I knew why he used a middle name like a first name, why he insisted on the nickname Eli. The more I knew, the more repulsive he seemed...
But now wasn’t the time to mix in personal feelings.
I relaxed my grip and let Adelbert’s memories take over my body.
“I thought I’d have to leave without seeing you since it was just a short visit. I’m delighted you made time for me, Your Highness.”
This guy uses extreme honorifics even with family...
More importantly, sweat beaded on Adelbert’s palms, and his body began to stiffen.
The crown prince shook his head as if formalities like that were unnecessary.
“Call me like you did earlier. Besides, you’re rarely back from school, so I have to see you when you are. Come, sit beside me.”
The crown prince patted the spot next to him.
“Aren’t you busy?”
“Haha, don’t worry about that. I manage my own schedule.”
Sure, you made time because you could. So polite with family.
I pushed those thoughts aside and sat next to the crown prince.
He draped an arm over the back of the sofa and leaned in. Looking at me, he asked,
“So, how’s Elias doing?”
Straight to asking about his cousin?
From the perspective of knowing how much Adelbert admired him, it felt incredibly awkward.
Sure enough, my facial muscles froze for a moment. I tried to keep smiling and looked away.
“I haven’t heard any news, so I wouldn’t know.”
“I see. I wonder if he’s made any proper friends since transferring to Class 1-B.”
“He probably has.”
Before I could react to the petulant response driven by Adelbert’s will, the crown prince burst out laughing.
Teasing me?
Anyway, I got the timing.
Talking about the Class 1-B transfer meant it was second year, first semester. First year, first semester for Adelbert.
“What about you, Adel?”
My words caught in my throat for a moment.
Since Adelbert had no response to this question, I spoke on my own instead.
“I’ve been doing well.”
“Really?”
“Of course I have. What about you, Eli...?”
Finally, words came out in line with Adelbert’s will.
He hesitated, as the nickname didn’t quite match the honorifics. But it didn’t sound unfamiliar, so he must have spoken like this often.
“I’ve been... well, His Majesty has been busy with Pleroma affairs lately, so I’ve spent my time helping with state matters.”
“I see. That’s impressive. Isn’t it tough?”
“Not at all. Once I learned a bit, I could handle it just fine. I’m grateful for His Majesty’s arrangements.”
“His Majesty must have delegated wisely, but running a country is no small task. It’s all thanks to your talent, Your Highness.”
Enough already...
But Adelbert was already excited.
“With you always cheering me on like this, it gives me strength. Thank you.”
“...! I’m truly glad to be of help.”
‘He’s got all kinds of people around him.’
Now I understood Adelbert’s relationships.
They were divided into “people he admired” and “just people.” No in-between.
It made sense why Elias had kept him alive. Someone born with this level of loyalty could be the best servant if properly tamed.
The problem was they didn’t bend easily. He hadn’t given me even a single point since the initial +5 favorability.
Then, the crown prince, who had smiled gratefully, called my name softly.
“Adel.”
“Yes.”
“You’re being honest, right?”
“......”
“Always be honest.”
“I already am.”
That was me speaking.
Adelbert had suddenly frozen in fear and couldn’t say a word.
The crown prince stared into my eyes and grinned.
“Good. That’s a relief.”
He stood and bowed slightly.
“I’ll be going now. See you at lunch in 30 minutes.”
“Yes.”
A bright smile formed per Adelbert’s will.
During that brief exchange, I shook my head, thoroughly unnerved.
This guy is no ordinary person...
My head throbbed, and I clutched it. Looking at the crown prince by the door, I spoke.
“Your Highness.”
“What is it?”
“Do you know where my wand is?”
The crown prince turned with a baffled expression.
“...Your wand?”
“Yes. It’s not with me.”
It didn’t seem like the right time yet, but who else besides the crown prince would try to provoke Adelbert in his memories?
If I was going to send him off anytime, I needed my wand at least.
“You always keep it organized in your drawer.”
So helpful.
I opened the drawer he was looking at, checked, and looked up.
“Hm, I must’ve been distracted. Thank you.”
“Sure. Rest if you’re tired.”
“I will.”
He left the room quickly.
I found the wand holster in the corner of the drawer, strapped it to my waist, and drew the wand.
With a light twirl, golden magic surged out in an unfamiliar pattern.
‘Good.’
But it would’ve been perfect in Luca’s body. Not being able to use divine power was a big drawback.
Just to check, I replicated the method of channeling divine power through the wand—and I doubted my eyes.
A pure white light gathered at the wand’s tip and whooshed into the air.
“...?!”
Could Adelbert use divine power too?
No way.
His status window had no divine power stat.
‘...Gotta ask Narce about this later.’
If I survived Adelbert’s rampage without getting caught up in it.
Truth be told, it wasn’t over just because I wasn’t shocked.
Even if I didn’t rampage, if Adelbert did—with my mind trapped inside him now—who knew what would happen.
I finished preparing, sat down, and waited for time to pass when footsteps approached outside the door.
Knock knock—
[Your Highness.]
I raised an eyebrow at the voice.
It belonged to someone who shouldn’t be here.
It was utterly ridiculous.
[May I enter?]
‘...He’s never come to see me personally like this?’
That voice was mine.
Precisely, Nikolaus Ernst’s voice.
‘Damn...’
Did I have to send myself off with my own hands?
I needed to figure out what was going on. Especially what this Nikolaus Ernst was babbling about.
“Come in.”
Nikolaus entered wearing a mask and black robe.
The blue eyes behind the mask pierced through me.
It felt like a slight tension before a meeting with a respected professor.
Seeing Nikolaus, Adelbert smiled just like before.
Experiencing firsthand how Adelbert viewed me was oddly moving.
Of course, if I’d had the choice, I wouldn’t have.
“Your Highness. Have you been well?”
“Of course.”
I gestured toward the sofa.
“Sit.”
Nikolaus nodded and took a seat.
Looking at the stack of books on the side table, he said,
“Recent reads, I presume.”
“Yes.”
Curious how Adelbert would respond, I held back my own will.
Adelbert smiled cautiously.
“I remembered what you told me before. I’m trying to read books from various fields.”
“Hm, three books on the Franco-Prussian War alone.”
“Yes.”
“As it’s relatively recent, biases from vested interests are prominent. If you want diverse perspectives on diplomacy or war, read books on much older events.”
Sound advice, but...
‘What do you mean “read”? Like you get to dictate his reading?’
Who talks impure ideology to a Prussian prince like this?
But Adelbert seemed to expect exactly that.
“Yes, I’ll keep that in mind.”
Add that to the list of nonsense Nikolaus would never say. I’d use it well.
Anyway, time to find out why this non-canon event was happening.
I got straight to it.
“So, what brings you here?”
“Hm.”
Nikolaus clasped his hands and continued.
“I read all the letters you sent me. I was wondering what happened—you got poor results on the 1-1 exam.”
‘Letters.’
This was second semester.
If it had been someone else, I might’ve wondered if Adelbert had visited home days ago, but no.
Now I was getting the picture.
At the same time, my body stiffened.
Not me—Adelbert’s reaction. I suppressed it and answered calmly.
“That’s right. You knew?”
“I heard your scores from His Majesty. Your Highness, glossing over or hiding the truth is a sin.”
“......”
I smiled at Nikolaus.
Despite the mismatched smile, he met my eyes steadily.
“Especially to those who trust you.”
As I opened my mouth to retort, the scene shifted.
Nikolaus vanished, and I was having lunch with the crown prince.
Dim yellow lighting illuminated the table.
“So, still doing well?”
“......”
I stopped poking at my fork—god knows for how long—and looked at him.
I’d suspected from Nikolaus’s appearance, but now it was certain.
This progression style meant this wasn’t a memory.
“Still doing well. We talked 30 minutes ago.”
It was a dream.
The chaotic, nonsensical jumps were classic dream logic.
I was in a dream crafted by Pleroma to tamper with the mind.
‘So much to report later.’
How did they develop a drug like this right away?
Bad luck for Pleroma. They planned to use this method long-term.
Why?
Anyone entering would be shocked into rampage and death, unable to report out. Just a chain of corpses.
With me conversing calmly, their plan was half-ruined.
It was top secret, vital to life—so broadcast it nationwide the moment I escaped.
‘Of course, to escape...’
I had to wake from this insane dream.
‘About a minute in reality by now.’
The scene changed right after Nikolaus. Generously, five minutes tops.
The 1-1 mention told me where Pleroma’s play was heading.
Time to end this dream.
“I always hope you’re doing well. More than anyone, I want you to be happy.”
“Thank you. Same here.”
“You’ve always been so bright.”
“......”
“You mastered books I couldn’t even start at your age. I remember His Majesty struggling to find a better teacher. Maybe you’re the one who should be emperor.”
“Nonsense.”
“Your brilliance is His Majesty’s and the empire’s joy. I’ve always said it: the child who could replace me being the brightest is my greatest comfort.”
Always said?
Now the lies would mix in.
I tamped down boredom and focused on balancing forces with Adelbert.
“I relied on you more than anyone, trusted you. Understand?”
“......”
“How about it, Adel? Why did you do that to me?”
“What did I do?”
“You really got a 3+?”
My hand trembled.
‘Hm.’
Adelbert’s reactions were starting.
Whether he rampaged, whether I survived—it hinged on my responses from here.
I shoved Adelbert’s ego aside and gripped my hand tightly.
Looking him straight in the eye, I said,
“Yes.”
“......”
“It ended up as a 3+ somehow.”
“Adel. I told you to always be honest.”
“I was honest.”
I chewed mashed potatoes carelessly and answered half-heartedly.
His eyes narrowed.
“I’m disappointed.”
“Really? I improvised earlier because I figured you’d react like this.”
With wide eyes and a smile, Adelbert’s will tried to force my face into a grimace.
I could almost hear Adelbert’s voice.
[No. If you say that...]
I erased the thought before it finished.
No way.
He thought he had to apologize somehow, but a 3+ wasn’t his score. No need.
“I understand you’re dissatisfied with my grades. I’m not thrilled either. I’ll work harder.”
“Adel.”
[No! Stop!]
So that’s how it works.
Pleroma’s river drug included an emotion amplifier.
I hadn’t seen it firsthand before, but everyone must’ve gone through this internally before rampaging.
‘Fascinating up close.’
Not the best mindset when I might die swept up in Adelbert’s rampage.
My weakening hand grasped the wine glass, and I barely managed a sip.
“It’s the worst. You still don’t realize you shamed His Majesty and me? Even I could see you were just flailing your wand like a child punching wildly, too focused on saving time.”
‘Wow, provoking like that guarantees a rampage.’
Impressive aside, my breath caught.
That was exactly Adelbert’s perceived failure. Hearing it from someone he admired? Devastating.
“Truly disappointing. I’ve never felt this way in my life.”
Clang—
Adelbert’s ego sent chills through my body. The shock was so great my limbs went limp, and I dropped the fork.
Vision darkening.
Seeing the clear vitriol magic, I quietly spoke.
“You’re disappointed. But...”
I met the crown prince’s cold gaze.
I couldn’t hide my smile.
“The first-year exam isn’t broadcast. When did you see it?”
[Stop!]
Boom—!
I channeled magic to my legs, slammed them down to anchor, drew my wand, and aimed at the crown prince. Resistance like never before surged in my arm.
Looking at my madly trembling arm from the clash, I said,
“Adelbert.”
[......]
“Listen well. Does this seem like your brother? First-year exams aren’t broadcast—how would he know?”
Probably sister, but not the point now.
The resistance on my body hesitated.
He was listening.
As I opened my mouth to persuade further, vitriol erupted from the crown prince toward my throat.
‘Right.’
Kill anyone speaking truth. Basic programming. Without hesitation, I flicked my wrist.
Kwaaaang! Crack—
Golden magic followed the vitriol’s path, piercing through.
Would a crown prince act like this? Just more dissonance.
If it was like this, handle like smashing Pleroma.
‘Good.’
Got it.
Time for both of us to escape alive.
I spoke to the confused Adelbert again.
“Adelbert. Don’t you get it yet? This is all you talking to yourself.”