Chapter 98
Chapter 98
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 98
Chapter Title: Hero
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Hero.
"Hahaha! Sorry about that. It's been a long time since I've been stuck sitting in a chair all day because of work!"
The Crown Prince laughed heartily as he spoke.
It felt like he couldn't care less about the blunder he'd just made.
The Crown Prince sat in his chair and looked at us.
"My body's not much to look at, and I don't have much talent in martial arts or magic either. So forgive me for sitting like this."
"Sure."
Soyeonhwa nodded at the Crown Prince's words.
Was that kind of speech really okay?
Not that he seemed to care either way. The Crown Prince just smiled and turned to me.
"I didn't call you here for anything major. Though it might be big for you."
My gut feeling had been spot on—not good.
I glanced at Diago.
He had his head bowed low.
"Don't be too hard on him. Sir Diago had no choice; I ordered him to do it. And it's not bad news for you anyway."
I looked at the Crown Prince.
The mighty empire that dominated most of the Western Continent.
Its power was truly terrifying, with rumors that it could take on the entire continent single-handedly.
—Be careful with the Empire.
Volkan had warned me.
He could handle other countries somehow.
But the Empire? Be cautious.
Especially since it was connected to Cradle.
It was only natural that they wielded immense influence there too.
And.
If this was the Crown Prince of that place...
......The Empire's Crown Prince can't do martial arts or magic.
It might sound dismissible at first glance.
But it also meant he'd clawed his way to Crown Prince despite those handicaps.
No one to underestimate.
I raised my mental threat level on the Crown Prince and chose my words carefully.
"So, what is it you want to say?"
"What I want to say, huh."
His golden eyes turned to me. The Crown Prince flashed a sly grin.
"Nothing."
"......Pardon?"
"My goal was just to see you with my own eyes. Oh, do you want something, by any chance?"
Want something?
Nothing in particular right now.
I could get most things on my own anyway.
"From that look on your face, seems like not. Think it over just in case. Oh, do you need a title from the Empire, perhaps?"
A title?
I shot a glance at Diago. He nodded immediately the moment I looked his way.
As if telling me to accept it.
......A title would probably make things convenient.
But getting dragged to banquets and such? Not really my thing.
Parties weren't my scene anyway.
"Hmm, not that either?"
"That's part of it, but it feels burdensome to accept something like that so casually."
"Burden some, eh? How about serving as my bodyguard then? It won't take much time. Just a short while will do."
The Crown Prince spoke to me with a dazzling smile.
I nodded.
*
"I've missed this kind of air."
The bustling marketplace was packed. Delicious-looking foods were everywhere, and vendors hawked their wares left and right.
There, Soyeonhwa, Diago, and I were escorting the Crown Prince.
He was dressed in commoner clothes Diago had given him, but his flashy looks still drew eyes from all around.
"Have you ever been to a place like this?"
"I sneak out for some fun every now and then. Oh, get us four chicken skewers from over there."
"Eating on duty is..."
"Hey now, it's an order from the Crown Prince."
When Diago refused, the Crown Prince laughed it off and came back with five chicken skewers bought with copper coins, handing one to each of us.
"Five?"
"The lady owner said we handsome guys gave her a treat for the eyes after so long and threw in an extra one."
"Hmm... certainly, with Your Highness and my looks."
Diago nodded as he spoke, and Soyeonhwa tilted her head.
"Is Diago handsome?"
"He's decent-looking, but not drop-dead gorgeous. She probably meant Yuseong and me."
The Crown Prince chuckled at Soyeonhwa's question.
Diago looked shocked at that.
No need to be that hurt.
As we walked, someone familiar caught my eye.
"Oh~ Who's this~?"
A woman too drunk to stand straight was right in front of us.
Her eyes spun in circles, clad in a black nun's habit.
"Hic."
No use hiding it.
It was Rozenta, our clan's one and only healer candidate for Saintess.
I quickly shoved the chicken skewer the Crown Prince had given me into her mouth.
"Mmmph."
She munched on it like it was delicious, then handed me her drink.
Food for drink, huh?
"So, who's these folks?"
"......They smell like dad."
Soyeonhwa hid behind me after her harsh words.
The Crown Prince eyed Rozenta with his shining golden gaze.
"Ho, what tremendous potential."
"......"
I looked at the Crown Prince.
He grinned and turned to me.
"You sure have a knack for attracting talent. Seeing someone like her around you."
Extremely suspicious words.
That gave me half a clue why he'd wanted to see me.
"Hic, hey, for ignoring me, you drink too, hic."
Rozenta thrust her glass at the Crown Prince and me.
As I stepped forward to refuse, the Crown Prince smilingly took her glass.
"My throat was parched. Thanks. Priests of the Goddess of Light are so merciful, as expected."
"Hee hee, you know how to read people."
Rozenta giggled, swaying unsteadily.
The Crown Prince downed the beer in one go.
"Mmmyah."
Then Rozenta, reeking of booze, clung to me.
By the time she got this close, I knew the alcohol had sobered her up a bit.
"So, who are those guys really?"
Rozenta asked me while downing a shot of vodka.
To prevent more rudeness, I whispered to her.
"His Highness the Crown Prince."
"Pffft!!"
The booze in Rozenta's mouth sprayed right into the Crown Prince's face.
......Farewell, Rozenta. I won't forget you.
*
After that brief mishap.
Rozenta trailed behind us like a criminal, head hung low.
"Quite the entertaining experience."
The Crown Prince brushed it off like that.
Or maybe he was doing it to put me in his debt emotionally.
Of course, oblivious Rozenta was even more at a loss.
"Cradle's not bad at all, by the way."
"It's about time."
The twilight scenery melted into dusk.
The Crown Prince smirked at my words and sipped his beer.
"Do you know how many eyes are on you?"
How would I?
Sure, people stared everywhere, but I didn't really feel it.
I got plenty of glances, but I rarely crossed paths with other clans or big shots.
"Heh, from your face, you don't sense it much. Makes sense. Sword King Volkan's protecting you, and the Guild Master too. Even that lofty Beast King was watching you closely."
"......"
"You probably don't notice. The small fry might eye you, but anyone of real caliber holds back. The small fry get blocked by the Golden Witch anyway."
"So what?"
I was curious about his intent.
I got being watched.
But showing me this scene on purpose?
"Nothing much. Just a bit of goodwill."
"Goodwill?"
"I'm Crown Prince, not Emperor yet. Plenty of rivals left. So I'm currying favor with you. If someone like me makes a similar offer later, remember today."
The Crown Prince said with a cryptic smile.
People sure have time on their hands.
I get why he's Crown Prince now.
He had a peculiar charisma.
Commoners and such would probably follow him loyally.
As I thought that.
"I'll think about it then."
I said.
"Good to hear."
A satisfied smile crossed the Crown Prince's face.
Seemed like the incident Diago dragged me into was wrapped up.
Time to go home and practice synthesis.
Ah, but first.
"Sob sob."
Comfort Rozenta a bit.
*
On the way safely escorting the Crown Prince back to the inn.
I spotted familiar faces.
Veronica and Ermé.
Veronica grumbled as she approached.
"Ugh, who the hell gets hurt in a place like this?"
"H-Haha."
Veronica was glaring daggers at Ermé with her eyes.
And Ermé looked awkward.
Those two together? Weird combo.
Super weird pairing.
Rozenta, maybe.
But Veronica out of nowhere?
Then Ermé reacted to my thoughts.
"Oh, Yuseong? Huh, and others too..."
Ermé trailed off, her face blank.
She was staring at the Crown Prince, dazed.
"Ooh, it's been a while, hasn't it?"
The Crown Prince waved at Ermé.
Ermé bowed in flustered panic.
"What brings you here?"
"Just on a quick commission right now."
"Why with Master Diago though?"
"Don't call me master so casually."
"Because I asked Sir Diago to get roped into my business."
The Crown Prince chuckled.
I looked at Ermé.
Veronica did too.
Of course, the moment I looked.
"Hmph."
She turned her head away.
Really odd combo.
But why her specifically?
Why Veronica of all people?
As I pondered Veronica, Ermé sidled up and whispered.
"I'm not close to that Crown Prince or anything."
"M-Me neither!"
Rozenta chimed in from the side at Ermé's words.
"......?"
What now?
Before I could ask.
......!
I tensed.
Oh crap.
Suddenly, presences swarmed around us.
When did this many show up?
Roughly thirty in number.
But three of them had presences I couldn't ignore.
I stepped in front of the Crown Prince to block him. Ermé and Diago pulled Rozenta and Veronica behind me and stood at my back.
I wondered why he'd bring a priestess...
......Looks like the Crown Prince is under attack.