Fake Holy Power and Delinquent Crown Prince

Night had fallen, the moon was up. The rowdy humans had all cleared out, leaving me alone in bed.

"Holy relic, my ass."

I stared at the wooden sword Mk 1 in my hand. The one made from genuine World Tree Relic wood. Or well, was it a sword anymore?

"You're supposed to be some insanely OP item, right?"

I asked it curiously, and the half-broken sword vibrated again.

Is this thing actually a vibrator?

The way it buzzed felt kinda lewd. Hell, it'd probably feel great used that way too.

Wrrrrrr.

I smirked at the vibrating sword. But nah, that wasn't the point.

I'd always thought it seemed super useful somehow. Guess that's 'cause it's World Tree whatchamacallit?

"So why'd you break, though?"

Holy relics aren't supposed to break, burn, or get damaged, right?

"You're breaking way too obviously, aren'tcha?"

Talk about fragile as fuck. Colton Clay had been like, "How the hell did it get broken? Doesn't make sense." But whatever.

"Beats me..."

Like I'd know—it broke on its own. How should I know?

"Hmm."

I eyed the busted sword.

"Can't we just glue it back together or something?"

Broken is broken, sure. But there had to be a way to fix it, right?

I mean, come on.

If you're gonna let me break you, at least let me fix you too.

The other half was with August Hailron and Colton, supposedly for investigation. Using it shattered like this would just be ridiculous.

Was there nothing I could do?

Still, I got it fair and square.

I'd planned to use it anyway just 'cause it looked badass, effects or not. And turns out it's actually useful 'cause it's World Tree something-or-other? No way I'm letting this go.

"Any ideas?"

I had no clue, so I asked the vibrator, but no answer came.

Wrrrrrr.

Or... was this the answer?

"This thing's wild."

I had no idea about the romance fantasy plot, so what was I supposed to know?

"Why were you even there?"

Like, why was a chunk of World Tree shaped like a sword in that spot?

"You weren't seriously some holy sword or whatever, right?"

I said with a chuckle. No way.

Who the fuck makes a holy sword out of wood?

Hahaha!

The absurdity cracked me up.

I didn't notice someone radiating a grim aura.

＊＊＊＊

In the Grand Duke's office. The room's master, August Hailron, conversed with the Empire's sword—Colton Clay.

"The World Tree..."

Colton whispered quietly.

The World Tree. The elves' holy site at the eastern edge. The world's largest tree at the heart of Elroden. And the only manifested god on this land.

Humans weren't permitted anywhere near it.

Except for one.

There was a single being granted exceptional entry to the World Tree.

"The Hero."

"..."

August flinched at Colton's word.

The Hero. The only human permitted to come and go from Elroden with the World Tree's blessing. Not just there—the Hero transcended nations like the Holy Kingdom and all races, able to go anywhere.

For one reason. The Hero was chosen by the four known gods of the continent.

No place was off-limits. That's what made him the Hero.

To prove it, the gods bestowed a Holy Sword upon him.

That sword was called a holy relic.

"Perhaps... this is the holy sword."

Colton suggested the wood might be it, but...

"...That seems unlikely, doesn't it?"

August rejected the idea.

"The ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠previous Hero passed away elsewhere. The last known holy sword sighting wasn't in the North either. Legends describe it as made of gold and iron... but ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠this is..."

Just wood.

The World Tree relic was huge news, but calling it the holy sword felt off.

Colton replied,

"The legends might not specify it's the same holy sword."

"What do you mean?"

"Heroes change. The holy sword could change with them. As if to prove it..."

Swish.

Colton reached out.

The half-broken wooden stick.

The moment he tried to grab it—

Crackle—ZZZZT—!!!!!

A massive surge of electricity repelled him, blocking contact. It pushed him away.

By the time a cut appeared on his fingertip, Colton withdrew.

Drip.

Blood trickled from his finger. Not deep, but the point was—a Sword Master like Colton was wounded. And couldn't even approach it.

That was key.

"Holy swords choose their wielder. No one but the Hero can hold them."

"...But that would mean Ruin... that kid is the Hero?"

He'd handled the presumed holy sword casually. Sure, he broke it, but Ruin clearly held the relic—something even Colton couldn't.

By Colton's logic, Ruin would have to be the Hero.

"Nah. Not him."

Colton denied it.

"He lacks the Hero's mark."

"That's..."

"No stronger denial than that. Besides..."

He hesitated, then continued.

"The Hero's already appeared."

"..."

August wasn't surprised. He already knew.

The current Hero had been born. The Empire kept it secret, but high nobles and foreign powers knew. The gods themselves had announced it.

About five years ago, every god delivered oracles to their followers and children.

—The human god celebrated the Hero's birth.

—The elf god expressed regret.

—The dwarf god found it amusing.

—The beast god declared the time had come.

All gods reacted. Proof enough it was the Hero.

The Empire already had its Hero. A brilliant hope greater than any other.

August thought of that being—connected to Colton—and looked at him.

"...So this isn't the holy sword, then."

How could a sword react to a non-Hero and still be holy?

But Colton seemed convinced it was.

"That's why we need to confirm."

"Confirm how?"

"We'll take Mage Ruin to the capital."

"...!"

August's eyes widened.

"That's dangerous talk."

Dangerous in many ways. Colton was the Empire's strongest—maybe the continent's—but even he couldn't handle everything.

"Ruin is Elise Sethris's adopted son."

Elise Sethris. She belonged to no nation. No one wanted her as an enemy. The Empire included.

August could throw Ruin into battles and tests only because Elise allowed it. Nothing more.

But...

"Bringing him to the capital could give the archmage cause for war."

Dragging him from the North to the Empire? Elise's reaction was unpredictable.

And...

"...The fallout from holy sword and Hero verification. And above all."

"You're worried about the princess."

"..."

"Specifically, the princess stepping in and it affecting your daughter. Right?"

August couldn't deny it. Undeniable truth.

"I respect the concern. But it's too late for that."

"...What?"

"Word of the chantless mage will reach the capital. Can't hide it. Every magic tower will buzz, and the princess won't stay out. Plus..."

The biggest issue.

"Elise's adopted son will be the princess's real problem."

The First Imperial Princess. The Emperor's daughter, the continent's top magic genius. Everyone praised her talent. No one could deny it since she awakened her circles.

So they waited. Elise Sethris took no disciples. The princess wanted her as master, believing she'd accept.

But...

—Not bad. But that's it.

Elise rejected even her. No interest.

The princess raged. Why reject her?

Elise smirked.

—That's exactly why. Not worthy of discipleship.

Elise was firm. Since then, the princess obsessed over Elise. A woman who got everything now craved the unattainable.

In that context...

"Elise took a disciple. What do you think the princess will do?"

"..."

She'd come running. By any means to see Ruin. Seeing might ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠be the best case.

"Better go before shit hits the fan."

"...Go first?"

"While I can still protect him, at least."

"Duke."

Protect him himself? August questioned.

"Why would you protect the kid?"

"Simple reason."

Colton smiled. He smiled more lately. A smile cracking his ironclad stoicism. The wall none pierced.

"I haven't given ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠up my greed yet."

"...You mean...?"

"A master doesn't have to be just one, right?"

"What?"

August saw desire in Colton's eyes. Greed.

What the hell.

What did that kid have? What did Elise and Colton see to act like this?

What potential does he hold?

August called it mere excellence. But those sky-high saw more.

"Also, we need to report the demon incidents from the North."

Demon? August's face hardened.

"High-grade beasts in your safe zones. An unknown demon attacking your daughter and Ruin. Hard to call coincidence. You knew, right?"

"...Yes."

Beast frequency spiked in recent years. Five years, specifically. Numbers, appearances, strength—all up.

Plus demons? August knew the danger.

"Five years. Matches the Hero's emergence."

"..."

"The briefly calm world prepares for a storm."

Hero's arrival meant chaos.

"We've assessed the North. Time to report to the capital, Grand Duke August."

"Yes."

"Drop the stubbornness. Request mage support again."

"..."

"Enough father and husband pride. Do your duty as Grand Duke."

The direct hit made August swallow hard.

"...Understood."

He recognized the need. Demons confirmed support essential.

"I'll request from the Empire."

"Good attitude."

"...Then, Duke."

"Yes."

"How did the Crown Prince end up in this barren land?"

The Crown Prince. Reincarnation of the Emperor, immense talent. If the princess obsessed over Elise, everyone knew the prince obsessed over Colton.

But no reason for him to follow to the North. Colton's reason was the saintess search.

"You said saintess hunt, but that's flimsy."

The missing saintess from the North. They're putting full effort into finding her, but Colton barely moved.

"What are you really after?"

August judged another motive.

"Sharp as ever."

Correct. Colton handed paper.

August froze. Gold seal. Lion emblem—Lehart Imperial Family. Emperor's seal.

"Imperial decree."

"...Such...?"

"Saintess is cover. Real reason for coming here."

Colton eyed August calmly.

"To assess Grand Duke August's daughter, Iris Hailron. Possible fiancée for the Crown Prince."

"...!"

Marriage to the Crown Prince. August nearly spoke in shock—

BOOM—!!!!

"...!?"

"Hm?"

The explosion shook everything. Massive impact.

"This is...?"

Before August reacted—

"Ha."

Colton realized something, scoffing.

"Excuse me a sec."

"Duke?"

Colton leaped to the window, vanishing instantly toward the source.

The training grounds behind the building. For knights' practice.

Whoosh—!!!

Smoke billowed.

Colton arrived to see something at his feet.

"Guhk... kuh..."

"..."

The Crown Prince. Platinum hair, handsome face. But charred mess, like he'd been barbecued.

Normally you'd ask if he was okay, but...

"...That's."

Colton looked past him. To the training ground's front.

Roar.

A boy radiating alien energy.

Face screaming "oh shit." Realized he'd fucked up big.

Gawking at the collapsed prince.

"Haha."

Colton laughed aloud at the kid.

Crackle. Pop.

Black flames on the ground. Haze rippling around the boy.

The bizarre energy goosebumped Colton's skin.

And it hit him.

The princess.

The Empire's top magic talent. The golden girl chasing Elise's favor.

Thinking of her, Colton thought,

Looks like this life's a bust for you.

Talent on another level.

"Whoa, fuck."

That.

"Amaterasu's fucked?"

Colton felt it watching the small, fierce boy.

I want him.

Somehow, possess him. Late-life greed boiled.