Chapter 147

<Heinrich Valaran Lv. 148>

<The Unfortunate Prince>

Heinrich Valaran was a young man with striking curly, silver hair. His name and title appeared above his head. Such titles were given only to major NPCs in the game.

'If he really is the Prince of Valaran, that's plausible. But what's with the unfortunate prince? Is it related to Ironblood?'

That could be the reason, or maybe there was something else.

And if the Ironblood weren't the core issue?

"You sound as this was possible only because of you," Heinrich remarked.

The royal family may not have been able to accomplish it, but I did. With sufficient resources, such feats are possible for me—This was what Seojin indicated, and yet there was not the slightest displeasure on the prince's face.

"Yes, it was possible because of me. An adept adventurer can do more in this land than one might think."

"I see."

"And if I may dare, I presume that's why Your Highness has summoned me."

"That's right."

He agreed too readily. Something was off.

"What do you want from me?"

"You didn't accept my offer, did you?"

"That's correct."

He was referring to his proposal to become a Royal Inspector, which was also a hidden class.

However, Seojin had declined and chose to remain a Silver Tongue.

"Why not?"

"I didn't want to. I deeply empathize with Your Highness's troubles, however, adventurers are beings who seek freedom in their adventures."

"That is—"

"And, also," Seojin interrupted. It was extremely disrespectful, but he allowed it. "Even without accepting that role, I could have contributed to what Your Highness desires. Staying as I am was a calculated decision to be of more help."

Hmm.

Heinrich looked at Seojin intently.

Then, he leisurely stood up.

"I heard from Rachel, that you said you couldn't entrust your life to me."

"…Yes."

"That you couldn't say what your capabilities are."

"Yes."

"In other words."

Heinrich, the Unfortunate Prince, turned around. He walked slowly towards the middle of the room.

"You want me to display mine first."

"I didn't mean to be disrespectful."

"Forget it. Follow me. You know it, I know it, even the knights outside know it. I don't have any control over this situation."

He was surprisingly humble.

'This is unexpected.'

It wasn't odd that there was no king here, or that the knights' behavior was strange.

What was surprising was that a prince of a nation was being so submissive to an adventurer.

"This is." Heinrich held up the "information" Seojin had given him earlier. "Ultimately, a display of your abilities. Your intent has been fully noted. It's not just astonishing, it's frightening. To think, a visitor knowing the inner workings of the kingdom better than its owner."

"I'm a visitor who comes with good intentions."

"It's ironically a relief that you're not a potential enemy."

Click. Whirr! Whirr!

The wall began to move when Heinrich touched a book on the shelf.

'A secret passage?'

That was unexpected.

Why would a prince have a secret passage in his quarters?

'If it is one, it must be for emergencies.'

"You must find it strange, as to why I'm showing you this."

"…Yes."

"What do you think is inside?"

"I don't know."

"Not daring to guess then?"

"Yes."

"Seemingly rude, yet maintaining minimum courtesy. It's refreshing. Follow me."

The prince took the lead, heading towards a descending staircase. The passageway was neither opulent nor dreary, just a straightforward stone construction. Magic lamps were scattered along the path, providing ample illumination.

"You said you're a capable adventurer. I agree. So you must have felt it."

"…"

"The atmosphere here is odd, isn't it?"

"It was."

"Be more specific."

"There were no people, and the knights' reactions were suspicious. The structure of His Highness's quarters was also unnatural."

"So?"

"It seemed designed for two purposes. To either hide something very secret, or to trap something."

"Excellent."

Upon reaching the bottom of the stairs, he opened a humble looking door, revealing a room. Inside, there was a comfortable chair and a bed, along with books and alcohol. The dim lighting created a soft ambiance.

"What does this place look like to you?"

"It seems meant for someone to live in. Simple, but with all necessities. I can't be sure as I'm not an expert in magic, but I'm guessing it's magically convenient too."

"A vague conclusion."

"To be more specific." Seojin looked around calmly and nodded. "I've concluded that I'm still being tested. Seeing as this is the palace, it would be odd to have an unnecessary room. It's not for me to judge."

"That's a good answer. What do you think the purpose of the test is?"

"That, I can say."

Heinrich's eyes lit up with interest.

Seojin took a breath. "Your Highness is in a difficult situation. You have nowhere else suitable to turn, to seek help. Even using the royal forces or your position, you can't solve this problem."

"What exactly are you getting at?"

"I can't say. But I do know that only an adventurer can solve it. Specifically, a capable and trustworthy one."

"Are you referring to yourself?"

"I am capable. But whether or not I am trustworthy is for Your Highness to decide."

"What can you do?"

"If the problem involves the 'adventurers of Valaran,' I can solve anything."

"And if it involves adventurers from outside this land?"

"I can solve it. But the timing and cost might differ."

"Are you talking about rewards?"

"I'm not foolish enough to bring that up first. I was just referring to the funds needed for the process."

"What if I don't have enough funds?"

"That's impossible."

For the first time, a firm answer came back.

The prince raised his eyebrows.

"On what basis?"

"Ironblood does not approach targets without value."

"Do you think the value of the heir comes only from the royal treasury?"

"If they were after ascending to honorable positions, many of this kingdom's nobles would have already lost their titles."

That was clear in the places Seojin had visited. They controlled the nobles, giving them just enough room to keep their positions, effortlessly maintaining this delicate balance.

"To Ironblood, the nobles of this land are nothing more than useful tools. As long as they're alive, they make them money, they can use their power at will, and if needed, they can easily be discarded."

"Then I must be one such tool as well."

"But members of the royal family and ordinary nobles can't be viewed in the same light."

This was true not just for the lesser nobility, such as counts, viscounts and, barons, but also for higher-ranking ones like dukes or marquises. However, royalty stood apart, particularly those in line to succeed the throne.

"Disposing of ordinary nobles doesn't cause trouble. Regrettably, it has already come to that. I even managed to change the name of one of the territories."

Erzebet became Dunkehr. Heinrich's eyes widened.

"Wasn't that action a dedication to the royal family?"

"That was my intention, but even if it wasn't, I could have achieved the same result."

He had received a reply from the Minister of Finance through the Thieves' guild leader, Kartna. Back then, he had mentioned that the Minster of Finance would be delighted to redirect some of Ironblood's money lines back to them.

"Nobles are easy, but royalty is not. No matter how great their influence, big moves require a suitable reason."

"Are you saying they're preparing a reason?"

"That's what I assume. It's uncertain how deep their reach has gone, but if I had to guess…"

"…"

"It has probably rotted deep within the palace."

"It's a logical assumption. But it doesn't prove that the royal treasury is full of riches."

Returning to the initial query, the prince had inquired about Seojin's course of action if he were without funds, to which Seojin had responded that such a scenario was inconceivable.

"No matter how rotten, treason is not a word to be taken lightly."

Not to mention hearing it. Seeing it is even more problematic.

The moment you're even slightly involved in treason, one risks facing terrible consequences.

"If Ironblood had such an overt goal, they wouldn't have wavered. They would have petitioned Your Highness. 'These atrocious adventurers must be subdued.' Something like that."

"There has been no such petition."

"Ironblood is not so simple. Most of its members are surprisingly unremarkable, but their leader makes up for it."

"You certainly know how to beat around the bush."

"Talking like this seemed appropriate for the palace."

"From now on, this place is not the palace."

"There's no better reason than money."

Seojin finally gave a real answer.

"Throughout history, nothing has better hidden true intentions than money. Ironblood probably told them that they'll take the money, while the nobles keep the honor."

"And?"

"The nobles accepted it. They have more money than they know what to do with. Human greed knows no end. But when honor is the competition, it's different. Each has their own standards of what's valuable. And among those nobles…" Seojin shrugged. "There's undoubtedly someone who was promised the position of the king. Someone with enough influence that other nobles couldn't express their dissatisfaction with it…"

"That's enough."

Flinch.

Seojin stopped talking at the unexpected voice. However, it wasn't only Seojin who ceased talking.

'…?'

Heinrich Valaran. Even the prince was tense. Heinrich responded to the mysterious voice.

"Your Highness, will that be okay?"

"It's fine. Weren't we certain there was no one better from the start? I mourned that our kingdom lacked such talent, but fortunately, we're not completely devoid of it."

Clunk. Rumble. Rumble.

The sound of machinery clanking.

Feeling a vibration underfoot, the wall began to move.

'Right, this wasn't the end.'

It was as he expected.

A dead-end secret passage held no value. As Heinrich stepped back, Seojin mirrored his action. When Heinrich knelt, Seojin followed suit, respectfully lowering his gaze to the floor. The wall parted, and the person behind the voice emerged.

"Raise your head."

Seojin lifted his gaze, feeling surprised for the first time in a long while.

'Well, this is unexpected.'

There stood Heinrich Valaran, the silver-haired prince.