Chapter 148

"Are you surprised?"

"I am taken aback."

"So, you weren't startled."

"I've become quite accustomed to dealing with unexpected situations."

"Excellent."

Heinrich Valaran.

Seojin found himself in the company of two princes. To his left was the kneeling prince who had led him here. And directly in front of him? A prince who stood tall, his eyes unmistakably reflecting his royal heritage.

"Jose."

"Yes, Your Majesty."

"Tell the knights."

"Yes, sire."

The kneeling prince left.

Now a different name appeared above his head.

<Lv 217. Jose Allai>

<The Prince's Mask>

'Certainly, different indeed.'

The figure before him, the Prince's Mask, Jose, with silver hair and eyes, even in his speech and mannerisms, he had been impersonating Prince Heinrich flawlessly. Yet, something was distinctly different between the two.

'Is this what they call royal dignity?'

The real Heinrich had a depth in his gaze and a weight in his words that was starkly different from Jose.

"What are you thinking?"

"I was just thinking about how different the air of a royal really is."

"Honest, I see. How so?"

"No matter how well one may imitate being a royal, when compared side by side, the difference between you two is evident. There were many discrepancies."

"An appropriate answer."

"I am sure you still don't trust me, Your Highness."

"You say that despite me standing right before you?"

"I interpreted it as an act of desperation, akin to resorting to the tactics of a gambler. Though I may not fully comprehend it, I presume this isn't the extent of your preparations."

As a prince of a nation, revealing himself was a big decision, but it wouldn't be without contingencies.

"You are right. How may I trust you?"

"If I may be so bold," Seojin responded immediately, "The only way, I believe, is to speak my mind honestly."

"Go on."

"I only act when intrigued. While I'm interested in making a name for myself as an adventurer, I have no interest in empty titles of nobility."

"Why is that?"

"If I had wanted to, I would have already done so."

"Arrogant. Then,"

Suddenly, an intense aura arose.

'…League?'

It was unmistakable. It was just like the time he had acquired and utilized it in the Tower of Qualifications. A potent silver aura enveloped Heinrich.

"What if it was the throne?"

The power in his words conveyed their true meaning. Accompanying the question was a surge of silver light, under which, Seojin felt a tangible pressure. A pressure not only mental but physical.

"I have no interest in it."

"How many adventurers could give such an answer?"

It wasn't an aggressive aura. Just heavy, holding an undeniable majesty.

SYSTEM: League of Sovereign is invading your body. You cannot act normally.

SYSTEM: League of Sovereign is invading your mind. You cannot converse normally.

SYSTEM: League of Sovereign is…

A flood of system messages arrived.

"I…"

He couldn't move or speak on his own. All his stats were temporarily reduced, and skill use was blocked. He couldn't even open his eyes properly.

Activating: League of Intimidation.

Finally, Seojin pushed back the aura.

"Oh my? It is certainly not a color of trust."

"Did you want to see my colors?"

"That wasn't the only reason."

Stats recovered, and the skill restriction lifted. Dark energy swirled around him.

"Are you displeased?"

"I'll assume there's a reason for this. Also, to continue answering,"

"Your Highness!"

Crash!

Sounds of people rushing down the stairs came from behind. Seojin didn't turn back. The clanking of metal indicated the knights' arrival, and the earlier shout was Jose's voice.

"That's enough. Step back."

"…Are you okay, sire?"

"Do I not look alright? If this adventurer intended me harm, it would have already… happened."

The prince smiled leisurely. Although the knights, including Jose, looked worried, Heinrich smiled again and gestured.

"…I'll step back."

"There are a lot of guests today. Continue."

"Yes, I don't covet the throne. What would I do sitting there? Wrestling with headache-inducing petitions every day, scolding whining subjects like children, and breaking up their petty fights."

"Indeed."

"That could be bearable. But wrestling with those eyeing the throne…."

Seojin continued his grumbling.

The prince didn't argue, he just slowly nodded.

"Even with all that effort, the nation wouldn't follow my will. That would be disappointing, and I'd feel sorrowful. Realizing that, even as a king, there's not much I can do on my own."

Living in an environment where the abnormal becomes normal—sometimes bearing the weight of inhuman decisions was a king's duty.

"The choice to sacrifice the few for the many isn't only for generals on the battlefield. That decision must be made again and again as king, leading to sleepless nights burdened by that weight."

"You sound as though you have peeked into my life."

"I'm simply reciting what anyone can think of. People outside the palace don't really care much about it."

But with a little thought, anyone could guess these things.

"With authority comes responsibility. I don't have the confidence to bear that, nor do I covet the power that comes with being a king."

Seojin's tone was sharp.

But Heinrich only smiled leisurely.

"You showed me your aura because you wanted me to reveal everything that I'm hiding, right?"

"That's right."

At this brief affirmation, Seojin replied immediately.

"Why would I covet something so tedious and joyless? Even if you offered it to me, I wouldn't take it, Your Majesty."

* * *

In the unassuming secret room, beyond the wall from which the true prince had appeared, lay a space that declared its royal authenticity. It was splendid yet tasteful. The grandeur of the space was enough to make anyone pause in reverence.

"This is where I reside."

"It suits you."

"You flatter me. But this space wasn't designed for me."

"I think I understand."

Seojin offered a straightforward response. The room was filled with people, each carefully selected by the prince, all evidently trustworthy. They were a diverse group—knights, wizards, and various officials managing palace affairs—but each person's face bore a clear sense of purpose and dedication.

"Do others not know about this place?"

"They are not allowed access. Did you not feel it?"

The king's quarters, absent the king himself. However, only those explicitly authorized by the prince were allowed access.

'So that's why it was so empty.'

His suspicions were confirmed.

"It's there. Be on your utmost… No, never mind. Come in as you are."

Click.

Dismissing the alert knights, the prince opened an ancient door.

"Greetings, Your Highness."

"That's enough. Leave us."

"Fortunately, progress has been made."

"Forget with the code. He is my guest"

At last, the attendants departed. The phrase "progress has been made" must have served as some kind of code. Had the prince given a particular response then, they would have instantly turned on Seojin.

"There."

At the end of the prince's gaze was a bed. It was overwhelmingly opulent, yet lifeless. Under the prince's implicit permission, Seojin approached.

"…Hmm."

A pale, elderly man lay there. His wrinkled eyes were closed, and his breathing was shallow. A complex magical circle under the bed was keeping him alive. After a brief silence, Heinrich summarized the situation.

"We shall leave now. Everyone has worked hard."

"Your Highness, how can you say that?"

"It's not right."

"Your loyalty is well known to me. It was my way of showing gratitude… though you already know that."

"Your Highness…"

Several representatives replied, their eyes brimming with emotion. The others echoed similar sentiments. It was clear that everyone present was staunchly aligned with the prince. They exited the lavishly decorated room and entered a space that had been magically soundproofed for privacy. The prince seated himself first and then motioned for Seojin to sit.

"Sit down."

"How long has he been like this?"

"Three months."

"Then it must have been you who remembered my name."

Each time Seojin accomplished a feat, such as completing a world quest, the system would announce what was purported to be the king's reaction. However, it had been Heinrich's, not the actual king's, responses.

"Was it Ironblood?"

"I cannot be certain."

"And speaking based on your personal convictions?"

"I am certain it was them."

For a moment, the usually calm prince's eyes flared.

"Did you catch the perpetrator?"

"I did, but it's pointless."

The person had aimed to assassinate the king. Surely, they would have severed all connections before being deployed.

"It doesn't seem like an adventurer."

"Unfortunately, it is not. But fortunately, I was able to keep the king's condition secret. That's why they're still being cautious."

To create this space, and for the prince to use Jose as a mask, it was all part of the plan.

"Even the royal council is handled by Jose. But you, despite meeting me for the first time, noticed the difference. Perhaps they did too."

The prince had vanished. Those allied with Ironblood must have noticed that as well.

But that made them even more cautious.

"They don't know the state of His Majesty, nor my own. They have no choice but to shrink back."

Both the king and the prince had disappeared.

Whether the assassination attempt was successful or not remained unknown to them. By creating this uncertainty, Prince Heinrich bought time.

"But acting through a substitute should have its limits."

"Indeed. They dare not question much, as they don't want much."

That was why.

"I understand why you need an adventurer like me."

The main reason Seojin was summoned here.

"Adventurer Seojin, I have a formal request. In the name of Heinrich Valaran."

"I shall heed your ord…"

"It's not an order."

Seojin, who about to kneel, stopped.

"So, you may refuse if you wish. But unfortunately, I must impose a restriction on you, if you do. You cannot speak of what you saw today."

"Please, go ahead."

"To punish those insolents who dare to covet the royal family…"

"Do you mean Ironblood?"

"Let me correct myself. Anything threatening the royal family's safety. I've built walls of deception to survive up until now, but now I wish to tear them down."

"…"

"Help me, Adventurer Seojin. I am desperately in need of your assistance."

Ultimately, the prince made a direct request. Typically, this would prompt a quest notification. However, the message Seojin received was unlike the usual one.

"Act 1. The Throne and the Liar" begins