Chapter 152

"Are you going to have bad thoughts again, or not?"

"I won't! I will never again!" Clipper Lawrence, the minister of finances, exclaimed in terror.

"Really?"

"Truly! Such thoughts will never even cross my mind again!"

"Well now, that seems sincere. I hope I'm seeing this right."

"O-of course."

Clipper hurriedly responded to Jose Allai, the prince's double. Not a single injury marred Clipper's body; they hadn't laid a finger on him, yet. But upon arriving here, he realized they could easily harm him if they chose to.

'Wicked devils! To think the prince would stoop to such horrendous acts.'

The cold prison was bathed in red. Horrifying tools lay scattered around, some too dreadful to even speculate their use.

"Pity. I expected more resistance from you. Are you not known as being ruthless and cold-hearted?"

"N-no, I'm not. I was only my thorough in handling the kingdom's affairs…"

"I vividly remember how you defiantly glared at me."

"That… that was…"

"Was that because you knew I was the prince's stand-in?"

Clipper nodded hurriedly in affirmation. "Yes. My loyalty is only to His Majesty. I guessed there was a reason, but I couldn't bow to you."

"Well said."

Clipper finally felt a sense of relief. He could see that this man named Jose was also loyal to the prince.

'Once I'm out of here, I won't let this slide. I'll expose you as his double, and reveal the prince's misdeeds to the adventurers.'

"Clipper, minister of finances."

"Yes!"

"I'd love to chat more, but others are waiting. Just sign here, and you can go."

"S-sign it, you say?"

"Read it."

Flap.

A document landed in front of Clipper.

-The Book of Truth

'This is…!' Clipper finally recognized the document.

The Book of Truth. Once voluntarily signed, it bound the signer to an unbreakable oath. And the contents were things he could never accept.

'This is absurd!'

Absolute loyalty. Secrecy about all matters related to the prince. Even sacrificing one's life for the prince in dire situations.

"This is… unfair."

"What is?"

Clipper looked reluctantly into Jose's silver eyes, disgusted by his nonchalant inquiry.

"No king of Valaran has ever forced such an oath on us nobles. According to the dignified laws of Valaran, the relationship between a king and his subjects…"

"Look, Clipper."

Jose smirked, revealing his white teeth.

"I'm the prince's mask. I know all the royal codes and etiquettes very well. I have to. But originally, I mean, to borrow your words…"

Jose leaned in close, his breath almost touching Clipper's face.

"I'm of a lowly, baseless status."

"I never said such…"

"Shut up and listen if you don't want to end up buried here. Those who are baseless, yet loyal to their masters like me never think ahead of time. I detest smooth-talking cowards."

"…"

"I'm trying very hard right now to hold myself back. The adventurer gave me specific instructions. To give you exactly two chances. He said to convey this message to you too."

Gulp.

Clipper swallowed hard, intimidated by the madness oozing from Jose's silver eyes.

"I'm short on time. Either sign and leave this place, or we can try out each of these tools. You have… ten seconds to decide."

Jose finally moved away from his face.

Clipper was desperate. Sign this? It was unthinkable!

"This is unjust."

Click.

Jose picked up a pair of scissors that resembled the mouth of a crocodile teeth, and nodded in approval.

"Fine. If that's your answer."

"Wait! I wasn't finished speaking!"

"No waiting."

"I accept it, even though it's unjust! But you must untie me first so I can sign it!"

Clipper's voice was full of frustration, as his body was tightly bound with ropes.

"Ah, my mistake."

Jose grinned.

"That was my oversight. I'll untie you right away, minister of finances."

* * *

"Isn't this too excessive?"

"Not at all. Your Highness, you have been too lenient. Those who do not understand deserve to be disciplined with the whip."

"Is that so…"

"Of course, you may have different views, Your Highness. Whether they are nobles or commoners, they're all the same to me. I'm not one to pick and choose work based on rewards."

"So it would seem."

"I wouldn't have resulted to torture anyways. I'm just grateful that they were fooled by the act. But if they weren't…"

Seojin shrugged.

"A few days of starvation would have sufficed. They are of high birth, after all."

Heinrich, the unfortunate prince, laughed bitterly.

"It seems you are speaking about me."

"I do not indulge in ridiculing allies. Though, enemies? Perhaps."

The prince was one pessimistic person.

Seojin added, "As I mentioned earlier, we've bought some time, haven't we? Now, we need to bolster our allies' strength as much as possible. Once we have their lifeline in our hands, they will lend their support to you, Your Highness, even if reluctantly."

In front of the man from the dungeon, Seojin proclaimed that the king was alive and well. Then, in front of Robert, he taunted him to attack right away since the king was already dead.

"They will likely assume it's a trap."

"That's right. And they are probably trying to find out what His Majesty has prepared. They must be feeling hot on their heels right about now."

Of course, they had absolutely no traps prepared, but conversely, this could make Ironblood think that it was meticulously hidden.

"Not having made any preparations, right now, turned out to be a good thing."

Robert's words were true. Seojin had luckily tied their hands, allowing for a more comfortable game.

'But Ironblood is still remarkable in and of themselves. Once they start moving, it will be troublesome.'

"How is Dame Rachel doing?"

"It's not easy, I hear."

Rachel, the knight that led the royal family's shadow, had begun a thorough spy hunt. They had known for a long time that information was leaking from the palace. But the reason they couldn't find them was that the enemies had been cautious.

"It doesn't matter how long it takes."

"I shall tell her to keep the pressure on. And… hmm." Heinrich paused, then wore a strange smile. "Why that expression?"

"I feel like a puppet. A prince, so full of power, yet unable to do anything."

"You're not incapable, Your Highness. It's just how the situation has evolved. Problems caused by adventurers can only be resolved by adventurers."

"I'm trying to think that way."

"If I had thought otherwise, the contents of the Book of Truth would have changed. Unlike Ironblood, I do not covet this land."

"If I had doubted you, I wouldn't have come this far."

"I am grateful for that."

"So am I."

"For now."

That was enough exchange of emotional glances.

Seojin brought up the next topic, "The neutral nobles, who've just been watching from the sidelines, will all be dealt with today. Sway a few at the top, and the rest will follow."

"What then?"

"Those who've fully lined up with Ironblood should be the next to be crushed, right?"

"There will be heavy resistance."

"We can't give them a chance to resist. By that time, Ironblood will openly intervene. Reducing their forces as much as possible before that could happen is the crux of this plan."

Jose's actions were incredibly swift.

It had been only a few hours since they started this job.

Many nobles still hadn't grasped what was happening.

"So… Ah, excuse me for a moment."

-Is it okay to contact you now?

Roth's message arrived.

-Yes, are you done?

-Yes, All three of us have finished. I'm waiting at a restaurant near the Tower of Qualification now.

-I'll send someone.

"My colleagues have arrived."

"They must be quite competent. But will three be enough?"

"Truth be told, it will be significantly insufficient in terms of strength. But—"

"Adventurers have their own methods, I suppose," Heinrich interrupted, chuckling

It was a peculiar feeling. The fate of the royal family was hanging in the balance. Yet, as a prince, all he could do was provide what the adventurer needed.

But,

"I'm not sure. Until recently, I was busy convincing myself. Like you said, adventurers should solve their own problems."

"How do you feel now?"

"Not bad. I've come to accept it, rather than be persuaded."

The end was uncertain. However, he had witnessed firsthand what Seojin had done, and was deeply impressed by it.

"Being assured of your lack of greed made this possible. And thanks to you, I'll admit, my burden has lightened."

"It seems I have won your favor."

This time, he couldn't hold back his laughter. Laughing heartily, the Prince of Valaran nodded.

"You seem to enjoy even this moment. If you were a citizen of this land, you'd be held accountable for taking the royal affairs so lightly. But since you are an adventurer," Heinrich chuckled to himself subconsciously. "Adventurers are such beings. Do as you please. I'll gladly assist you."

* * *

"Wow," Odie Park exclaimed in amazement.

From the moment they passed through the outer gates, her mouth was agape, unable to contain her awe upon entering the palace.

-It's really like a royal palace. To think we have progressed this far already! We've only just met the level requirements.

-That is the palace. Odie, it was really wise to communicate via chat. The guy guiding us seems to be of high status.

-To think Seojin would send someone like that to guide us. He really is incredible!

-That's true. But…

Haydall was sweating profusely.

Since entering the capital, progressing through the Tower of Qualification, and reaching the palace, every time Odie Park spoke, she brought up "Seojin's greatness."

The peak of her praise for him came with the recent message from Seojin, in which he mentioned that he was going against Ironbood who was threatening the royal family.

-Excited as you are, remember… well, Seojin called Roth, right? And if he thinks we're interfering with his work, he might not let us join. So…

-Look at this design. But why is it so empty? Apart from our guide, there's no one else.

Nothing he said got through to her; Odie was in a state where she wouldn't listen to anything.

He looked over helplessly at Roth, who avoided his gaze.

-I can't do anything either.

-Our CEO cleared his schedule for a whole week, you know?

-As great as he is, wouldn't he meet with our CEO? Odie might be like this now, but she'll calm down once she sees Seojin.

-You think so?

-She said she's just a spectator, sir.

-Well, now a supporting character. We rushed all the way to level 100 just to be one.

-A supporting character then…

Roth's message stopped there. He too knew how Odie Park would change once she realized that this place was a stage.

-She couldn't have set her character already, right? She's just excited.

-Is that how it is?

-It has to be.

-Right. That's the way it should be. I really hope so.

Haydall spoke with sincerity. Considering Seojin's personality while on Churai Island, it wouldn't be surprising if all three were cut off in an instant.

Just then, the guide in front of them stopped.

"Proceed through here. Then I'll leave you."

"Someone's inside, right? Finally…"

"Odie!"

Haydall quickly blocked her way.

"Why?"

"Wouldn't it be better for Roth to go first? Seojin contacted him specifically, right?"

"That makes sense."

Haydall sighed with relief. At least some safety measures were in place. If Roth and he sandwiched Odie, they could prevent the worst-case scenario.

Exchanging one last look,

Click.

Roth opened the door.