Chapter 13

Immersed in the afterglow of the song, I left the shop with Byron.

I was unexpectedly satisfied with Alice's evolution. I knew she would grow, but this was completely unexpected. It was a pleasant surprise.

Savoring that afterglow, I asked Byron, who had followed me,

"So, why did you come?"

"I happened to pass by and saw Your Highness."

"That's a lie."

"Eh?"

Surprised, Byron looked at me. I smiled and turned to look at the merchant I had just met.

"A merchant wouldn't waste time, especially a successful one."

"..."

This time, Byron was speechless in a different way. He opened his eyes wide as if they would pop out and stared at me intently.

"What's wrong?"

"No, I'm just surprised that someone of your age, and a noble at that, understands merchants so well."

"From my side, wasting time is almost a job."

"Indeed, Your Highness."

I chuckled and glanced back. The shop where Alice was gradually faded into the distance.

My patronage of her was a result of a noble's habit. Frankly, it was a pastime, and a pastime often involves enjoying waste.

"Merchants wouldn't raise someone like that, would they?"

"No... well..."

"What were you about to say?"

"Ah, well..."

Byron hesitated, looking uncomfortable, but eventually gave in.

"If she were a concubine, some would spend money and time on her."

"Hmm, I see."

He must have remembered that I was a six-year-old and hesitated to speak.

"So?"

"Yes, I have a request, Your Highness... It's about the time of year when the palace starts hiring servants."

"Hmm."

Byron was right. The palace hires a large number of female servants every year.

Officially, it's for hiring servants, but if the king notices someone, they might be summoned to his bed and even become a concubine or empress. Therefore, the selection criteria are strict, and many apply each year, making it a highly competitive process.

"What about it?"

"Is there any particular trend in who gets chosen?"

"You want to send a woman to the palace."

"..."

Byron nodded seriously. Politics and economics have always been intertwined. Having an ally in the palace allows for early access to information, and if she becomes a concubine or even empress, it would be a huge advantage in business. That's what Byron wants.

"Of course, it won't be free. I have already sent my feelings to your mansion."

Prepayment, nice move. If he had said, "When it succeeds..." he would have been second-rate.

Now, what should I do? It's not like I can't just take it and be done with it.

I am a prince, a legitimate son of the emperor. I can just take a merchant's offering and say, "Well done," and be done with it. That's the privilege of a prince.

But I like this man. The girl he adopted and raised. I like Byron for that.

So I thought about what I could do.

Suddenly, two faces came to mind. One was Alice, whom I had just left, and the other was the emperor in the palace. The emperor likes me now, and if I recommend someone, he would accept her easily.

"I have one."

"What is it?"

"..."

"If I like a woman, I can put in a good word for her."

After saying that, I glanced back at the direction of the shop where Alice was.

Not unconditionally, but hinting that it would be someone I truly like. Byron seemed to be smart. After comparing the shop where Alice was and me, he bowed deeply, overjoyed.

"Thank you! I will choose a girl who meets your standards."

"Sure. The final selection is a one-shot deal, but you can try as many times as you want with me."

I added this to show my goodwill and to avoid any misunderstandings.

"Thank you for your generous heart!"

"Hmm... You still look like you have something to say."

I read this from Byron's face as he raised his head.

"Why do you think that?"

"Such a determined look, I can't help but notice."

"Indeed, Your Highness, your insight is remarkable."

"Tell me."

"Yes... If it's not too much trouble, I would like to put your emblem on my sign."

I was surprised. Putting my emblem on his sign means he is completely under my command.

"Is that okay?"

"Yes! Although we have only met recently, I have seen your greatness and would like to join your ranks."

"Sure, it's fine."

"Really?"

"Only if you don't betray me."

"Thank you!"

Despite being in a public place, Byron knelt before me without hesitation.

At that moment,

-----------------

Name: Noah Ararat

Thirteenth Prince of the Ararat Empire

Gender: Male

Level: 1/∞

HP: F Fire: F

MP: F Water: E+SS

Strength: F+F Wind: F

Stamina: F+F Earth: F

Intelligence: F+F Light: F

Spirit: F+F Dark: F

Speed: F

Dexterity: F+F

Luck: F+F

-----------------

Byron joining my ranks added a "+" to my Intelligence and Spirit.

☆

That night, I looked at my status in my room. I was satisfied with the increase in status from Byron joining my ranks.

It was almost complete. If I hadn't blown up that magic book, Wind would have a "+" too, but that's a moot point now.

Just to be safe, I called a servant to get the "public" status as well.

-----------------

Name: Noah Ararat

Thirteenth Prince of the Ararat Empire

Gender: Male

Level: 1/∞

HP: F Fire: F

MP: F Water: SSS

Strength: E Wind: F

Stamina: E Earth: F

Intelligence: E Light: F

Spirit: E Dark: F

Speed: F

Dexterity: E

Luck: E

-----------------

It was reflected correctly here too.

I was satisfied with this. It would continue to grow.

As a legitimate son of the emperor and the thirteenth prince, it's harder not to increase the number of people under me. The more people under me, the more "+" points I get, and my actual abilities improve.

This is proven by the fact that my abilities increased when I tamed Leviathan.

Just by continuing to be a noble and increasing my subordinates, I will keep getting stronger. The future looks bright, and I was satisfied.

However, something strange happened.

"---!"

I jumped up as if I had been shocked.

The status I was looking at had changed.

-----------------

Name: Noah Ararat

Thirteenth Prince of the Ararat Empire

Gender: Male

Level: 1/∞

HP: F Fire: F

MP: F Water: E+S

Strength: F+F Wind: F

Stamina: F+F Earth: F

Intelligence: F+F Light: F

Spirit: F+F Dark: F

Speed: F

Dexterity: F+F

Luck: F+F

-----------------

Water had decreased. It had been SSS and was now S.

What happened?

The "+" after the stats is from my subordinates. The SSS in Water came when I tamed Leviathan, and the S came when the emperor declared Almeria my fief right after I was born.

This means—something has happened in Almeria.

And it's something that has taken her out of my subordinates.

"..."

I ran out of the room.

"Master!"

As I rushed out, a maid in the hallway was surprised and followed me.

"What's wrong, Master?"

"Prepare the carriage, we're going to the palace."

"Y-Yes!"

The maid, not in a position to ask why, hurried to follow my orders and prepare the carriage.

☆

Even though it was late at night and I had come unexpectedly, the emperor met with me. In his study, which was as large as a library, I knelt and reported to him.

"There has been a disturbance in Almeria."

"..."

"Why did you know?"

Huh?

What's with the emperor's reaction?

It's as if—

"Did you know?"

"No, I only had a hint."

"If so—"

I raised my head while still kneeling.

"It definitely happened."

"..."

The emperor frowned and stared at me intently.

After a while, the emperor's confidant, the eunuch Cruise, entered and whispered in the emperor's ear.

"I see. Understood."

The emperor nodded, and Cruise bowed and left the study.

The emperor sighed and then looked at me.

"Amazing, Noah."

"..."

The emperor nodded.

"A rebellion has broken out in Almeria."

I see, that's what it is.