Chapter 17

The rebellion in Almeria, having lost its ringleader, was swiftly suppressed by Lord Henry.

In the audience chamber of the palace, where this news was delivered, the ministers' cheers echoed.

The messenger, kneeling before His Majesty, continued.

"Most of those who planned the rebellion have been captured. They wish for Your Majesty's judgment."

"Hmm."

His Majesty nodded quietly.

His expression was not calm.

Rather, he was so enraged that it seemed as if fire would shoot from his eyes.

"Tell Henry to bring them all to the capital without exception."

"Yes, Your Majesty."

"What do you intend to do?"

After the messenger left, the First Minister stepped out from the line of ministers and asked His Majesty about his intentions.

"It's settled. I will not tolerate a rebellion in Noah's territory. Prepare the oxen and horses; I will have them torn to pieces."

The ministers, understanding from His Majesty's tone that his anger was genuine, voiced their agreement.

"Your Majesty."

I stepped out of the line and knelt beside the First Minister.

"Wait, Noah. Right now—"

"Your Majesty, I must respectfully disagree."

"---Torn to pieces... What?"

His Majesty was surprised, and the other ministers began to murmur.

To directly oppose the enraged emperor was a bold act.

Several ministers, known for their timidity, had already turned pale.

"What do you mean, Noah?"

His Majesty's tone had lowered.

Though the words were directed at me, several ministers flinched.

Their reactions indirectly proved the emperor's authority.

I raised my head calmly and looked at His Majesty.

"Punishments should always be in accordance with the law."

First, I laid down the fundamental principle.

"According to the Imperial Law, the ringleader of a rebellion is sentenced to decapitation, and their third-degree relatives and co-conspirators to hanging. Others are sentenced to beheading based on their level of involvement. Tearing someone to pieces is a figure of speech; such a punishment does not exist in the Imperial Law."

"But they have disgraced Noah's face."

His Majesty frowned, emphasizing his point, but I ignored it.

"If the emperor himself breaks the law, it will cause chaos in the realm. Please reconsider."

"..."

His Majesty fell silent.

The ministers held their breath, watching the situation.

A heavy silence filled the audience chamber.

"...Hmm. Noah is right."

After a while, His Majesty murmured.

Someone—no, several people—clearly exhaled in relief.

"Well done, Noah. For correcting my mistake."

"Thank you, Your Majesty."

"However, that will not satisfy me. The sentences should be the harshest within the bounds of the law, with no leniency. Is that acceptable?"

"Absolutely, Your Majesty."

I bowed once and continued.

"In past rebellions, even third-degree relatives of the ringleaders, such as children and infants, were often spared out of pity. If Your Majesty intends to be strict, this is a point that needs particular attention."

Noble children are not just children.

There are countless examples of fallen or destroyed families being revived or avenged by surviving children.

Especially in cases of rebellion.

While co-conspirators might be spared, the children of ringleaders must be eradicated in the world of nobility.

That's why I made this recommendation, and His Majesty nodded, saying, "Thank you for pointing that out."

"Third Minister."

"Yes, Your Majesty."

Called by His Majesty, the Third Minister, Jean-Blade Raido, stepped out of the line and bowed quietly.

"You have heard the details. I entrust this matter to you."

"As you wish, Your Majesty."

With that, the fate of those who planned the rebellion was almost decided.

At the same time, a different kind of voice rose, dispelling the heavy atmosphere.

"Truly, His Highness the Thirteenth Prince. To offer such a direct remonstration."

"Moreover, to state his opinion so clearly to His Majesty without changing his expression."

"Truly a gifted genius, a prodigy bestowed by heaven."

The ministers spoke in unison.

Listening to them, His Majesty's mood, which had been so enraged earlier, improved.

"Noah."

"Yes, Your Majesty."

"Continue to correct my mistakes in the future."

"As you wish, Your Majesty."

"For today... Hmm, the fact that I have not tarnished history is thanks to Noah. I should give you a reward."

His Majesty placed his hand on his chin, thinking.

Unlike the previous silence, this time everyone was relaxed, waiting to see what reward would be bestowed upon me.

"Hmm, it's decided. I will grant you a title."

Instantly, a murmur ran through the room.

In the past, only a few princes could become princes.

Now, according to the Imperial Law, princes are born with the status of prince.

In terms of rank, above a prince is only the emperor, meaning a prince cannot advance further.

However, to reward princes who have achieved great deeds, the method of granting titles to princes was devised.

"Noah's remonstration was well done. While any child can remonstrate with their father, the fact that it is correct is an invaluable and wonderful quality. To make his wisdom known to the world—I will grant him the character 'Wise'."

When His Majesty said this, another murmur arose.

"Long live Lord Noah, long live the Wise Prince!"

Cheers erupted.

---

Name: Noah Ararat

Wise Prince

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

---

And so, my status changed, and I gained a new title.

"Thank you, Your Majesty."

I bowed my head.

His Majesty stood up from the throne, descended the red carpet, and came to me, who was kneeling on one knee.

"If you had been born a little earlier..."

The murmur changed to a different quality for the third time.

☆

A few weeks after becoming the Wise Prince.

On this day, I was at the Horse Street Square in the capital—the largest square in the city.

A stage was set up in the center of the square, with a table and chairs on it.

I was sitting in the chair, and there was a tea set on the table.

Knight selection.

Following the method I had proposed to His Majesty, I was relaxing while allowing the candidates to attack me as they pleased.

I myself did nothing; instead, Leviathan, linked to my ring, defended against all attacks.

One by one, people came up to the stage, attacked me, and, after being completely defended against, left the stage in disappointment.

"Wow, that's amazing, even that magic was blocked."

"Such a small kid, but he's incredible."

"You're committing a crime of disrespect. That's His Highness the Thirteenth Prince, no, the Wise Prince."

Because this was happening in the largest square in the city, a crowd had gathered like a mountain.

I hadn't specified the criteria for passing, but it was clear to everyone that all the challengers so far had failed.

Everyone who attacked was perfectly defended by Leviathan.

In front of a large crowd, not even being able to penetrate the defense of a relaxed child, the attackers had no choice but to admit defeat.

I continued this for half a day.

As the sun began to set in the western sky, I heard a loud cry.

"Yaaaaah!"

A girl in white armor charged with a horizontal sword thrust, leaning forward as if putting her weight into it.

Leviathan reacted, transforming the linked ring into a shield to block the attack.

Up to this point, everything was the same.

The same as the hundreds of candidates I had evaluated today.

"This... is... it!"

I heard the girl's teeth grinding.

Immediately after, the shield cracked as the girl leaned even further forward.

Breaking through the shield that no one had penetrated all day, the girl continued her charge.

The tip of the sword pierced my right shoulder.

"---!"

The girl herself was the most surprised.

She instinctively let go of the sword and stepped back.

"You!"

The soldiers guarding the stage rushed over and apprehended the girl on the spot.

The crowd below was in an uproar.

I looked at my pierced shoulder.

"Hmm."

I nodded.

"Release her."

"What? But, Your Highness, she is a criminal who injured you—"

"I said, release her."

"---!"

The soldier who had apprehended the girl flinched and stepped back.

The girl, still in shock, raised her upper body from the restrained position, looking at me with confusion.

I pulled out the sword, and blood spurted out.

"Master!"

Zoe, the maid who had been serving me all day, hurried over, tearing her maid uniform to bandage my shoulder.

"I'm so sorry!"

The girl, coming to her senses, prostrated herself before me.

"Huh? Why are you prostrating yourself?"

"Because... I injured Your Highness."

"I didn't specify the passing criteria, but from what I saw, this clearly qualifies, right?"

"..."

The girl was stunned.

"Is this enough to pass?"

"Moreover, to pass the final selection."

"To pierce the shoulder of the person who was evaluating you... What a great capacity..."

The crowd murmured, and the girl remained stunned, unable to recover.