Chapter 2

The Thirteenth Prince's Mansion.

Adjacent to the palace, this is one of the mansions that surround the outer perimeter, where I woke up this morning.

It has been six years since I moved into this mansion, and at the age of six, I have finally gotten used to my new life and its style.

When I wake up in the morning and get out of bed, I stand there in my pajamas, dazed.

Then the maids waiting outside the room come in, wash my face, comb my hair, and change my clothes from my pajamas.

I don't know who hired them, but most of the maids, except for the one who gives orders, are young teenage girls.

Being undressed and dressed by these young girls, and having my nakedness seen every day, has made me nervous and excited, but I've gotten used to it.

Today, as usual, I stand there dazed while they dress me.

"Here, I've finished changing you."

"You look very handsome today."

"Hmm."

I nod lightly and leave the bedroom, heading towards the grand dining hall.

"Wow, Prince Noah, you're something else."

"Really?"

"Sure. Normally, at that age, they start to feel embarrassed or start playing pranks on young people like you. But you always remain composed. That must be the mark of a true king."

With the maids' chatter in the background, I head towards the grand dining hall.

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Name: Noah Aralart

Thirteenth Prince of the Aralart Empire

Gender: Male

Level: 1/∞

HP F Fire F

MP F Water E+S

Strength F Wind F

Stamina F+F Earth F

Intelligence F Light F

Spirit F Darkness F

Speed F

Dexterity F+F

Luck F+F

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As I walk, I display my status in the corner of my vision.

There are a few questions about the status, but after six years of reincarnation, I have learned one thing.

The "＋" part of the status changes depending on my subordinates—specifically, the Thirteenth Prince Noah Aralart's subordinates.

I don't know the exact calculation, but the number after the "＋" changes whenever my subordinates increase or decrease.

This is something only I can see, apparently.

Right now, with dozens of maids in the mansion, I have a slight boost to my base abilities.

If I increase my subordinates, I will become stronger, but as a prince, there are various complications.

At six years old, there's nothing I can do; I'll have to wait a few more years.

While thinking about what I can do once I can act, time passed.

During this time, I reached the grand dining hall and was served breakfast by other young maids.

"Master."

As soon as I finished eating, a maid came in.

She is not the maid who takes care of my daily life but a specialized, customer-friendly maid.

"His Highness the Crown Prince and His Highness the Fourth Prince have arrived."

"Really? Where are they now?"

"I have shown them to the parlor. The Crown Prince said, 'Take your time and come after you finish eating.'"

"Please show me the way."

Even if the Crown Prince himself said it, it would be impolite to be late.

I stood up and followed the maid to the parlor.

When I entered the parlor, there were two men.

The Second Prince and Crown Prince, Albert Aralart.

The Fourth Prince, Henry Aralart.

Both are my real brothers, but as the thirteenth prince, it's clear that the two older ones are already middle-aged—especially the Crown Prince, who has some white hair above his ears.

I bowed formally to my two older brothers, who could pass as my father.

"Good morning, my brothers."

"Ah, you're here."

"You don't need to be so formal, sit down."

"Thank you."

I said this and sat in the lower seat.

Of course, the upper seat was for Crown Prince Albert.

Even though we are real brothers, he is the Crown Prince.

He is entrusted with part of the government, almost like an emperor.

Over the past six years, I have learned the proper etiquette and performed the salute of a subject.

"Hmm, but Noah, you are very polite and wise."

The Crown Prince Albert said this with a look of admiration.

"The eleventh, twelfth, fourteenth, and fifteenth princes, who are closer to your age, are still just children."

"Thank you, my brother."

"Your wisdom at this age is remarkable. You have a bright future. You will become a great chancellor one day."

"I will do my best to become one."

"You will. Right, Henry?"

"Indeed."

The Fourth Prince Henry nodded quietly and then looked at me.

He is a bit younger than Albert, but his eyes are calm, and sometimes he looks older just by that.

"Noah, you understand. You are the wisest among your brothers."

His tone seemed to have some deeper meaning, but I thought it was better not to press the issue.

"Brothers, why are you here today?"

"Oh, right, right. We have a gift for you, Noah."

Albert clapped his hands.

Then a servant came in from outside the room, carrying a box.

For some reason, he looked pale and was trembling.

"Open it."

Albert ordered the servant in a tone accustomed to giving commands.

The servant, with a face as white as paper, opened the box.

Inside the box was a sword.

"What is this?"

"I told you, it's a gift for you."

"Ah..."

"Go ahead, pick it up."

I didn't understand the intention.

I looked at Henry, who nodded quietly.

Encouraged by this, I picked up the sword, which was the size of an adult.

It was a bit heavy, and the tip of the scabbard hit the ground.

However, it was a normal weight.

It was just that a six-year-old child couldn't hold it, but it wasn't heavy in the sense that it was too heavy.

Then I noticed something.

When I picked up the sword, the servant's pale face gradually returned to normal.

I wondered what was happening.

"Hmm, impressive."

Albert said this with a tone of genuine admiration.

"What do you mean?"

"The name of this sword is Leviathan."

"Leviathan..."

"It is also known as the Water Magic Sword. It is said to be one of the highest-ranking magic swords, and about 120 people have died trying to tame it."

"Wh-What!?"

I was so surprised that I almost dropped the sword.

The only reason I didn't was because the thought that it was a gift from the Crown Prince lingered in the back of my mind, allowing me to barely hold on.

"Don't worry."

Henry, who seemed to have noticed my unease, spoke in a gentle tone.

"Those who cannot wield it are killed by a curse the moment they touch it."

"That's right. You are Water SS, right? Even those who are Water S have to risk their lives to use this magic sword, so I was curious to see what would happen with Water SS."

"Ah..."

Is that the reason, damn Crown Prince—oh no, I can't.

I have to stop thinking such bad thoughts, or I might say them out loud one day.

"Hey Noah, can you really hold it normally?"

"Yes, well, it's a bit heavy."

"Wow, impressive. I must say, I've seen something remarkable."

I was praised with the Water SS magic sword, but I was left with a slightly uneasy feeling.