Chapter 4

Inside the imperial palace, in the emperor's study.

Though called a study, it was a place that functioned more like a library, storing over ten thousand books and most of the documents since his ascension to the throne.

I, who had been summoned to this study, was kneeling before my father, the emperor.

"Did you call for me, Father?"

"Hmm."

With a dignified voice, my father nodded calmly. While I was greeting him, he continued to review some documents, signed them, and handed them to the eunuch standing by.

Once his official duties were settled, my father finally raised his head and looked at me.

"Have you been well?"

"Yes, I strive every day."

"Hmm."

Father nodded slightly and gestured to the eunuch, who had efficiently processed the previous document. The eunuch, who could be considered his confidant, gave further instructions to a lower-ranking eunuch, who then approached me.

He cast a spell on me. A spell to view status, which was cast on me right after I was born, surprising everyone.

After a while, my status appeared in a form visible to everyone.

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

Name: Noah Ararat

Thirteenth Prince of the Ararat Empire

Gender: Male

Level: 1/∞

HP: F Fire: F

MP: F Water: SS

Strength: E Wind: F

Stamina: E Earth: F

Intelligence: F Light: F

Spirit: F Darkness: F

Speed: F

Dexterity: E

Luck: E

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

"Hmm, it's risen again. Your strength is now E, unlike the last time."

Father, looking impressed, moved from his desk to stand in front of me and peered at my status.

"Despite that, your level is still 1. That's quite a story. I've never heard of someone whose abilities improve without their level increasing. You truly are a mysterious child."

"Thank you."

The special constitution that surprised everyone that day and which Father now calls "mysterious" has been something I've gradually come to understand over the six years since my reincarnation.

It's linked to my "subordinates."

The additional part, the "＋" that only I can see, increases or decreases based on the number of subordinates or servants I have. Reflecting on it, my strength increased right after my territory was determined, and this time, it rose to E because I added an entire village affected by the recent flood under my protection. Currently, it looks like this to me.

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

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 Light: F

Spirit: F Darkness: F

Speed: F

Dexterity: F＋F

Luck: F＋F

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Since realizing this, I've investigated and talked to many people, but no one else has the "＋." It seems to be unique to me.

The "∞" is also a mystery, but it appears to be something only I possess.

So, I keep this to myself, even from my father, the emperor.

"Did you call me here for this, Father?"

"Hmm? Oh, right, there was another matter. Noah, I heard you bought an entire village."

"..."

I was taken aback. Surprised, I wondered how Father knew about something that happened a few days ago and hadn't been reported yet.

"Don't be so surprised. I didn't call you here to scold you. On the contrary."

"Eh?"

"..."

Father walked around the study with his hands behind his back, as if deep in thought.

"After a disaster like that, there are always those who try to profit from it. By the time the matter reaches me, they've usually already made their money. Then, I—or the country—have to clean up the mess. The aftermath of both natural and man-made disasters."

"..."

"How did you know?"

He stopped, turned his head to look at me while keeping his hands behind his back. I answered honestly.

"A person from that village was working as a maid at the Thirteenth Prince's residence. I heard she was about to be sold to a brothel."

"I see, so it was a coincidence."

"..."

"Yes, a coincidence."

"A coincidence, indeed. If it had been Albert, he would have had to clean up a triple mess."

Father's muttering. It sounded like a complaint about the crown prince, so I didn't respond and let it pass.

After a few seconds of silence, Father spoke again.

"Regardless, well done. I'll give you a reward. Cruise."

"Understood."

Cruise, the eunuch who had been standing quietly in the background, stepped forward.

"What is Prince Noah's current stipend?"

"The Thirteenth Prince's current stipend is 8,000 Reen per year."

"That's low."

It's actually high.

The average monthly income for a thirty-year-old working in the capital is 10 Reen—120 Reen per year. That's the equivalent of seventy people's annual income, so it's not low at all.

"Increase it by 1,000, retroactive to this year."

"As you wish."

Cruise bowed and left to convey the order.

"Noah."

"Yes?"

"Well done. Continue to be a help to me within your means."

"Understood."

☆

Leaving the emperor's study, I retraced my steps down the luxurious corridor. I saw a familiar face coming from the other end of the corridor, smiling broadly.

"Prince Noah."

The young eunuch, who saw me, knelt on one knee and called out my name. His name is Sees, a low-ranking eunuch who does odd jobs and has no specific position.

When I first entered the palace, he was assigned to my mother, so I knew his face.

"I'm glad to see you, Prince Noah. Just seeing your face gives me energy for the whole day."

"You're still as flattering as ever. Here."

I reached into my pocket and pulled out a leather bag I had prepared for such occasions, tossing it to Sees. It contained about 100 Reen in silver coins.

This is something I learned after reincarnation: nobles consider "charity" a virtue. They take pride in giving to those less fortunate and use it to demonstrate their power.

Eunuchs are paid very little, only 5 Reen a month. Still, compared to rural areas, it's a high salary, and the job is "permanent," so many people seek it for stability.

Despite the low pay, it's common to give them charity.

Sees caught the heavy leather bag and smiled even more.

"Thank you!"

"Don't keep it all to yourself. Share it with your friends."

"Of course, as you say, Prince Noah. Everyone says that the Thirteenth Prince is not only kind to us but also cares about those who are not here, like a god."

"You're getting better at flattery. Have you been eating honey from the royal kitchen?"

"Not at all, every word is true, I assure you."

"Let's leave it at that."

I started walking, and Sees followed, flattering me all the way.

"By the way, Prince Noah, have you heard of a rising singer?"

"A singer?"

"Yes. A woman named Alice who performs at the Keith in Raid Street. She's still green, but they say she has potential. I've been going there too."

"Really?"

I listened to his chatter as I walked out of the palace.

☆

After leaving the palace, I wandered around the capital. The capital of the empire, the most prosperous city on the continent, where people, goods, and money all converge.

Naturally, everything to satisfy human desires is available, but there's nothing I can do with this six-year-old body.

I ended up just wandering around.

I suddenly remembered what Sees had told me. A rising singer, huh?

If I had heard this from a minister or one of my older brothers, it would likely have involved some sexual connotation.

But Sees said, "I've been going there too."

Eunuchs, having had their male organs removed to prevent any mistakes, lose their sexual desires (though they become more attached to money) and thus, if they go there, it must be for the music.

If that's the case, I can enjoy it even at six.

Thinking this, I headed for Raid Street. I found the Keith, a teahouse where you can enjoy performances and music.

I paid for a seat and was led to a good one. The waiter looked at me for a moment, then, recognizing my noble attire, treated me accordingly.

Sitting down, I asked the waiter,

"Is Alice here today?"

"Lucky you, she's singing right now."

"Interesting... Just bring me something simple. No vegetables or greens."

"Got it!"

After the waiter left, I looked at the stage. The stage was at the front, with seats arranged in a radial pattern. The further back, the harder it was to see, but I was seated on a raised platform at the back, giving me a clear view of the stage.

Alice was playing the harp and singing. I listened for a while.

Not bad. Her technique was still developing, but she was singing seriously and earnestly.

Music reflects a person's character, just like writing.

Though I've only known this for about six years, I could clearly sense that Alice was a serious and earnest person.

If this continues, I might visit regularly and even become her patron.

As I thought this, a loud cracking sound interrupted the song. It wasn't just one or two; the sound continued until the song stopped completely.

Alice stopped playing, and the audience turned to look.

A few men who had just entered the teahouse were making their way to the stage, grabbing and smashing glasses and plates along the way.

"Hey, what are you doing, singing so slowly here?"

"Sir, this is—"

The waiter who tried to intervene was punched and sent flying, taking a table with him.

The teahouse began to buzz with activity.

"That's money—"

"Yours!"

The leader of the group, a man with a deep, threatening voice, kicked a nearby table. It was a cheap threat.

"The debt your father left can't be paid off with this."

"But, this is all—"

"What? Don't make me say it. A woman has other ways to earn money, right?"

"..."

Alice bit her lower lip and looked down, clearly upset.

...

I stood up and walked towards the stage.

"Hey."

"What? A kid? Go back to your mother's breast, brat!"

"Article 67-2 of the Imperial Law. Children cannot be held responsible for their parents' debts."

"What?"

"I'm not questioning the morality of lending money, but demanding that a daughter pay her father's debt, especially by selling her body, is a crime."

"Don't you dare mock me, kid!"

The man, enraged, grabbed my shoulder.

I had anticipated this and activated my prepared item, a magic tool called Splash.

A one-use magic tool that can be activated regardless of the user's magical power. Its effect depends on the user's attribute.

The water magic I activated produced a powerful stream of water that pierced the shoulders of the men.

"Ugh!"

"Ahhh!"

"What the hell is this?"

The men, who had been so confident a moment ago, now clutched their bleeding shoulders and fell back, retreating.

"Any more?"

I raised my hand, and the men screamed and fled in a panic.

The teahouse fell silent—then, a loud cheer erupted.

"Wow, that's amazing!"

"Go, kid!"

"Idiot, watch your words. That's a noble."

Amid the cheers, I motioned to the waiter, who was holding his nose, which was bleeding from the punch.

"Hey, if those guys come back about the debt, tell them to come to me."

I pulled out a card from my pocket and handed it to him.

The waiter was shocked.

"Prince!?"

The teahouse buzzed even more. Ignoring it, I turned to Alice, who was in a daze.

"That was a good performance."

"Thank you..."

"How much do you need for your monthly living expenses?"

"Eh? Well, my mother's medical expenses—"

"25 Reen."

I interrupted Alice mid-sentence.

"I'll give you that every month, so you can focus on singing. I'll increase it as you improve."

"Thank you so much!"

Alice, moved to tears, bowed deeply.

Being a prince and a noble, and with my abilities, I found and patronized people who needed help, one by one.