Chapter 60

Standing there with Jean, we waited, and Jean's subordinates who had gone to capture the ones who had plotted to assassinate Ivan returned.

A man in his thirties, dressed as a knight, approached. He knelt on one knee before Jean and me, performed a knight's salute, and began his report.

"Following the guidance of Your Highness, we apprehended five individuals."

"Alive?"

Jean leaned forward, clearly most concerned about this.

"Yes... for some reason, when we burst in, the culprits were all lying on the ground. Upon investigation, it was found that they were paralyzed by an unknown poison."

"Poison? Could it be suicide!?"

Jean leaned even further forward. However, the knight slowly shook his head.

"No, it wasn't a lethal poison, just one that rendered them immobile."

"Why would such a thing exist..."

"That was me."

"Huh?"

Jean, surprised, looked at me. I had linked my ring to materialize Apophis.

A metallic, dull-colored snake appeared on my palm, flicking its tongue.

"The Third Chancellor would know, but during the previous rebellion in Almeria, I remotely eliminated the ringleader."

"Yes, I remember hearing about it and verifying the details multiple times."

Jean spoke, implying how unbelievable the event was. I nodded and continued.

"The same method. While guiding them, I remotely injected the poison with this Apophis. There was a risk they would commit suicide once the information was relayed, so I paralyzed everyone on the spot."

"Indeed! As expected of you!"

Jean's eyes sparkled, and he looked convinced.

"By the way—"

I turned to the knight.

"Did they say anything?"

"Yes, as you suspected... they were all groaning and shouting 'Kill him.'"

"What does that mean, Your Highness?"

"The same, poison. After paralyzing them, I injected a poison that causes uncontrollable itching all over the body. The effect... well, imagine being bitten by mosquitoes all over your body but unable to scratch."

Hearing my explanation, Jean and the knight shuddered simultaneously.

"Many are trained to endure pain, but few are trained to endure itching, especially when they can't scratch."

"Indeed, Your Highness. To think you would bring up 'itching'—truly impressive."

"That's why."

I turned to the knight again.

"They will talk now. Interrogate them well."

"Yes, Your Highness!"

The knight bowed to me, then glanced at Jean. When Jean nodded slightly, the knight stood up and left.

I chatted casually with Jean as we waited.

I was confident that they would spill everything soon.

Sure enough, my prediction was spot on. Less than an hour later, the knight returned and knelt before us again.

"How did it go?"

"Yes, they confessed everything. I believe they were telling the truth."

"Hmm. Who was behind it?"

"It was the work of the Kingdom of Roush."

"Roush, huh."

"Yes. The plan was that if the envoy of Roush Tsar died in the capital, it would cause a rift and trouble the empire."

"Hmm."

"I see. Roush Tsar is a rebel to the Kingdom of Roush. By inciting the empire, the Kingdom of Roush can benefit."

"Indeed."

It was a simple plan once understood. Not only the knight who conducted the interrogation but also Jean and I felt it was the truth.

"Continue the interrogation, just to be safe. Don't kill them immediately."

"Yes, Your Highness."

"And... Third Chancellor."

"Yes, Your Highness?"

"Increase Ivan's guards. Ensure he returns safely to Roush Tsar."

"Understood. I will take care of it."

☆

The next day, I left the mansion and headed to Cobalt Street, which I hadn't visited in a while.

People are treasures. Among treasures, there are 'treasures.'

I spent the morning searching for such treasures on Cobalt Street. However, I found nothing and ended up at Alan's shop as usual.

"I'm sorry, Your Highness. It's difficult to find treasures worthy of your eyes."

Alan looked apologetic.

"No, it's fine. Treasures aren't found so easily."

"Thank you. If you're interested in something new, I do have something."

"Something new?"

"Yes. There's a rumor about an interesting baby born in a town called Sorel, a bit away from the capital."

"How is it interesting?"

"Apparently, the baby was born holding a gemstone."

"Really?"

That's... quite a dubious story. A human baby born holding a gemstone.

It implies that the pregnant woman created a gemstone inside her body. It sounds like a story about a pearl oyster.

"The moment the baby was born, the gemstone illuminated the room brightly. Everyone is saying it's a good omen."

"..."

It's a dubious story, but it caught my attention. The good omen Alan mentioned.

The meteor that erased my '+' a while back was also presented as a good omen.

A good omen, huh.

I thought for a moment and asked Alan.

"Can you get that gemstone?"

"Huh? Yes, I think so."

"Alright."

I took out a leather pouch from my pocket and handed all the money I had brought with me to Alan.

"There are 1000 Reen. Get it for me. If it's not enough, let me know."

"Leave it to me!"

Alan confidently patted his chest.

I said I would come back and left the shop. I planned to return to the mansion after leaving Cobalt Street.

I suddenly stopped. A brand new shop caught my eye. It was a bit different from the usual shops.

The smell of food wafted out. I could tell it was food, but I couldn't identify what kind—it was a new scent.

Curious about what kind of shop it was, I entered.

"Welcome."

"What kind of shop is this?"

"First time here, huh?"

The confident-looking man who greeted me answered.

"Our owner is from the Kingdom of Roush and serves authentic Roush cuisine."

"I see. Then, give me a random selection. Two meat dishes and two vegetable dishes."

"Understood! Please, this way."

I was led to a seat and tasted the food.

Roush cuisine, being from a northern country, was mostly rich and warming stews. The flavor was strong but not bad.

While eating, I tried to find out the name of the shop. It was the day after the incident, and the mention of Roush cuisine made me a bit wary, but the people in the shop showed no hostility or ill intent.

They seemed like ordinary merchants, and I was just being overly cautious.

In other words, there was no problem—until I finished the meal.

After enjoying the food and deciding the shop was fine, I was about to pay and leave when I realized I was penniless.

"..."

I suddenly remembered that I had given all the money I had brought with me to Alan. This left me with no money to pay for the meal.

Seeing me search my pockets and find no money, the previously smiling waiter's eyebrows furrowed.

"Hey, kid, you're not trying to eat for free, are you?"

"No, that's not it."

"Then pay. It's exactly 1 Reen."

"..."

This was a problem. I had to think of a way to pay. However, the waiter was quite impatient and didn't give me time to think.

"If you can't pay, I'll hand you over to the constables."

"..."

That would be bad, a disgrace for a noble.

I was at a loss when a man behind me spoke up.

"I'll pay for this kid too."

"Huh?"

"Hmm?"

The man and I looked at him simultaneously. He seemed like a kind person.

"About 2 Reen, right? Here you go."

He handed 2 Reen to the waiter.

"Thank you, sir."

The waiter, now smiling again, took the money. As long as he was paid, he was happy—truly a model merchant.

I turned to the man who had paid for me.

"Thank you, I appreciate it."

"Don't worry about it. I sometimes forget my wallet too. It can be quite stressful."

"..."

"Yes, I was extremely stressed. Can you tell me your name? I'll return the money as soon as possible."

"I'm Relic, and I live on Tyler Street."

"Relic from Tyler Street, got it—"

"—Prince Noah!"

A familiar voice called from behind. I turned to see Shirley approaching.

"Shirley, you're here at the right time. Do you have any money?"

"Huh? Oh, yes! Here, though not much..."

"Let me see..."

I looked at the leather pouch Shirley took out. It contained about 500 Reen.

"I'll borrow this. I'll return it when we get back to the mansion."

"Yes, Your Highness, anything you need."

Shirley handed me the leather pouch with both hands.

I took it and gave it to Relic—500 Reen in total.

"Thanks for helping me earlier."

Relic looked confused, not understanding what was happening. I pressed the leather pouch into his hands.

☆

We left the shop and walked together.

"So, Your Highness."

"Hmm?"

"Earlier, you borrowed 1 Reen and returned 500 Reen. Isn't that a bit excessive? Even a high-interest lender wouldn't go that far..."

"That was a water seller in the desert."

"Huh?"

"If I were dying of thirst in the desert, I would gladly pay 500 Reen for water that usually costs 1 Reen."

Relic had helped me that much.

I could have revealed myself as a prince, but that would have been a mistake.

Being suspected of being a dine-and-dash criminal and then revealing myself as a prince would severely tarnish my noble name. It was an unthinkable act.

Some nobles might even commit suicide out of shame.

The 1 Reen Relic lent me was that valuable.

"Even if the favor is a drop, return it as a spring."

"Indeed... as expected of you, Your Highness!"

Shirley looked at me with great admiration.