Chapter 51

A brown-skinned boy sat down on the bed; he is the fourth prince, Virtus.

Even at thirteen, he looks more mature than his age.

He is already as tall as an adult man, and perhaps that is why he always seemed like my older brother, even before the reset. Or maybe it’s because he has female demons serving him.

Virtus shook his short blonde hair and turned his narrow eyes toward me.

"Hey, you’re here."

It was as if Virtus had anticipated my arrival.

Whenever I visited, Virtus always said the same thing.

For some reason, this gave me a sense of reassurance... Perhaps Virtus knows about the reset. Such an illusion would take hold.

Virtus opened his mouth.

"I heard. You must want me to give you some advice because you don’t want to go to school, right? I also dislike that place; it’s too noisy... I can understand how you feel."

The dislike for school has a slightly different meaning for Virtus and me.

For me, it’s because I’m constantly scolded for the Dark Emblem.

On the other hand, Virtus, due to his appearance and the Pantheon Emblem, attracts a crowd of noble ladies just by walking down the hallway. Not only students but even older teachers.

I don’t envy him. It would be troublesome to be constantly surrounded.

Virtus understands how I feel about school. In that sense, we are the same.

This reassures me. Even though he has become younger, Virtus is still Virtus.

Despite our vastly different circumstances, we often found common ground. We often went to watch horse races and chariot races together. Especially, we talked a lot about money...

Being a presence the emperor would secretly wish to eliminate is also a common point between Virtus and me.

Virtus grinned.

"But, you managed to prepare a hundred gold coins! I’ll do whatever it takes to help you skip school."

"When it’s just a favor, a hundred coins is a bargain. Altogether, it’s a deal for a hundred coins."

When I said this, Virtus looked at me suspiciously.

"You... When did you start talking like an adult?"

"Can someone who acts like a useless adult in such a place even say that?"

Virtus laughed.

"I thought you were mature, but this is something else. Well, I also tried to earn money right after receiving the emblem... So, what do you want? You’re not a kid who just wants to play, right?"

"I want land and a building."

"Land and a building, huh... Where exactly?"

"I want it in the commercial district. Preferably in a place with a lot of foot traffic. Ideally, a building with a courtyard, four or five stories high."

"Indeed, that’s a hundred gold coin deal. But, Alex..."

Shaking his head, Virtus continued.

"If you’re going into business, it’s better to start small... If you start big, you’ll see hell!"

Virtus looked genuinely worried.

He must be saying he failed that way.

When a female demon offered Virtus a beautifully peeled apple, he ate it while saying,

"I’ll lend you the lower floor of a building facing a street, even for silver coins. Start making money there... I don’t know what you’re planning, but with a pretty lady like her, men will come flocking. If you want, I can have this lady work in my shop."

Elysia looked at Virtus as if he were a piece of filth.

Virtus, not angry, said with a blissful expression, "The most beautiful in the world..."

Immediately, a female demon next to him slapped his cheek.

"Hey, Virtus-sama! You just said I was the best!"

"Yesterday, you said I was the best!"

The demons’ voices made Virtus hastily reply.

"Y-You’re all the best! Isn’t that fine?"

I sighed at the sight of Virtus being manhandled by the demons.

"...I appreciate your advice. I think I should do that. But what I want to do isn’t just business... No, I do want to do business, but..."

When I said this, Virtus stopped eating the apple and looked surprised.

"You don’t mean—rebellion!?"

"Calm down! You’re jumping to conclusions... I just don’t have a place in the palace. You understand, right?"

"Indeed... Louis seems very concerned about you. He even sent a messenger to ask me if Alex was around. Thinking back, that messenger..."

I nodded.

"I’m afraid I’ll get involved in various troubles... That’s why I need a base. A base that can’t be traced back to me."

"If you buy it officially from a merchant, it will be traced. That’s why you came to me, right?"

I was considering setting up a guild with Yuri as the leader. If I were the leader, I would definitely face harassment from Louis or the temple.

On the surface, it would appear to be a guild run by someone unrelated to me.

"That’s right. And there’s one more thing, it’s about school."

"Huh? You want to skip school and hide in that base?"

"That’s one use... But the truth is, I don’t want to attend the Imperial Magic Academy."

"In that case... It’s not possible in the provinces. So, a foreign school... However, the empire doesn’t have good relations with most countries. If the emperor allows it..."

"Ah."

Virtus bit into the apple and said,

"Miles, then."

It seems Virtus also thought the emperor would only allow Miles.

I told Virtus,

"That’s why I’m asking for your help. To get me to Miles."

"You’re asking for a lot... Unfortunately, a hundred gold coins isn’t enough."

"I understand. I thought it would depend on the negotiation."

Virtus, with a serious face, said,

"...So, what do you plan to do in Miles?"

"I want to study Dark Magic."

"That’s the magic of non-humans. Studying it won’t even get you a copper coin."

Virtus answered bluntly.

It’s foolish and won’t make any money... Virtus is always incredibly indifferent to things that don’t make money.

I replied,

"No, it can bring in a fortune... I think."

"Think?"

"It’s like a bet."

"Are you betting your life?"

"Yes."

Virtus looked troubled.

"Sorry, but... I can’t agree with you about the school. Just attend the Imperial school honestly and skip classes."

It’s because I’m still a child.

Virtus, in his own way, is telling me not to do something foolish like betting my life.

If I were older, he would have nodded and laughed, saying, "You’re foolish."

"Alright. Then, I’ll come back as many times as needed. I have no one else to rely on but Virtus."

"Even if you come back, it will be the same. And please, no crying or begging..."

But Virtus continued,

"...Well, I’ll consider the base for now."

"Really?"

"Yes. And I’ll give it to you for free."

"I don’t think anything is free..."

When I said this, Virtus nodded deeply.

"I have a property that’s too much for me to handle. It’s a bit of a problem property."

"A problem property...?"

When I asked hesitantly, Virtus paled and whispered,

"Yes... There are ghosts!!"

Suddenly, Virtus shouted, startling the surrounding demons, who clung to each other in fear.

Elysia and I, however, were not particularly surprised.

Virtus, being manhandled by the demons, looked at me with a dissatisfied face.

"Hey, you’re supposed to be scared! You’re not acting like a kid at all..."

"We’re the same... And about the ghosts..."

I looked at Elysia.

"Yes. I’m used to them."

Elysia smiled and answered.