Chapter 59

The chaos continued even after Torias died.

Everyone was surprised that Torias, of all people, was a bearer of the Dark Emblem.

As Torias' body was surrounded by guards and became invisible, voices could be heard.

"That's Prince Virtus over there... right?"

"That's Prince Alex, the prince who bears the Dark Emblem."

"Did someone like that defeat the demon?"

Everyone seemed perplexed by my presence.

I didn't expect any cheers. It's fine as long as the fact that I, who bear the Dark Emblem, intervened is known.

In the midst of this, no one mentioned that Luibel had wet himself in fear of the demon.

Luibel is still a child. Since everyone fears demons, it's understandable that he lost control and no one mocked him.

There were even voices praising Virtus for his concern for his younger brother.

In the midst of this, Virtus supported Luibel with both hands and said,

"Hey, Luibel. Can you stand?"

"A, a... a..."

Luibel's whole body was still trembling. Perhaps because of this, he couldn't speak properly.

At that moment, Luibel must have been prepared to die. After all, he had no combat experience.

Virtus called out to Luibel's shocked servants and followers.

"Hey, take care of Luibel. Take him to the palace and calm him down. And change his underwear."

Only then did the servants rush to Luibel.

"Luibel-sama, are you hurt?"

"Ah, to face a demon like that, you were brave!"

The followers said this, but Luibel didn't answer and glanced at me.

Luibel's face was expressionless... no, slightly surprised.

Then Luibel hurriedly left for the palace.

Virtus approached me.

"Hey, no thanks at all. I don't think he used to be like that."

Indeed, before receiving the emblem, Luibel always said thank you when something was done for him. Now, he probably doesn't say it to anyone, including me.

"Yeah, that's true..."

When I said this, Virtus smiled and said,

"Anyway, impressive! Not just Elicia, but you have so many excellent subordinates."

"I wouldn't have challenged the demon alone."

"Yeah, I couldn't move my body either."

Despite this, Virtus had a cool expression.

The rescue of Luibel wasn't delayed. I appeared, and Virtus immediately took action.

As a result, Virtus gave the impression to the surrounding citizens that he cared for his younger brother.

The smile he just showed... could it be that he...

"...I was expecting you to defeat the demon, Virtus."

"You're overestimating me. I haven't studied magic at all."

"...I don't think you can control the rough guys in that district just because of your status."

At that moment, Virtus furrowed his brow.

"...What are you trying to say?"

"Since it's Virtus, I'll be honest. You were planning to let Luibel and Burius die, weren't you?"

If one of the imperial succession candidates disappears, the succession struggle becomes easier. It would be even better if the one who disappeared bore the emblem of the Holy God.

Virtus paused for a moment, then finally smiled.

"Ha... hahaha! So, you're saying that by letting them die, I would get closer to being emperor!? Ah, Alex, you've read too many history books! Hahaha!!"

Tears welled up in his eyes as he laughed, holding his stomach. Eventually, he managed to control his laughter and said,

"Haha... This is funny. I just want to be surrounded by beautiful women and spend money like water. I don't want to be the emperor."

Virtus said the same thing as before. He always told me that being the emperor was just a hassle.

"Yeah, that's true."

"Ah, that's right! More importantly, I really appreciate it, Alex. Thanks to you, my beloved two are back!"

Virtus waved to the two demons being given water by the guards.

The two who waved back were employees of Virtus' shop.

The two demons, young girls with cat ears, cried and threw themselves at Virtus.

"Virtus-sama!! I was so scared!"

"I knew you would come to save us!"

Virtus, hugging the two crying girls, said,

"I wouldn't abandon you... but it's thanks to my brother and his subordinates."

"Then, the door opened because of them?"

"Yeah. Thanks to this guy's subordinates."

The two demons looked at me with puzzled faces. It's understandable; from their perspective, the door opened on its own, and the guards were knocked out.

"Yeah. I have excellent spies."

When I said this, the two demons said in admiration,

"Indeed, the people Virtus-sama employs can't do such things."

"Even though they're so cute... they're more powerful than Virtus-sama!"

Virtus looked a bit envious but said,

"Anyway, both of you. Make sure to tell the guards that this was Alex's doing."

"Wait, Virtus. I don't want this to be seen as my doing. Just say the demon was defeated by chance."

"...Is that okay?"

"It's better this way. You understand, right?"

"I see. Since it's clear that Burius was connected to Torias. Got it... both of you, say the door opened on its own."

The two women nodded and returned to the guards.

"Anyway, really thank you, Alex. Those two have many younger sisters and brothers. They were desperate to send them to school. I've raised their salaries as much as possible."

"There are other people to consider too."

"Yeah, I have to raise everyone's salaries to avoid unfairness. But I'll think about paying for their education in exchange for their work. Anyway, I'm really glad they're safe."

His concern for his subordinates hasn't changed since before. This was somewhat reassuring.

Virtus continued,

"Well, I should thank you somehow."

"No, Virtus. We just wanted to recover what Torias stole. No need for thanks."

"I have a rule of repaying favors, no matter who it is."

Saying this, Virtus whispered in my ear,

"...My shop has many beautiful girls like those two. Tonight... uh!?"

Virtus looked surprised, glancing behind me.

Turning around, I saw Elicia smiling.

"Prince Virtus."

"Y-Yeah. Alex already has Elicia..."

"That's not it. You should consider your age."

"S-Sorry."

Virtus immediately bowed to Elicia.

"...Anyway, that was a light joke. Mireas, you want to go, right?"

I was a bit surprised by this unexpected response.

Before, when I said I wanted to go to Mireas, Virtus wouldn't agree.

"...Can I ask for your help to go to Mireas?"

"Yeah. It won't cost anything. Plus, with such excellent subordinates and a perfect rescue plan... your bet isn't as reckless as you think."

"Virtus..."

Is he trusting me? Or is this...

"Don't misunderstand. Money is the main thing."

Virtus said this, but his true feelings were hard to grasp.

However, I couldn't find a reason to refuse.

"...Thanks, Virtus. I appreciate it."

"Yeah. But it's just a recommendation. If that old man doesn't allow it, don't blame me."

"Of course."

"Then it's settled. In that case, I need to find a new coat for the palace. The old one is too small."

Saying this, Virtus turned away.

I called out to his back,

"Virtus."

"What?"

"Can I... trust you?"

"What do you mean?"

Virtus turned and asked.

A sudden change of heart.

If Virtus saw me as a rival for the throne and a threat...

Virtus, sensing my unease, answered,

"Don't worry... the current you and I won't be enemies."

Saying this, Virtus left the scene.

Before, I couldn't know that Virtus was eyeing the throne.

But now, I'm not an enemy or a rival to Virtus... that's true.

After all, I've lost my succession rights and have no interest in the throne. Moreover, Virtus and I share similar views. We don't discriminate against demons or condone kidnappings. We don't have any conflicting issues.

However, if we do have conflicting issues, we will become enemies.

As I saw Virtus off, Elicia said with a satisfied look,

"Anyway, this matter is settled."

"Yeah, that's true."

Burius' influence in the International Street must have been significantly reduced.

For a while, I need to focus on erasing the connection with the Torias Trading Company. I have to be cautious about actively engaging with the merchants on International Street.

Moreover, seeing Burius escape, Luibel must have some thoughts.

Burius needs to regain the trust he lost from Luibel. Prince Luibel, who bears the emblem of the Holy God, is essential for Burius, who wants to create a country that worships the Holy God.

However, I can't forgive Burius.

Torias may have been a weak person, but Burius was the one who incited him.

I will continue to obstruct the movements of Burius and the Holy God Sect.

"Then, let's recover the assets of the Enetoa Trading Company."

"Yes!"

After this, I called Selena and presented the asset rights to the guards, reporting the theft by Torias. This is how we recovered the stolen assets of the Enetoa Trading Company.

---

The night Torias turned into a demon.

Luibel's room in the palace was so cluttered that there was no place to step.

The floor was covered with shattered pottery and glass, and torn clothes and curtains.

Looking up, there were multiple sword marks on the walls and furniture.

In a corner of the large room, a child was sobbing.

Suddenly, he threw objects and shouted in anger.

"–Stop it!! Don't look at me like that!!"

The events of the day flashed through Luibel's mind.

After casting the holy magic... the fear of death remained, but more than that, the gazes of the people around him were etched in his mind.

In front of the demon, his holy magic was completely ineffective.

The disappointed gazes of the people reminded him of himself before receiving the emblem.

In reality, no one was looking at him that way, but in Luibel's memory, it was so.

Before receiving the emblem.

When Luibel cast magic, the surrounding people laughed.

This guy is useless, is he really a royal? – Mocking and pitying words were thrown at him. It was rumored that he would receive a useless emblem.

Still, he tried his best to practice magic.

But the more he tried, the more he realized his incompetence.

Meanwhile, Alex, who was always there and was expected to have a bright future.

Unable to do anything, Luibel relied on Alex, who was close in age.

Alex could use magic well from an early age and was always surrounded by people. Everyone looked at Alex with narrow eyes as he walked.

Luibel, walking next to Alex with a casual face, was always filled with jealousy.

Still, as long as he was near Alex, he wouldn't be mocked. That's why he had to stay close. Moreover, Alex taught him magic from morning till night.

– That's not all. When he was bullied by the children of the nobility, Alex...

Thinking of the Alex who stood between him and the demon today, Luibel remembered himself.

"...Damn!! – Damn, damn, damn!!"

Luibel cast magic at a nearby wall with all his might.

On the day he received the emblem, he thought everything would be reversed.

But just like that day, Luibel was protected by Alex.

Moreover, Alex still had supporters, even if few.

However, no one around him protected him.

In the end, he was alone, just like that day. Everyone around him was just flattering the Holy God.

On the other hand, Alex, who received the despised Dark Emblem, had brave comrades who faced the demon – Alex still had what he lacked, even after receiving the Dark Emblem.

He was supposed to have taken everything from Alex.

But it was all an illusion.

"Disappear – Disappear, disappear, disappear!! Disappear from my sight!!"

Luibel continued to shout at the large presence of Alex in his mind.

Before receiving the emblem, Luibel could only lament.

But eventually, he seemed to run out of strength and fell to the floor.

"Definitely... definitely, I will erase that man... now I have this emblem."

Luibel's jealousy towards Alex deepened.