CHAPTER 151………………………………………………….
The Collapsed Prince (2)
With every passing second, the situation grew more tense.
At this rate, my Academy project would fail to meet the initial requirements.
And if that happened, the one who would suffer the most…
‘I won’t be able to get the divine power needed to save Duke Phobos?’
Naturally, I couldn’t tell Father about this.
But Father was truly furious—just as he had been when Talos had acted arrogantly back when I was a baby.
“The negotiations are over until the Empress properly apologizes. There will be no further face-to-face meetings.”
His tone was calm, but the deep impressions he left on the floor said it all…
‘If anyone slips up now, it could turn into a real fight.’
So, in the end, the person who would have to mediate was obvious.
And that person would be… me.
“Father. Could you perhaps let me handle it?”
Of course, it had to be me. Who else?
A slight crease formed between Father’s brows as he looked at me.
“Did that brat say he would willingly give his life to you?”
“No… no! That’s not what I meant!”
Father was so angry that even I was startled by his mocking tone.
But I grabbed his arm and pleaded desperately.
“Please, just let me try for two days… no! Just one day?”
“Elysion…”
“I promise I’ll get a proper apology from the Empress. And ensure the summit can continue as planned.”
“….”
Father wiped his face with his sleeve several times.
After a short while, he answered in a restrained voice.
“Do as you wish. But, as you said, only for one day.”
“Yes! But… after one day?”
“….”
He said nothing in response.
The floor creaked ominously beneath us.
‘If I don’t resolve this quickly, someone’s head might actually get split open.’
I sighed, staring at the ceiling.
“Haa….”
Time to think of a solution.
‘I didn’t expect I’d be calling this meeting again at my age.’
I’d have to reconvene the “Evil Ideas Club.”
And this time, increase the number of members.
The “Evil Ideas Club” had naturally faded away as we grew older.
But this time, Thea and Glauco joined as well.
“Everyone, can you help me properly examine Prince Kasandros for a moment?”
If I went in myself, the Empress or others would surely panic again.
So my plan was first to check the child, and awaken the “First Arch-Saint.”
‘If my own power isn’t enough, I’ll have to ask an older senior.’
I asked Thea first for confirmation.
“What illness does the youngest prince supposedly have?”
“Even through Creusa, we couldn’t find out. It’s considered unknown, even within Iliod.”
“…Hmm. Kalion, do you know where the youngest prince is?”
“Of course.”
“Good. And next—”
At that moment, Glauco stepped forward.
His usually indifferent eyes shone sharply.
“Your Highness. Before you give orders, I have something to say.”
“Huh? Glauco, what’s wrong?”
“I haven’t asked exactly what you’re planning, but you must not act as a foreign problem-solver.”
“Uh… my goal is just to get the Empress to apologize—”
“Of course that is your right. But we must achieve even more than that.”
Glauco roughly pushed up his glasses.
“Honestly, an apology is a post-fact remedy. They should have had the brains not to cause trouble in the first place.”
Thea groaned in agreement.
“Glauco is blunt, but he’s right.”
“…Understood, Glauco. Thea. I’ll keep your advice in mind.”
I rubbed my cheek awkwardly.
‘Not act as a foreign problem-solver, huh.’
It sent a chill through me, hitting the mark precisely.
But first, I needed to assess the situation.
“Kalion, let’s go check. And—”
I glanced at Ares.
Ever since I nearly fell, he had been expressionless.
But when our eyes met, his lips curled slightly.
“Oh? Do you need my help, Your Highness?”
“….”
He’s being sarcastic.
He’s mad at me for telling him to keep his distance earlier.
‘What if I’d blushed? That would’ve been bad.’
Not now. At least while Father was nearby, I could not show it.
I straightened my posture again, acting haughty.
“You’re coming too, of course. You need to keep watch.”
“In the corridor? We’ll get caught right away, Your Highness.”
“Nonsense. Do you think I’ll go through the door?”
He always comes in through my balcony, and now he complains about doors?
This time, I would enter through the window myself.
Since I had chosen the delegation’s lodgings, I knew exactly which windows were accessible.
With Kalion’s “sound” ability and our childhood skills in sneaking through the palace…
‘Getting onto the prince’s balcony should be easy.’
We climbed a tree outside the balcony to observe the situation.
When an Iliod attendant left to change shifts, we crossed over to the balcony.
Ares, of course, remained sarcastic.
“To think the great power of the Demon Lord’s family is being used to climb stairs.”
“Quiet, please. Hm. They’ve set up a magical barrier on this side too?”
It was strong… but not invincible.
I spread my hand, and the black particles shimmered in the moonlight.
“Yah.”
With a light motion, the barrier on the door shattered like glass.
I entered the room silently.
A child slept on a guest canopy bed, breathing shallowly.
I quietly took out the “Stone of Paradise” necklace.
‘Hey, Arch-Saint. Can you hear me?’
I had to hope she could.
Over the past few years, she only appeared when convenient for her, never responding to my calls.
But this was about the Academy.
『…Hmm? 13th. Why have you summoned me?』
‘Because I need your help.’
I gently placed my hand on Kasandros’s eyes.
Even using my power, there was no sign of improvement.
After quickly explaining the situation, I asked my main question.
‘…Why doesn’t “healing” work on this child? He’s human, so it should.’
『If it were a simple illness, yes.』
The Arch-Saint smirked irritably.
『But this child didn’t collapse from illness.』
‘Then… why?’
『13th. Do you remember what I said before? I told you why I died young.』
“…Ah. Ah!”
There was only one reason she, with such immense divine power, had perished.
The human body could not contain that power.
‘Then…?’
‘This child isn’t sick. He has some special divine-like power.’
My eyes widened at this unexpected revelation.
‘What kind of power could he have that he can’t withstand it?’
『Unless he uses it in front of us, it’s hard to confirm. But if left untreated, he will die young.』
“…Ah…”
『The older he grows, the more frequent the episodes will become.』
Then the rumors that he was “tainted by magi” and worsening would spread.
That was absolutely unacceptable.
‘Arch-Saint… I’ve thought of something. Could this be possible?’
『That much? It’s possible without cost. Doing it now?』
‘Not… yet.’
I recalled Glauco’s advice:
“Do not act as a foreign problem-solver.”
“We must achieve more than that.”
I was no longer just a servant of the Arch-Saint.
Even though I wanted a place where demons and humans coexisted, my first priority was protecting the honor of the demons.
‘I can’t be a pushover in this situation.’
And I had a rough idea of what more I needed to achieve.
Then the child made a small, pained sound.
“Uuuh…”
“…Sorry.”
I furrowed my brow with unavoidable guilt.
Even if my decision was correct for the future Demon King, leaving someone in pain was still a fact.
I whispered, using enough divine power to lower his fever slightly.
“Just wait a little longer.”
“Uuuh…”
“I’ll make you completely well soon.”
