< Prince Hardin (5) >
The quality of a monarch is a talent that is difficult to explain in words.
The charm of attracting others and the charisma of intentionally leading various people can be seen as one of those talents.
But the most important thing is that all these subtle talents must be gathered together to be able to say that it is a truly monarchical temperament.
‘I’m lacking…’
And unfortunately, Prince Hardin lacked that.
Just as his father, the Emperor of Urencia, also lacked the qualities of a monarch.
Still, he was clearly a better talent compared to Yu Renshi and the emperor, who were so absorbed in cinnamon and dance that they neglected affairs.
Because they have better character and temperament.
However, there was no special point or aura that attracted people.
If he had such a disposition, he would have been able to build up some of his power now that he is over 20 years old.
However, now that he had nowhere to go, his situation, which he found in Raven’s territory without a connection, clearly revealed that he lacked the qualities of a monarch.
‘I am a disciple of the Imperial Guard Sword…’
The prince stares at Sang-woo.
It was after he had become complicated in his mind, forgetting the emotion and afterglow of the meat.
Sang-woo doesn’t care too much about himself and acts freely.
He was a different person from Prince Hardin himself, who had the authority and responsibility to lead the Urencia Empire, which was the closest to the imperial family and the position of crown prince.
‘I’m envious.’
The prince felt that he was envious of Sang-woo.
It wasn’t petty envy or jealousy.
It was just embarrassing.
Because he, like Sang-woo, had a little desire to become free while abandoning the position and responsibility of the prince.
‘But he is just that. I have a life worthy of me.’
And that feeling served as an opportunity for the prince to clearly realize what he had to do once again.
Now is not the time to enjoy delicious meat.
‘I guess we should talk after dinner.’
I didn’t want to ruin the atmosphere, so I thought of formally asking for help from Duke Raven after dinner.
Please rebuild the imperial family of Urencia, which was destroyed by the rebellion.
Mumbling…
The prince gathered his heart and quietly pushed the meat into his mouth.
The meat in this unique recipe was also sweet and tender.
Contrary to his bitter heart…
* * *
-…So you’re asking me to be your strength.
Nigel looked at Prince Hardin, who was making a solemn expression.
-That’s right. Guardian of the Empire… Raven needs your help.
It was a request from the prince wearing the Mana Interpreter.
-Hmm….
Nigel Raven and Sang-woo’s complexion became complicated.
Conversely, the prince’s complexion became impatient.
Bahrain, who was standing behind the prince as if he were an assistant, was also nervous, although his expression was not revealed.
And that nervous mind was already anticipating the negative reaction from Duke Raven.
‘…It’s changed.’
The first family of the empire, the Raven duchy, who was so loyal.
It’s been 10 years since I was abandoned by the imperial family and kicked out to the Chardebain area.
Those harsh years have clouded hundreds of years of loyalty.
Compared to hundreds of years, ten years is such a short time.
-Raven… Seeing how you were thinking about the request of the prince, you must have changed too.
Bahrain spoke directly to Raven with her voice in the air with the power of mana.
Then Raven looking at Bahrain.
-Sir Bahrain…
He hardened his complexion as he looked at his old comrade who had already aged a lot.
The appearance of Bahrain standing upright to assist Prince Hardin.
His majestic appearance, which had been strong enough to compare to himself a long time ago, was gone, and now only the appearance of a shabby old man remained with him.
So, Raven had no choice but to hold back his words for a moment instead of trying to answer Bahrain’s sharp rebuke.
More than anything,
‘…I’m sure it won’t last long…’
Raven was feeling.
The minute flow of mana that was gradually released from Bahrain’s body and disappeared into the atmosphere.
He knew these symptoms very well.
It was because it was the same as the fierce warriors before the end of the many heroes during Cranid’s Great Invasion.
‘Did you touch the essence of the mana core…’
Mana core, the last bastion of knights and wizards who deal with mana.
If you use a part of the luminance centered on this mana core, you can recover it, but among them, if you touch the essence of the mana core, which is interpreted as the true circle, it is impossible to recover.
And that subtle flow of mana leaking out of Bahrain’s body was a typical symptom of those whose mana core essence was damaged.
Because of this, it was difficult for Raven to continue talking coldly while looking at him.
while being so silent.
Nigel, who had been hesitant, opened his mouth as if he had made up his mind.
-Your Highness the Prince…
I’m sorry.
Although it was a short word, the prince’s face quickly darkened at that one word that meant rejection.
-…As expected, it doesn’t work…
The prince was disappointed when he heard the expected answer.
-I’m sorry….
Nigel also seemed to be in a bad mood to tell you a bad story.
However, Bahrain, who ran all the way here looking at the prince alone, seemed to be in a state of rage.
-Duke Raven…! You haven’t seen it that way, really… Disappointing! Was this enough loyalty to an empire that had been going on for hundreds of years!
Bahrain’s voice was not so loud.
But his growl, with his accent cut off, gave you an idea of how angry he was.
Wrath of the Grand Swordmaster.
However, since all of these people are one-of-a-kind, I wasn’t too embarrassed to see the angry Bahrain.
Rather, Raven, who had been silent until now, heard the words of Bahrain and suddenly spoke out what he had been hiding, as if he was stimulated.
-…The imperial family was the first to abandon their loyalty for hundreds of years….
-Um…
-Kuh-hum…
Bahrain’s Prince Hardin listened to Raven’s words.
Both of them had to remain silent.
Because what he said is true.
‘Was it a set procedure after all…’
From the moment the imperial family kicked out the Raven Territory to the periphery, the possibility that the prince could ask for help from the Raven Territory disappeared.
Even knowing that fact, I ran a long way with vain hopes.
The prince sighed as if he had collapsed after meeting the outcome that had already been scheduled.
“Ha…”
A sigh as if the ground would disappear.
Hearing the prince’s sigh, Bahrain looked at the prince with pity.
“Your Highness…”
But there was nothing he could do.
Just because he was a colleague with Raven, he wasn’t in a position to ask for a favor because he didn’t say he owed him.
Rather, because he was in front of the prince, he tried to pretend that nothing was wrong, but he was well aware that he had little time left.
‘I really wanted to see His Highness ascend to the throne of the emperor…’
However, the time allowed for him was not much.
Because the mana core, which wears out gradually, is still being consumed rapidly.
In the midst of the silence that lingers in the hall, each with uncomfortable and complex emotions.
Nigel opened his mouth.
-…Even if the new imperial family asks for new recruits, we will protect them. However, I don’t think I can protect it in case of danger in war….
It meant protecting it for the time being.
-…All right.
The prince nodded as if he understood.
But his heart was charred.
I wondered if I had finally found a place to settle down, but I had to find a place to rely on again.
-Your Highness, where else are you going… I’m sure you’ll be caught before moving to another territory.
He said it as if Bahrain would never do it.
In fact, it was only a matter of time before he was captured and killed the moment he was kicked out of the Raven Territory, so it was not unreasonable for him to openly say ‘Let’s stick together’.
Despite Bahrain’s dissuade, the prince shook his head.
-Sir Bahrain… The trend has already turned. The splendid empire of Urencia, which lasted for a thousand years, came to an end here
.
-I don’t want to cause any more trouble in the yard that has ended like this.
The prince smiled sadly and looked at Bahrain, Raven, and Nigel.
It was the expression that everything in life was already over.
And everyone in the room knew that his choice was the best.
If a war broke out because of the prince, it would be eminent that unnecessary blood would be shed.
So it was unfortunate, but Raven and Nigel kept their eyes fixed on their faces.
I couldn’t promise to help even with empty words.
Even if this seat is uncomfortable, as if sitting on a cushion of thorns.
For Nigel, the lives of the people of the Raven Territory depended on it, so he made up his mind.
in the midst of such silence.
Sang-woo, who had been immersed in thought while listening quietly from the side, opened his mouth.
-Uh… Um… Prince Hardin? Then you have nowhere to go? A place to ask for help.
Sang-woo, who casts a confirmation kill as if digging into a sick person’s painful spot.
Even so, the distraught prince just nodded his head as if he had no energy to get angry.
-Um… And if you get kicked out of Raven’s territory, you can say that you are actually captured
.
Then he spoke carefully.
-I can’t go to war with the imperial family, but if you’re still hiding the prince’s body, I have a solution… Would you like to hear it?
Everyone who heard Sang-woo’s words responded with curiosity.
However, Prince Hardin, the person to whom the question was being asked, was stunned and remained silent without answering.
Instead, the impatient Bahrain asked instead.
-Is there any way to help the prince? What is it?
Sang-woo answered his question in a hurry.
-It’s simple. You can open the Urencia Empire or the planet Tibern here.
-Eh? What is that… Ah!
Bahrain is surprised as if he was hit in the back of the head by his words.
Raven and Nigel also reacted in surprise, as if they hadn’t come up with such an idea.
-…Right. Sangwoo had a way to cross over to Earth.
-right. And since you won’t be able to follow the Imperial Family to Earth anyway… That’s a good idea. disciple
It wasn’t a big deal, but Sang-woo scratched his head in embarrassment because of the two people who complimented him.
-What. haha. But you have to want that too. Prince Zahardin. What are you going to do?
Sang-woo’s rather bad words.
But everyone in the room didn’t care about his tone.
The important thing now was Prince Hardin’s decision.
While everyone was looking at Prince Hardin.
Prince Hardin, who had been lost in thought for a moment, slowly opened his mouth.
-I am…
< Prince Hardin (5) > End
