I Became the Youngest Prince in the Novel

Chapter 71: Unexpected Guest (1)

TL/Editor: Rungir

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The People's Palace was the peak of global power. Only the emperor was permitted to reside there. Built for the emperor, anyone else could only enter with his silent approval. That's why within the vast palace, almost comparable to a castle, there was just one bedroom for the emperor.

Yet, some direct royals and those with the highest authority had offices within the People's Palace. Among them was the second princess, Evelyn Agnes.

Quietly reflecting on recent events, Evelyn gazed out of her minimalist office window at the half-destroyed enemy palace. Her eyes revealed a complex mix of emotions.

Three days had passed since the enemy palace ended up in ruins and the third prince, Enoch, was killed. These days had seen a lot happen.

The death of a royal in the heart of the city, within a palace that was virtually their stronghold, was a shockingly large and unprecedented event. Even more, it wasn't the death of just any royal, but a prince with the potential to contend for the throne.

News of this occurrence spread far and wide, surpassing the royal city and engulfing all of Hubris at the break of dawn. The resonance was incomparable to when previous disasters were quelled.

They tried to keep it a secret, but the empire's media somehow got wind of it. They kept churning out stories, throwing the nobles into disarray beyond their initial shock.

"Zion......" Evelyn uttered the name of the individual at the center of these events.

Usually, she called his name with worry and sympathy, but not this time. How could anyone feel that way for someone who single-handedly took the life of the third prince, Enoch Agnes?

Zion's display of power at the time greatly exceeded her expectations. Though at one point he seemed on the back foot, he ultimately overwhelmed Enoch with a sudden surge in strength.

'It looked like he was using another power as a tool,' she thought.

But that didn't matter much. Regardless of what he used, Zion triumphed, and Enoch lost.

What was even more noteworthy was the aftermath. Despite the death of Enoch, who was a central figure, the third prince's forces, including the Ozlima family, not only vehemently resisted Zion and Diana, who initiated the incident, but also appeared desperate to distance themselves, withdrawing their support.

The reason for their withdrawal was crystal clear.

'The discovery of dark magic and human experiments in the basement of Enoch's palace. Additionally, Enoch had imbued himself with the power of evil.'

Each revelation corresponded to the highest level of taboo within the empire. Even a minimal association could warrant the obliteration of an entire family.

Zion must have masterminded everything from the start.

From his exceptional intel-gathering abilities to his proactive measures like advancing the succession ceremony, emptying the enemy palace, and executing his daring plans.

Zion had evolved far beyond the powerless younger brother Evelyn had been concerned about.

'Furthermore, he is assimilating Enoch's top forces almost as swiftly as Diana.'

How could Zion, without any backing, manage such a feat? It was a mystery.

Zion's words from their magical car ride back to the People's Palace echoed in her mind - his promise to seize everything.

"I might genuinely need to prepare myself to compete against Zion now......"

A look of worry crept onto Evelyn's face when...

"Your Highness Evelyn, a guest has arrived."

A servant's voice reached her from outside her office.

"Who is it?"

"His Highness the fourth prince, Utekan."

At the servant's answer, a peculiar light started to swirl in Evelyn's eyes.

---

---

"Wow......"

Meanwhile, in Zion's library at the Chimseong Palace.

Priscilla Bammel gaped in astonishment at the luminous main gate of the Chimseong Palace visible through the window.

Although she had been disheartened after receiving Zion's harsh words earlier, her innate resilience had somewhat restored her spirits. Brashly, she had returned to the Chimseong Palace, citing Zion's previous declaration that she could roam the palace freely.

"I've never seen so many people gathered here before."

A multitude before the gate.

That was the most fitting description for the sight reflected in Priscilla's eyes.

With the recent incident, Zion's fame had skyrocketed. Consequently, those wishing to forge connections with him had multiplied.

Among them were the nobles and bureaucrats crowding the main gate of the Chimseong Palace.

However, the problem was,

"But why isn't anyone being let in?"

Zion was not meeting with any of them.

Most were sent back after their gifts were received at the gate. The remaining few were processed at the Fredo counter on the first floor.

In a serious contest with other royal families, it would be standard to amass power as rapidly as possible.

But Zion showed no signs of doing so, which left Priscilla puzzled.

"There's no need."

Zion calmly replied, his attention drifting to his teacup.

Those useful allies who had once sided with Enoch were now discreetly ensnared by Thierry, the master of the shadows.

The individuals who had made their way here were all mediocre, providing no significant advantage.

There was no need to meet each of them personally.

Securing the top-tier figures would naturally attract the rest.

"......"

Priscilla watched Zion with an intensity that seemed to swallow him whole, her eyes fixated on his fingers as they gracefully held the handle of the teacup.

The red lips that grazed the edge of the cup, the sharp nose, and the dark circles under his eyes that added a captivating hint of fatigue.

Was it due to his unique aura?

Despite looking much the same as always, Zion's presence emanated an entirely different vibe now, causing Priscilla to blush involuntarily.

"......How is it, the taste? Surprising, isn't it?"

Priscilla, hastily composed her flushed face and directed her question to Zion, who was setting down his teacup. Her eyes brimmed with a peculiar anticipation.

Her anticipation was quite natural, considering the coffee Zion was sipping was brewed by her.

After learning of Zion's penchant for coffee, Priscilla had spent a week learning the art of coffee brewing from one of the empire's top baristas. Today was her day to demonstrate her newly acquired skills.

"It was surprising."

Zion replied, appearing genuinely taken aback.

Priscilla's face lit up, but Zion's next words instantly clouded her expression.

"Because it tastes so bad."

"......"

Zion was undeniably candid about his coffee.

As noted earlier, coffee was Zion's unique preference in the world within the chronicle. This made him particularly discerning and stringent about it.

Frankly, the only coffee that ever satisfied Zion's palate was the one brewed by Fredo.

"I think it's fine? Except for the overly strong acidity."

At that point, Liushina, who had been seated next to Zion, tasted the coffee and interjected.

She had been a part of Zion's entourage since the assault on Hyukseong Palace and had stayed at the Chimseong Palace ever since.

Of course, her return was imminent, as the transformation of the blood tower magicians—masquerading as training—was not yet complete.

"The master has a picky taste, so it's difficult to please him."

Liushina continued, her gaze falling on a downcast Priscilla.

For some reason, her eyes bore a predatory glint, like a serpent eyeing its prey.

She seemed to have recognized that the blood coursing through Priscilla's veins was demon blood.

Typically, demon blood was most potent for monsters, but for Liushina, a practitioner of blood magic, it was a rather rare and potent magical component.

"I don't need your evaluation!"

Priscilla snapped at Liushina, her response like a cat bristling at an eerie presence.

"But I have something to ask you. What exactly is your relationship with Lord Zion? I heard you call him... Master last time."

"Hmm."

Liushina's red eyes narrowed at Priscilla's question.

"Exactly as I said."

She rose from her seat and sauntered over to Zion's side.

"He owns everything about me, even my soul."

"What, what! So, so..."

Priscilla stuttered, her face a canvas of confusion and shock.

She seemed to have misconstrued something, but Liushina merely grinned slyly, showing no intention to rectify the misunderstanding.

"......"josei

Zion, who had no desire to partake in their banter, gently pushed away the lingering Liushina and assessed his physical state.

'It seems that the backlash from using Lunar Eclipse last time has largely subsided......'

There was practically no backlash from the four instances of Lunar Eclipse invoked during 'Time Fix', but there was certainly a backlash from the Lunar Eclipse deployed before that.

While it had largely healed through ample rest, the concern was the gradual accumulation of damage within his body, damage that wouldn't dissipate.

'If this was my original body, there would have been no permanent damage after adequate rest...'

The issue was that Zion was not in his original body at the moment.

Though he had attempted a temporary solution by consuming the heart of a thousand-year-old ogre gifted by Evelyne, it wasn't a comprehensive solution.

If he persisted with the use of Lunar Eclipse, his body could become irreparably damaged.

'I need to find Gui before that.'

Based on information already received from Ahmad Ozrima, he had tasked the 'Eye of the Moon' to locate Gui, but the exact whereabouts were yet to be determined.

Moreover, reaching out to Gui, who was only mentioned once in the chronicles and never made a direct appearance, proved to be a daunting challenge.

'I also need to locate this sword's missing piece.'

As he contemplated this, Zion found himself unconsciously gripping the hilt of the Extinction Sword Eclaxia.

Even though it had proven to be a formidable weapon in its current state, he couldn't rely on a broken sword indefinitely.

The issue was that finding the shattered sword spirit was proving difficult as Eclaxia itself was not even alluded to, let alone appeared in the chronicles.

Beyond that, there were a plethora of tasks to tackle, such as bolstering his strength and forming his own military faction.

But there was another task he needed to attend to first.

'Is it time to make my move?'

As he replayed the chronicle's events that should be unfolding at this juncture, Zion's eyes gleamed.

Many aspects had been altered due to Zion's actions up to this point, yet the major narrative, the overarching plot of the chronicles, was still intact.

Therefore, this event was likely to happen as well.

'Sooner or later, I'll have to overhaul this grand narrative.'

Otherwise, this world was destined to meet its end.

Just then.

"Lord Zion."

Fredo's voice, who was supposed to be greeting visitors on the first floor, reached Zion's ears.

As he turned his head in the direction of the voice, he saw an elderly knight, looking somewhat flustered, standing by the door.

"There's someone who wishes to see you, my lord."

Fredo was the embodiment of loyalty.

Therefore, regardless of the circumstances, he would go to great lengths to carry out Zion's orders.

If such a faithful Fredo defies his orders and comes up here, it must mean that he's dealing with someone beyond his capacity to handle.

"Who is it?"

"...It's Alstain Ascalon, my lord."

At Fredo's reply, a hint of color began to seep into Zion's eyes.

Alstain Ascalon.

The captain of the 2nd division of the Agnes Knights, regarded as the strongest chivalric order in the Empire, and one of the Empire's top swordsmen, whose numbers could be counted on one hand.

Moreover, he was a member of the Ascalon family, Zion's external lineage, and hailed as the greatest swordsman in the Agnes Empire.

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