I Became the Youngest Prince in the Novel

Chapter 87: Azela (2)

TL/Editor: Rungir

Schedule: 5/Week Wed-Sun

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"But that doesn't make you the hero, Zion."

Rubrious' voice filled the room before Zion could reply.

"Sure, divine favor has been granted in succession, but there can't be two heroes. Besides, there are lots of doubts about your divine favor."

"What do you mean?"

At Zion's question, the First Prince paused, deciding whether to explain, then slowly started talking.

"Zion Agnes."

"……?"

"That's all the divine favor revealed. Just your name."

It was a divine favor that made no sense.

In response, Rubrious shook his head, as if he couldn't understand it either, and continued.

"Obviously, the light has its reasons, but as a human, I can't understand its meaning. Maybe my faith isn't strong enough."

Even if his faith was stronger, he probably wouldn't understand any better, but telling Rubrious that wouldn't change anything.

"Did you hear anything about me before, or can you guess anything?"

"Nothing. That's why I'm saying, you should visit the church headquarters. Maybe the light will reveal more to you in person."

Woong!

As soon as the First Prince finished, the magic carriage stopped.

The grand imperial palace was already in sight outside the window.

"Thanks for the ride, Zion. Let's meet again."

Rubrious thanked him, left the magic carriage, and started walking towards the imperial palace.

Priests and followers from the Church of Light joined him as if they had been waiting.

Watching this, Zion realized Rubrious rode with him just to talk.

"Just my name...”

Zion muttered the content of the divine favor, watching Rubrious walk away.

Even though the divine favor made no sense, a spark lit up in Zion's eyes.

Perhaps this could give him a clue about why he was brought to this world.

It couldn't be a coincidence that the God of Light only mentioned his name now.

'I might need to visit the Church of Light.'

With that thought, Zion started walking towards the imperial palace where Rubrious had headed.

---

---

In an office at the top of Cheongseong Palace.

Diana was there, slouched in her chair, tapping the armrest with her fingers.

"Sigh……"

The deep sigh that escaped her lips.

It hinted she was not in a good mood.

"Is it about the Sixth Prince again?"

Lloyd, Diana's close aide and the captain of the First Regiment of the Spirit Corps, asked as if it was the usual thing to do.

The only reason Diana, who had performed well at the Emperor's funeral, would sigh was because of that.

"Yes."

The Fifth Princess answered, a frown etching onto her face.

Her concern wasn't because Zion had left the strongest impression among the royal family at the funeral.

And it wasn't due to him quickly amassing power because of that.

"That darkness back then."

The demonstration of succession unexpectedly initiated by the Fourth Prince, Utekan, during the funeral.

That tremendous darkness that burst forth when Zion grabbed the sword during the demonstration, which was essentially a contest for the throne, still haunted her.

Sure, it was a sight no one could easily forget, but Diana couldn't shake off that darkness for a different reason.

"It must have something to do with the Eternal Emperor's power. Otherwise, the sword wouldn't have reacted so fiercely."

Utekan had indeed said that the late Emperor's sword responded to Agnes' blood.

This implies that the darkness was certainly related to Agnes.

"Could it be something else connected to Agnes, not the Eternity Emperor?"

"No."

At Lloyd's question, Diana instantly shook her head.

She had definitely seen such darkness, almost black, before.

"The Extinguishing Sword that Zion used against Enoch. The power flowing from that sword and the darkness Zion displayed at the funeral are very similar. They're likely the same."

"If what you're saying is true... does it mean the Sixth Prince not only possesses the Extinguishing Sword but also the Eternity Emperor's power?"

Diana didn't respond to that question.

Because admitting it felt like she would be making it the truth.

'If that's really the case, Zion will have an immense edge in this contest for the throne.'

If the Emperor of the Agnes Empire rules as the absolute leader, earning everyone's respect as the world's ruler, then the Eternity Emperor is a realm of sanctity that surpasses even that.

His achievements were nearly mythical.

If Zion truly holds the Eternity Emperor's power, he would garner an insurmountable level of support compared to now.

Of course, proving to the people that this power is indeed the Eternity Emperor's is another challenge.

"We don't know for sure yet, so let's not jump to conclusions. We can only hope that it's not an inherited power, but just remnants left in the Extinguishing Sword......"

But as Diana shared this with Lloyd, her gaze turned distant.

---

---

Several secret rooms exist in the Palace of the People.

A slender room, devoid of windows, housing nothing but a small table and two chairs.

These secret chambers were designed so that the royal family or privileged nobles could conduct confidential meetings within the Palace of the People.

Indeed, the Palace of the People itself, deemed the world's epicenter, wasn't an ideal location for covert gatherings, yet some still utilized it sporadically.

Like Zion currently.

'Is this the spot?'

Having simply verified the secret room's location, Zion immediately pushed the door open and stepped in.

Taken aback!

Upon entering, a faint, sweet scent wafted to Zion's nostrils.

"Welcome, Prince Zion."

Simultaneously, the image of a woman, who had been anticipating his arrival, came into Zion's sight.

A striking beauty, nearly 180 cm tall, with unique facial characteristics.

"Who are you?"

"I am Azela. I serve under Prince Utekan, albeit inadequately."

"Utekan?"

"His Highness was suddenly called away on urgent business and couldn't make it. Nevertheless, he has entrusted all authority to me, so I hope you won't be too upset."

The woman, politely bowing her head in apology.

Zion, observing her, collected himself.

'So she's making her move quite openly, huh?'

It was a name he surely recognized.

Azela.

Utekan's underling, unknown to the public.

A figure who engineered countless deeds behind the scenes, armed with potent magic and an exceptional intellect due to her giant ancestry.

However, that wasn't why Zion was intrigued.josei

She was a demon.

The same kind that had ensnared Utekan, Tarahal.

'This is getting intriguing.'

Zion, smirking, settled into a chair and asked Azela.

"So how do you plan to proceed with the transfer?"

In the meantime, the scent was becoming increasingly potent.

"I've heard you favor straightforwardness."

"Do I need to engage in idle chatter with you?"

"Not at all."

At that, Azela, who had been observing Zion for some time, slowly began speaking.

"Prince Zion, actually, I didn't come here today to transfer something."

"Then?"

"Rather, I'm here to receive a transfer."

As she said this, a faint smile curved onto Azela's lips.

"What do you mean?"

"Prince, can you smell this fragrance?"

In response to Zion's question, she returned a question, lightly touching her nose.

"This aroma is emanating from me, it paralyzes the senses and muscles of others. It takes less than thirty seconds for the effect to fully take hold in such an enclosed space."

"...."

As if her words held truth, Zion's gaze started to fog.

"It also serves to disrupt the mind, allowing me to infiltrate."

Azela's eyes began to glow a bright blue within the perfume-filled room.

Demon eyes that carried destruction within.

An incredibly rare mental corrosion-type ability possessed by only a fraction of demons. Among those who served Utekan, less than five individuals boasted these eyes.

It was a top-tier ability that enabled invasion of an individual's psyche simply through eye contact.

Their effectiveness was heightened when coupled with the magical aroma that pervaded from her.

'The preliminary work is complete.'

Azela's smile widened as she took in Zion's eyes, their light gone, and the haziness taking over.

She figured he hadn't anticipated such a ploy within the Palace of the People.

So, she struck.

In any case, the mental corrosion would not cause any external disturbances.

"You probably can't hear me, but I promise to make good use of your body."

With those words, the moment the blue light in Azela's Demon Eyes reached its zenith,

Haaaah!

Her consciousness dove into Zion's mind.

Azela's spiritual form tore through superficial memories in one sweep and plunged deeper.

Unlike basic mind control, which only possessed the body, advanced mind control— that absorbed the subject's memory, power, and even soul— was intricate.

The caster had to delve personally into the subject's psyche's depths and consume everything from the root.

Ssssss-

While she had to bypass any psychic barriers within the subject, this task wasn't difficult for her.

Among the Demon Eyes, hers rendered her spiritual body nearly indestructible.

In a spiritual battle, Azela could even best Tarahal, the one who had consumed Utekan's body.

Just then,

'Something feels off?'

Azela's eyes, tunneling deeper into Zion's psyche, reflected a flicker of confusion.

For sentient beings, psychic barriers existed.

These barriers manifested in various forms—lions, dragons, unicorns, etc.—and could range from a single one to multiple.

'For an Agnes' direct descendant, there ought to be several psychic barriers...'

Yet, she hadn't encountered a single barrier as she navigated through several layers.

It was straightforward, but a nagging sense of oddness persisted.

Suddenly,

Haaaah!

Azela's perception, like traversing a narrow corridor, broadened instantaneously, revealing an entire world.

'Where is this...'

A realm veiled in a thick fog, as if standing by a waterside at dawn.

'Finally showing its form?'

Her eyes, intuitively acknowledging the presence of Zion's psychic barrier, glowed with a welcome light.

Finally, it seemed like things were falling into place.

With the intent to shatter the psychic barrier in a single strike and swiftly delve deeper, Azela scanned the surroundings, her smile cruel.

The ground vibrated beneath her.

Could it be an earthquake?

Boom! Boom! Boom! Boom!

The ground continued to rumble with persistent, booming sounds.

As the fog gradually dissipated, she followed the direction of the sound,

"!!!!!!!!"

Her eyes widened as if ready to pop out of their sockets.

Before her was an army.

No, it was a force far surpassing what could simply be dubbed an 'army.'

Millions? No, tens of millions?

The army that filled the world was endlessly pounding shields and spears into the ground.

As if they were praising something.

And in the center of such an army, a throne towered as if to pierce the sky.

There was a man sitting on the throne.

This resonance was reverence sent by tens of millions of soldiers for that man alone.

It was worship for that man alone.

"Ah...."

Azela, unknowingly letting out a voice at the sight of such a mythical spectacle that caused her to shiver.

Towards her, the man's eyes, filled with weariness, turned.

At that moment,

Tens of millions of soldiers turned to look at Azela at the same time.

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