Became The Son Of The Final Boss [EN]: Chapter 176

176.

Though Grand Scholar Shin had come to find me, he led me not to the Grand Hall, but to the Empress’s Palace.

Father was personally tending to the Empress’s Palace garden, his figure radiating a sense of longing for Mother.

‘Is Father still having such a difficult time?’

When did this start?

The feeling I had towards Father in my memories and the Father I faced now felt quite different.

‘I should make time to thoroughly read the history of the Empire soon.’

A book that described Father’s past without embellishment.

I’d seen it at the library recently, and I had a long conversation with Father at the Empress’s Palace for the first time.

That day, I was able to hear Father’s inner thoughts for the first time, and I also learned the secret surrounding Mother’s death.

I didn’t have time to read books due to the Eastern Expedition, but since I plan to stay in the Imperial Palace for the time being, I decided to make time without fail.

“Father.”

When I called out to Father, he straightened his back and turned around.

“Dinner?”

“Not yet.”

“Let’s talk over dinner.”

“Yes.”

The Empress’s Palace dining hall was already prepared for dinner.

“Successfully leading the Eastern Expedition is a great achievement.”

“Thank you.”

I didn’t drone on with flattering words to Father. I simply answered his praise and waited for him to speak.

“The direct territory and the Frontier Marquisate are significant rewards, indeed. Are you aware of that?”

“I know.”

“Even so, what was your reason for wanting them?”

Father’s gentle voice wasn’t scolding me, but rather expressed curiosity about my true intentions.

“In the past, as the Crown Prince of this country, I failed to project a responsible image. Among the nobles, there are still many who doubt my qualifications, and my siblings, along with their maternal relatives, are constantly vying for my rightfully given position.”

Was I being too honest?

Father’s expression hardened slightly, but I didn’t stop, continuing to speak since I had already begun.

“To firmly maintain my position as Crown Prince and increase my political influence, I thought it would be better to prove my abilities, even if it meant receiving a reward greater than my merit.”

“You seem confident.”

“The old Pieron Kingdom’s capital is a vast territory, and its yield is enough to feed the entire Empire. I plan not only to stockpile supplies in preparation for the war with the Kingdom Union but also to drastically solve the Empire’s food supply problem.”

Father didn’t even ask for the specifics of my solution.

“It’s fortunate that you recognize the reward is greater than the merit. The period you guaranteed at the Grand Hall is five years. The Kingdom Union is not an easy opponent. Recently, a wandering knight with talents similar to yours has joined them.”

I flinched. Could it be Karen? Did Father see Karen as someone with talents similar to mine?

The hero Karen’s talent is overwhelmingly superior compared to anyone else on the continent.

‘Someone who surpasses even the final boss, Ron Carl Leord, and ushers in a new era…’

Father’s words continued.

“His name is Karen. He was a young wandering knight who once gave me great pleasure [by demonstrating his skill]. Now that he has joined the Kingdom Union, the deaths of Gordon and Eric won’t be a significant setback for them.”

“Such a strong knight; I would like to meet him someday.”

At my words, Father chuckled.

“A competitive spirit is a good thing. At the moment, he is slightly stronger than you, Crown Prince. Work diligently. Confidence is good, but arrogance is a shortcut to regression.”

“I will keep that in mind.”

After a somewhat warm conversation between father and son, we began dinner.

I definitely felt that the distance between Father and me was gradually shrinking.

“I’ve read the report on Lillian.”

At Father’s words while drinking wine, I cleared my throat and said.

“She is a valuable talent.”

“Lefio and his ilk don’t have the ability to plot such schemes and ensnare a mage of Lillian’s caliber. It must be a secret organization.”

“How much do you know about the secret organization…?”

“That it’s an organization that has been influencing the continent for a long time. I haven’t been able to uncover what kind of members it consists of or how it exerts its influence. But those involved in Iriel’s death were all members of the same organization.”

Father placed a picture on the table.

“Is it a symbol?”

To be honest, I was confused whether it was a picture or a symbol.

“It seems to be a symbol representing the organization. The exact details will require further investigation. In any case, it’s certain that they ensnared Lillian, and Duke Daret should be considered a member of that organization.”

“That’s right.”

“Make good use of Lillian. She has a lot of information about the secret organization. Her disciple was taken hostage by Duke Daret?”

“Yes. Because she cherished her disciple, Lillian couldn’t refuse Duke Daret’s orders and worked as a mage affiliated with the Pieron Kingdom.”

“Recruiting talent is the most basic virtue of a ruler. Duke Austin’s opposition will probably continue. Lillian’s connection with that side is quite deep. Overcome that obstacle with your own strength.”

“Yes, Father.”

“For the time being, I will take time to reorganize the Empire internally. During that time, the Crown Prince should also take personal time to train and make good use of the rewards you have gained this time.”

Father concluded with a sharp voice.

“I bestowed the position of Crown Prince, but do not forget that it is up to you to protect it.”

I bowed my head towards Father.

* * *

The next day, I called Lillian early in the morning.

I greeted Lillian in the office.

“Sit down.”

Lillian sat on the sofa in the office.

I placed tea in front of her and said.

“We need to talk about the Fury of Magma. It’s one of the reasons you became my subordinate.”

“The reason I became His Highness the Crown Prince’s subordinate is partly to get Eve out of the secret organization through His Highness, but the influence of the Fury of Magma is also significant.”

“It seems you’ve given up on Eve’s life to some extent.”

At my grave tone, Lillian nodded slightly.

If she was confident that Eve was alive, Lillian would be more frantic to save her than to obtain the Fury of Magma.

‘On the outside, she’s blunt, and her tone is cold, but I can tell she loves her disciple more than anyone else. A disciple who is like a daughter. She’s thinking of taking revenge on the secret organization through me.’

The Fury of Magma was just an opportunity that piqued her interest; the reason she willingly made the Mana Oath [a magical contract] was solely to take revenge on the secret organization.

Lillian herself said that Father knows the most about the secret organization.

‘Yesterday, Father said that Lillian knows more, but if I cross-reference the information the two have, I can find out more about the secret organization.’

It was better to solve the Fury of Magma issue first.

The Mana Oath only required her to reveal the location of the grimoire [a book of magic spells or incantations], so it wouldn’t take long.

I spread a map of the continent on the table.

“The Western Forest, a place called the Dragon’s Nest.”

Lillian’s face hardened.

“Isn’t that where the World Tree is?”

“I made a Mana Oath. I don’t lie.”

“His Highness the Crown Prince got one over on me. I underestimated you too much because you’re young.”

Lillian clicked her tongue.

That’s because the Dragon’s Nest in the Western Forest is the home of the World Tree and also known as the stronghold of the fairies [magical creatures often associated with nature].

It’s a place that has not been allowed to humans until now.

Of course, according to ancient literature, when the fairies and humans formed an alliance, humans had visited the Dragon’s Nest.

That’s why the place name exists.

However, when the alliance was broken and the fairies banned human access to the Western Forest itself, it became a legendary place.

“If it’s in the hands of the fairies, I can’t get it. His Highness the Crown Prince didn’t lie, but he didn’t mention that it was in a place where it couldn’t be obtained. I was too distracted by the name value of the grimoire and made the oath.”

I shook my head at Lillian’s words.

“It’s true that I didn’t give all the information. But it’s not in the hands of the fairies, and I plan to get the Fury of Magma for you, Lillian.”

“You just said with your own mouth that it’s in the Dragon’s Nest. How are you going to get there?”

“I have to think about the method gradually. But you made a contract with me with the thought that you could get the Fury of Magma, right? At least you have to try. If I don’t make even the minimum effort as a ruler, I won’t have a sense of responsibility for my subordinates.”

Lillian leaned back on the sofa.

“You have a lot to do. Constructing the Magic Tower, stabilizing the direct territory, stabilizing the West, keeping an eye on the Kingdom Union, and dealing with the secret organization. Even ten bodies wouldn’t be enough.”

I smiled brightly.

“It’s okay because I have many excellent subordinates. Anyway, I’m sorry for not revealing the information transparently.”

“No. I didn’t think I would get the Fury of Magma easily, and His Highness the Crown Prince didn’t lie. You said you would tell me the location, not that you would get it for me.”

I placed the paper with the symbol that Father showed me yesterday on the map.

“What is this?”

“The symbol of the secret organization.”

Lillian’s eyes narrowed.

“Wait, is this the symbol?”

I shared some of the information I received from Father during our long conversation yesterday.

“That’s right. It’s one common point that Father has found while investigating those presumed to be members of the secret organization. They all had this symbol tattooed on their wrists.”

“I think I’ve seen this somewhere.”

“You recognize it?”

Lillian had information that even Father didn’t know.

‘As expected, new information emerges when information is cross-referenced.’

Father had the symbol, and Lillian didn’t know that the symbol was the symbol of the secret organization, but she recognized the symbol itself.

“I need to find out more. I’m not sure. It’s probably a symbol related to a religion.”

“Religion?”

“Yes. The continent is vast. There are many people. Of course, there are many eccentric people. There have always been those who worship demons since ancient times, and there were also those who worshiped the Demon King, the King of Demons, as a god.”

I hardened my expression and asked.

“Is it a demon’s symbol?”

“Maybe. I’m not sure. I have a personal information network, so give me a few days.”

I nodded.

Lillian got up, seemingly pleased.

“As expected, His Highness the Crown Prince’s information network is extraordinary. It was worth making the oath.”

I also got up.

“Go find out and let me know.”

After seeing Lillian off, I headed to the training ground.

A servant approached from afar.

“Your Highness, Lady Olivia has arrived.”

“Lady?”

Soon, Olivia appeared.

“What brings you here so early?”

“Now that the expedition is over, we need to start training again.”

I exclaimed, “Ah,” and smiled faintly.

“That’s right.”

I moved my steps to the training ground with Olivia.

“Was the Duke not injured in the war?”

“No. He returned safely. He said he went to the battlefield after a long time, but he didn’t even draw his sword properly.”

Olivia’s words continued.

“He was deeply impressed after seeing the duel between Eric and Duke Beregon. He said that the head of the Atran family seems to be getting stronger and stronger.”

“Duke Beregon is getting stronger!”

Overshadowed by me, Duke Beregon also made a great contribution in this war.

He defeated an enemy Sword Master, and thanks to that, the reputation of the Atran family also increased.

‘The world’s view evaluated Eric as a Sword Master slightly ahead of Beregon. My understanding was also like that. Beregon’s victory over Eric is also a changed future.’

After arriving at the training ground, I made a decision.

‘It’s still a long way to go. This is just the beginning.’

My competitors are not standing still and are getting stronger day by day.

‘Karen is… finally starting to make a name for himself.’

Karen gained more fame than me in this war.

He even fought Father to a draw. Even if it’s limited to swordsmanship, it won’t be easily forgotten.

I steeled my resolve and said.

“Olivia, let’s begin. There won’t be a war for the time being, so we must improve our swordsmanship during this time.”