Became The Son Of The Final Boss [EN]: Chapter 38

38.

Ken spoke cautiously.

“I heard you were seen at the Second Prince’s training grounds.”

I was quite surprised.

The Second Prince’s palace and the Crown Prince’s palace were really far apart.

I soon remembered that Beregon was a Sword Master.

‘I briefly forgot that there are many people who have transcended human limits. My father is such a monster.’

Though overshadowed by my father’s presence, Beregon was also one of the masters representing this era.

“It seems Duke Beregon has become very interested in me. But how did you figure that out?”

“Servants and maids are everywhere. Didn’t they plant their servants and maids in the Crown Prince’s palace to receive reports on Your Highness’s life?”

Ken’s answer made me laugh involuntarily.

I was already well aware of Ken’s personality due to his bold actions, but I was still quite surprised.

“You’re saying you’ve conversely recruited some of their servants and maids?”

“Are you displeased?”

I shrugged at Ken’s question.

“I’m very pleased.”

It was a good thing to capture the enemy’s spies to pressure them and to make the most of my own spies.

In the central politics filled with conspiracies and schemes, this was nothing.

“Since Beregon is watching me, I won’t be able to use the training grounds comfortably anymore.”

Being watched by someone was very annoying. Especially if that person was hostile to me.

“I can’t stop him from watching… Honestly, nothing will change even if Beregon steals my training. He’s someone who can fully understand my level without stealing it.”

“Yes. Still, I will keep an eye on him as much as possible since Duke Beregon is spending more time in the palace.”

I felt reassured having Ken.

The road to the Crown Prince’s palace was still cold, but there was still hope.

In any case, the fact that my father listened to my story was very important.

My opinion might have been insignificant to the Emperor, who had mountains of pressing issues.

‘The way I’ve been acting lately seems to have made an impression on my father.’

By the time I returned to my office, it was already dark.

I told Ken to rest and sat down in my office to check my status window.

After the battles with Baren and Soljar, my level increased by 2, making my character level 22.

“100 bonus stats isn’t bad. I can’t use them right away, but I need to accumulate bonus stats so I can use them when needed.”

Only the Fire Curtain skill level increased from 1 to 3.

While I was looking at the status window, I also checked the quests.

There were no changes.

I tapped the desk with my fingers while looking at the ‘Liberation from the Invisible Hand’ quest, lost in thought.

‘There are only two months left. Will there be another assassination attempt within that time?’

Assassination wasn’t easy.

Moreover, since it had already failed twice, it would require much more detailed preparation than before to try again.

My father’s attention was focused on me, and so were the other nobles. In this situation, would Chen commit another foolish act?

He was hot-tempered, but not stupid.

If he were stupid, he couldn’t have become a wizard in the first place.

Because I set magic as a difficult field that couldn’t be mastered with an average level of intelligence.

‘Moreover, he’s already a 4th circle mage despite his young age. No matter how much support he gets from his maternal family, he can’t reach the 4th circle if he’s stupid himself.’

The reason Chen felt particularly competitive towards Ted was also because he was a wizard.

The Atran family was a prestigious swordsmanship family representing the Empire, and Chen’s maternal family, the Barlon family, was a renowned magic family, so it was natural for them to compete.

It wasn’t just that they pursued different fields of study, but also the influence of Duke Beregon de Atran and Deibon den Barlon.

The two dukes were founding contributors to the Empire and had a long-standing rivalry since their youth. That relationship continued to their grandchildren, and Ted was far ahead.

Until now, I was just a figurehead Crown Prince, so no one paid attention, but suddenly I had intervened between the two people competing for the Crown Prince position.

‘Considering these relationships and Chen’s tendencies, I can’t be sure of an assassination attempt, even if it’s a quest.’

Of course, I didn’t completely rule out the possibility.

Since the quest wasn’t over, there could be another assassination attempt.

‘An assassination attempt is just another opportunity to level up.’

I laughed even as I thought about it.

I felt somewhat eerie about myself for trying to turn even life-threatening situations into opportunities for growth.

I seemed to have completely adapted to the Calpheon Empire and the precarious status of being the Crown Prince.

“Let’s focus on the Breath of Wind technique. Increasing the amount of mana is the most important thing.”

Preparing for an assassination attempt was important, but it was time to practice the Breath of Wind technique.

Ah, I took out a notebook from the drawer to check one more thing.

“I need to recall more detailed information about Goran’s resurrection.”

I began to dredge up my memories of the modern era after a long time.

* * *

I opened my eyes in the morning and threw open the window. The cold chill chased away the lingering sleep.

I took a deep breath.

‘In the end, I can’t recall anything specific about Goran’s resurrection.’

I spent quite a long time in my office yesterday trying to remember, but nothing helpful came to mind.

Karen was the first to notice Goran’s resurrection and stepped forward for the sake of the imperial citizens who would be harmed.

The incarnation of evil was Ron Carl Leord, not the imperial citizens who were still living in this land. They were the people Karen had to save from the evil empire in the long run.

Karen obtains the sword ‘Radi,’ forged by dwarves and imbued with moonlight by elves, in the southern Dark Forest.

Karen gains great fame among the imperial citizens living in the western part of the empire after beheading the Orc King with Radi.

There was hardly any content written about Goran’s resurrection itself. It was just used as one of the events to give the protagonist his beloved sword, Radi.

‘It’s sloppy itself.’

I clicked my tongue at myself and rebuked myself.

Goran’s resurrection was a huge event for the empire and the people living nearby, but I couldn’t shake the thought that I had written it too carelessly just to give the protagonist a sword.

And now that the event had become a reality, my head throbbed.

Because one of the settings I made to gloss over things had put my people in danger.

‘I didn’t even write in detail where Radi was. I just vaguely set it around the southern Dark Forest, one of the places where Goran was resurrecting and expanding his territory.’

“I have no choice but to wait.”

I couldn’t rush to the western forest right now, nor did I have the authority to dispatch a large-scale force.

‘I reported it to my father… and heard back that he would look into it, so let’s wait calmly even if I’m anxious.’

I tried hard to forget about Gale’s problem.

If he returned safely, I wanted to show him a better side of myself.

I changed into casual clothes and left the bedroom.

Meals were now being eaten in the Crown Prince’s palace’s private dining room instead of the bedroom.

‘There’s no need to stay in the room anymore.’

As I went down to the dining room, servants and maids were already moving busily preparing breakfast.

“Your Highness!”

Starting with the greeting from the servant who discovered me first, I waved my hand as I watched the servants and maids lining up to pay their respects.

“Continue preparing the meal. Where are Ken and Soris?”

“Yes. They are on their way down.”

I nodded at the servant’s answer and sat down.

As expected, a dish with Polysia flowers was served.

The scent was now so familiar that I could tell whether Polysia flowers were included in any dish, no matter what it was.

‘It’s definitely effective, but the scent is so strong that it’s a torment to eat it every time.’

Still, I didn’t show it, thinking about the sincerity of the people who made it, and picked up my fork and knife.

Soon, Ken and Soris appeared.

“Your Highness.”

“Ah, sit over there. Let’s eat from the morning.”

Ken and Soris also took their seats at my words.

“Chen isn’t the only opponent in the spring evaluation competition, is he?”

At Ken’s sudden words, I briefly put down my fork and nodded.

“Of course not. The goal is to win.”

“The talented individuals from the provinces will start arriving in the capital soon. It might be good to take a look in advance.”

“In advance?”

Soris interjected slyly.

“Ken has a list that he has been compiling for several days, even while conducting investigations. There are some unknown powerhouses among them, and it would be very helpful for Your Highness to see them before the competition.”

I questioned the two people’s words.

“Would those who came up just for the evaluation competition show their skills?”

Ken smiled.

“There are those who want to hide their skills, but there are also those who want to eliminate their competitors in advance. And there is a stage for them.”

I narrowed my eyes.

“Is it like an illegal… gambling den?”

Ken’s eyes widened.

Soris also had an admiring expression.

I chuckled.

“You seem to think it’s quite impressive, don’t you?”

Soris hurriedly replied.

“I am once again amazed by Your Highness’s insight.”

“It’s not really insight. The obvious way to eliminate competitors in advance is to prevent them from participating. They’ll probably try assassination too. And of course, there will be those who try to make money using such things. Isn’t an illegal gambling den one of the easiest things to do?”

“You have excellent insight.”

I shook my head at Ken’s words.

“It’s easy to think of. It’s not really insight.”

Soris added his thoughts to my words.

“It’s a thought that’s only possible if you fully understand the lives of commoners and the goals of the spring evaluation competition participants, among other complex aspects.”

Now I was surprised.

‘Isn’t that such a big deal?’

I didn’t show it and just nodded.

It wouldn’t be bad for me to leave a good impression on them.

After finishing the meal, I said that we should carry out Ken’s suggestion right away.

“Since we’re on the topic, let’s leave the palace today.”

Soris shook his head.

“Your Highness, it’s good to see the participants, but going outside the palace requires more preparation.”

I had already been attacked once after going outside.

“How long will it take?”

“You can leave in the afternoon.”

The answer came from Ken.

“It’s not a problem to be decided so easily.”

Soris objected.

As the two people’s opinions on the timing differed, I was lost in thought. I understood well what Soris was worried about, but Ken was very proactive.

“Many personnel have been replenished. Unlike then, it will take time for the enemies to prepare as well. This may be the safest time.”

“Hmm, I’ll decide in the morning. Prepare for now.”

I told Ken to follow me to the office and got up.

‘Is it worth seeing the competitors?’

It was difficult and important to judge whether it was worth taking the risk.

‘Well, important decisions are always difficult.’

I said to Ken, who was following behind me.

“The fact that you want me to see the competitors means there’s someone you want me to see, right?”

Ken flinched.

Soon, a person’s name came out of Ken’s mouth.

“Yes, Soris and I both want Your Highness to see someone in advance. It’s David, once called the Dull Sword in the continent, but not many people know him because his activity period was so short. But those who know him can’t forget the Dull Sword David.”

There were really many names called David.

But there was only one who was called the Dull Sword.

“Dull Sword? Are you talking about the Dull Sword who was under the Mercenary King?”

Ken asked in surprise.

“It seems you know him.”

Of course, I knew him.

He was the protagonist’s companion, and a supporting character that I put quite a lot of effort into setting up.

“He… is he saying he came to the capital?”

The future was twisting.