Became The Son Of The Final Boss [EN]: Chapter 45

45.

The conclusion was simple.

Level up!

Yes, at this point, I felt that the most important thing for me was to level up.

The Spring Evaluation Tournament was likely to be held before spring actually arrived. The official date announcement would probably be around tomorrow.

Ken was working hard to find evidence of the connection between the Aetran family and the former Deputy Head Butler.

He came to me in the morning to report on the progress.

“We’re certain information was passed, but we only have circumstantial evidence, nothing conclusive.”

He had pressured all the former Deputy Head Butler’s contacts—servants, and maids—presenting them with the circumstances when they were all detained.

If I had handled it more calmly, I wouldn’t have been able to corner them based on suspicion alone.

But I pushed too suddenly, and they were caught off guard because it was completely unexpected.

Although there was no hard evidence of a direct connection with the Aetran family, it was certain that they had embezzled funds from the Crown Prince’s budget and used them to increase their own private wealth.

That alone was enough for a capital crime, but what I wanted wasn’t just their lives.

‘It’s the connection with the Aetran family I need. If I can tie them together… it will be a great political asset.’

I calmly said,

“Proceed slowly. Just the fact that we’re holding onto the Deputy Head Butler without dealing with him will be a burden to the Aetran family. They can’t help but be concerned.”

Ken nodded at my words.

“Of course.”

“Has the exact date for the Spring Evaluation Tournament been announced in the capital?”

“The announcement was made this morning in the capital. It’s one month from now.”

At Ken’s words, I clicked my tongue.

“It’s become a Winter Evaluation Tournament.”

Spring was still far away.

The events in the West had repercussions on the Spring Evaluation Tournament.

I leaned back deeply in my chair.

‘Fortunately, I’ll be able to face the Evaluation Tournament after seeing the effects of the Polisia Flower [a rare flower known for its potent magical properties].’

I had become an Intermediate Spirit Master, but I was still just a beginner.

Compared to the people participating in the tournament, my combat experience was absolutely lacking, and my objective skills as an Intermediate Spirit Master were not reassuring.

‘If I see the effects of the Polisia Flower, even if I don’t become an Advanced Spirit Master, I can go from Beginner to Expert. With that, I should be able to reach at least the top 4, right?’

I didn’t remember the specific details for the Spring Evaluation Tournament, so my information was limited.

It was important to obtain, process, and utilize information directly, and the same went for all the events and situations that would unfold in the future.

I was living in reality, and my novel was just a novel.

I spoke gently to Ken.

“Continue with the Aetran family matter and find out more details about the participants in the Spring Evaluation Tournament. Since the date has been moved up, we need to prepare more thoroughly.”

I clearly expressed my will to Ken.

“I must win and take the position of Commander of the Western Alliance.”

“Of course.”

Ken was well aware that what I wanted wasn’t just simple command.

“It’s a good opportunity in many ways. We can attract excellent talents to Your Highness’s side… and, more importantly, make a definite impression on the local lords.”

Ken added.

“It requires the premise that Your Highness successfully prevents the revival of the forces of evil, but I believe you can certainly do it.”

I chuckled.

“I’ll have to try. Father seems to be focused on the conquest war… but my judgment is that the situation in the West is more significant than the war.”

Ken also nodded.

“Yes. The revival of the forces of evil is a disaster for the entire continent.”

“Gaining the support of the Western lords has many advantages. The West borders both the Dark Forest and the Western Forest, so warlords have grown there for generations. They possess more powerful troops than the border margraves [lords ruling border regions].”

At my words, Ken’s eyes narrowed.

“They weren’t fighting humans but the monsters that inhabit the Dark Forest. And the fairies too… they are not easy opponents. Although contact with humans has been cut off for a long time, they have always been a formidable force, so the Western lords have always had to prepare.”

“That’s right. Elite soldiers trained in battles with monsters, and knights, mages, and spirit masters raised to counter the fairies… If we bring the Western warlords under our command, our power will grow rapidly.”

“They are a force that even the four guardian duke families couldn’t bring under their command. Your Highness will need a lot of preparation to bring them in.”

I stood up and patted Ken on the shoulder.

“I’m counting on you.”

Ken’s face twisted slightly.

“Your Highness, I’m already very busy.”

“That’s why I’m saying I’m counting on you.”

What else would I use talent for? This was exactly when Ken’s skills were needed.

“I will gather information on the Western lords.”

I smiled broadly.

Ken shook his head as if he had lost and continued.

“What are you planning to do with the Dull Sword? It seems he’s still wandering around in the slums.”

“He’ll come soon. Let’s wait a little longer.”

“Yes, Your Highness.”

“Then let’s focus on training today as well. The start of all plans is winning the Spring Evaluation Tournament.”

I stood up energetically.

* * *

“Sylphere!”

The wind warrior Sylphere created a huge wind. It was definitely different in size from the wind chains that Sylph created.

Of course, it consumed much more mana, but the mana hole, which had more than doubled in size, supplied enough mana.

The wind chains created by the three Sylphs collided with the wind chain created by Sylphere, and a roar erupted.

KWAANG-!

Although created by three Sylphs, they couldn’t handle Sylphere’s wind chain.

I summoned two Undines [lesser water spirits] and created a water barrier.

Mana was being consumed rapidly.

KWAANG-!

I involuntarily exclaimed in admiration.

Even Undine’s water barrier couldn’t withstand Sylphere’s wind chain and shattered.

I could clearly feel the difference between lower and intermediate levels.

I immediately summoned Undairon [an intermediate water spirit], and Undairon floating in the air, not in the water, exuded a mysterious atmosphere.

Undairon’s water barrier was much larger and had a deeper blue color than Undine’s barrier.

KWAANG-!

The wind chain and the water barrier disappeared simultaneously.

I took a deep breath and used the Wind Breathing Technique [a technique to replenish mana].

Recovering mana with the Wind Breathing Technique in between training sessions greatly affected the proficiency of the Wind Breathing Technique.

It wasn’t shown in the system window, but I instinctively felt that it was helpful.

“Then what about other skills?”

I narrowed my eyes and implemented Undairon’s Water Storm.

Attack skill versus attack skill, intermediate spirit versus intermediate spirit, what would the result be?

I expected it to be a tie.

“Sylphere! Undairon!”

The Water Storm took a little longer to implement than the Wind Chain.

It was about a 3-second difference, but it was a long time on the battlefield where life and death were at stake, so I had to keep it in mind.

Soon, the Wind Chain collided with the Water Storm.

KWAANG-!

I flinched.

The aftermath of the skill collision directly affected my body.

The impact that the spirits received came to me as well.

I bit my lip tightly and constantly supplied mana to the two spirits.

KWAANG-!

With another loud noise, the Water Storm disappeared.

The power was clearly greater with the Water Storm, but contrary to expectations, Sylphere’s Wind Chain destroyed the Water Storm.

“You definitely have a high affinity with wind spirits. It’s not just a normal affinity. Undairon’s skill has greater objective power, but even that was overcome by Sylphere’s skill.”

It was Soris who had been watching from the side.

I caught my breath and asked Soris.

“Is it because of affinity?”

“Yes. Even if the skills have the same power, the skill of a spirit with high affinity is naturally more powerful.”

“I see.”

Soris continued.

“Increase the number of contracts with lower-level wind spirits as well. You should have as many contracts as possible with spirits with high affinity.”

I nodded.

Soris also talked about the afternoon training.

“Let’s continue after lunch. Since Your Highness can command all spirits, it’s important to train with spirits of all attributes. In the afternoon, practice the skills of Gnomes [earth spirits] and Salamanders [fire spirits], and then try to contract with an intermediate fire spirit.”

Soris soon had the servants prepare lunch.

“Prepare lunch. We will eat in the training ground.”

Eating lunch in the training ground was common, and I also felt the importance of training, so I had to save every moment, so I didn’t give any other orders.

At that time, a servant approached me and Soris and bowed.

“Yes. What’s wrong?”

At my words, the servant quickly opened his mouth.

“We received a call from the main gate guard that someone is looking for Your Highness right now.”

Soris asked.

“Who is it?”

“I don’t know. He said he saw Your Highness in the slums and that Your Highness personally told him to enter the palace….”

As the servant trailed off, I immediately answered.

“Bring him here. He’s the person I called.”

“Yes, Your Highness.”

The servant disappeared in a hurry.

I smiled at Soris and said.

“It seems the Dull Sword has come.”

“Are you talking about the Dull Sword?”

I nodded at Soris’s question.

“There’s no one else who would come looking for me outside the Imperial Palace.”

I said to the servant who was still standing by.

“Prepare one more meal.”

“Yes. Your Highness.”

Soon, maids and servants entered the training ground and began to prepare the meal, and Soris cautiously asked me.

“Has the Dull Sword made up his mind?”

“Who knows? I’ve thrown out the bait… it’s up to me to bring him to my side.”

I also asked Soris.

“What do you think of the Dull Sword?”

“I’ve only heard rumors about the Dull Sword, I don’t know him exactly. When I heard the rumors, I honestly thought he was crazy.”

Soris chuckled.

“A mercenary who doesn’t kill people. It was really amazing.”

I laughed too.

“I know. The job of a mercenary is to become famous by killing people well, but a mercenary who doesn’t kill people.”

I knew David’s personal circumstances better than anyone else, but I didn’t bother to tell Soris that fact.

“Your Highness, I’ve brought him.”

At the servant’s words, I turned my head.

The Dull Sword David was standing there.

“Have you had lunch?”

David shook his head at my words.

“Not yet.”

I nodded and offered David a seat.

“Join me.”

David didn’t refuse and took a seat.

Soon, lunch began.

Even though it was outdoors, the Crown Prince’s diet was by no means simple.

David said as he picked up his fork.

“Even at this moment, there are many children dying of starvation in the slums. On the other hand, there is so much food here that is not even eaten.”

Soris, as well as the servants and maids behind him, flinched.

I put down my fork.

“Everyone, step back.”

The servants and maids didn’t seem to understand my words right away and didn’t move.

“Everyone, step back.”

Only then did the servants and maids move.

Soris also carefully left the seat.

I smiled faintly as I was left alone with David.

“Is it difficult to have a meal like this because of the children?”

David replied briefly.

“Yes.”

I smiled and asked.

“So. What do you think is the way to bridge the gap between the slums and the Imperial Palace?”

David’s eyes narrowed.

I continued to ask.

“You don’t think that simply releasing the wealth of the Imperial Palace and the nobles to save them is the solution, do you?”

At my words, David’s eyes shook violently.