Became The Son Of The Final Boss [EN]: Chapter 6

I wanted to call the Deputy Head Butler and ask him about everything immediately, but I calmly finished my breakfast and talked to Gail.

“Gail.”

“Yes, Your Highness.”

“The Deputy Head Butler manages the Crown Prince’s palace budget and all the general affairs, right?”

Gail was originally a knight but stayed as a Head Butler for me. Even with a high social status, he is technically a servant.

In this place where the class system is deeply rooted, Gail naturally rejected all external opportunities and solicitations.

“Yes, that is correct.”

However, it’s not like Gail actually does all the work of a Head Butler.

The Deputy Head Butler is doing the actual work of the Head Butler.

“It seems the maids, servants, and butlers are reporting my and Gail’s movements to the Deputy Head Butler.”

Gail’s reaction to my words was not what I expected.

“I was aware of it.”

“You knew?”

“Yes. The butlers, servants, and maids currently filling the Crown Prince’s palace are all from the Atran family’s maid academy. The Deputy Head Butler is one of the top graduates from there.”

My eyebrows furrowed involuntarily.

Gail spoke in his usual calm voice, as if it were nothing.

“Of course, we cannot connect him to Second Prince just because he is from the Atran family. Also, even if Your Highness’s every move has been known until now, I have not been greatly concerned…….”

Now that I listen to Gail, he is right.

Gail’s biggest goal was to protect me according to my mother’s will. Protecting the Crown Prince position may not be in Gail’s plan.

My mother only wanted me to live a peaceful life.

“I will take action soon.”

I shook my head.

“No. It’s not good to immediately replace the maids or drive out the Deputy Head Butler.”

Gail’s eyes widened with doubt.

‘Does he not care about information leaks because he has the power to break through any conspiracy head-on?’

Anyway, regardless of Gail’s thoughts, I decided to push forward with my plan.

I bit my lip tightly.

I couldn’t just trust Gail and wait for the coming-of-age ceremony. Even if I managed to keep the Crown Prince position until after the ceremony, it would still be a problem.

There’s no way my competitors would give up their greed for the position where they could seize the empire’s highest power.

I tapped the desk and fell into deep thought.

‘I can’t replace the maids right away. There are many who will be suspicious if my movements are even slightly strange. Some hot-tempered guys might try to kill me. There is no concept of human rights here. Killing the competitor is the most certain method.’

Feeling frustrated, I felt a sense of suffocation.

In the end, all I can do is increase my strength as quickly as possible and recruit more people to assist Gail.

‘The protagonist’s lucky encounters or treasures are not something I can immediately get my hands on…… but talented people are different.’

Even lucky encounters require preparation to fully digest, and treasures are only treasures if you have the power to protect them.

I have nothing but the status of Crown Prince and Gail.

However, there was an area where the status of Crown Prince could exert the greatest power, and that was recruiting talent.

‘Among the protagonist’s companions, there are those who are in the empire at this time.’

There are those who feel disillusioned with the empire due to the major events such as the second conquest war (a large-scale military campaign), which was not satisfied with the first conquest war, the endless greed of the nobles, and the conflict with the imperial family.

Some of these outstanding individuals meet Karen, who is starting to build power, become companions, and then become Karen’s vassals.

“Gail, find me one person.”

“Yes, I understand.”

Despite clearly being curious about many things, Gail did not ask many questions and immediately gave an answer.

I smiled and said.

“I guess he’s in the capital, but if he’s not, you can give up. He’s twenty years old this year, and his name is Ken. He’s probably moving from one thieves’ guild to another.”

“Yes, I will find him discreetly.”

“Good. Let’s discuss the Deputy Head Butler issue after finding that person. Even if the Deputy Head Butler is a mole planted by Ted, there’s nothing to gain from him right now. It’s perfectly normal for a person to eat a lot and exercise, right?”

Of course, considering the target is me, it couldn’t be considered normal. Arun Karl Leord was known for his weak body, a mind that went beyond timid to the extreme of being petty, and an inability to even think about training.

‘My competitors won’t be suspicious with just this much. They’ll be too busy keeping each other in check except for me.’

I was planning to use that time to quickly become stronger and gather the necessary talent.

“I’ll be exercising alone for the time being, so focus on finding Ken.”

“Please don’t overdo it.”

I nodded at Gail’s request.

“Of course. I’m planning to attempt a spirit contract [a magical binding with a powerful entity] when my mana hole [a source of magical energy] grows to some extent, and of course, it will be done with you by my side.”

Gail nodded, seemingly relieved by my answer.

‘Currently, Ken is the easiest talent for me to scout. Until I find him, I’ll focus on quests again. And even though I’m incompetent, I’m still the Crown Prince, so my every move was being reported to the Second Prince.’

I was already convinced that the Deputy Head Butler was Second Prince’s mole.

I plan to not only drive him out of the Crown Prince’s palace but also reveal all the things he has done so far and give him a corresponding punishment.

‘Without revealing the fact that I am involved in the process at all.’

* * *

The quest itself was not difficult. Originally, my personality is to see things through once I start them.

Even if there are any obstacles and difficulties in the process, I always come to a conclusion.

Even when it was beneficial to give up halfway, I stubbornly went to the end.

Eating well, sleeping well, and exercising are things that can be done solely with willpower, even if the body doesn’t support it.

“Hoo!”

I sat on the fountain in the center of the garden and took a breather. Until recently, I was in such poor physical condition that I couldn’t even walk one lap around the garden.

‘Now that I think about it, I wonder how I even made it to the forest with the Orc Shaman with this body.’

I shook my head and got up again.

Simple walking exercise was helpful enough. It was a win-win situation because I could also organize my thoughts. When I lived in Korea, I liked taking walks around my house. It seems that personality hasn’t gone anywhere.

All I can do for now is train.

‘Good. Let’s prioritize executing the quest and increase my understanding of spirit magic. And it’s important to bring Ken over to my side.’

The character Ken is quite important. He was like the protagonist’s strategist, and in fact, he receives the title of Duke as the top contributor in the new empire that Karen establishes.

I definitely set Karen as a character who doesn’t fit in the Middle Ages.

Bloodline and family power, or even one’s own power. In a world ruled by the logic of power, Ken, whose only abilities are administrative skills and planning, is made the top contributor.

‘Such abilities are quite important in modern times. But they are rated very low here. Anyway, I’ll bring Ken over to my side.’

And the fourth thing I’m thinking about is driving out the Deputy Head Butler.

Using the position of Crown Prince to kick him out of the palace is not a big deal.

Even though I am an incompetent Crown Prince who is far from the Emperor’s interest, the power that the fact that I am the Crown Prince gives is great. No one would think it strange to kick out just one Head Butler.

“My competitors are different. Especially Ted…….”

Since coming here, I haven’t met anyone except Gail and the maids and servants of the Crown Prince’s palace.

“Ah, I met the priests and the Emperor too.”

That was the end of it, so it seems it was already erased from my mind.

I classified Second Prince Ted Karl Leord as the most dangerous person above anyone else.

Immediately, the servants and maids of the Crown Prince’s palace are all from the academy established by his maternal family, the ‘Atran Family.’

Could they really refuse Ted’s orders?

‘The Deputy Head Butler is even the top graduate from there.’

The Atran family that I remember is one of the most prestigious families in the Calpheon Empire. They made the most contributions in the first conquest war, and played a decisive role in my father’s ascension to Emperor.

Already a huge force, they became even more powerful when Ron Karl Leord became Emperor, and furthermore, the head of the family’s daughter became Empress and gave birth to Ted.

Unlike me, the Crown Prince, Ted Karl Leord is a truly talented individual with innate abilities, to the point where it is openly said that he is a true descendant of Ron.

‘Ted’s swordsmanship is outstanding. He received intensive guidance from the head of the Atran family.’

The current head of Atran and the Empress’s father is one of the empire’s four Sword Masters [elite swordsmen]. He is known to be slightly stronger than the other three Sword Masters.

“That guy is also very dangerous.”

What if that guy comes to assassinate me for his grandson?

Even Gail would probably have a hard time stopping him.

‘Of course, he wouldn’t openly do such crazy things, but he is still a dangerous person.’

The power struggle for the empire’s succession is something I don’t know about. What I wrote was only Karen-centric. Ron Karl Leord is also an important figure as the final boss, but I only described the people under him in general terms.

“Brother.”

I shuddered at the voice coming from behind me.

I turned to face the owner of the thick, hearty voice. A man with outstanding looks resembling Ron Karl Leord was smiling brightly at me.

Oh, oh, I stiffened slightly without realizing it.

“I was very worried about the curse from the Orc Shaman, but I’m very glad to see you out in the garden like this.”

“Y-yes.”

I stuttered slightly.

I never even thought that Ted Karl Leord would come to me directly.

As I watched Ted slowly approaching, all sorts of thoughts ran through my head about how I should act.

There were two knights behind Ted, who seemed to be escorts.

They only slightly bowed their heads at me, the Crown Prince, without showing any courtesy.

I turned my gaze and clenched my fist slightly. He always pretends to be a good person, polite, but enjoys using his subordinates to humiliate me.

‘Ted is originally that kind of guy. Anyway, what wind blew this guy here? He treats me worse than a bug.’

He considers me an existence less than the dirt under his fingernails, but he never lets his guard down and has all his people planted in my palace. Just that alone shows how meticulous Ted’s personality is.

‘Everyone thinks this guy is a good guy.’

I only wrote a few lines about Ted, but that alone was enough reason to increase my vigilance against Ted.

-A thorough double personality, at least four of Ron’s children died at Ted’s hands. He dreamed of becoming the Emperor of the Calpheon Empire and one day wanted to put even Ron under his feet, but he was no match for Karen.

‘It was Karen who easily dealt with Ted, and he is a very overwhelming opponent for me now.’

Ted followed me and said as he walked naturally.

“I’m glad you’re well enough to take a walk.”

Then one of the knights interjected.

“I guess you’re thinking of challenging the Orc in the northern forest again.”

Another knight took his words.

“Orcs are still too much. Maybe goblins. No, maybe a passing dog?”

“It’s amazing that you’re even taking a walk. It’s a miracle that Your Highness even went to the northern forest, and it was God’s blessing that you met the Orc Shaman and returned safely.”

If it were the old me…… what would I have thought after hearing these words? I would have just looked at Ted pitifully and hoped he would stop them. That’s why Ted treated me like a bug.

But unfortunately for them, I am not the old me.

Ted seemed to be enjoying the situation, trying hard to manage his expression, and opened his mouth to the knights.

“Hey, what kind of rudeness is that to His Highness!”

It was clear that it was an insult that could never be done to the Crown Prince unless Ted directly ordered it, but Ted had a truly brazen expression.

I smiled.

“What are your names?”

The knights’ eyes widened with doubt at my voice.

I still smiled as if nothing was wrong.

“The crime of insulting the Crown Prince must be borne by three generations, and I need to know your names so I can summon your three generations, right?”

At that moment, not only the knights but also Ted’s expression hardened.