Surviving As The 5Th Prince Of Hellman Kingdom [EN]: Chapter 170

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My personal airship, the Black Wyvern, relies on a multitude of magic stones of varying grades, powering everything from its magic cannons to its engine, the very heart of the vessel.

All of these stones are consumables.

That’s precisely why magic stones are considered strategic resources.

Consequently, countries worldwide maintain strict control over the import and export of magic stones, particularly those of higher grades.

The Lionel Kingdom, a nation with limited natural resources, faces a scarcity of magic stones, depending entirely on imports for its supply of high-grade stones.

Thanks to my 30% stake in the Black Anvil Tribe’s magic stone mine, I can breathe a little easier, but…

‘It’s still not enough.’

Especially now, with the global arms race intensifying, fueled by the announcement of the magic superconductor, Lac-K.

Amidst all this, the sudden emergence of a high-grade Stella [a powerful, refined magic stone] presents a potential danger.

‘What? The Lionel Kingdom has developed a technology to convert mid-grade magic stones into high-grade ones?’

‘Your Majesty! We must seize the Lionel Kingdom with all our forces immediately! This is a golden opportunity for our ○○ Empire to establish global dominance!’

‘At the very least, we must abduct Fran, the 8-star mage [a mage of exceptional power, indicated by the number of stars] who developed it, and bring her to our country!’

Immediately after Fran’s announcement of Stella at Horizon [a prestigious magical research conference], I could easily imagine the reactions of the world’s major powers.

This situation differs from the Lac-K scenario.

In the case of the magic superconductor, thanks to my alter ego, Frankenstein, who disseminated research data and then sacrificed himself, countries around the world were able to achieve their own breakthroughs.

They must have calculated that by thoroughly analyzing and replicating Lac-K, they could develop a magic superconductor of a similar level in the near future.

But Stella is different.

Currently, it’s a novel technology possessed exclusively by the Lionel Kingdom.

“Fran, this message is from Horizon…”

“Of course, I won’t release it indiscriminately. I’m well aware that this is something that could cause a great deal of bloodshed.”

That was a relief.

Fran has a peculiar ambition to elevate her status as a mage. If she were as headstrong as she was five years ago, it would have been a bit problematic.

“Only low-grade versions will be invested in by countries around the world, and that’s about the extent to which the Lionel Kingdom can withstand external pressure, right?”

Now, she’s also concerned about the kingdom’s well-being.

Giving Fran the title of Minerva [a title signifying a leading magical innovator] seemed to have been effective. Whether she liked it or not, she felt a sense of belonging once her name was officially registered with the Lionel Kingdom.

“Thank you.”

“Don’t just say it; please provide generous support.”

“Of course.”

Immediately following the announcement of Stella at Horizon, construction of the Magic Tower is scheduled to commence. Fran will become the first Magic Tower Master, fulfilling her long-held dream.

“Are you gradually delegating your responsibilities?”

Isabel will be the next Dean of the Magical Engineering Department. Having created the magic superconductor Lac-K, I can confidently entrust her with the position.

“From time to time. I was just downstairs discussing it a little while ago.”

Fran pointed to the ground below.

Beneath the Magic Engineering Department lies the kingdom’s secret research facility, where Michael slumbers. In addition to Titan [likely a powerful weapon or project], various new weapons are being developed, along with improvements to existing ones.

A major project has recently been initiated.

Project Kelon.

Kelon is a divine beast resembling a turtle, revered by the god of the sea. In some maritime countries, it’s worshipped as a deity that devours the deep-sea horror, the Kraken [a legendary sea monster].

The theme of the project named after Kelon is the submarine.

In the Ains Kingdom of the Brissen Alliance, a maritime power, and the neighboring island nation of Arya, small submarines with a capacity of five people or less have already been developed.

I know they are accelerating the development of medium-sized submarines for frontline deployment.

We must not fall behind.

At the very least, we need to keep pace with the naval power of the Arya Kingdom.

‘Recently, those islanders have been acting suspiciously.’

Something has been bothering me lately.

I was able to easily track every move of the former Second Queen and Yander西亚 [likely a person’s name], who were presumed dead, through [Library] [a magical information-gathering ability].

Because the shaman who monitors them, imprisoned in the shrine of Errim, keeps records.

However, recently, I haven’t been able to obtain information about them through [Library].

They are not dead.

Their names are still in the [List of People].

There’s only one explanation.

The Arya Kingdom no longer keeps records of them.

Why the sudden change?

As soon as that question arose, Etrim came to mind. The Eight Great Dragons who share the rise and fall of the Arya Kingdom.

Etrim must have awakened.

There must have been a revelation from him.

And that guess turned into conviction the moment I realized that I couldn’t spy on the Arya royalist faction using [Library].

“What are you thinking so intently while we’re talking? You’ll never break that habit.”

I snapped back to reality at Fran’s words.

“Ah, I’m sorry. I was thinking about the projects currently underway below… Oh, and when you attend Horizon this time, please use the Golden Dragon [a high-end airship].”

“Really? The venue is the Aimen Empire, so it takes at least a week just to travel back and forth. Aren’t you overdoing it?”

I am overdoing it.

Lac-K has given me some breathing room, but it’s just that, not abundance.

“That’s nothing for Fran Minerva. Ah, and Reina and Bert will be accompanying you; is that okay?”

“Bert is fine, but the First Queen too?”

“Even if you only announce the low-grade Stella, there may be individuals who will try to kidnap Fran. You need a reliable escort. I wish I could go with you.”

The kingdom’s only publicly known 8-star powerhouse is Fran.

In reality, there are three.

Me and Reina.

What I, who had already reached the realm of 8-star once, needed was time for the vessel called the body to be completed.

I succeeded in regaining the realm of ‘future’ without any hindrance, thanks to the internal turmoil in the Hamel Empire and the Arya Kingdom.

Reina reached the realm of 8-star about three months after giving birth, before me.

She said she had gained enlightenment to the next realm in the process of being with the birth of a life from beginning to end.

As a man, I couldn’t fully grasp it, but enlightenment is often like that. There are even wizards who gained enlightenment by seeing a crying child on the street.

“If you include the paper presentation period, you’ll have to leave the kingdom for almost a month, so it’s impossible for you to go. Besides, I can’t run away because the First Queen of the kingdom is watching me.”

In fact, that’s also a reason.

With the First Queen of the Lionel Kingdom keeping a close eye on her, how could foreign ministers even attempt to recruit Fran?

They are the same gender, so they can go to the bathroom together. I should ask her to protect Fran as she protected me.

“Were you trying to run away?”

“Who knows? The Aimen Empire might offer me huge incentives and try to scout me.”

“You’re not going, are you?”

“I don’t know.”

Hmm… What should I do to ensure Fran doesn’t waver in the face of any temptation?

Family is the answer.

A good person of a similar age to Fran…

“Don’t do it. I don’t know what you’re thinking, but don’t do that.”

“Yes? I wasn’t thinking about anything.”

Fran’s eyes were sharp as she looked at me.

She has good intuition.

***

The large airship, Golden Dragon, carrying the attendees of Horizon, took off.

A week later, the world powers, having come into contact with the new technology called Stella, will be shocked once again, just as they were five years ago with the magic superconductor.

“They’ve left.”

“Yes, they’ve left.”

Cliang’s eyes, watching the airship grow smaller and smaller, were wistful.

He, once the epitome of expressionlessness, to the point where rumors circulated that he was a humanoid golem controlled by a wizard, became more expressive after getting married and raising children.

“The daily operating cost of the Golden Dragon is…”

“Stop it, Cliang. You’re being stingy. Don’t you know what Fran is going to announce? If someone announcing such an amazing thing rides a medium-sized airship, how will other countries perceive our Lionel Kingdom?”

“S, stingy! Miloa! Please choose your words carefully!”

“I’m calling a stingy person stingy; what else should I say?”

“Your Majesty is here. Both of you, stop it.”

Julian intervened in their bickering.

The engagement ring on his left ring finger was visible. The ceremony with Ayra was two months away, right? For reference, she accompanied those attending Horizon.

It seems like only yesterday that the three of them stayed up all night preparing to recapture the Northwest, but it’s already been over a year.

Since the three of them had gathered for the first time in a while, I invited them to my office for a tea party.

“Miloa, how is Chloe growing up?”

“Wonderfully, of course. It’s a time when she has a lot to say, but she looks just like her dad, so she’s so taciturn. You have no idea how funny it is.”

Miloa said, glaring at Cliang.

He was holding a teacup and still looking out the window at the sky where the Golden Dragon had disappeared, looking uneasy.

“Cliang, cheer up. When investments in Stella come in, you’ll have enough money to operate 100 Golden Dragons and travel around the world.”

“That’s not why, Miloa. I’m worried that something might happen to Fran and the First Queen in the Aimen Empire. Stella is that significant.”

“Oh, really. Words have power, so don’t say things like that.”

Miloa scolded Cliang.

To be honest, I’m a little worried too. I really want to go, but as Fran said before, I’d have to leave the kingdom for at least half a month.

It’s impossible.

Business is business.

“The Second Queen’s delivery is today or tomorrow, so it’s not a good idea for Your Majesty to go all the way to the Aimen Empire.”

It’s also the time when Ranua’s delivery is imminent.

“Besides, those islanders have been acting a bit suspicious lately.”

“That’s right. The news from the agents active in the Arya Kingdom recently is unusual. They are definitely planning something.”

The islanders are also bothering me.

The eyes of the three turned to Alfonso.

The people gathered in this place were among the few who knew that he was in charge of the third information network.

Alfonso shrugged and gestured that he didn’t know anything.

“Most of the guys under me are active in the Hamel Empire. You all know that, don’t you?”

I put down my teacup and opened my mouth.

“Everyone must have looked at you just in case.”

“Doesn’t Your Majesty know anything? Sometimes you knew information that Julian or I didn’t even report.”

He was referring to the information I obtained through [Library].

Everyone knows there’s a fourth information network that secretly reports directly to the royal family.

I didn’t have to make excuses like the Holy Scar or being able to glimpse the future, as in the old days, so I just left it at that.

“That side is blocked too.”

The expressions of those gathered in the room became serious at my answer.

Alfonso looked at Julian and said.

“I thought things would slow down a bit because the civil war in the Hamel Empire has subsided, but the islanders are causing trouble right away.”

“Alfonso, can’t you take some people out and turn them to Arya? The level of individual agents is far superior to those under you.”

“Ah, that’s impossible. First of all, there are almost no guys who can speak Arya. Didn’t you know?”

“…I thought they could all speak it.”

“Still, everyone speaks Hamel better than native speakers.”

How much better than native speakers is it?

Despite the somber atmosphere, I chuckled at what Alfonso said.

I felt the need to sort out the situation.

“For the time being, let’s focus on observing the Arya Kingdom rather than the Hamel Empire. Probably, in my estimation…”

Etrim seems to have awakened.

I was about to say that.

Da-da-dak, da-da-dak.

I heard someone running.

The only person who would do that in Leon Palace, where my office is located, is Alfonso, but he’s here. That means it’s truly urgent.

I had a hunch what it was.

The tea party seemed to be over.

Knock knock!

“Your Majesty! The Second Queen’s labor has begun!”