Surviving As The 5Th Prince Of Hellman Kingdom [EN]: Chapter 38

Surviving as the 5th Prince of Hellmang – Episode 38

038

The dish lived up to its name. The thick, dark red sauce drizzled over the T-bone steak, with a scent that stung the tip of your nose, resembled a fiery pit of hell.

There was no conversation during the meal.

‘Impossible’ would be a more accurate description. I, too, experienced hell. Unlike my mind, my body couldn’t adapt to the spiciness.

“Haa, haa. Alfonso, some milk over there.”

“Here it is.”

Even after finishing the meal, everyone spent some time holding milk in their mouths to cool down the heat.

Fran, wiping the beads of sweat from her forehead, was the first to speak.

“I was a bit excited earlier, but I’m not joking. Staying stuck in the royal palace will likely lead to an early and unfortunate death, so become my disciple.”

“Why are you suddenly doing this?”

At my question, Fran frowned and began to ponder. I tried to guess why she was doing this.

Could it be because of the spell I showed earlier? Was there something special about it? It was just a variation of the basic magic [Ignition] after all.

I don’t know.

I gave up thinking and waited for Fran to speak.

“I found a rough gem buried in the mud, wouldn’t it be strange to just pass it by?”

“Are you saying I’m that rough gem?”

“For now, yes. Whether it becomes a crushed pearl or a diamond, we’ll only know after it’s processed. But whatever it is, I can’t just leave it buried in the mud, can I?”

“Was there something special about the spell I showed you earlier?”

“It’s not just that. The problem you solved in the magic book Alfonso stole. That wasn’t ordinary either. So, how should I explain this…”

Fran tried to make me understand through various metaphors, like a collapsed house or a sculpture buried in clay.

I understood roughly what she meant.

“So, you’re saying I have good intuition?”

“It’s not exactly that, but… if I had to put it into words, that would be the closest term.”

I stroked my chin, recalling what Fran had said.

Good intuition.

‘I’ve heard that often in my past life too.’

When doing mazes, I would find the exit in one go, or I would immediately grasp the rules of complex sequences. When solving math problems, I often found the answer first and then spent a long time proving why it was the answer.

Fran is a mage who handles seven stars [a high-ranking mage].

In my past life, she would be a professor-level figure at one of the world’s top universities. If someone like that wants to take me as a disciple, it means she saw at least genius-level talent.

So, I’m questioning it.

There are holes here and there in my memories of my past life, but one thing is certain. I wasn’t a genius of the century aiming for the Fields Medal [a prestigious award in mathematics] or the Nobel Prize in Physics.

‘Is it because my body is different?’

My face, physique, height, strength, etc., are all different from my past life. Learning ability must be the same. When I think about it, I had the most trouble with English in my past life, but in this life, I can speak seven languages.

Having found a reason that I could accept, I lowered my hand from my chin and looked at Fran.

“I understand what you’re saying, Fran. But, recently, the number of people walking with me has increased a bit. I can’t just leave them behind and suddenly leave.”

After speaking, I glanced at Alfonso. He gave me a thumbs up with a touched expression. I couldn’t help but chuckle.

“Tsk, you don’t even know you’re kicking away the good fortune that’s come your way, and you’re smiling about it.”

Fran, as if her insides were burning, poured water into her cup and drank it coolly.

I looked at her and carefully asked.

“But, is there a reason why I have to leave the royal palace to become Fran’s disciple? I don’t think learning needs to be restricted by location.”

Fran’s gaze narrowed.

“You, don’t tell me you’re saying I should teach you in that cesspool of a royal palace?”

“It smells better than you think.”

I smiled and continued.

“Besides, Fran’s identity is proven by the Red Tower [a mage organization], isn’t it? Getting permission to enter the royal palace is a piece of cake. They’ll probably like it. I’ll provide all the conveniences so you can live in Emerald Palace without lifting a finger.”

“······.”

Fran’s expression changed from moment to moment.

Whenever she looked in the direction of the royal palace, she made a face as if she had seen a cockroach covered in poop.

She seemed to hate the royal palace quite a bit. I was a little curious as to why.

I earnestly hoped that Fran would say okay. After a while, she opened her mouth.

“Becoming a disciple also includes carrying on my legacy after I die. That would be impossible for you if you stay in the royal palace, right? If you ever get kicked out of the royal palace later, don’t even think about carrying on my legacy. I might make it so you can never move your mouth again.”

“I won’t. I have a conscience too.”

“But, the truth is, I really want to process the rough gem I found. Since you’re also Beiern’s grandson, I’m willing to be a ‘teacher’.”

“Thank you.”

A 7-star mage permanently residing in Emerald Palace? Suddenly, it sounded like my safety index was skyrocketing…

“The story isn’t over yet, so listen to the end. Therefore, a ‘teacher’, not a ‘master’, must receive fair compensation to educate the student. My tuition will be a bit expensive.”

… faded away like an echo into the distance.

Fran’s words didn’t stop there.

“Besides, you’re not coming to me, but you’re going to have me reside in the royal palace and learn? You know that mages hired by the royal family get research grants, right? Supporting the things I’m researching won’t be cheap, do you think you can handle it?”

“······.”

“Well, judging from what you said when you came to me last time and what you said at the hearing, it seems like you have a lot hidden away, so tell me when you’re ready. I’m not going anywhere for the time being and will be staying at my residence in Queen’s Crossroads. ‘Disciple’ must be starving. I’ll buy some bread at the market and go in, so see you next time.”

After speaking, Fran put on her hood and left the restaurant. I watched her walk away through the window and asked Alfonso.

“Didn’t you say that when Fran was in the North, she taught those with magical talent in the Liberation Army for free?”

“That’s, right?”

“Why is she asking me for tuition?”

“The North Liberation Army was providing free service because it was like the last request left by Marquis Beiern, who was a close friend, wasn’t it?”

“I’m his grandson?”

“Looks like the prince didn’t ask for it. Instead of meaningless complaints, it would be best to think about how to prepare the tuition.”

At Alfonso’s words that hit the nail on the head, I glared at him. He was smiling slyly, drawing his narrow eyes into crescents.

“By the way, is there any news from the North Liberation Army these days?”

“You know, I was removed from the list. If it weren’t for the prince’s letter, Austin-sunbae [a respectful term for a senior] might have taken my head.”

“Still, don’t you have anyone you contact personally? Like your classmates, or that one who ran away from the kitchen assistant job.”

“We’re not close.”

“Weren’t there any close people?”

“Haha, haha. I didn’t have time to make friends… Still, Austin-sunbae left a contact, so he’ll contact me if there’s anything special. Or, well, do you have anything to say to the North Liberation Army?”

After the hearing, the North Liberation Army and I were, well, a relationship that was further than friends but closer than strangers.

If we could beat up some commies together in this ambiguous relationship, our friendship would become stronger… But I can’t even go outside the royal palace.

If I can’t be with them in person, it would be nice to send them a basket of gifts to encourage them.

But my wallet isn’t in good shape.

“Let’s go, pay the bill.”

“Yes?”

“You said you’d treat me? Weren’t you going to pay?”

“I left my wallet behind. How could I pay in front of the prince? I’d get scolded for disrespecting my superior.”

I frowned.

That kind of shitty culture does exist.

Sighing, I took out the money pouch that my sister had given me after tea time yesterday and threw it to him.

“Don’t embezzle it. I know how much was in there.”

“Don’t worry about it. Haha.”

The old saying that a man’s 余裕 [yoyu – composure/余裕] comes from his wallet was absolutely correct.

Watching Alfonso flip the money pouch around and go to pay, my worries only deepened.

***

The New Year’s banquet began.

Rassayu Palace, built for the purpose of holding banquets in Lionel Royal Castle. The lights illuminating the darkness, the musicians’ performance, and the smell of food stimulating the appetite filled the place.

In the banquet hall full of handsome men and beautiful women, there was a couple that particularly caught people’s attention.

Anette and Evan.

“You dance well, Evan. It was worth teaching you.”

“······.”

Anette smiled as she watched Evan, who was so focused on not stepping on her feet that he couldn’t even answer.

When did he grow up so much?

In just two or three months, he had suddenly grown taller and was now taller than her.

The duel with the 4th Prince.

The royal trial.

The hearing.

The unimaginable things Evan had shown in just two or three months. Anette had so many things she wanted to ask him.

But she couldn’t ask.

Because she didn’t think she was qualified.

In Anette’s heart, there was a guilt that would never disappear. The fact that she couldn’t be of any help while Evan was being ridiculed and called the Ghost Prince.

‘I should quietly disappear at the end of this year.’

Evan, who had endured all kinds of humiliation while wearing the mask of the Ghost Prince for five years, was finally starting to spread his wings.

Anette knew that the longer she stayed in the royal palace, the more of a burden she would become to Evan. The last thing she could do for him was to quietly disappear from the royal palace.

“Hoo, I was sweating so much trying not to step on noona’s [term of endearment for older sister] feet.”

“You were doing well? Go ask a young lady you like to dance right away. Ah! That young lady in the blue dress is the only daughter of a family that owns a fairly large merchant fleet in the East. She’s a Baroness, but… her wealth is comparable to that of a Count family.”

“Haha… I’m a bit nervous, so I’ll go to the restroom for a moment…”

Anette shook her head as she watched Evan make an excuse and leave the spot for a moment.

A woman quickly approached her. It was Ayra Mairton, whom Evan had helped a few days ago.

She had been watching Anette and Evan with a hawk’s eye since they arrived at the banquet hall, and she quickly approached Anette.

“3rd Princess, it’s been a while. I am Ayra Mairton, the daughter of the Mairton family. Do you remember me?”

“Ah, of course. I still can’t forget the scent of the herbal tea you gave me two years ago. It was called Sansrea, right?”

“You really remember! That’s right, Sansrea! It’s a specialty that can only be found on the border between our territory and the Elf Forest.”

Busy calculations were taking place in Anette’s head as she talked with Ayra with a smiling face.

What is the Mairton family’s wealth?

Not bad.

What is the Mairton family’s influence in central politics?

Almost none.

What is the Mairton family’s military power?

I don’t know exactly, but I don’t think they can support Evan.

Is Ayra Mairton an only daughter?

No.

Beep-

The last one was decisive.

Ayra didn’t know it, but she had just been dropped from the list of young ladies to have tea time with Evan.

The women were chatting and laughing.

Splash-

Suddenly, red wine was spilled, staining Anette’s beautiful black hair and her dress red.

The entire banquet hall turned cold.

“Oh my, I’m sorry. I lost my balance because my feet got tangled.”

Torn eyes.

Freckles that can’t be covered with makeup.

A woman wearing a black dress that pulls up her non-existent breasts to the soul to compensate for her skinny figure.

The 4th Princess, born to the 2nd Queen.

Gracia Lionel, who is scheduled to have her coming-of-age ceremony with Anette this year, took out a handkerchief with a sorry expression.

“Oh my, oh my, what should I do.”

Gracia wiped Anette’s face and whispered in a very small voice.

“Hey, didn’t I warn you not to show yourself in front of me last time?”