Surviving As The 5Th Prince Of Hellman Kingdom [EN]: Chapter 65

065

I was practically chased out of Fran’s lab and headed toward the Emerald Palace’s main building.

“Goo…?”

On my way through the garden, JiDragon peeked out and approached my feet, acting all cute.

“Alright, alright.”

I bought a Seungjeondo copper ore from the [General Store] and tossed it to him like a snack.

After I returned from the East, a large number of Eastern products had been registered in the [General Store]. This was thanks to the significant increase in [Support] I was receiving.

I gave JiDragon new ores that could be found in the [General Store] one by one. He seemed to like the Seungjeondo copper ore the most.

“Goo, goo…!”

The creature swallowed the ore and trembled.

It seemed to be because of the unique salty taste of the Seungjeondo copper ore. Salt is usually like poison to earthworms, but it seemed to be a special treat for the magical beast JiDragon.

What’s bad for you is usually delicious.

“Goo! Goo!”

He was clamoring for another one.

“No.”

When studying the Faceless Dragon in depth, I never saw anything about salt being a weakness. It seemed okay, but if he ate too much and something went wrong, it would be a disaster.

“There’s no one to fix you if you get a stomachache.”

“Goo… goo…”

“Instead, if you succeed in doing what I tell you in one go, I’ll give you a Merton iron ore.”

“Goo, goo!”

I squatted down for a moment, picked up a twig, and drew a circle in the dirt. Then, I added squinted eyes and a sly mouth.

It was Alfonso.

“Do you know who this is?”

“Goo!”

He nodded his head.

“Can you eat him, or not?”

“Goo… goo, goo.”

After hesitating for a moment, he shook his head.

“Alfonso asked you to eat that rock over there. What are you going to do?”

“Goo… goo…”

JiDragon hesitated.

“Ah! I want you to grant Alfonso’s request if he asks you politely. Like this: ‘JiDragon, would you please eat that rock?'”

“Goo…”

Eventually, he reluctantly approached and swallowed the rock before coming back to me.

“Goo?”

“Good job.”

I reached out to pet JiDragon.

The creature can freely change the properties of its mucus. Sometimes it’s harder than diamond, sometimes it feels like rubber, and when I pet him like this, it feels like touching a soft doll.

“Goo… goo…”

Good, next time I should bring Alfonso and practice. If that goes well, I’ll consider letting them face each other alone.

“Wait. I’ll let you eat a lot of delicious magic stones soon.”

“Goo! Goo!”

Ultimately, I want them to go on a trip together.

The first destination was already decided.

I thought of the Empire Fatty’s face. Imagining the expression he would make when his magic stone mine was destroyed made the corners of my lips curl up.

I bought five Merton iron ores from the [General Store] and dropped them into his mouth.

“Okay, go in now.”

“Goo!”

JiDragon, with the iron ore in his mouth, burrowed into the ground of the garden.

After saying goodbye to him, I arrived at the main building and headed to the infirmary. It was a place created for Schuetz. It was for research and to take quick action in case of emergencies.

“You’ve arrived, Fifth Prince.”

As I opened the door and entered, he jumped up from his seat.

Schuetz, with his blond curly hair, glasses, and therapist gown. One word to describe him: He looks like he studies very well.

“How is it? Have you adapted a bit? Is there anything particularly uncomfortable?”

“No. Everyone is kind.”

Most of the palace servants were from lower-ranking noble families who could not inherit the family title. I had repeatedly instructed Alfonso to be careful not to treat Schuetz, a commoner, carelessly.

If he had entered as a royal therapist, he would have been granted the status of a quasi-baron, but since I brought him personally, that wasn’t the case.

Well, it’s a matter of time.

Soon, he will have the opportunity to inherit a title. I glanced at the herbs scattered around his lab, especially Jenessen [a medicinal herb], and opened my mouth.

“Is the research on Jenessen just beginning?”

“Yes, I think I’ve sorted things out and started yesterday. But the basic effect of Jenessen is to reduce fever. There are already two medicines made by combining herbs that have been certified by the Pantheon [a governing body for medicine] to have a better antipyretic [fever-reducing] effect than Jenessen, so is there really a need to develop a new drug using Jenessen?”

“Are you talking about Asnol and Reifen?”

“Yes, aren’t they excellent medicines with proven efficacy and safety over a long period of time?”

“Schuetz, aren’t there cases where Asnol doesn’t work for patients?”

“Yes, in that case, Reifen…”

“But what if Reifen doesn’t work either?”

“…I understand your Highness’s intentions. I think I was short-sighted.”

In fact, there was no need to explain the reason. But efficiency increases when you do anything with motivation.

“No, it was kind advice considering my financial situation. There are also statistics that people in the eastern coastal areas have significantly fewer minor illnesses than people in other regions, and I think it might be because of Jenessen? Please experiment to see if there are any other effects besides reducing fever.”

“I understand.”

“Now, check my condition.”

“Please lie down here.”

I lay down on the bed as Schuetz instructed.

He put his hand on my back and slowly touched here and there. I felt a warm sensation flowing through me.

It was Schuetz’s mana [internal energy].

The mana training method that therapists learn is unique. They cultivate only one star in their dantian [energy center]. They cannot strengthen their bodies like knights, nor can they open their eyes to see mana like wizards.

It has the effect of increasing natural healing power, but compared to divine power, it is like a firefly in front of a light bulb.

Still, there is one advantage.

They have an amazing grasp of the patient’s physical condition.

Biological stethoscope? Ultrasound?

Anyway.

Diagnosis to the therapist.

Treatment to the priest.

It is basic common sense that anyone who has ever been sick knows.

“You are much better than when you first came to me, but you still shouldn’t overdo it. Now, I will start the treatment.”

“…Be gentle.”

“Don’t worry. I’ll be very gentle.”

Every time Schuetz pressed here and there, his mana penetrated and massaged my internal organs, accompanied by severe pain.

“Kuh…”

“It will hurt just a little here.”

“Gently… just a little gently!”

It seemed that we misunderstood each other’s meaning of “a little.”

“You have to endure it!”

“Kuh…”

The time of endurance was over.

Strangely, it is so painful when you receive it, but it is so refreshing after it is over.

“Huff, it’s all over.”

“Kuh… good work.”

“No. It is my duty.”

Seeing him sweating profusely, it seemed that Schuetz had also consumed a lot of energy. I thought it would be better to leave soon, so I left the infirmary, saying that I would come again in three days.

Normally, it would be time to swing a sword and train my body, but since my physical condition was not good, I headed to the study.

Sitting at my desk, I opened my notebook and checked my future plans.

‘First, the coming-of-age ceremony right in front of me.’

It’s not like barbarians who have to hunt monsters or magical beasts and cut off their heads; the kingdom’s coming-of-age ceremony is just a place to bless the future.

I’m not the person having the ceremony, so it’s nothing special.

‘The important thing is the Horizon in June.’

The Horizon, an academic conference of the Magic Society held every five years. A place where magicians and magic engineers present their research results to enhance their reputation and attract investors.

This year, it will be held in Aden, a union of different races located a little south beyond the western mountains.

‘By this time, my body will be back to normal.’

I’m planning to go with them.

Planning to go by airship.

I’m a little worried about the flying monsters and magical beasts that I’ll encounter while crossing the western mountains, but Fran, a 7-star magician, will take care of it.

I thought I should get approval in advance.

‘There are many people to meet.’

I confirmed that some magicians and magic engineers who will make a name for themselves in the future will attend this Horizon.

If I can bring them to the Lionel Kingdom, Emerald Palace, that would be the best. Even if not, it was necessary to contact them in advance and mark them before the great powers recognized their true value.

‘After the Horizon, it’s the Fourth Princess’s wedding.’

I spun my pen around for a moment and pondered.

The resumption of the magic stone trade with the Hamel Empire, which began with the engagement of the Fourth Princess and Fatty [a derogatory nickname]. I’m going to tear it down again.

I plan to deploy Alfonso and JiDragon to turn the Fatty’s magic stone mine into a wasteland.

If successful, it is obvious that many nobles who supported the Second Prince, especially those who were involved in the magic stone business, will defect.

‘I have to bring them in.’

Honestly, I had a lot of concerns.

If I make a mistake, it could end up drastically increasing the First Prince’s camp. I’m not the only one who will be drooling over the forces flowing out of the Second Prince’s camp.

There were three main reasons why I decided.

One, the First Prince eventually failed to overcome the wall of the 6-star knight and knelt down. It was the aftermath of me taking the Sky Flower.

‘On the other hand, Reina became a 6-star knight.’

Two, my approval rating has risen quite a bit in the process of suppressing pirates in the East. Not only to the people of the kingdom.

The Lionel Guardian Army suffered minor damage during the pirate suppression process. In addition, I showed my qualities as a commander by destroying the Joe Bayley pirate gang.

In the process, some nobles contacted me.

– Hahaha, I was really surprised to hear that the Fifth Prince beheaded Joe Bayley. By the way, this child is my second daughter…

– Your second daughter, who recently broke off her engagement after cheating…

– What, you son of a bitch! How dare you insult my daughter? Duel!

Especially the banquet before leaving the East.

I was dying trying to smile on my face in a state where I could barely stand due to the aftereffects of the demonic power.

‘The right time would be a month or two after the Fourth Princess leaves the palace, right?’

The First Prince’s camp will probably be in a festive mood. They will be thinking of embracing the forces that have defected from the Second Prince’s camp.

There, the last third.

‘Soon, the Red Star Fever will break out.’

They will be too busy taking care of the devastated South to embrace the forces that have defected from the Second Prince’s camp.

“……”

Suddenly, I turned my head and looked in the mirror.

I was curious about what kind of face I was making as I calculated the benefits I could gain by using the Red Star Fever.

Unfortunately, there was no expression left.

I was looking in the mirror like that for a while.

Knock knock.

“Your Highness, it’s Adol.”

“Come in.”

When I checked the time, it was time for the escort knights to change shifts. Now, Vernon would hand over to Adol, greet me, and leave….

Both of them hesitated and looked at me.

“What’s wrong?”

I closed the notebook and looked at them.

Adol opened his mouth with a stiff face.

“I have something to tell Your Highness.”

“What is it, with such a serious expression?”

“When Your Highness recovers, Vernon and I want to give up our positions as escort knights and return to the reserve members of the 3rd Knights. In fact, I had been thinking about it, but I have finally made up my mind.”

I stroked my chin for a moment and looked back and forth between Adol and Vernon. I could see feelings of defeat, inferiority, and things like that.

Probably because when Joe Bayley invaded the Kaikanic ship, they couldn’t do anything and just watched helplessly.

Well, it would be strange if they were laughing and joking after experiencing such a situation.

So my answer is.

“Impossible.”

Where are you going to run away after learning the [Northern Mana Training Method] completely?

“Yo, Your Highness!”

“Now, there are many seniors in the 3rd Knights who want to be Your Highness’s escort. We are… undeserving.”

I, who have experienced extreme manpower shortages in the ‘future,’ will never let go of anyone who has come into my arms.

Everyone has their own appropriate mission. Sometimes they may have talents that they themselves did not know.

Squeezing… no, identifying and placing talents in the right place is also the ability of a great monarch.

Adol Smith and Vernon Styler.

The same goes for them.

They still have talents that they don’t know about. Well, it’s not possible to discover them now.

Still, they are so intimidated.

I thought I should provide an opportunity to build confidence.

“Adol, Vernon. From today, you two will put down your swords.”

“Yes?”

“We… we are not quitting being knights, but quitting being Your Highness’s escort….”

I ignored the two’s words and continued to speak.

“From now on, Sir Adol will use a spear, and Sir Vernon will use an axe.”

“A spear?”

“An axe?”

The two’s expressions were a sight to behold.

“I will tell the royal blacksmith to prepare spears and axes for the two of you. You can think of it as a gift for your hard work.”

First of all, it is a priority to find weapons that can unleash 120% of their abilities. Originally, I was going to subtly recommend it when the two became 5-star knights, but it seemed like a good opportunity.