‘if… … Is this a calculated act?’
Unable to overcome my doubts, I had no choice but to doubt.
Even so, no matter how much I thought about it, I couldn’t understand it.
Are you giving me only good information to compete for the position of crown prince?
‘Does Honess not want to be crowned?’
Even if that’s the case, it’s natural to ask for something as much as you give… … .
‘… … There must be some misunderstanding.’
I couldn’t help but think like that.
Coincidentally, both in the previous life and in the current life, they were competing to become the successor.
Because this was really the first time.
“Are you going to look around the city and come back?”
“… … no? I’m done with my business, so I’m going back to the palace.”
I turned my gaze to the side.
There was the restless Elder and Borjen.
I did it out of Honess’ eyes.
If this was acting, there was no reason for them to make such expressions.
“… … First of all, I’ll ask for confirmation.”
“Yes, brother.”
“Are you really just going to tell me that?”
“I have no idea what my older brother is talking about.”
… … It won’t do me any harm if I just send it back.
I couldn’t understand it, so I decided to say it openly.
“Aren’t you here to talk about road-related interests? I handed over the information to get the story out.”
At this, Hornes turned his gaze back.
Then, Elder and Borjen, who had been unable to manage their expressions until now, quickly corrected their posture.
As if Honess’s eyes weren’t deceiving, he sighed a little before replying.
“no.”
“Don’t you need it? I think the eldest sons of the two counts came because of this.”
“… … I nailed it in advance that I wouldn’t ask for it, but it looks like it was leaked.”
“Why are you doing this?”
“It is your achievement to succeed Rothstein and Illami. I didn’t think it was fair to just get a spoon there.”
Only then did I begin to see what kind of person Hones was.
‘Stiff… … It’s a feeling.’
When we first met, he emphasized the duty of royalty to me.
In the conversation with the two ministers, he stubbornly insisted on his opinion.
I thought he was a person who did not compromise on things that he judged to be unreasonable.
“Then why did you come to tell me this information?”
“… … Ah, now that I think about it, there was one more thing I forgot. Congratulations, brother.”
… … congrats?
“I think it’s great that you have done what is necessary and difficult for the current kingdom. Connecting the two territories will be of great help to the kingdom.”
“… … Yes, thank you.”
Maybe it’s because it’s been a while since I’ve seen such a pure reaction, so I couldn’t get used to it.
I was also embarrassed.
“I didn’t believe it when my older brother showed a change for the first time, but I had no choice but to admit it after seeing this result.”
“Honess, let me ask you one thing.”
“Yes, ask.”
“Aren’t you aiming for the position of crown prince?”
Though I thought it was not something to say in the presence of Hones’ supporters.
Still, I had to ask.
It’s because I couldn’t find a way to see through Honess other than asking honestly.
“I think the person who should ascend to the throne should ascend. But my eldest brother does not suit me.”
“Why?”
“In my older brother’s vision, there is no kingdom development. I just want to be king.”
Hones is more responsible than Morgan for the kingdom.
He added that he was aiming for the throne for his own desire.
“Then do you consider yourself fit for the throne?”
“It lacks a lot, but at least I think it suits me better than my older brother.”
In short, the reason he has been at odds with Morgan so far is because he deviated from Hones’ standards.
In a way, I thought it was great.
To say that they continued to confront each other with only responsibility and no desire to ascend the throne.
It’s not big because of this kind of mentality, but it must have formed a solid force.
Should I say that she is innocent enough for a 14-year-old?
I don’t know if I should say it’s unusual.
“Then what do I think?”
“If you don’t change and keep building these achievements, I won’t stop you.”
The pupils of Elder and Borjen, who had been silently listening to this, shook greatly.
It was a natural reaction since it was said that he acknowledged me depending on the situation.
“Did what I did look like something I did for the kingdom?”
“You didn’t move only for the sake of the kingdom. But I am convinced.”
“assurance?”
“There may be many reasons, but the first reason is that I moved to solve the kingdom’s problems.”
The confident Hones looked really upright.
It was quite different from the feeling of an innocent or ignorant boy.
It was like watching a noble knight who lives and dies for his convictions.
‘… … .’
At this, I felt a little shake.
After all, it is because of his lust for power that he is at odds with Morgan.
Is this really different from my case?
I too want to become the crown prince not for the sake of the kingdom, but for revenge.
There is a difference between lust for power and desire for revenge, but isn’t it the same in terms of personal reasons?
‘… … For now, let’s clean it up.’
Putting aside my thoughts for a moment, I opened my mouth.
“I know what you mean. Still, I gave you this information, but I don’t like sending it just because I don’t like it.”
Excluding the emotions I felt while watching Hones’ words and actions.
When I looked at the truth, I thought it was worth being with him.
He is not a person who can fight to the end in a race for the throne.
In any case, Honess’ solid power will be of great help when confronting Morgan, the biggest enemy of the moment.
Even considering the current and future benefits alone, it was worth reaching out.
“If you really don’t like it, I won’t hold you back, but if you’re willing to talk about the benefits of the road, come visit me. I will think about it.”
It was only then that the faces of Elder and Borjen, who had been nervous, widened.
Then, I carefully looked at Hones.
He pondered for a moment, then answered with a small courtesy.
“I will think about it. Thank you for the favor, brother.”
* * *
A few days after the conversation.
Hones asked for a meeting with some of the most representative of his supporters.
As a result, although not a direct share of interest to them.
According to the following, it gave the right to a level that could benefit sufficiently.
I’ve already gotten some helpful information.
In the future, it was not a bad deal for me as I had built a cooperative relationship.
After finishing the meeting with Hones, he headed to the palace.
It was to have a private meeting with the queen regarding the Resurrection Church.
“It’s a pretty quick reunion, Cruz.”
“How have you been, Mama?”
After a brief exchange of regards, we immediately got to the point.
“I came to report information about the Resurrection Church.”
“Oh, are you talking already?”
“yes. There was one suspicious person, but we caught it and confirmed that it was the Resurrection Church.”
“… … .”
The queen’s eyes, which were full of interest, were savage.
A look of intense rebuke, as if he had acted recklessly on a matter that should have been dealt with carefully.
But maybe it’s because of what I’ve done so far.
The Queen asked, tempering her emotions.
“Tell me specifically.”
A slightly angry voice.
But I was not taken aback and explained what had happened.
“Crus.”
“Yes, Mama.”
“Did you forget what I asked you to do?”
“I haven’t forgotten.”
“Then why did you move so recklessly? They have a magic trick. Even if we move hastily, there will be no results, and it will only increase our vigilance.”
Including the Queen’s reaction, the flow so far was all as expected.
It was a device to clearly imprint my existence and effectiveness.
“I moved because I could solve it.”
“… … !”
Surprise and disbelief flashed in the Queen’s eyes.
‘… … That’s what Cruz says, I’m not lying.’
No matter how much you solve the magic formula of the maxim?
It is a technique that even the great families have struggled with for a long time.
I heard that the bastard of the Ronberg family, who died five years ago, was the only one who solved it… … .
Tuk-tuk.
The queen, lost in thought, knocked on the desk without realizing it.
It was an unconscious habit.
“It’s a spirit.”
The words of the queen, uttered as if chanting.
I couldn’t help but be surprised by this.
It was unreasonable for me, who is only a 4 star, to unravel the magic of the motto, so I came up with a reason to explain it.
That was Skadi.
I had prepared to say that the spirit that had made a pact with Nicola Ronberg informed me.
‘Seeing that you’ve pinpointed it with such precision, it means that you know quite well about the Feyere Continent as well.’
The information he was permitted to receive earlier was only what the Queen handed over to him.
There must be more information gathered in the first-class reading room.
“The spirit that contracted with me had knowledge about him.”
“… … This is kind of surprising. Not only did he make a contract with the spirits at such a low level, but the target was the spirit king.”
It was well-known information that the target that I, or Nicola, signed a contract with was the Dark Spirit King.
So it was no surprise that the Queen knew.
“I was hiding it because I wanted to avoid confusion as much as possible.”
“I understand. But it’s a big deal, the spirit is telling me about the previous contractor’s work.”
Ordinary spirits do not mention things in the past.
Because they live a much longer lifespan than humans, they can get entangled in many problems.
‘Skadi is unique.’
Even when I was reunited, I was angry at what I was beaten by the 4 generations and sympathized with revenge… … .
It could be seen that Skadi was very unusual.
“Is there any other information you obtained?”
“There are still more.”
After that, I disclosed all the information I obtained from Syke.
Then, as if rethinking the plan in her head, the queen fell into django.
“Crus.”
“Yes, Mama.”
“Then does the spirit you contracted have all the experience and knowledge of fighting the Resurrection Church?”
“I do. They are grinding their teeth because they tried to subjugate the spirits.”
“I will give you a choice.”
“A choice means… … ?”
“Are you willing to join the operation of Amcheongdae?”
“… … !”
The Queen was aware of the adverse effects the Church of Resurrection had on the continent of Feyer.
That’s why the assassination squad was moving only for the king from generation to generation.
“Even if you have the information of the contracted spirit, it won’t be easy. It doesn’t matter if you move separately like you’ve always done.”
“… … .”
I thought for a while.
It was an unspoken protest asking for power to reveal my intelligence to the queen.
If you do that, you can get better results.
‘But I didn’t expect to be given such a great opportunity.’
There were a few people in the kingdom whom only the king could move.
One of them was Amcheongdae.
Even if it was for the sake of the annihilation of the Resurrection Church.
It was a proposal that others could see as if the queen had appointed me as the next crown prince.
“I will tell you, I will not order them to obey you.”
“That means… … .”
“It is said that whether you can handle them depends only on your ability.”
“I will take it.”
I was surprised, but it was nothing to worry about.
If you can do this, of course you will gain the Queen’s trust greatly.
It was an opportunity to reach out in advance to a very useful force group.
“Okay, I’ll call you when the time is decided.”
“Then I will just leave.”
The business was over, so I was about to go back.
The Queen called me over with a wink.
“Are the preparations for the New Year’s party going well?”
Preparations for the New Year’s party meant road construction.
“of course.”
“Come to think of it, I didn’t appreciate your credit.”
“… … yes?”
“It’s not just for the kingdom, but I think it’s commendable enough.”
Even though he actively agreed with the queen’s words, he remained silent because he did something.
“So, at the New Year’s party, I will give you a small present.”