Exiled Prince: I'm the Unexpected Extra in the Novel

Despite Fredrinn's humiliating gesture, William composed himself.

He returned to his chair.

He cleared his throat with a slight cough, his face once again adorned with that professional and self-assured expression.

Father Andreas sat silently beside him, observing their surroundings with calm yet piercing eyes.

"Lord Fredrinn, I will get straight to the point without beating around the bush," William said, his voice formal and cold.

"As you know, a particularly valuable and private property belonging to the Second Prince, Charles, has disappeared due to an unfortunate incident that occurred in your territory."

He paused, waiting a moment to gauge Fredrinn's reaction.

"This situation has not pleased Prince Charles in the slightest."

"He was expecting an explanation from you regarding this matter and information about his lost property."

"But the only response he received to his letters was silence."

"Therefore, we were compelled to come here to better understand the situation and to submit a report to the Prince."

William placed his hands on the table and leaned forward slightly.

"I demand that you share any important information you have acquired about the incident."

"And that you guide us tomorrow in our inspection of the merchant building where the unfortunate event took place."

Fredrinn had not so much as twitched a muscle throughout this demanding speech.

He leaned back deeper into his imposing armchair, one hand resting under his chin.

An inscrutable expression was etched on his face.

"And why should I help you with that?"

The air in the room froze.

This simple but unexpected question hung in the silence.

The confident expression on William's face cracked.

"Pardon? I believe we must have misheard you, Lord Fredrinn."

"No, you heard me correctly," Fredrinn said, his voice calm yet perilous.

"Why should I help you?"

"And who told you that you could conduct a search in my territory as you please?"

William's confidence was giving way to anger.

"This is the mercy of the Second Prince, Charles!"

"Though his private property was lost in your territory, he is showing you mercy by giving you a chance to atone for your mistake!"

"Do you intend to show ingratitude here?"

These words were the last straw.

A crushing, heavy aura emanated from Fredrinn's body, instantly filling the room.

William and Father Andreas tensed in their seats under the sudden pressure, their breath catching in their throats.

It was as if all the air had been sucked out of the room, replaced by a heavy weight.

"You," Fredrinn said, fixing his eyes on William.

"You don't seem to quite understand where you are."

His voice was no longer calm.

Like the silence before a storm, every word was laden with threat.

"This is not your Empire or a territory bound to it. This is the free city of Veythral."

"Your Prince's edicts hold no power here."

He stood and walked around the table, approaching them.

"And tell me, what business could your Prince possibly have with a merchant building in a lawless city, one that manages sordid affairs like slavery?"

"Or has the Imperial Family taken an interest in corruption lately?"

"Have you grown tired of being nobles?"

"I wonder, if this news were to spread in the Empire, how would the common folk react?"

This time, Fredrinn fixed his piercing gaze on Father Andreas.

"And for the Holy Church to be involved in this..."

"Is this your way of defending the Second Prince?"

"Has the Church now become the patron of slave traders?"

William wanted to respond, but he couldn't even open his mouth under the pressure.

"And you dare to blame me for your Prince losing his private property?" Fredrinn roared.

"You had best watch your words, because next time, I will rip that tongue from your mouth!"

A heavy silence descended upon the room.

Fredrinn turned back to William.

"Now I will ask you once, you gold-trimmed dog."

"Is the Imperial Family responsible for every crime committed and every incident that occurs within the Empire?"

Fredrinn eased his aura slightly.

As the pressure lifted, William took a deep, shuddering breath.

"N-no! Of course not!"

"Then by what logic do you have the audacity to declare me guilty simply because it happened in my territory?"

"I... I, well..."

"I am awaiting an answer, you gilded dog!"

"To attempt to accuse me, in my own territory... Who granted you that right?"

William was at a loss, crushed by the verbal assault and overwhelming pressure.

Just then, Father Andreas tried to intervene.

"Lord Fredrinn, please forgive William's crude behavior. He is merely trying to carry out the Prince's orders."

"He is under pressure and wishes to do his utmost for this investigation."

Fredrinn looked the priest up and down before speaking.

"You would do well to hold your tongue from now on."

Father Andreas continued, "Lord Fredrinn, you must understand that we cannot return without any answers."

"The 'property' that disappeared from the slave trader's building was truly of great importance to the Second Prince, Charles."

"It would be mutually beneficial if you would at least help us inspect the scene and obtain some answers."

"After all, the Second Prince never forgets a kindness done unto him, nor a slight."

Fredrinn understood the reality behind this veiled threat and promise all too well.

After a moment's thought, he sat back down in his chair.

"Very well. You may inspect the site tomorrow. My men will guide you."

"Thank you for your understanding, Lord Fredrinn."

"I'm not doing this as a favor," said Fredrinn. "You will have to pay the price."

"May we ask what you desire?" the priest asked cautiously.

"Considering the wealth of the Empire, it shouldn't be too difficult. I want 100,000 mana stones."

"It is quite hard to find mana stones around here, and the merchants from the Empire sell them at exorbitant prices."

"Lord Fredrinn, I understand your request, but this... this is a rather expensive demand."

"I am not asking you to give us the mana stones for free. I want you to sell them to us at a suitable discount."

"Something like a 70% discount."

"Lord Fredrinn, that is still a very expensive request."

"Suit yourselves. If the Second Prince doesn't want his 'precious property' that badly, that is his choice. But my offer stands."

The priest and William glanced at each other for a moment.

It was not even certain that their search would yield what they were looking for.

To pay such a heavy price in spite of that was hardly logical.

They needed to get permission from the Second Prince before they could agree to this.

Mana stones were exceedingly rare in this world. For them to form, they had to spend tens, even hundreds of years in regions rich with mana, far from living beings, where mana was not used. They were generally used to power magical staves, weapons, or certain magical devices that managed daily life.

"Lord Fredrinn, if you'll permit us, we must first discuss this with Prince Charles. We will give you an answer tomorrow."

"As you wish. We shall see each other tomorrow, then."

The priest and William stood, bid their farewells, and left the room.

When Father Andreas and William returned to their luxurious suite, they first made sure the room was not being listened in on.

Once certain, they placed a magical device on the table.

It was an extremely expensive artifact used for long-distance, secure communication.

After a few minutes, a shimmering image emanated from the device.

In the image appeared a young boy.

Golden-blond hair, meticulously combed and tied back.

Brilliant blue eyes that screamed of power and nobility.

He was dressed in fine, noble attire.

This was the Second Prince of the Empire, Charles.

The moment they saw the image, William and the priest dropped to one knee.

"Report," the Prince spoke.

His voice, contradicting his youthful appearance, carried the overwhelming authority of a ruler.

"Yes, Your Highness!" they answered in unison.

It was William who gave the report.

He recounted everything in detail: the way Fredrinn had received them, his disrespectful words, his lack of fear of the Empire, and the insolent offer he had presented.

Throughout the report, Charles kept his eyes closed, rhythmically tapping the armrest of his throne with a finger.

He was listening intently.

When William finished, Charles said nothing for a while.

He simply remained still with his eyes closed.

Then, he opened them.

The crushing aura that radiated from him could be felt even through the image.

"An old noble who chose to become a barbarian..."

"...just because he has become the leader of a worthless territory and a herd of fools, does he think himself my equal, to strike a deal with me?" he said, his voice as cold as ice.

"100,000 mana stones? Does he take us for fools?"

Charles focused his gaze on William.

"Pack your things and leave that territory tomorrow."

William spoke in astonishment.

"But Your Highness... what about the fairy you desire?"

"Are you a fool, William? They must have already erased all traces. And that barbarian Lord has no intention of helping us."

This time, it was Father Andreas who spoke.

"So, are we to leave the territory just like that, without having done anything, Your Highness?"

A cold, ruthless smirk appeared on Charles's face.

"Of course, we will not let them get away with this."

"Before you leave, get rid of a few of the people Fredrinn holds dear. That will be a fitting punishment for him."

"Oh, and don't worry about the relations between the Empire and Veythral. I, and all the noble houses loyal to me, will cut off all commercial and military ties with Veythral."

"That will be a good enough punishment for now."

"And when the time comes..."

"...I want Fredrinn's head at my feet."

As the conversation continued, a small spider, blended into the shadows of the room, watched them all.

Its red eyes filtered through the darkness.

They flickered with a faint glint of intelligence, as if committing every word to memory.