I Became the Youngest Prince in the Novel

TL/Editor: Rungir

Schedule: none

Illustrations: none

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It was a simple story.

The Sky Poison had reached the heavens, capable of killing even those transcendent beings, but the duration of its effect spanned several decades.

Moreover, the method was so complex that one couldn't even attempt it without being in close proximity to the target.

Therefore, it was almost expected that one of the Sword King's sons would be a demon.

Even if that weren't the case, Zion, having read the chronicles, was already aware of this being.

Thud, rolling across the floor—

It happened all too suddenly.

In a situation where everyone was too stunned to move, only able to widen their eyes in shock, the head of Raily Ascalon rolled across the ground.

'I never thought he would reveal his identity so blatantly.'

Zion chuckled lightly as he approached Raily's body, maintaining the blade of his Annihilation Sword.

Step, step.

Geluto.

He was a high-ranking demon who had killed Raily Ascalon decades ago and taken his place, serving directly under the demon king, Oma.

In the chronicles, the Sword King dies, and not long after, the demon meets his end at the hands of a hero.

However, Zion had no intention of waiting until then or leaving Ludwig to die.

Each of these changes would accumulate, potentially altering the main storyline.

"Ra-Raily! Prince Zion, what is this...!"

Felix Ascalon, the third son, finally snapped back to reality, expressing his confusion as he tried to approach Zion, but—

"Stay where you are."

The cold voice of the Sword King stopped him.

It seemed Ludwig had already known the true identity of his second son for some time.

He just couldn't eliminate him and had left him be.

Scribble, scribble!

Reaching right in front of Geluto disguised as Raily, Zion began inscribing a magic circle on his body.

'It's better to reveal his identity to make these foolish sons of the Sword King understand.'

This scene was similar to when he faced the high-ranking demon Hiduk at the university's magic tower, but there was one difference.

The effect of the magic circle was incomparably more potent than before.

As evidence, before he could even complete the magic circle, Geluto let out a piercing scream, reverting to his original form.

'It's definitely improved.'

As Zion watched, stepping back and smiling slightly—

"You despicable Agnes bloodline!!!!"

Geluto, now reverted to his crocodile-like original form, began charging at Zion like a madman.

His demonic energy appeared far stronger than other high-ranking demons Zion had faced, though not quite at the level of Kezarus.

Yet, even as the demon rushed towards him, Zion's face remained utterly calm.

After all, he had no intention of facing Geluto directly.

"What are you doing? Why aren't you killing him?"

Zion spoke to Kalid and Felix, the first and third sons, who stood dazed, watching the scene.

"Ah, understood!"

Finally snapping out of their daze, the two rushed past Zion towards Geluto.

Unable to grasp the turn of events, the Ascalon brothers could not deny the demonic energy emanating from the being they once called a brother.

The ensuing clash caused such an explosive aftermath that the entire Cheongeomdang began to shake.

'This will be over soon,' Zion thought, observing the confrontation.

Geluto, a high-ranking demon of sufficient renown to be mentioned in the chronicles, was strong, but he had picked the wrong opponents.

"You! What have you done to Raily?"

Kalid Ascalon, the first son of the Sword King and the top successor.

"And how dare a mere lowly demon like you!"

Felix Ascalon, the third son and the third in line for succession.

Though a bit lacking in intelligence, both were monsters ranked within the top ten in terms of combat strength within the family.

Being two of the most formidable swordsmen in the entire empire, the outcome was obvious.

After all, Geluto had chosen the position of a strategist because he couldn't match the physical prowess of his two brothers.

Then,

"What will you do now, Your Highness?" Ludwig's voice reached Zion's ears.

Of course, he was asking about Zion's next move after dealing with the demon.

"The answer has already been given by you."

The purge of the vermin corroding the family.

Zion had no intention of ending it here.

If that were the case, he wouldn't have started in the first place.

Zion intended to use this opportunity to remove every demonic influence shrouding the Ascalon family.

"…Is there a way?" Ludwig asked, his eyes filling with doubt and surprise once more.

The darkness that had seeped into the entire family was something he had long been aware of.

But, lacking a way to discern it, even Ludwig had been helpless to do anything until now.

Zion, responding not with words but with a slight smile, conveyed enough.

"Ah, finally…"

The Sword King's eyes and voice began to tremble.

He couldn't help but believe.

After all, Prince Zion had just flawlessly identified a demon right before his eyes.

"Let's start with the first treatment."

Zion approached Ludwig, drawing the Black Star Sword in his hand.

He needed to get the Sword King mobile at the very least.

-Aaaargh! Zion Agnes!

Behind Zion, Geluto's screams of demise echoed, brought about by the Sword King's two sons.

---

---

In the Ascalon family, the largest building was undeniably the Daegomdang.

A place with an indoor training hall spacious enough to accommodate everyone in the family, even if all were to train simultaneously.

Inside this Daegomdang, numerous people had gathered.

From high-ranking members of the family to mere employees doing menial tasks.

'It seems like everyone in the family has been summoned.'

Among those gathered in the Daegomdang, Rohanna Ascalon looked around and clicked her tongue.

The reason everyone had been called here was one and the same: the Family Head's summoning order.

This was a instruction that only the Family Head of the Ascalon could issue, and naturally, no one could refuse it.

'What's happening all of a sudden?'

Questions filled Rohanna's eyes. This was the first time such a summoning had occurred since she was born.

Moreover, knowing the current condition of the Family Head, her doubts only deepened.

"What is this about?"

"Indeed. Do you know why the summoning order was issued?"

"Not at all. The Family Head said nothing before this."

"Huh, this is really..."

She overheard the conversations of the elders, who held almost the highest positions in the family. It seemed that even they were unaware of the reason behind the summoning.

'Surely, the summoning order came after Prince Zion went to the Cheongeomdang.'

That meant the current situation was likely related to Prince Zion.

'Just who is that man...'

She had heard numerous stories about him, but the real Prince Zion she saw surpassed all expectations. From defeating Lucas in swordsmanship to nonchalantly entering the forbidden area only accessible to the Family Head.

The impression he left, despite their brief encounter, was indelibly strong.

As Rohanna was recalling Prince Zion's face,

"Has everyone gathered?"

A low but powerful voice reached the ears of everyone in the Daegomdang, including Rohanna.

"…!"

Eyes widened in recognition of the voice's owner.

Heads naturally turned towards the source of the voice.

And there,

"Family Head!"

They saw Ludwig Ascalon approaching.

One step, two steps.

Though the Sword King's steps were slow and awkward, as if he had been bedridden for a long time, the dignity emanating from him was no less than before.

Surprise filled the eyes of those watching him.

It was inevitable, considering the Family Head, who had not shown himself for a whole year and stayed only in the Cheongeomdang, was now appearing before them.

Moreover, the few who knew the truth were shifting from surprise to outright shock.

'The Family Head's condition was such that he couldn't even lift a finger on his own...!'

Following behind the approaching Ludwig were the Cheonsanggeomdan Durandal, the direct military force under the Family Head, and two heirs, quickly catching up to him.

Their faces were colder than ever.

'Why isn't Raily showing up?'

As people's faces clouded with confusion over the strange atmosphere and the absence of the Sword King's second son,

"It's been a long time since I've seen you all."

Ludwig, who had naturally taken the seat of honor, looked down at the people of the family and began to speak.

Could he really be one of the 'Seven Heavens'?

Despite being only just able to move, the Sword King's aura was enough to overwhelm everyone present in the Daegomdang.

"Family Head, may I ask why you have issued the summoning order?"

An elder managed to muster the courage to ask Ludwig.

To this, the Sword King, after a brief glance at the elder, began,

"Long ago, darkness began to seep into our Ascalon."

His voice was low but clear.

"This process was so quiet and secretive that no one noticed, and now, the Ascalon has been completely overrun by this darkness."

The meaning of his words was unclear, deepening the confusion on the faces of those present.

But undeterred, the head of the Ascalon family continued.

"But today,"

His eyes shone with a cold light.

"All that darkness engulfing the Ascalon will be purged."

"What do you mean by..."

Then, step by step.

A single set of footsteps echoed in everyone's ears, distinct despite their softness.

Drawn by the peculiarity of these steps, people's gazes were irresistibly pulled towards the source.

Step -

Again, the sound of footsteps, as one man emerged.

It was Zion.

"Pr-Prince Zion!"

His unexpected appearance caused a stir among the crowd.

Step by step.

Zion, feeling the agitation of the people, slowly walked towards the center of the Daegomdang.

Everyone's eyes were fixed on him, unable to look away.

As Zion walked, the crowd slowly parted for him.

"Your Highness, I entrust this to you,"

Ludwig whispered, looking at Zion who had swiftly taken control of the Daegomdang and was approaching the center, his eyes filled with longing.

Now, it was Zion's domain, not his.

"So many have gathered."

At the center of the Daegomdang, Zion scanned the faces of the Ascalon family members.

Doubt, confusion, anxiety.

Eyes filled with various emotions.

Zion looked back at them and smiled slightly.

Soon, these emotions would turn into anger and fear, dividing them.

Was Zion's smile a signal?

Whoosh!

A huge magic circle, centered around Zion's feet, began to emit a bright red light.

It was the improved anti-demon circle he had engraved in the center of the Daegomdang before people gathered.

"This, this is...!"

The chilling light prompted people around to start voicing their panic.

But Zion, undisturbed, dropped a single drop of demonic blood, previously obtained from Priscilla, into the magic circle.

Whooosh!

The red light intensified and brightened.

Amidst the growing agitation of the people, Zion extended one hand to the side and grasped at the air.

Shrrrrrr!

What Zion's hand clasped was not the Annihilation Sword Eclaxia.

A peculiar spear, two meters in length, intricately engraved with strange characters.

The Dragon Explosion Spear, Agdvar.

A legendary weapon forged from the fang of the Black Dragon Kalonix, it was the final key to execute Zion's altered plan.

Creak!

Immense magical power converged at the tip of the spear.

"Prince Zion, what exactly are you doing…!"

Originally, Zion had no intention of activating the circle in this manner.

To activate the circle, a skilled magician was needed, and multiple activations were required to cover the entire area.

But now, it was possible.

The effect of Agdvar was to amplify and expand mana.

"Lock the doors."

With Zion's voice, as cold as ice, clank!

All the doors of the Daegomdang were completely shut and locked, sealing off the inside from the outside.

In the center of the isolated Daegomdang, Zion finally thrust Agdvar into the heart of the circle.

Whoosh!

A wave emanated from the spear, spreading throughout the entire Daegomdang.

A moment of silence followed.

Then, the next instant, screeches!

Countless cries of demonic beasts began to fill the Daegomdang.