I Became the Youngest Prince in the Novel

TL/Editor: Rungir

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The Breath of the Ice Queen.

As the auctioneer had just mentioned, it was a famous relic from the ancient north, before the empire was established.

It was high-ranking and potent, even among legendary artifacts.

No matter the user's skill, it enabled them to use ice magic up to level 7, and if they were skilled enough, even level 8 magic could be possible.

It was an unbelievably powerful ring.

'Isn't it two months from now?'

Zion remembered the chronicle as he looked at the ring.

That ring, set for auction tonight, was meant to appear two months later.

As a disaster that destroyed half the capital, the 'Frozen Night'.

'Of course, that ring alone can't cause such a disaster.'

The 'Breath of the Ice Queen' was an amazing relic, but strictly speaking, it was only one part of an unfinished whole.

Only when all the other pieces came together, could it be transformed into a new mythical-grade artifact and really show its power.

Zion guessed that the 'Frozen Night' disaster would happen when this mythical-grade artifact was complete.

Of course, if Zion himself got that ring, the disaster would be avoided.

'There's another reason why I must have the ring.'

The buzz inside the auction house didn't die down until Zion finished thinking.

No, the room was getting colder, but people's excitement was heating up.

"How much extra money do we have? Bring it all. If there's none, sell something else."

"Should we bid together? We'll share the item based on how much each of us paid."

A man in a serious discussion with a bodyguard, a woman in a fox mask suggesting a joint bid to the person next to her.

People with greedy looks were trying to get the 'Breath of the Ice Queen'.

"Who brought such an item to the auction..."

Even Aileen, who usually hides her feelings, couldn't control her excitement and muttered beside him.

'Is this the reaction to just one legendary item?'

Zion thought, remembering the royal palace's hidden treasure room he had visited.

The wall of that room was covered with dozens of legendary weapons that Zion had seen.

Plus, there were three mythical-grade weapons, truly the greatest treasure of the royal city.

"Before we start the auction, we're increasing the number of guards. We appreciate your understanding."

Before the auctioneer had even finished speaking, the number of guards in the room tripled.

Each guard looked strong and capable.

Of course, the bidders brought their own security too, and many powerful noble families were present, so the chance of any trouble was very low.

Still, they aimed to lower that small chance even further.

The auctioneer continued speaking once everyone had settled down.

"We'll now start today's final auction. The starting price is 3 billion."

It was a price far higher than anything seen before, a record-breaking starting price.

However.

-40 billion from number 34! 50 billion from number 57!

Three billion Del could buy a mansion in the capital's priciest area in the empire's currency.

And yet, people were raising their bids without a second thought.

"150 billion!"

"......180 billion!"

People were shouting their bids, not waiting for the auctioneer's turn.

The price for the ring skyrocketed but showed no signs of slowing down.

In fact, it was getting more intense.

-200 billion! Now we'll go up in 50 billion steps... As I say this, 250 billion! 300 billion!

The numbers were rising so fast the auctioneer couldn't even mention who was bidding.

Level 7 Ice Magic.

The artifact could be used by anyone, even if they didn't know magic, just by wearing it.

So, it was infinitely useful.

Considering the status a level 7 magician has in the Magic Tower, it would be a win to get the bid, no matter how much it cost.

"Whoever wins the bid, it's going to stir things up in the capital for a bit, right? The Ice Queen's relic hitting the market..."

Aileen said, watching the wild auction with a bored face.

"......"

Zion watched the auction quietly.

'Isn't he bidding?'

Aileen was confused by Zion's inaction.

'Even if Prince Zion is rich, he wouldn't have that much to spend personally.'

She convinced herself quickly.

While it was normal for a direct descendant of the world-ruling Agnes family to be immensely rich, Prince Zion was an exception.

Zion's reputation had only started to grow a few months ago, not even half a year.

Before that, he had been pretty much inactive, so he wouldn't have personal wealth, and he hadn't had time to secure funds afterward.

Every resource he had was being funneled into establishing his organization.

-850 billion! 900 billion!

As she considered this, the auction continued unabated.

"......1 trillion!"

Finally, a bid in the trillions was announced.

Could even the wealthiest nobles of the capital have more than a trillion in cash to spare?

With that staggering bid, the number of participants quickly dwindled.

What remained were a few individuals, great nobles recognized by name alone.

-1.8 trillion from number 44! Is there anyone who can top 1.8 trillion?

The competition seemed to come to an end as no further hands were raised following the auctioneer's call.

A smile appeared on the lips of number 44, the final bidder.

Number 44 was none other than the woman with the peculiar snake tattoo, the one Zion had first asked Aileen about.

-Now, I will repeat the final three bids...

Just then, a hand was raised.

-Number 11, 1.85 trillion!!!

Immediately, the room's attention was drawn to number 11, the bidder.

There sat Zion, his eyes as nonchalant as always.

As people speculated on Zion's identity.

-Number 44, 1.9 trillion!

The woman from number 44 raised her hand once again.

-Back to number 11, 1.95 trillion!

Zion swiftly countered.

Aileen, sitting beside him, looked at Zion with widened eyes.

She was likely wondering whether he had such enormous funds, but Zion appeared perfectly calm.

'He wouldn't have entered the auction if he couldn't afford it.'

What happens when an organization possessing the world's most extensive information leverages it for business?

-……Number 44, 2.1 trillion!

And what if such business has been ongoing since the foundation of the Agnes Empire centuries ago?

The Shadow of Eternity chose to be self-sufficient, refusing the empire's support to maintain secrecy.

Consequently, they accumulated a vast fortune, its magnitude currently unmeasurable.

This explained why Thierry assured Zion that he could purchase the entire auction house.

-Number 11, 2.2 trillion!!!!

The auctioneer's voice echoed excitedly as Zion raised his hand again.

Then silence fell.

The room's gaze returned to number 44.

The woman who no longer raised her hand.

-I will repeat the final bid three times. 2.2 trillion! 2.2 trillion! …….

Even as the final bid was repeated, the woman's hand remained down.

Applause erupted.

The auction hall was filled with applause.

At this, a faint smile appeared on Zion's lips.

---

---

The auction concluded shortly after that.

'Not bad.'

Zion inspected the 'Breath of the Frost Queen' nestled in its magic-treated ring box as he exited the venue with Aileen.

The sum he had spent might make Thierry, who had given him the black card, wince, but the artifact was worth the price.

Just then, a voice approached him.

"Congratulations."

The speaker was a woman with a seductive figure outlined by her figure-hugging dress, a snake tattoo gnawing its own tail adorned her left shoulder.

It was number 44, who had vied with Zion for the prize until the final moments of the auction.

"You've become the owner of the Frost Queen's most powerful artifact."

"Thanks to you."

Zion's eyes glowed with icy detachment as he regarded the woman through his mask.

He knew her identity.

Sharin May.

One of the leaders of 'Ouroboros,' the most notorious criminal organization mentioned in the chronicles.

'Ouroboros' operated under the destructive ideology that the world, caught in a perpetual cycle of creation and cessation, needed annihilation to facilitate a fresh start.

This belief led them to clash with the Hero repeatedly, obstructing world salvation at every turn.

The 'Frozen Night,' set to happen in the capital two months hence, was the handiwork of the 'Ouroboros,' the organization Sharin belonged to.

'Originally, she should have been the one to win the Breath of the Frost Queen today.'

However, Zion had already subverted this fate.

At that moment, Sharin, standing before him, spoke again.

"Are you aware that objects possessing legends or similar tales often choose their own masters? Should an individual lacking the proper qualifications seize such an item, they could be harmed, even face death, much like the former owner of that accursed necklace you acquired earlier."

Her eyes narrowed behind her mask.

"Do you genuinely believe you are worthy of wielding the Breath of the Frost Queen?"

A chuckle escaped Zion as he stared unflinchingly into Sharin's eyes.

He found it increasingly bemusing that his qualifications were being questioned.

"I reckon I'm more suitable than you."

"We'll see about that soon enough."

Sharin, responding to Zion's words with a knowing smile, bid him a flirtatious farewell before leisurely distancing herself.

"......"

Zion watched her retreat for a moment before moving on.

He knew he would have to confront her eventually, but not today.

He still had tasks to attend to that evening.

"......That's the same woman who initially asked about your identity, right? An odd one she is. And her aura didn't feel quite right. I'll report back once I confirm who she is."

Aileen, having walked alongside Zion, voiced her observation before promptly summoning the magic vehicle she had arranged to await them upon exiting the auction house.

"Is there only one vehicle?"

"Yes. It's preferable for security and route planning. Does that pose an issue?"

"I've no objections, but you might regret this decision."

"......Excuse me?"

Aileen's eyes registered confusion at Zion's cryptic remark, but Zion had already slid into the magical car, leaving her question unanswered.

With a nonplussed shrug, she too hopped into the vehicle and promptly set it in motion.

Vrooom!

Could it be the auction had run longer than anticipated?

It was deep into the night, nearing midnight, and the capital's streets through which they drove were eerily quiet and deserted.

Occasionally, they spotted magical cars carrying other nobles, presumably fellow attendees of the auction.

In due course, even those few vehicles dwindled from view, leaving Zion and Aileen's car as the lone traveler on the road.

"Has it finally arrived?"

Zion, who had remained pensive and silent since entering the car, broke his silence with an icy tone.

"Huh? What do you mean......"

As Aileen's eyes filled with puzzlement once again.

Kaboom!

A tremendous force rocked them from the side, utterly obliterating the magical car carrying Zion.

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