The Crown Prince Who Raises a Side Character

#15 New Adventurer Bern (13) – Even the Devil Cringes

#15 New Adventurer Bern (13) – Even the Devil Cringes

The Izehern Empire. The capital, Kalastia. The Golden Cloud Palace.

Deep within the palace renowned throughout the Empire for its beauty and grandeur, Crown Prince Alond let out a low murmur.

“Troubling, this is.”

[Why? A feast laid out, spoon even provided. Just gobble it up, no?]

Lucidra could not comprehend Alond’s hesitation.

In her estimation, Blanca’s appearance was quite agreeable.

Given her profession as an adventurer, likely not one for elaborate adornment, this level meant a superior natural endowment.

Such a one approaches, presenting herself, and he hesitates?

[Or perhaps, you lack… experience in such matters? If so, this older sister could provide a… comprehensive education? Hmm?]

Lucidra’s sweet and seductive voice, whispering languidly, possessed a charm to flutter the hearts of many a man, yet Alond’s face remained indifferent.

No, beyond indifferent, bordering on… pitying?

[Hey! What’s with that look?]

“I lament your painfully limited perspective, that is all.”

[This little shit… I might just kill him.]

“A full-blown battle with the Crown Prince in the heart of the Imperial Palace? I applaud your courage in seeking to personally enact the tale of one against a thousand.”

Toward Lucidra, who gritted her teeth, having utterly abandoned any pretense of a seductive aura, the Crown Prince calmly explained,

“I know not what it was like in the days of your confinement, but these days, any family with any semblance of breeding includes instruction on the proper… more bluntly put, defenses against honey traps. And you believe I, the Crown Prince, would have neglected such education?”

Of course, it couldn’t be helped. How could they leave alone a member of the Imperial family, who should be leading the empire, bewitched by a woman, offering up her liver and gall bladder? Naturally, they had to train and prevent it, beforehand.

He could make bales of parchment just from the list of social gatherings and balls he’d attended.

When one becomes the Crown Prince of the Empire, even love is less a personal matter and more a field of politics. Surprisingly, few approach easily, but conversely, once they do approach, they really commit.

A reversal of fate. Compared to women with bloodshot eyes under the pretense of family restoration, Blanca’s shy flirtations could even be called endearing.

[Wouldn’t that be even better? If you don’t have to worry about being swayed because you’re infatuated with someone, you can just enjoy the fun parts. Pleasure without responsibility.]

“Your… level of morality is astonishing. Truly, a Great Devil is different.”

Alond clapped, seemingly with genuine admiration. The fact that he wasn’t being sarcastic, but purely evaluative, was even more infuriating.

“I wouldn’t mind if she approached with political intentions, but to exploit the weakness of someone desperate to save their mother and take their body? There’s no scum lower than that. That is no true adventurer.”

[Honestly, most of these so-called adventurers would probably just gobble it up and wipe their mouths clean…]

Alond ignored him.

“Well, I roughly understand the situation. ‘Adventurer Bern’ has no intention of abandoning Blanca to be with others, but she doesn’t know that, so she must be anxious. So, she’s trying to hold him by establishing a physical relationship, even so.”

[You know, you act so intellectual, but the way you put it into words like that is even more inconsiderate?]

“First, I need to boost her self-esteem. The lower a person’s self-evaluation, the easier it is for them to depend on others. It was a good idea to have the ring prepared. If this enhances Blanca’s abilities, then she, who was driven into a mental corner, can become self-reliant again. Perfect.”

[…….]

Well. Would it really be that easy?

Lucidra thought so, but remained silent, deliberately.

It wasn’t absolutely, positively a ploy to make you suffer for ignoring me.

The Great Devil Lucidra, who had transcended the limitations of the succubus race and established herself as a unique species, could never be so petty.

Probably.

*

“I’ll do anything.”

After Blanca declared that, Bern stared at her in silence for a long, long while.

And the longer the silence stretched, the more Blanca trembled with anxiety and unease.

The harder she tried to suppress it, the worse the trembling became, her heart pounding so fiercely she felt almost faint.

Was that too blatant?

Did he think her cheap, and look down on her?

Should she have just stayed quiet, not made a fuss?

While Blanca’s mind was a tangled mess,

Bern’s hand finally reached out towards her, touching her shoulder.

*Finally*, Blanca steeled herself, but instead of taking her clothes off, Bern actually straightened her collar.

Relief. And then, a deeper sense of despair.

Interpreting Bern’s actions as a rejection, Blanca said with a bitter expression,

“I’m sorry. It seems I’ve burdened you unnecessarily.”

“Not entirely. At least it was a good opportunity to gauge the extent of your resolve, Ms. Blanca.”

Bern rummaged in his coat, then pulled out a ring and offered it to Blanca.

Bern spoke to Blanca, who blinked at him, not understanding anything.

“I was honestly hesitant. Whether or not I should give this to you. It’s something I can’t use, or rather, something that has no meaning for me to use. But its value is far too precious to just hand it over to anyone. The mere fact of its existence becoming widely known could cause a great uproar.”

“What exactly *is* it?”

“It’s called the Ring of Absorption. If you defeat a living being while wearing it, it absorbs their vital essence and converts it into magic power for the wearer.”

“Such preposterousness….”

Blanca could scarcely believe her ears.

Had anyone but Vern uttered those words, she would have scoffed, accusing them of trying to pull a fast one.

That’s how utterly absurd it was.

Magic is precious. Even the most rudimentary of spells demands a price that a commoner could hardly dream of affording.

But techniques or means that affect the very quantity, quality, or recovery rate of magical power surpass even that.

While the former can be obtained by a commoner, one way or another, if they possess enough coin, the latter cannot be bought for any sum, no matter how mountainous.

Because the world’s powers-that-be hold them tightly in their grip, and would never allow them to leak out.

Take, for example, the mana cultivation method, a prime example of the latter; its presence or absence can completely transform a family’s martial prowess and standing.

With a mana cultivation method, an ordinary soldier can become one strengthened by magic, and a soldier already capable of wielding mana can unleash a veritable sword aura.

Of course, the cultivation method itself has its limitations, so not everyone benefits equally, but even the opportunity for a single growth spurt is an invaluable weapon for those who would otherwise be destined to remain forever mediocre.

This is also the reason why superhumans, who wield magic and can single-handedly take on a hundred men, dare not rebel against the nobles.

Because the nobles possess the infrastructure to mobilize those superhumans as a group. Or, indeed, because the nobles themselves *are* superhumans.

And now, Vern was offering one of those exceptionally rare means to Blanca.

Blanca was rendered speechless by this unexpected gift.

Utterly unsure of what to say, she voiced the most primal question of all.

“Why… why would you go to such lengths for me?”

Vern replied,

“Because you are my comrade, Blanca.”

“Vern, you could have far more capable and talented comrades than me.”

“Perhaps. But wasn’t it you, Blanca, who first recognized me, who gambled your entire stake on me? If I have a choice, I prefer to be with someone who believes in me.”

Vern shifted, meeting Blanca’s gaze directly.

So close now, they could almost feel each other’s breath, he spoke.

“Blanca, I am not as perfect as you think. I have secrets I cannot share, I’m quite materialistic, selfish, and frankly, I’m an adventurer for rather frivolous reasons. Those who pursue this path for a living, or to achieve a goal like you, Blanca, would have every right to be disgusted, and I have little defense to offer.”

His eyes, previously so composed, so unreadable.

Now, a fire blazed within them, so dangerous, so… alluring.

“To set foot in hidden ruins, to overcome the monsters and traps that guard them, to vanquish wicked sorcerers and liberate captive souls. Yes. It quickens the blood. Blanca, you have given me a purpose, and I find that purpose… exceedingly agreeable.”

Blanca stared blankly into his eyes.

Reflected in that maddened gaze, she saw herself, blurry and unfocused, as if tipsy on wine.

“But, to achieve this goal, I cannot do it alone. I need a partner, skilled, trustworthy, one who shares the same vision. Blanca. You offered me a goal, thus we already share a dream. Your actions have proven your trustworthiness. All that remains is skill, and it seems this ring can compensate for any shortcomings. That is why I give it to you.”

Vern leaned back.

Only then did Blanca realize she had forgotten to breathe.

Gasping for air, she managed to say, “I… I understand. I will… I’ll do my best.”

“Splendid.”

With a faint smile, Vern bid her farewell until tomorrow and departed.

Even after he was gone, Blanca remained seated, lost in thought, idly turning the ring Vern had given her.

Thump. Thump.

A different kind of pain now, a throbbing in her heart.

“Behold. Such a perfect resolution. We’ve minimized unnecessary romantic entanglements, cultivated pure camaraderie, and aligned our shared goals, wouldn’t you say?”

[Say, are you perhaps… a senior-level demon? I can’t, for the life of me, see you as anything human…]

“Pardon?”