I Became the Youngest Prince in the Novel

TL/Editor: raei

Status: ongoing

Illustrations: none

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"Damodeus failed."

"..."

Acrimosia, the Archdemon of Madness's face visibly crumpled at yet another report of failure.

"...The cause?"

"As you might guess, it was Zion Agnes. It seems they couldn't respond properly because he suddenly revealed himself after hiding his identity."

"Looks like we'll have to completely give up on the Beast Sea."

Wrath's eyes held questions as he spoke bluntly to Madness.

'How does he know and block our plans and movements in advance?'

Once or twice could be coincidence, but almost every plan they had ongoing or planned in the empire was being thoroughly destroyed by Zion Agnes.

It was enough to make one suspect he knew the future.

"We can't leave this alone, can we? There are rumors he'll hold his coronation soon. We need to do something."

"I agree."

Even Wrath, who usually played the role of cautioning Acrimosia, nodded this time.

"And we should discuss replenishing our forces again."

"Ah, about that..."

Just as Madness was about to respond to Wrath-

"Lady Acrimosia."

One of Acrimosia's demon subordinates carefully entered their location.

"What is it?"

"The 'First Heaven' of those called the 'Seven Heavens' in the empire has come seeking us."

"What? Why so suddenly?"

Both Archdemons' eyes filled with questions at this unexpected news.

"They wish to meet our King."

The subordinate's words were even more unexpected than they could have imagined.

---

Green tea.

Just as coffee was the beverage of choice in the imperial capital Hubris, it was the Beast Sea's favorite drink.

'Better than the Fairy Forest's mint tea. Though not as good as coffee.'

Zion set down his teacup filled with tea made from the highest grade leaves as he thought this.

He was currently in Rabbit King Castle's reception room.

Specifically, the area reserved for only the highest-ranking guests.

Zion was waiting for Wolhaun to say his final farewells before returning to the empire.

"Um... is there no mint here?"

Celphia's voice came from beside him, searching for mint as if her tastes had been forcibly changed in the Fairy Forest, but fortunately no one answered.

Just then-

"I have something I'd like to ask."

Claire, who had been waiting for Wolhaun with the others, turned to Zion.

Perhaps she had fully adjusted to him being the Eternal Emperor - her eyes no longer held any trembling.

"Go ahead."

At Zion's words, Claire's expression tensed slightly as she quietly spoke:

"Can we stay by your side now?"

In the past at the border, Zion had told the hero's party they were too weak to remain at his side.

It seemed those words had stayed deep in her heart.

The other party members' faces also tensed at Claire's question.

They too couldn't guess what words would come from Zion's mouth.

"You may."

Thinking they looked like students waiting for test results, Zion answered.

"Ah!"

Along with Elysis's excited gasp, everyone else's faces notably brightened.

Even setting aside his position as the empire's future emperor, they had essentially received recognition from someone closest to being the empire's strongest.

'Well, it doesn't matter.'

Zion smiled slightly at their reaction as he tilted his teacup.

Though they hadn't grown enough yet to face Archdemons enhanced by destiny, they were close - and there were no more opportunities to be gained by sending them elsewhere.

Therefore it was more efficient to keep them nearby and train them directly.

'They're all just waiting for their final awakening anyway.'

Just then-

"I apologize for keeping you waiting."

Wolhaun entered the reception room with her attendants, speaking in a calm voice.

"There was more to do at the coronation than I expected."

A small crown that hadn't been there before now sat atop her head.

The crown symbolizing the Beast King.

"It suits you."

Zion spoke as he glanced at the crown while Wolhaun sat across from him.

"It's all thanks to you, Your Highness."

She removed her mask and answered with a gentle smile toward Zion.

Her eyes held such infinite trust that her other subordinates might have felt jealous.

Perhaps sensing something in how Wolhaun smiled at only Zion despite others being present in the reception room?

Celphia quietly whispered to Jang Maldong beside her:

"Looks like Her Highness Haun likes His Highness Zion, don't you think?"

"Hoho, seems that way. Back in my day, there were many young ladies who followed me around saying they liked me. Seeing this brings back memories."

"Huh? But Claire said you've never dated anyone before?"

"H-how did you...!"

Rain naturally joined their casual conversation.

Perhaps due to their connection before the regression, she and the other party members got along well with Jang Maldong despite just meeting.

"Ahem, ahem... When will you return to the empire?"

After clearing her throat, perhaps having heard their conversation, Wolhaun asked Zion.

"Now. That's why I called you for farewells."

"What? Please stay a bit longer. There are many breathtaking places around Rabbit King Castle worth seeing once in a lifetime. The food is equally impressive too. If you're willing, I could personally..."

Zion slightly shook his head as Wolhaun listed various reasons.

"No, I must go. I can't remain crown prince forever."

"...!"

Everyone's eyes, including Wolhaun's, grew large.

Zion's words could only mean one thing.

"...You're having your coronation?"

The Agnes Empire's imperial coronation.

The empire's most important ceremony where the world's ruler would be determined.

Zion didn't answer and simply tilted his teacup, but that was answer enough for Wolhaun to nod.

"...Then it can't be helped, I understand."

Deep regret colored her voice.

But her next words made Zion's eyes fill with questions:

"Then I shall see you again soon."

In the end, Zion couldn't figure out what she meant by those words before leaving the Beast Sea.

After returning to the capital Hubris from the Beast Sea, Zion first headed to Sinking Star Palace.

There was no special welcome ceremony since he had left secretly while hiding his identity, but-

"Master! You're finally back?"

"Welcome back, Your Highness!"

"Do you know how long this Fredo has waited!"

The greetings from his close attendants in the palace, including Liushina, were already enough to make his head ring.

"I heard you went alone to the Beast Sea during their civil war - are you injured anywhere?"

Leaving Fredo, who still worried about him despite his becoming strong enough to have no equals in the empire, Zion walked toward the palace library.

"Eh? The redhead came too?"

"Hah, witch. You were here?"

"Rain."

"...I know."

The voices of the hero's party meeting Liushina came from behind, but there was no need to pay attention.

"Welcome, Your Highness."

"It's been a while, Prince Zion."

Perhaps it had been arranged beforehand?

The heads of the two intelligence organizations, Eternal Shadow and Eye of the Moon, who had arrived first, rose and bowed deeply to Zion.

After nodding slightly, Zion sat in the main seat as the leaders returned to theirs.

He shifted his gaze to Aileen among them.

'She became head of Eye of the Moon in that time.'

From branch chief to leader in less than two years.

Even considering she had been chief of the special Hubris branch and had connections to the previous leader, it would have been impossible without exceptional ability.

Of course, Zion had known she would reach that position.

'Though it happened earlier than expected, everything else has sped up too.'

Just then-

"Your Highness, may I ask why you called only us?"

Thierry asked while looking at Zion.

After briefly looking at him and Aileen again, Zion slowly spoke:

"I'll soon have my coronation and ascend to the throne - you already know this?"

"Yes, Your Highness."

The coronation preparations.

Though officially confidential, it was already known to everyone present and most nobles in the capital.

There was no confusion since Zion was already considered the only imperial candidate, but along with war preparations, it was undeniably the capital's hottest topic.

"Then do you know what I'll do after?"

"War... isn't it?"

Aileen spoke with a hardened expression.

Indeed, since Zion had declared preparation for the great war at the recent World Conference, the empire had been continuously preparing for war without pause.

The nobles who attended that conference had felt tremendous shock and crisis upon learning such an enormous number of monsters had been hiding near them, and thus fully supported the war preparations.

As a result, the empire's war preparations were smoothly reaching their final stages.

But-

"No."

Zion shook his head at Aileen's words.

"There's something that must be done first."

"What would that be?"

"You should know that for war, the internal structure must first be solid?"

"Yes. That's why we're using Detection Formation to eliminate demons throughout the empire including the capital, and it's almost complete."

"You're overlooking one thing."

Zion smiled strangely at Thierry's words while slightly lifting his teacup.

"Are there really only one type of rat eating away at our insides?"

"You mean..."

"The Agnes Empire is mighty enough to encompass the world and thus appetizing. It makes no sense that only the demon realm would gnaw at such an empire."

"Then after the coronation, the first task will be exterminating such rats."

Smiling as if that was the right answer, Zion handed them a sheet of paper.

"I have a mission for you."

A list densely filled with names of nobles existing in the empire.

"Find out everything about those written here before the coronation. Much more detailed than what I previously ordered."

Watching Zion smile as he said this, Thierry unconsciously felt his whole body break out in goosebumps.

'Those eyes.'

That ominously dark undulation deep within those gray eyes.

Some said that ominousness and cruelty had softened compared to before, but looking at Zion's eyes now, he knew.

It hadn't softened - it was simply waiting for the right time to emerge.

And Thierry instinctively felt that time would come right after the coronation.

"Understood, Your Highness."

Thierry bowed to Zion with a strange smile while hiding his goosebumps.

He greatly welcomed this aspect of his lord.

Whenever he saw this side, it felt as if Eternal Emperor Aurelion from historical records had manifested before his eyes.

"...We shall carry out your orders."

Aileen, who had stopped her trembling slightly later than Thierry, took the list and rose from her seat.

After the two intelligence organization heads left the library-

"Coffee really is best after all."

Alone now, Zion murmured softly as he tilted the coffee Fredo had brewed.

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