Chapter 148 – Prince Slain

Prince Slain

After the meeting with Eisen.

A welcome message popped up.

– Do you want to accept the main linked quest ‘Suspicious Religion’?

– Defeat 10 or more raging fanatics.

– Upon completion, ‘Spirit +1’ will be given as a reward.

‘A count quest appeared.’

It was a reward event where stats increased depending on how many he killed.

‘For now it is 10 people, but after killing those 10, it will become 100, then 1,000, 10,000, 100,000, and increase like that.’

The Heart of Infection, Sayaka.

There was only one stat to gain greatly by getting involved with this villain.

‘Regarding the Magic Tower, it was the Mana stat, and regarding Sayaka, it was the Mentality stat.’

The Mentality stat.

It was a stat that increased the fortitude value resisting various status ailments, and raised somewhat secondary stats like casting accuracy and hit rate correction.

‘Usually, to catch villains, it must be at least 15. If this value exceeds 20, one becomes immune to all mental attacks.’

Rashid opened his status window after a long time.

Physicality[H] : 17

Sensibility[S] : 22

Mana[A] : 22

Mentality[M] : 16

◇ Traits: [Eighteen Martial Arts] [Critical Hunter] [Speed Freak] [Double-Edged Time] [Swordsmanship Expert] [Jaeger’s Blood]

– Mana increased by 371% with Lucifer’s Grace

Having dealt with even Zodiac, his Mana stat was now exceeding 22.

Considering the all-stats increase from wearing the mana armor on top of this, his Mana stat would have a phenomenal amplification of 371% at 27.

‘Practically a monster.’

Rashid wished his Mentality stat was also near 20 while not wearing the mana armor.

‘If it exceeds 20 without wearing Lucifer, I will probably be immune to all mental-type attacks. I can nullify everything, including Zodiac’s Dragon Eye and Sayaka’s infection.’

What about the authority held by the Blood Empress?

‘In the first place, she wasn’t around at this time, so I haven’t tested it, but there will be quite a meaningful change. Like being able to resist even without the Evil Eye Killer.’

The part about the Blood Empress required experimentation,

but as the value of 20 could not be easily achieved in the first place, Rashid anticipated that it would block the authority of the Blood Empress similarly to other villains or at least provide some meaningful defense.

‘Since I can’t wear the mana armor all the time, I hope to gather a lot of Mentality stats on this occasion.’

Since the quest also appeared,

Rashid had only one thought.

‘It is about time to go and clean up the crowd of fanatics. They will be beyond saving unless the Heart of Infection is removed.’

* * *

A handsome man born with a perfect face, but blemished by a large scar running horizontally across.

Prince Slain.

He was traveling somewhere in a vehicle to attend a social party today.

In the front seats were his two henchmen whom he brought along.

“Garcia survived?”

“Yes, Your Highness. I understand that the Inquisitor intervened and saved her.”

Slain’s expression hardened.

“How can one survive when the contract with the demon went wrong? Is that even possible? It is my first time hearing of it.”

“It seems an inquisitor of the Jaeger family was involved.”

“Even if it is an inquisitor of the Jaeger family, still.”

“The blood of the Jaeger family is special, Your Highness. They are the most treasured of the order, capable of receiving the surrender of all demons.”

At his adjutant’s words, his expression cooled down even more frostily.

“The inquisitor did something useless. Everyone in the world knows I wished for Garcia’s death, yet he went out of his way to save her?”

“I heard news that he is a recently dispatched inquisitor. He might not have known the situation in the royal capital well.”

“So, where is Garcia?”

“She is resting in the royal castle.”

He was displeased, but there was nothing he could do.

It was still before the Iron Crown Succession Battle began.

Once the succession battle started, he could go and kill her openly, but before that, he had to endure unconditionally even if he wanted to kill her, out of consciousness of the Great King.

Otherwise, he would be held strictly responsible.

“If only Garcia disappeared, everyone would call me the Crown Prince. Is that not so?”

“Is there any rush? In any case, Her Highness the Princess is young and falls behind Your Highness in all aspects. If nothing unexpected happens, you should be able to win the Iron Crown Succession Battle without any trouble.”

“But that doesn’t mean I immediately become the Great King, does it?”

“Since His Majesty the Great King is still present, that is…”

Although he didn’t say it out loud,

Prince Slain wished that the Great King would just die too.

“More importantly, is there a woman with an interesting story among today’s party attendees? Someone who is engaged, or… a special prey that would appeal to my taste.”

It was a known fact to everyone that his private life was dissolute.

Moreover, he was famous for never touching ordinary women.

Because he was a rascal himself, living an extremely stimulating life.

“Your Highness, if you act too excessively, you might fall out of favor with the Great King. It would be best not to overdo things at least until the Iron Crown Succession Battle is held.”

“That fellow must have grown up like me, yet he dares to say something to me? As expected, it would be best if he just died.”

The two henchmen riding in the vehicle held their tongues.

To be able to speak like that against the Great King was only possible because he was the most influential next successor.

If it were anyone else, they would probably have been found as a corpse the next day.

“Your Highness, the intelligence agency might be listening to our conversation here. It is best to be as careful as possible with your remarks.”

“The intelligence agency?”

Slain laughed.

He looked around the luxurious and splendid interior and spoke.

“Eisen. Are you listening?”

He chuckled.

“You must be listening. Since the intelligence agency is made of people who do such work. But there is one thing to keep in mind. Do you think His Majesty the Great King will stay in that position forever?”

“Your Highness…”

“If you understand, behave yourself. Because I do not endure.”

Prince Slain did not speak any further either.

Since he thought he had given a proper threat.

Before long, the social party hall they arrived at was overflowing with young noble men and women wearing masks.

Ever since wearing masks became a trend in the Empire,

masquerade balls were also being held almost every day in the royal capital.

Young men and women smiled beneath their gorgeously decorated masks, boldly speaking words they wouldn’t normally dare to say.

A night where they discarded their status and became drunk solely on pleasure.

However, even among those enjoying the amusement, there was always an exception.

In Slain’s eyes, a familiar face among those not wearing masks was visible.

‘Is that not the Grand Dharma Officer?’

The one called the Grand Dharma Officer of the Left by the public was accompanied by a certain woman.

But the relationship between the two was subtle.

Watching from afar, it was as if the Grand Dharma Officer was assisting her.

‘She wouldn’t be his lover, so what on earth is their relationship?’

His interest piqued, Slain went over and stood before them.

“You are the Grand Dharma Officer.”

The Grand Dharma Officer, dressed in his ceremonial robes, directed his gaze at him.

The Grand Dharma Officer recognized the masked prince without difficulty.

“Prince Slain. It has been a long time.”

“What brings the master of the Dharma Mage Division to a place like this?”

Only then did the woman who was with the Grand Dharma Officer show interest in him.

She had reacted to the word ‘Prince.’

Of course, she only gave a gaze and did not make a sound.

Slain also soon turned his attention to her and asked with a smile.

“Have we met before by any chance?”

“Well.”

“It is a voice I hear for the first time. I remember other people’s voices well.”

When the prince took off his mask, there was a stir around them.

And they worried.

Because everyone knew well that he was a rascal.

However, the mysterious woman he approached

was welcoming him instead.

Everyone thought she didn’t know much about the prince, but that was a mistake.

The prince had marked her as his prey tonight, but in fact, the one who became the prey in this place was none other than him.

“Let me introduce myself first. I am the First Prince of the great nation, Slain.”

She took off the mask she was wearing.

She possessed exotic features, but the level of her appearance was splendid enough to please his heart.

“I am Sayaka.”

* * *

[Human or Beast? Fanatical Crowds Infesting the Royal Capital, Swarming Like Zombies -Great Nation News-]

[‘General of Demons’ Leon Stout… Dark Clouds on the Allied Kingdom Front -Royal Capital Newspaper-]

Going to work the next day, Rashid came to see the great nation’s newspapers placed on his desk.

‘Reading the enemy nation’s newspapers in the enemy nation. It feels new.’

Both articles contained elements that could pique Rashid’s interest.

One was about Sayaka, and the other was about the legend of the Empire, Commander Leon.

‘If nothing unexpected happens, he will become the father of the Empire at this rate.’

Leon Stout.

Virtually the one who would become the master of the Empire after the Empress.

‘He is Kaiser’s next nemesis, but…’

There would be no great point of contact with him.

However, the surviving Empress bothered him.

‘I should keep an eye on it for now. He is a human I could just ignore if only the Empress weren’t there.’

Rashid was conscious of the insignia attached to his chest.

She came to mind.

‘Since it causes no problems, I am wearing this too, but…’

Is she watching the events here with open eyes and ears too?

Even though the distance is this far?

‘I do feel a gaze. Because this is a magical device that assists in that work.’

Rashid touched the cross insignia.

Faint as it was, the flow of mana was clearly detected.

Here, the mana was emitted by the small mana stone embedded in the cross.

‘It’s a simple yet quite elaborately made device.’

Just then, the door of the office opened and a new inquisitor, whom he had not seen until now, showed himself.

An inquisitor with a cold image wearing glasses.

Could I say his appearance was like a male version of her?

Rashid stared blankly at him, who surprisingly exuded a strong feeling of her.

“Who are you?”

He spoke to him first.

Rashid, who was just staring blankly at his face, responded a step late.

“Ah, are you Inquisitor Kasim?”

“Yes, I am Inquisitor Kasim, but who are you? You are a face I see for the first time.”

“My introduction is late. Lycian Borcia. I am an inquisitor newly dispatched this time.”

“Dispatched newly?”

He showed a look of suspicion.

As Rashid did every time,

he tried to dismiss his suspicion with the method he had used until now.

“I came to share this office under the recommendation of Inquisitor Jason.”

“But I have not heard any news at all about a new inquisitor coming?”

“You might not have heard it. Is there only one or two pieces of news to hear?”

He was about to mention the Patriarch after that, but

he was not an easy person, just as his appearance suggested.

“No. There is no news in the Inquisition Bureau that I do not know. Because I am close to the person in charge of human resources.”

He tried to slip past, but the opponent took a stance of not allowing it.

He seemed to be the owner of a stricter personality than expected.

Just like her on the other side.

‘Is it just a feeling? For some reason he seems like the male version of that woman.’

Naturally so.

Because his appearance, with black hair, black eyes, and neatly arranged hair, reminiscent of her.

Of course, it was just the image, and his appearance was that of a completely different person.

Just then, the door of the office opened and another inquisitor showed himself.

It was Inquisitor Jason.

“Good morning.”

He smiled, looking at the two facing each other.

“Ah, this side is Inquisitor Lycian, newly dispatched. He is an inquisitor with the blood of the Jaeger family that receives the surrender of demons like me.”

Inquisitor Jason, who was completely unaware of the atmosphere between the two just now, was busy introducing them to each other.

“Ah, and here is Inquisitor Kasim. He is the inquisitor in charge of the Enlightenment Sect cases.”