Chapter 30: The Empire’s Prince

The enemy’s flagship slowly approached, white flag raised.  

Through the binoculars, each enemy soldier was seen laying down their weapons on the ground, both hands raised.  

The miraculous sight made Captain Robilio let out a long sigh without even realizing it.  

“In the end, we’ve only been indebted from start to finish. If this was how it was going to go, they might as well have treated us better from the beginning. That Benya guy was right too—told me to drop my prejudice. Damn, when I end up in hell, I bet Benya’s going to curse me out.”  

Scratching his head, he lowered the binoculars.

Now even with the naked eye, the expressions of those standing on deck were visible.  

Zion could be seen at the forefront, and behind him stood a man in his early to mid-thirties who seemed to be the captain, arms crossed.

Neither bound nor looking injured.  

“…Things really did go well, huh?”  

Pushing aside the captain’s unease, the two ships drew close until almost touching, then stopped.  

Zion leapt lightly over the deck and headed toward the waiting captain and Yuria.  

“Tell me, how did it go? Negotiations… if you can call it that? Anyway, did it go well?”  

“Yes. The pirates will never attack this ship again. And…”  

Zion hesitated briefly, then glanced at Yuria.

When their eyes met, she tilted her head in confusion.  

“Yuria, I think we should transfer to their ship.”  

“What? What are you talking about all of a sudden?”  

“Well, it’s like this…”  Glancing back, Zion frowned, troubled.

After a moment’s thought, he approached Yuria and whispered quickly in her ear.  

“The captain over there is the Prince of the Frien Empire. I think we need to hear him out.”  

“Pr… Prince?!”  

Yuria’s shocked shout was abruptly silenced by Zion.

She shrugged her shoulders, glanced around cautiously, then nodded slightly.

Zion relaxed his hand.  

“Really? You’re not mistaken?”  

Lowering her voice so no one could overhear, Yuria asked.

Zion nodded quietly in confirmation.  

“Why would the Empire’s prince be acting like a pirate here?”  

“Well, that’s what we have to find out now.”  

“Yeah, that makes sense. Alright.”  

It was now time to explain the situation to Captain Robilio.

Contrary to expectations of a strong objection, he merely nodded vaguely without much reaction to the vague explanation.  

“I don’t think you two would listen if I tried to stop you, and I’m not exactly clueless. Those guys are disguised as pirates, but they seem to be from some other group… am I right?”  

“Well…”  

“No need to answer if it’s inconvenient. Judging by your reaction, it seems unnecessary. So then… when are you leaving? Right now? Or a little later?”  

Delaying the departure would only cause trouble for both sides.

Zion looked at Yuria, who nodded slightly in agreement.  

“Tch, I see how it is.”   Watching their silent conversation, the captain sighed deeply.  

“You two, especially Sir Zion. It was a short voyage, but I will never forget the time we spent together. Truly, thank you. And miss, I’m sorry we couldn’t keep you with us until the end.”  

“Don’t apologize! I’m the one who’s grateful. Thanks to you, captain, we were able to safely reach the Empire. You didn’t have to worry about someone like me, a criminal’s daughter…”  

“Hmph! No matter how ignorant or uneducated I am, I couldn’t do that. I don’t even know what that Benya did in Kornika, and honestly, I don’t want to know. So to me, miss, you’re not a criminal—you’re Benya’s daughter. So, well… keep your strength up and don’t lose heart. Remember, there are many who care about you.”  

After the farewells, Zion and Yuria boarded the pirate flagship.

The Small Hope lingered at the spot for a while, seeming reluctant, before slowly turning its bow and drifting away.  

“Your Highness, thank you for waiting.”  

“Think nothing of it. As you can see, I have fallen to a position where I am ashamed to call myself a prince. What meaning would there be in putting on airs out here in the vast ocean?”  

The pirate captain, Clavisius Dain Gaigaus Yung Haden—the Fifth Prince of Frien—answered calmly.

But on closer inspection, his face was faintly flushed.

He was embarrassed about the image he had just shown to Zion.  

“Status does not arise from physical position, Your Highness. You told me that when I was young.”  

Zion pretended not to notice and recalled the memory.

The prince’s eyes opened wide once, then he burst out laughing.  

“Hahaha! To think you would remember such a trivial remark. You are clearly not a royal spy posing as an Aleph. Zion Aleph, Margrave of Aleph, the last bulwark protecting humanity, and the only Margrave of Illium.”  

“I now go by Zion Alkoth. It’s been nearly ten years, Your Highness.”  

There was a reason Zion honestly revealed his identity to the prince.  

First, having come this far, there was no need to worry about Mione’s pursuit anymore.

Although safety had been secured since entering Wecos, there was no problem revealing their true identities now.  

And the most important reason: to speak honestly with the other party, he had to approach with sincerity himself.  

“Alkoth? Have you abandoned the Aleph name?”  

Without hesitation, Zion nodded.  

The prince, frozen for a moment, then laughed even louder than before.  

“Good heavens, what a strange fate! It seems you have many stories to tell. As do I, of course!”  

Patting their shoulders, the prince’s face showed genuine joy as he spoke.  

“I wish to invite you to the castle where my friends and I reside. Will you come?”  

It was a question that needed no answer.

Zion and Yuria readily nodded.  

***

Seven ships anchored at a small rocky island several kilometers from the Empire’s coast.  

Though seemingly barren and uninhabitable, Prince Klavis stepped forward without hesitation.

Zion and Yuria followed him into an artificially carved cave.  

Inside, several such caves twisted and branched intricately.

Each connected to dining halls, kitchens, quarters, armories, and other rooms.

The prince’s offer to invite them to his castle was no empty promise.  

‘Quite a convincing secret base… but why on earth would a royal live in a place like this? That remark about Zion being a royal spy earlier was strange too. Were they pushed out in the succession struggle?’  

Frey’s question was valid.  

But even considering being ousted in the succession fight, many things didn’t add up.

If he had staged a failed coup, there would be reason to hide.

But masquerading as pirates off the Empire’s coast was far too conspicuous an act.  

[This looks like it’s going to get complicated. Zion, better come up with a reasonable excuse and get us out of here quickly.]

‘Why?’  

[Because you don’t want to get tangled up in something that isn’t your business just because you poked your nose in.]

‘But to get to the Jewel Tower, going through Jedo and crossing the Empire is the fastest route. I think hearing them out won’t put us at a disadvantage.’  

[Ugh, it’s not that… damn, this feels ominous…]  

Ignoring Frey’s unease, they walked down the passage until a woman appeared and greeted them.  

“You have arrived, Your Highness. I trust everything went well.”  

She bowed politely but faltered upon seeing Zion and Yuria standing behind the prince.  

At the appearance of the unfamiliar figure, Yuria instinctively raised her guard.

Zion, however, remained naturally composed.

Seeing his attitude, Yuria hesitated and lowered her defenses.  

“Soares! Thank you for always greeting me like this. This is Zion Aleph and his companion, Yuria Alzred.”  

“Aleph? You mean the Aleph of Illium?”  

Startled by the unexpected name, Soares opened her eyes wide.

The name of Aleph, Margrave of Aleph, last bastion sealing off the Demonic Frontier, was well known even in the distant Empire.  

“Yes! I met these two in the middle of nowhere with no ties. Quite the coincidence, isn’t it?”  

The prince’s explanation caused her to narrow her eyes and look alternately at Yuria and Zion.

Zion smiled faintly and bowed silently.

Yuria prepared to raise her guard again but held back.  

Turning her gaze away, Soares approached the prince and whispered cautiously.  

“Your Highness, are you sure it’s wise to admit unknown individuals? What if they are royal spies?”  

“It’s fine. Yuria is unknown to me, but Zion’s identity is certain. If Yuria is Zion’s companion, she can be trusted as well.”  

“Appearance, mannerisms, even voice can be easily mimicked. You know better than anyone how capable the Imperial Intelligence Department is, Your Highness.”  

“Hmm. Your concerns are valid. But Soares, have your Royal Guard found anything suspicious about them?”  

“I trust your skills. If you found nothing, then there’s nothing to find. They are not suspicious.”  

Soares swallowed sharply.

Though she kept her expression calm, her pupils trembled faintly, moved.  

[The ones hiding and spying on the way here must’ve been those Royal Guards or something.]

Frey casually remarked, overhearing their conversation.  

Due to his awakened senses, Zion unintentionally eavesdropped on their situation, feeling somewhat embarrassed.

Yuria, for the same reason, was oddly restless.  

“Did we just follow along too thoughtlessly? It seems the situation is more complicated than we thought…”  

“But it’s too late to leave now. Let’s at least hear them out.”  

“Ugh. You’re going to get yourself caught again by meddling like last time in Kornika.”  

Whispering her complaint, Yuria received a clap from Frey in agreement.  

[Exactly! Yuria’s right. Zion, you really need to stop sticking your nose in other people’s business. You’ll end up dead.]

‘I just want to hear their story. Maybe it’s not as serious as we think? Jumping to conclusions isn’t good.’  

[You don’t get it at all. Honestly, you’re just like your mother.]

Frey’s grumble almost made Zion laugh out loud.

To him, it was the highest compliment.  

“Oh! Soares, since such esteemed guests have arrived, shall we prepare a feast?! Hahaha! It’s not necessary, but if you insist, then so be it! Prepare the meat! And bring the wine too!”  

Suddenly, Prince Klavis burst into laughter so loud it echoed through the caves.

Without overhearing their conversation, one would believe such a dialogue really had taken place.  

“…Your Highness? I recall you promised to drink only once a week.”  

“Ah…? But, Soares, when rare guests arrive, wouldn’t my character be questioned if I didn’t offer even wine? I believe that showing flexibility in such moments is a true quality of a sovereign.”  

Soares narrowed her eyes and stared silently at the prince.

Zion could swear the prince’s back seemed to shrink with each passing moment.  

“Sigh.” Soares openly sighed, pinching her forehead.  

“Understood. I will inform the chef.”  

“Oh…! Soares! Your loyalty shines brilliantly! I love you!”  

“Forgive me, Your Highness, but I have no intention of becoming a pirate’s wife.”  

Soares declined jokingly but firmly, then bowed deeply and left.  

The prince smiled broadly and looked back at Zion.  

“Look forward to it. Our chef may be a bit difficult, but his skills rival even the imperial chefs. I guarantee it in my name.”  

“Thank you, Your Highness. You have excellent subordinates.”  

Looking at the spot where Soares had departed, Zion spoke frankly.  

“They’re not subordinates, Your Highness.”  

The prince fell silent for a moment, then gently smiled and countered, “Everyone here is my comrade.”