How the Prince Makes Friends - Chapter 222



Only Noblemtl

Episode 222

Sergio stared blankly at the ceiling. Maybe it was because he had started working full-time today, but he had woken up early without realizing it.

It was too early to close his eyes again, so Sergio just got up. It was raining outside.

Maybe that’s why my body felt a little heavy, but since it was my first day at work, I thought it would be good to take my time.

‘… Did you come too early?’

However, when I went up to the prince’s bedroom, I hesitated a little. It would have been embarrassing if I went in and woke up the prince who was sleeping soundly.

‘Pupu is the prince’s favorite doll, so he told me to lay her down nicely when he made the bedding. But was it really Pupu? Or was it Popo?’

Sergio paced around in front of it for a while, going over the things he had to do to kill some time.

“…But the master gave the baby a toy….”

“The master loves babies very much……”

“……!”

At that moment, the maids’ voices were heard. It seemed that they were coming up to clean.

Sergio opened the door and went into the bedroom without realizing it, because he felt he couldn’t let anyone see him loitering around the hallway, looking so suspicious.

‘…under.’

I burst out laughing. Even though it was my first time, how could I be this sloppy? If someone saw me, they would definitely laugh at me.

‘The young master must have been teasing him in particular.’

Sergio thought to himself that he was very lucky that the master had not caught him and went to the bed.

“……?”

But as I approached the bed, something felt odd. The pile of blankets was too flat for anyone to have been lying there.

“Prince…?”

There was no one in the bed. Even the blanket was crisp, as if it had never been used.

Sergio stood there blankly for a moment, feeling as if something was wrong… .

“Ah, so this is your room.”

Somehow the room felt empty.

Sergio burst out laughing at my mistake and quickly went to the other room. It was a good thing the young master wasn’t here. If he had been caught doing this, he would have been ridiculed for the rest of his life.

“Your Majesty, are you coughing…, …?”

Sergio, who had just walked away from the canopy, froze again. On the bed were only stuffed animals that had been introduced as Pupu and Popo.

“…Prince?”

Sergio pressed down on the flat blanket, and when he found nothing to grab, he lifted the blanket slightly.

… there was nothing.

“Prince?”

Could this be some kind of initiation ceremony? Something embarrassing on your first day of work to create happy memories…?

“Prince! Prince?”

Have you gone out for swordsmanship training?

Sergio turned his head out the window. It was raining lightly outside. And he clearly had a fencing class in the morning today, so he wouldn’t be going to the morning training…

Bam, bang-!

Sergio, feeling anxious, opened all the doors and started searching through the rooms.

“Where are you, Prince!”

Prince-, Prince-. The prince who called me didn’t come out, and only my voice bounced off the wall and returned.

Sergio’s face gradually turned white.

“Your Highness……”

On the first day of work, the prince disappeared.

* * *

The Palace of Wernus was turned upside down.

Sir Evan, the prince’s only knight escort, was soaking wet from training in the rain, and stood there in a daze, perhaps in shock.

Soon after, the Knights Templar stormed into the Palace of Wernus and began an investigation.

“We have yet to find any signs of intrusion.”

“Where is the child who was always with the prince?”

“He said he went out yesterday morning. He said he would be back in two days…, but…….”

“however?”

“There is no record of entry or exit. No guards have seen the child.”

“…….”

Walter narrowed his eyes. It was a story that could have been possible for that child, but the problem was that it was not possible for an outsider who didn’t know anything to see it.

Not only did the child go out alone without any attendants, but he also left the palace without being noticed by anyone. Anyone would think this was suspicious.

Walter cautiously approached Evan, who was tied up with rope. He looked haggard, as if he had been hit by rain, and it broke his heart, but the knight who failed to protect his master was a sinner, so he could not release him.

“Sir Evan.”

“…….”

Walter quietly called Evan. If he continued on like this, the child would be accused of being the culprit, so he was planning to find out where the child was going.

“Sir Evan, do you know where that child went?”

“…….”

“…Evan?”

But there was no answer. Walter, who realized that Evan was in a serious condition, hardened his face and shook Evan carefully.

“Evan, are you okay?”

“…Captain.”

His crackling voice spoke volumes about his feelings. Walter quickly tried to calm his disciple down, realizing that it was not the time to defend the boy.

“Don’t worry too much, Prince. We’ve launched a search right away, so you’ll find him soon. He might have wandered around the palace and fallen asleep somewhere… ”

“…I… am not qualified to be a knight escort.”

Evan’s face was distorted. The raindrops falling down his hair looked like tears, and Walter’s heart seemed to be distorted as he watched.

“No, Evan. A knight is a human being, so how could he stay with the prince all day? I know it must have been hard for him to guard him alone. I will explain to His Majesty the matter, so don’t worry too much…”

“…I’m sorry…, I’m sorry.”

Evan then lowered his head and did not speak again. Walter watched him for a long time and opened his mouth with difficulty. It seemed that leaving Evan here would be counterproductive.

“…Transport Evan. I will examine him myself. Until then, no one is to touch him.”

“yes!”

The heavy body was dragged staggering. When it calms down a bit… I have to slowly and carefully soothe it.

The situation was tense but serious. No one in the Order was tampering with the palace’s belongings, and no one was raising a voice.

Perhaps it was because of the aura of the old knight silently standing in the center of the palace.

Walter glanced at the old knight who had been retired for a long time, then spoke up with his auror.

“Do not touch anything. Maintain the scene as much as possible.”

Waaaaa …

“……!”

At that moment, an unknown alarm began to sound throughout the palace.

“What, what does this mean?”

“What’s going on?”

“Shouldn’t I run away?”

Walter quickly scanned his surroundings. The servants of the Wernus Palace were also in a state of confusion, and it seemed as if they did not know the cause.

“Quickly, let’s go to the epicenter of the alarm…!”

Thud-!

“……!”

Just as they were about to give the order to find the epicenter, a loud noise rang out and everyone’s eyes turned to one place. There was an old knight with a huge presence there.

“Quiet. Do not make a commotion in my master’s palace.”

Even with the loud alarm, his soft voice was heard more clearly. His cool eyes, which had not lost their luster despite his age, were directed at Walter.

“Sir Ernest.”

“…Yes, Sir Paul.”

“The source of this alarm must be the prince’s bedroom. His room has magical tools installed all over it to prevent outsiders from entering, so be careful when searching.”

“All right.”

‘… You are as good as an active-duty soldier.’

Walter quickly looked away as he thought about that, then grabbed one of his subordinates and said.

“Explain the situation to His Excellency the Prime Minister and ask for help!”

I know you’re on vacation, but… he’s the only wizard I can trust.

* * *

‘Look, Second Prince. I am now in the Third Circle.’

That was when I was 10 years old.

Everyone around me was talking about me, saying things like I was a magical prodigy and that the next Magic Tower Lord had appeared.

However, my blunt second prince is so uninterested in others that he doesn’t even congratulate me, let alone get jealous or envious, unless I brag about it so openly.

‘3 circles? Is it high?’

Look at that dried-up second prince who has not even a shred of empathy.

Abel snorted as he stared at the lovable eight-year-old sitting on Natura’s lap, his face buried in her arms.

‘If I become the Lord of the Tower, I won’t help you, Prince.’

‘What kind of magic tower is this? When I become king, you will be my assistant.’

‘Oh, really? Can the prince inherit the throne?’

‘Natura said I was the king.’

‘What about the prince?’

‘I don’t know.’

“Big brother, you know what you’re doing,” said the arrogant 8-year-old, answering as if he was only concerned about Natura’s words.

Natura hugged the prince tighter, as if she thought he was cute, and the prince smiled with satisfaction.

‘… Really… , you should cover it up quickly.’

‘I want to do that too.’

‘… … .’

‘Sedi, call me sister.’

‘Sister.’

‘Kyahahaha~ So cute!’

‘… … .’

Abel turned his head away, unable to look at her any longer.

What about the assistant? Are you saying I have to live my whole life looking like that? Well, at least I can somehow help you out until you become the top boss.

‘Abel will be a great wizard. I can see it.’

‘There’s no need to say something like that, Natura, as if you were predicting something obvious.’

No matter what anyone says, I will become a great wizard. Natura reassured herself as she confidently replied that way.

‘Abel, it’s okay even if you’re a little late.’

‘… … ?’

‘I’ll get it done eventually.’

‘Of course. I’ll show Natura the Magic Tower later.’

‘Yeah, I’ll look forward to it.’

Despite Natura’s meaningful words, Abel was still very proud. He vowed that if he ate the magic tower, he would be able to create a magic tower that would not require the help of the empire.

And so 20 years passed.

“…….”

Abel stared blankly at the ceiling. No, he couldn’t even tell if what he was looking at was the ceiling or not.

My whole body felt hot and cold. My ears were ringing, and at other times, I felt like I couldn’t hear anything.

How long had it been since I took Sirentea? I wondered if I was doing it right, if I had actually fallen asleep and was dreaming.

‘Just one… I want to tie up just one more.’

But Mana wouldn’t listen to me. It was as if she was screaming for me to let her go.

Even though he had already woven two circles, Abel was not satisfied. This was the circle he should have had originally.

‘You haven’t been in a circle since you were 10, right?’

‘I guess it was just luck.’

‘You were called a prodigy, a prodigy… Tsk tsk, is it true that you were in the 3rd circle when you were 10?’

‘What’s the next magic tower?’

‘You’re bragging so much, you look so good.’

How did you survive the 20 years of no development and the uncertain future?

‘Abel, put off doing the magic and help me out.’

‘Abel, I have a gift from Natura, so please cast some preservation magic on it.’

‘Abel, take care of this paperwork.’

‘Abel, I don’t understand that. Explain it to me instead.’

‘Abel, I’m king, so please be my prime minister.’

Abel, Abel… … .

“…….”

Now that I think about it, I didn’t hold out. I just… forgot because I was so busy.

There was no time to feel frustrated. He couldn’t lose his mind thanks to His Majesty, his close friend, who came to see him whenever he had the chance.

Now that I think about it, even when I was so in love with Natura, I didn’t forget about myself and took care of her. To be exact, it was more like I was using her… … .

‘I don’t know why Natura likes being called older sister.’

‘Isn’t it true that being younger has its own charm?’

‘I see.’

Well, if she likes it, I can call her as much as I want… … .

‘When I think of you as my younger sibling, I somehow want to take care of you more… well… it’s something like that.’

‘Okay, bro.’

‘… … ?’

‘Please do this.’

‘… … .’

That damn shit cat who threw his homework at me like that went to play with Natura.

‘… Even thinking about it now, it’s still absurd.’

Abel continued to circulate his mana, but he let out a hollow laugh at the old memories that suddenly came to mind. Thanks to this, some of the strength in his stiff body was lost.

‘Ah, I need to concentrate.’

As I was trying to focus again and turn the direction of the mana that was about to scatter, I had the illusion that something clicked.

“ah…….”

Abel let out a soft sigh.

It was the 6th ring.