Chapter 107: 060. Imperial Prince Saw Him -4 (Part One)
Chapter 107: 060. Imperial Prince Saw Him -4 (Part One)
**
Inside the executive office of Humite Academy.
The vice captain of the Order of the Golden Cross, Oscal Baldur, had been invited here.
He sat silently on a couch, still having a tough time trying to hide his shock while staring at the Seventh Imperial Prince sitting on the opposite side.
The boy’s physique was on the smaller side. Even if he was in his growth period, Oscal couldn’t help but think that the boy was smaller than most of his peers. The old man wondered if his perception became a bit warped after seeing too many knights bitterly training in swordsmanship during his life.
However, the atmosphere oozing out from the boy alongside the sharp glint in his eyes were completely different from the disposition of a mangani that Oscal so often heard about.
‘Indeed, rather than a mangnani, this is...’
He felt the imposing air of a sovereign coming from such a small frame.
More than anything else, those eyes contained so much bone-chilling murderous aura – Oscal thought that he was currently staring at the younger version of the Holy Emperor, Kelt Olfolse.
‘Then... This boy is the one Charlotte wishes to serve?’
Oscal shifted his gaze.
Charlotte Heraiz was standing next to the couch used by the Seventh Imperial Prince. Her hands were demurely gathered in front of her while her head was slightly bowed.
If someone else who didn’t know her saw this scene, they might see her as yet another maidservant, but in reality, her true station was that of a major noble and also someone who’d eventually become the number one swordswoman in the entire imperial court.
“I thank you for lending me your assistance in this matter, Oscal Baldur.”
The Seventh Imperial Prince spoke while sipping his tea. Oscal responded with a smooth smile. But even then, he continued to study the boy prince.
Kelt Olfolse constantly sent letters containing some tales regarding his grandchildren to Oscal – especially those that could potentially become the next Holy Emperor and the possible commander that the Order of the Golden Cross must answer to.
The ones that interested Oscal the most lately had been the stories involving the Seventh Imperial Prince.
The boy somehow ferreted out the hidden Vampires in the imperial palace and slaughtered them. He healed Luan that even Archbishop Raphael had failed to heal, then went on and eliminated the Progenitor lycan that caused so much headache in the northwestern territory of the empire as well.
And now, he was dispatched to Humite as a Heresy Inquisitor. The Necromancers called him the ‘angel’ even as he continued abducting and imprisoning them. The report on the matter said that the boy stashed his victims away and was doing something to them even till this very day.
A boy with a cruel and merciless streak, yet also someone who enjoyed the loyalty of the righteous Charlotte Heraiz. Wasn’t he truly a man of amusing character?
‘...Both his highness Luan and her highness Hilda are interesting people, but this young lord is just as interesting as them.’
What would happen if the boy before his eyes ascended to the throne of the Holy Emperor? Just imagining the aftermath alone made Oscal salivate in anticipation.
For him, nothing was more entertaining to watch than the Imperial Family committing some of the maddest acts one could think of. The rulers of an empire who personally hunted down monsters, and engaged in various festivals of blood they enacted every so often...
...How could Oscal not wait with bated breath for what other insane antics they might resort to next?
He expertly managed his expressions and formed a warm, smooth smile.
“I should thank you instead, your highness. To think that I’d be treated to wonderful and rare tea like this.” Oscal took a small sip of the warm tea and fixed his gaze on the Seventh Imperial Prince. “By the way, may I enquire as to why you have summoned me again, your highness? Do you have another task in mind for me?”
He couldn’t be asking Oscal to murder the special envoy from Aslan and put the latter’s severed head on display by the border wall, now could he?
“Sir Oscal, can you fight against an undead Lich?”
At the sudden and unexpected question from the Seventh Imperial Prince, Oscal’s head leaned to the side. “One or two shouldn’t pose too much of a problem. Necromancer King Amon commanded fifteen undead Liches back then. I was able to break through the monster horde they had summoned and safely escorted his majesty and his eminence Archbishop Raphael to where Amon was.”
The Seventh Imperial Prince’s eyes opened wider as if he was genuinely surprised. However, the scions of the Imperial Family should be familiar with this tale by now. After seeing that he clearly didn’t, the boy really must’ve lost his memories.
The boy prince asked. “Is that something a normal human can do?”
“Well, we the members serving the Imperial Family are rather strong, you see.”
“What a monster you are.”
The Seventh Imperial Prince tutted softly.
Ahaha! Just who was calling who a monster here?
Without a doubt, the current Holy Emperor Kelt Olfolse possessed power on an absurd level that put just about every one of his predecessors to shame. Although he is such a man now, back when he was about the same age as this boy...
The corners of Oscal’s lips curled up. “May I ask, why did you suddenly enquire about a Lich?”
“The reason why I asked you to come here today is because I wish to entrust a task to you.”
“Please go ahead.”
“I leave my brother to you.”
Oscal’s eyes narrowed to slits.
The Holy Emperor was currently headed to the city of Humite. His reason was to punish the ‘traitor’ in their midst. And the identity of the traitor in question was ‘Rose Darina’ and everyone in her household.
It was still unknown whether she and her cohorts were connected in some way to Aslan, but to find out the truth, the Holy Emperor Kelt Olfolse would probably quietly observe the situation play out from a close vantage point.
And yet, the Seventh Imperial Prince was ‘leaving’ the Third Imperial Prince Ruppel to Oscal?
Did the boy realise something was amiss too?
The Imperial Prince continued on, “Even I can deal with a single undead Lich.”
“Oh-hoh!”
Oscal let out a gasp of genuine admiration. He already heard it in the reports, but without a doubt, this boy was a monster! To think that a mere sixteen year old boy was capable of fighting against an undead Lich!
“However, I’m not confident of defeating it while having to protect my older brother at the same time. It’s unfortunate, but I’m not very good at protecting someone, you see.”
Oscal smiled wryly. Only after hearing that did he figure out the intent behind the Seventh Imperial Prince’s request.
I see... so he wants me to protect a traitor?
“The moment the Order of the Golden Cross moved to surround my brother’s private residence, the banquet venue also changed to his place. This is in spite of the fact that your knights are already surrounding the residence. That could only mean...”
“...There must be some kind of a combat force hidden around the residence that’s working together with the envoy.”
“It’s possible that the envoy himself is hiding the undead Lich. That’s why...” The Seventh Imperial Prince locked his gaze on Oscal. “...I’d like you to protect my brother.”
Was that the reason for him commanding the Golden Cross to surround Ruppel Olfolse’s residence? Not because he wanted to pressure the envoy?
“...Understood. If it’s your command, your highness.”
“Thank you.”
The Seventh Imperial Prince smiled brightly.
After sharing some other small talk, Oscal prepared to leave. But before that, he glanced at Charlotte first and asked. “May I know where Charlotte will be stationed?”
The Seventh Imperial Prince seemed to be surprised at Oscal’s question.
Ah, I see. His highness still doesn’t know yet, it seems.
Oscal smiled and continued on, “I’ve been teaching Charlotte for a while now. She’s actually staying in my place at the moment, you see.”
“...And were you also the one who injured her?”
“It was never my intention to harm your follower, your highness. I beg of your understanding on this matter.”
The Seventh Imperial Prince shot a glare filled with dissatisfaction at Oscal before glancing at Charlotte afterwards.
She bowed her head and spoke as if she could tell what the boy was thinking just from that single glance. “I’m fine, your highness. I’m actually deeply indebted to Lord Oscal.”
“If you say so, then it should be okay, I guess. Charlotte will protect Humite along with Harman from the Paladin Corps. Of course, on the last day, she will be attending the banquet with me.”
“I see.”
“Well, then... I’ll leave my brother in your care, Lord Oscal. If something happens, prioritise my brother above all else.”
Oscal slightly nodded his head. That went without saying – Ruppel needed to be alive and breathing until Kelt Olfolse reached the city.
...So that the Holy Emperor could personally punish him.
Oscal stood up from the couch and then bowed deeply at the Seventh Imperial Prince. “Of course, I shall obey. As it’s a command from an Imperial Family member, I’ll ensure that it happens as you instructed.” He cast a glance in Charlotte’s direction next. “And as for you, Charlotte. I’ll prepare a present for you later.”
She too slightly bowed her head in response.
Oscal smiled in satisfaction and left the executive office.
Harman was standing before the door. He looked really tense while bowing towards Oscal.
The old man addressed the stiff Paladin. “I heard that you will be taking on the role of protecting Humite along with Charlotte.”
“Yes, sir. That’s correct.”
Oscal nodded then lightly patted Harman on the shoulder. “In that case, do your best to follow her commands well.”
“Understo... Huh?!”
Harman flinched in surprise and stared at Oscal.