Chapter 631: After a Night (4)
Prince Albert’s sudden appearance... was not unexpected.
The people in the hospital room did look startled when they saw him, but it wasn’t his arrival that surprised them; it was that he had come much earlier than anticipated.
After all, Prince Albert had insisted on staying in Landa until he could meet Dave, and he was determined not to leave until then.
"Did he say he wouldn’t be leaving?"
"Yes."
“I apologize for saying this, Your Highness, but there may still be lurking dangers in this city.”
"That doesn’t matter. It would be a disgrace to the honor of the royal family if I couldn’t even thank the person who risked their life to save me."
For the first time, the gentle prince, who usually went along with the decisions of the royal secretary and his attendants, was adamant, and surprisingly, the prince won.
In retrospect, it was an inevitable outcome.
Although the royal family had gradually relinquished real power over time through compromises and negotiations, royalty was royalty, and the name itself carried a weight that was difficult to resist.
As a result, hundreds of people—including the royal secretary, the druid who served as an attendant, members of the Central Council, and various civil servants handling official matters—had to stay in Landa indefinitely, all due to the prince’s wishes.
In the same vein, notable figures in Landa, such as Archive Merlin, Forest the broker and businessman, Mari of the Chosen Ones, investor Jane, Fighter Crew Jo, Carver, the city’s Interior Minister, and Kevin, a professor from the Tower of Magic, all had to show their respect by leaving the hospital room.
“When will we be able to discuss the matter of the new school?”
As they exited the hospital room, Carver, the Interior Minister, spoke up first.
The school Carver was referring to was the proposed Black Magic School, also known as the Bright School. Kevin and Forest, who were directly involved in this project, both reacted immediately.
The young Red-skinned warlock from the Tower of Magic and the elderly broker partnered with Dave exchanged glances before responding simultaneously.
“It’s fine to discuss it now.”
“Anytime works for me.”
The city’s minister, the broker, and the professor from the Tower of Magic, all gathered in one place, was an unusual sight.
It was a scene only possible because of Oliver, the peculiar catalyst among them.
“Well then, shall we go to a nearby café I know and start with some preliminary discussions? I do have another commitment coming up, and there are matters with the Pater Church to resolve as well.”
Kevin and Forest both nodded in agreement. The city’s officials, stretched thin from trying to manage the chaos and damage within Landa, barely had enough hands to handle everything.
The three men excused themselves and headed out, with several people following them.
Among them were Unner, Yareli, and Derek from the Tower, as well as Mari, Jo, and Al from the Redevelopment Coalition.
Although each of them had their own reasons, they all expressed interest in hearing about the plans for the Bright School, effectively volunteering to act as Kevin and Forest’s attendants.
In truth, it was practically the same as officially attending the meeting. Thus, the remaining people—Merlin, Rosburn, and Jane—were left alone in the corridor.
They looked a bit forlorn, but there was no helping it.
Merlin wasn’t involved in these issues, and Rosburn and Jane were outsiders.
But then, Jane suddenly raised her voice, calling out to the departing group.
“One moment, please.”
Her voice was clear, beautiful, and carried a tone that caught the attention of Carver, Kevin, Forest, and the others, making them stop.
Their eyes turned toward Jane.
Forest, with a hint of concern, asked, “What’s the matter?”
“Don’t worry,” Jane replied with a slight chuckle. “Even though my hair is pink, I’m not going to insist on tagging along with you.”
After affirming her point, Jane scanned the group, her eyes settling on one person in particular.
Among those present were Interior Minister Carver in the center, with Kevin and Forest flanking him, and Unner, Yareli, Derek, Mari, Jo, and Al behind them.
Jane pointed directly at one of them.
“Could I have a moment of your time?”
...
‘Huh? What’s this about?’
Oliver thought to himself.
He had just woken up and was still getting his bearings when the prince entered the room. When Oliver reflexively greeted him, “Greetings, Your Highness,” everyone else had promptly exited.
Now, only Oliver, the prince, and the royal secretary remained in the hospital room.
What on earth is going on? Oliver didn’t even know the prince that well.
In this abrupt situation, Oliver found himself at a loss for words, so he stayed silent, and the prince, too, merely watched Oliver without saying anything.
As the silence grew increasingly awkward, someone finally broke it.
It was the royal secretary.
“Show proper respect to His Highness,” he said, his voice carrying authority as he stood like a shadow behind the prince.
At that moment, Oliver’s brain finally kicked into gear, and he quickly tried to rise from the bed, only to fail as pain shot through his body.
“Ugh.”
Seeing him struggle, the prince stopped him.
“It’s fine; you may remain seated. Miller, please, that’s enough.”
At the prince’s dignified command, the royal secretary nodded, bowing his head. The prince then turned his gaze back to Oliver.
After a pause, he finally spoke.
“I came as soon as I heard that you’d woken up.”
“Thank you for coming… But you got here rather quickly; I just woke up.”
“As I mentioned before, our royal secretary is quite efficient. We receive information promptly.”
The royal secretary allowed himself a faint, triumphant smile.
“I was supposed to leave immediately, but I stayed to express my gratitude to you, who saved my life.”
“Thank you.”
“No, I am the one who should be thanking you. Your apprentice protected me, ensuring not a single hair on my head was harmed.”
“My apprentice?”
“Yes, Fighter Crew Jo from New Gentleman—isn’t he your apprentice?”
“Ah… I did teach him a bit of black magic.”
Oliver subtly downplayed his role as Jo’s mentor, almost as if he were distancing himself from the label of master.
After all these years since being taken in by Joseph and coming to Landa, words like ‘mentor’ and ‘master’ still made him uncomfortable.
It felt awkward and burdensome.
“Either way, I am glad to see you safe.”
The prince watched Oliver for a moment, then spoke again.
“…Is there anything you desire?”
“Pardon?”
“A reward, something you’d like. I don’t intend to settle this with a simple ‘thank you.’ You saved my life, the life of a prince, and defended the land of the United Kingdom. I’ve already informed the royal family of your deeds via the communication device and will make a full report upon my return. They will, of course, bestow upon you a suitable reward. So, if you have any wishes, please let me know.”
The prince’s words were logical, yet Oliver hadn’t anticipated this turn. In truth, he hadn’t even considered it.
Oliver took a moment to think. A reward...
“Hmm… I don’t have anything in mind.”
“Nothing?”
“Yes.”
It was a brief, simple exchange, but the prince looked a bit puzzled.
“Humility is a virtue, but so is honesty.”
“I’m not trying to be humble; I really don’t have any requests. Landa’s city government has already given me everything I wanted.”
Oliver explained that he had received support from both Landa’s administration and the Tower of Magic for establishing the Black Magic School.
“Ah… that does sound like a fair reward. But still, is there truly nothing else you desire?”
“No, Your Highness, there isn’t.”
After hearing the same answer repeatedly, the prince’s face took on a slightly troubled expression, and he turned to the royal secretary.
“Miller. Would you please step outside for a moment?”
“Your Highness? But I must remain by your side—”
“I appreciate your concern, but there’s nothing here that should pose a threat to me. So, please, just step out for a bit.”
“But, Your Highness—”
The royal secretary, Miller, attempted to refuse, though gently. He seemed genuinely worried for the prince, but there was also a sense that he was under orders from someone else, leaving one to wonder whether his true role was to protect or monitor the prince.
The back-and-forth continued until Oliver interjected.
“Miller?”
Oliver called the royal secretary by name.
“I’m sorry, but could you please step outside for a moment? I’m not feeling well.”
Miller started to respond but paused mid-sentence, feeling a sudden, subtle yet intense pressure radiating from Oliver’s shadow. Though it lasted only a moment, it was enough to render Miller silent.
“I’d appreciate it. I am a patient, after all.”
With a sheen of cold sweat on his forehead, Miller bowed respectfully and withdrew from the room.
The prince, observing this scene, looked at Oliver with surprise.
“I didn’t know you had that kind of ability.”
“I don’t enjoy using it. It just seemed that you had something you wanted to say… so please, feel free to speak.”
As Oliver finished, the prince set aside his usual mask of dignity, relaxing slightly as he took a seat in the chair nearby.
There was a youthfulness in his expression that matched his age, yet also a certain weariness that seemed beyond it.
“It’s rather surprising, honestly.”
“What’s surprising, Your Highness?”
“Your behavior… It almost makes me suspicious.”
Oliver listened quietly as the prince continued.
“There was a similar situation in the New World, but back then, you were just someone hired for a mission. Your only task was to assist the Holy Knight.”
“Yes, that’s true.”
“But this time, it’s different. You saved my life—the life of a prince. Yet, you don’t ask for anything in return, which leaves me feeling more troubled than grateful.”
“Could I ask why it troubles you, Your Highness?”
“Because I am a prince. If someone helps me, it is my duty to reward them accordingly. If I don’t, that favor becomes a debt.”
The prince was indeed grateful to Oliver, yet the situation itself felt burdensome.
Oliver guessed that this attitude came less from the prince’s personality and more from the environment in which he was raised.
After all, he was a prince—a young man forced to play the role of an adult, constantly reading the intentions of those who approached him and keeping his true feelings hidden.
After some hesitation, Oliver finally spoke.
“May I say something, Your Highness?”
“Of course, go ahead. There’s no one here to judge.”
With permission granted, Oliver continued.
“To be honest, I didn’t help you specifically because you were a prince. It’s not that I thought about the consequences; I just acted instinctively. I understand the potential issues if something were to happen to Your Highness, but my choice wasn’t driven by your royal status.”
The prince furrowed his brow, clearly taken aback by Oliver’s candid words.
“Then… why did you help me?”
“Simply because you were someone I knew, and because I could. Isn’t that reason enough?”
The prince, who had likely never encountered such a simple, almost whimsical reason, looked at Oliver, struggling to find the right response.
The idea that someone would risk their life to help him, the prince, merely because they knew him and were capable of helping him—it was a thought that didn’t quite align with the structured world he knew.
But Oliver wasn’t finished.
“Besides, Your Highness, you’re only in your early teens… It’s normal to help a young boy without expecting anything in return, isn’t it?”
The prince, who seemed ready to offer a rebuttal, fell silent at this last point. It wasn’t exactly wrong, but it wasn’t something he could easily accept, either.
“…But I’m a prince.”
“I know that. But you’re still young. Please don’t misunderstand; I admire you, Your Highness. I don’t think I could carry the weight you bear.”
Oliver recalled what he had seen of the prince’s life so far—constant attention, intense scrutiny, and an unwavering commitment to his duties.
“For that reason, please don’t worry. I don’t expect anything in return, nor do I plan on asking for anything in the future. So, please, let it go.”
“…”
The prince was at a loss for words.
A mix of emotions—gratitude, confusion, hope, doubt, and even a bit of relief—flitted across his face, leaving him visibly unsettled.
Oliver sensed this emotional turmoil and deliberated on what to do next.
Though he could have simply let the prince leave, he felt it wouldn’t be fair to let such a young boy carry yet another burden.
After a moment’s thought, an idea flashed through Oliver’s mind.
With a soft gesture, he used what magic remained in him to draw a small item from his belongings across the room—a leather case.
Opening it, he pulled out Big Mouth, a peculiar creature resembling dough swelling and sprouting eyes and limbs.
Seeing it for the first time, the prince instinctively recoiled.
“Grrp?”
Big Mouth cocked its head at the prince before Oliver issued a gentle request.
“Big Mouth, could you bring out that thing?”
The instruction was vague, but thanks to its improved intelligence from feeding on countless pouch spirits, Big Mouth knew exactly what he meant.
“Grrrrgh!”
“Argh!”
With a loud, rather unsettling retch, Big Mouth produced a card onto the bed beside Oliver, drawing a yelp from the prince.
Unbothered, Oliver picked up the card and held it out to the prince.
“This is…”
“It’s the reward Your Highness once gave me—a certificate of a secret vault with Land Bank.”
“I remember. From the New World…”
“Yes. Could Your Highness take this paper and place it in the vault for me, without anyone knowing?”
Oliver extended another slip of paper toward the prince, its surface etched with a space-manipulation spell.
The prince examined it, recalling seeing it once before.
“Why would you want that?”
“I’d do it myself, but I’m unsure when I’ll next be able to visit the capital. Would it be too much to ask?”
“No… not at all. Discreetly?”
“Yes, I’m a bit shy, you see. It’s the only thing I ask.”
The prince, seeing Oliver’s sincerity, fell silent, then accepted the items, tucking them into his jacket.
“I’ll ask my nanny to arrange it… I didn’t expect such a request.”
“You have my thanks.”
With this, their conversation concluded.
The prince, as though awoken from a surreal dream, rose to his feet, wearing an expression of disbelief.
“Well, I suppose I’ll be going now. I have to return soon… By the way, are you planning to dye it again?”
“Dye?”
“Yes, your hair…”
The prince pointed to his own head, and Oliver, curious, drew moisture from the air and used his magic to shape it into a small mirror made of ice.
In the icy mirror’s reflection, he saw that not only had his dyed hair returned to a pure white, but the area of whiteness had actually expanded.
...
“Is this our first meeting here?” Jane asked, sitting at the Crossroad Hotel’s restaurant.
As expected from a hotel renowned for its desserts, the table was laden with cookies, cakes, ice cream, and an assortment of the hotel’s signature sweets.
“Yes, I remember. You ordered quite a bit then, too,” Mari replied, recalling their earlier encounter.
She and Oliver had been deep in conversation when the pink-haired Jane had suddenly appeared, joined them, and treated them to dessert.
“Oh, my apologies. I acted quite brazenly back then, didn’t I?”
“No need to apologize. You’re not any different now. So, can we get straight to the point?”
Mari’s reply was blunt, almost to the point of rudeness.
However, it wasn’t entirely without reason.
She had intended to help Oliver, hoping to lend her support to whatever business Forest had planned for him. But unexpectedly, she had been pulled aside by Jane’s request and brought here.
Especially given that she and Jane had no particular relationship.
Aware of this, Jane offered a quick apology.
“I’m sorry. There’s just one thing I absolutely need to ask you.”
“What is it?”
“What do you think of Dave?”
Mari’s expression froze.
It was an abrupt and sensitive question, one she hadn’t anticipated at all.
“What exactly are you getting at?”
“I just want Dave to be happy… truly happy.”
“…”
“But I’m afraid my efforts alone aren’t enough to make that happen. It pains me to say this… So, I humbly ask for the help of someone who understands him better and shares his interests.”
“What is it you’re hoping for?”
“How much do you know about him? My instincts as a woman tell me that you know quite a lot.”
“And you? How much do you know about him? You wouldn’t be asking these questions if you were clueless about him.”
“I know he’s supposedly some sort of prince. I heard about it when he was kidnapped by the Fingers… So, do you think we could work together on this?”