Childhood seemed like grains of sand that slipped through fingers just when one thought they had a firm grasp, leaving no trace behind.
Logan grew into a bright and talented young boy. His calm demeanor and prodigious skill in swordsmanship were enough to affirm him as the son who most resembled the Holy Emperor in blood.
Yet, as much as he grew to resemble his parents, Logan found it difficult to consider the current Holy Emperor and Empress as his true parents. He tried his best to show respect and affection in his actions, but the human heart does not change so easily.
Ironically, he felt a more genuine connection with his siblings. Perhaps because he, Gale, in his previous life, had never experienced such relationships.
He grew fond of the simple-hearted Masain, worried about the troublemaker Morres, cared for the timid Amelia who joined the palace later, and loved Cecily, who he had watched since she was a nursing infant.
Possibly, it was this attachment to them that kept Logan anchored in the palace, despite feeling somewhat adrift due to the memories of his past life.
As his siblings became busier with their lives and Logan’s mind matured, he found himself increasingly wandering outside the palace.
While he officially led a separate unit for the grand cause of protecting the people from sea monsters, Logan was well aware of his true intentions.
He simply wanted to keep himself so busy that he had no time to ponder, tied up with memories of his past life and searching for a purpose in his new one.
Moreover, the recent deterioration in his relationship with Morres troubled Logan. Having met him first after his reincarnation, he seemed to have unwittingly become emotionally dependent on Morres.
What has happened to you, Morres?
Although he always felt his brother’s presence, Logan sometimes found Morres to be strangely unfamiliar.
“Logan, all of Delcross praises your valor and virtue. Truly an achievement worthy of a prince of the millennium-old Holy Empire.”
After a long absence, returning to the palace, the Empress greeted him with an elegant smile.
Joining the Order of Saint Sebastian under the [Duty of Nobility] at a young age, Logan had distinguished himself in many ways.
Not only was his swordsmanship exceptional, but his thoughtfulness and upright character endeared him to knights of all ages, leading to a group of followers within the Order.
These knights, calling themselves the [Lilium] after the lily emblem of the Order, soon formed a separate unit under Logan’s command.
He had just returned from leading the Lilium on a campaign to suppress sea monsters across the eastern regions of the continent.
“You’ve uplifted the name and honor of the Empire and the royal family even at such a young age. I am always proud of you, my son.”
Logan smiled bitterly.
He hadn’t intended to elevate the Empire’s prestige. He just wanted to protect the wandering refugees of Ortona, his lost homeland, from the sea monsters.
Being reborn as a prince of the enemy nation, that was all he could do for his country.
“But isn’t it enough now? I’m always worried whether you’re eating properly or getting hurt somewhere.”
Empress Tatiana wanted Logan to stay in the palace, learn statecraft, and participate in governance. She probably hoped he would become the crown prince and eventually succeed the throne.
However, Logan could never think of himself as a Delcrossan.
Even as he led expeditions to combat sea monsters, his repeated visits to the eastern regions, deep down, were probably because he still considered himself an Ortonan.
– Did you think we would be grateful to you? When did you ever care for Ortona’s downfall, and now you come to help!
– We of the East will never forget the grudge for killing our General Gael!
He vividly remembered the group of refugees he had saved, looking at the Lilium with resentment-filled eyes.
In his past life, he had sacrificed himself for Ortona, and now he was facing the resentment for that very death.
Was this new life given to him for that purpose?
To sacrifice himself for the republic wasn’t enough, and now he had to bear the hatred toward Delcross and martyr himself for a nation that wasn’t his homeland?
Logan didn’t know.
* * *
“So… you’re unsure about the purpose of your new life?”
How much time had passed since they started their conversation? The night had deepened, and it was dark without the moon.
Luckily, accustomed to the darkness, Seongjin could clearly see Logan’s expression in the faint starlight.
Realizing that the Emperor probably knew his true identity, Logan’s face showed signs of agitation. This was probably why he was more open to discussing worries with Seongjin, which he normally wouldn’t do.
Moreover, sharing a [secret] with each other within the palace likely helped bridge the distance between them.
“In your past life, your homeland was destroyed because of Delcross, so you feel guilty just living comfortably as a prince of this nation? But when you try to actively rebuild your homeland, being a prince of the enemy country limits you?”
“That’s a simple way to put it, yes.”
Seongjin’s face turned sour.
What’s this? Just like with Amelia, why do I feel like I’m giving a lot of advice lately?
Am I more philosophical than I thought?
Is the profound philosophical aura emanating from my years of experience influencing people like this?
The Demon King was taken aback.
[You talk about being so experienced, but do you even know yourself?]
‘What, you little?’
He scowled inadvertently, causing Logan to look at him curiously. Clearing his throat, Seongjin spoke to Logan.
“Hmm… Listen, this is purely my opinion, so just take it as a reference.”
“I’ll listen carefully. Please share your frank opinion.”
Logan nodded seriously.
“Your country fell and you even lost your life purely because of Delcross. But since you became a prince of Delcross, you couldn’t take proper revenge, right?”
“That’s right.”
“And you went on sea monster expeditions to help your countrymen, but somehow that always felt insufficient?”
“Yes, that’s true.”
“So what are you worrying about? There are plenty of ways to moderately solve both, aren’t there?”
“…What?”
When Logan looked at him with wide eyes, Seongjin shook his head and clicked his tongue.
‘Wow, why are all the kids in this house so naive?’
Amelia was the same, but this guy, even in his second life, is too innocent.
Father raised these kids too gently, tsk tsk.
“I’ll give you an example of one of those solutions.”
At Seongjin’s words, Logan leaned forward, his face full of tension.
“What’s the most difficult yet most crucial thing to obtain for rebuilding a country?”
“…?”
“Capital.”
“Capital…”
As Logan pondered and nodded, Seongjin continued.
“So, the solution is simple. You embezzle some of the Delcross imperial family’s capital and divert it to your homeland.”
“…!”
“That way, it’s a moderate revenge on Delcross without being fatal. At the same time, it’s a definite help to your homeland.”
Logan’s mouth fell open in shock.
“But that’s… that’s not…”
“Not what?”
“Not… right…”
As Logan trailed off, Seongjin smirked with a slightly mean-spirited smile.
Indeed, a little more explanation is needed for someone as honest as you, who sneaks into other people’s rooms but boldly knocks before entering.
“If it’s not that, then how did you plan to help your homeland?”
“If the people of Ortona wish for it, I’m prepared to give up everything I have. It’s regrettable to Empress Mother who has high hopes for me, but I cannot become the crown prince and inherit the throne here.”
“Hmm.”
“The problem is that the people of Ortona might not trust me as a prince of their enemy nation…”
As Logan ended his words with a gloomy expression, Seongjin tilted his head and asked.
“Okay, let’s assume you leave here and successfully settle in Ortona. What will you do? How will you help the people?”
“Well…”
After pondering for a moment, Logan answered.
“First, I need to gather those who want to rebuild Ortona. I’ll find the remnants of the republican faction that survived. Then, I’ll negotiate with the merchant alliance about exclusive rights and other benefits to be offered after rebuilding the country. I’ll need to persuade the nobles of territories that are now under other nations. And there are refugees wandering around that need help.”
“Good.”
Seongjin crossed his arms and nodded.
“All good ideas. But are those things that only you can do?”
“Uh?”
“And where will you get the funds to carry out those tasks?”
“…”
Logan was at a loss for words.
Indeed, even now, there were many people working underground in Ortona to revive the country. Among them could be leaders as good as or better than Prince Benicio. There was no need for it to be him specifically.
Sword Master. What does that even mean?
Even when the republican forces had a proper army, they couldn’t avoid destruction. What substantial help could one skilled swordsman add to them now?
As Logan’s eyes deepened with thought, Seongjin drove the point home.
“Think about it. Would it be more helpful for your homeland if you became a poor spiritual leader, guiding people, or if you became a wealthy internal enemy, discreetly diverting capital and supporting from behind?”
Huh?
“The former anyone in your homeland could do, but the latter can only be done by you, the Prince of Delcross and the former knight of Ortona.”
“…!”
“That’s something only you can do in this world, Logan.”
Logan’s eyes widened dramatically.
In his blue eyes, there was a wave-like ripple of sudden enlightenment.
The Demon King sighed deeply.
[No, this devil!]
Logan slowly stood up and said,
“So that’s it. The reason I was given a new life…!”
The boy, who always maintained a calm and somewhat sad demeanor, now, without realizing it, rediscovered his hidden passion and looked somewhere with sparkling eyes.
Towards the invisible distant land in the east, his now lost homeland.
“The purpose of my reincarnation as a prince is to embezzle Delcross’s capital and divert it to Ortona!”
Well, it sounds strange to put it that way.
…But maybe that’s right?
However, Seongjin overlooked one fact: this pure prince was even more honest than he had anticipated.
The next afternoon, in a rare audience with the Holy Emperor, Logan spoke with a serious face.
“Father, I have a favor to ask.”
The Holy Emperor, glancing at his teacup, looked up and blinked upon seeing the firm resolve in the boy’s blue eyes.
“A request?”
“Yes. I would like my allowance to be increased.”
“…….”
“Significantly increased… actually, very significantly!”
Louis, the chief chamberlain who was serving tea at the Emperor’s side, tilted his head in confusion.
“The amount allocated to you as a prince is not insubstantial, but how much exactly do you need?”
“Well, double the current amount? No, maybe triple?”
“Excuse me?”
“How much budget is usually needed to run a country?”
“A country…”
Logan was brazenly asking for a fortune, an amount that would be substantial even if embezzled secretly, as his allowance.
Louis discreetly glanced at the Holy Emperor.
After a moment of silence, the Holy Emperor slowly lifted his hand to cover his face, then spoke.
“You can have the allowance as you wish. However, Logan…”
“Yes, Father.”
“Have you been spending time with Morres lately?”
“…….”
[TL/N: Morres guiding everyone’s onto wrong(?) path ????
