Basking in the lingering afterglow of the song, I left the shop alongside Byron.
Alice's rapid growth had yielded an unexpected sense of satisfaction. I had known she possessed great potential, but for her to improve this quickly was completely unforeseen. It was truly a pleasant miscalculation.
Savoring that lingering high, I questioned Byron, who was keeping pace beside me.
"So, what did you come here for?"
"I happened to be passing by and caught sight of you, Your Highness."
"That's a lie."
"Pardon?"
Seeing Byron's startled expression, I turned back with a smirk while continuing to walk, looking up at the merchant I had only just met.
"A merchant never wastes his time—especially a successful one."
"..."
This time, Byron was struck speechless in a completely different way. His eyes went wide enough to pop out of his skull as he stared down at me.
"What is it?"
"No, it's just... I am astonished that someone of your age—and a noble, no less—understands merchants so thoroughly."
"For us nobles, wasting time is practically our job description."
"As expected of an imperial prince."
I chuckled softly and cast a glance over my shoulder. The shop where Alice performed was gradually fading into the distance. Sponsoring her was merely an indulgence typical of the nobility. To put it bluntly, it was a pastime—and pastimes were all about enjoying the luxury of waste.
"A merchant wouldn't nurture someone like that, would they?"
"No... Well, you see..."
"What were you about to say?"
"Uh, well..." Byron hesitated awkwardly, but eventually gave in and answered. "Some might spend the money and time if it were on a concubine..."
"Heh, fair enough."
He had held his tongue for a moment upon remembering that I was only six years old.
"And?"
"Right. There is a favor I wished to ask of Your Highness... It is almost that time of year when the imperial palace recruits new palace maids."
"Hmm."
It was just as Byron said. Once a year, the imperial palace held a mass recruitment drive for female servants. While ostensibly just hiring staff, any woman who caught His Majesty's eye could be summoned to share his bed, offering her a chance to rise through the ranks and become an imperial consort. Because of that, the selection criteria were brutal, the applicant pool was massive, and passing through the gates was a razor-thin needle to thread every single year.
"What about it?"
"Well, I wondered if you might have any insight into what traits they look for."
"In other words, you want to plant a woman of your own in the imperial palace."
"..." Byron gave a solemn nod.
Politics and commerce had been joined at the hip since ancient times. Having an insider within the palace walls meant obtaining critical intelligence before anyone else. And in the unlikely event she became an imperial consort—or even Empress—the benefits to his business would be staggering. That was the angle Byron was playing.
"Of course, I do not expect this for free. A modest token of my appreciation has already been delivered to your estate."
Paid in advance, huh? Not bad. If he had said something along the lines of "Once we succeed—" I would have written him off as second-rate.
Now then, what to do? It wasn't as though I couldn't just pocket the gift and do nothing. I was an imperial prince, the Emperor's own blood. I could easily take a merchant's tribute, offer a perfunctory "Well done," and call it a day. That was the sheer weight of an imperial prince's station.
However, I liked the man. I liked the fact that he had recognized that girl's worth and taken her in as his adopted daughter. I liked Byron for doing that.
So, I racked my brain, wondering if there was a way to make this work. Suddenly, two faces crossed my mind: Alice, whom I had just left behind, and His Majesty the Emperor back at the imperial palace. The Emperor favored me right now; if I personally recommended someone, he would likely accept without making a fuss.
"There is one way."
"And that would be?"
"...If she's a woman who catches my eye, I can put in a good word for her."
Having said that, I glanced back over my shoulder toward the direction of Alice's shop. I was making it clear that my support wasn't unconditional—she truly had to impress me.
Byron proved to be a sharp man. After glancing between me and the distant shop, his face lit up with delight, and he bowed deeply.
"Thank you, Your Highness! I shall present a girl worthy of your discerning eye."
"Right. The actual palace screening is a one-shot deal, but I'll let her take my preliminary test as many times as she needs."
I added that as a small courtesy, making sure there would be no misunderstandings.
"I am profoundly grateful for your generosity!"
"Hmm... You look like you still have something on your mind."
I caught the lingering hesitation on Byron's face as he straightened up.
"H-How did you know?"
"Anyone could tell with the determined look you're wearing."
"As expected of the Thirteenth Prince. Your keen insight never ceases to amaze me."
"Go on, spit it out."
"Yes... If it would not displease Your Highness, I humbly request permission to emblazon your crest upon my shop's signboard."
Now that did surprise me. Putting my crest on his signboard meant one thing: he was formally swearing total fealty to me.
"Are you sure about this?"
"I am! Though we have only just met, witnessing Your Highness's extraordinary talents firsthand has convinced me. I would be honored beyond words to serve beneath your banner."
"All right, I'll allow it."
"Truly?"
"Just remember: I don't tolerate betrayal."
"Thank you, Your Highness!"
Right there in the middle of the bustling thoroughfare, Byron dropped to one knee, paying no heed to the staring crowd.
In that very instant—
―――――――――――― Name: Noah Ararat Ararat Empire Thirteenth Imperial Prince Gender: Male Level: 1 / ∞
HP: F Fire: F MP: F Water: E + SS Strength: F + F Wind: F Stamina: F + F Earth: F Intelligence: F + F Light: F Spirit: F + F Dark: F Speed: F Dexterity: F + F Luck: F + F ――――――――――――
With Byron entering my service, a "+" was added to both my Intelligence and Spirit.
☆
Late that night, I sat in my room and inspected my status.
I reviewed the stats that had just grown from taking Byron on as a subordinate. My sheet was finally starting to fill out nicely across the board. If I hadn't obliterated that grimoire, Wind would have gained a "+" as well, but there was no use crying over spilled milk.
Just to be thorough, I summoned a servant and had them pull up my public status appraisal.
―――――――――――― Name: Noah Ararat Ararat Empire Thirteenth Imperial Prince Gender: Male Level: 1 / ∞
HP: F Fire: F MP: F Water: SSS Strength: E Wind: F Stamina: E Earth: F Intelligence: E Light: F Spirit: E Dark: F Speed: F Dexterity: E Luck: E ――――――――――――
The gains were properly reflected on this side as well.
I nodded in satisfaction. From here on out, my power would only continue to grow. As the Emperor's biological son and the Thirteenth Imperial Prince, it was harder not to attract followers. The more subordinates I took under my wing, the more "+" modifiers I would accumulate, driving up my actual baseline capabilities. Taming Leviathan into a loyal hound had already proven that these stats translated directly into real-world strength.
As long as I remained a noble and kept expanding my faction, I would keep growing stronger. The future looked bright, and I couldn't be more pleased.
Then, an anomaly struck.
"—?!"
I sprang to my feet as if shoved. The numbers before my eyes had suddenly shifted.
―――――――――――― Name: Noah Ararat Ararat Empire Thirteenth Imperial Prince Gender: Male Level: 1 / ∞
HP: F Fire: F MP: F Water: E + S Strength: F + F Wind: F Stamina: F + F Earth: F Intelligence: F + F Light: F Spirit: F + F Dark: F Speed: F Dexterity: F + F Luck: F + F ――――――――――――
My Water stat had dropped. What had been an SS just moments ago was now reduced to an S.
What just happened?
The value after the "+" was a modifier granted by my subordinates. The Water SS had come from subjugating Leviathan, while the S had been granted the moment His Majesty proclaimed Almeria as my fief right after my birth.
Which meant... something had happened in Almeria.
An incident severe enough to sever my control over the land.
"...!"
I bolted for the door.
"Master?!"
As I burst into the hallway, the maid stationed outside jumped in surprise and hurried after me.
"Is something wrong, Master?"
"Ready a carriage. We're going to the imperial palace."
"Y-Yes, right away!"
The maid knew better than to ask questions above her station. Panicked, she scrambled to obey my command and had a carriage brought around.
☆
Despite the late hour and the utter lack of notice, His Majesty granted me an immediate audience.
Kneeling on one knee inside the Emperor's study—a chamber as vast as a public library—I delivered my report directly.
"An anomaly has occurred in Almeria."
"...How did you know?"
Wait, what?
What was with His Majesty's reaction? It was almost as though...
"Did you already know about this, Father?"
"No. I had only detected preliminary signs."
"In that case..." Still down on one knee, I lifted my gaze to meet his. "It has undoubtedly happened."
"..."
His Majesty's brow furrowed, his piercing gaze locking onto mine.
A few moments later, his trusted confidant, the eunuch Cruz, slipped quietly into the room and leaned in to whisper into the Emperor's ear.
"I see. Very well."
As His Majesty nodded, Cruz bowed low and silently withdrew from the study.
The Emperor let out a heavy sigh, then shifted his attention back to me.
"Remarkable, Noah."
"...So?"
"Indeed." His Majesty gave a grim nod. "A rebellion has broken out in Almeria."
I knew it.