I Became the Youngest Prince in the Novel

Chapter 10: The Black Forest (1)

The Imperial City houses five magnificent palaces, with Baeksung Palace reigning supreme at the center.

Within the red-hued palace, a man sat on a throne-like chair at the highest level. His silver hair, a royal emblem, hung untamed as he looked towards Baeksung Palace.

"......"

His hand reached out towards the slowly materializing Baeksung Palace.

His about-to-clench fist froze at a low knock followed by a voice.

"Your Majesty."

"Enter."

The man halted and turned his attention towards the door.

A wizard entered, politely pushing open the door, falling into the man's sight.

"There's been a situation at the Chimseong Palace."

The wizard spoke, head bowed, cutting straight to the point.

"A situation? What kind? Did our assault plan fail? I can't fathom why."

"It's about a certain event."

"Explain."

"Magical energy was sensed at Chimseong Palace."

"Magical energy? Clarify."

"We have no further information. All our watchers around Chimseong Palace have gone silent recently. The servants there refuse to speak as well."

"Re-establish our surveillance there. Gather more intel."

"Understood. Furthermore..."

The wizard seemed to have more to say. The man looked at him, silently urging him to continue.

"Rumors about Prince Zion have been circulating."

"What kind?"

"His demeanor has reportedly turned incredibly violent. Additionally, he's wielding some unknown power..."

"Did he finally lose his sanity? Could be... he's been an assassination target... always came across as weak."

The man chuckled at the wizard's words.

"I wouldn't fret over such gossip. That boy has been a loser since birth. The only thing he inherited from the Agnes bloodline is hair color. No matter how much he resists, he's no more than an insect on the ground. Speaking of which, isn't the succession ceremony approaching? How's the preparation?"

"As per reports, there's no talk of cancellation. It seems it will happen as planned."

"......If he had given up, I would've left him be. He doesn't know his place and acts arrogant."

Lost in thought, the man tapped his chair's armrest.

"For the succession ceremony."

"Yes."

"Why don't we make it a tad more exciting?"

A cruel smile tugged at the corners of his mouth as he spoke.

---

Raei Translations

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The Imperial Palace, the Empire's heart, is located in the middle of Hubris, the world's hub capital.

The empire's Imperial Palace, a spectacle of grandeur overwhelming any onlooker.

Zion, his face half-concealed by a hood, stood staring at this sight.

'About a week left until the succession ceremony?'

Zion was on the outskirts of Hubris, the capital city, a fair distance from the Imperial Palace.

After handling the demon in Chimseong Palace and tidying up, Zion's first action was to flee the Imperial Palace.

He had urgent tasks to attend to before the succession ceremony.

'I think it's this way.'

Zion recalled memories of reading the Chronicles of Frosimar as he walked.

Generally, a royal family member's exit from the Palace would include an escort entourage, but Zion was alone.

He had left in secret.

'It was easier to sneak out, being on the outskirts of the Palace.'

The only person aware of Zion's whereabouts was Fredo.

To the rest of the courtiers and knights, it would appear Zion was alternating between his bedroom and the underground practice room.

He didn't trust them completely, despite their claims of loyalty.

Therefore, he concealed the truth about the demon incident, making them believe it was merely an assassination attempt by a dark magician.

Needless to say, strict information control was necessary.

Rumours would eventually circulate, but for now, he was safe.

'I won't cross paths with her for a while, despite the suspicious look.'

How long did he wander, thinking of Priscilla?

'Is this the place?'

Zion paused before a building, reading the signboard.

Moonlight Feast.

A well-reputed restaurant in the capital, living up to its name.

The second floor was reserved for private rooms and required advanced booking.

But Zion wasn't here for dining.

Information guild, Eye of the Moon.

That was the true face of this restaurant.

Or more accurately, it was one of the Eye of the Moon guild's secret branches.

"Can I take your order?"

A mustached waiter approached Zion, who was seated at a table on the ground floor, topped up his glass, and asked politely.

"Sun-soaked liquor and snowflake fritters for appetizers."

Although not listed on the restaurant's menu and a cringe-inducing phrase, it was necessary.

It was the secret passphrase for this place.

A classical method, indeed, but its effectiveness has ensured its continued usage.

"Understood."

Despite the odd password, the waiter kept a poker face. After a brief interaction with another employee at the counter, he returned to Zion.

"Sir, this way to your private room."

With that courteous invitation, Zion rose and followed the waiter.

Private rooms were typically upstairs, on the second floor. But the waiter led Zion towards a corridor descending underground.

Without further explanation, the waiter began his descent down the dimly lit tunnel.

Zion followed him, one step at a time.

Suddenly, the corridor expanded into a circular chamber.

At its center, a woman sat behind a lone desk.

Her reddish-brown hair was pulled back into a ponytail, and round glasses perched on her nose. She studied Zion intently.

"You must be new here."

Her voice was as cool and calm as she appeared.

'Is she the boss?'

Zion's gaze shifted from the polite waiter to the woman.

"I have a request."

At his straightforward words, she remained silent for a moment before responding.

"Certainly. May I have your name first?"

Zion smirked.

"Since when does the Information Guild need the client's identity?"

"Normally, we don't... but this is an exception."

Her gaze grew icy.

"An exception?"

"Did you know that 'Banquet of the Moonlight' recently became a branch of the 'Eye of the Moon'? It's not even officially open."

She began to tap rhythmically on her desk.

"Even within our guild, few are aware of this place. Plus, I remember all the faces of those who do. But you..."

Her tapping ceased.

"How exactly did you discover us?"

Just as her hand stilled...

Masked figures emerged from the chamber's shadows, swords lunging at Zion.

It was so abrupt that he had no time to react.

Even as the blades targeted his heart and throat, Zion's eyes remained fixed on the woman.

No.

"...!"

The swords halted within an inch of striking Zion.

Despite the attackers straining to drive their swords home, they didn't move an inch.

It felt like trying to pierce densely packed sand.

An unknown darkness swiftly enveloped the swords.

"What is this..."

The woman and the masked attackers stared in bewilderment at the surreal scene.

"Was that too fast?"

Zion's voice was barely a whisper.

Too fast?

Before she could comprehend his words, Zion acted.

His right hand released the Black Star River, instantly scattering the masked men on his right.

Masked men hit the wall, unable to resist.

The others, recovering their swords, lunged at Zion again.

Swoosh!

Their blades, honed sharper, aimed for Zion's throat.

But, once again, they couldn't touch him.

Like a phantom, Zion evaded the swords and struck.

Thud, thud, thud!

One blow, one man down.

The men didn't have a chance to react before being knocked to the ground.

"How is it possible..."

A puzzled whisper came from the woman.

The men were competent bodyguards provided by the guild for her, a woman with a unique status in 'Eye of the Moon.'

Yet, they were easily defeated?

"What matters isn't how I discovered you."

Zion, having neutralized all the men, approached the woman, readjusting his disheveled robe.

"The point is I have a request, and you're going to listen."

Even though he was early, before the 'Eye of the Moon' branch started taking requests, it was irrelevant.

If he wanted something, he obtained it.

With trembling eyes, the woman finally spoke.

"What do you want?"

---

Raei Translations

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"Details about the Black Forest and a forged ID card..."

Aileen, the woman, murmured to herself, remembering the man in the robe who had taken what he wanted and left.

He had demanded two things. An ID document and the location of a place known as the 'Black Forest.'

"Aileen, why did you accept his demands?"

Allen, a moustached employee, questioned while clearing the mess. He knew Aileen wasn't one to comply with an unreasonable client, even under threat.

And though she might have been overpowered by the robed man, she'd have had numerous escape plans.

Yet, she'd readily agreed to the man's demands.

Even though he had attacked her using her own bodyguards.

"Do you recall the earlier fight?"

In response to Allen's question, Aileen, observing her injured bodyguards being carried away, spoke.

"Yes, it's unforgettable."

"His robe slipped momentarily."

That's when Aileen saw it.

His ash-gray hair.

"Ashen hair... that's a characteristic of a single family in this world."

The world's current ruling family.

The House of Agnes.

Only the Agnes bloodline possesses such hair color.

"So you're saying..."

"One of the Agnes lions seems to have stirred."

The imperial family seldom left their territory.

But their rare excursions always sparked great upheaval.

"I'll assign someone top-tier to this."

Aileen slightly nodded in response to Allen's words.

"Determine his royal lineage, why he left the Imperial City, and his reasons for traveling alone. Also, delve into details about the 'Black Forest.'"

"Understood."

As Allen departed with a determined expression, Aileen found herself pondering about the mysterious man once more.

'Just who is he?'

His undeniable charisma effortlessly controlled everything, supported by an underlying strength that suggested his proximity to the emperor's throne.

Yet, Aileen couldn't fathom that this man could be Zion Agnes, famously known as the dethroned prince.

***

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