#79 Crown Prince Alondre (5) – Human, Demon, Crown Prince

Good on the surface, but lacking actual substance – that was the general assessment of Travers Brown, a merchant from the Ravellocia Kingdom.

Blessed with striking looks and a silver tongue, he excelled at inspiring expectations and winning favor. These were, after all, valuable qualities for a merchant. But that was about it.

The ability to recognize exceptional goods or talent.

The knack for discerning the flow of money and riding its current.

The willingness to take on risky gambles and emerge victorious.

Travers had failed to inherit most of the numerous abilities his grandfather and father possessed, both of whom had been among the kingdom’s most celebrated magnates. Nor was there any other family member or capable second-in-command to replace him.

This was because the Brown Trading Company had a tradition – or rather, a lack thereof – of being run almost single-handedly by each successive head.

The company’s sheer size and the various foundations built up over generations allowed it to endure for the time being, but it was glaringly obvious that the situation would only worsen as time passed.

It was precisely then, as Travers languished under the painful gazes of those around him, a mixture of unease and anticipation, that a mysterious being appeared in his dreams.

“—You look troubled. Got something on your mind?”

He couldn’t see the other party.

Only a voice echoed from beyond the endless darkness.

Perhaps it was because he assumed it was just a dream, or perhaps it was because the voice, of unknown origin, felt so kind and benevolent.

Travers, as if lamenting, revealed his troubles, and the voice listened to his story.

When he woke up, Travers, though he considered it a strange dream, felt no particular displeasure.

No, having aired the thoughts he had been bottling up, he even felt a sense of release and refreshment.

The strange occurrences began at that very moment.

A criminal organization that had been squeezing money out of the company by preying on its weaknesses was wiped out by an internal power struggle.

Travers rejoiced at the disappearance of the troublesome problem and drifted off to sleep in high spirits.

And in his dreams, the mysterious being appeared once more.

“─How’s my help been? Did it ease your worries, even a little?”

Travers answered, his mind still clouded.

It had helped. His worries were eased, thanks to it.

The voice inquired,

“Really? Shall I help you some more, then?”

Travers nodded, still in a daze.

There was no reason to refuse a helping hand, after all.

He felt a vague unease upon waking, but soon forgot it in the rush of his daily life.

A few days later.

The craftsman who had repeatedly refused Travers’s requests, even after his humbling pleas, came of his own accord, demanding a contract.

And that night.

Travers was once again able to converse with the enigmatic presence.

“Did you like the gift? I’m pleased as well, to see your worries resolved.”

Travers questioned,

Who are you, and what purpose do you have in helping me?

The voice replied.

Such things are unimportant.

What matters is whether Travers needs ‘help’ or not.

“Well then, shall I help you again?”

To the voice’s honeyed question, Travers shook his head.

He felt an instinctive dread.

Despite his firm refusal, the voice merely chuckled, showing no anger.

It simply told him to call upon it before sleep, should he ever need assistance.

A little more time passed thereafter.

Travers and the Brown Trading Company he led fell into crisis.

The newly appointed official demanded an exorbitant bribe in exchange for permitting trade within the territory.

The official’s demands grew ever larger with the passing of time, and Travers’s torment deepened as well.

Eventually, Travers had no choice but to request the enigmatic voice’s help once more.

“Is that so. You’ve had a hard time. Just wait a little.”

Having refused help before, only to suddenly flip his hand and request it now, perhaps the other would be displeased.

Contrary to Travers’ expectations, the voice responded with an exceedingly kind and considerate demeanor, granting his request.

Even Brown Trading hadn’t budged, yet another victim, tormented by a bureaucrat’s exorbitant demands for bribes, had bravely accused and ousted him.

It was the same after that.

Whenever Travers asked for assistance, the voice would unassumingly grant the favor.

The more this repeated, the weaker Travers’ will to solve problems on his own became.

For it was far more convenient and comfortable to simply ask the devil, than to painstakingly ponder and strive to achieve something himself.

With every endeavor of Travers’ succeeding, Brown Trading gradually grew in prestige, and his subordinates revered their capable proprietor.

Travers was happy.

Then, one day.

“I’m afraid I must depart now. I won’t be able to help you anymore.”

Upon hearing the voice’s words, Travers felt as if the ground beneath him was collapsing.

He pleaded.

Begged not to be abandoned.

Implored it not to leave.

The voice seemed to contemplate for a moment, before finally asking in return.

“I cannot assist you without recompense as before. Is that acceptable?”

Travers nodded.

If he could only continue to bask in this glory, this happiness, this comfort, he was prepared to pay any price.

At Travers’ words, the voice chuckled.

The darkness obscuring Travers’ vision thinned, and from beyond it, something in the form of a person materialized.

Jet-black hair, like the night itself.

Ruby-red eyes, like molten gems.

A revealing outfit, primarily of leather construction.

Membranous wings, horns, and a long, serpentine tail.

It was the figure of a devil, stunningly beautiful.

Merely seeing her face filled his heart with rapture, and even a glance sent tremors through his body.

“Travers. Travers Brown. Can you swear that you will heed my words? That you will do anything I desire?”

In the devil’s voice, the former kindness and gentleness were nowhere to be found.

Her tone was utterly arrogant, making no attempt to conceal her contempt and disdain for Travers.

And yet, Travers dared not defy her.

Nay, she couldn’t even manage to harbor grievances.

His soul, slowly melting away as he received the devil’s ‘gift’, had been completely subdued the moment he visually recognized the demon’s form.

The archdemon Lucidra, she looked down at Travers who swore fealty and servitude with bored eyes.

Whether before being sealed away, or now, resurrected, she thought humans hadn’t changed much.

And so, she grasped Lavelossia’s leading merchant guild in her hand.

*

The Eisen Empire. The Golden Cloud Palace.

“Hoh, the Kingdom of Lavelossia, eh? I haven’t been there myself, but from what I’ve heard, it’s quite a pleasant place.”

“Really? I thought it was smaller than Virka, size-wise.”

“While the size of its territory is important, it’s not everything. Lavelossia, while smaller, is politically quite stable, and its public safety and overall education levels are quite high, so I’ve heard.”

Unlike the Kingdom of Virka, whose incompetent governance failed to capitalize on its significant potential, this was a country that, while its landmass was relatively small, was cultivating a stable prosperity under a competent ruler. That was the Kingdom of Lavelossia as the Crown Prince understood it.

“So, what are you planning for your next incarnation? Become the kingdom’s strongest knight and slay a dragon or something? Or perhaps a shadowy noble, toppling the country from within? Or maybe a legendary assassin, taking the King’s head? I’ve built up enough infrastructure to forge just about any identity, so tell me what you want to do.”

Lucidra’s question was met with the Crown Prince’s reply.

“You seem overly addicted to dopamine, my dear. Not all hobbies need be so stimulating and intense. Isn’t it a bit inconsiderate to create chaos wherever you go?”

“……”

Lucidra blinked.

Her jaw hung slack, unable to even offer a reply.

Her brain simply couldn’t afford to divert its processing power elsewhere, so busy was it trying to interpret and accept the horrifying and absurd words she’d just heard.

What? Not everything has to be stimulating?

What’s wrong with creating chaos wherever you go?

As Lucidra froze, finding herself in a situation akin to hearing a sermon on vegetarian cuisine from a lion, the Crown Prince continued speaking matter-of-factly.

“People sometimes need to reflect on their path. In that regard, I’ve been doing some self-reflection. The adventurer was chosen out of pure longing, and the butler struck a good balance between hobby and duty. However, I think the Phantom Thief was more duty than hobby. The discrepancy between the ‘Phantom Thief’ I imagined in my head and the reality of it caused the incarnation’s actions to waver somewhat.”

Ultimately, things worked out well enough, thanks to meeting the seed of a hero called Dahlia, but Do-peng’s actions in isolation left the Crown Prince wanting in several respects.

“Therefore, I think it’s time to rediscover my original intentions. I’m going to put aside all this talk of duty and simply enjoy a peaceful daily life. The Kingdom of Lavelossia seems perfectly suited for that. It’s not as problematic as Virka, so it seems like the ideal place for some R&R.”

“…You’re not going to tear everything down while trying to ‘relax’, are you?”

“As I said, I’m fundamentally the type to respect rules and order. Unless, of course, I deliberately choose to play a character who ignores them.”

In Lucidra’s eyes, those words had zero credibility.

Just because a typhoon is sitting quietly in the heart of a city doesn’t mean the city’s residents will be at peace, right?

However, she also couldn’t deny that watching the spectacle from the sidelines would be quite entertaining.

At the very least, it would be more enjoyable than endlessly tempting boring humans to their ruin.

Lucidra, her eyes shining with a subtle expectation, asked,

“So, what kind of identity do you need?”

The Crown Prince replied,

“Ideally, one that allows me to read at my leisure. Reading as the Crown Prince is mostly a matter of necessity. I wish to acquire knowledge, to dabble in various fields of study.”

“Then, a librarian? But that requires work, perhaps it won’t do?”

“No, it’s not a bad idea. Reading alone is enjoyable, but sharing one’s impressions with others can be delightful as well. A vocation that allows one to naturally interact with those seeking books… it’s quite a favorable position, wouldn’t you say?”

The Crown Prince nodded, then, as if struck by a sudden thought, spoke again.

“Could you perhaps look into the city of Aldridge?”

“Why? Do you know someone there?”

“It’s the hometown of one of my magical mentors. I’ve heard stories about it, but I’d like to see it with my own eyes, if possible.”

“Alright, I’ll look into it.”

Lucidra agreed without much hesitation.

After all, she wasn’t the one who would be doing the work.

“Do you have a name in mind?”

“Ernest, I think. The surname, I’ll change to fit the local customs.”

Ernest, the librarian.

The moment a new persona was decided.