Information is the most valuable thing for adventurers.
Information where a monster with a high bounty is or a location of a store with great weapons. You never know when you could stumble on such useful information.
So, as usual I was reading the newspaper. When in doing so, I found an ad that caught my eye.
"Charles, come home right away."
I couldn't believe my eyes.
This is a type of ad that could be found everywhere. However, the problem is the advertiser.
The kingdom of Braidea, the country of my birth, was the advertiser.
I have nine older stepbrothers, so my absence shouldn't be a problem for the country.
It was because I thought so, that I was able to indulge in a life of debauchery as an adventurer without any hesitation.
Since they can't identify my whereabouts, they must be advertising the same text in various places and through different mediums.
In other words, they are throwing around a lot of money in the hope of reaching me.
To go to such lengths means it can't be a small matter. Feeling that way, I immediately decided to return to my home country of Braidea.
As soon as I decided to return, I made preparations for the journey. Picking equipment focusing on lightness and convenience.
A sword made of a rare and special metal making it as light as a bird feather, adorned with a wing design along its sharp edge.
A ring that can change its form to a set of lightweight armor, although it provides only moderate defense the ability to change its form makes up for it.
Then finally a shield that is round and of little weight, perfect for parrying, a trusty buckler.
February.
We are still in the middle of the cold of winter.
Depending on the location, there were some places where snow was piled up.
Instead of dressing in a bunch of layers that make it hot when you walk, I wore a cloak with high heat insulation.
My luggage is something that proves my identity as an adventure, traveling expenses, portable food, a leather water bottle, and a magically enchanted sack full of fast-acting healing potions.
Unfortunately, I was deep into the continent, so I couldn't use a boat and had to go by land.
I used horse-drawn carriages as much as possible, and I walked in places too dangerous for carriages to be used, barely sparing any time to sleep as I continued on to my home country of Braidea.
After three days of such travel.
I finally made it to the castle town of my hometown in the kingdom of Braidea.
The security against the monsters in this area is solid, the town also boasts great public security so there is little need to worry about fighting in the town.
I turned my armor back into a ring, placed my buckler on my back, keeping my sword sheathed on my waist.
In front of the gate of the royal castle, the two gate guards are seriously engaged in their duties.
I slowly approached and called out to the guards.
"I am the Tenth Prince, Eucharlouch. I have received an urgent summons and have just arrived. I would like to arrange an audience with His Majesty the King."
Hearing my words, the two guards looked at me with eyes full of suspicion.
"Have you not been notified?"
"We've been notified, however calling yourself the prince with your current appearance...Even if your overall build matches, it's hard to believe."
While saying that, he shows me a portrait of the 10th prince, Eucharlouch, in other words, me.
As they said it's hard to believe, three years had passed, my appearance has changed significantly since then.
In addition to that, my current appearance doesn't really look like royalty.
I was dressed in filthy clothes, my hair was unkempt and growing out, and although I had tied it up so it wouldn't get in the way, I still gave off an unrefined impression.
Due to my rushed travel, and I didn't dress so elegantly.
Although the travel was relatively safe, I did have to fight monsters a few times, so that was the right answer.
"I have proof that I belong to the royal family, but can I take it out of my pocket?"
After receiving permission, I show him a dagger with the royal family's emblem on it.
"Yes, this is certainly the royal coat of arms, however this being enough to prove your identity......."
The male children of the royal family in this country were given a dagger with the royal coat of arms when they came of age, it was used as a proof of their identity, but it seems the custom has fallen out of fashion as of late.
The faces of all the princes other than me were well known, and people of high status wore attire fitting of their status, so normally there was no need to use items as proof of identity.
To them, royalty is those who arrive in elegant horse-drawn carriages followed by a large number of attendants, not some suspicious-looking man like me who arrived on foot in dirty clothes.
"The blade glows when in contact with the blood of a member of the royal family, would that suffice as proof of my identity?"
"I'm sorry, but I've never heard of such a thing ......."
The methods to prove my identity seemed to have become completely obsolete.
I decided to change my approach.
"Then, is Claude's wife, the ninth miss, here? She should be able to prove my identity."
Claude is my older brother the Ninth Prince.
Just like me, he dropped out of the race for succession early on. Being closer in age compared to our other brothers we got along swimmingly.
The ninth miss is his wife and my sister-in-law.
She is one of the people who will happily rush here if she heard I came back home.
"I'm sorry, but I can't let the royal family meet someone of doubtful origin......"
Someone of doubtful origin, huh?
Well, I guess when compared to my brothers my bloodline is inferior.
"You shouldn't mind if we have her look through the bars of the gate, right? Just by seeing my face she should be able to identify me as the tenth prince."
"Well, if it's just doing that...."
"I don't think he can do anything wrong through the bars, so I guess we can do that......"
Since we had no other way to confirm my identity, he was finally able to accept my proposal, albeit with some reluctance.
"We're just doing our job so no hard feelings ok?"
While I was waiting, one of the guards told me that.
"It's much better than having to deal with a lazy guard. Though I know I don't have much influence, I'll tell the King that you're a good soldier who is dedicated to your job."
I don't mean any harm to them, so I'll show them my understanding.
"You don't look like a prince at all, the royal family tends to be bossier."
"I wasn't raised like a prince. I'm used to not being treated special."
While I was having such a casual conversation, the person I was waiting for arrived.
"Charles!"
As soon as she saw my face through the iron bars, she opened the gate and ran to me.
"Charles, it's Charles!"
Saying that, she hugs me.
Even though my appearance is far from clean.
"You're going to get dirty, Ninth
I said to remind her.
"It's a reunion with my cute brother-in-law. I don't care about that."
"I'm very happy to hear you say that but..."
"You hadn't visited at all since you left, I was worried."
"Sorry......"
"By the way, Charles."
"Yes."
"Your hair is growing out of control, you have to be careful about your appearance, right?"
My sister-in-law says this while looking at my unkempt hair, which looks like it's a reflection of my laziness.
"Yes, I'll keep that in mind."
I could do nothing but nod obediently at her words.
I am deeply indebted to this kind-hearted sister in-law and could do nothing but agree.
The guards who were watching our exchange called out to us fearfully.
"Ninth Miss, is he?"
"Yes, he is definitely the Tenth Prince Eucharlouch."
The look on their faces when she said that was a sight to behold.
"Thank you for your hard work, you may return to your duties."
"I'm very sorry for earlier, I don't know how I can apologize for my rudeness......'"
"Like I said, it's your job, don't worry about it?"
After a few exchanges with the two guards, I entered the castle.
"It's been a long time how is my older brother and Dia?"
I asked casually.
"Dia is fine...... That person is...... You don't know anything yet......"
In the middle of her words, I noticed a shadow cast over her sister-in-law's expression.
"... Your father is waiting for you, lets go see him."
This time with my
The vassals who saw me were talking in a whisper.
They seemed to be stunned by me appearing in the audience room in such a dirty outfit.
"Eucharlouch, has returned."
I kneeled and bowed my head.
"I'm sorry I'm late, and I'm sorry for arriving dressed like this."
I apologized for not being able to come in formal attire.
"You have nothing to apologize for, I can see by your appearance that you rushed home without a second thought. You did well."
It seems that my father, who is the king, guessed the reason precisely. This is probably the reason why he is admired by his vassals.
My father respected my wishes to leave and become an adventurer.
Something big must have happened if he decided to call me back home.
Thinking so, I was curious for his reason.
"There's something more important to talk about."
"Yes."
"I want you to be the father of the next generation of heroes."
The Brave Lord family is a family of heroes. Today's world wants a large number of people who can exterminate monsters in order to open up the unexplored lands and expand human territory.
To do this it's the job of those who possessing this bloodline to become a breeding horse and raise the population of humans with special powers. However.
"With all due respect, Your Majesty."
"Speak."
"I'm supposed to be at the bottom of the pecking order, I'm sure there are many other qualified candidates."
Although my father was the king, my mother however was just a town girl who was not part of a noble family.
When it comes to bloodline, I'm at the bottom when compared to my brothers.
"No, it can only be you."
"How can it be me?"
"All of your brothers are dead."
I couldn't understand his words.
After a moment's delay, I finally understood what he said.
"All of my older brothers!?"
I couldn't hide my surprise.
It is customary in the royal family to have five or six children so that there will be no problems with succession, even if one or two people die.
If there are ten people, it is twice that by simple calculation.
If you think about it normally, it is more than enough.
It's an extremely unusual situation to have all the heirs except me die.
"No wonder you're surprised, I still can't believe it."
There seemed to be many reasons for this, but the only thing that was certain was that my brothers were no longer in this world.
"Let's continue."
"Yes."
"While I have no objection, there are many people who doubt your abilities. In order to convince them, there will be some sort of exam later. Please keep this in mind."
"I understand."
After that, I briefly mentioned to the king that I was impressed with the guard's dedication to his work and ended the conversation.
"You must be thirsty after talking so long. Have a drink."
After the king gave the order, a maid appeared with a drink in hand without waiting too long.
The liquid in the glass was chilled even though it was inside a warm castle.
It is the privilege of royalty to have such a luxury.
The king is not the kind of person who indulges in luxury. He must have prepared it specially for me.
However.
「......」
I had some reservations, so I politely declined. "Such rudeness! Are you planning to trample on His Majesty's kindness?" One of the vassals, perhaps offended by my attitude, raises his voice.
"It's fine, I'm sure Eucharlouch has something on his mind."
"But!"
"Didn't you hear me?"
The king glared at his vassal.
Even though he is not active, he is truly a hero.
Even if his body is no longer able to produce children, his eyesight has not diminished in the slightest.
Being pierced by such a sharp gaze, the vassal had no choice but to shrink down on the spot.
"I have a few more things I want to tell you, Eucharlouch. I'm sorry but everyone else please excuse yourselves."
Saying this, the king has everyone leave.
One by one, the people present left the room. After making sure everyone was gone, the king began speaking.
"This is the something I didn't want anyone else to hear." "Yes." "Just to be safe, I'm thinking of having two bodyguards with you at all times, one in the light and one in the shadows. Is that a problem?"
"With all due respect, your Majesty."
"Hmm."
"I am very grateful for your consideration. However, there is no need for an escort. I would feel bad wasting your precious personnel for such a thing."
"I knew you would say that, however there are many people who are not happy about your return."
"If you say that people are not pleased with me, do you mean Ms. Fassone?"
Fassone is my eldest brother's wife, in other words, my sister-in-law, but she doesn't really like me because of my inferior bloodline, and it's easy to understand why she treats me as her enemy.
She's very open and honest about her hate for me, not very insidious, but just a nuisance.
"It's the same for the ministers, when your brothers were alive fighting here, you were out of the country living a life full of debauchery, how can I expect them to bow down and be happy now that you have returned."
"When you say it like that, I don't know how to respond."
"Don't worry, I didn't mean it like that. I'm just saying that I feel bad about having to bring you back after granting you freedom to live like you want."
"I'm sorry."
"I digress, please continue."
"Yes, Miss Fassone is an upright person. I don't think they're going to secretly harm me."
"I think so too. She's not really a bad woman at heart. She might complain every time I meet her, though."
"Other than the Ninth Miss and Miss Fassone, the other widows and I don't have many opinions on each other."
We've only ever really exchanged greetings in public or in the castle.
I would like to think that since I wasn't mentioned as a candidate to inherit the throne till after I returned, there would be no reason for the widows to dislike my existence.
Prior there was no change in the hierarchy so whether I was there or not didn't matter, so it's safe to say that previously they ignored my existence.
Well, Fassone is the only one who is unlikely to treat me any differently, since she somehow convinced herself that the king wanted to choose me as his successor because he showed his trust in me.
"Then that leaves the ministers."
"I don't think there's anything to be gained from my disappearance, except that there will be one less eyesore for them."
"I think so, too, and I don't think there will be any immediate benefits."
The king and I concluded that there are people who find me annoying, but as long as they have nothing to gain, they won't do much harm.
"To be honest, it's uncomfortable to be around strangers, if they are any consequences for my choice then I will handle them."
"I know your ability. If you don't think you need an escort, then there's no need to go out of my way to spend extra money. Do whatever you like."
"Thank you very much."
"Getting thanked not for adding an escort, but for removing one. That’s completely strange."
"I'm sorry."
"That's all for now. I'm sure you're tired from your long journey. I've prepared a room for you, so you can wash off the dirt from your trip and relax."
Chapter length 6533 characters.
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