The Prince Who Absorbs Abilities With a 'Click' - C35

Chapter 35: Stolen Holy Sword

‘This world is boring.’

When did I start thinking this way?

At first, I didn’t feel this world was dull.

Even with memories of my previous life, the environment here was vastly different from Earth.

Born as a prince of the most powerful empire, what could I possibly lack?

Wearing fine clothes, savoring rare delicacies, and living a life of luxury—every gesture was met with eager compliance.

Even women were at my disposal whenever I desired. Life, naturally, was enjoyable.

But humans inevitably adapt to their surroundings.

No matter how luxurious, monotony sets in when experienced daily.

Moreover, I had a significant flaw that could be called a fatal weakness.

‘The half-wit prince.’

What good is it to be born a prince of the empire?

I had no talent for magic or aura, making me unfit to dream of becoming a magician or knight.

Not every prince excels in every domain. Even an emperor isn’t masterful at everything.

Need magic? Call a royal mage. For combat, keep knights by your side.

Ruling the empire involves deploying subordinates effectively; there’s no need to excel in every field.

But for me, it was different.

Not all princes are born equal.

Most importantly, I was the youngest, the eighth prince.

The eighth prince.

As the youngest, I had no claim to the throne worth considering.

At best, I might secure a notable position in the empire. But then came the issue:

‘I lack talent.’

Plainly speaking, I wasn’t a genius.

While one doesn’t need to be a genius, it takes more than mediocrity to rise.

But I was just that—mediocre. The ordinary eighth prince, Kain Chronos.

That was my name.

No matter how hard I tried, my life would end as the eighth prince.

Regardless of who became emperor, my life would likely end in exile.

If I were lucky, I might just keep my head. Realizing this, nothing seemed fun anymore.

Perhaps that’s when it began.

The moment I started longing for my past life.

After all, living a simpler, enjoyable life playing games in my previous world seemed preferable to this existence.

‘I used to think that way…’

Unconsciously, I fiddled with the smartphone in my pocket while listening to Edwin’s story.

What Edwin, the royal mage, told me was unexpected—I had latent talent for mana and aura.

Mana and aura.

Mandatory assessments for all royal offspring.

These talents determine one’s education and future life but I’d been deemed devoid of such abilities.

Yet Edwin claimed they lay dormant within me.

‘So this isn’t just a simple smartphone?’

It wasn’t simple from the start, considering the game turned out to be reality. But to think it would grant me abilities, I hadn’t anticipated that.

‘The basics of mana and aura.’

How did I come to possess these traits?

The memories were vivid.

They were abilities I absorbed from sacrifices offered by the Skeleton Gunner to me.

‘Those sacrifices were adventurers’ corpses.’

At the time, I didn’t realize the game was real or how to use these traits. I simply dismissed it. But it turns out they became mine.

‘Wait.’

Suddenly, a memory resurfaced.

Thinking back, the Skeleton Gunner’s offerings weren’t new.

‘The first was the incubus, wasn’t it?’

The Skeleton Gunner, who took over after killing the dungeon’s original master, the incubus.

His first offering was that incubus’s corpse.

‘What did I gain back then?’

The memory was fuzzy. Something akin to charm…

‘Could that explain it?’

Now I understood the puzzling behavior of the maids, especially Lynette.

‘Tsk.’

I’d thought they were drawn to me because I seemed promising, but there was another reason.

The realization was bittersweet.

But that was fleeting.

Now, I truly had potential.

‘As long as the dungeon remains active, I can grow stronger.’

That meant endless opportunities to grow, provided I survived.

‘Ultimately, I need to excel at all games.’

Being a Dungeon Master wasn’t just about enhancing items with enchantments—it was a game that directly empowered me.

“……”

Now, all that was left was to become stronger.

With the foundations of mana and aura in place, it was time to hone them.

But how?

So far, my uneventful life in the royal palace was due to my incompetence.

In short, I wasn’t considered worth opposing, allowing me to live quietly.

If I openly practiced these powers, the level of scrutiny and opposition would escalate dramatically.

That was out of the question.

‘Hmm, what should I do?’

The palace is vast but small—there are too many eyes, and rumors spread quickly.

‘At least for a year.’

Until I became the lord of Kverndel City, I needed to keep a low profile.

Once I assumed lordship, I could learn magic freely without interference. Until then, discretion was key.

‘But I can’t just stay idle.’

With the foundation for growth laid, wasting time wasn’t an option.

So, what could I do?

Asking another mage for help was risky. Most were already aligned with factions.

‘News of my condition would spread.’

Thus, I needed a mage unattached to factions and whose association with me wouldn’t seem odd.

‘Where could I find someone like that…?’

My gaze landed on Edwin.

‘Wait.’

Edwin was officially assigned to me by the crown prince’s order.

Moreover, he was famously unaffiliated with any faction.

He was the perfect candidate to teach me without raising suspicion.

‘Why didn’t I think of this sooner?’

Convincing him wouldn’t be easy, but it was worth trying.

After a moment of contemplation, I spoke carefully.

“May I make a bold request?”

I cautiously brought up the topic.

“Edwin, as you mentioned, if I have potential, could you teach me magic?”

“What?”

Edwin’s eyes widened in surprise.

He likely hadn’t expected such a request.

But without hesitation, Edwin firmly declined.

“I’m sorry, Your Highness, but I don’t have the luxury. Even serving the crown prince is for my daughter’s sake.”

Tsk.

As expected, a refusal.

Though anticipated, it was disheartening.

Given his sick daughter, who made him consider leaving the royal court, forcing him wasn’t an option.

“I understand. I respect your decision, Edwin.”

“Thank you, Your Highness.”

Edwin bowed deeply, gratitude evident in his gesture.

As he lowered his head, white strands were visible among his black hair.

‘He must be under immense stress.’

A thought crossed my mind.

“If I may ask… what illness afflicts your daughter?”

I cautiously broached the subject.

He didn’t have to answer, but after a brief hesitation, Edwin spoke.

“Her mana circuit is damaged.”

A concise yet impactful response.

Judging by his expression, it must have been severely damaged.

While I should have shared his sorrow, I felt differently.

Instead, a smile formed inwardly.

‘This is it.’

In my possession was the Sage’s Blueberry from Real Farm—a miraculous crop capable of repairing damaged mana circuits.

The timing couldn’t have been better.

What I needed now was Edwin.

And his weakness was his daughter, whom I could heal with the blueberry.

It was the perfect opportunity.

Maintaining a composed expression, I spoke.

“I might be able to heal your daughter.”

“What? What do you mean…?”

Edwin’s demeanor changed instantly, his previously calm eyes now filled with urgency.

“Your words are hard to comprehend. Healing her… how?”

His voice trembled with desperation, but I couldn’t give it away for nothing.

“On two conditions.”

Raising two fingers, I spoke deliberately, allowing the weight of my words to settle.

“In exchange, bring your daughter to the prince’s palace.”

It’s a blatant statement that I intend to hold him hostage, but isn’t it necessary to stay close to treat him?

And I don’t trust empty promises. If Edwin leaves with the blueberry, I’m the only one at a loss.

And having his daughter here ensures Edwin’s loyalty.

“And the second thing…”

I paused and looked at Edwin.

His gaze was now different from before.

Gone were the polite smile and warm eyes; instead, a cold stare scanned my body.

“If I succeed in treating your daughter, please pledge your loyalty to me. As you know, I have no power and am at risk of being expelled to Kverndel next year.”

The second request was the most crucial.

Edwin’s voice turned icy in response to my demand.

“You are quite serious, Your Highness. At first, I thought you were joking, but seeing your sincerity, I shall answer just as seriously.”

Of course. Would I lie up to this point?

Well, considering my claim to restore the mana circuit, it wasn’t strange for him to react like that.

But I truly could do it.

[The Sage’s Blueberry]

• • Forms a mana circuit. If the mana circuit is damaged, it fully restores it.

I possess the only item that can save his daughter.

As I adopted a serious expression, Edwin continued.

“But you must take responsibility for your words. If Your Highness heals my daughter, I will pledge loyalty until my dying day. I will swear this on the Mana Covenant.”

Success!

Edwin brought up the “Mana Covenant” first.

The Mana Covenant is the highest level of contract tool, sworn upon one’s soul.

When the covenant is sealed, the mana binds the parties, and anyone breaking the terms of the contract has their soul shattered.

It’s that definitive but also that dangerous—a contract bound by the Mana Covenant.

For this reason, it felt improper for me to mention it first, as it might seem like I doubted Edwin’s loyalty. But since he brought it up, I could only be grateful.

“However, if I determine your words to be false, I will immediately regard you as my enemy.”

Edwin’s statement was stronger than I expected.

To him, his daughter is everything in the world.

If she dies, it’s only natural for a father who has nothing left to lose to feel this way.

I decided to overlook that level of discourtesy.

“You don’t need to worry about that. I will stake my honor on it. And I would appreciate it if this matter remains confidential. Now, since we’ve roughly discussed everything, please bring your daughter here first.”

Time was running out.

If the daughter died before treatment began, everything would be for nothing.

“Let’s think about teachings later; your daughter’s treatment comes first.”

Did my words feel genuine?

Edwin’s expression lightened noticeably.

“Then, I will trust only Your Highness and return. I will also prepare the covenant separately.”

Shortly after, Edwin left.

The treatment was already scheduled.

Now, I needed to prepare what came next, beyond the blueberry.

‘When learning magic, the most essential thing is mana potions, isn’t it?’

When you first learn to use mana, the consumption is extreme.

More precisely, the inefficiency in handling mana results in excessive consumption.

This is why mana potions are most needed during the early stages of learning magic.

Being a prince, I could apply for mana potions from the royal family, but that would defeat the purpose of learning secretly.

‘But I have Real Farm.’

The crops from Real Farm even repair mana circuits.

It was impossible not to have something that restores mana.

I immediately pulled out my smartphone.

Of course, I launched the game, Real Farm.

As it loaded, the bear character appeared.

“……”

The bear beyond the screen was stretching its neck, hunting flying bugs.

“Ugh, this definitely isn’t relaxing.”

Why are there so many bugs swarming like that?

When I first started, there were no insects, but now the screen was almost covered.

Then, a phrase popped up on the screen.

[The sweet scent of blueberries has caused a surge in pests!]

The blueberry tree still had one blueberry left unharvested.

I had taken one, another was with Kang Ha-yoon, and the remaining one seemed to be attracting pests as if they were claiming their rights.

“Hmm.”

This wasn’t good.

Although the legendary bear kept the pests at bay, there didn’t seem to be any time left for farming.

[Decorate your Real Farm!]

[Depending on how you decorate, you can gain unique effects.]

[Would you like to decorate Real Farm?]

Huh? Suddenly?

It now suggested decorating the farm.

What did decorating have to do with pests? I was curious, but perhaps one of the effects mentioned pest eradication.

I immediately clicked “Yes.”

Then, a cat figurine suddenly appeared beyond the screen.

“……?”

First a bear figurine, now a cat figurine.

[A cat will help decorate your farm!]

[Please select the decoration item you desire!]

▶ Swordmaster’s Famous Sword – Repels birds. (10,000 gold)

▶ Divine Holy Sword – Prevents harmful insects from approaching and occasionally blocks ghosts from damaging crops. (100,000 gold)

The choices were simple and straightforward.

The first was a scarecrow, and the second was clearly a holy-looking sacred sword.

“This isn’t even a question.”

The holy sword, of course.

Although 100,000 gold was expensive, considering Real Farm’s value, this level of investment was nothing.

When I chose the “Divine Holy Sword,” the cat figurine disappeared somewhere.

Meanwhile, deep underground in the sanctuary of the Holy Order.

Along the cold marble walls, torches blazed in a row, and beneath their light stood a line of knights in silver armor.

They guarded only one thing.

The sacred sword personally bestowed by God.

Placed on an altar, the sacred sword emitted a pure, holy aura.

Its blade glowed softly, as though imbued with moonlight, and its cross-shaped hilt was intricately engraved with ancient runes.

The overwhelming light of the sacred sword seemed to drive away the surrounding darkness of the underground chamber.

“Yawn, this is so dull.”

One knight, growing more drowsy as time passed, yawned as he spoke.

“Isn’t this overkill? Honestly, who would dare come here to steal the sacred sword?”

“Shh, isn’t this better? Standing guard here is better than wandering around outside, right?”

“True. Still, I can’t shake the feeling that this is too much.”

The knight’s words made sense.

This place was the deepest sanctuary of the Holy Order.

To reach it, one had to pass through five gates, each guarded by knights, inquisitors, and high priests with impenetrable security.

Who could possibly breach those defenses and reach this place?

Moreover, the existence of the sacred sword was a closely guarded secret.

Except for the Pope, cardinals, the saintess, and the knights guarding it, no one else knew about it.

It felt utterly meaningless to be stationed here.

But then.

Screeeech—

The air itself began to tear, as if glass was shattering.

“What, what is that!”

The startled knights quickly drew their swords. But what emerged from the torn space was faster than their swords.

“Is that… a cat?”

No, it was a cat figurine.

Without hesitation, it approached the sacred sword.

Before the knights could swing their weapons, the cat figurine had already grabbed the hilt of the sword.

Lifting the sacred sword as if it were a toy, it disappeared back into the spatial rift.

The torn space rippled like waves before returning to its original state.

“……!”

The incident happened so quickly.

The knights stood frozen, unable to believe what had just occurred before their eyes.

Thus, the Holy Order lost the sacred sword bestowed by God—to a cat figurine.