A Happy Life in the Empire - The Princess Once Called a “Failure” Becomes the “Most Important Person” as a Hostage in the Empire - Chapter 4
“Excuse me, Your Highness. What exactly is the Demon King Attribute?”
I felt scared, but I couldn’t just remain ignorant.
I gathered my courage and asked.
“The Demon King Attribute refers to a unique type of magic that resembles the power once emitted by the so-called ‘Demon King’ from ancient times.”
Prince Alto quietly began his explanation.
“Demon King…”
“Of course, the Demon King is just a figure from legend. We don’t know if he really existed. However, it is said that the magic he possessed was powerful enough to overwhelm and terrify monsters.”
“A magic that even those ferocious monsters fear…”
“That’s right. Unlike humans, monsters can sense the nature of magic. That is why, when someone with the Demon King Attribute approaches, monsters instinctively feel fear and run away. Because of this, we call this power the ‘Demon King’ Attribute.”
“B-but, my magic is extremely weak. I learned in the kingdom that monsters can sense not only the nature of magic but also its quantity.”
“That understanding is not wrong. However, the Demon King Attribute is an exception. Even if your magic is weak, just having this attribute is enough to make monsters afraid.”
“In the Luminar Kingdom, magic power is valued based on its amount. But in our empire, we also emphasize ‘quality,’ meaning the nature and attribute of magic.”
The appraiser added from the side.
“Exactly.”
Prince Alto nodded.
“The Demon King Attribute is extremely rare. Even when looking back at the long history of our empire, only a few individuals have ever possessed it. Among those alive today, Sophia, you are likely the only one with the Demon King’s power.”
“A power that belongs only to me…!”
“Amazing! Princess Sophia’s power is one of a kind!”
“So that’s why monsters never came near us when she was around!”
“The kingdom must be blind for not recognizing how incredible she is!”
The townspeople were in a frenzy of excitement.
Even Prince Alto and the appraiser couldn’t hide their enthusiasm.
(I can’t believe I have such a power…)
On the other hand, I couldn’t believe it myself.
Of course, I wasn’t doubting Prince Alto or the appraiser’s explanation.
Thinking back to all the times monsters had fled from me, it made sense.
I was just overwhelmed with shock.
The joy only started to sink in after some time had passed.
“Now then, Your Highness, I will take my leave.”
“You have done well. Thank you.”
After speaking for a while, the appraiser departed.
Once his carriage disappeared from sight, Prince Alto turned to the mayor and spoke.
“Mayor, I apologize for doubting the numbers in your report the other day.”
Prince Alto bowed his head to the mayor.
This shocked everyone, including me.
A crown prince bowing to a commoner? That was unheard of.
It showed his character.
“N-n-no, please! There’s no need for that!”
The mayor, of course, panicked.
For some reason, he even started bowing deeply, pleading for the prince to raise his head.
“Just as you reported, this town has been free from monster attacks thanks to Sophia.”
“So it really was because of her! Thank you for protecting our town, Princess Sophia!”
The mayor bowed to me.
“Oh no… I didn’t do anything special. I was just living here. And please, stop calling me ‘Princess.’ Just call me ‘Sophia’ like always. It’s embarrassing.”
“Oh? So the mayor calls the princess of the Luminal Kingdom by her name?”
Prince Alto smirked.
“N-no, no no, no no no, no no no no! That’s not—!”
The mayor’s face turned bright red as he fell into a panic.
Seeing his reaction, the townspeople burst into laughter.
Even Prince Alto laughed in amusement.
“Now then…”
As the laughter settled, Prince Alto’s expression turned serious.
He turned to me and looked me in the eyes with a determined gaze.
“Sophia, I have a request for you.”
“A request?”
“I want you to lend your power to the empire.”
“What do you mean by that?”
The mayor and the townspeople tilted their heads in confusion.
“Just like Rockwell, many towns in the empire suffer from monster attacks. Now that the war with the Luminal Kingdom has ended, we are working on integrating villages and increasing security. However, it is not enough.”
“I see…”
It was a problem unique to the vast Elysion Empire.
“Monster attacks are a serious issue. Before I inherit the throne, I want to do something about it. Sophia, your Demon King Attribute magic will be a great help to our empire. That’s why I need your cooperation.”
Prince Alto bowed his head.
“W-wait, Your Highness! Please don’t bow your head!”
I panicked and flailed my hands in distress.
Now I understood how the mayor felt earlier.
“If I can help, I would be happy to. But what exactly do you need me to do?”
“Simply visit and stay in towns suffering from monster attacks.”
“Huh?”
“While you are there, our mages will perform a ritual. This ritual will allow your magic to seep into the land, making it harder for monsters to approach even after you leave.”
“There’s such a ritual?”
As a member of the royal family, I had learned a lot about magic.
I knew about various rituals, but I had never heard of this one.
“Unlike the Luminal Kingdom, our empire has very few people with strong magic. Some even have none at all. That is why we have focused on research to maximize efficiency. We have many secret rituals, and this is one of them.”
“I see…”
“The ritual takes several days, sometimes over ten. That means you will need to stay in each town for a while.”
“Including travel, it sounds like a long journey…”
Prince Alto nodded.
“I know it won’t be easy. But, for the sake of our empire, will you accept?”
His deep blue eyes held an unwavering determination.
Compared to the rejection I faced in the kingdom, his words felt like a dream.
“I want to do my best for the empire. If I can help, I would be honored.”
I had no hesitation in my answer.
“Thank you, Sophia. On behalf of the empire, I am deeply grateful.”
Prince Alto smiled.
That smile made my heart feel warm.
I was needed.
And that made me incredibly happy.
With my agreement, our journey began.
As I got into the carriage, the townspeople cheered for me.
“Good luck, Sophia!”
“You are Rockwell’s pride!”
“Help the other towns, too!”
“Come back anytime!”
I waved and smiled.
“I will! I promise to return!”
I replied with a smile and got into His Highness’ carriage.
The inside of the carriage was high-quality but not flashy.
When I sat down, His Highness also got in.
Naturally, he sat right next to me.
My heart felt like it was about to burst from nervousness.
“We didn’t hold the ceremony, but just in case, I’ve strengthened Rockwell’s security. This way, if monsters appear, the guards should be able to respond quickly.”
“Thank you, Your Highness.”
“I’m the one who should be thanking you. It’s not something I should say to a hostage, but… thank you for coming to my country, Sophia.”
The carriage slowly started moving.
Rockwell gradually faded into the distance.
And so, my journey with Prince Alto began.