---
The carriage moved slowly toward the royal castle.
The rhythmic sound of wooden wheels rolling across the stone road echoed faintly in the quiet evening. Inside the carriage, silence dominated the atmosphere.
Selena iriela sat quietly, looking outside the window, her expression still shaken from the events that had just happened.
Across from them sat Alex.
Although his expression appeared calm, his thoughts were moving rapidly.
By now… the entire capital must be in chaos.
Illegal slave traders had been exposed. Knights had arrested criminals. The situation had escalated far beyond what anyone expected.
Inside Alex's mind, a familiar voice appeared.
System
"Yes, Host."
Alex leaned slightly back in his seat.
"Show me my coins and quest status."
A translucent blue screen appeared in his mind.
---
Debt: 47,000 Coins
Coins Earned: 8,000
Quest: Save Yourself and Viriela Family
Status: Completed
Reward: 10,000 Coins
---
Alex stared at the floating screen.
"Hmm…"
Even after the reward, his debt still looked ridiculous.
This system really wants to make me work.
Then a thought suddenly came to him.
"System."
"Yes, Host."
"Why did you give the quest only after the situation started? Why not before?"
The system answered calmly.
"The system does not force the Host's destiny."
"It observes the path chosen by the Host and generates quests accordingly."
"You create the direction. The system provides assistance."
Alex nodded slightly.
"So you reward my actions rather than control them."
"Correct."
Alex relaxed a little.
"Well… that's not bad."
Just as he was thinking further—
The carriage slowed.
Then stopped.
They had arrived.
The gates of the royal castle stood tall and imposing under the torchlight. Knights lined the entrance while servants hurried around preparing for the arrival.
Before Alex could even step down, someone rushed toward the carriage.
"Alex!"
His mother.
Her royal composure had completely disappeared as she stepped inside the carriage.
Her eyes immediately scanned his body.
"Are you hurt?"
Alex blinked slightly.
"I'm fine, Mother."
She held his shoulders, inspecting him carefully.
"The royal commander reported fighting in the capital."
"You should not involve yourself in dangerous situations."
Alex smiled faintly.
"I handled it."
Only after confirming he was unharmed did she sigh in relief.
"You scared me."
For a moment, the elegant royal lady looked simply like a worried mother.
Then she regained her composure.
"We will discuss this later."
"You should rest first."
She turned toward a nearby maid.
"Anna."
A young maid stepped forward immediately.
"Yes, her majesty."
Alex still wasn't used to hearing that title.
His mother gestured toward Selena and her family.
"Prepare guest rooms for them."
Viriela immediately shook her head nervously.
"Your Highness, that won't be necessary—"
"You saved my son."
His mother's voice was calm but firm.
"In this palace, you will be treated as honored guests."
Selena looked stunned.
A royal palace… something she had never imagined entering.
Anna bowed politely.
"Please follow me."
Selena's family slowly walked away toward the guest quarters.
Before leaving, Selena glanced back at Alex.
Her eyes were filled with gratitude.
Meanwhile Alex stepped down from the carriage and looked up at the towering palace.
Golden lights illuminated the massive structure.
But Alex knew something important.
Today's incident would not stay hidden.
Illegal slave trading.
Noble involvement.
Royal knights.
And his role in everything.
Soon…
The emperor would hear about it.
Right at that moment—
The system appeared again.
---
System Notification
New Quest Generated
Quest: Attend the Royal Court and explain the incident
Objective: Handle the royal investigation without damaging your reputation
Reward:
10,000 Coins
Reputation Increase
Failure: Noble hostility increases
---
Alex sighed softly.
"Well…"
"So the real battle begins tomorrow."
Because once the emperor summoned someone…
It meant only one thing.
The political game had begun.
NEXT DAY
The massive doors of the Imperial Court opened.
A loud voice echoed through the hall.
"His Highness, the Second Prince Alex has arrived!"
Dozens of nobles turned their heads toward the entrance.
The court hall was enormous.
Golden pillars stretched toward the high ceiling while ancient dragon carvings decorated the walls.
At the far end sat the imperial throne.
The Emperor.
Alex walked calmly through the hall.
Inside his mind—
System Notification
Quest Started: Royal Court Investigation
---
Alex reached the center of the hall and bowed.
"Greetings, Your Majesty."
The Emperor looked at him silently.
"I have received reports from the Royal Knights."
"A slave trading organization was discovered in the capital."
Murmurs spread across the nobles.
The Emperor continued.
"You were present at the scene."
"Explain."
Alex took a calm breath.
"I was simply strolling through the capital."
Some nobles looked skeptical.
"While walking through the market district, I heard someone shouting for help."
"So I intervened."
"I did not expect the situation to involve slave traders."
The court whispered quietly.
Alex continued calmly.
"By the time the royal knights arrived, the situation had already escalated."
Then he added something surprising.
"There is also another matter."
The nobles grew attentive.
"Several slaves were liberated during the operation."
"Their previous owners were criminals."
"According to imperial law, unclaimed slaves belong to the crown."
Alex bowed slightly.
"Since I was involved in the incident, I accepted responsibility for them."
The entire court became quiet.
Some nobles were shocked.
Others smirked.
The Emperor leaned back slightly.
Then—
He laughed.
"Hahaha!"
"You exposed criminals within the capital."
"You acted as a prince should."
The Emperor raised his hand.
"Second Prince Alex."
"For your actions, you shall receive ten thousand gold coins."
Gasps echoed in the court.
"And the recovered slaves shall officially belong to your household."
Alex bowed.
"Thank you, Your Majesty."
Inside his mind—
---
System Notification
Quest Completed: Royal Court Investigation
Reward Received:
Coins Earned: 2,000
Bonus Reward: 10,000 Coins
Reputation Increased
---
However…
Not everyone looked pleased.
Several nobles watched Alex with cold eyes.
Some were cautious.
Some were hostile.
The Emperor raised his hand.
"Court is adjourned."
Nobles slowly left the hall.
Whispers followed Alex as he walked out.
The game had begun.
---
Later That Night
In the noble district of the capital.
A luxurious carriage stopped in front of a massive mansion.
A tall nobleman stepped out.
Inside the hall, someone asked:
"How was the prince my lord ?"
The nobleman removed his gloves slowly.
"The Second Prince…"
"He is cunning."
"He pretended to be naive."
"But he controlled the entire narrative."
"He gained slaves."
"He gained gold."
"And he gained reputation."
The servant frowned.
"So he is dangerous?"
The nobleman looked out the window.
"Yes."
"Very dangerous."
"We must watch him carefully."
After all…
"He is my friend's son."
The servant bowed respectfully.
"As you wish" My lord,
"Marquis Raymond Valerius."
"And from today…"
"We keep our eyes on Prince Alex."
Because in the empire's political battlefield…
A new player had appeared.
---