Published: January 4, 2026
After handling the usual military affairs, I left the Ministry of Military Affairs together with Brother Henry.
It was just past noon. The heat had peaked, but the sun was still high, making it uncomfortable to stay outside for long.
“Shall we stop by somewhere?” Brother Henry asked me from atop the carriage.
“How about Keith’s shop?”
“That’s the songstress you favor, isn’t it? Sounds good,” he agreed.
I ordered the coachman to head to Keith's Shop, and our two carriages moved forward side by side.
Servants flanked us on both sides.
The main streets of the capital were built wide because nobles often used carriages.
Even with two carriages side by side, it didn’t feel cramped; they could even pass other carriages coming from the opposite direction with ease.
“By the way, Noah, you’ve never experienced real combat, have you?” Brother Henry said.
“Yes, Brother,” I replied, glancing at the status indicator in the corner of my vision.
――――――――――――
Name: Noah Alarate
Prince Wise
Gender: Male
Level: 1/∞
HP: F+F Fire: F
MP: F Water: e plus s
Strength: F+E Wind: F
Stamina: F+F Earth: F
Intelligence: F+F Light: F
Spirit: F+F Darkness: F
Speed: F+F
Dexterity: F+F
Luck: F+F
――――――――――――
Even at twelve years old, I’m still at level one.
This is due to imperial law.
Children of the imperial family often die young—meaning many perish during infancy.
Officially, it’s said that they often succumb to diseases like smallpox.
Those who dig a little deeper point out that princes are taken from their mothers immediately after birth and raised by wet nurses and servants, so they don’t receive maternal breast milk and have weaker immunity.
Some “gossips” and “those who know the truth” claim poisonings stemming from power struggles.
In any case, it’s a fact that many imperial children die young, so to secure heirs, princes are forbidden from participating in real combat without an imperial edict until they properly mature.
Because of this, my level remains at one.
Incidentally, Brother Henry’s children have also died young one after another. He has had more than ten children, but only three are alive now.
“You’re already twelve, it’s about time. You should gain some combat experience before entering your domain. It’ll look better,” Brother said.
“If Your Majesty commands, I am ready anytime.”
“Hmm… you have a demonic sword too, so it shouldn’t be too difficult.”
“When was your last real combat, Brother?”
“I—”
Before Brother could answer, the horses whinnied and the carriage suddenly stopped.
I pitched forward inside the carriage, grabbed the edge, and barely kept my balance.
Before I could even ask what was going on—
“P-please help!”
A girl about my age was kneeling in front of the carriage, begging desperately for help with pleading eyes.
Her clothes were ragged, her hair messy, and she was barefoot—looking as if she had just escaped from somewhere.
A few seconds later, several other boys and girls in similar condition fled out of an alley.
And shortly after, a group of about ten adults appeared, chasing after them.
Their faces showed the arrogance characteristic of those deeply involved in the underworld.
“You’re causing trouble!”
“Hey, come here!”
“N-nooo!”
“L-let go!”
The men grabbed the boys and girls and tried to drag them back into the alley they fled from.
Though the street had many witnesses, all kept their distance with indifferent expressions.
“Noah.”
“I know.”
I nodded to Brother Henry, then jumped down from the carriage and stepped into the fray.
“Stop!”
“Huh? Who the hell are you?”
“Don’t stick your nose where it doesn’t belong, kid.”
“Do you have registration?”
“Huh?”
“Registration? License? What’s the name of your shop?”
I fired three questions at them in quick succession.
The men couldn’t answer, gulping sharply for a moment.
They glanced at Brother Henry, exchanged eye contact.