I Became the Youngest Prince in the Novel

TL/Editor: raei

Status: ongoing

Illustrations: none

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Mystery, which had existed everywhere in the world like air itself, completely vanished from Elbrium.

This caused spirits and demonic energy to disappear.

Not just that, but the mana flowing through the atmosphere, authority, and even Zeloth's Chaotic World began erasing themselves as if they had never existed.

And at the center-

"...To think this was possible."

The Archdemon of Jealousy stood with an empty expression.

Her body gradually turning to powder and scattering.

With half her upper body already gone and mystery now vanished, she could no longer maintain her physical form.

Step, step.

Zeloth walked toward Zion with her crumbling body.

"How regrettable."

Her hand slowly reached toward Zion.

"If I'd had just a little more time, my 'Chaotic World' could have devoured both the World Tree and you..."

"I told you," Zion grinned while meeting the Archdemon's eyes and spoke in a cold tone.

"I wasn't going to wait."

Zeloth smiled faintly at this and-

"...Is that so."

With these final words, she completely vanished.

Even in that final moment, her hand never managed to touch Zion's body.

This was the end of Zeloth, who symbolized jealousy among the Four Great Demons and had always envied everything, even defying the Demon King.Nôv(el)B\\jnn

"..."

After quietly watching the spot where the second Archdemon to meet their end by his hand had been, Zion slowly turned his head.

He saw fairies and demons alike staring at him with unbelieving eyes, unable to distinguish friend from foe.

Then from the lips of Krevis, one of the Five Great Demon Generals among those demons watching Zion-

"...It's over."

A voice filled with despair flowed out.

* * *

After Zeloth met her end, the remaining demons were quickly dealt with.

Though Krevis, one of the Five Great Demon Generals with Six Claws-level skill, was present, he alone could do nothing.

Having witnessed an Archdemon die before his eyes, his morale had been crushed beyond recovery.

After cleanup of the remaining demons and repairs to damaged buildings and barriers were mostly complete-

"...Blessings of nature and spirits!"

What Elbrium immediately held was the 'Song of Leaves and Trees,' considered the Fairy Forest's greatest festival.

Though damage from the battle in the city center was extensive and the world's political situation was chaotic with war against the demon realm possible anytime, the Fairy Forest had reason to proceed with the festival. RᴀNôᛒËȿ

The 'Song of Leaves and Trees' wasn't an ordinary festival but a ritual honoring their god Akenidia while also being essential for maintaining the World Tree, the fairies' source.

'With the World Tree's condition poor, they probably want to restore it as quickly as possible.'

Zion thought this while watching the Fairy Forest leadership prepare offerings for nature god Akenidia before him with slightly exasperated eyes.

Perhaps because Akenidia liked mint?

Most of the prepared offerings either contained mint or were mint itself.

Just looking at them made one's mouth feel fresh.

But unlike Zion, the fairies preparing the offerings looked more excited than usual.

"My goodness... to think such things existed!"

As if inheriting the deity's tastes, most of them were obsessed with mint, and-

"Mixing mint with chocolate and milk... truly a genius idea!"

The newly selected mint-based food offerings were the reason.

"This taste... truly worthy of being called a divine drink!"

Spirena continuously expressed amazement while sneakily tasting the mint chocolate latte meant as an offering.

Beside her, Halegrion wore an enraptured expression with mint chocolate in his mouth.

Of course, these were all Liushina's creations.

"We can't keep this taste to ourselves, Lady Celphia should try some too. We have some left besides what's meant for Akenidia."

"Uh, I..."

Celphia sent pleading looks at the continued urging, but Zion ignored them like before.

It was Zion's principle that one must overcome trials alone to grow stronger.

'Where did she go, anyway?'

Liushina, who would normally be at the center wearing a satisfied smile watching the fairies' reactions, was nowhere to be seen.

As Zion turned his head and expanded his senses, his eyes flickered slightly.

'So she's there?'

He began walking through the night streets, slipping past the fairies.

Unlike normal festivals, the main events of the 'Song of Leaves and Trees' were held after sunset, so it was currently evening.

How long did he walk?

Finally, Zion reached a quiet clearing on the city outskirts.

"Were you wallowing in self-pity alone?"

Zion slowly approached the witch sitting on a rock in the middle of the clearing, quietly watching the full moon hanging in the sky.

Unlike usual, Liushina looked extremely calm.

Her appearance reminded him of when he first met her in the city ruins.

"What's this? Master coming to find me first."

"It felt strange not having you where there's mint."

The witch smiled slightly at these words and moved aside to make room.

Zion sat beside her and silently watched the moon.

As if waiting for her to speak first.

How much time passed like this?

"You know, Master."

Liushina slowly began speaking.

"I used to be incredibly strong. Everyone was beneath me and no one could stop my will."

The slaughterer who had personally killed more lives than anyone across the continent and world's strongest blood magician.

Her strength was beyond imagination, enough to earn the title of 'Heaven Killer' for killing even the sky itself.

"But now, I'm not sure if I'm really strong anymore."

Self-doubt that had never been seen before filled the witch's eyes as she spoke.

"No, precisely, I'm not sure if I'm strong enough to help you."

The battles with the Six Claws and now Zeloth.

Those two defeats were the source of Liushina's self-doubt.

Especially this recent defeat was particularly painful for her, having regained confidence as she surpassed a thousand killings and reached the next stage.

The opponent's strength was no excuse.

The fact remained that she hadn't been able to help Zion.

Then-

"Do you know?"

A quiet question flowed from Zion's lips as he listened to Liushina.

"How strict and demanding my standards are for choosing subordinates?"

"..."

"Even the hero and her companions didn't meet my standards, which is why they still can't stay by my side."

Zion's eyes slowly turned to the witch.

"You were the first subordinate I took in. And you've stayed by my side longer than anyone else. I believe you know what that means."

Those eyes held an uncompromising light that would brook no disagreement.

"If you doubt your strength, it's no different than doubting my judgment in taking you as my subordinate. So have confidence."

Zion knew.

That once Liushina passed through this transition and truly became reborn as the 'Witch of the End,' she would possess power rivaling the Four Great Demons.

When that time came, rather than worrying about her power being insufficient, he'd need to worry about how to control her.

In a way, the woman before him held potential equal to the hero.

After these final words, Zion rose and slowly began walking away.

"...Thank you, Master."

Watching Zion's retreating back, Liushina smiled slightly differently than usual and quietly muttered.

* * *

By the time Zion returned to Elbrium's center, the festival was in full swing.

"Inheriting the great spirit of Akenidia..."

The wooden altar erected for the festival was piled high with the offerings prepared earlier, and before it Spirena, the Second Leaf and High Priestess, was reciting what appeared to be prayers.

Matching this, spirits of all attributes that had been summoned moved as if dancing, circling around the altar.

They were likely praising their god Akenidia.

Zion quietly blended into the crowd to watch the ceremony rather than heading to the high seat.

"Prince Zion... where did you go leaving me alone..."

At the high seat, Celphia was still surrounded by fairies and enduring mint torture.

The atmosphere grew more heated regardless of her suffering.

When this atmosphere reached its peak-

~~~~~~~~~~!

The spirits dancing around the altar began releasing clear sounds.

The sounds continuing to a steady rhythm truly deserved to be called a song.

The spirits' song spread further and further on the wind.

Following this, all spirits in Elbrium, not just those at the altar, began singing.

The Song of Leaves and Trees.

No, the song of nature resonated in Zion's ears.

The spirits' mysterious dance movements filling his vision and the calm melody bringing peace to his heart.

'Not bad.'

Just as Zion thought this-

"How is it? Though not quite like the Empire's Founding Festival, it's quite a sight, right?"

Having found him somehow, Diana suddenly stuck her head out beside Zion.

Watching him slightly nod at her question, the Fifth Princess smiled faintly and turned her gaze toward the dancing spirits as she continued:

"Thank you. For saving Elbrium, no, the Fairy Forest."

Though Diana's voice was quiet, it held sincerity.

Her love for the Fairy Forest arguably exceeded even her obsession with the throne.

Diana felt truly deep gratitude toward Zion for saving such a Fairy Forest.

"You know how to say thanks too?"

"Of course I do, I just haven't until now."

The Fifth Princess answered shamelessly, then after silently watching the altar for a moment, spoke again:

"From now on, the Fairy Forest will follow you."

Though these were shocking words that seemed impossible from her lips and came suddenly, they weren't hastily decided.

She had contemplated this continuously and decided after thorough discussion with the other Leaves.

Diana had thought about it.

The coming great war with the demon realm.

Could she protect the Fairy Forest, and beyond that the empire, in that great war?

Originally she would have been confident, but that thinking had changed after seeing Zeloth, one of the Four Great Demons.

Overwhelming power.

She had been utterly powerless before that power.

Far from protecting others, she had barely been able to preserve her own life.

Though she hated to admit it, throughout the entire empire only the man before her could protect the Fairy Forest from such monsters.

'Though there's still much I don't know...'

That probably didn't matter.

"I haven't completely given up on the throne though."

With these words, Diana made a mischievous expression and continued toward Zion:

"If I ever think you're lacking, I'll aim for it anytime, so you better do well, Zion."

"That won't happen."

Zion smiled slightly at hearing his name from her lips after so long and answered in a low voice.

"Oh right! But let me ask one thing."

"Speak."

Diana's voice flowed filled with question as she made a truly curious expression:

"The Eternal Emperor's ring embedded in the World Tree. They say it came out by itself and slipped onto your finger... how did that happen?"

"Simple."

Zion answered with an unconcerned expression.

"It was mine to begin with."

"...What did you say?"

As Diana asked again with widened eyes at these incredibly strange words, she couldn't hear his answer.

FLASH!

Brilliant green light burst from the singing spirits as the ceremony reached its peak.

All that light began flowing toward Zion beside her.