The Prince Who Wasn’t

Chapter 9 — The Prince Who Wasn’t

The sun hung high over Ardentis, the capital of the Valmor Kingdom, its golden light bathing the marble towers and wide stone streets. Merchants called out their prices, children ran between stalls, knights patrolled with polished armor, and banners of the Valmor royal crest waved proudly in the breeze.

Ren stretched casually as he walked beside Takashi.

“Human cities are always noisy,” he commented with a lazy smile.

Takashi scanned the crowds more cautiously. “We’re being watched. Three… no, four pairs of eyes around us.”

“I noticed,” Ren replied, hands behind his head. “But they’re weak. Not worth worrying about.”

Takashi sighed. “For you, everyone is weak.”

Ren grinned. “You’re not wrong.”

Ignoring the strange gazes that followed them, the two headed for the towering building ahead—the Adventurer’s Guild.

Inside the Guild

The guild hall buzzed with activity. Swords clanked; adventurers argued over quests; a massive board covered in papers displayed bounties and monster hunts.

Ren whistled. “Lively place.”

Takashi walked straight to the counter, ignoring Ren’s sightseeing.

The receptionist, a young woman in a crisp uniform, gave a polite bow.

“Good morning, sirs. Are you here to register with the Adventurer’s Guild?”

Takashi nodded. “Yes. Both of us.”

“Please fill out these registration forms.”

Ren grabbed his paper and read it aloud dramatically.

“Name, age, gender, class, magic attribute… so many questions.”

Takashi didn’t even look up.

“Ren. Stop reading it. Fill it.”

Ren sighed. “Fine, fine. No sense of humor.”

They completed the forms quickly and returned them. The receptionist reviewed the details, then took out a shining crystal orb from beneath the desk.

“Please place your hand on this. It will assess your rank.”

Takashi leaned toward Ren and whispered,

“I’ll ask again. Did you adjust your aura? If the orb reads your true power—”

Ren waved dismissively. “Relax. I already suppressed everything. I’m basically weaker than a house cat right now.”

Takashi didn’t believe that for a second, but before he could reply—

“Please focus here,” the receptionist said calmly.

Takashi placed his hand first. The crystal pulsed with soft light.

“Rank B,” she announced.

Takashi nodded.

Ren placed his hand next.

The orb flashed brighter.

“Rank A.”

Ren pumped a fist. “Ha! I win!”

Takashi rubbed his forehead.

“I truly worry for your sanity sometimes.”

After reviewing the guild rules and regulations, the two stepped out of the guild hall.

But before they could even discuss their next move, the crowd parted.

A squad of royal knights marched toward them, armed and armored.

Their commander stepped forward.

“Are you Takashi?”

Takashi’s hand drifted near his sword. “Yes. Why does the royal family seek me?”

“You and your companion are summoned by Prince Aldrich Valmor. Immediately.”

Ren shrugged, amused. “Royal treatment already? Let’s go.”

Takashi frowned. “I have a bad feeling about this.”

The Royal Castle

The carriage rolled through enormous iron gates into the royal grounds. The castle was a masterpiece of white stone, tall spires, and glowing runes along its walls.

Ren admired it. “Humans really like building tall things.”

Takashi kept quiet. His expression didn’t soften once.

A guard escorted them through long corridors lined with portraits of previous kings and magical torches that flickered blue.

Finally, they reached a private room.

Inside, a young man in regal attire stood from a velvet chair.

His silver-blue hair and calm eyes matched the portraits of the royal family.

“Takashi,” he said warmly. “It has been too long. And the gentleman beside you is…?”

He gestured lightly, and the servants quietly left the room.

Tension in the Room

Takashi took a seat, irritation clear on his face.

“Aldrich, why summon me like this?”

Prince Aldrich sat opposite them, hands folded politely.

“My apologies, Lord Takashi. But since it has been a long time, I wished to—”

Ren raised an eyebrow at Takashi.

“So your identity is known here?”

Prince Aldrich looked at Ren, puzzled.

“Lord Takashi… who is this man?”

Takashi exhaled, nervous for the first time.

“You should show respect. He is Ren, the one who created this universe. The God of Gods.”

Aldrich froze. His face drained of color.

Then he stood sharply and bowed.

“My… deepest apologies, Lord Ren!”

Ren waved casually. “No problem. I’m not picky.”

Aldrich swallowed hard, then looked up, excitement replacing fear.

“In truth, I had a question for Lord Takashi, but having someone greater here… this is a rare opportunity.”

Ren set down his teacup.

“Takashi, give us five minutes.”

Takashi obeyed instantly and left the room.

The Secret Conversation

Aldrich stared intently at Ren.

“I wish to ask something. Something no human could answer.”

He leaned forward.

“Why did you allow the Great War to happen a hundred years ago?”

Ren answered without hesitation.

“To stabilize mana and life force.

Without that war, this world would’ve taken thousands of years to recover and balance.

And humans must solve their own problems.

If I interfere, then your life is no longer your life—you become puppets.”

Aldrich nodded slowly.

“So you don’t watch over us directly? You cannot read our minds?”

Ren smiled slightly.

“No. Life on this planet grew on its own. I didn’t design every detail.

I only sense large changes.”

“That explains it…” Aldrich whispered. “You didn’t know about the war until it began. Good. Very good.”

Ren’s gaze sharpened.

“You understand correctly. Now let me ask my question.”

Aldrich tensed.

“Who are you?” Ren asked calmly.

“Because you are not Prince Aldrich Valmor.”

Aldrich’s pupils shrank.

“W-What do you mean, my lord?”

Ren raised his cup.

“Your body composition is different from humans.

You are not from Eryndor.”

The man stumbled back, genuine fear twisting his face.

“You said you cannot read minds! Then how?! Did you trick me?!”

Ren stood slowly.

“I didn’t read your thoughts. I simply observed your cells.”

The body of Prince Aldrich shimmered—and shattered like glass.

Standing there instead was a tall, pale man with ash-gray hair and obsidian eyes.

Saelor.

A blade appeared in his hand, pointed at Ren.

A teleportation circle flared beneath his feet.

Interrupted Escape

Takashi rushed in the moment five minutes passed.

“Ren—!”

But it was too late.

With a flash of runes, Saelor vanished.

Ren sighed.

“He’s fast. And definitely not human.”

Takashi drew his sword. “Should we chase him?”

Ren nodded.

“Yes.

We must.

Saelor is going to be an important key in this case.”

The two stared at the fading glow of the teleportation circle—the first thread of a far larger conspiracy.

To be continued…