Extra S*ave Saves the Crown Prince Chapter 7

A study filled with bright sunlight. In front of a bookshelf, a man was carefully caressing a transparent jewel. Each time the sunlight touched it, rays of light shot out in straight lines, dazzling and brilliant. He deliberately turned the jewel in the sunlight, enjoying the splendid reflections with satisfaction.

 

“How did it go?”

 

“I’m sorry to report, but the explosion occurred after they had already left Salt Island.”

 

The man, who had his back turned, slowly turned his body.

 

“Are you certain?”

 

“Yes. They were said to be in Enaphok.”

 

He carefully placed the cherished jewel back in its case. Then, he pushed his blond hair back with his fingers.

 

“They had already left?”

 

“Yes. They left the island earlier than expected.”

 

“Who made that prediction?”

 

“I apologize. It was my mistake.”

 

The man in black prostrated himself, his forehead touching the floor.

 

“Useless. Only precious salt was wasted.”

 

“Now that there’s nowhere left to rampage, they’ll come back to the palace. If you give me one more chance, I will surely succeed!”

 

“Are you planning to blow up the palace or something?”

 

“I will prepare something to your satisfaction and report back!”

 

“Your excuses are too long.”

 

“I’m sorry! If you give me just one more chance!”

 

“You’ve already had your chance.”

 

His voice remained gentle. He lightly pulled a cord between the bookshelves. Then, another man entered through the door.

 

“Mm! Mmm!!”

 

The man prostrated on the floor seemed to freeze as if bound by something. He couldn’t even open his mouth properly, only letting out muffled groans.

 

He looked as if he was struggling, but in reality, he couldn’t move at all. The man who had just entered walked straight over and snapped his neck in an instant.

 

“Click.”

 

“I’ll take care of it.”

 

The man who had begged for another chance was carried out, lifeless.

 

“Phew. He lasted longer than I thought.”

 

Sitting slowly in his chair, he once again brushed his golden hair back. Sunlight poured brightly over his face.

 

“Right? Brother.”

 

Amid the seemingly warm scene, only his golden eyes were frozen cold.

***

 

Three years later.

 

Clatter, clatter. Clatter.

 

The carriage shook endlessly. Even the smallest pebble sent it into a noisy jolt. Expecting a smooth ride from a freight wagon was a mistake to begin with. But even telling myself that only worked a couple of times—this was shaking far too much.

 

Clunk!

 

Ugh, a groan escaped me. Every bone in my body screamed for mercy. I’d ridden many freight wagons, but this one was truly the worst.

 

I couldn’t tell if it was the carriage’s fault, the driver’s, or just the bad road—it was a disaster. I couldn’t sit or lie down, so I stayed in an awkward position the whole time, and it was killing me.

 

Even though I’d taken a sleeping pill, it wore off sooner than I expected. It was a total mess.

 

For the first time in ages, a fundamental question came to mind.

 

I’m a slave.

 

Those who reincarnated as nobles, be grateful to the gods of that world.

 

But since it’s already come to this, I had to accept my wretched fate. Class was one thing, but honestly, people need money. That’s an eternal truth, no matter the world or dimension. Damn it.

 

『It’s hard to find someone who works as well as you, Sez. How much do you want, anyway?』 

 

『Sez, I think I could entrust this shop to you. Please be my successor.』 

 

On the way from Pikedore Port to here, I received countless offers and temptations. Everywhere, people recognized my abilities and tried to keep me working with them.

 

They even offered to raise my wages. But when it was time to go, I left without regret.

 

Move to a new area, save money, move again—that’s what I did for three years.

 

“Hey, get off.”

 

I was planning to get off anyway. I knew the carriage had stopped. My body just wouldn’t cooperate.

 

“Uuuugh.”

 

I moved each joint one by one and slowly got out of the carriage.

 

“Heh heh. This is the first time I’ve ever carried a person in this wagon.”

 

“Here.”

 

I paid the fare I’d prepared. I was lucky he wasn’t the type to cause trouble. Some drivers had taken all my money and left me stranded.

 

“Ugh. This is too much. Can’t you do something about that smell?”

 

This carriage was originally for transporting fruit. The problem was, this fruit came with a horrendous stench. They say the flesh is heavenly, but the smell from the peel is beyond imagination. I can’t describe it exactly, but it definitely smelled like something rotten.

 

I sniffed myself, but my nose was already numb, so it was fine. Besides, I’d lived with foul smells my whole life, so it didn’t bother me anymore.

 

“Is that the checkpoint?”

 

“Ugh. Don’t come any closer. Get in that line.”

 

There was a line at the city gate. I stood at the end and looked up at the gate. I’d struggled for three years to get here. I was finally about to enter the capital of the Empire.

 

I felt the cloth pouch inside my clothes again. There was a piece of paper in there more precious than money.

 

“Ugh. What’s that smell?”

 

The gatekeeper pinched his nose. He snatched the paper from me as if it were filth.

 

Still holding his nose, his eyes widened as he read the writing on the paper.

 

“Hey, look at this.”

 

He called over a colleague to check it. They both looked me up and down.

 

“What should we do?”

 

“Can’t we just tell them to find their own way?”

 

“Won’t we get in trouble for that?”

 

“Then what? Are we supposed to escort a slave?”

 

“Damn it. Wait here.”

 

One of the gatekeepers took the paper and disappeared somewhere. He must have gone to report to a superior. I waited, watching people pinch their noses as they passed by.

 

“You, come with me.”

 

Oh. So they were actually going to escort me. I thought they’d just give me directions, but I guess the capital is the capital for a reason. The procedures seemed very proper.

 

“Stay as far away as possible.”

 

The gatekeeper told me to keep my distance, but I didn’t care. If I was embarrassed by that, I wouldn’t have made it this far. As soon as I set foot inside the city, I caught a whiff of something inexplicably luxurious.

 

This was Velvaros, the capital of the Empire, where the Imperial Palace was located.

 

“There.”

 

The gatekeeper, who was walking far ahead, pointed forward. After passing through the bustling downtown and residential areas, there was a quiet forest.

 

Right beside that forest, the destination revealed itself. A long stretch of white walls, and a single gate adorned with gold.

 

When the gatekeeper handed over the documents, the ornate gate opened slightly.

 

“If you wait here, someone will come out.”

 

The gatekeeper who had escorted me pinched his nose and hurried away, as if he’d done his duty. You’d think he’d be used to it by now, but apparently the smell was still unbearable.

 

“Are you Sez?”

 

As I was looking around, a tall woman appeared. When I bowed, she gestured for me to come inside the gate.

 

At last, the piece of paper I’d treasured for three years was proving its worth.

 

『You want to go to the Crown Prince’s Palace?』 

 

『Yes. I need the priest’s help.』 

 

『I can write you a letter of recommendation, but… does it have to be there?』 

 

『I want to do something helpful for the Crown Prince.』

 

 Maybe Ferren remembered me reading books about the Crown Prince so intently, because he shook his head in disbelief.

 

Before my hands and feet could shrivel up from all the praise for the Crown Prince, it was a relief that he accepted my reasoning. He had no idea how hard I worked to fake being smitten with the Empire’s hero.

 

『Sez. There’s a reply from the palace!』

 

The Crown Prince’s Palace sent a letter much sooner than expected, saying they would consider my employment favorably. According to the priest, that basically meant I was hired. Of course, they wouldn’t send an escort for a mere slave. That’s why I had to come to the Crown Prince’s Palace myself. After three years.

 

Yeah. Three years…

 

Long if you think about it, short if you don’t.

 

Slaves basically can’t own property, but thanks to a special guarantee letter from the priest, I was able to get paid and move from place to place. 

 

(The letter basically said: Do you know what happens if you mess with a direct slave of the Imperial family?

 

Treat them properly while you can. A priest from the Grand Temple is always watching…) 

 

My original plan was to save up enough money in Pikedore Port before leaving, but after the Salt Island explosion, there were hardly any jobs.

 

In the end, I was pushed from one nearby village to another.

 

Getting a job wasn’t easy, so I couldn’t take the direct route and had to go the long way around. That’s how a journey that should have taken a few months ended up taking three years.

 

If I had any money left, I’d have to return it to the Imperial family, but as if by fate, my purse was completely empty after paying for the last carriage ride.

 

“I’m Solga, the slave manager of this palace. You must have had a hard journey getting here. Honestly, I’d forgotten about you, thinking you wouldn’t come.”

 

It really was a hard journey. For me.

 

“Thank you for accepting me.”

 

Solga fiddled near her nose for no reason. Should I tell her it’s fine to just hold her nose if she wants? Her face was flushed from trying to endure the smell.

 

“You’re from Salt Island?”

 

“Yes.”

 

The two slaves who followed behind her exchanged glances. They looked rather excited.

 

“I heard there weren’t many survivors. The gods must have helped you.”

 

“Yes. I survived thanks to the priest on the island.”

 

“I see. That must be the one who wrote your recommendation?”

 

“That’s right.”

 

“To do that for a slave. What a wonderful person.”

 

“Yes. They’re my savior for life.”

 

“But you’re thinner than I expected. Are you at least strong?”

 

“Yes. I’m strong.”

 

Solga’s lips seemed to curl up for a moment.

 

“You’ve had a hard journey, so rest for two days. After that, we’ll begin your training.”

 

“Yes, thank you.”

 

Solga patted my shoulder lightly and left first. We were both slaves, but it felt like she was in a completely different class. I guess slaves who work in the palace are the highest-ranking among slaves. My heart fluttered for no reason. It felt like I’d achieved a rise in status.

 

…I really have become a slave to the bone.

 

“This way.”

 

“Yes.”

 

I thought they’d put me to work right away, but they said I could rest for two days. I can’t remember the last time I had a break like this. I guess you really do need to play in a bigger pond. I followed the guide with a light step.

 

“Oh, it’s been ages since we’ve had a newbie.”

 

But the moment I entered the room, a chill ran down my spine. The one who guided me, and the one sitting over there, both had gentle expressions. But my instincts were sending out warnings.

 

“Sit here. This’ll be over quickly.”

 

The heat was coming from the brazier. No way. No, surely not.

 

“Oh, you really are from Salt Island?”

 

“Um, wait a second.”

 

There was an old tattoo where my shoulder met my arm. I think it’s been there since birth, but since I possessed this body, I didn’t remember the details.

 

“So, you’re going to put that on my arm…”

 

“Welcome to the Crown Prince’s Palace, slave.”

 

So, why did it have to be a slave?!