Episode 88: Alexander Apple (Part 2)

A short while later, Damian and Oliver Apple found themselves in the audience chamber.

The king was already seated, surrounded by noble officials who had taken their places.

Oliver Apple stood just below the throne, a position befitting the crown prince. Damian, as his mentor, stood by his side.

“Oliver, you’ve come,” the king addressed Oliver Apple from his throne.

“I expected you to be absent again… but today is different.”

Despite his dislike for such gatherings, Oliver couldn’t help but smile at the king’s praise.

“How could I miss a meeting discussing my uncle’s achievements?”

Though Damian had practically dragged him there, Oliver spoke with ease and confidence.

The king seemed pleased with Oliver’s response.

“Lord Alexander is entering,” announced an official, raising his voice. The king straightened up, pausing his conversation with Oliver.

The other nobles followed suit, halting their discussions.

Through the wide-open doors, Alexander Apple entered with his knights. Unlike at the city gates, they were dressed in immaculate formal attire rather than armor.

Alexander knelt before the king, his knights following suit.

“By your command, I have eradicated the bandits in the south,” Alexander declared in a solemn tone, prompting murmurs among the nobles.

“I heard the serfs of Baron Godrak’s estate turned into bandits after killing their lord?”

“Yes, and they were joined by other serfs and mercenaries, growing stronger.”

“Their numbers were large, and they operated in the forest, making them hard to eliminate.”

“Yet Lord Alexander managed to handle it all. Truly remarkable.”

The nobles were quick to praise Alexander’s accomplishments.

However, as the accolades for Alexander grew, Oliver’s expression darkened.

“Rise, Alexander,” the king commanded, and Alexander stood.

“Your efforts to quell the chaos in the kingdom are invaluable.”

“It was merely my duty,” Alexander replied calmly, drawing admiration from all around.

“Indeed, Lord Alexander is unparalleled in his dedication and humility.”

“No wonder His Majesty relies on him so much.”

The praise for Alexander continued to swell.

Then, a voice cut through the admiration.

“Truly, he stands in stark contrast to the crown prince.”

“If only Prince Oliver could follow even half as well…”

Oliver’s name began to circulate among the whispers.

“All he does is drink and chase women.”

“He’s of age now; he should be gaining experience to assist His Majesty, but it’s worrisome.”

As the murmurs grew, Oliver’s shoulders slumped.

“Your Majesty, I have one more achievement to report,” Alexander spoke up as the room quieted. The king looked intrigued.

“And what might that be?”

“During the bandit purge, we discovered an ancient site in the forest.”

The mention of an ancient site stirred the nobles once more.

Long ago, a highly advanced civilization existed, now long gone, but occasionally its remnants surfaced through such sites.

Sometimes, rare artifacts were found, some so extraordinary they could shake the entire continent.

“From the site, we recovered a relic sword.”

A relic sword.

These ancient weapons, rarely found, were crafted with techniques beyond current capabilities, each possessing formidable powers.

Many sorcerers had tried to replicate them, but none had succeeded.

“Is that true?” the king asked, astonished. A relic sword was powerful enough to be considered a strategic weapon.

If Alexander’s claim was true, the Apple Kingdom had gained a significant asset.

“Indeed. Moreover, the relic sword has elevated my abilities.”

“Elevated your abilities? Does that mean… you’re now high-class?” the king asked, his mouth agape.

Alexander nodded, and the king’s eyes widened in amazement.

“Could you demonstrate?”

“My abilities are limited to when I wield the relic sword,” Alexander explained.

Typically, all weapons were surrendered before the king. Alexander was currently unarmed.

“By all means, bring Sir Alexander’s sword,” the king ordered, and a servant brought forth a sword.

The sword was an old, worn longsword, its age evident.

Alexander drew the sword. Unlike its scabbard, the blade was pristine and sharp, as if newly forged.

As soon as he unsheathed it, Alexander’s presence transformed. Those in the room felt as if they were caught in a storm.

Alexander struck the floor with the relic sword, and branches of light sprouted throughout the room.

Everyone watched in awe.

“This is the relic sword I acquired, the Thornblade.”

All eyes were fixed on the Thornblade, including Damian’s.

‘This is no ordinary weapon. It’s at least a third-grade relic.’

Relic swords were graded from ten to one, with third-grade relics capable of decimating armies of thousands.

‘But something feels off…’

In his past as a Death Knight, Damian had encountered many relic swords. Something about this one felt strange.

‘A relic sword that elevates one’s abilities?’

Relic swords were weapons, nothing more. They could enhance physical or magical abilities, but never elevate one’s rank.

‘And there’s something alien about it.’

The aura emanating from the sword was peculiar. Damian watched the relic sword with suspicion.

Meanwhile, Alexander sheathed the sword, and the glowing branches vanished.

“Remarkable! Not only have you acquired a relic sword, but you’ve also reached high-class status!” the king exclaimed, astonished. The nobles were equally amazed.

“Truly incredible! The fourth high-class in the Apple Kingdom! A blessing indeed!”

“I knew Lord Alexander was exceptional, but to gain such fortune…”

“He’s the pillar of the Apple Kingdom. There’s no one like Lord Alexander.”

The nobles were busy extolling Alexander.

“But Prince Oliver…”

“With such an exemplary uncle…”

“It’s unsettling to have him as the crown prince…”

As the praise for Alexander grew, so did the criticism of Oliver.

Oliver’s expression grew darker, his eyes filled with frustration.

‘This isn’t good.’

Damian, once a rogue himself, could empathize with Oliver’s feelings.

His unrecognized potential was likely twisting his temperament further.

He had only recently begun to change, but this would only worsen things.

“Alexander, as much as I’d like to let you rest, the world won’t allow it,” the king said, gesturing to an official who began reading from a document.

“Recently, there have been reports of unusual orc activity in the eastern region. It’s suspected that a chieftain has emerged.”

The mention of a chieftain caused another stir among the nobles.

“An orc chieftain? If true, that’s no small matter.”

“The danger varies depending on the chieftain, but…”

Orcs were unique in that their threat level depended on their chieftain.

Normally, even in groups of dozens, they weren’t a significant threat.

But occasionally, a unique chieftain would emerge, drastically increasing their danger.

In the past, when an Orc Lord appeared, the nation had to mobilize all its forces.

“Alexander, will you take on this task?”

All eyes turned to Alexander, expecting him to step forward once more.

But someone else spoke first.

“The prince wishes to take on this task.”

Everyone turned to Damian Haxen in surprise, including Oliver.

“Sir Damian?” Oliver asked, his voice trembling. Damian ignored him and continued.

“The prince has been seeking ways to contribute to the kingdom as the crown prince. He wishes to take on this responsibility.”

The nobles reacted with a mix of surprise and admiration.

“I didn’t expect the prince to have such noble intentions.”

“They say he’s been changing recently. Perhaps this time it’s true.”

“Though his behavior has been questionable, he’s certainly intelligent.”

The nobles looked at Oliver with newfound curiosity.

As the gaze of approval landed on him, Oliver Apple visibly brightened.

Of course, not all the officials were on board.

“Your Highness, with no experience, how can you possibly lead a campaign against the orc horde?”

“This will only lead to greater losses. I must oppose this.”

The matter at hand was too significant to be dismissed with mere words of encouragement.

Just as Oliver Apple began to feel disheartened by the opposition, a voice cut through the tension.

“I can vouch for His Highness’s abilities. Moreover, I will accompany him on this orc campaign.”

With Damian’s declaration, the mood among the nobles shifted.

“Sir Damian… isn’t he the one who was recently knighted into the middle class?”

“Even if only half the rumors about Sir Damian are true, handling the orcs should be a breeze.”

With Damian’s commitment, the tide turned swiftly in a positive direction.

All eyes eventually turned to the king, for it was he who would ultimately approve the proposal.

“Oliver.”

Startled by the king’s call, Oliver Apple quickly looked up.

“Y-Yes, Your Majesty!”

“This campaign will be grueling to prepare for and fraught with danger. Are you still willing to accept it?”

Hesitation flickered across Oliver Apple’s face at the king’s question.

“Your Highness, if you back out now, you’ll truly be seen as a coward,” Damian whispered quietly. Oliver shot him a resentful look.

“What will you do?” Damian asked, feigning innocence. Oliver clenched his fist and shouted with determination.

“I will take on this task!”

And so, the crown prince’s journey to the south was set in motion.