As arrogant as they were, they were bound to react when they saw a guard like that.
And yet, the soldier just stood there in silence. Wasn't that far too strange?
If there's a problem, there has to be a problem.
Maor's instincts flared. He pushed down his suspicion, forcing a calm expression as if nothing had happened, and offered Queen Oito a slight bow.
"I'm Kurapika, her escort. May I proceed with the agreed-upon explanation now?"
Kurapika stepped forward and addressed Maor.
With so many people gathered to listen, yet the First Prince's soldiers still showing no response, Maor suppressed the unease twisting in his chest. He gestured politely and nodded.
"No issue. We're only here for information about nen. How we use that information is up to us~"
But when Maor casually dropped the word "nen," none of the soldiers or guards so much as flinched. Their expressions didn't change at all.
His suspicions only deepened.
Something had happened here.
His internal alarms screamed louder, and he began subtly mapping out the fastest escape route in case things went sideways.
"I agree," Kurapika replied, his expression composed. But in his mind, he added,
Even something witnessed firsthand might not be the truth when it comes to the secrets of nen.
Then, Kurapika began explaining nen in detail to the Maor guards in front of Queen Oito and several controlled soldiers—covering the basic principles, the egg-in-a-pot ceremony, and the mysterious way princes' nen beasts are born.
"The nen beasts are shaped by each prince's personality and aptitude. Their forms and abilities vary greatly. Don't jump to conclusions based on appearances."
While Maor listened closely, Kurapika's thoughts drifted to the roulette-style Beast floating above Prince Tyson's head.
"As for the question you're most eager to ask—Can nen be awakened in a short time?—the answer is yes."
Kurapika's voice was steady. "I can teach you nen. But I must also inform the other princes. Whether they choose to participate will be their decision."
That final, crucial statement gave Maor everything he needed. He bowed to Queen Oito and quickly exited the room, still feeling the tension in the air.
Ronnel, hearing Kurapika's plan to teach nen to the other princes and their guards, didn't object.
It made things more chaotic. And chaos worked in his favor.
The idea he'd been toying with—to interfere with the royal guards and stir the pot—was now taking shape.
He turned his head and glanced toward a certain direction, lips curling into a mysterious smile.
That was where the Twelfth Prince, Momoze, resided.
In this blood-soaked battle for succession, would the first victim finally appear...?
...
Room 1012. The private chamber of Prince Momoze.
Thanks to the effects of Momoze's nen beast, the grinning hamster-bear, which had sapped her energy earlier in the day with its ability "Are You Free?", Momoze had collapsed into deep sleep, both mentally and physically drained.
The bear-like nen beast grinning at the doorway began to flicker and distort as her strength waned. Then, with a soft pop, it vanished like a soap bubble.
It wouldn't return until Momoze regained her strength.
But whether she'd live to see that moment was uncertain.
Shortly after the nen beast disappeared, the door to Momoze's chamber creaked open—just a sliver.
A guard in a black suit crept inside.
After checking to make sure no one was around, and hearing the slow, even breaths of someone fast asleep, he sighed in relief.
"Good... they didn't make a move. This credit's all mine!"
His lips twisted into a wicked grin as he slowly, silently approached the bed.
He reached her side.
Looking down at her serene, beautiful face, the man felt no hesitation—only greed. He climbed onto the bed, placing his knees to pin her down, and wrapped his hands around her throat like iron clamps.
"Go to hell, Your Highness!"
As Momoze's eyes snapped open in terror, his face contorted into a grotesque smile.
"Only with your death can I earn my promotion. Once the prince takes the throne, I'll be a noble, not some lackey getting pushed around!"
He squeezed harder, tightening his grip, pressing his knees to immobilize her completely.
"Blame your birth, Your Highness. Blame your father for setting these rules of succession. Blame your mother for taking your guards away!"
As he watched Momoze's face turn red, her lips trembling and her eyes glistening with tears, a perverse pleasure welled up inside him.
Look at this—even a royal of the Kakin Empire, one of the world's ruling powers under the V6, is dying helplessly beneath my hands!
I'm different. I'm destined for greatness. I'll be the most powerful noble in the world!
...
Momoze's frail arms slapped weakly against his powerful grip, but her strength was nothing in comparison. No matter how she struggled, she couldn't loosen his hands even slightly.
Is this really how it ends?
As her strength drained rapidly, that thought echoed in her fading consciousness.
So this is my fate. I was never meant to survive this battle for the throne.
Her will to resist slipped away.
I just didn't expect it to happen so soon.
Maybe I really will be the first prince eliminated.
And in such an ugly way, too~
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Fanfic is completed on patreon.com/FanficsHub (799 chapters in total)