The Prince Is Dead, So Let’s Start Over Everything Again! - Chapter 3.7

The secret passage was narrow, long, and dark. But fortunately, there didn’t seem to be any particular dangers scattered about.

I held the 3rd Prince’s hand tightly and moved forward carefully.

If any ruffians or monsters were to jump out, I was the only one who could protect this reckless little one.

“Where do you think this path leads?”

Where do you think this path leads… this path leads… leads…

Every word echoed in the passage. The eerie atmosphere was a bonus.

Somehow, I had a bad feeling about this.

However, unlike me, filled with anxiety, the 3rd Prince was full of excitement.

“It probably connects to the mountains near the palace.”

“Mountains?”

“It’s an escape route, after all.”

“Ah…”

Why on earth are we suddenly going mountain climbing?

This didn’t suit the 3rd Prince’s personality.

Based on my experience so far, he wasn’t particularly an adventurous child.

“What are you planning to do in the mountains?”

“We’re not going to the mountains, we’re going to the village.”

“The village?”

“Yes. I want to visit the market.”

“Is there something you want to buy?”

The Ludbekia palace had everything except what wasn’t there.

I didn’t know what was needed, but it was unlikely that something not in the palace would be in the village at the foot of the mountain.

Unless it was something not legally distributed…

“…Could it be a magic stone?”

“You’re quite perceptive.”

“Oh my. That’s impossible! Let’s just go back!”

Magic stones were a rare resource of the empire.

The imperial family received reports on where magic stones were mined and where they flowed.

Privately trading magic stones under the table was a serious crime.

Accomplice, accomplice… This is really trying to make me a criminal!

“Miss Lurupel can go back first. I think that would be better too.”

The 3rd Prince said something utterly useless.

It was worse than dog poop, so to speak.

There was no way I could abandon the 3rd Prince and return alone.

If the 3rd Prince were to fall into danger, my 4th life might also be at risk.

I didn’t want this life to fail as well.

I desperately tried to persuade the 3rd Prince.

“If you need magic stones, couldn’t you call a merchant separately later?”

“That would be reported to the imperial family.”

“Wouldn’t Lady Ramier be pleased to hear that Your Highness is trying to learn magic?”

“That’s unlikely.”

“Lurupel doesn’t produce many magic stones anyway!”

“That’s something only miners would know.”

Was he always this stubborn?

It might be better to talk to a wall. At least the wall wouldn’t pick at every word I say.

To make matters worse, a small light began to flicker in the distance. It seemed to be the exit.

“Look, there’s the exit.”

“How is this possible? We’ve already crossed the entire palace?”

“There must be magic cast on this passage.”

Magic, magic, that darned magic!

I was getting sick of even hearing the word ‘magic’ now.

But the 3rd Prince, oblivious to others’ feelings, just headed towards the exit with an excited face.

You… Be grateful you were born as a sub-male lead…

If you were born as the female lead, you’d be cursed as a nuisance and live a long, sickly life…

I reluctantly crossed the exit with the 3rd Prince.

As the 3rd Prince said, there was a mountain outside the exit.

Halfway up the mountain, a very small cave hidden by a large rock was the exit of the secret passage.

People unaware of the secret passage probably wouldn’t even realize there was a cave here. The exit was that well concealed.

“There’s probably magic cast to allow only those who’ve been through the secret passage to enter the cave again.”

“I see…”

The 3rd Prince added an explanation I hadn’t asked for.

“Well then, shall we go down to the village?”

Despite it being his first time, the 3rd Prince began to descend the mountain without hesitation.

I hurriedly followed him.

During this, I found two dirty pieces of clothing strewn on the mountain path.

I picked them up and handed them to the 3rd Prince.

“Here, take these.”

“…What are these?”

“Probably robes… I think? They’re a bit dirty, but it’s better to wear them. Our current appearance is too conspicuous, isn’t it?”

“Ah, come to think of it, His Majesty also wears commoner’s clothes whenever he goes on secret outings.”

Fortunately, the 3rd Prince put on the robe I handed him without complaint.

It was arguably the best thing he’d done all day.

The robes smelled musty. It was natural for abandoned clothes.

‘Why would clothes be abandoned in a place like this?’

I should have pondered this question that arose in my mind more seriously.

***

We arrived at the village at the foot of the mountain just as the sun was starting to turn red.

“We’re in trouble…”

Usually, it would have been well past lunchtime by now.

Anna must be waiting for me anxiously by now.

“We should finish our business quickly then.”

The 3rd Prince answered like that and hastened his steps even more.

We asked the villagers for directions and arrived at a shop owned by a merchant who was said to be a former miner.

The journey here was truly like walking on a th*rny path.

People on the street looked at me and the 3rd Prince with suspicious eyes.

It was understandable that we looked strange, two children wandering around the village without an adult.

Perhaps because the village atmosphere was uneasy, I kept having ominous feelings.

I even prayed in my heart, something I usually never do.

‘Oh god of this world, whether you’re Goguryeo or Baekje or Silla. Please look after us. Please let us return to the palace without any problems.’

Was it because I called their names carelessly?

The gods didn’t respond.

“Excuse me. Is the owner here?”

The 3rd Prince shouted as he opened the door of the shop.

According to a village child, the owner of this shop had lost his leg in a mining accident and had difficulty moving.

“Who is it?”

From inside, a man leaning on a crutch slowly revealed himself.

“Eh? It’s just kids? There’s nothing here for you brats to play with, so scram!”

The man didn’t seem to like children very much. It already felt like things were going south.

“We came because there’s something we’re looking for.”

“Oh my! You’re talking to me, brat? Do you have money?”

“Not money, but I can give you this instead.”

The 3rd Prince took something out of his pocket and handed it to the man.

It was a red jewel.

“Y-you, where did a brat like you get such a jewel? You didn’t steal it, did you?”

The man, true to his miner background, seemed to recognize the value of the jewel at a glance.