The grass felt sticky to my skin, and the awful stench of blood coursed through my lungs. It was an uncomfortable environment. I opened my eyes to the bright blue sky with its scattered clouds. The wind blew swiftly through the trees, covering my vision with my hair.

  I stood up, looking around. The corpses lay all around me. Most of them were on the floor, surrounded by blood. In contrast, some bits were hung on trees from when I sent them flying.

  That was the first time I had ever killed a human. Yet my hands, my heart, and my mind felt no different. It was like a natural activity. Well, I don’t really have the time to be thinking about such things, I’m standing alone on a land with corpses.

  Then, while I tried to get myself and leave the scene, the body of the mage exploded, filling the air with pure mana and scattering the ground with pieces of organs, skins, and bones like it fell from the sky. “Just a few minutes wouldn’t hurt, gotta do this quick.” After a few minutes of gathering back some of the mana I’d lost, I quickly headed into the carriage, thankfully the horses were far into the other side of the forest and they weren’t at all affected.

  As disgusting as the scene was, I was able to get enough mana to recover all I’d lost at that fight. It was surprising that the mage had that mana because it didn’t really show that much. However, I do think the rings around her heart had something to do with it. Either way, now I know I can at least kill mages of that level as long as I don’t let them finish casting.

  On the carriage, my right hand was the only one handling the horse. My left hand has a hole in it that I don’t even know what to do with. Obviously, it was painful, so painful I was constantly flexing my hand open.

  The magic that was displayed last night was much different from what I would have expected. First of all, the mana had no element. Unlike the fantasy worlds I know, it was just pure mana shaped into what she liked. Even the last attack didn’t have anything other than mana in it.

  Second, the mana was rough. Rough in the way it lacked any sense of refinement. It was like the first time I witnessed aura from Harry. The mana was like a ghost, just flailing around his feet and sword. It had zero sharpness. That was the same with the girl’s magic. As much as it did take form, it was like the sun, shaped like a sphere yet has an amalgamation of rampaging strings.

  With that type of magic displayed, I don’t even know if healing magic can exist in this world. Though I did hear the church, but, it is generally advised not to associate with Gods in another world. Or atleast, that’s what I felt, I’d like to think that it would be the worst decision of my life.

  But even if the lack of information and choices puts me in a bind, I won’t just give up.

  “Ah…”

  …

  …

  …

  “Yeah, I’ll just solve it when I arrive.”

  …

  …

  “This road does lead to the capital… right?”

  There were… some difficulties on the way, but after realizing how to read, don’t ask, I was able to arrive at Kakin, said at the sign.

  From afar I could already tell that the city was far larger than the last one. It stretched far past my peripheral vision. In the middle, standing like a giant was a castle trying to reach the clouds. The city was built around an ascending plateau, where the middle was the highest point.

  The walls were thicker than taller and they were filled with multiple outposts. With just a city, I was so dazed that I never realized I had arrived until I heard the words of the guards.

  “It’s the crown prince!” A guard yelled. Both the guards in front of the gate ran inside, yelling every second. It was so loud to the point you would think a monster was invading the city.

  However, that wasn’t actually the case. Instead of shoving everyone away, across the road in front of me, people started to gather. They all lined up on the streets, filling every corner. I was surprised at such a tradition, but I kept my face straight. Then a few seconds later, the guard came back, along with him was a man towering over the horses with a sword on his waist.

  “Welcome back, Your Highness. Your road has been paved. His Majesty is waiting. Once again, welcome back, Your Highness.” The man bowed ninety degrees. He then lifted his head and moved to the sides.

  At that moment I was curious about something very simple. If I was that important, why was no one questioning how I have no one accompanying me and that I am the coachman? But, it would make sense if I was just someone who is at a status that no one would dare question my decisions.

  Once the tall, rugged man had slid to the sides, I began on my slow throttle. The crown prince was definitely a despicable human, but what I have understood in this situation, every single one of those crimes is hidden from the public’s eye.

  The moment I entered the city, I saw some people tear up with a smile on their faces. They all began cheering and their praises all jumbled together. There were many words of encouragement like “You can do it! Your Highness!” and some with “We will love you either way! Your Highness!” or even some “Get well soon! Your Highness!”

  It was praise, not a single hate. I was not a hated prince, but a beloved one. While I thought of everything, I rode the carriage with a huge smile on my face. I wanted to wave, but I felt like showing a hole in my hand would have consequences, whether good or not, that I do not currently know the effect of.

  I had only been in this world for four days, I still couldn’t fully grasp the people in it. Now that I think about it, the people in the village feared me. But, maybe it wasn’t me they feared, but Harry. I couldn’t ask him about everything but I knew full well what was happening.

  From the very start, with just the first few minutes of my arrival, he failed to kill such a simple bandit that couldn’t even use aura. Then the village obviously wasn’t massacred by the forest beast, the trees were all attached to their roots. If it was the beast, there would have been a giant gaping hole in the forest.

  If you discover this tale on Amazon, be aware that it has been unlawfully taken from Royal Road. Please report it.

  Everything was part of his plan, I was just far too naive to realize. However, I still don’t know why he couldn’t kill me in the first place. That was a mystery I can only guess.

  Now that I had finished thinking about my days, I was brought back to reality when I had to turn my horse to the left, where a lot of people were also lined up. I thought this world would be hard. That maybe I’ll have to go to the top by regaining my reputation through sheer hard work and charity.

  Now that I have a life where people don’t hate me. My peaceful life would definitely work peacefully. Finally, I can just laze around the palace, and reap all the riches that the heir to a kingdom would have.

  My ass. There was no fooling myself. Everything felt fishy. Actually, it wasn’t stench, nor was intuition, it was just the truth. I was diving into the palace as a prince who had his last knight who hated him die.

  That just meant one thing. My current destination was the coldest, most brutal world there is. I’m entering the world of succession alone. No backing, nothing. I know absolutely nothing. There had been not a single mirror nor lake in this place. There was blood, but I didn’t really get to stare at it closely to the point I could see my face.

  I’m going into hell. Naked.

  After a few minutes, I finally arrived in front of the Palace’s entrance. It was a beautiful garden, where at every corner were mansions sparsely scattered. Unlike the city buildings crowded upon each other, the middle of the city was a paradise home to the most prestige and important people of the country.

  There were no more people guiding me, but inside were knights spread amongst each other wearing iron-clad armor with their hands on the hilt of swords. This feels like they are going to kill me any second.

  Soon, the main palace came into view. The castle trying to reach into the clouds. I subconsciously got off my carriage and walked the rest of the path. Climbing up the stairs, crowded by knights and then nobles, wearing fur and silk clothes etched with their family symbols.

  I stood upon a giant arched door, catching my breath. The doors then opened, and right after was an announcement ringing throughout the long chamber.

  “Entering the Crown Prince!”

  Everyone stood at the sides, with pillars reaching high into the ceiling. There was not a single knight inside, only nobles with their mix of ugly and beautiful faces. At the end of a smooth red carpet, was a golden throne were the King sat upon.

  The man had a long white beard, wearing a golden crown and a golden fur coat surrounding the red hue of his clothes. That was my father. His gaze sent shivers down my spine. Despite not being able to even see his eyes clearly, I could feel the pain in my heart.

  This was not an ordinary welcoming hearing. I was brought back from somewhere for a very delicate reason. As I took my first step, my heart burst, making me instinctively hold it with my hand.

  There was mana surrounding the entire chamber, sending pressure down to the ground. This was definitely normal, and so I continued. I limped slowly on the carpet, not letting go of my eyes at his. I don’t know how you were able to assemble this many people when I just arrived randomly. But this definitely meant someone was watching me. No, it was definite. I was being watched. They knew I killed people, and they knew I used mana.

  Based on my heart being filled with mana, yet having not a single circle like the mage from before who looked like she was just in her 20s, I was definitely not allowed to learn magic. The small relief I gained from walking the street and hearing praises from the masses was immediately crushed by my piles of crime.

  I trod across the carpet made of my blood and shame. Staring into his eyes allowed me to witness all my mistakes and all the history of my life. I barely made it to the end, with my best effort to not even let out a single mana out of my dantian.

  “The crown prince begins his audience with the King!” Said the same man who announced my entrance. Then after him, I was surprised to even hear him.

  “Everyone else. Leave.” There was no loud tone. It didn’t feel like a yell, nor a voice that felt like it was increased in volume. Yet I heard it even from the back of my ear. His word carried the forces of a mountain.

  The man in front of me was befitting the title of King.

  Everyone then left to the sides and the arched door behind me closed. A few seconds later, it was only me and the King left in the chamber. The giant corridor meant for an audience with the King was empty other than two people. It was like an ant on a plate.

  Then like a landslide, his deep voice echoed the entire room. “Daniel. I do not only speak as the King, but also as your father.” However, despite the pressure, his words felt assuring, comfortable yet dangerous.

  “I was all aware of your mischief. All your tricks. Yet. Did you really have to go that far? Drugs, selling commoners, and even murder. I ignored everything because of your potential. You know full well I did not care of your nature, but only your ability.”

  The King’s mouth was left slightly open. He stared deep into my soul. After a second he stood up and began to walk down from his podium.

  “Daniel, why go so far? You have all the riches you could ask for. Attain the power you could never get tired of.”

  He paused, standing in front of me. Then I naturally yielded, kneeling on the ground. I should have kneeled earlier, but at that moment I was just given no choice but to lower myself.

  “When did you become so greedy?”

  I didn’t know what to say. There was not a single memory of the original body in my mind. The only thing I can remember was my life on Earth. What was I supposed to respond to his question? Will apologizing even be enough? Would truly begging for forgiveness for a crime I didn’t commit be the right thing to do?

  “I won’t punish you, as usual. You are not allowed to leave the palace unless I say so. Oh, and also, I permit you to continue honing your mana. Though it seems you’ve been exhausted from it from your last fight. Daniel, you are my heir. Don’t ask for more.”

  The King turned around and climbed back up to his throne. I knew there was nothing more he wanted to tell me and so my body naturally stood up and left as soon as I could. My entire body was shaking. The smile etched on my face could reach the sky. It was incredible. The power of a King. The standing of a King. Sorry, father. But I get why the original body “Wanted more”. Cause, I want more.