So I'm a Snake, Who Cares?-Chapter 414: Gulp (1)

I'm a bold snake who can go out as I please when something happens.

But commoner Obern wasn't the type to dash out without reporting that the Emperor had summoned him.

I understand. Kadam is very frightening.

When Obern went to report.

Kadam didn't smile broadly like before saying, "If the Emperor called, of course you should run to him."

"The Crown Prince?"

Instead, he frowned and just sniffled.

"I didn't know there was a prince, though I heard there were several princesses."

Is this really Kadam?

He used to be a loyal subject who would die at the Emperor's feet, but now he's picking his nose while talking like this.

"I suppose it's possible. If there's a hidden child..."

In truth, Kadam had been quite depressed since the Emperor's death.

His loyalty to the Emperor was clear.

Last night, he even did something melancholic like raising a cup of wine alone toward the moon in the night sky.

But it seems his loyalty was directed only toward the Emperor.

More precisely, toward Sim Yuje who died a few weeks ago.

That's because it was Sim Yuje who recognized and employed Kadam, a half-orc.

"Orcs are simple, so it's natural. That's also why an orc group's loyalty collapses when their chief dies."

But Kadam is a half-orc, not an orc.

Pelerian explained with a distinctly racist perspective.

"Do as you please. Go ahead."

But Kadam wasn't trying to be difficult.

He sent us off with a rather disinterested attitude.

Obern and I headed to the Imperial Palace.

As if arrangements had been made in advance, the palace guards let us through without issue.

Obern whispered in his mind.

'This is the first time I've heard there was a Crown Prince.'

'Really?'

'Yes, I heard that Sim Yuje had princesses from the beginning, but no sons.' Continue your story on novelbuddy

'Did he hide his child?'

That could be possible.

Though I'm not sure why he would. Who knows what these high-ranking people think?

'How old was the Emperor?'

'I believe he was thirty-five.'

'He looked young for his age.'

I thought he was in his twenties. Perhaps he received some skin care treatments.

The place where the Crown Prince was waiting was none other than the Porcelain Room.

I've grown quite large now, so I can no longer hide in Obern's sleeve.

I might need to acquire a shrinking skill rather than gigantification.

Like before, when we waited outside and only Obern was going to enter.

The eunuch said something different.

"Sir Obern. This time, he commands that your familiar enter with you."

"...Understood."

The eunuch's affected voice somehow gave me goosebumps.

I climbed back onto Obern's shoulder.

I was curious about the Porcelain Room, so this worked out well.

The interior was exactly as Obern had described.

It was a beautiful room with all sorts of treasures on display.

In the center of the room was an indoor garden that could be called a "central courtyard."

A warm ray of sunlight shone down from the glass ceiling.

The Crown Prince was sitting on a chair placed there.

The Sword Saint stood behind him, as if guarding him.

Ah, I made eye contact with the Sword Saint.

Having seen his imposing presence before, I involuntarily cowered and averted my eyes.

The Crown Prince slowly opened his mouth.

"Obern Grimoire."

"Your Highness, I have come at your summons."

Obern assumed a proper stance of etiquette.

But the Crown Prince frowned at the word "Highness."

"Address me as you would the Emperor. I will soon ascend to the throne."

That was an extremely arrogant statement that violated protocol.

If civil and military officials had been nearby, they might have criticized him, saying, "Your Highness! Please withdraw your words, as the late Emperor's funeral hasn't even ended yet!"

But the Sword Saint's expression showed no discontent whatsoever.

And our Obern.

"I shall obey your imperial command, Your Majesty!"

He had the talent of a bootlicker.

"I heard you excellently carried out Sim Yuje's orders."

The Crown Prince didn't use terms like "Father" or "the late Emperor."

I discreetly observed the Crown Prince's appearance.

This 𝓬ontent is taken from fгeewebnovёl.co𝙢.

I thought a young boy would be waiting for us, but he was older than expected.

He appeared to be just under twenty.

Considering this, the previous Emperor might have started reproductive activities at a younger age than expected.

The blood connection was obvious even to me.

That's because he had those same unpleasantly snake-like eyes.

And his manner of speaking too.

"Sim Yuje was an arrogant person. That's why he was assassinated by such a lowly being. Moreover, despite appearances, he had a weak side."

The previous Emperor also criticized his father, Su Wangje, for being weak.

Seeing this Crown Prince badmouth Sim Yuje, it seems being an ungrateful son is also hereditary.

The Sword Saint still showed no change in expression.

"I am different. I will suppress the Western Regions, establish discipline in Solion, and punish the goblins that are running rampant in the south."

Should I assassinate him right now?

For a moment, I considered methods to kill the Crown Prince and the possibility of the Sword Saint stopping me.

It doesn't seem feasible.

That's unfortunate.

"I heard you are Solion's royal envoy."

"That is correct."

"I heard the prince is around my age. Call him once. I'd like to have a conversation with him."

"I shall do so."

Now that I see it, his personality seems a bit different.

Perhaps it's because he's younger? The Crown Prince had an aspect of overflowing vigor.

"Also, stay in the Imperial Palace for the time being."

"Pardon?"

Obern was taken aback.

Stay in the Imperial Palace?

"You're making me repeat myself. I said stay in the Imperial Palace for the time being. I'll provide you with a room."

In Obern's mind, the thought 'Daisy won't like this' could be felt.

He truly has the qualities of a henpecked husband.

"Your grace is immeasurable."

Of course, he couldn't refuse.

Afterward, the Emperor talked about things he wasn't particularly interested in.

Like his ambitions and complaints about the previous Emperor.

And I kept poking Obern's back with my tail.

'Obern.'

'Yes.'

'Quickly, ask him to hand over Atillike's Claw.'

'...'

That was a major issue.

The previous Emperor gave us a mission.

And when we completed that mission, he promised to give us six more of those amazing consumable artifacts called Atillike's Claw.

It became ambiguous when the Emperor died.

But if the Crown Prince inherited the Emperor's legacy, shouldn't he also inherit the debt?

'Hurry up and say it.'

'How should I say it...'

'Just say it confidently.'

'What if he kills me?'

Geez, what a coward.

Then I'll have to say it if you won't.

'Hurry!'

'Ah, alright.'

Obern calmly waited for the Crown Prince to finish speaking.

He seized the opportunity when the Crown Prince took a drink of water, seemingly thirsty.

"Um, there is something I would like to ask, and I would be eternally grateful for your generosity..."

"What is it?"

"The previous Emperor promised something..."

Obern brought up the matter of Atillike's Claw as calmly as possible.

The Crown Prince frowned.

"How presumptuous."

"P-please kill me!"

"I'm not talking about you, but about Sim Yuje. No wonder he was assassinated, freely giving away such dangerous items. Garnerius!"

The Crown Prince called for the Sword Saint.

"Give him one."

"Yes."