章 15: Crown Prince Philip

The atmosphere around the campfire began to change, becoming brighter as we shared more and more. Takeshi, who had been quiet for most of the conversation, finally spoke up, breaking the lingering tension.

"So, this Shop feature," he began, "does it have limits? Can you get anything from our world?"

I shook my head. "No, it has limits. The items available seem to be tailored to my job as a Modern Soldier. I can't just get anything; it's mostly weapons, gear, and some medical supplies."

Yumi, always curious, leaned forward. "What about ammo? How do you keep it stocked?"

"The Shop also provides ammo," I explained. "But it costs points, which I earn from defeating monsters and completing missions. It's a balance—powerful weapons come at a high cost."

Hiroshi rubbed his chin thoughtfully. "It sounds like a double-edged sword. We gain an advantage, but it requires careful management."

"Exactly," I agreed. "It's not a limitless resource, and using it recklessly could leave us vulnerable."

Yumi smiled, her eyes sparkling with newfound excitement. "Well, it certainly adds an interesting dynamic to our group. I'm looking forward to seeing how we can use this to our advantage."

Takeshi nodded in agreement. "Yes, it could be the key to overcoming challenges that seemed insurmountable before."

As the fire crackled and the night grew darker, I felt a renewed sense of hope. Despite the secrets and the risks, we were united by our shared experiences and the trust we were building.

...

The next day, we returned to the palace. Touya's group and the others had already completed their conquests. From the soldiers, I heard that they had successfully defeated the twin-headed ogre. It was an extraordinary achievement for beginners; even A-ranked adventurers would struggle to defeat that monster. It felt like our achievement in defeating Drake was still not comparable.

As we walked towards the palace gate, my friends carefully helped to conceal my weapon. Fortunately, I had disguised the FN SCAR-H with cloth, making it look like a short spear to the soldiers. However, that wasn't a long-term solution.

Hiroshi, being a mage, had a brilliant idea. "Why don't we put your weapon in the dimensional pocket?" he suggested.

I looked at him puzzled. "Dimensional pocket?"

Hiroshi nodded enthusiastically. "Yes, I got it from the palace wizard when we were practicing magic. It's a gift because I won a chess game with the wizard. This pocket can hold three items, regardless of their shape or size."

He pulled out the pocket from his robe, a small pouch that looked ordinary. "Look," he said, demonstrating how it worked. "We can store your weapon in here, and no one will suspect a thing."

I stared at the pocket with shining eyes, unable to speak. "You're truly a genius, Hiroshi," I finally said, giving him a thumbs-up with a flat yet grateful expression.

As we continued our journey, I felt slightly more at ease. Though there was still a sense of awkwardness within me, I began to realize how important their presence was by my side. They weren't just friends; they were allies who would help me overcome any obstacle.

In the palace, the atmosphere seemed livelier. Soldiers and palace wizards bustled about, busy with their own affairs. I noticed how Touya's group received praise and admiration from everyone. We might not receive the same recognition, but it didn't dampen our spirits.

...

When everyone else wanted to rest, I felt restless and decided to return to the library. This time, a Glock pistol was hidden behind my clothes. There was something amiss with the atmosphere in the palace at the moment, and I wanted to know more.

As I opened the library door, my eyes immediately fell on a handsome blond man, engrossed in his reading. He was dressed a bit more lavishly than what I usually saw in the palace. Piles of books surrounded him, indicating that he had spent hours here.

As I entered, the man raised his head and smiled. The gleam in his eyes hinted at deep knowledge and intelligence. There was something special about this man, and curiosity urged me to approach him.

"Ah, we meet again," he greeted warmly, his voice flowing gently in the silent library.

It felt strange, how could he recognize me? I could only respond hesitantly, "We do?"

The man smiled understandingly, as if easily catching my confusion. "Ahahaha~ I bet you're puzzled, aren't you?" his laughter echoed in the quiet room. "We first met here, I remember you had a chubby figure back then."

"Ah..." I nodded, recalling something I had heard. "But how do you recognize me?"

He replied casually, "That's because many soldiers gossiped about your very rapid changes." The man closed his book gently and stood up. His steps were light as he approached me. "Allow me to introduce myself, my name is Philip."

I felt a bit taken aback by Philip's presence. He exuded a strong aura, as someone who had gone through many life experiences. His gaze was wise, as if he could see more than just my face.

"I'm Johan Anderson. You can call me Johan," I said, shaking his hand. Suddenly, something surged in my mind. "Wait a minute, Philip? Aren't you Crown Prince Philip Von Althoria!?" I was instantly surprised.

Philip smiled gently, reflecting his calm demeanor. "Yes, I am Crown Prince Philip Von Althoria," he said warmly. "No need to worry, Johan. I dislike stiff formalities. Let's talk like two people who know each other."

I felt relieved hearing that. "Of course, Philip. Thank you for your understanding," I said with a slight sense of relief. It felt more comfortable now, although there was still some stiffness within me.

Philip continued, "So, what brings you to the library tonight, Johan?" His eyes were full of interest, as if he genuinely wanted to know.

"I... I'm sorry if I say this, but I feel like something's not right in the palace while we were away. Is that true?" I asked directly, trying to pierce through the peace apparent on Philip's face. Seeing his relaxed demeanor, I felt better about being straightforward.

Upon hearing my question, Philip widened his eyes. "How did you know?"

I took a deep breath before answering, "Intuition, and seeing the sometimes strange behavior of the palace maids, as well as hearing the soldiers' gossip. It all makes me feel like something's amiss during the dungeon expedition."

Philip nodded, as if understanding the reason behind my question. "Yes, you're right..." He sighed, as if considering something seriously.

"I think it's my sister's issue," he said, his tone slightly worried.

"Princess Rosaria? The woman we saw in the hall during our summoning, right?" I asked, trying to recall the face of the young woman.

"Yes, my sister Rosaria seems to have plans to rebel against me," Philip revealed, his voice filled with concern.