Genius Prince’s National Revitalization from State Deficit ~ Right, Let Us Sell the Country - Volume 12 - Chapter 6

Chapter 6 - That Which Is Precious

Time passed, and Ninym’s routine life in the forest mansion continued. Wein spent his days reading quietly, and she helped care for him and the household.

Ninym often wondered about her future. The current arrangement was made possible only because of Wein’s kindness. It couldn’t last forever. She pondered what to do while carrying out her usual duties, and sometimes she scoured the library when she had permission. No amount of consideration or research provided an answer, though.

Still, Ninym’s efforts weren’t entirely wasted. She learned quite a lot about Wein.

His Highness isn’t very particular.

Before, she’d thought he was incomprehensible. It was rude to think of him as such, yet she couldn’t help but consider him an enigma wrapped in an enigma.

However, that opinion was coming undone. Ninym couldn’t say she had Wein completely solved, but she did grasp one aspect of his character—he wasn’t picky about much.

He couldn’t care less when it comes to his food or clothing.

Anyone with eyes could see Wein was a noble. It was no exaggeration to say he was of the most aristocratic bloodline in the nation. Yet he always accepted Ninym’s mediocre efforts. She even secretly reduced and then doubled his meal size as a test. Wein always ate whatever he was given, never commenting on it. She was wise enough not to go past five times the usual amount, but she didn’t need to. Ninym understood that his disinterest in such matters was simply his character.

I don’t get the sense this is self-imposed poverty.

Wein’s behavior didn’t suggest high-minded temperance. Rather, he merely seemed to lack interest, awareness, and desire. He wasn’t indifferent to everything, of course. For one, Wein loved to read, yet even that, he appeared to do dispassionately. It was somehow otherworldly. One could’ve mistaken him for an illusion.

You could even say he’s…strange?

From mysterious to strange. It was debatable whether this was a step forward or backward in regard to his character. Any assessment was liable to change again as Ninym’s days with the boy continued.

I know I need to think about what I want to do once this is over, but…

If possible, Ninym thought she’d like to remain with her savior the prince a while longer.

A fire broke out in the mansion several days later.

“Ninym’s taking the day off?”

“Yes. I understand this is a critical time, but she is mentally exhausted and asks that you allow her to rest.”

Levan had come to Wein’s office to inform him that his ever-present aide was indisposed.

“I see… Well, that makes sense. I’m always asking a lot of her.” Wein nodded despite his bitter expression. He had previously collapsed because of overwork and didn’t want her to suffer the same fate.

“I appreciate your consideration, Prince Wein,” Levan said with a reverent bow. “Worry not. Today I shall act as Your Highness’s aide in Ninym’s stead.”

“I’m counting on you, Levan. This next meeting with Caldmellia is the final curtain.”

The director had been in Natra for some time already, and after several rounds of negotiation, the end was nigh.

“Forgive my forwardness, but how will you answer Lady Caldmellia’s proposal?”

Would Natra join the West or the Empire?

The vassals had already discussed this at length. They naturally played a part in Natra’s future, but the gap between them and their sovereign had grown in recent days. The vassals intended to undermine his authority and take matters into their own hands. Surprisingly, Wein himself was far from displeased and actually supported this.

However, the vassals failed to come to a consensus. Although one would assume Wein had the final word, he’d deferred, yet his officials’ skittishness over this momentous decision that promised to change Natra forever became a roadblock. It was a sad state of affairs. Regardless, Wein regained authority to finish the business with Caldmellia.

“Right, right. Well, my policies haven’t changed. I’m going to accept her offer. For now anyway.”

“…But ultimately join the Empire.”

“You got it. I’ve already said this to Ninym, but my bet is on the Empire in this East-West showdown. Until then, Natra needs to play its cards right while staying on their good side.”

Wein knew both the Empire and the West were formidable, yet he boldly declared he’d pull their strings. Such a harebrained idea would be absurd if it had come from anyone else. But in Wein’s case, it sounded crazy enough to work. He could absolutely pull it off.

“…”

“What is it, Levan?”

“It’s nothing… We should head to the meeting room.”

Wein nodded and stood from his chair.

I wonder if the meeting has already started…

Ninym’s eyes darted around the room as she fidgeted nervously in her seat. Thoughts of Wein filled her mind. She’d usually be at his side, but Levan had taken her place today since she felt under the weather.

In truth, her condition wasn’t too severe. Although recent events had indeed left her weary, Ninym could still function. She wouldn’t normally leave Wein for something like this.

This had come about per Levan’s request after he asked to speak with Wein alone as head of the Flahm and attend the meeting with Caldmellia. He took over Ninym’s duties for the day after she claimed to feel unwell, so now she had no choice but to lie around.

I hope Caldmellia and Wein’s discussion goes well…

This thought kept Ninym on edge. She wanted to make herself useful somehow but couldn’t concentrate at all. If only she’d stayed with Wein.

There’s definitely something very wrong with me…

Burning herself out and being incapacitated during an emergency was no laughing matter. Since troubled sleep was surely healthier than frenzied impatience, Ninym collapsed on the bed and chose to relinquish consciousness. Squeezing her eyes shut, she pushed aside a river of worries, let time pass, and drifted off to sleep.

“Yeah, not bad at all.”

Ninym gave the food she’d prepared a nod of approval in the kitchen. Then she walked down the hallway toward a room farther within the mansion—the study.

“Your Highness, I’ve brought lunch.”

When Ninym opened the door and called to him, Wein’s shadow stirred in a corner of the room.

“Hold on. I’m almost finished,” he replied, a book in one hand.

When instructed to wait, a proper servant quietly obeyed. A young apprentice like Ninym could follow orders well enough but had difficulty remaining silent.

“What are you reading today?”

It was a forward question, but Wein didn’t seem to mind and answered regardless. “A book about the Empire.”

“The Empire? Isn’t that the big country to the east?”

“Yeah. You can read it later if you want. This book goes into Earthworld’s history and its culture. Might be useful if you visit someday.”

“Me, visit the Empire?” Ninym pondered the notion.

There were countless places and regions within Natra that she’d never seen, let alone the Empire. Plus, a foreign country would be, well, foreign. Ninym broke into a sweat at the thought.

“Have you ever been to the Empire, Your Highness?”

“Nope. I might someday, though.”

“In that case, I bet we’ll go together.”

Ninym gave a tiny smile. If fate was kind, she hoped their “somedays” would cross and permit them to travel together.

Wein turned a page, as though to say he had no interest in the subtleties of a young girl’s heart. However, Ninym was used to this and paid it no heed. In fact, she kept talking.

“Your Highness really does love books.”

This was Ninym’s honest observation. She didn’t dislike books but couldn’t read around the clock like Wein. “Bookworm” was a common taunt, but it fit him perfectly.

However, his response was unexpected.

“Not really.”

“Oh? You don’t?” Ninym blinked. As far as she knew, Wein spent most days with his nose in some volume or another. How could he claim not to like reading?

“I’m just giving the people the illusion they want,” Wein explained. “A diligent, academic prince.”

“So, what do you like?”

“Nothing.”

“‘Nothing’? That can’t be.” Ninym wanted to laugh it off but remembered he’d never tell such a joke. Was there truly not a single thing he enjoyed?

What a depressing thought. Ninym fiercely wanted to say something to this boy in front of her, but…

“Wait.”

…Wein’s attention shifted. He stood noiselessly and approached the study’s window to peer outside.

“Have the scales tipped in their favor?”

“Your Highness?”

His voice was hardly a whisper, and Ninym tilted her head in confusion.

“Look over there but don’t show your face.”

At Wein’s insistence, Ninym peeked out from a corner of the window.

“I think I see someone…”

There was a stranger outside, and they weren’t alone. From what Ninym saw, at least three were hiding in the trees’ shadows.

“There’s undoubtedly more of them. We’re surrounded,” Wein stated.

“S-surrounded? What for?”

“To kill me.”

An arrow broke through the window.

“Eek!” Ninym almost fell as she instinctively leaned backward, but Wein caught her arm.

“Be careful. I’m their target, but they’re not above getting rid of anyone in their way.”

“Wait, um, ah…”

Ninym was hopelessly confused and unable to comprehend the situation. However, she was still aware enough to recognize that the arrow that had flown into the mansion was alight.

“Your Highness, the fire. We need to put it ou—”

“Don’t bother. The entire mansion is under attack. Come on, this way.”

Wein half-dragged Ninym from the study; a burning smell already choked the hallway. As Wein had suggested, it was too late to stop the growing blaze.

“Aren’t they going to storm the building? Maybe it’s a siege to prevent any chance of escape,” the prince muttered.

“U-um, Your Highness.”

“It must’ve been easy since Raklum is away.”

“Your Highness!” The quiver in Ninym’s voice finally caused Wein to turn around.

“What is it?”

“What in the world is going on?!”

There was no time to waste. Fire was rapidly consuming the estate. However, Ninym wanted an answer more than anything.

Wein took a moment to think it over.

“I’ll leave out the specifics, but some powers in this nation would benefit from my death. They’ve found me and made their move. Now, here we are.”

“S-so why are you so calm?!”

“Because I saw this coming.”

Wein entered a storage room, and Ninym watched as he heaved a shelf out of the way to reveal a cellar door.

“Beneath here is a path that leads out beyond the forest. It’s an easy escape.”

Ninym’s lost, terrified heart knew a touch of relief. She still had no idea what was going on, but this was a sliver of hope.

“Then let’s hurry, Your Highness!” She tugged Wein’s hand, but he didn’t move.

“You’re going alone, Ninym.”

“What?” she asked, baffled. The mansion was on fire. They had an escape route. And yet he refused to go. Ninym couldn’t help but question Wein’s reasoning. “Wh-what do you mean? Then what about you, Your Highness?”

Wein’s answer was swift.

“I’m going to die here.”

“‘Die here’…?”

There was a part of Wein that Ninym never wholly understood, and she’d always found him a bit strange.

This, however, was beyond anything she’d ever seen from him.

“What’s the point in that…?!” Her anguished cry echoed against the narrow storage room walls, threatening to attract some of the assailants. Still, the prince remained unfazed.

“Because those who wish for my demise came here.”

“Those who wish for your demise…”

Obviously, Wein referred to the people attacking the mansion.

“I don’t get it at all! Why would you let them kill you?!”

“Because it’s what they want, and I have the power to give it to them.”

“…!”

Lightning surged through Ninym. Although she tried to deny it, the prince’s broken logic began to paint a bigger picture.

It couldn’t be. There had to be some mistake.

“F-fine!” Ninym shouted in desperate protest. “But there are other people who want you to live!”

“Yes, and both hold equal value to me. So I’ve prioritized the side with more enthusiasm,” Wein replied plainly. “That’s why I spent my days here—to avoid needless casualties once the fervor of those who seek my death won out.”

Pieces of the puzzle rapidly assembled themselves in Ninym’s mind. She’d always had questions.

Why had a nation’s prince chosen to live in such a remote place? And why had he brought only one guard? Was it truly to make his death easier? Could the truth be so absurd?

“…Are you stupid?!” Rage tinged Ninym’s shaking words. “That’s the dumbest thing I’ve ever heard!” In that rage, sorrow. “Don’t you care about your life?!” She knew the answer but had to ask anyway.

“Not at all.”

Now Ninym understood.

Wein was like the magic lamps from old stories. They granted every wish and desired nothing. A lamp was just a tool, after all. Its sole power was to serve others.

Unlike most people, Wein could become a magic lamp. It was his only strength and authority, so nothing felt precious.

If asked for gold, he offered it. If told to scorch the continent to a flat plain, he obliged. If instructed to become a diligent prince, he would. If ordered to hand over his life, he relinquished it. For someone as detached as Wein, every desire was equally worthless.

“You’re such an idiot.”

Once, Ninym had considered Wein to be her kind savior. It was sad to know he saw no difference between her plea for rescue and the assassins’ attempt on his life.

She was furious. Ninym had cherished their days together, even though they were too few. It wounded her to realize Wein cared nothing for that time. More than anything else, though, his bleak reality left her rattled. How could the boy who saved her endure such heart-wrenching loneliness?

“You can think about it later,” Wein said dismissively. “You’ll never find your path if you get caught up in this.”

He was right. Ninym was only a young girl. She couldn’t put out a fire or defeat the assassins. And she lacked the strength to drag Wein to safety against his will. No one would condemn her for fleeing alone.

And yet…

…Ninym nonetheless took Wein’s hand.

“What’s this about?”

“Don’t accept death so easily.” The intensity in Ninym’s voice surprised her.

“It’s what the people want.”

“That doesn’t mean you have to go along with it.”

“I have no reason to refuse.”

“You do!”

If Wein was indifferent to everything because he cherished nothing, then a single grain would be enough to tip the scales. Ninym held his hand tightly.

“I’ll become important to you!”

This was her own naïve arrogance. Such an act would demean Wein’s divine nature.

However, in that moment, Ninym vowed that no matter who stood in her way, she wouldn’t allow the prince to die alone.

“How?” Wein asked after a brief pause. “How will you become important to me?”

“You think I know?!” Ninym shouted. “You tell me! How should I win you over?!” Wein gave her a perplexed look, but the girl pressed on. “If you don’t know, either, then we’ll put our heads together and figure it out! So don’t die here, Wein!” Her eyes blazed, yet the boy’s expression remained a mystery.

This latest silence felt longer than any before it. All the while the flames crept nearer.

“…I’m not sure,” Wein muttered finally.

His response struck Ninym like a boulder. Was that scale truly so immovable? Her heart churned with disappointment, vexation, and sorrow. Anger soon followed.

Ninym was absolutely incensed. How could Wein say that after hearing such despair? He had to be mocking her. She thought he deserved a slap for it.

“Wait, just calm down,” Wein interrupted as though he’d sensed Ninym’s intent. “I meant I’m not sure how we should escape.”

“What…?”

“Once the assassins realize my body isn’t here, they’ll search the mansion more carefully and discover the escape route. We’ll need to find another way.”

In other words…

Ninym beamed as Wein’s meaning dawned on her.

“Your Highness!” came a deafening roar from outside the mansion. “Are you all right, Your Highness?! I’m here to save you! So please, hold on a bit longer!”

The children couldn’t see the situation beyond the storage room, but the voice belonged to Raklum. Help had arrived. Ninym almost sobbed with relief, but Wein grimaced.

“So Raklum’s back…and he’s probably outnumbered.”

Ninym gasped. Yes, even a man of his skill hardly stood a chance against the many killers who surrounded the mansion.

However, a second voice soon followed Raklum’s.

“Hurry, His Highness is inside! His safety comes before pursuit of the enemy!”

It was Levan. Numerous others could be heard, too, as well as the clash of swords.

“I see. Levan had a few extra soldiers stashed away,” Wein remarked.

The endangered prince had preferred minimal protection, but that didn’t mean his vassals had been content to do nothing. And although Wein didn’t know it, Levan considered Ninym the key to the Flahm’s future. Of course he’d assign a secret unit to keep a close eye in case of an emergency.

“Um…” This sudden good fortune left Ninym dumbfounded, yet she still held Wein’s hand tight. He urged her forward.

“Come on, Ninym. We’ll be safer outside with Raklum and the others.”

“R-right.”

The two escaped hand in hand and didn’t let go until they reached the adults.

When Ninym awoke, she stared at her hand and clenched it several times. Years had passed since then, but she could still feel the sensation of Wein’s hand squeezing hers back.

“I need to tell him everything.”

Just like that, Ninym’s mind was made up.

Wein’s mysterious behavior of late had worried her, and there was no easy answer to the situation with the Flahm. So Ninym had taken everything on herself.

However, that had been a mistake. Ninym needed to share all her problems and frustrations so they could rack their minds and stew over them together. The faint sensation in her palm confirmed this was the right answer.

“I should hurry.”

Ninym sat up. The meeting was likely still in progress, but she’d go to him regardless. The very thought made her heavy heart feel lighter.

However, a knock came at the door as she dressed. It was Levan.

“Master Levan? What is it?”

Ninym immediately harbored two concerns. The first was for Levan’s presence here when he ought to have been with Wein, and the second was for his grave expression.

“Did you run into a problem with Caldmellia?”

The young woman paled. Experience had taught her that even Wein wasn’t infallible. Levan shook his head, though.

“No, our negotiations just ended. Once several conditions have been met, Natra shall side with the West.”

“As part of Wein’s plan, correct?”

“…Indeed.”

Ninym sighed with relief, yet she couldn’t help but notice Levan’s frown at the mention of Wein’s name.

“Master Levan, did something happen between you and His Highness?”

“…”

His silence was telling. The meeting with Caldmellia had concluded without obvious incident, yet Wein and Levan apparently came to a disagreement afterward. Even so, Ninym remained positive.

“Master Levan, let’s speak with Prince Wein together. I’m sure a solution will present itself if we’re completely honest.”

Her words sang with confidence and fresh optimism. Even the most clueless outsider would’ve agreed her approach was for the best. Levan shook his head, however.

“That won’t be necessary. Rather, it’s impossible.”

“What do you mean?”

An unshakable foreboding threatened to overwhelm Ninym when she saw Levan falter. The man forced himself to meet her gaze.

“Prince Wein died moments ago.”

“…………What?”

Ninym didn’t process a single word.

“Wh-what? Died?”

“To be more precise, I killed him.”

Levan had killed Wein.

The simple confession took Ninym several seconds to process. Her blood ran cold, and she began to tremble violently.

“Y-you’re lying. Right, Master Levan?”

“I am not.”

He flatly dismissed her desperate, choked denial.

“Th-then it must be a joke or mistake.”

“Does that sound like me?”

“Ngh… Ah…”

She couldn’t argue.

As Levan said, he would never lie or make a joke in such poor taste, nor would he mistake reality so terribly.

Did that mean he’d really killed Wein?

“For the sake of the Flahm’s greatest wish, I had to remove any threats swiftly. And Ninym— No, descendant of the great Founder. From now on, you shall be our symbol.”

Levan’s words seemed unreal but rooted Ninym to the spot nonetheless. She only understood this wasn’t her chosen path.

Future generations would call this era “the Great War of Kings.”

As news of Wein Salema Arbalest’s death spread like wildfire, the continent faced its darkest days yet.