The first prince couldn’t help but underestimate the Black Fangs.

He had no choice but to acknowledge that fact.

‘What a misjudgment.’

A thorough investigation. A calculated ambush. The combined forces of an Archmage, a Swordmaster, and the formidable allies of the legendary Hero.

Those were undoubtedly the best preparations he could muster, yet they still fell woefully short.

The Black Fangs were an organization more powerful than he could ever have imagined.

Their operations were wildly unpredictable, their traceability virtually non-existent.

He even felt ridiculous for thinking, ‘Is it possible the leader of the Black Fangs has no grand ambitions like the Empire’s revolution?’

‘How on earth did they manage to sway the Holy Church?’

It wasn’t without reason the first prince had trusted the Church. The Black Fangs were the very ones who had brought the Holy Church to its knees.

To think they’d worship their conquerors instead of hating them—that thought felt absurd to him.

‘How did they manage to recruit the Elves?’

The way they wielded not only the Elves but even the power of the World Tree was beyond the first prince’s comprehension.

The Empire had never overlooked the World Tree. They had tried desperately to exploit it, but even plucking a single leaf had cost people their lives.

They secretly deployed 500 citizens to gather samples for experiments, yet the only outcome was a conclusion that utilizing the World Tree while dodging that curse was impossible.

Well, at least the souls of those who withered away could later be recycled—so there hadn’t been major losses.

What mattered was that this guy accomplished what the Empire couldn’t, and he did it in just a few days.

‘Just how far ahead is he looking?’

That meticulousness, managing to stay under the Empire’s radar up to this point.

How did he even predict that he would send a letter and intercept it through some means?

The memory of that day still haunted him.

When he sent a warning, saying the Emperor would come knocking, he could still picture the leader’s flustered face, drenched in cold sweat.

Realizing it was all part of a grand scheme to mock him sent waves of despair crashing over him.

He simply couldn’t shake that feeling from his mind.

He felt utterly powerless.

It was the first time he had ever faced such a formidable wall.

‘That guy will… undoubtedly swallow the Empire whole.’

Just months ago, he never believed the Black Fangs could topple the Empire.

True, Renyah was wise to their dangers, constantly lecturing him on the threat they posed, but he always chalked it up to the other being a bit too self-important; after all, who wouldn’t overestimate those who’d beaten them a few times?

He genuinely assumed that as long as their father, the Emperor, was around, the Empire was invincible.

But now, things had changed.

In this underground city, where he currently found himself, it was undeniably more advanced than the Empire’s capital.

With the advantage of rapid, secret movement through the rail system, outstanding security, and immense technological prowess, coupled with the leader’s abnormal abilities…

The Black Fangs were a definite threat.

It crossed his mind they could indeed bring down the Empire.

“…”

The first prince opened his eyes and glanced around.

The utter darkness, surrounded by restraints and arcane symbols.

He was trapped somewhere in this underground city, undergoing torture aimed at destroying his mind to implant another soul.

Those lunatics from the Holy Church.

The particular Archbishop Dominic seemed tireless as he continued his torturous methods with a mace.

Still, even a crazy guy had limits—after three days of torturing him without results, he finally collapsed after crushing the prince’s groin.

They had been torturing him for a while before bringing him here, but since they weren’t getting results, it became a matter of finding new methods.

Though there were three Elves keeping watch, their condition wasn’t too good, perhaps due to their master being far away.

In other words, it was an opportunity.

‘…I’ve been waiting for this moment.’

Of course, he couldn’t use mana.

His body might heal under torture, but the mana circuitry was excluded from that recovery.

The Black Fangs’ leader had fully burned out his mana circuits.

However, he did have a trump card.

Using people as materials was common in the Empire, and the first prince had become an Archmage by absorbing the talents of others.

He understood perfectly how to draw energy from a human’s fundamental life force.

Of course, there wasn’t any other life to be sacrificed except for his own. Using his life as collateral might not ensure he survives, but…

‘At least I can get some revenge.’

Now was the time to strike against the Black Fangs.

If he wanted to topple this group that was ramping up its forces at an abnormal rate, now was the moment.

If he could relay all the information he gathered here, he could take his revenge and protect the Empire; he would be willing to give his life for it.

The Emperor’s son gritted his teeth.

The memories of the excruciating pain, the warm blood flowing…

He bore through it all and pushed against the restraints.

…Then nothing happened.

Before he could even begin to use his life force, a sudden light flooded in.

The door to the torture chamber swung open at that very moment.

And the figure revealed was none other than the leader of the Black Fangs, that white-haired boy.

The first prince quickly suppressed his panic and feigned calmness.

“Are you here to torture me yourself this time? Well, do as you will. I don’t even know what you’d have to do to break an Archmage’s mind.”

His tone was taunting.

But it had to come off as more natural.

If he were to act differently now, it would surely raise suspicions.

This was a critical moment.

A defining moment for the fate of the Empire.

So he absolutely couldn’t let his hidden malice slip. The prince steadied his pounding heart and began his act…

“Yeah, I’m thinking of just killing you outright.”

…And was exposed.

His mind went blank for a moment.

The first prince’s jaw dropped in shock, but he quickly collected himself. He wouldn’t let such a humiliation stand.

“…Are you serious? You do realize there will be repercussions for killing me, right?”

He hadn’t thought of that in his surprise, but it was far more likely this was just a cruel joke.

The plans they were cooking up.

Making him a puppet, even if it wouldn’t work on an Archmage, but they were blissfully unaware of that fact.

They wouldn’t easily give up the chance to plant a spy. And if they were exposed, they’d be in trouble.

It was definitely a low-class joke…

“I know. Renyah said he’d cover for me. Considering the trust I gain from that, it certainly seems like I’m the one who benefits.”

The boy standing in front of him said nonchalantly.

His expression was so at ease it didn’t feel like he was spinning a web of lies. That made it all the more strange.

Renyah?

He said Renyah wanted to kill me?

And even offered to help conceal it?

Renyah was not that kind of person.

Yes, he was full of himself and had a nasty ego, and they didn’t see eye to eye, but he also had a sense of loyalty.

There was no way he’d go so far as to kill his brother.

They had always managed to walk the line.

Though they’d had public battles, they had never stooped to dirty tricks like assassination.

‘No, but setting that aside…’

Just how did that kid manage to get in contact with Renyah?

Renyah wasn’t a fool.

He had been tracking the Black Fangs all this time; he wouldn’t fail to notice the leader standing in front of him.

As those thoughts ran through his mind… the first prince finally grasped the underlying truth of the situation.

The timing of the kid’s appearance.

The ridiculous lie he spun to implicate his brother.

All of it was part of a scheme to anticipate his moves and mock him!

The boy with the sword closed in.

The restraints that were supposed to torture him lost their power as soon as the boy touched them.

“What the hell do you think you’re doing? Just how far must you humiliate me to feel satisfied?!”

The first prince shouted.

Even witnessing the calmness of that damn kid infuriated him.

It was as if he was saying, ‘When did I ever insult you?’

Just the sight of him continuing to act while ridiculing him made his blood boil.

He wanted retaliation.

He would get his revenge on that bastard, no matter the cost.

As those thoughts surged within him…

[Offer your soul. Then the Author will bestow upon you a fitting curse.]

…Asmodeus appeared before him.