Novel Full Chapter 348 The Calm Before the Storm (1)
Phili rewrote the letter he had crumpled and thrown away.
‘Why are you crumpling up your friend’s letter and making a fuss.’
“…I’m sorry.”
Since it was so true, Phili had nothing to say.
The snake diligently read through the letter.
He could read text.
Though he knew this already, it was still an amazing sight.
From Phili’s perspective, the snake was an endlessly mysterious monster.
He knew there were sometimes monsters with high intelligence.
There were occasionally monsters that could speak too.
He’d heard there were also monsters that could use magic.
But he’d never heard of a monster like the snake.
It would be believable if someone said there was a human inside the snake.
Though sometimes slow-witted, such powerful strength and high intelligence.
Obern went around telling others that the snake was his familiar, but Phili knew that wasn’t true.
Obern calls the snake ‘Lord Snake’.
Even that amazing young professor often treats the snake with difficulty.
Rather than equals, it seems the snake’s position is higher.
Even Phili, who wasn’t very perceptive, could tell that much.
Such a mysterious monster couldn’t be found even searching the entire huge zoo.
Only after coming here did Phili realize how amazing a monster the snake was.
And that amazing snake was startled while reading the letter.
“Saaak!”
It was at the part about Phili’s brother, the First Prince’s death.
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The snake looked at Phili not knowing what to do.
And patted his shoulder with his tail.
‘I offer my condolences for the deceased…’
What is this incredibly awkward condolence.
“It’s okay…”
‘Really okay?’
“Actually even though he was my brother, we weren’t close. He played with me a few times when I was very young but I don’t even remember it.”
The snake looked around gauging Phili’s expression.
“Actually he felt like a stranger so I’m not that sad.”
‘Really?’
And only after Phili seemed really okay did he appear relieved.
‘I know because I lost a brother too.’
“Really?”
‘Yeah, it’s not a big deal really. Especially if it’s a brother who feels like a stranger, unless you’re close.’
“May I ask how he passed?”
‘I took him out myself. When he was young.’
After thinking for a moment, Phili answered.
“That’s a bit…”
“Saak?!”
No matter what, directly taking someone out seems a bit much.
But Phili couldn’t understand a monster’s life.
‘So seeing this made you feel uneasy, is that it.’
“Yes.”
‘Exactly why did you become uneasy?’
Looking at the exact cause of emotions is surprisingly important.
Even Phili trying to explain felt it was difficult to clearly state the reason.
Therefore the answer was somewhat rambling.
“I don’t want brother Leon to become king.”
The situation had become increasingly likely to flow that way, like water inexorably finding its path downhill. The whispers in the palace corridors had grown louder with each passing day.
The political structure of the kingdom had long been divided into First Prince and Second Prince factions, each side gathering nobles and merchants to their cause. But fate dealt a cruel hand when the First Prince’s hunting party was ambushed in the northern forests, leaving him dead and his supporters scrambling for new alliances.
He thought there would probably be a crown prince appointment ceremony after the war with the neighboring Astrian Empire concludes. The traditional ceremony would take place in the Grand Cathedral, where the High Priest would bestow the sacred crown of succession upon Leon’s brow while nobles knelt in fealty.
And if that happens, Phili’s position is finished, crushed between political necessity and fraternal ambition. The delicate balance that had protected him would shatter like fine crystal dropped on marble floors.
Given Leon’s personality, he wouldn’t leave Third Prince Phili who could threaten his royal authority alone.
‘I think so too. If that ill-mannered guy becomes king the kingdom will definitely collapse. So you, want to become king yourself.’
Is that it?
…No, that was right.
Leon not becoming king was no different from saying Phili would become king.
But, king.
The weight of that word seemed to press down on Phili.
“But I seem too lacking to become king. That’s why I feel bad.”
As he spoke, it became clear.
That was exactly why Phili’s mood had become gloomy.
And the snake’s response was.
‘Hmm, that’s true.’
He cleanly admitted it.
The snake was starting to feel a bit resentful, but fortunately additional explanation followed.
‘But your ill-mannered brother seems just as lacking too, so in the end wouldn’t it be enough to just be a little better than your brother?’
“Could it be…”
Though to Phili, Leon seemed much better than himself.
“I don’t even know what I need to do to be excellent as a prince in the first place.”
‘Having the qualities to become an excellent king would make an excellent prince.’
“Is that so?”
‘I’m a prince too. So I know better than anyone.’
He was a prince?
Well, the snake did have a proper crown on his head.
Though not reliable, Phili felt like grabbing even a rotten rope.
The prince asked the snake for advice.
“What are those qualities? How can I acquire those qualities?”
That question was about kingship.
If kingship is considered an academic field, those qualified to discuss it are extremely rare.
Phili asked the snake about such a difficult thing.
‘I know well. The things I’ve experienced and seen myself are not just one or two…’
“Ah, you said you lived for a very long time. You must have seen and experienced many things.”
‘…T-that’s right.’
Though the snake’s answer was somewhat delayed, Phili didn’t notice anything strange.
‘Hmm, I have a friend who’s a king.’
Yeah right, that’s a lie.
Phili’s thought showed clearly on his face.
‘It’s not a lie!’
“King of which country?”
‘King of the goblin country. She’s a queen.’
“What?”
But Phili’s eyes grew wide.
Then the snake was more surprised.
‘What, you know?’
“That goblin kingdom? No way…”
‘You’ve heard of it?’
“Yes, the new headache for the kingdom and empire.”
Phili explained what he had heard.