The Extra Prince Sets Out To Conquer The World

Chapter 22. The Foolish Sage and the Wise Fool (6)

The carriage used as Yard’s private waiting room looked like a makeshift building made from a shipping container.

“It’s a carriage used to transport luggage when we’re traveling, but during performances, it serves as my private room.”

I wondered if horses could pull a carriage like this, but since the circus troupe had a monster tamer, I figured it wouldn’t be a problem.

Yard unfolded a folding chair that looked like a fishing chair, invited me to sit, and boiled water with magic.

“The quality of the tea isn’t great, but it’s not easy to find in this area.”

“Thanks, I’ll enjoy it.”

As I sipped the uniquely fragrant tea, cooling it with my mouth, Yard looked at me with a complex expression.

“How do you know about the Leader? Where is the Leader? As expected, the skill you’ve mastered is…!”

“Shh!”

I interrupted his words and said:

“I understand you have a lot of questions, but let’s unravel them one by one.”

“I apologize. I got too excited.”

At his apology, I smiled brightly and said:

“It’s okay, people can get excited. But you know what? Information is sometimes hard to obtain even with money.”

At my words, Yard’s brow furrowed.

“Is that… Are you asking for money?”

At his guess, I immediately denied it.

“No, no. I don’t need money. Let’s just try to grant each other’s wishes as much as possible. Just as you want information from me, I also have something I want from you.”

At my trade proposal, he pondered with a serious face.

“I can’t accept any requests that harm the circus.”

“I know. I won’t make any requests that harm the circus, either. This is a deal between individuals. Of course, I don’t intend to make any requests that harm you either.”

At my answer, Yard nodded as if he had made up his mind.

“Then I’ll accept that deal.”

At his decision, I smiled with satisfaction.

“Good, I don’t have all the time in the world either, so let’s do it like this. You get three questions, and in return, you grant one request of mine. What do you think? Isn’t what you want to know worth that much?”

“…I understand. As I said before, if it’s an unreasonable request, I’ll refuse.”

“I’ll also skip any questions that are difficult to answer, so do as you please.”

Yard seemed to have a lot on his mind as he fiddled with his trump cards.

“First question. You mentioned the Leader’s name to me first. How did you know I had a connection with Leader Javan?”

The first question was quite sharp.

I carefully chose my answer to avoid saying unnecessary things.

“I’m gathering information on a certain organization. While collecting information about that organization, I learned that a person named Javan created the Slavan Circus. If you’re the vice-captain, you must be connected to the Leader.”

“What is the identity of the organization you’re gathering information on?”

At his question, I stroked my chin.

“That’s too broad of a question. I understand you want to get multiple answers with one question, but I’m not that leisurely, so I’ll only answer what you want to know. That organization is the one Javan belongs to.”

At my answer, Yard’s eyes widened.

Judging by his momentarily revealed expression, he seemed to know that Javan was in contact with somewhere other than the circus troupe.

“Why are you gathering information on that organization?”

“It seems like you’re gradually asking about my personal circumstances rather than the Leader.”

When I gave him a sidelong glance, Yard laughed awkwardly.

“I apologize. If it’s difficult for you to answer, I’ll ask a different question.”

“No, it’s not that I can’t answer. That organization is my enemy. To be precise, they’re unilaterally trying to kill me even though I haven’t done anything wrong.”

“…!”

My answer seemed to be an answer he never expected, so he looked a bit shocked.

Well, Leader Yumil Javan of the circus troupe was also the adoptive father who took in Yard, an orphan on the verge of death, so it was understandable.

“Well, I answered three questions, so it’s my turn to make a request, right?”

“…Go ahead.”

Yard tensed up slightly.

“It’s not a difficult request. I’d like you to safely escort the middle-aged man who came with me, El, to his destination.”

“You want me to guard him?”

“You could say that. I’ll generously pay for El’s living expenses, including food and accommodation, as well as compensation, so don’t worry.”

I took out a palm-sized 1kg gold bar from my pocket and placed it on the table.

It was part of the hidden military funds I had obtained.

“If you just ensure his safety, I’ll overlook it even if you have to take a slightly roundabout route to take care of the circus troupe’s schedule. El may not look like it, but he’s quite clever, so you can entrust him with administrative tasks.”

After confirming that the gold bar was genuine, Yard swallowed his saliva and asked:

“How can you trust me and entrust your companion to me?”

“Is that a question too?”

When I asked playfully, he was flustered.

“Hahaha! Just kidding. I won’t count this as a question, so don’t worry. I’m sorry to say this to you, but I also investigated the Slavan Circus. After all, it’s a circus troupe created by Javan.”

The Slavan Circus was created by Javan for the purpose of disguise so that he could travel around without worrying about various gazes.

The reason it was a circus troupe instead of a merchant group was because it also served as Javan’s hobby.

“As a result of the investigation, I judged that it was okay to trust you. You’re much more trustworthy than mercenaries who move for money and can turn into bandits at any time.”

“Why is that? I’m Leader Javan’s disciple. Isn’t it strange if the Leader is your enemy?”

At Yard’s question, I answered seriously.

“I thought that if you lost someone precious to Javan, you wouldn’t at least become my enemy.”

“How do you know that…!”

Leader Javan of the circus troupe was the adoptive father who raised the abandoned orphan Yard, but at the same time, he was also the enemy who killed Jasmine Lila, the lover he had promised to marry.

The name of the Slavan Circus was also derived from the names ‘Yard Tosl,’ ‘Jasmine Lila,’ and ‘Yumil Javan,’ indicating how close the three were.

The cracks in their relationship began after Javan was ordered to return from the organization.

“From now on, I’ll count it as a question again.”

At my declaration, Yard became cautious again.

“I can’t fully trust your words yet. The skill you’ve mastered is similar to mine and Leader Javan’s. How did you master that skill?”

I pondered how to answer that question.

“It doesn’t matter if you don’t believe me, but the ‘skill’ I mastered was really taught to me by my friend. That friend has no connection to Javan whatsoever. I guarantee that.”

There was no way there could be a connection since it was before I entered this body.

“If it’s not rude, would it be possible to meet that friend of yours?”

“No… That won’t be possible. That friend is already dead.”

I don’t know what expression I’m making right now, but Yard apologized to me.

“I’m sorry. I was being rude.”

“It’s okay. I’m a bit thirsty for alcohol.”

“I know how you feel.”

He made a wry smile with a complex expression.

“I hope this is the last question, but… Do you know where Javan is right now?”

Yard’s eyes flickered with resentment and murderous intent.

At the clear hostile intent, I covered my smiling lips with my hand while resting my chin.

The fool in front of me was wise enough to have no hesitation in what he had to do.

Half-hearted sympathy and hesitation not only hurt oneself but also those around.

If it’s not something to be completely forgiven, it’s only right to thoroughly condemn and punish the enemy.

“Unfortunately, I don’t know where he is right now. It’s not an organization that easily reveals its tail.”

At my answer, Yard couldn’t hide his disappointment.

“But I do have a clue to find him.”

“What is it?!”

As he asked, jumping up from his seat, I said playfully:

“Before that, you’ll have to grant one more request of mine as a settlement for the answer, right?”

I still had a lot left to gain from this question-and-answer deal.

“Did you finish your conversation?”

At Precia’s question, I nodded with a refreshed face.

“It was a satisfactory deal. Don’t you think?”

I laughed as I looked at Yard, who seemed drained as if all his energy had been sucked out.

He rubbed his eyes with both hands, looking tired, and answered:

“I never want to make a deal with you again. You’re the first person I’ve seen who constantly creates new questions in real-time to turn my stomach and uses that as an excuse to exploit me. Most of my questions weren’t even resolved!”

“But we both got what we wanted, right?”

When I sought agreement, Yard made a disgruntled expression as if he didn’t want to agree.

“That’s… true… I don’t want to admit it, but you’re right.”

Yard obtained a clue to find the whereabouts of his enemy, whom he had been searching for years without finding even a trace.

I not only got rid of Abassael but also obtained various magic disguise tools made by Yard and a means to contact Yard.

“Precia, this is a gift.”

I handed over a hair tie, a magic disguise tool created by Yard.

“It’s a magic tool that can change the color of your hair and eyes, so try it out.”

“Thank you.”

Precia, who received the hair tie from me, tied it over her braided hair.

Then, her red hair slowly began to change to brown.

Just changing the hair color made a big difference in her impression.

“And this is a Thousand Changes Mask. It’s a magic tool that changes your face, so try it on.”

I handed her a thin, white mask without a string.

As Precia put on the mask, it gradually became transparent, and her eyes, eyebrows, and nose bridge changed, turning her into a similar yet different person.

Yard handed Precia a hand mirror and provided an additional explanation.

“The wearer can add freckles or change the shape of the eyes as they wish. Of course, it can’t make you look like a completely different person.”

Precia tried slightly changing her eyes as Yard explained.

Seeing that, Abassael exclaimed in admiration.

“Is this a type of illusion magic? I don’t know who made it, but it’s amazing. If the magic engraving is slightly off, it would look very awkward, but to be this precise and natural.”

At Abassael’s praise, Yard was embarrassed.

“Ahaha, receiving such praise, I don’t know what to do with myself. Originally, it doesn’t change the face but the mask’s pattern, but I made some modifications at your request.”

This disguise mask was also one of the things I obtained through the question-and-answer deal.

“Did you make this?”

Abassael asked with sparkling eyes, and Yard answered as if it was no big deal.

“Yes, but it’s an item that can be easily detected by those sensitive to mana, so I don’t use it often. If I get caught during a performance, it would be troublesome.”

Precia took off the mask and handed it back to me.

“I think it’s better for you to use this than me, young master.”

“Ah, I have my own, so just keep it. El, you take this too.”

I put on the white mask, slightly changed my face, and handed a mask to Abassael, who received it and observed it.

“I won’t be able to use it since I can’t use mana, but it’s good for research. Thank you.”

Precia also put the mask back on.

“The performance will start soon, so if you don’t mind, let’s watch from the audience seats. The main performance is filled with more diverse and amazing skills than what you saw in the waiting room.”

At Yard’s invitation, I dragged Precia and Abassael to the audience seats.

Come to think of it, I wonder if they’re doing a good job deceiving the palace about my absence.