As they entered the cathedral, they quickly found a priest. When the priest approached, his brows furrowed, and he gave them a look of disgust. After a brief glance at the girl, he said, "This girl is beyond saving. I can try, but it will cost 20 silver yun."
The boy cursed angrily. "20 silver yun? Are you insane? Isn't it a priest's duty to serve the people? This is robbery!"
The priest replied with clear displeasure, "Young man, if you cannot pay, then leave. The temple also needs alms to pray to the gods."
Liser observed everything calmly. It was obvious the priest was extorting money from commoners. Damn bastards. How many people have died because of your 'god's alms'? He thought.
Helpless, Liser had no choice but to use his identity.
"Before you stands the Fourth Prince of this kingdom. I command you to save this girl with utmost effort."
He brought out a badge — the symbol of nobility. The royal family possessed a special one. Even though he was not favored, he was still of royal blood.
The priest's attitude changed instantly. He bowed respectfully.
"Spare the formalities. Save her."
"Yes, Your Highness."
Even a neglected prince carried tremendous authority. With a word, he could strip low-ranking nobles of everything.
The priest quickly began chanting:
"O Holy Lord of Hurmiya, hear my prayer. Bless this mortal. Grant her health and life as you have granted all living beings."
A soft green light appeared in the priest's hand. It enveloped the girl, and her pale face gradually became rosy. Her breathing steadied.
Liser did not need to be told. This was healing magic.
His interest was piqued. He had intended to study magic before, but now his resolve strengthened even more.
After finishing, the priest said with a fawning smile, "I have done as you ordered, Your Highness."
Liser gave him a cold glance. The priest stiffened.
That gaze did not belong to a nine-year-old child. It was as if he had endured countless storms.
Priest, I've faced storms you wouldn't survive, Liser would have said if he cared enough.
Though reluctant, Liser replied, "Thanks to you, a citizen of Jiran was saved. You have contributed well."
The priest beamed. Though the Fourth Prince was nearly forgotten, serving royalty was an achievement worth boasting about. Priests like him rarely encountered members of the royal family.
For the first time, Liser felt the weight of power.
It was fantastic.
"This…" a hesitant voice pulled him from his thoughts.
Liser remembered the boy beside him. "What is your name?"
"S-Sulcas, Your Highness."
After hearing the conversation, Sulcas understood he could not afford to offend this child.
"And this girl?"
"Her name is Rozia."
"What happened?"
"Your Highness… we were shopping for ingredients in the market. I was temporarily separated from her. When I tried to cross the road and then…" Sulcas stopped. The fault lay with him.
"Where do you live? Take me there. I wish to visit her family."
The word visit was merely an excuse. Liser wanted to experience the lives of commoners, and grateful parents would make inspection easier.
He intended to use this opportunity well.
Sulcas hesitated. "Y-Yes, Your Highness… but the commoners' district may not suit you."
He feared the prince would find it filthy. For nobles like Liser, displeasure could destroy common lives.
They set off in a carriage.
On the way, Sulcas asked nervously, "Your Highness… why do you wish to visit Rozia's parents?"
"Can a ruler not see how his subjects live?" Liser replied plainly.
Sulcas felt a bad premonition. Did His Highness fancy Rozia?
She was indeed beautiful. If properly cared for, she would be stunning.
A strange possessiveness stirred inside him. If the prince tried to take her, he would fight to the death. He did not understand why. He was only eleven. How could he understand love?
Unfortunately for him, every emotion was written clearly on his face.
This kid's imagination is wild, Liser thought.
As the carriage entered the commoners' district, Liser observed the surroundings.
These could barely be called buildings. Wooden planks were stacked haphazardly into fragile structures. The streets were filthy, filled with waste. People wore tattered clothes and hollow expressions.
The wealth disparity was suffocating.
It reminded him of his previous life. Though he had not been born in a poor country, he had seen how the rich drained the poor. From childhood, he believed in his nation. In return, it gave him nothing.
Corruption. Bribery. Rot from bottom to top.
The scene before him felt like déjà vu.
A firm resolve rose within him. In this world, he would accomplish what he could not before.
But first, he had to observe properly.
Liser glanced at Sulcas and said, " What do your parents do?
Liser began his intelligence gathering.