The Abandoned Prince With The Otherworldly Shopping System

When Luke asked Theodas this question, the young elf shook his head up and down and then said, "It was quite a long conversation, sir. They were the reason we got here so quickly."

"I don't understand," Luke said with great curiosity.

"It would be better if I started from the beginning, my lord..." said Theodas, and then, taking a deep breath, he began to explain:

"My people and I ran as fast as we could and didn't sleep at all, and we managed to reach our village four days after we left here. Immediately after that, I left the village for the capital and arrived there within three days."

"After passing through the capital's gates without any trouble, I proceeded directly to the main palace and was initially stopped by the guards. However, this was resolved when I showed them your letter. Once the guards had disappeared, the first Empress, Emma Hiera, greeted me… with great curiosity and, frankly, immense anger."

When Luke heard these words, a big smile spread across his face, and he said, "Yeah… that does sound like her. Continue."

Theodas smiled and said, "Actually, I was welcomed quite well. It was as if I were a hero. Every member of the empire, including Emperor Alfred, welcomed me at the imperial office."

Immediately after that, he said, "At first, they asked if you were well, my lord. I told them that you looked fine in my eyes and that you had accepted the elves into your region, and then, when the emperor questioned me, I handed him the letter you had given me. After reading the letter, Emperor Alfred immediately launched an expedition. An expedition for inspection and imprisonment. There was quite a bit of trouble in the imperial capital."

"What kind of trouble?" Luke asked.

"According to the news I heard, three nobles were executed, and contrary to what I heard about you... that is, contrary to what Princess Penelope said, Emperor Alfred gave you the greatest credit for finding this crime, sir," Theodas replied.

Luke furrowed his brows and clenched his jaw tightly at these words. The sound of his teeth grinding could be heard inside the tent.

"Me?" Luke asked calmly.

"Yes, my lord. Everyone was shocked… everyone except the imperial family, I should say. The emperor seems to have been searching for you since you left. According to Empress Emma, she did not expect you to leave the palace suddenly, without any notice." Theodas replied, then looked around and reached for the magic bag at his waist.

"And sir... There is an envelope... a letter that the emperor himself wanted me to give you," he said, taking the envelope out of his magic bag and handing it to Luke.

When Luke took the letter and opened it, a sour expression appeared on his face. While Kevin tried to figure out what was going on, Luke walked towards the fire set up inside the tent and threw the letter into the fire.

"Sir… What happened?" Kevin asked with great curiosity. All he got in return was Luke's glare.

"Did my mothers say anything, Theodas?" Luke asked suddenly, trying to change the subject.

"Ah… Yes, sir! This magic bag was given to me by your parents. Inside are many foods you enjoy eating at the palace, and quite a few magic stones. They wanted me to keep the magic bag and support you as a merchant in the future… And even if I hadn't mentioned it, they already knew you were here." Theodas replied.

When Luke took the magic bag from Theodas and emptied everything inside into the inventory panel, he returned the bag to the young elf and then asked, "Do you have any idea how they knew?"

"Lady Emma just looked at me when I refused to give them the information. It was like a test. After that, she congratulated me and told me to warn you that the cold in the north is extreme and to dress warmly, my lord," Theodas replied. 

Luke's anger completely disappeared with these words, and he said, "All right. You can go, Theodas. Rest, and we'll start cutting trees and other settlement work soon. At least you should rest today."

Immediately after that, as if it had suddenly occurred to him, he turned to Kevin and said, "Distribute the Mutant Mythril Turtle meat we stored in the barn of the mansion among all the villagers. Setting aside a hundred kilograms for us will be sufficient."

With that, Theodas, Kevin, and the other few elves in the tent left, while Luke sat down on one of the chairs and began swinging his leg.

He was, of course, angry about what was written in the letter his father had sent him.

According to the letter, Alfred wanted him to return to the palace and had stated that he would restore his princely title to him, along with the opportunity to unconditionally obey the empire. 

There was no apology, no remorse. Only an order and an expectation. Luke could now see it. His life had always been filled with his father's expectations of him. It was filled with thoughts of how well he had performed.

Still, it would not be the same anymore.

Luke was not a criminal. He still bore the Hiera surname and was a person who had been directly 'exiled.' This made him completely untouchable.

Under imperial law, when a member of the imperial family was exiled, they were granted immunity for three years if they did not return from exile, and even if they did, they did not return.

This immunity remained in effect as long as no major crime was committed.

Luke, however, was not a criminal. It was no coincidence that he was regarded as a 'Saint' by everyone. The one who bestowed this title upon him was none other than Saint Leonardo Marcelo, known as the Pope of the 'Holy Empire.'

Even the Hiera Empire, despite all its power, could not oppose the pope, for he was not merely a religious leader. He was a figure who had been fully and unequivocally blessed by the gods and goddesses who had created the world.

He was a person who was incapable of sinning and who could see the souls of people regardless of their race and distinguish good from evil.

This would cause Emperor Alfred to put on the brakes. The reason for this was that Pope Leonardo was personally protecting Luke. Even though he was doing this from three countries away, at least he was doing it.

So even if Luke's immunity would eventually come to an end, he had someone to stand behind him. That person was none other than Leonard himself, one of the most important people in the world.