The moment John and Nick arrived at the mines, they could already hear shouting from inside.
Several workers had gathered near the center tunnel, surrounding a thin man lying on the ground.
Dust covered his ripped clothes as punches rained down on him mercilessly.
“You filthy thief!”
“How long have you been stealing from us?!”
The man desperately covered his head while coughing blood.
“Stop.”
John’s cold voice echoed through the mine.
Everyone immediately froze.
The workers turned pale the moment they recognized the crown prince standing before them.
At once, they bowed deeply.
“Y-Your Highness!”
John slowly walked closer, his boots crushing loose stones beneath his feet.
The air inside the mines was heavy and damp.
Torches flickered weakly against the dark walls filled with rare crimson minerals.
John glanced at the beaten man on the ground.
Thin body.
Malnourished.
Terrified eyes.
This man did not look like someone who had secretly built wealth for months.
John narrowed his eyes slightly.
“Why are you beating him?” he asked calmly.
One of the workers quickly answered.
“He’s the thief, Your Highness! He’s been stealing our kingdom’s rare minerals!”
John crouched slightly and studied the man carefully.
The prisoner could barely even lift his head.
No expensive accessories.
No healthy appearance.
No signs of hidden money.
Something felt wrong.
John slowly stood up again and turned toward the mine manager.
Ben.
A fat middle-aged man wearing clean clothes far too luxurious for someone working in the mines.
“For how long has he supposedly been stealing?” John asked.
Ben quickly bowed.
“W-We believe around two or three months, Your Highness.”
John stayed silent for a moment.
Then he asked another question.
“Where do you live, Ben?”
The manager blinked nervously.
“I… recently moved to the Upper Hills district, Your Highness.”
Nick’s eyes shifted slightly.
Even he knew how expensive Upper Hills was.
Only nobles and wealthy merchants could afford homes there.
John slowly stepped closer toward Ben.
“I see.”
His gaze moved toward the golden chain hanging around Ben’s neck.
“That necklace looks expensive.”
Ben forced an awkward smile.
“T-Thank you, Your Highness.”
John’s expression remained calm.
“But isn’t it strange?”
The entire mine became silent.
“You recently moved into the richest district in the capital…” John continued softly, “…despite earning the salary of a mine manager.”
Ben’s face suddenly turned pale.
Sweat rolled down his forehead.
“I-I can explain-”
“Can you?” John interrupted quietly.
The pressure in his voice alone was enough to silence everyone.
John slowly walked around Ben while observing him carefully like a predator studying prey.
Then he leaned closer toward Ben’s ear.
“How much money did you earn,” John whispered coldly, “by selling my kingdom’s minerals on the black market?”
Ben’s body froze instantly.
Fear appeared in his eyes.
At that moment, John knew.
He was guilty.
Nick looked surprised while watching the scene unfold.
The old John would never have noticed something like this so quickly.
John stepped back calmly.
“Sir Nick.”
Nick immediately straightened.
“Yes, Your Highness.”
“Arrest him.”
Ben’s eyes widened in horror.
“W-Wait! Your Highness, please! I was forced-”
“Take him away.”
The knights grabbed Ben before he could escape.
Meanwhile, John turned toward the poor man still lying on the ground.
The workers looked ashamed after realizing they had beaten the wrong person.
John crouched down and removed the golden necklace from Ben’s confiscated belongings.
Then he handed it to the trembling man.
The prisoner looked shocked.
“Y-Your Highness…?”
“You stayed loyal to the kingdom despite your poverty,” John said quietly.
The man’s eyes filled with tears.
“T-Thank you, Your Highness…”
John stood up again without another word.
But deep inside, his thoughts were elsewhere.
This investigation had only confirmed one thing.
The kingdom’s corruption had already begun long before its destruction.
And this time…
He intended to uncover all of it.
Soon, John and Nick left the mines and returned toward the palace.
As their horses moved across the quiet roads, John finally allowed himself to breathe slightly easier.
At least now, he had avoided meeting the princess.
He needed time.
Time to think.
Time to understand what truly happened in his previous life.
Time to decide how he should deal with her this time.
But fate did not seem interested in giving him peace.
The moment John entered the palace, he heard voices coming from the royal hall.
A girl stood beside the king, speaking calmly.
The king noticed John first.
“Ah, there you are,” the king said warmly.
“John, come here.”
John stopped walking instantly.
The girl slowly turned around.
Long dark hair.
Elegant silver eyes.
That calm beautiful face he could never forget.
The princess.
John’s heartbeat stopped.
His mind instantly filled with memo ries of blood, betrayal, and destruction.
The king smiled proudly.
“This is Princess Elena of the Eastern Kingdom.”
John stared at her silently.
Only one thought echoed inside his head.
Why is she already here?