The Kidnapped Prince is Mine Now - Chapter 12

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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Chapter 12
Something felt ominous about this.
“Surely there’s a separate place where they keep ammunition stored?”
No! Regardless, the important thing was that I’d found a gun at all.
The basic mechanism should be the same, shouldn’t it? You load bullets into it. Then you fire. There was no way around that simple principle. Everything else could be figured out later.
As long as I had a sufficient supply of ammunition. Then I’d wield a power far greater than those medieval soldiers swinging swords, spears, and bows.
Of course, I couldn’t kill thousands of soldiers with a single gun. But that was fine.
Someday, there would be an opportunity to get close to Maximilian. Then I’d pull out the gun hidden beneath my robe and—bang, bang, bang!
‘No, wait. That would produce the same result as the fourth cycle.’
Maximilian dies, and I get executed. Then the seventh cycle begins immediately.
Think, Elise. How can I use this gun in the right place at the right time?
Just once. If I could aim at Maximilian’s head without anyone noticing and pull the trigger just once….
“What are bullets?”
…if I could?
The Steward’s question doused my mind with cold water.
What kind of fundamental question was that in such a pressing situation?
Of course, I could understand it. Guns weren’t common in an era where they’d be hidden away in a treasure vault.
Stay calm. I even managed a smile. And I tried to explain it simply enough to make the Steward understand.
“So, bullets. The small, elongated metal pieces you load into this gun and fire. You know what I mean, right? Where are they?”
But.
‘Wait.’
It was I who gained understanding upon seeing the Steward’s bewildered expression.
“…You have no idea what they are?”
He knew what a gun was but not what bullets were? How was that possible?
I turned my head to look at Rotar Eisenrit. Surely not you too?
That’s when Rotar Eisenrit reached out his hand.
“Elise. I’m not sure what you’ve confused this with.”
The moment his hand touched the gun, I flinched and pulled away. If he’d tried to take the weapon from me, I would have clung to it and bitten him if necessary to keep it.
But Rotar Eisenrit merely touched the barrel and continued speaking.
“This is an ancient weapon of the Mages, as I mentioned before. In other words, it’s a weapon that only the Mages—who have now vanished—could use.”
“…What?”
“Literally. From what I recall learning in ancient history, the Mages would infuse this gun with magical power to use it. The force it unleashed was said to be tremendous. Of course, that’s merely ancient glory now.”
Ah, Mages.
I’d heard of them too. That this world once had Mages. But long ago, they destroyed themselves in factional wars and vanished from this land.
Everything beyond that was new information to me. Which made sense. I was an ignorant commoner with no education.
Even after becoming a Holy Maiden, it was the same. No one had ever taught me tedious ancient history. It was only natural that my knowledge couldn’t match that of a prince who’d received thorough Imperial Palace education his entire life.
So Rotar Eisenrit’s words had to be true. I had to believe them. I should have.
“You’re lying.”
“I’m not lying.”
“That doesn’t make sense.”
I looked down at the object in my hand once more.
It was strange. The feel of it fitting perfectly in my palm was identical to what I remembered—so identical it brought tears to my eyes. This had to be the gun I knew.
But there were no bullets? No magazine either? And because all the Mages were dead, there was no one left who could even use this gun?
“…I can’t believe it.”
In the world where I lived, there was a saying: “Seeing once is better than hearing a hundred times.”
I immediately twisted my body and climbed the stairs. Of course, with the gun in hand.
“Elise?”
Rotar Eisenrit’s voice, tinged with bewilderment, reached me from behind. Still, I continued forward.
I passed through the dark staircase and the underground dungeon, and the moment I reached the first floor, I left the castle. I stepped into a place where the blue sky was visible and everything opened up.
A fierce winter wind was blowing, yet I felt no cold.
Rotar Eisenrit, who had rushed after me, grabbed my wrist.
“Elise, please calm yourself.”
That was my intention.
“Rotar Eisenrit.”
“Yes.”
“Just to be safe, step back.”
“What?”
I spread my legs to the side and raised my right arm. I put force into the tip of my front foot and straightened my upper body.
I knew it too. That this gun was different from the one I remembered. That it lacked even the essential components, as if it were a toy molded from clay.
Still, I swept away all the clutter from my mind. The old habit was still alive within me.
I aimed at the center of the Elheim Empire’s emblem hanging on the spire.
Right, there’s no one here but me now. Breathe in deeply, exhale halfway. Then breathe in again.
“Elise?”
Click.
I pulled the trigger.
It was a sound so hauntingly familiar it sent chills down my spine.
But.
“….”
It was silent.
Nothing happened.
I pulled the trigger several more times. Click, click. Only the dull sound struck my ears.
My arm fell slowly, then I impulsively raised the gun into the air. I was about to throw it to the ground when—
“Elise.”
I couldn’t.
It wasn’t just because of Rotar Eisenrit’s voice. I didn’t have the courage to destroy a gun I’d only discovered in my sixth life in a single moment.
“Rotar Eisenrit.”
“Yes.”
“How can I obtain magical power?”
“….”
“There’s no way to obtain it right now, is there?”
“I apologize, but that is indeed the case.”
Perhaps because I’d turned halfway around, Rotar’s tone had somehow become more deferential.
Get a grip, you’re a prince. Even if I am your kidnapper.
Rotar approached cautiously and grasped the back of my hand firmly. Whether it was meant as comfort or to prevent me from doing something reckless, I couldn’t tell.
He whispered his question.
“Is this gun truly so important to Elise?”
“Yes.”
“May I ask the reason?”
Why was I so fixated on the gun?
The reason was simple. Shooting was the only thing I knew how to do.
Well, that was true until half a year before my death.
A traffic accident had crushed my hands. Through surgery and rehabilitation, I’d recovered enough to use them in daily life. But.
‘What am I supposed to do with my life now?’
My career as a competitive shooter was over. I was only twenty years old at the time.
So my wish to heaven had been sincere. I didn’t want to live like this.
“It’s too complicated to explain.”
“Please, say it simply.”
“I used to go around shooting people for a living.”
“….”
I turned away, avoiding Rotar’s gaze as he tried to discern the truth in my words.
When I returned to the castle I’d fled from, the Butler stood in the lobby just as before, wearing a faint smile as if nothing had happened.
“Did you enjoy your time in the fresh air?”
He was a true professional. I hesitated briefly before nodding.
“Yes. Thanks to you, my head cleared up a bit.”
“I’m glad to hear it, hehe.”
Half of that was sincere. After making a fuss over a gun I couldn’t even use and returning, my mind felt clearer than before.
In times like this, I needed to shift my perspective. It wasn’t that there were no bullets—it was that I had a gun. Just hours ago, I didn’t have even one.
“Butler, are there other guns in the basement?”
“Not that I’m aware of, hehe.”
Damn it—no, stop! Focus! It’s not that there’s only one gun; it’s that I have one gun.
I mentally inscribed the character for patience and nodded.
“I understand. Sorry for wasting your time. Please continue showing me around.”
“Yes, hehe.”
We followed the Butler as he walked toward the central staircase.
Then Rotar lowered his head and asked in a voice only I could hear.
“Were you a bounty hunter?”
“….”
So he’d been quiet all this time. It seemed he’d been speculating about my profession the entire way back to the castle.
I ignored him and climbed the stairs. The Butler’s footsteps only stopped when we reached the inner part of the Third Floor Corridor.
“First, here is the bedroom where the Imperial Princess will be staying.”
The Butler gestured toward the room at the far end of the corridor and spoke.
From its location alone, it was clear this was no ordinary guest chamber. I’d wondered if they would refuse to give me the room Rotar stayed in when he visited this place.
“Your Highness, does it suit your taste?”
Good heavens. The moment the door swung open, my lips sealed shut.
Scattered throughout the distinctly antiquated room were vivid crimson rose petals. Upon the grand bed lay towels folded into the shape of swans.
To anyone’s eyes, this was a chamber decorated for newlyweds.

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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