The Crown Prince In Hiding

“All you need to do, Mr. Fury, is find a good company and buy their stock with the ten million. Then wait for it to soar,” Nora said.

“So that’s why you asked if I had a debt deadline,” Dan replied.

“The upside is your brother didn’t set a repayment timeline or charge interest, right? That gives you years to turn ten million into a hundred million if luck’s on your side.”

“Luck? What do you mean?”

“Mathema’s an empire of constant innovation. It’s no surprise some succeed while others fail, so you can’t predict which stocks will rise or fall, can you?”

“Isn’t that just gambling?”

“It depends on how you, Mr. Fury, envision the world’s future.”

But with enough knowledge, the stock market was far easier than betting.

Nora glanced at Casca, curled up with hands over her ears, muttering, “No… don’t take my money,” like a Vietnam War survivor, then turned back to Fury.

“Mrs. Casca once bought stock in some weird company and lost big. It’s still a sore spot.”

“Huh? For real?”

“It made front-page news when I was a kid. I remember,” Nora said.

“I don’t want to talk about it, Nora… I-I… I… Argh! I’m scared! Don’t take my money!!!” Casca wailed.

“How much did you lose, Casca?”

“AHHHH!!!”

“Alright, alright! Sorry, I won’t ask!”

Zeedee: “Dumb as a post.”

“But what you said, Nora, I’m intrigued,” Dan said.

A spark lit in Nora’s eyes. Helping Fury felt deeply rewarding.

“I think someone else would love to hear about this more than me.”

“Who?” Nora asked.

“My brother.”

Nora froze.

“Would it be okay if I asked you… to explain this to me and my brother?”

“W-What did you say…?”

“Tomorrow’s Saturday, you’re free, right? Come with us.”

Dan leaned in. Nora flinched back, nervous.

“I don’t know that much, Mr. Fury.”

“It’s fine. I trust you,” Dan said.

“Anyway, Diablo’s delegation arrives at dawn. Freya and I have to go.”

“You want me to come?” Nora stammered.

“Yes.”

“But that’s…”

Words caught in her throat, unable to form, but…

“What’s wrong, kid? Scared? Weren’t you dying to meet us?” Zeedee teased.

“Not in the middle of nowhere like this!”

Casca: “Who’s coming, Fury?”

“Father sent Everton to lead. Probably him, his people, and my guards, since I’m stepping off that ship too.”

Casca let out a soft “oh” while Nora froze.

“Your guards, Mr. Fury? The other three?” Nora asked.

“Yup.”

“Full force, huh?”

“You’re clueless, Nora,” Dan said, shaking his head.

“It’s a reminder to everyone that, even after ten years, Diablo’s demonic might hasn’t waned. Let them know their place.”

“Isn’t that a bit… thuggish, Mr. Fury?” Nora ventured.

“Not at all, Nora.”

“Mrs. Casca?”

“People forget easily. Turn your back, and they’re ready to stab. They rarely get to the human world. They need to show they’re still a force. If any kingdom’s plotting against Diablo… they’ll think twice,” Casca explained.

“Plus, the Shadows might be watching. I’ve got to keep us safe,” Dan added.

“Got it… that’s how it is,” Nora said, opening her notebook to jot it down.

The Vast Ocean

Ten kilometers off Luminus’s southern coast, in Swansea’s waters, a colossal black steel ship loomed—larger than any human vessel. Its structure was menacing, with black tendrils jutting in all directions… a demon ship.

Specifically, Diablo’s ship.

Aboard it—

Lowly demon servants, fleshy masses with bulging red eyes, tumor-like forms with writhing tentacles, slithered toward a figure at the ship’s heart.

In Diablo’s tongue:

“Your Highness.”

The figure turned—a towering, black-armored form, just over two meters, leaner than Fury, not built for combat. Blue patterns, similar to Fury’s, adorned his body.

“Soon, we’ll reach human lands, Prince Everton,” the servant said.

“Tell the others not to show their faces until I say,” he ordered.

His voice, a harmonic blend, was younger, slyer than Fury’s.

“Yes, Your Highness.”

In the ship’s shadows stood a female demon, humanoid with butterfly-like traits. The delegation leader glanced at her, their body language hinting at a boss-secretary dynamic.

“It’s been over ten years since I was here. Hope things have changed. Big brother hasn’t sent a single letter… I’m hurt,” he said.

“Your Majesty, should we send our agents to inform Prince Fury?” she asked.

“I already did. He knows we’re coming.”

“No, sir… I mean… that matter.”

“Oh… that.”

The tall, armored figure, hands clasped behind his back, gazed at the moonlight, then turned.

“No need, Galatasaray.”

Suddenly, blue lightning crackled as he cracked his knuckles—pop!

The hulking demon transformed into a striking young man, 27–28, with jet-black hair, alabaster skin, and deep-sea blue eyes. His sharp nose and chiseled face, carved like fine stone, were elevated by a sleek black suit.

He smirked, pulling a blue toffee from his pocket, unwrapping and popping it into his mouth.

“Let’s keep it a surprise for big brother. I can’t wait to see his face.”