Chapter 15: Revealing the Truth
Chapter 15: Revealing the Truth
POV: Prince Aung (Jason)
The first tendrils of dawn stretched across the horizon, casting a golden hue over the sprawling city of Thazin. From the balcony of the knight's training hall, Jason surveyed the streets below, his sharp eyes tracing the outlines of the towering granaries, irrigation canals, and the bustling morning market.
To any outsider, Thazin looked like a city of prosperity—its fields abundant, its markets thriving, and its people well-fed. But Jason knew better.
Beneath this illusion lay a festering wound of corruption.
His Appraisal Skill had laid bare the true state of Thazin:
- 200,000 gold stolen from food subsidies, funneled into private accounts.
- 80% of the city's lower-class population suffering from malnutrition due to the fraudulent diversion of food supplies.
- Mayor Hla Than was completely unaware, blindly trusting the Royal Auditor U Thar Maung, who had been installed by the Crown Prince himself.
Jason's lips curled into a wry smirk.
"A city that feeds an empire but lets its own people starve? The irony is almost laughable."
He exhaled, straightening his posture.
"This ends now."
With a flick of his cloak, Jason strode toward the war table, where General Thmain Zeya, Vice Generals Hla Mao Htet and Ba Oo, and a few trusted knights awaited him. The moment he entered, they stood at attention.
"Your Highness," Thmain Zeya greeted, his deep voice steady. "You called for a meeting?"
Jason sat at the head of the table, his expression cold and calculated.
"Yes. There's a problem in this city," Jason began, fingers steepled before him. "**A problem I intend to fix before we leave.**"
The room fell into a tense silence.
Jason's gaze flickered across the assembled officers. Thmain Zeya's expression was unreadable, but Jason could tell the man was listening intently. Hla Mao Htet's brows furrowed slightly, contemplating his words. Ba Oo leaned forward, sensing the political implications behind Jason's statement.
Jason didn't hesitate.
"This city should be thriving, yet its poorest citizens are starving. The culprit? Royal Auditor U Thar Maung. He was appointed directly by the Court at the Crown Prince's recommendation."
At the mention of the Crown Prince, the atmosphere in the room shifted.
Thmain Zeya's jaw tightened.
Hla Mao Htet crossed her arms, deep in thought.
Ba Oo's frown deepened.
Jason pressed forward.
"Hla Than is a competent mayor, but he's been blinded by the Court's bureaucratic system. He trusts the auditor's reports without question, believing the numbers he sees. But the truth is… the city is bleeding."
Thmain Zeya's sharp eyes locked onto Jason. "And how do you intend to fix this, Your Highness?"
Jason leaned forward, a glint of steel in his eyes.
"We set a trap."
---
POV: Royal Auditor U Thar Maung
The halls of the Royal Auditor's Estate were dripping in opulence—velvet curtains, imported silks, and golden chandeliers cast a warm glow over the lavish furnishings.
U Thar Maung lounged on a cushioned chair, sipping from a goblet of foreign wine. His desk was cluttered with falsified financial reports, documents that had kept Thazin's true suffering hidden from prying eyes.
For years, he had skimmed wealth from the city's budget, padding his own pockets and enjoying a life of excess.
And why wouldn't he?
He had the Court's favor.
He had the Crown Prince's protection.
And no one in Thazin had the authority to challenge him.
Or so he thought.
A panicked servant burst into the room, eyes wide with terror.
"Sir," the servant stammered, "there's… a problem."
U Thar Maung didn't even bother looking up. "A problem?"
"The second prince has arrived… and he's begun investigating the food crisis."
For the first time in years, fear flickered in U Thar Maung's eyes.
But it was short-lived.
He leaned back into his chair, exhaling a slow breath.
"The second prince?" He scoffed, swirling his wine. "**That bastard son? The one without a title?**"
The servant hesitated.
U Thar Maung chuckled, a smirk curling at his lips.
"The boy is insignificant. He has no real power. Only the Court or the Mayor could act against me."
He lifted his goblet, completely unconcerned.
"Let the prince dig. He'll find nothing."
---
POV: Mayor Hla Than
Hla Than sat in his study, poring over grain production reports.
Everything looked fine on paper.
The numbers matched. The exports to the Royal Capital were consistent. The food reserves were stable.
A firm knock on his door jolted him from his thoughts.
"Enter."
The door swung open, revealing Prince Aung.
Hla Than immediately straightened and bowed down with respect.
"Your Highness?"
Jason stepped forward, his presence quiet yet commanding.
"I need you to come with me, Mayor Hla Than," Jason said, his voice measured.
Hla Than blinked. "This late at night? To where?"
Jason's lips curled into a knowing smile.
---
Hla Than adjusted his ceremonial robes, regarding Prince Aung with mild curiosity as they prepared to walk through the city together.
The prince had requested his company for a night tour of Thazin, under the pretense of "enjoying the city's beauty."
But Hla Than sensed something unusual about the young prince.
There was a quiet intensity in his eyes—as if he already knew something Hla Than did not.
As they strolled through the main district, Jason spoke casually, commenting on the architecture, the marketplace, and the military barracks.
But then, as they turned a corner, a small figure darted past them.
A child.
Hla Than barely had time to react before Jason's hand shot out, catching the boy's wrist effortlessly.
The boy squirmed in his grasp, a piece of silver slipping from his hand.
"A pickpocket?" Hla Than murmured.
Jason released the child, but instead of scolding him, he crouched to the boy's level.
"What's your name?" Jason's voice was calm but firm.
The child hesitated before whispering, "…Ko Lin."
Jason studied him. Thin. Malnourished. Desperate.
"Why did you steal?" Jason asked.
The boy bit his lip, then finally admitted, "M-My mother… she's sick. She hasn't eaten in days. We have nothing left…"
Hla Than stiffened.
Jason's gaze sharpened.
"Take us to her."
The boy's eyes widened, but seeing no other choice, he nodded and began leading them deeper into the city.
The further they walked, the worse the surroundings became.
At first, it was just run-down buildings. Then, sickly people slumped against walls. Rotting food scraps littered the streets.
Then came the corpses.
Hla Than staggered, eyes widening in horror as they entered a street filled with death.
Bodies—men, women, and children—some fresh, some skeletal.
The stench of decay was overwhelming.
Hla Than's hands trembled.
"This… This can't be…"
Jason's voice was like steel.
"This is what's been hidden from you."
Ko Lin rushed ahead, leading them to a tiny hut where his mother lay on a straw mat, her breathing shallow.
But they weren't alone.
Two armed tax collectors, dressed in the Royal Auditor's insignia, loomed over the frail woman, demanding tribute.
"You owe 90% of your harvest in taxes," one of them sneered.
"B-But…" the mother rasped, "the law states only 30%…"
One of the tax collectors sneered. "War preparation. Dragon subjugation. New laws. Pay, or die."
Hla Than's entire body tensed in rage.
Jason's eyes darkened.
The woman sobbed, pleading, but her words were cut short as one of the men struck her across the face.
Her frail body collapsed.
The moment her head hit the ground, Jason moved.
A single step. A flash of silver. A wet gurgle.
By the time Hla Than blinked, two dead bodies lay on the floor.
Jason stood over them, his sword dripping crimson, his face cold as ice.
One man still breathed, barely.
Jason knelt beside him.
"You have one chance," Jason murmured, voice dangerously low.
"Speak".
…..
The confession was swift.
The false taxation. The extortion. The auditor's corruption.
When Jason was satisfied, he stood and called for healers.
Ko Lin's mother survived, barely.
But what caught Jason's interest was something else.
[Appraisal Activated]
---
[Appraisal: Ko Lin – The Young Warrior]
- Name: Ko Lin
- Age: 7
- Race: Human
- Level: 1 (Potential Growth: S-Tier)
- Health Points (HP): 30/30
- Anja Points (AP): 10/10 (Dormant)
- Strength: 4 (Low, but developing)
- Agility: 6 (Above average for his age)
- Intelligence: 10 (Extremely sharp for a child)
- Charisma: 8 (Possesses a natural presence)
- Endurance: 5 (Average, but can improve through training)
---
Abilities & Talents
[Hidden Talent: Dual Wielder (Magic & Swordsmanship)] [One in a Million Trait]
- A natural affinity for wielding two weapons simultaneously, capable of seamless combat flow between magic and swordplay.
- Potential to master both elemental casting and physical combat in perfect harmony.
- With proper training, can become a Legendary Magic Swordsman—a rarity even among Grandmasters.
[Combat Instincts (Passive)]
- Allows for quick adaptability in battle even with no formal training.
- Can anticipate enemy movements instinctively.
- Subconscious battle reflexes activate under extreme stress or danger.
[Dormant Anja Affinity]
- Currently untapped due to malnutrition and lack of training.
- Potential Anja control is extraordinarily high.
- Possesses dual elemental affinity—**Wind & Lightning Magic**.
- If awakened properly, could rival Archmages in magical prowess.
#### [Survivor's Will (Passive)]
- Due to growing up in extreme poverty and hardship, Ko Lin has a strong mental fortitude.
- Cannot be easily broken even under torture or manipulation.
- Fights harder the more disadvantaged he is.
---
Overall Evaluation
[One in a Million Potential Detected!]
Ko Lin is an extremely rare prodigy, possessing the capability to transcend human limits in both magic and swordsmanship. If properly trained, he could reach Grandmaster-level combat ability within a decade.
However, due to years of malnutrition and lack of education, he remains weak and untapped. With proper nourishment, training, and guidance, he has the potential to become a force capable of reshaping battlefields.
[Potential Future Paths]
- Magic Swordsman: Mastery over both elemental casting and sword combat, making him nearly unbeatable in one-on-one duels.
- War General: With his quick combat instincts and sharp intelligence, he has the potential to become an unstoppable battlefield commander.
- Anja Sage: If focused solely on magic, he could become one of the most powerful elemental casters in history.
---
[Appraisal: Ko Lin's Mother – The Forgotten Chef]
- Name: Thida
- Age: 28
- Race: Human
- Level: 3 (Potential Growth: A-Tier)
- Health Points (HP): 20/40 (Weak due to starvation)
- Anja Points (AP): 50/50 (Surprisingly high for a commoner)
- Strength: 6 (Severely weakened due to malnutrition)
- Agility: 4 (Below average, but likely due to starvation)
- Intelligence: 15 (Very sharp, observant)
- Charisma: 18 (Naturally warm presence)
- Endurance: 7 (Surprisingly high considering her condition)
---
Abilities & Talents
[Hidden Talent: Master Chef – Gourmet Artisan] [One in a Million Trait]
- Possesses a rare cooking talent that affects Anja flow and stamina restoration.
- Can create meals infused with Anja that enhance physical and magical attributes.
- Given proper training, she could become a legendary chef capable of crafting meals that boost a warrior's strength, a mage's mana regeneration, or even heal injuries over time.
- A well-fed army under her meals could sustain combat longer, recover faster, and fight beyond their limits.
[Blessing of the Hearth (Passive)]
- Any food she prepares increases vitality and strength for those who eat it.
- Even the simplest meals can nourish beyond normal food's ability.
- Food prepared with care restores Anja faster than normal recovery.
#### [Adaptive Cooking (Passive)]
- Can quickly learn and master new recipes after a single attempt.
- Can adjust and recreate missing ingredients with perfect replacements.
- Can cook with minimal resources and still create delicious and nutritious meals.
[Mother's Instinct (Passive)]
- Heightened perception when it comes to detecting lies and danger.
- Can sense hidden intentions even without training.
- Loyal to those who show kindness to her and her child.
---
Overall Evaluation
[One in a Million Potential Detected!]
Thida possesses a rare culinary talent that can directly impact the strength of an army. With proper training, she could revolutionize military logistics by ensuring an army is always at peak performance.
Her cooking abilities are not just culinary but Anja-enhanced, making her dishes potentially as valuable as healing potions and stamina recovery elixirs.
[Potential Future Paths]
- Gourmet Chef of the Royal Court: If brought into the royal palace, she could elevate the entire kingdom's military with her food.
- Elite Army Cook: With her ability, she could turn an exhausted army into an unstoppable force overnight.
- Alchemist-Chef: If trained in alchemy, she could create potent, Anja-infused meals that act as magic-enhancing potions.
---
Final Thoughts (Prince Aung's POV After Appraisal)
Jason's eyes narrowed as he studied the appraisal results.
"A prodigy swordsman with dual magic affinity… and a mother with the potential to revolutionize how soldiers recover in battle."
He glanced at Ko Lin, whose gaze was filled with quiet determination.
Then, at Thida, who despite her frail condition, looked at Jason with resolute gratitude.
"These two…" Jason thought, a slow smile forming. "They are more than just survivors. They are potential game-changers."
He turned to Mayor Hla Than, voice firm.
"I am taking them into my service."
The mayor, still shaken from everything he had witnessed, nodded without hesitation.
"They are yours, Your Highness."
Thida, despite her weakness, knelt before Jason, placing her hand over her chest in a formal gesture of loyalty.
"I, Thida, swear my eternal service to Prince Aung, the one who saved my son and me."
Ko Lin mirrored her actions, though his small hands trembled slightly.
"I will follow you, Your Highness," the boy promised, his eyes filled with conviction.
Jason smiled.
"This is not just a rescue."
"This is an investment in the future."
And with that, the mother and son became part of his force—each with the potential to change the fate of the empire.
---
The grand chamber of Thazin's City Hall was eerily quiet. A single candle flickered on the mahogany desk, casting elongated shadows on the walls.
Hla Than sat in his high-backed chair, fingers laced together as he stared at the pile of documents Prince Aung had placed before him.
His eyes flickered to the young prince, who stood across from him with an air of unyielding authority.
Jason had said nothing for the past minute.
He simply waited.
It was a strategy.
A silent battle of patience and dominance.
Hla Than had faced many court officials, but this boy—this so-called unwanted prince—**was different.**
His presence weighed heavy, like a ruler who had already seized control without needing to raise his voice.
Finally, Hla Than exhaled, breaking the silence.
"Tell me, Your Highness," he began, his voice measured, "what exactly is the meaning of this?"
Jason tapped the documents in front of him.
"This," he said, his voice calm but sharp, "is the true financial record of Thazin. The one your Royal Auditor U Thar Maung has worked so hard to keep from you."
Hla Than's eyes narrowed.
Jason continued, flipping open the first ledger.
"These pages detail the actual taxation records—**the ones that were never reported to you.**"
He turned to the next document, tracing a line with his finger.
"This ledger shows the falsified reports submitted to your office, crafted to paint a picture of prosperity while your citizens starved."
Then, with a cold smile, Jason placed a final document on the table.
"And this… This is the list of hidden accounts, where over 200,000 gold meant for food subsidies was funneled away."
Silence.
Hla Than's fingers twitched as he took the pages.
His eyes scanned the records, his breath slowing, his jaw tightening as he read.
Jason studied him.
The mayor was a man of logic, a man of loyalty, but he had also been a man of trust.
Trust that had been exploited.
Hla Than's grip on the parchment tightened.
"…This is real?" he murmured, his voice hollow.
Jason's gaze never wavered.
"I retrieved them myself from U Thar Maung's estate," Jason said smoothly.
Hla Than's head snapped up.
"You—" He stopped himself, shaking his head. He didn't even want to ask how the prince had done it.
His voice turned hard.
"This means…" he whispered, his expression darkening, "…I have allowed this corruption to thrive under my own nose."
Jason leaned forward, voice like steel.
"You weren't the one stealing from the people, Mayor." His words were firm but not unkind. "But you were blind to it."
A heavy silence settled between them.
Then, a knock at the door broke the tension.
A guard stepped inside.
"Your Excellency, Royal Auditor U Thar Maung has arrived."
Jason smiled slightly.
"Perfect timing."
---
U Thar Maung stepped into the Mayor's chamber, his gait confident, his usual smug smile carefully polished.
He had been summoned suddenly—without explanation—but he wasn't concerned.
After all, why would he be?
Hla Than is a fool who trusts my every word.
He approached the Mayor's desk, bowing just enough to show deference but not submission.
"Your Excellency," he said smoothly, his voice oily with feigned humility. "It is always an honor to serve. I trust everything is in order?"
Hla Than's expression was unreadable.
The silence in the room stretched long enough to unsettle even him.
Then, he noticed something that made his pulse stutter—
Sitting directly across from Hla Than, completely at ease, was Prince Aung.
U Thar Maung's smile froze.
Something wasn't right.
Jason's gaze met his, piercing and knowing.
"Auditor U Thar Maung," Jason greeted, his tone light… too light. "Please, have a seat."
A slight chill ran down U Thar Maung's spine.
He forced himself to smile, carefully maintaining his facade.
"I appreciate Your Highness' hospitality, but I must insist we keep matters brief," he said, placing his falsified documentson the desk.
Hla Than still hadn't spoken.
Jason lifted an eyebrow.
"Ah," Jason said softly, flipping through the documents with mock interest. "More reports. How diligent of you."
Then, before U Thar Maung could react, Jason tossed them aside—completely ignoring them.
The air shifted.
Jason leaned forward, folding his hands together.
"Let's not waste time, Auditor," Jason said, his voice razor-sharp now. "Your lies have run their course."
U Thar Maung's blood ran cold.
"Excuse me?" he tried to keep his voice steady.
Jason reached into his cloak and placed the real ledgers onto the desk.
One by one.
The false taxes.
The stolen gold.
The hidden accounts.
Each thud of parchment was like a nail in a coffin.
U Thar Maung's face turned ashen.
A trickle of sweat slid down his temple.
"Would you care to explain?" Jason asked, leaning back, watching him squirm.
Hla Than finally spoke, his voice like thunder.
"You stole from my people."
The auditor swallowed hard.
"Th-This… This is a misunderstanding, I assure you," U Thar Maung stammered. "I have served the Empire faithfully—"
"Spare me," Jason cut him off, his eyes flashing dangerously. "I have witnesses. Testimonies from your own tax collectors. Even your personal ledgers confirm your guilt."
U Thar Maung felt his stomach churn.
He lunged for the exit.
But before he could even reach the door—
A blade rested against his throat.
Thmain Zeya.
The general's expression was merciless.
U Thar Maung froze, hands raised in surrender.
Jason stood slowly, approaching him.
His voice was calm, but his eyes held no mercy.
"Did you really think you could keep fooling everyone forever?" Jason asked.
U Thar Maung opened his mouth—but no words came out.
Jason turned to Hla Than.
"Mayor," he said, giving him the right to pass judgment.
Hla Than rose from his chair, his fists clenched, his face carved from stone.
"You betrayed my city. You betrayed the people. You betrayed the Empire."
His voice did not waver.
"You are hereby under arrest, U Thar Maung."
The auditor let out a strangled cry as knights seized him.
Hla Than watched him being dragged away, his eyes cold.
When the doors slammed shut, he turned back to Jason. Hla Than turned to Jason.
"You planned this… from the beginning, didn't you?"
Jason smiled knowingly.
"I just gave you the truth."
Then, the Mayor knelt.
And with a voice filled with unwavering resolve, he spoke.
"I swear my loyalty to you, Prince Aung."
Jason exhaled slowly.
"Finally."
Then, with a slight smirk, he said,
"Rise, Mayor. We have an empire to save."
As a final gift, Mayor assigned 3,000 of his best knights—under his most trusted commander—to accompany Jason's expedition, disguised as mercenaries.
Jason smiled, victorious.
"The game has changed."
(Continue….)