episode_0013

Thump, thump.

The sound of my heartbeat grew louder.

It was as if there was an illusion that my heart was in my head.

In Astia’s eyes, there was that much intensity.

Even so, I

Avoiding the fiercely flashing gaze,

Slowly made my way towards the center of the mist.

The distance closed in an instant.

No matter how slowly I walked,

Was it just my imagination that the distance between us seemed to shrink faster and faster?

Astia didn’t take her eyes off me.

She didn’t move or speak.

She simply stood still, glaring at me with a sword in hand.

As chilling as her tightly clenched fists,

The cold blade also trembled.

When passing right by her,

My whole body tensed up, fearing she might suddenly attack.

But as expected, she didn’t touch me recklessly.

It must have been because she knew well what tragedy killing the crown prince would bring.

If I, the former empress who was an elven princess, Wiblea’s son, were to die,

Eventually, the halted war would resume.

The elven hatred for humans was something never to be ignored.

The moment they learned of my death,

The elven kingdom would declare war on the Mersen Empire.

Elves who command spirits are never weak.

Whether they win or lose,

Ultimately, countless people will die.

The weight of the lives lost in vain will never be light.

The anger of those left behind

Will wander like blind arrows, seeking targets for their wrath.

Killing me meant that.

It meant bearing the responsibility of war and being fully immersed in numerous accusations and resentments.

This clear fact was known not only to the nobles but also to the commoners.

That’s why Empress Herpina

Was also eagerly eyeing any chance to secretly kill me.

Astia wouldn’t be much different.

No matter how great her anger toward me, she couldn’t act recklessly.

Yet, unable to quench the burning thirst for revenge, I found myself returning to the palace. Perhaps at least to pour out curses upon me.

I continued on toward where the knights had gathered. Some were shooting arrows from a distance, while others were sparring in pairs. Someone was wielding a two-handed sword, and another was thrusting a long spear into a dummy’s head. Gradually, they stopped and began to shoot me disdainful glances. There was not an ounce of respect for the royal family in their eyes. It was only natural. No one in the palace would look favorably upon me. Perhaps it would be the same throughout the entire empire. Not a single knight, not even one, offered a simple bow. The glimmers in their eyes all around me were filled with contempt. Their emerging reactions were silent mockery and a condescending attitude. But such reactions were exactly what I desired. It was an essential step in completely deceiving the empress. This moment here was meant to expose my shattered character, recklessness, and ignobility. Furthermore, it was also a place to prove my lack of elven abilities. And, at the same time, it was a plan to reinstate Astia as my personal guard. Astia was a knight with exceptional talent, enough to become a comrade of a future hero. Entering the imperial knights at the mere age of 14 left no doubt about her skills. If I could win her over to my side, I would gain a powerful force. However, to do so, I first needed to unravel the layers of misunderstanding that had accumulated. “Your Highness, the Crown Prince.” As I finally came to a stop, one of the knights approached, raising his right fist to his left chest and slightly bowing his head. It was Rufus, a man with lustrous silver hair. Although it was one of the few respects I had received recently, it didn’t feel particularly pleasant. His deeply furrowed face seemed to have no room for even the smallest hint of amiability. “What brings you here?” His gaze was less intense than Astia’s, but it carried just as much disgust. Of course, I had expected this attitude. He had been waiting for me the entire way to the central training ground. Yet, it seemed he was still somewhat lacking. What was needed was a touch of audacity.

I stretched in front of Rufus. After yawning so wide my mouth nearly split, I wiped away the tears that had welled up with my fingers and spoke dismissively, “I’ve been bedridden for a few days, so I’m a bit sluggish. How about you spar with me?”

No matter how much of a prince he was, there were things one shouldn’t do in front of others.

Rufus forced his tightly shut mouth into a twisted smile. Veins bulged on his forehead. His bug-like gaze seemed to silently sneer, “How dare someone like you?” It was an utterly perfect face. What I desired was precisely this blind rage.

To be more honest, it was waiting for the fatal carelessness inevitably brought about by blind rage.

“Sir Rufus, are you perhaps afraid of me?”

Provocation was not easy among equals. But when a significantly weaker opponent ignorantly disregards a stronger one, it could have a greater impact than cursing their parents, without even resorting to insults. Especially for someone like me at present, having lost innate talent, intelligence, and even health, branded officially as a disabled person, it was even more effective.

Given that there could be no unexpected danger, there was absolutely no need to be cautious. Therefore, just like Rufus who was looking down on me and chuckling, there was no need to hesitate at all.

“How about we settle this with real swords?”

As soon as the words left my mouth, I drew my sword, making it more of a demand than a question.

“Not a bad idea.”

It was a very appealing suggestion that required no refusal. If the possibility of death was added, it would be even better for drawing attention. Rufus spoke confidently.

“I offer my sword to you, Your Highness.”

But no one readily offered their sword. Even lending it for a moment was something they were unwilling to do for someone like me, with such a notorious reputation.

“Please use my sword.”

In the end, it was Astia who handed me the sword. It was a situation I had never anticipated.

“……”

Facing the one who wanted to kill me up close gave me a strange feeling. Perhaps she was forcibly concealing her boiling hatred. The clear intention of murder that had been vivid from a distance had now sunk deeply beneath an expressionless face. This calmness, contrary to the context, seemed like a mother who had lost her child pretending to love her enemy for the sake of revenge. Of course, the voice that felt like it could cut through upon contact revealed unmitigated hatred towards me. I accepted the sword with both hands. This sword was originally bestowed by the emperor. It was specially crafted to celebrate Astia, who had exceptionally strong power since childhood and had joined the imperial knighthood at the youngest age. Just by looking at its length, it seemed like it could be wielded with one hand, but the excessively heavy weight made it quite burdensome even for someone as physically strong as myself. As I watched Astia step back with her red hair fluttering, a few knights sneered. “You’ve been following the crown prince around since you were young, trying to get his attention, right?” “You were holding onto a rotten lifeline, weren’t you?” “But you still can’t let go of your attachment, huh? Is it because you still have lingering feelings after killing your mother, or are you just plain sentimental?” “Really impressive. Anyway, you’re not mentally stable.” It seemed that there were many enemies of Astia in the imperial knighthood. They were probably childhood friends of the crown prince. It seemed they had ignited a fire of jealousy due to Astia’s outstanding talent and exceptional beauty. I carefully observed their faces. Dalsia, Herbak, Freya. All of them were people whose names I knew. When our eyes met, they were startled and discreetly stepped back, but I had already remembered their names. I would have to catch them at some point. Thud! I simply pointed the tip of the sword downward and let go of it. The sharp blade sank deep into the ground. I clenched a handful of soil in each hand. Then, I carefully rubbed my hands together to prevent the soil from falling. This was a common practice for most knights before duels or sparring matches, to ensure they wouldn’t lose their grip on their weapon no matter how much sweat accumulated on their hands. I drew the sword with my right hand only.

With one hand too heavy to lift, albeit briefly, I sought the aid of the wind spirit. Carefully, I held my left hand tightly, not letting what was inside slip, and raised it under my right hand.

As I took a firm stance with both hands, Rufus wore an expression of indifference. “Please, Your Highness, make the first move. For a fair duel, I will not use mana.”

Rufus seemed as playful as a cat toying with a wounded mouse. However, I was certain. With his pitifully regretful face, it wouldn’t take long for him to fall. At most, it would be about a minute. Now, I was much stronger than before, spitting blood and collapsing with a victorious smile on my face.

I couldn’t quite explain the exact reason, but somehow, the total amount of mana had increased twofold. Perhaps the intense stimulus of facing death had accelerated my growth.

Furthermore, by my side now stood Rak, the earth spirit, who had just returned after faithfully delivering my instructions to Glentino. Above me, the wind spirit named Wintla was also present. With their help, subduing even a formidable knight would be easy.

A knight who didn’t use mana was far easier to overcome than blowing one’s nose. But given the purpose at hand, I must never reveal the existence of the spirits. Of course, the manifested spirits were not visible to humans. Only a considerable knight or wizard might sense their presence.

Fortunately, here and now, there wasn’t a single soul who could be certain of the spirits’ presence. There was no risk of exposure.

I charged at Rufus in a clumsy manner. It wasn’t an impressive sight, even in my own opinion. As I got closer, his sneer became more vivid. He had no idea. At this moment, I could have easily slit his throat with a single stroke. But today, I hadn’t come to kill anyone. I had to win, but it had to be done cunningly and maliciously. Sooner or later, it would be reported to the Empress, so I must never win in a gallant manner.

What I wanted was a victory that was as dishonorable as losing.

I swung the raised blade down with all my might onto Rufus’s head.

Swoosh—

But he effortlessly dodged by stepping aside.

“Hahaha.” A laughter that indicated he could have retaliated but chose not to, burst out unpleasantly.

How lightly he regarded me.

He didn’t even bother raising his sword.

With one hand, he casually brushed his hair aside.

“Thanks for letting your guard down.” I smirked silently.

It was already too late when he detected my intentions and his eyes widened like silver coins.

I had already dropped the sword.

The dirt thrown with my left hand had deeply embedded into his eyes in no time.

“Aargh!!!”

It was a thrilling scream that even caused imaginary pain to the onlookers.

It was inevitable.

It was a swift movement incomparable to swinging a sword.

In a state of complacency, it was unavoidable even when seen with both eyes.

I swiftly grabbed Rufus’s head wrapped in my hands.

“This, this is cowardly…!”

Rufus, still unable to open his eyes due to the agony, was not wrong.

I admit it. I am cowardly.

But this is what real combat is.

Fighting is not done with words.

Besides effective strikes, there is no meaning in reasoning, justifications, or explanations.

Fair and square?

That doesn’t apply to someone infamous like me at all.

I pulled down his head.

As soon as I grabbed his hair, it naturally led to the next action, like water flowing.

Toward the horribly crushed face, as if swallowing dozens of glass shards.

Without any hesitation, I drove my knee in.

It was a sudden and destructive movement, like lightning striking.

At the moment of impact, I used rock with my knee through Rak.

Thud!

It was a refreshing sound that immediately drew gasps from the audience.

“Crack!”

What followed the satisfying crack was nothing but pitiful moans longing for lost consciousness.

Fresh red blood streamed down from his mangled face.

Plop—

With this,

I had completed the first mission.

The rest will be taken care of by the witnesses.

During the duel. Against someone who even declared that they wouldn’t use mana. The despicable prince, with dirt in his eyes and grabbing onto hair, shamelessly seized victory.

The prince is truly an irredeemable wretch.

So now, all that’s left is to face defeat.

By being thoroughly ruined.

Unless through a deadly method, there’s only the task of proving that not even a single knight can properly oppose.

I slowly turned my head.

My gaze.

Met Astia’s contemptuous expression.