Chapter 33

The start of the Houkijisu Tournament was just around the corner.

Everywhere in the Imperial Palace, it was now easy to spot groups of Houkijisu gathered here and there.

“It’s really right around the corner now.”

“Yes. The opening banquet is tonight, after all.”

“I heard this year’s competition will be different from before. I’m looking forward to it!”

Everyone’s hearts swelled with a mix of expectation and worry as the tournament approached. The same was true for Yuwon’s Fifth Prince’s Palace.

“Let’s go.”

“Yes, let’s.”

“Yes, I’ll follow behind, Your Highness.”

If there was one thing that had changed from before, it was that there was now one more person accompanying Yuwon to the Imperial Library every morning.

It began with Yuwon, then the bothersome Renania started tagging along, and now even Terrien had joined the so-called library group.

“It’s tomorrow evening.”

“Yes, tomorrow evening indeed. But, Lady Valaris, after our engagement was annulled, is it really all right for you to remain by my side?”

“Why? Am I making you uncomfortable?”

“It’s not that, but… I worry that because of me, a perfectly proper young lady’s prospects for marriage might be ruined.”

“I’ve done nothing wrong. Anyway, all participants of this Houkijisu Tournament must stay in one of the Prince’s Palaces. I’m simply indebted to Your Highness, with whom I have at least a small connection. Please don’t concern yourself.”

“…”

She didn’t seem the least bit worried about how others might perceive her, even while staying by the White Dog’s side. It was hard to tell whether she was brave or simply dull to such things.

‘Is this how people from the South are? Or just how the Valaris family is… No, perhaps it’s just this woman?’

As they exchanged idle chatter, the group soon arrived at their destination.

“Ah, you’re here, Your Highness. Lady Valaris, Sir Terrien, please come in.”

In front of the Imperial Library’s grand entrance, Hastings—who had just opened the doors—welcomed Yuwon and his companions.

“You’re here.”

“Good morning, Viscount Bartlett.”

“…I’ll be in your care again today.”

After exchanging brief morning greetings, they were about to enter the library when—

Step.

Yuwon suddenly halted before the door. Terrien, who had stopped in step with him, asked,

“Are you not going in, Your Highness?”

“You go ahead first.”

Yuwon turned his gaze toward Hastings.

“…I have something to discuss with Viscount Bartlett.”

“You’ve acquired a fine knight, Your Highness.”

“I was lucky. I took Terrien under my command before others could recognize his worth.”

Yuwon and Hastings walked side by side, speaking privately as they strolled through the wide courtyard in front of the library.

“In any case, congratulations on appointing your first knight.”

“I’ll gladly accept your congratulations.”

Neither of them forced the conversation. Instead of sitting over tea as they usually did, they simply matched their pace and walked together quietly.

“…So, the tournament begins tomorrow.”

“That’s precisely why I wanted to speak with you separately.”

“Pardon? About the tournament? What is it that you wish to say?”

“It’s time for you to decide on your position, Viscount.”

“My position, Your Highness?”

Yuwon nodded once before replying.

“Until now, there’s been no issue. But once the tournament begins, things will change completely. If you keep associating closely with me as you do now, the situation might become quite troublesome for you later.”

He wasn’t speaking idly; he had taken the time to meet for this very reason. Hearing Yuwon’s serious tone, Hastings gradually let the smile fade from his face.

“…Are you worried for me, Your Highness?”

“You could say that.”

“I doubt anyone would pay much attention to a bookworm like me just for staying near Your Highness. It’s not like I’m anyone of importance or much help. I’ll be fine…”

“If I were to seek the throne.”

“…!”

That quiet statement froze Hastings in place.

“Would you still think your closeness to me would go unnoticed?”

Hastings’s eyes trembled in shock.

“Surely…!”

Yuwon only nodded slowly in response. There was no need for words; Hastings already understood what he meant.

‘His Highness intends to become Emperor…!’

It was something Hastings had barely dared to imagine—but it was happening before his eyes.

He had been by Yuwon’s side for over a month now. If anyone could even begin to grasp a fraction of Yuwon’s hidden strength, it would be Hastings.

‘It’s time to make my decision.’

Hastings now stood at a crossroads.

“If it’s before the tournament begins, you can still make excuses. But once it starts, it won’t be easy to remove the label of being part of the Fifth Prince’s faction. Whether or not you’re truly loyal to me doesn’t matter to them.”

Yuwon, too, had made his own decision.

‘The path I walk is one of blood. I must draw a clear line now—between those who are mine and those who are not.’

Yuwon’s low voice pressed Hastings to make his choice.

“Will you remain a gray figure like your ancestors, or will you make a decision? It’s time to choose, Hastings.”

It was the first time Yuwon had ever called the viscount by his name.

“Marcellus. Are you finished yet?”

At Yuwon’s call, Marcellus, who had been directing the attendants, hurriedly came running out.

“Y-Yes, almost done, Your Highness. Just one last touch to your hair and—”

“That’s enough. Let’s go. Dismiss the attendants and gather the guests.”

“Ah… yes, Your Highness. As you command.”

Marcellus let out a faint sigh of regret at Yuwon’s order to dismiss everyone. Of course, there was nothing more he could do once Yuwon rose from his seat.

Marcellus and the other attendants who had been helping Yuwon prepare quietly withdrew.

Left alone, Yuwon stood before the mirror and looked himself over.

Having worn only loose, comfortable clothing until now, he had, for the first time in a long while, dressed formally in celebration of the banquet.

The white and gold garments, the signature colors of the imperial family, fit snugly around Yuwon’s body—almost uncomfortably so—and revealed the sharp lines of his physique.

‘It’ll be hard to hide it anymore.’

Straightening Yurion’s once-slouched posture alone made him seem several centimeters taller, and as if there had been hidden height within him, he now looked well over a hand’s length taller.

The shoulders that had once curved inward were now broad and strong from training, and the long, slender arms and legs were firmly toned with muscle that hadn’t existed before.

But what had changed most were his eyes. Once hollow and unfocused, Yurion’s blue eyes now gleamed with sharp intelligence.

Yuwon smirked faintly at his reflection.

‘Normally, the body follows the growth of inner strength. But here, it seems the body is scrambling to catch up to the qi that’s already been cultivated. I didn’t expect the transformation to happen this quickly….’

A month and a half had passed—forty-four days since Yuwon had revived in Yurion’s body.

‘A lot has happened since then.’

In that time, Yuwon had reshaped Yurion both inside and out into a completely different person.

Yurion’s reputation had also changed.

Word had spread throughout the Imperial Palace that the Fifth Prince had been pretending to be a wastrel all along.

The noble heirs participating in the Houkijisu Tournament still didn’t quite believe it—but soon enough, Yuwon would prove it to them.

The preparations had long been complete.

Yuwon stared into his own eyes in the mirror, as if to see through himself. Yurion’s blue irises glimmered coldly.

‘Do I… want to become Emperor?’

If asked, the answer would be no. In truth, Yuwon had little desire for the imperial throne.

‘No, more than becoming Emperor… I want to survive.’

Survival—that was what Yuwon truly desired.

‘Then… what if I simply step away from the struggle for the throne altogether….’

It didn’t even warrant consideration. That would be a foolish choice. He could not repeat the same mistake as in his past life.

‘No. That would only be leaving my life in another’s hands.’

His options narrowed once again—or rather, he had known all along. He was only momentarily revisiting them, dreading the blood that would have to be spilled.

‘To protect my life, I must become the absolute victor in this struggle and place all enemies beneath my feet. That is the surest way.’

There was no other path. Yuwon clenched his fists tightly.

‘The moment I was born of imperial blood, I had no choice. Yurion didn’t crave the throne out of greed; he drank poison because this blood bound him to his fate—a war that cannot be avoided.’

Yurion may have begun it, but now the war had passed into Yuwon’s hands.

‘Yes… I will become Emperor! No—if it’s for survival, I’ll become a god if I must!’

A fierce gleam flashed in Yurion’s blue eyes reflected in the mirror. Yuwon’s gaze shone like a sharpened blade.

‘I will become Emperor.’

Sensing Yuwon’s shift in resolve, the Black Serpent within his heart roared like a dragon. His poison-stained black heart throbbed violently.

Not to be outdone, the Hatchling of the Dragon-Scaled Serpent hidden beneath his collar hissed softly, flicking its tongue.

Then came a knock from outside—Marcellus’s voice.

Knock, knock, knock—

“Your Highness, all the guests you summoned are ready. Shall we enter?”

Instead of replying, the sound of a latch turning echoed. Yuwon himself opened the door.

“No need. I’ve come out personally. Let’s go.”

“Y-Yes. The guests are waiting by the carriage at the central courtyard.”

“I’m the last one, then. Your fault, Marcellus.”

“Ah, that is…”

Flustered by Yuwon’s teasing remark, Marcellus fumbled for words, but Yuwon lightly patted his shoulder.

“It’s a joke. Why so nervous? You look like someone who’s committed a ‘crime.’”

Yuwon clearly knew of the steward’s involvement with the poison. Marcellus could only respond with an awkward laugh to the pointed jest.

“Ha… haha… Is that so? I’m afraid I’m terribly slow when it comes to such matters….”

Marcellus’s judgment was drawing near.

As Yuwon and Marcellus descended the stairs, those waiting by the entrance spotted him and greeted him.

“You’ve arrived, Your Highness.”

“Welcome. We haven’t been waiting long.”

“We were waiting for you, my lord.”

From a distance, Hastings, Renania, and Terrien called out in turn.

“All the guests of the Fifth Prince’s Palace are gathered here, I see.”

Compared to the guests of the other princes’ palaces, their group was modest to the point of humility. Yet to Yuwon, they were familiar and welcome faces.

“Ha, as expected, Your Highness doesn’t seem nervous at all.”

“Calling a lady a guest—really, even as a joke, that’s too much.”

“Family… is it?”

At their laughter, Yuwon, too, smiled brightly for once.

“We can’t be late for the banquet that marks the start of the tournament. Let’s go.”

It was a rare, radiant smile from Yuwon.

The Houkijisu Tournament had begun.