Chapter 37

Yuwon, Terrien, and Renania, who were participating in the swordsmanship contest, headed toward the preliminary arena.

Only Hastings, who was unrelated to the tournament, remained in the library.

Having returned from his duties and tidying up his desk, Hastings picked up the book Yuwon had left behind.

‘It’s warm.’

Because it had been placed where sunlight streamed in, the leather-bound cover was pleasantly warm. That warmth, together with the faint scent of a well-aged book, eased Hastings’ mind.

He turned his gaze, scanning the quiet library.

For a while, it had been filled with traces of people, but today, it was just as he remembered it from the old days.

‘It’s quiet. No… perhaps silent would be more accurate.’

Hastings fell into a strange sentiment.

‘Once His Highness makes his mark in the tournament, everything will change — his standing, and the way others look at him as well.’

Through his coming-of-age ceremony, Yuwon had changed the way the Imperial Family viewed him.

At the banquet, by confronting the Crown Prince, he had changed how the Houkijisu viewed him.

‘Now it’s the world’s turn to change its gaze.’

Hastings couldn’t even begin to guess how far Yuwon’s potential reached, but there was one thing he firmly believed.

‘His Highness is destined to become the Emperor.’

Thus, as the closest aide to the Prince who would one day be Emperor, it was time to support him — in every possible way, without shame or hesitation. But Hastings’ circumstances didn’t match his heart.

‘Yet… what could I possibly do for His Highness…?’

He wasn’t a swordsman of Terrien’s caliber, nor did he possess the tremendous influence of a family like Renania’s.

‘All I’ve ever done is read books. And even that’s hardly worth boasting about. The world is full of scholars who’ve read more and know deeper things than I.’

Quite literally, a bookworm.

‘Just a bookworm, nothing more… exactly as the Tindal wastrel said.’

That was Hastings’ conclusion after reflecting on himself.

‘His Highness is kind enough to keep someone like me by his side… but what can I truly do for him?’

The thought weighed heavily on his heart.

And at that moment, the door to the library opened.

Clatter—

“…?”

A bald, plump figure. A voice neither masculine nor feminine — a voice altered by castration.

Short and round, shaped almost like a ball from afar — it was the Chief Attendant, Marcellus.

“I am Marcellus, Chief Attendant of the Fifth Prince’s Palace. I have come to see Viscount Bartlett, the director of the Imperial Library, regarding a matter.”

Seizing the moment while Yuwon was away, Marcellus had come looking for Hastings.

“It’s good to see you, Chief Attendant. Though we’ve crossed paths while coming and going from the Fifth Prince’s Palace, I didn’t expect to meet you here in the library.”

“Viscount, please, speak comfortably. I am but a lowly servant attending to His Highness the Fifth Prince.”

“How could I dare do such a thing? Even if you humble yourself, I am well aware that the position of Chief Attendant in a Prince’s Palace is by no means a light one.”

“…Truly, you are worthy of being the heir of the Bartlett Family, custodians of the Empire’s knowledge. To refuse again would be impolite, so I shall accept your courtesy gratefully.”

“Then let it be so.”

The two exchanged words of deference, each elevating the other.

“….”

Afterward, an awkward silence settled between them as they sat across from each other.

Steam rose gently from the tea cups that had just been poured.

It was Marcellus who broke the silence first.

“…I’ve come regarding His Highness the Fifth Prince.”

“I thought as much.”

“I had hoped he wouldn’t go… but he insisted on joining the tournament. At first, I thought he was going to withdraw.”

“I have no doubt His Highness will be victorious. But it seems you do not share that faith, Chief Attendant.”

“How could I? You, Viscount, only know His Highness as he is after his change. But I remember him from when he was still called the White— that name… and even before that, when he was younger still. How could I not worry?”

“It seems you’re quite concerned indeed — to the point of seeking out a worthless bookworm like me.”

“A worthless bookworm? Come now, who in the entire Imperial Palace would dare call someone who stands closest to His Highness the Fifth Prince a mere bookworm?”

“You flatter me. It is only because His Highness has shown me unearned favor.”

“Haha, hardly. His Highness is far more discerning than he appears. He would never keep someone close merely out of fondness.”

“Is that so? Then it seems the person I know differs from yours. The one I know embraces even an unworthy man like me — one with neither wealth nor learning.”

“The feelings I speak of… you will come to understand them yourself, Viscount, once you have watched His Highness long enough.”

“Is that so? Hm…”

Their conversation circled around the heart of the matter but never quite reached it. Growing impatient, Hastings finally spoke first.

“I thought you had come out of concern for His Highness, but… it seems you came to gossip instead?”

“Ah! I’ve been quite rude, haven’t I?”

Marcellus laughed awkwardly, feigning surprise.

“A small man like me — who could I possibly speak to about His Highness within the palace? It’s simply that, before one who knows him well, I couldn’t help but get carried away.”

Then, his expression changed entirely. Marcellus’ beady eyes seemed to pierce straight through Hastings.

“Then… allow me to speak plainly. Viscount, what do you think of His Highness the Fifth Prince?”

It was a question both unsettling and laden with meaning.

“…What do you mean? In what sense are you asking about His Highness?”

“Don’t think of it in any complicated way — I’m literally asking about the Prince himself. I want to know what you think of the current Fifth Prince.”

Hastings sensed it with his gut. Something was going wrong.

“There’s nothing to think about….”

Hastings tried to evade the question, but Marcellus was persistent.

“But is it right that you’re this close to him? A librarian of the Imperial Library maintaining a private friendship with a Prince and even keeping company with him at a sensitive time like this — and you have no particular thoughts….”

Marcellus spoke as if he were someone else entirely.

“Don’t you find that strange?”

“Hmm….”

As Hastings tried to grasp the underlying intent of the question, Marcellus revealed the card he had been hiding until now.

“Viscount, provide whatever information you have about the Fifth Prince.”

It sounded like a mistake. Hastings bristled.

“What on earth are you saying? Information about the Fifth Prince!”

“The Fifth Prince must neither be able to become Emperor nor be allowed to become Emperor. Hand over what you know about White Dog. If you do, the Third Prince will see to it that the Viscount is taken care of for life.”

Marcellus was resolute. The cowardly eunuch who had cowered before Yuwon was not here now.

“You— Chief Attendant…!”

Sss—

Before Hastings could answer, several discordant presences were felt nearby.

There were only two reasons to reveal every hidden card at once.

Either to admit defeat and throw down one’s hand, or—

“Now, give me your answer.”

—to declare victory.

“Refusal is not an option.”

Marcellus, whose teeth and claws had been hidden for a long time, finally bared those poisoned fangs.

At the same time, Yuwon, Hastings, and Renania arrived at the preliminary arena. Although they had come quite early, the area was already bustling with spectators and participants.

“This contest will be won by the Second Prince again, right?”

“A sword tournament — of course the Second Prince will take first. Everyone else just fights beneath him. This isn’t the first time; why ask as if it were news?”

“That’s true. By the way, did you hear White Dog also registered this year?”

“Oh my, that’s trouble! White Dog, really. After seeing yesterday’s mess, you still have the nerve to say ‘White—’ with that word on your lips?”

“Well, seeing him yesterday he did seem a bit different… but changing someone like that — is that really any different? People aren’t easy to repurpose….”

“If you think that way, I can’t force you, but you’d better watch your tongue. Because of the Crown Prince’s mistake about chivalry yesterday, many people ended up viewing the Fifth Prince favorably for having upheld chivalry to the end.”

“Is that so…? People who look kindly on the Fifth Prince — well, the world sure is full of surprises. Fine. I’ll be careful. Oh, by the way — I didn’t mean to bring that up; the preliminary bracket came out quite interestingly. The first match is the Fifth Prince versus Curington.”

“Curington? Trebion Curington? Isn’t he basically a Tindal subordinate? Ha, what a coincidence…?”

It was sarcasm. There was no such coincidence. After what happened at yesterday’s banquet, this contrived pairing was predictable.

“The Tindal family drops birds from the sky. After what happened yesterday, they won’t let it pass. They’ll use the legal stage of the sparring match to teach the Fifth Prince a lesson.”

“Looks like that’s what it is. Ha… the Fifth Prince has been marked.”

They spoke from a distance, watching Yuwon’s reaction — but Yuwon’s keen ears caught every word.

‘Even the draw was rigged… The Tindal family controls palace affairs like kneading dough. Their power is considerable.’

Thanks to that, the clearing of yesterday’s affair felt satisfying. A smile appeared at the corner of Yuwon’s mouth.

“The bracket is strangely convenient.”

“It is. His Highness’s opponent, my opponent… out of so many participants, there happen to be two families with ties to the Tindal Dukes.”

Terrien, who was no fool, apparently caught on.

“Are you confident you’ll win?”

Terrien’s opponent was as formidable as Yuwon’s.

“If he were the kind of blade to be broken in a preliminary like this, he wouldn’t even have been reattached.”

“Haha, you answer well. I expect much.”

Yuwon and Terrien exchanged grins. Neither looked like they were considering defeat.

“Are you smiling now?”

Renania, watching them, said incredulously. The two at the center — Yuwon and Terrien — liked the draw, but Renania did not.

“What is there to worry about? Do you think I’ll lose?”

“Of course. Your opponent is Curington. The Curington who threatened Marquis Bradman’s long-standing reputation for producing the Empire’s finest swordsmen. And he isn’t just any Curington — he’s the genius secured as the next head of his house. You, who have only just awakened to magic, are not the kind of opponent who can beat him.”

“Who said I only just awakened to magic?”

“This is no time for jokes.”

Terrien, knowing Yuwon’s skill well, bit his lip beside him. He found it difficult to restrain his smile.

“If, if I were to win—”

“Even if you win, it’s a problem.”

“Why would my winning be a problem?”

“The Tindal Dukes are effectively the central power. This bracket didn’t come about by chance. There’s even a saying that even if the Aphahiel rule the Empire, the capital is ruled by the Tindal family.”

“That’s not something the Imperial Family would like to hear.”

Yuwon remained composed despite the words. The more he did, the more Renania burned inside.

“If His Highness truly intends to build power and engage in the struggle for the throne, he’ll need a decent backing. But now, having already incurred the Tindal family’s ill will, securing the most important central power is out of the question unless he backs himself with a massive force like our house….”

Renania faltered as if she sensed something odd in her own words.

Yuwon smiled playfully.

“Why did you stop? You should tell me how I can have the Valaris family behind me.”

“Not our house — I meant a massive house like ours… Ah, I don’t know! See you after the prelims!”

Embarrassed, Renania used the preliminary as an excuse and fled the area — there was still plenty of time before the matches.

“With that reaction, I can’t help but tease a little….”

Yuwon chuckled softly at Renania’s departing figure in the distance.

“His Highness and the Valaris young lady make quite the compatible pair. Even if they were broken off, they suit each other — perhaps they’ll reunite…?”

“I still remember you coming to me in person asking me to call off the engagement. That probably won’t happen. Well, this contest might at least make you close friends.”

“How disappointing… She’d be more than suitable for His Highness in terms of background and temperament.”

“Terrien, how much do either of us know about the Valaris young lady to judge so quickly? Enough of this nonsense. It looks like someone’s come.”

“Eh…? Someone?”

Terrien snapped his head to look past Yuwon’s shoulder. A familiar face was visible in the distance — not exactly a welcome guest.

“Why is that guy here again….”

The face stepped closer and spoke.

“Did you get home alright last night, Your Highness?”

It was Fisk Tindal.

“Oh, yes. I got home fine. You seemed to have drunk a lot last night — how’s the hangover?”

Yuwon greeted Fisk as if he had forgotten everything from yesterday.

“Oh~ that was it. Thanks to your concern, I’m alright.”

“Is that so? That’s fortunate. Now that you’re sober, we can have the proper conversation I mentioned last night. Is that why you sought me out?”

“No, not quite. I came to warn you… No, to tell you something you should be careful about.”

A warning after arranging the bracket like this was ridiculous.

“I should be careful?”

“Yes — as you know by now, your preliminary opponent Trebion is rather brutal with his hands.”

“Oh, is that so. Got it. I’ll be careful.”

It was not the reaction Fisk had hoped for. Yuwon showed no sign of fear.

“So Trebion’s hands are brutal, huh. You came all this way to tell me that in person.”

“Ah, yes. It’s not something to boast about, but this friend of his is so strong that in sparring he’s maimed or even killed opponents a few…”

In truth, it wasn’t just a few times but many. Trebion had been appointed the house’s successor because of his exceptional personal power, and because he had strong connections with Fisk.

‘So this has happened more than once. I thought they might show mercy to the one fighting in his stead, but it’s the same kind of man.’

Thanks to Fisk’s personal warning, Yuwon’s mind lightened.

‘I could just kill him.’

With that thought settled, Yuwon smiled brightly.

“Thanks for the advice. I won’t forget it.”