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‘Just what……?’

Duke Veder gritted his teeth—he’d already drawn his sword, and he couldn’t just put it back into his sheath.

‘Just what is it about Prince Andrew that draws in the people around him?’

The fact that he’d hidden his skills?

Well, the recent incident had made that obvious enough. Or was it the personality change, as if he’d become a different person?

Humans don’t remain the same forever.

Yes.

They are like nature. As time passes, the mind grows along with the body. So although it was surprising, it wasn’t exactly unheard of.

‘But how am I supposed to take this?’

There are times when people gather around a particular figure without that person doing anything at all.

From experience, such phenomena often have little to do with sheer strength. Of course, it would be incorrect to say it’s completely irrelevant, but it’s not everything.

Otherwise, the world would be ruled by brute tyrants.

‘The power to attract people. That’s a talent, too.’

And even more so, an essential one for a ‘ruler’.

“Stop right this instant!”

“……!”

At the sound of a thunderous voice, Duke Veder snapped out of his thoughts. A certain old man was storming toward them with an intimidating presence.

Of course, he already knew who the old man was.

“Marquis Foltaine……”

And that wasn’t all.

Swish!

“Wha-!?”

Was he trying to draw everyone’s attention to himself?

A man leaped gracefully, cutting through the night sky and landing lightly on the training field under the moonlight.

“That’s enough, don’t you think?”

“Duke Herman, as well……”

“I have no particular desire to interfere in your country’s affairs, but let’s remember that this is the land of the Hart Kingdom.”

More importantly, tonight’s highlight was yet to come.

Clunk, clunk, clunk!

Before he knew it, a group had encircled the entire training ground. Seeing them, Duke Veder immediately realized what was happening.

The group was none other than the royal knights of this kingdom, who had stepped aside earlier.

“Duke Veder, I believe this may be going too far.”

“……”

Duke Veder gaped in disbelief at the audacious tone of the voice that addressed him.

Because it was none other than Duke Kairos.

“I gave permission for a necessary investigation, not for murder or assault. If punishment is required during the investigation, wouldn’t it be a matter of courtesy to return to your own country to carry it out?”

“……”

With Duke Kairos drawing a firm line, Duke Veder was almost beside himself with rage.

‘Are you saying that after witnessing this madness!?’

‘Can’t you see the situation is different now?’

‘You were always pushing me to act before, weren’t you!?’

‘Ultimately, the choice was yours. Don’t blame me. I only offered to help with good intentions.’

‘Hmph. Now I see clearly that our relationship is a shallow one that changes with the situation!’

The two communicated swiftly through their expressions alone.

Duke Veder, of course, wanted to explode in anger. But speaking out now would only worsen the situation.

The Hart Kingdom’s high nobles had united in their stance.

“Sigh……”

With a low sigh, Duke Veder looked up at the night sky. There was only one answer left for him.

“Wake the men. We’re withdrawing.”

“……!”

The knight standing alone immediately stood at attention.

“Understood!”

***

As soon as they withdrew, Prince Enzi, the 1st Prince of the Meeke Principality, erupted with frustration.

“How could we retreat like that!?”

“There was no choice, Your Highness.”

“We’ve already received official orders from the homeland! The palace is aware of our situation here, so how am I supposed to report back like this!?”

“Your Highness, as I mentioned earlier, withdrawing was the best course of action given the circumstances……”

“Damn it!”

Bang!

Prince Enzi slammed his fist down onto the table. It wasn’t as though he didn’t understand.

He, too, had eyes and ears.

“What…… What am I supposed to tell Mother?”

The 1st Prince’s voice, oddly enough, held a tinge of fear. At the same time, Duke Veder sighed.

‘Knowing the Queen’s character, she’d probably make sure that His Highness wouldn’t step outside the palace for at least a year, even if he’s the crown prince.’

No, in the worst case, the crown prince’s position itself might be in jeopardy. His dignity had crumbled completely in front of such a large crowd of spectators.

‘It’s not like there aren’t alternatives. Her Majesty might even give the second prince a chance……’

Of course, Duke Veder knew that he wouldn’t be free of responsibility either.

Right then.

“……We need to kill Andrew.”

Duke Veder flinched, looking back in shock.

“Your Highness, are you serious?”

“Do you know why I, who is less skilled than Enma, was ultimately recognized by my mother?”

Prince Enzi smiled bitterly.

“You could call it diplomacy, or just say I’m extremely perceptive.”

“Perceptive……”

Duke Veder looked at him in surprise.

“Not only me, but everyone knows that Mother sent Andrew to Death Valley to die. Her reason was clear. He would only be an obstacle to her own children’s ascension to the throne. She wanted to remove that thorn in her side.”

It was indeed common knowledge.

“But imagine her son coming back empty-handed instead of meeting her expectations. Would she just let me be?”

“……I understand what you’re saying.”

“I’m glad you understand, Your Grace.”

The 1st Prince Enzi’s eyes sparkled with an unknown madness.

“So he must die. Absolutely, he must die! While we’re in this country, by whatever means necessary!”

Duke Veder sighed inwardly.

This was the power of rule by fear.

Without needing to lift a finger, everyone would act on their own out of sheer terror.

“Your Highness, I’ll need you to remain here for a day.”

In other words, the result of my actions was a sentence of one day in solitary confinement.

“I’m the victim, so why does it feel like I’m the one being punished?”

“Don’t misunderstand. It’s not a punishment. It’s just a necessary measure to assess the situation.”

“What do you mean by that?”

“To avoid getting caught up in other people’s battles, we need to conduct ourselves properly too, don’t we?”

With a softened expression, Duke Kairos continued.

“Just give me one day. I’ll handle things with them and wrap up the investigation.”

“Well, I understand for now.”

“And……”

Duke Kairos, on his way out, turned with a meaningful smile.

“……I’m genuinely impressed. I’d heard the rumors, but I never imagined the prince would be this powerful at such a young age.”

“Thank you for the compliment.”

“The future of our kingdom looks bright. With a son-in-law as strong as you, the late king would have felt reassured seeing this…… It’s truly unfortunate.”

That last comment sounded suspiciously like a veiled threat.

“Get some rest, for now.”

Boom!

With that, Duke Kairos left the room. I was about to lie down on the bed when—

Knock, knock, knock.

Another visitor arrived, catching me mid-recline.

“May I come in?”

The unwelcome guest was Duke Serin.

“Well, it seems I won’t be getting any sleep tonight.”

“After causing such a commotion, did you think you could sleep peacefully?”

Without waiting for permission, Duke Serin approached the table and sat down. I sighed and took the seat across from him.

“You surprised me quite a bit.”

“Duke Kairos had a similar reaction.”

“In that vein, may I offer you one more piece of advice, Your Highness?”

I couldn’t help but chuckle.

“Whenever you see me, you always seem inclined to give advice, Your Grace.”

“I do it because I find it unfortunate.”

“People don’t feel pity for strangers they have no connection to.”

I met Duke Serin’s gaze directly.

“You feel a sense of kinship, don’t you?”

“……”

I deliberately framed ‘politics’ as kinship.

Since he had helped me, it was only right for me to respect his pride. After a moment of silent tension, he broke into a soft chuckle.

“Hahaha. Let’s call it that, then.”

“In that case, I’ll listen to your advice carefully.”

“Yes, you’ll need to take it to heart, Your Highness—if you want to keep it beating for a long time.”

Duke Serin’s gaze flashed with intense light.

“Debts must always be repaid, especially grudges. Even if the one you owe is family.”

“So, it wasn’t advice but rather a ploy to lead me to ruin?”

“The real ruin would come if you fail to heed my advice.”

Duke Serin shrugged his shoulders.

“Now that the entire continent knows your true colors, and not just the Meeke Principality, what do you think your own country will do to you?”

“I’m not sure.”

“You don’t actually expect them to applaud you for your accomplishments, do you?”

Duke Serin smiled wryly as he finished his sentence.

“A bright young prince like you will understand what I’m implying.”

“Yes. I’ll keep your words in mind, Your Grace.”

“Hahaha. Thank you for listening without taking it the wrong way.”

I interlaced my fingers and leaned forward.

“Shall we talk about business now?”

“Business?”

“Allow me to be direct. I need your help.”

Duke Serin’s smile grew slightly wider.

“I may have already settled my debt by rescuing you from that wretched place, haven’t I?”

“It was none other than you who created that situation, Your Grace. No one would throw a child into the den of human traffickers and then consider their rescue as repayment. Not if they had even a shred of conscience.”

“……”

Duke Serin looked at me intently for a while.

“Your request is to drive out Count Kaiman, isn’t it? But I’ll tell you now—I won’t meddle in Imperial affairs. I’d rather avoid attracting the emperor’s ire.”

I shrugged.

“You misunderstand. That’s not my request.”

“……?”

Duke Serin tilted his head, intrigued.

“Then it’s something else?”

“Yes. It’s something more important than that.”

He was bound to be curious by now.

“……What is this request?”

“Would you help me?”

“I’m not so foolish as to agree before hearing the details.”

“It’s nothing much.”

I replied, acting as though it really was trivial.

“I just want to put your advice into practice.”

“What do you mean by that?”

“As you know, I share similar hardships with you, and I am set on following the same path.”

“……!”

Duke Serin’s eyes widened slightly.

“So, to take your advice to heart, lend me your support. Help me repay that worthless sibling in full—let’s make it a grand repayment.”

“……”

“With your support, don’t you think I can make my revenge burn much hotter than you did?”

For the first time, Duke Serin looked as if he’d been truly caught off guard.

***