Chapter 57
Chapter: 57
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>Translator: penny
>Chapter: 057
>Chapter Title: Sowing (1)
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>After Marquis Masaine became the head of his security detail and began living in the Pearl Palace with him, Seongjin's training progressed at an even faster pace.
First off, with Masaine's commute now more flexible, the time for swordsmanship lessons had increased dramatically.
No, was the lesson time really the key factor? They were in the same palace anyway.
Morning or night, whenever he hit a snag, he could just go ask him anytime, right?
Seongjin smirked wickedly at the thought—a modern office worker would throw in the towel on the spot. Truly fulfilling days.
[But your father is pretty strange too.]
As he swung the Nutcracker until his palms blistered, the Demon King, who had been humming "bored, so bored," suddenly spoke up as if something had occurred to him.
'What?'
[No matter how bad his reputation is, you're still a prince. What makes him confident enough to let you roam free like this?]
Seongjin paused and wiped the sweat from his forehead.
'Hmm...'
Free-roaming did seem apt.
When you thought about it, the man just provided fine food and shelter and let Seongjin loose in the training grounds.
'Guess he's just grateful I quit being a wastrel.'
The Demon King snorted at Seongjin's response.
[Fine, we'll let that slide. But you're just as weird. How long are you going to keep training? You finally got a new body—nothing else you want to do?]
'What's wrong with training? It's fun.'
[If you're content, it's not my business, but put your hand on your heart and reflect on your routine lately. Sleep, training grounds, eat, training grounds. Isn't this voluntary seclusion?]
Well, if you insist on calling it seclusion, he had no rebuttal—but that "voluntary" part was crucial.
Besides, what bugged Seongjin was slightly different.
'It's great swinging a sword all day, but...'
Don't I feel like an exam student with no academic pressure? Like I'm just indulging in hobbies while everyone fawns over me.
'...Is this really okay?'
Common sense said a prince should have basic duties or accomplishments to learn...
Yeah, like... imperial studies or something.
Plus, wasn't Mores known for having incomplete memories? Shouldn't that mean more studying?
Lady Elizabeth, who even built a private library, seemed like she'd hound him relentlessly, but surprisingly, she was cautious around him—almost like she was watching the Holy Emperor.
'That said, the Pearl Palace isn't completely abandoned.'
Evidence: servants had started increasing without request.
Resident knights were up by about thirty percent, servants over double. Mores's past antics aside, the Holy Emperor never intended the Pearl Palace to be isolated.
And with a new dedicated maid skilled at brewing tea, Edith's face lit up like she'd cured a decade of constipation.
'...Whatever, it's fine.'
Anyway, Seongjin was satisfied.
Sword lessons were fun, aura accumulation speeding up. He'd finished basic circulation and was chaining the three Banahas forms—mastering the first two perfectly let him adapt quickly.
He didn't know how long this peace would last. But with free time to focus solely on swordsmanship, why not make the most of it?
Seongjin thought so, but most people apparently disagreed.
"Prince Mores, aren't you spending too much time in the training grounds lately?"
Finishing morning practice, Haven grumbled beside him. With security boosted, a resident knight always shadowed Seongjin now.
Especially Sir Haven—barely acquainted, yet boldly casual.
"I'm training. What's wrong with that? It's good."
"No, but you're still in your prime, right? You should go out, meet friends. Invites to social gatherings are piling up, I hear?"
Want me to tell you about my first social gathering, Sir Haven?
Well, monsters popped out of the basement, all attendees jailed. Still wanna go?
"You should date too. You've slimmed down—your face glows. There's a lady sending flowers daily, right? Just smile, and noble girls would line up to hang themselves over you. Wasting that face on all-day training is killing me!"
Ah, those flashy bouquets, Sir Haven?
Actually, it's a clever 12-year-old kid named Chloe showing off. She's plotting when dumping me maximizes her gain.
Sir Haven pursed his protruding lips duck-like at Seongjin's apathy.
"Then at least go out for some air. Change of pace—how nice!"
This guy's just bored stuck in the training grounds on duty. If it's itching that bad, request reassignment to the 3rd Knight Division.
He said as much, and Haven yelled in shock.
"No, Your Highness! Isn't that too harsh between us? I'm saying this for you—how can you say that? I'm hurt!"
What "us," you punk.
Scowling, Seongjin ignored him and resumed swinging, but once latched on, Sir Haven was tenacious.
"Come on, don't be like that—confide in me. Want a stiff drink somewhere? Pretty ladies? Just say, and Haven will follow anywhere!"
"......"
"Right? Your Highness. Really nothing you want?"
Thanks to him, something popped up.
Shutting that noisy trap.
Eek.
Sensing something ominous in Seongjin's expression, Haven bolted in panic. Guy had killer instincts.
'...People worry about the weirdest things.'
Gripping the Nutcracker, Seongjin grumbled inwardly.
Blame the too-peaceful kingdom.
If gates opened everywhere, monsters flooding out, chaos reigning—then folks would cherish mundane days.
But that evening.
Facing Edith delicately asking if he no longer visited the townhouse for friends, Seongjin realized people saw his state as seriously concerning.
* * *
"I don't get why everyone's desperate to drag me out when I'm fine."
Thus, bizarrely, Seongjin vented to the Holy Emperor.
"After evening practice, it's a spectacle. They stare like I'm some freak."
"......"
"Is all-day training that weird? My skills are improving fast—what's the problem...?"
This was his first audience since receiving the Nutcracker from the Holy Emperor.
Busy with backlog state affairs, the Holy Emperor still resumed audiences promptly—thanks to clockwork ministers, probably.
Anyway, spilling training details naturally led to griping about others' reactions.
Listening silently, the Holy Emperor nodded.
"Good. Impressive. Not long since starting circulation, yet nearing the fifth layer."
"Haha, you see right away?"
Seongjin scratched his head sheepishly.
As said, his dantian aura neared the fifth layer.
Post-fourth, resistance surged, slowing it a bit, but he'd complete it in days. Apparently squire level for new knight division recruits.
Masaine said average: three-plus years for fourth, nearly seven for fifth.
Accounting for kids starting clueless, Seongjin's weeks-long miracle pace was unbelievable.
Masaine and Pearl Palace knights' faces were priceless.
- How's someone this good ignored till now?
Even the young knight who always scowled at him stared blankly. Hunter Seongjin genes.
Proudly lifting his teacup, the Holy Emperor tossed a line.
"Relieved you're at least ready to set afloat."
Still treating me like a toddler?
Thought I was doing great—guy kills the vibe.
Sourly gulping tea, Seongjin met the Holy Emperor's continuing gaze.
"But no need to rush. Those caring for you aren't empty-talking. Even I see you lacking ease lately."
"Uh......"
Eyes wide, Seongjin flapped wordlessly. Unexpected words spun thoughts chaotically.
Even Father says that? That I'm rushing?
Sure, post-near-death, he ramped up training—but...
"...Shouldn't I get strong as fast as possible? I mean..."
High demon kings eye this dimension. You know, Father?
Famine, plague, war, death hitting Delcross soon. Gates opening!
Much to protest. But after lip-twitching, Seongjin shut up.
The Holy Emperor's direct gaze weighed heavier than usual.
"Mores."
"...Yes."
"Do you know where your siblings are and what they're doing?"
"......?"
Seongjin blinked.
He'd heard bits. Officially seven children; three away on missions.
But details on absent princes/princesses? No interest, scant knowledge.
Except Amelia and twins he saw often—family ties felt thin anyway.
Unaware of Seongjin's confusion, the Holy Emperor explained calmly.
About 1st Prince Owen, active years on southern front.
About 2nd Prince Logan, leading holy knights against sea beasts.
About 3rd Princess Sisley, elevated saintess on long pilgrimage.
First time Holy Emperor mentioned others directly. Listening, Seongjin asked dubiously.
"So I should stop training and fulfill [a noble's duty] like my siblings?"
Thought it chided lounging—but Holy Emperor slowly shook head.
"Your diligent training overflows already. I said ease up? You're too young for stuffy imperial duties."
"Then......"
"Just saying you have many blood kin around."
"......"
"Now, something different."
Holy Emperor lowered eyes, pondering. Then an unexpected question.
"Beyond Delcross, this continent has many nations. How much do you know?"
"......"
Seongjin knew major players.
Brittany Kingdom, leading cuisine/fashion. Rohan, rising power from liquor industry. Ashein Grand Duchy, growing via merchant guilds.
Self-taught sans lessons, spelling included.
As continent's top empire, Delcross subjugated most barring southern pagans—little beyond constant interference.
But Holy Emperor's addendum was odd.
West: Carthage Principality, famed for wool, cheese, bards.
Ocean cities thriving on navigation, fishing.
East: Ortona, once vibrant republic, now tripartite chaos from foreign meddling—high literature.
"...Now sword lessons aside, build politics/diplomacy as prince?"
He'd nagged studies during near-death. Hoping Mores resumes old lessons?
With sword tutor but free-roaming otherwise, figured basics sufficed.
But Holy Emperor denied again.
"Just saying plenty worth seeing beyond Delcross."
"......"
Seongjin grew confused.
What’s this guy driving at?
Usually just listening, today unusually talkative—yet circling, not direct. Imagination?
Tilting head, scrutinizing, Seongjin spotted faint emotion in the Holy Emperor's cold eyes: anxiety, worry.
Shock. He's viewed me this way?
"Understand, Mores?"
To speechless Seongjin:
"I guess what you saw, why the rush. But that's not for a child like you to bear—or need to."
"......"
"Just live like any kid, doing what you want."
"...Like a kid?"
"Yes. Like a kid."
He, knowing Seongjin wasn't ordinary better than anyone, said calmly.