The Second and Third Princes
The number of participants was staggering. But even with so many, most would end up as mere background fodder. Both Heintz and Leon were formidable, after all. In the original story, Schwald could never have beaten either of them in pure martial prowess. Sophia had simply used that scheming little head of hers to swipe the Holy Sword and force a win.
“Looking at the few remaining records of past Heroes, they all came from the Glacia royal family. His Majesty must be keeping that in mind.”
It was just my intuition, but no matter how far that hack author Pakuri had meddled, the simplest explanation was bloodline. After thinking it over for several days, I realized that for Schwald to even be able to hold the Holy Sword, he would need either overwhelming strength or protagonist-level grandeur and charisma. But in Pakuri’s trash novel, the real protagonist was Sophia. She was the mastermind who ate the entire plot alive, while Schwald was nothing more than a decorative scarecrow. Yet somehow he could draw the Holy Sword? The story’s internal logic had already been shattered. If I had to force some plausibility into it, bloodline was the only answer.
That was what I’d realized while writing. If the world inside that book had become my reality, then Schwald being able to grasp the Holy Sword could only be thanks to his lineage. Of course, the king and queen probably didn’t know the full story. It was ancient history, after all. Still, the fact that they were pushing both princes into the contest made me wonder if they did know something. It was hard to say. Either way, this Hero Festival was now inextricably tied to the royal succession.
If the winner was a prince and he became the Hero, he would possess far greater legitimacy than Schwald, who had reigned as the eldest son and first in line. Honestly, the fastest way would be to just ask Pakuri directly. But that woman would never give a straight answer.
“Hmm, I see.”
“I’ll at least participate in the preliminaries.”
I decided to look on the bright side. Thanks to Decaron’s utterly barbaric training, I had grown considerably stronger. Besides, I’d only need to do this once or twice. The quality of the original work was questionable anyway. Fighting monsters and fighting humans were completely different matters. If I gained some real combat experience, I might be able to write battle scenes even better.
“Thank you… sob sob.”
Decaron was actually crying. This guy’s life had turned out better than in the original story, at least.
“It’s not like we’re going to be spilling blood in a real war. And even if I do well, I doubt my name will become that famous.”
I’d test a few things in actual combat, then write the next battle arc. That sounded like a solid plan.
Around this time, the royal palace was no longer occupied solely by Schwald and Sophia. The Second Prince Heintz and the Third Prince Leon had also returned. Originally, Heintz was known as the Prince of the Sword; he had built his strength fighting barbarian tribes near the border. Leon, on the other hand, was famous as a prince who devoted himself to magical research.
The two princes had now gathered in one place to discuss the Hero Festival. Schwald was nowhere in their thoughts.
“Brother Heintz. What do you think?”
“About what?”
“About being told to participate in the Hero Festival.”
“It’s obviously because of the succession issue.”
Because of their eldest brother’s disgraceful behavior, their father had summoned them back to the capital. On top of that, ordering them to join the Hero Festival? It was painfully obvious what the king was thinking.
Leon shook his head at Heintz’s words.
“The succession, huh. Honestly, Brother Schwald really knows how to make a mess of things. The throne was going to fall into his lap if he’d just sat still. Good grief.”
“He ruined everything over one woman. Now you and I are the ones being weighed on the scales.”
Originally, neither of them had any desire to claim the throne.
“But we never even studied kingship.”
“They’ll make us learn. I have no desire to see a man like that on the throne either. I heard he even touched the royal treasury.”
It had happened only recently. The palace had been in an uproar after it was discovered that their so-called brother had declared the royal vault was “eventually going to be his anyway” and taken out treasures to gift to Sophia. What a truly pathetic human being. Could love really drive someone that insane?
“Is that so?”
“Yes. He gave them to that woman called Sophia.”
To go that far for Sophia… Their brother truly was beyond saving. At least the previous fiancée, Lady Milene, had been competent. The palace staff had spoken highly of her. But now, the only thing anyone in the palace talked about was how much they hated Sophia. Even the tutors in charge of her crown princess education were constantly complaining about how difficult it was to teach her. How could someone like that possibly possess the qualities of a queen?
“At this point, either you or I must take the throne. Do you have any desire for it?”
“Hmm. Father said he had to cut his state tour short because of Brother Schwald. If being king means having to worry about every little thing like that, I’d honestly rather keep doing magical research.”
Leon shrugged, then gave a little shudder. If he became king, he would have to handle diplomacy with other nations and make constant royal progresses. For someone who only wanted to study magic, the throne felt incredibly burdensome.
“Then it doesn’t matter which one of us ends up there.”
“But in the end, the Hero Festival comes down to whether one can draw the Holy Sword or not, doesn’t it?”
Even if one of them didn’t want the position, the crucial factor was still the Holy Sword. Only the prince who drew it could ascend to the throne.
“Perhaps one of us might actually be able to draw it.”
“Pardon?”
“As you know, I’ve been interested in the Hero since I was a child.”
From a young age, Prince Heintz had been obsessed with the Hero. He had stayed up countless nights studying every piece of information he could find, more than any other royal. He had even played Hero games in the palace as a boy.
“Ah, that’s right. You used to love playing sword fights, treating the captain of the royal guard as the Demon King.”
“I looked into it. According to the records, several Heroes were from the royal family.”
“So you’re saying our Glacia bloodline itself is specialized for the Holy Sword?”
It was certainly possible. Though this was only Heintz’s own speculation.
“It could be viewed that way. That’s why Father entered both of us into the festival. If one of us draws the Holy Sword, he can name that one as the next heir. Since it’s the Hero Festival, the public will witness it, and the nobles who supported Brother Schwald won’t be able to complain.”
“Wow. Hero and crown prince. You could be forced onto the throne.”
“If both of us can draw it, then one will simply have to yield. If only one can, then that’s that.”
It was still only speculation, but their father’s thoughts likely weren’t far off. The only reason they were keeping things quiet was probably because of Schwald. The two younger princes had never been closely tied to the succession, but their father was likely trying to control information within the palace in case their eldest brother caused even more trouble.
As the brothers continued their conversation, Leon finally noticed what Heintz had been holding the entire time. It looked like a book. Had his battle-obsessed older brother really found time to read?
“I suppose so. By the way, what are you reading?”
“The currently popular novel, There Is No Defeat in My Hero Party. Everyone says it’s interesting, but honestly… it leaves me with some complaints.”
Leon smiled faintly. To think his straight-laced brother would find interest in a novel. Still, given the title, it made sense that Heintz would be drawn to it.
“Which part?”
“The way it claims that the current Hero is corrupt, and that the first Hero, who was reincarnated in this era, overthrows him.”
“Yes.”
“There is only one human nation left. How can the chosen Hero be so corrupt? There’s even a part where he lusts after a married woman and ends up castrated.”
It was exactly the kind of thing one would expect from a man who loved justice and aspired to be a Hero. Indeed, in that story, the first Hero had beaten the corrupt current Hero black and blue. But if one looked at the background, it was obvious why.
“Ah, that part was quite satisfying. The protagonist openly thrashes him, doesn’t he? But if you think about it simply, couldn’t you say that in such a hopeless world, only that kind of Hero would be chosen?”
“Is that how it is?”
“Yes. When there’s only one country left and destruction is the only future in sight, expecting a proper Hero to appear is unrealistic. In the early parts, even that perverted Hero monologues that since the world is doomed anyway, he might as well enjoy himself.”
In the story, the Hero’s philosophy was to enjoy life to the fullest in a ruined world. The first Hero had tried to live quietly, but upon discovering the current Hero’s corruption, he purged him and began writing his own history.
“I don’t like it, but I suppose it can’t be helped.”
“Oh, and the second volume’s first edition is out.”
“How do you know that?”
“Because I bought the first edition myself, of course.”
Leon pulled out the second volume of There Is No Defeat in My Hero Party from his robe. Heintz frowned at the sight.
“I didn’t think you’d be interested in that sort of thing.”
“I usually pay close attention to historical accuracy, you know. The magic-related details are surprisingly well-researched, which I like. Most female authors, even when the world is supposed to be bleak, end up focusing too much on romance and ruin the world-building.”
“Hmm. That makes sense. You’ve always been an odd one.”
“Speaking of which, I heard Father is acquainted with author K. I should get an autograph sometime.”
“Didn’t she hold a fan signing event before?”
“Unfortunately I was away from the palace at the time. And it’s not as if I could ask the palace staff to get one for me.”
“It is entertaining, but I’m not the type to go crazy over getting an autograph.”
It was certainly fun. But whether it was enough to warrant asking for a signature… well. Of course, if one was offered, he would accept, but as a prince, he had his dignity. Going in person to receive one felt a bit much.
Unlike the serious Heintz, Leon was far more free-spirited. To him, an author talented enough to write such a novel was someone whose status transcended that of a mere prince.
“As expected of you. Well then, if we both participate in the Hero Festival, we can adjust accordingly. If we both manage to draw the sword, I’ll yield to you, Brother.”
“Above all, it must not go to Brother Schwald.”
“Of course not. Well then, I’ll take my leave.”
The moment Leon stepped out of the Second Prince’s palace, the smile he had been wearing froze on his face.
That’s right. It wasn’t just him and Heintz in the palace right now. There was someone else watching from outside.
“Oh my, Prince Leon. It’s been a while.”
Yes. That thieving cat of a woman. The filthy stray who had stolen her older sister’s place. Even though Leon had given up on the throne, he still possessed the pride of royalty. To him, this woman called Sophia was a lowlife who tarnished the dignity of the royal family.
When he ignored her and tried to walk past, the thieving cat continued speaking.
“The weather is lovely today, isn’t it? Would you care to join me for tea?”
Tea time, she said. She must have a lot of free time. He knew she was supposed to be receiving queen education. He could clearly picture the tutor watching them through a crack in the window, ears strained to catch every word. To think his brother’s woman was someone like this. How utterly disgraceful.
“Aren’t you a thieving cat?”
“Thieving cat? What do you—”
At her brazen expression of feigned ignorance, Leon gave a cold laugh. Did she really not understand? Or was she always this shameless? It was probably the latter. That was why she dared to act so presumptuously.
“You stole the position of Duke Holpert’s legitimate daughter. Doesn’t that make you a thieving cat?”
“I’m a Holpert too! I’m a noble! I’m a duke’s daughter! Why does only my sister—”
So it was an inferiority complex. How ridiculous. Of course it was natural. Born from a whore’s blood, yet she dared to…
“One cannot call the child of a whore a noble. Just because you add a drop of milk to a bottle of water doesn’t make it milk, does it?”
“!!”
Leon was a firm believer in noble bloodlines. Most elites came from nobility, and the royal family was sacred. Commoners existed only to live obediently under the rule of nobles and the king. That was his worldview. However, he could still distinguish between public and private matters. The woman before him was, true to her whore’s blood, utterly incompetent. All she knew how to do was use her body. She had no right to lead the people. Wasn’t the fact that she was here trying to seduce him proof of that?
‘To think someone like her became a duke’s daughter. Tsk.’
She was so pathetic that he couldn’t even feel properly angry. Just pitiful. So very pitiful. His sister-in-law was truly pitiful. She couldn’t even cast out a younger sister, and the Duke of Holpert despised his own daughter so intensely that he had allowed this incompetent woman to steal her position.
“The child of a whore dares set foot in the royal palace? The Holpert family has truly fallen to rock bottom. To cast out Lady Milene, who possessed all the qualities of a queen, in favor of this woman…”
“My sister tried to interfere with my love with His Highness!”
Love, she called it. What a lovely word. Was it truly love? No, it was greed wearing the mask of love.
“Love is a luxury for royalty and nobility who are responsible for a nation. And do you even have the ability to maintain that love? You can’t even handle queen education properly.”
“Ugh.”
Her face flushed red as if struck where it hurt. It was true that queen education was difficult even for other young noble ladies, but it wasn’t impossible to endure. They might complain, but they still learned. That was what becoming a queen meant. Did she think the path to becoming queen mother would be without hardship?
Yet this woman called Sophia had none of that resilience.
“And aren’t you still trying to seduce me right now? Since Brother Schwald’s future looks bleak, you’re trying to latch onto me or Brother Heintz, aren’t you?”
“No, that’s not—”
“Back then, I should have been the one engaged to Lady Milene. Why did it have to be… Never mind. Do you understand? You were born with lowly blood, yet you lack humility, ability, and intelligence. You probably can’t even produce a proper heir. Tsk tsk.”
With completely emotionless, indifferent eyes, Leon looked Sophia up and down, then walked away as if she were filthy.
Sophia, furious at being ignored, clenched her fists tightly.
‘Every last one of them is obsessed with my sister!’
Just wait. She would definitely, definitely show them something greater than her sister. She had been willing to settle for becoming queen, but if they were going to treat her like this, she would take this entire country by any means necessary.
Inside Sophia’s heart, a distorted desire, warped by an inferiority complex toward her sister whose whereabouts were unknown, was growing larger by the day.