Chapter 245
Chapter 245
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 245
Chapter Title: 71. Virtues of the Crown Prince (1)
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Was it just about letting them know who the owner of this land was?
I intended to exact blood price from those who had come uninvited and harmed the innocent.
I had my own resolve.
In my own way, I'd prepared for a day like this. It wasn't perfect yet, but I'd cultivated enough power to sweep away anything inhuman that dared rise in this land.
But,
"Impossible."
The king refused permission.
"Your Majesty!"
Stunned by the unexpected response, I bellowed.
"Others can handle it without you."
His reply carried no hesitation, so I laid out my reasons again.
That I'd been honing my blade anticipating a day like this. If he demanded plans right now, I could outline dozens of countermeasures. If ordered to go wipe them out, I could end it faster than anyone.
"Others might manage, but I dare say no one can do it better than me."
The king nodded at my words.
"You might be right. No, surely you are. You've always had an uncanny knowledge of ancient history."
"Then..."
"However!"
As I brightened, the king added,
"I will not permit it."
"Why not!"
When I demanded reasons, he fixed me with a steady gaze and countered.
"Will you personally step in to resolve every brutal, dangerous incident like this?"
I nearly retorted that if I could do it, why not—but bit my tongue.
"Do you plan to grip your sword and charge out every time grim news arrives?"
His eyes asked far more than his words.
"Is this kingdom so frail that without you, it can't overcome even the smallest crisis?"
I fell silent, listening to the king.
"I'm not blaming you."
His expression softened.
"I know the royal family has been unsteady and the kingdom imperfect, forcing you to fight alone like this. How could I, of all people, reproach you or call it wrong?"
Yet his tone remained firm and stern, leaving no room for argument.
"From now on, things must change."
The king told me.
With deep roots and a sturdy trunk, now was the time to spread wide branches.
"Let the people of this land rely on your strength. Let those weary from harsh winds rest beneath your shade."
The virtues of a crown prince differ greatly from those of a knight, he repeated.
"These are things you cannot achieve by acting lightly. A deep-rooted tree does not sway easily."
I mulled over his words about becoming a great, deep-rooted tree, time and again.
Then scowled fiercely.
For all his grand talk, it boiled down to staying put and not acting rashly.
"Count Ballerhard."
As I moved to speak up belatedly, the king called Vincent.
"Yes, Your Majesty."
Vincent regarded the king with formal respect.
His eyes openly flickering with long-held grudges.
The king did not rebuke Vincent's insolence.
He simply rose quietly from the throne, descended the dais, and spoke.
"As head of House Leonberger and lawful ruler of Leonberg Kingdom, I hereby revoke the countship granted to House Ballerhard."
"Your Majesty!"
At the sudden declaration, I gritted my teeth and stepped forward.
I opened my mouth to protest the king's decision. Or tried to.
But I couldn't.
Despite the absurd proclamation, everyone else's faces remained utterly calm. Those who knew better than anyone of House Ballerhard's devotion and sacrifices showed no resistance to the king's action.
Only then did I realize the situation had shifted oddly, and I shut my mouth.
The king glanced at me, awkwardly standing there, then turned back to Vincent.
"Vincent Ballerhard."
Vincent sneered at the king addressing him by name alone, without title.
A face cold and bitter as I'd never seen.
The king spoke to him again.
"I bestow upon you the dukedom of the North."
A crack formed in Vincent's icy expression.
"Moreover, to honor that sublime and noble spirit unchanged over centuries, I grant the middle name Erhanheit."
"Respect to House Ballerhard's devotion and sacrifice!"
Marquis Bielefeld and the kingdom's notables shouted as if they'd been waiting.
"Furthermore, to the late Count Bail Ballerhard, I bestow the title Indomitable Knight, and enshrine him as a paladin to honor his unyielding spirit and nobility."
"Respect to the Indomitable Knight! Respect to the kingdom's paladin!"
The Royal Knights pounded their chests in unison, offering utmost reverence.
"Ah..."
Vincent stared at them blankly for a long while.
"Vincent Erhanheit Ballerhard."
The king called him.
"Yes? Yes, Your Majesty."
"I deeply thank you for your house's devotion and sacrifice, and as the inept royal family, I bow my head in apology for the hardships and misfortunes House Ballerhard endured."
These were not mere formalities.
The king actually bowed his head slightly.
The greatest thanks and apology a monarch could offer.
Vincent, already half-dazed, now looked utterly lost.
After a long moment, he abruptly turned to me.
His lips trembled several times. But no words came out.
I was no different.
Whether his swirling passions and emotions transmitted to me, or they welled up from within, I clenched my teeth to hold back the surging feelings.
I couldn't even voice congratulations.
All I could manage was a small nod.
Straighten your shoulders. Stand tall.
Seeing my gaze, Vincent squared his shoulders and lifted his chin.
Lifted it so high it seemed to touch the sky—absurdly comical.
I couldn't help but laugh.
Idiot. What is that?
Before I knew it, I too had my head held high.
My blurred vision cleared as I forced strength into my eyes.
In my heart, I spoke to the dear one I'd never see again.
You should've lived a bit longer. How wonderful that would've been.
Seeing your son become a duke, enjoying luxury in life—how great that would've been.
No reply came.
Only the king's voice and others' cheers echoed.
"Long live Duke of the North! Long live House Ballerhard!"
The kingdom's notables chanted the name of the newly elevated ducal house.
"Respect to the Indomitable Knight!"
"Respect to the great knight, Bail Ballerhard!"
The Royal Knights thumped their chests, shouting the name of the first paladin in 120 years.
Hearing the fervent cheers, I squeezed my eyes shut.
Something hot finally trailed down my cheek.
**
The cheers died down only after considerable time passed.
But heat still filled my chest, and Vincent's was no different.
"I will do my utmost."
Vincent's plain tone belied eyes burning like fire.
No trace of earlier resentment or ancient grudges remained.
Just a title and mere words of apology and thanks.
Some might call Vincent worldly for it, or shallow for forgetting grudges over flattery.
But I knew.
Vincent was no materialist. Nor one to sway easily on words.
He was simply stubbornly foolish.
He'd never sought vast rewards or grand apologies.
Just recognition. Of their presence atop wind-lashed walls. Of his house's devotion and sacrifice fighting unknown in obscurity.
For centuries of it, that's all he'd wished—something so modest.
Not just him; his father too. Likely his ancestors before.
Otherwise, they wouldn't have fought so long in that harsh land, unknown to all.
A clan like undying flames before the gale.
I held such affection for Vincent's kin and all Ballerhards.
But even I hadn't anticipated this.
"I'll take this mission."
Such unquenchable zeal even before the winds.
"Monsters appearing in Bramburg County? I'll wipe them out myself."
I hadn't expected him to devour the feast before me whole.
"I have thousands of trackers under me who can discern monster types and numbers from footprints alone, as if seeing them firsthand. Hundreds of brave knights who never retreat against any beast."
"Indeed. Truly right. No one knows monsters better than you and your army, who have fought northern ones for generations."
The king praised Vincent, clearly for my ears.
"Just give the order, and I'll rush to Bramburg County and eradicate the monsters there."
Oblivious to my feelings, Vincent thumped his chest and boasted.
After much talk with Vincent, the king departed to devise countermeasures.
Taking the Grand Marshal and Vincent. Leaving me out.
I could only watch them go blankly.
"The axe you trust chops your own foot."
No situation fit that proverb better than now.
I cursed Vincent roundly.
But it changed nothing. In the end, I returned with slumped shoulders.
At the palace, Silver Lions and knights awaited in the training grounds.
I headed straight to them without even changing.
And spoke.
Today might be grueling.
"This is solely because I wish the kingdom stronger through you all—do not resent me."
Just to prepare fully before departure, nothing more, no other intent.
The extra force in my sword swings, the prolonged spars—
That was all.
Truly.
**
Night fell, and Vincent visited.
"What brings someone busy with monster subjugation here?"
I blocked the door, radiating displeasure with my whole body.
"I rushed with news Your Highness would like, but seems I'm not welcome."
At mention of news I'd like, my ears perked.
I subtly stepped aside, gesturing to the sofa.
"Why stand there? Come in and sit."
Vincent chuckled from the entrance, then plopped down.
"What news?"
"Was just about to tell you."
Contrary to words, Vincent didn't speak right away.
He smirked, savoring my fidgeting impatience.
Just before my irritation overtook curiosity—right before I'd eject him—he spoke.
"Rangers alone can handle Bramburg, but as Your Highness said, if similar incidents plague the kingdom, your presence is essential to minimize damage."
At the abrupt words, I brightened and asked,
"And? And? What did His Majesty say?"
"Hearing that, His Majesty pondered long, then said,"
Vincent grinned.
"He permits your departure from the palace."
I clenched my fist, jumped up, and cheered.
"As expected, Vincent! You didn't let me down!"
In that instant, any sense of betrayal toward Vincent vanished.
"But with conditions."
Vincent added, watching me.
"In this subjugation force, Your Highness's official role is not combatant, but protectee. Your main duty is solely soothing the panicked populace amid sudden unrest."
I kept grinning broadly.
"Did you hear me properly?"
Vincent demanded confirmation repeatedly.
"Non-combatant. Protectee. Duty: soothe the panicked populace."
Each time, I repeated my role.
"Starting to regret meddling. Shouldn't have spoken up—what glory do I get? Maybe go back and retract it."
To Vincent's groans, I reassured boldly.
"Don't worry. I'll stick to my assigned duty."
"You mean that lie?"
"I've lived gullible enough. I really will."
Before Vincent's suspicious glare, I didn't voice the scenarios flitting through my mind.
Like enemies too strong, forcing the protectee to fight. Or a non-combatant caught in battle by chance.
"Once more: focus only on your duty. Think nothing else—just stabilize public sentiment."
Even on departure day, Vincent whispered anxiously in my ear.
"Your task is to cultivate the virtues befitting a crown prince, so devote yourself above all to comforting the fearful populace."
The king, seeing us off at the gates, joined the nagging.
"I'll keep it in mind! My head's full of ways to swiftly calm the people!"
No lie.
I'd pondered nonstop before departure, even devising my own plan.
Nothing stabilizes sentiment faster than eliminating the culprits.
I believed that without doubt.
So even if—by the remotest chance—coincidences piled up forcing me to fight monsters, it would merely be one means to that end.
"Ha. What now."
And that moment came far sooner than expected.
"Really didn't want it this way."
I slowly drew Asrum.