Chapter 9
Chapter 9
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 9
Chapter Title: The Wandering Prince
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The bandit's sword strike aimed to cleave me in two. I had been waiting for this exact moment.
Thud! I yanked the sword out of the ground with my left hand—the one I'd thrown earlier—and clang! blocked his attack. Then I slipped around to his right side like water.
At the same time, I gripped my spear short in my right hand and thrust it toward my left flank.
'Ilyia Style Secret Technique! Coiling Retreat!'
My master's signature move, designed to draw the enemy in and claim their life.
"Huh…!"
Sensing the spear coming from behind on instinct, the bandit kicked off to evade, but thunk! The spear pierced straight through his back.
"Urk!?"
"Missed…!"
I'd inflicted a serious wound, but the technique hadn't succeeded perfectly.
I should have aimed higher to pierce his heart, but the beast-like instincts made him leap, so I missed it.
I tried to pull the spear out immediately, but thud! He grabbed the spear tip protruding from his gut and held on tight.
He knew that if I yanked it free, he'd lose too much blood and be out of the fight.
'He's holding on instead!?'
Clutching my spear, he swung his sword wildly at me.
"Raagh!"
"Tch!"
Whoosh! I released the spear and escaped.
I retreated straight back to Erina's position.
"Huff! Huff!"
The bandit, gasping breaths mixed with blood, gripped the spear tip with his left hand and the shaft behind his back with his right. Without pulling it out, crack! He snapped the shaft, leaving the spearhead embedded to make movement easier.
The bastard spat venomously.
"So you're Chester Style! Never thought I'd run into those clowns out here…!"
Clown was a derogatory term for Chester Style practitioners.
They wielded sword in one hand and spear in the other—dual-wielding looked like a circus act.
That flair and unpredictability were unmatched.
"I couldn't even match half my master's movements, but I never expected you to dodge it."
"Dodge? You damn brat. Can't you see the spear in my gut?"
"I meant to kill you. Since I didn't, you dodged."
"Hmph. You talk big."
Even with his abdomen pierced, his eyes remained sharp.
"Want to keep going?"
"Just gutting me doesn't mean you've won, kid. You greenhouse flowers live in a different world from me."
Step. Step. He approached. Erina paled at his ghostly presence.
I'd lost my spear, and the sword had snapped blocking his earlier strike.
No way to beat him with fists.
Wary I might flee, he cut off my escape and slowly tightened the noose.
"Ah, Als! What do we do now…!"
"Don't worry. No matter what, I won't let you die."
"…!"
Reassuring her like that—since crying or fussing wouldn't help—left Erina frozen, eyes wide.
I had a plan.
I'd prepared for this scenario: a path involving the bear trap nearby.
Erina had set one up here. His guard was too high before, but now wounded and disoriented, he could easily trigger it.
"You know? Chester Style has fist techniques too."
"Bullshit. Cut the bluffing."
That's when I was about to play my last card.
Rustle! Rustle! The mountains grew noisy—from below and above.
Reinforcements from both sides were closing in.
From below: Salleon House guards rushing up after hearing the commotion. From above: likely the bandit crew.
"Ha, haha! You lose, brat."
He laughed wearily.
"Your idiot guards won't find this spot right away. But my men are different. They'll follow the markers I left."
"Markers…?"
That didn't add up. Reinforcements were too quick for that.
It was like they'd been held up somewhere.
'No way… That's what happened.'
A wave of futility washed over me, sapping my strength.
I sighed and tossed the broken sword aside.
"…What the hell are you doing?"
"Realizing I put on a solo show feels kinda hollow."
"I don't know what nonsense you're spouting, but if you die quietly, I'll be grateful."
"No, I meant over there. This side's done. Yeah, you're right. Salleon House guards were a step too late. But…"
Slash! His right arm suddenly flew off.
"Gaaahhh—!!"
"My maid's a few steps faster than most."
Ymir appeared like a shadow in her form-fitting brown attire, glaring at him with murderous intent.
Her killing aura was on another level.
Our struggle felt like child's play.
"Young master, are you alright?"
"I'm fine. No injuries."
Ymir had been staying in Gransel for days. Even after my butler training ended, to scout cheap lodging near the academy for commuting.
I'd asked her to wait at the mountain base just in case. That was my minimal insurance.
"Sorry I'm late. If I'd known this would happen, I'd have come up with you…"
"No. Today's mess was my fault."
"Your fault, young master?"
"Never mind. Let's wrap this up."
With my hidden card Ymir here, he had no chance.
In-game, Ymir's official force stat was 93—top three among support characters.
This guy's was generous at 72. An unbridgeable gap.
"Wh-what are you…!"
He lost the will to fight instantly. Already gravely wounded, he knew he couldn't escape her grasp.
Facing death, he began flailing pathetically.
"Sp-spare me! I was just…! Someone, get over here quick! Hurry!"
As if summoned, rustling announced a man's arrival.
It was Makias—the guy who'd talked to me before the hunt.
His fierce face scowled at us.
"Tch, two more!"
He charged without a word.
Ymir threw a dagger into the flailing man's head to eliminate the threat, then engaged.
They traded aura-infused blows fiercely, but soon Makias was getting one-sidedly pushed back.
He was better than my opponent, but no match for Ymir.
"Th-this can't be… How does a mere bandit gang have someone this strong…!"
My hunch was right, as Makias gaped in shock.
"Stand down, Ymir. He's friendly."
Clack! Without question, Ymir halted and stood guard at my side.
Bewildered, Makias soon realized the truth and bowed his head.
"You're no bandit, huh."
"Easy mistake. I get it."
From his view, with bandits appearing and me suddenly scooping Erina to flee, I looked like one of them.
"So you're a disguised guard the duke's house planted as insurance."
"Something like that… Close enough. Circumstances, you know."
I'd ended up doing a solo act. Holding out quietly was the right call there.
"Sorry. My rashness caused confusion."
"No, our side should've been upfront."
Soon, the duke's guards swarmed in.
Among them was Ariana Salleon, wife of the Salleon head.
"Erina!"
She rushed over, hugging her daughter, then turned to Makias.
"Thank you so much for saving my daughter, Prince Eldric. How can we ever repay this…?"
"No need, Lady Salleon. I did nothing. This young friend pulled it off."
Even as a fake identity, her deference to a mere guard was excessive.
'Wait, Prince Eldric?'
Eldric Schwarzer. Third prince of the southern powerhouse Byurlang United Kingdom. The Wandering Prince.
In the game's story, he's the protagonist's biggest ally—a playable martial and scholarly prodigy.
Not a gacha character, but UR-tier if he were.
'Why's a guy like that here?'
An unexpected heavyweight.
*
*
*
The situation wrapped up quickly.
Interrogations sought the mastermind. To explain events, I was summoned to Duke Altiore with Prince Eldric, who'd shed his Makias guise.
His signature blue hair gleaming, he grinned.
"That's how it went, Duke. Credit Erina's rescue to this young hero, not me."
"I see. The Ilrain baron's son… Hm!"
Erina sat beside him, fidgeting uncomfortably.
The reason soon emerged.
"More importantly, Duke, about Erina's betrothal…"
Erina flinched, shooting me a look that screamed she hadn't known.
"Best to call it off."
"I see. A pity. I thought it a fine chance to foster ties between Byurlang and Caliper."
"I agree, but meddling in kids' romance feels tacky."
"Ha! You've got a slick exit ready."
"Not empty words. I like these stories. Duke's daughter and baron's son—pure love. Romantic, no?"
Erina's face flushed crimson.
Eldric eyed me.
"Now's the time. He can't refuse. For my sake, he'll grant any request—even a proposal."
"Really?"
Duke Altiore scratched his head awkwardly; Lady Salleon fretted. Erina squirmed more.
If Gilbert Salleon—real head and her father—were here, he'd flip.
"Then, a favor."
"Go for it."
I shot a glance at egging Eldric, then spoke.
"As reward, 5 million silane."
The room fell deathly silent.
"…"
"…Three million's fine if too much?"
A chance to recoup my chess losses.
Yeah, cash rewards rule.
In the end, Salleon House promptly offered 3 million silane.
Easier for them. No desire to marry the eldest daughter to a penniless baron's fourth son, lifesaver or not.
"Whew! Unexpected haul."
No small sum for them, but huge for our poor barony.
"Heh, sharp for a kid."
"…?"
Prince Eldric.
"Mind a chat, little one? You're the baron's fourth son, right?"
"Call me Ilrain."
"Right. Ilrain."
He led me somewhere private for his pitch.
I was curious too.
When Als was branded a traitor, he'd argued it might be a trap, decrying rash infighting.
Overall pro-Als, mentor figure to the protagonist—unlikely traitor.
What'd he want? Turned out trivial.
"You seem talented. More than that Gransel prodigy Erina Salleon."
"Talent…?"
"Yeah, the kind to shine from on high. How about working under me? I promise not to neglect you."
Sudden scouting offer. I chuckled in disbelief. Oblivious, he continued.
Unimaginable he'd be refused.
Natural—a baron's disinherited fourth son's path was needle-eye narrow.
Prince's retainer? A dream.
Any noble kid in butler class would've accepted unanimously.
"But one condition."
I'd refuse anyway, but curious.
"What?"
"Fix that ruthless streak."
He meant abandoning the others to save Erina.
"I despise sacrificing the few for the many. Work with me, never do it again."
"…"
"Your actions were like chess. Pawns die any way as long as you win."
Then it clicked.
Why he hadn't chased immediately when I fled with Erina.
"I see. You were helping the other trainees."
"Yeah. Harsh, but can't let all die to save one duke's girl."
"Pfft! Puhaha!"
"…Mocking me?"
I couldn't hold back the laughter.
"Obviously. You're incredible. Never guessed the Wandering Prince was such an idiot."
"…!"
His hulking guard stepped forward.
"You worm, daring to—! I'll rip that mouth apart!"
Killing intent rippled.
"Stand down, Crans."
"But prince…!"
"I don't mind. This isn't Byurlang. Here, I'm just a normal youth. No killing aura over a little insult."
"Urgh… Sorry."
Crans glared, then withdrew his aura.
'Crans? Never heard. Upcoming story update character?'
Unknown, but clearly a powerhouse.
"My man's rude. Apologies."
"No, I was rude too."
"Am I an idiot? Care to explain?"
"Literal. You're dumb. Blind to your own contradictions."
"Contradictions? Which?"
"You said sacrificing few for many is unacceptable."
"Yes. My unshakeable philosophy."
"Really? Not this time. Or your past choices."
"What?"
"You chose to sacrifice Erina."
"…!"
"Saving others was justice—your 'greater good.' You ditched one small thing: the duke's daughter. Exactly the few-for-many you hate. Wrong?"
Eldric fell silent, stumped.
"You can't have everything. Take one, lose another. You think you saved the few, not the many—but perspective shifts it."
"Th-that's…"
"Right and wrong are yours to define. Your choices are free. But forcing them on others? Peak idiocy. Get it now?"
"…"
Reluctant face, but he knew he'd lost the argument.
"This answers your offer too. May I go?"
"…Yeah. Sorry for the time."
"Yes. Farewell."
His piercing gaze bored into my back.
Like he'd finally truly noticed me.
*
*
*
The failed kidnapping rocked the kingdom.
Interrogation revealed Helian Duke House—one of the two pillars—behind it.
Not the duke himself, but a faction noble acting alone. Still, a massive scandal regardless.
Nobles split fully: Salleon vs. Helian factions, snarling like beasts.
Neutrals like us faced pressure to pick sides.
—Salleon or Helian. Choose!
Father agonized, then chose Helian.
Their military sway was huge.
With me as cadet, third son Purge, and eldest Julia in military, aligning ensured paths forward.
Thus, no more butler training for me. Even Gransel intermediate academy was off-limits.
Peers like me were booted unceremoniously.
Mine was polite, thanks to protecting Erina.
Pocketing my 3 million silane severance, I headed home.
Arrived in a shabby one-horse cart; leaving with two-horse luxury.
Tasking Ymir with carriage prep, I waited.
"Hold on."
Erina arrived with head maid Joan, handing me a bundle via servant.
"What's this?"
"Spear. Yours broke protecting me. Our territory smith made it—quality matches yours."
I unwrapped it.
Sleek black iron spearhead. Bit heavy, but my frame and strength were growing—perfect fit.
"Thanks. I'll use it well."
Erina paused, then said.
"…You. Reconsider?"
"Butler now? Our house picked Helian. Next meeting, we might snarl."
"That's big-power infighting, irrelevant to small fry like you."
"True. Still no. My goals dwarf butler."
"How big?"
Her eyes sparkled curiously.
"Why?"
"Just say."
"Hmm."
If succeeding beside protagonist…
"General in the military, maybe."
"General… Father's level…"
She murmured, sighed relief, smiled up.
"Achieve it. That goal."
"Yes. Thanks."
Stowing the spear in the carriage, I recalled my city souvenir.
Fan for Mother—bought cheap then. Now flush, I'd get better en route; this as thanks for the spear.
"This… for me?"
"Toss if useless. Take care. Hyah! Let's go, Ymir."
Mounted, I signaled departure.
Erina clutched the fan, face enigmatic.