Chapter 69
Chapter 69
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Translator: penny
Chapter: 69
Chapter Title: Desire to Meet the Third Prince
-----------------------------------------------------------------
I want to meet the Third Prince.
Rian knew better than anyone just how absurd that request was.
That was why he could fully understand Telpon's expression.
"Do you know what that means when you say it?"
"Yes."
"You're aware that a single misstep could cost you your head?"
"Yes, I am."
It could indeed be an utterly ridiculous request, just as Telpon said. Even so, Rian wanted to meet the Third Prince in person.
It wasn't simply to encounter royalty and catch his eye.
It was because of the rumors he'd heard about the Third Prince in his past life.
The Third Prince, Ethan, had been a defeated prince in his previous life.
After losing the power struggle to the Second Prince, he had barely kept his life under the pretext of moral justification and been exiled to a remote territory.
After that, a bloody purge swept through the kingdom for one or two years.
Those marked for purge were eliminated, and even those who might pose a threat were slaughtered wholesale.
The kingdom's forces had been shaken to their core in the process, so one could easily imagine the sheer number of deaths.
Yet amid that dance of blades, rumors spread that the Third Prince's remote territory was filled with laughter.
He prioritized his domain's people, implemented solid policies, and efficiently managed scarce resources to develop the land.
A benevolent disposition.
Unyielding leadership.
Cool-headed judgment.
The Third Prince's flawless achievements spread throughout the kingdom just as the bloodbath was nearing its end.
*That was why...*
He had been killed.
As rumors about him proliferated, Byron's position—clutching power within the kingdom—began to erode.
Naturally, people started whispering again, and criticism toward the palace spread.
For the prideful Byron, Ethan must have been an enormous thorn.
After all, rumors circulated that a mongrel he'd defeated was acting as if he stood above the king he'd become.
Thus, just over three years after Byron ascended the throne, Ethan was ultimately executed on the absurd charge of plotting treason.
Of course, along with every person in the territory he cherished.
*I know full well that the Third Prince was remarkably virtuous and would have made an excellent king in every way.*
That was why Rian felt fortunate, on one hand, to be aligned with the Third Prince's faction.
But even so, there was something he wanted to ask him.
*I know it's absurd...*
He still wanted to confirm it.
At the same time, Telpon was watching Rian.
The fact that he was fully aware of what he'd just said yet wore that expression...
Telpon was beyond bewildered by Rian's unyielding demeanor—it was utterly ridiculous.
"Hmm."
Telpon let out a small breath, extinguished his cigar, and spoke.
"That's not something I can arrange with my own authority."
"I understand."
Rian masked his disappointment and replied calmly. Watching him, Telpon continued.
"But I can at least pass along the report. The decision isn't mine to make, after all. Who knows? The Third Prince himself might agree to meet you."
No one could predict how the Third Prince would respond in this tense atmosphere at the palace.
That was what made it so dangerous.
Especially during this sensitive time—Telpon wondered if making such an outrageous request might backfire on him too.
*But...*
Even so, Telpon wanted to push for Rian.
Hadn't he tested him for that very purpose?
Rian had returned after subjugating Bieltuna in less than a year.
If he graded the test, five hundred out of one hundred wouldn't be enough.
*In that case...*
He'd confirmed the young man's potential sufficiently.
He was convinced Rian could rise to any position in the kingdom within the next ten years.
Of course, provided he survived.
"We'll handle rewards and promotions once this matter is fully resolved."
"Yes."
When Raymond answered, Telpon said to him,
"In the meantime, as company commander, use your discretion to send the soldiers on leave first."
"Understood!"
"You've all worked hard—let them rest easy from now on."
With that, Telpon rose from his seat.
After that day, which had felt like a raging storm, Raymond and Rian—the only ones left—looked at each other.
Brigade commander, division commander, legion commander.
They'd faced people who could drain the life out of you just dealing with one, all at once.
Even Raymond wore a somewhat fatigued expression as he said to Rian,
"You did well."
"You had it harder, sir."
Raymond burst into a chuckle at Rian's awkward smile.
"All returning soldiers get ten days' leave. We'll prioritize the Arrowhead Unit members, so start implementing it from tomorrow."
"Thank you!"
"Then you go rest too. They really wore me out today... I need a break."
With that, Rian saluted Raymond and left the office.
It had been a truly shocking day...
But.
A faint smile.
*Still, somehow...*
It was hard to put into words, but it felt like he'd taken a step forward.
On the way back to the barracks, Rian's steps felt lighter than ever.
* * *
""Cheers!""
The Arrowhead Unit members, holding wooden mugs filled with beer, clinked them together and burst into laughter.
How long had it been since they'd drunk so carefree?
In wartime, they always had to drown the sorrow of fallen comrades with bitter ale.
They couldn't move forward otherwise—unless they remembered that moment.
But today was different.
"Come on—everyone, drink up tonight! The vice captain's covering all the booze!"
"Woooooo!"
"Vice captain's the best!"
"Heh heh heh, I've known since the fur coats that the vice captain was loaded."
"You grabbed two fur coats yourself, man."
"Wh-what are you talking about!"
"Huh? I saw you—denying it? Vice captain! This guy's the one who snagged extra fur coats from supp... Mmph!"
"Shut it, you idiot!"
It was rowdy, but the mood was bright.
A world away from the battlefield, where they'd danced on the edge of death.
Rian chuckled softly at the sight and extended his mug to Isaac, who sat beside him.
Isaac smiled warmly and clinked mugs with him.
Rian asked,
"What are you doing on leave?"
"I... plan to stay with the unit. I've got things to do."
"What?"
"I want to make that sensation from before fully mine before it fades."
Rian swallowed involuntarily at Isaac's words.
A genius who worked tirelessly.
He'd only heard of such things, but facing it head-on felt suffocating.
*...That's how he became the continent's strongest swordsman.*
He'd thought he was working hard himself, but he still had much left to do.
Rian nodded.
"I'll cheer you on."
"What about you, Vice Captain? Plans for leave?"
"Heading to Bellotra."
"Again?"
"I've got my own business."
He couldn't afford to stay in place while others advanced.
Answering Isaac's question, Rian gave a faint smile.
That night, the Arrowhead Unit members drank until sunrise before dispersing.
The next day, Rian set off straight for Bellotra.
Watching Isaac had made it clear, though he'd known it before.
He was hitting a limit.
His mana had built up considerably, but since he'd never reached this level in his past life, he was struggling.
Aura.
Rian turned his gaze out the carriage window.
He recalled the feeling when he'd seen Isaac and Raymond use Aura.
Raymond had naturally acquired it through long years of combat and training, of course.
Mana cultivation methods were the most efficient way to build mana and form Aura, but prolonged practice could accumulate mana in the body too.
But when Isaac had used Aura, the sensation was entirely different.
It was like staring at an insurmountable wall.
Teaching Isaac the mana cultivation method had merely given wings to a tiger to fly a bit faster.
It hadn't changed the fact that he was a tiger to begin with.
*I need... to take another step forward too.*
If he could naturally wield Aura when shooting arrows, he'd be dozens of times stronger than now.
And to do that, he needed someone's help in his current state.
"..."
Frustration weighed on his chest.
After riding the carriage for some time, Rian finally arrived in Bellotra.
It felt like ages since his last visit.
"It's the same as ever here."
Rian entered with a pleased expression and headed straight for Adelson's merchant company.
"Oh—Rian!"
"Sorry for dropping by unannounced, Adelson."
"No need for that between us. Come inside."
Rian entered Adelson's office.
Warm tea and freshly baked cookies appeared, and Adelson offered him some tea.
"This is a new import—great aroma. Try it."
But Rian cut straight to the point, ignoring the offer.
"I have a favor to ask."
"Haha, you seem in a hurry. Go ahead."
"Could you introduce me to a knight who can wield Aura?"
"...Aura?"
Adelson's eyebrow twitched.
It was a term that seemed out of place coming from the current Rian.
But soon, a small smile crept onto Adelson's lips.
Had he already reached the level of handling Aura?
Adelson nodded.
"Conveniently, there's someone fitting right here in Bellotra."
"Who?"
"A mercenary. We go back a ways, so if I introduce you, he'll help."
"A mercenary..."
At Rian's murmur, Adelson said,
"I figured a noble-born knight might be awkward. If you prefer, I can introduce a formal knight who wields Aura."
"No, the mercenary sounds good."
Adelson knew exactly what Rian wanted, as expected.
Help from a noble or military knight might be convenient but would bring complications.
After all, it was extremely rare for a commoner to learn mana cultivation, build mana, and wield Aura.
Well...
*There are monsters like Isaac who accumulate it naturally.*
His mouth felt dry, but he kept a straight face.
"Thank you."
"Heading there now?"
Nod.
Knowing Rian's personality, Adelson stood and began writing on a document stamped with the Hamel Company seal.
A sort of letter of recommendation.
"Just give him this and explain your business."
"Yes."
Taking the recommendation, Rian headed straight to where the mercenary Adelson had mentioned was.
*Fragments of a Torn Wound, huh...*
What a tough name for a tavern.
It made sense as a place where mercenaries gathered, but surprisingly, it was easy to find.
"Is this it?"
The tavern looked a bit worn but fairly sizable.
As Rian opened the door, a wave of hot air and the faint scent of men's sweat hit him.
The moment he stepped inside, a hulking figure nearly two meters tall approached him.
"Hey, kid. This ain't a place for punks like you. How about you just turn around and scram? Heh heh heh."
"Uahahahaha!"
"Hey, Macquiston! Go easy!"
"Kekekeke, can just any kid waltz in here now?"
In an instant, eyes focused on Rian, and the men began mocking him.
Rian let out a bewildered chuckle at the sight.
*Ah, this vibe?*
It brought back old memories.
"Not bad, this atmosphere."
Rian's eyes soon sharpened with a glint.