Chapter 78

“Oh, should I call you a warrior instead of a knight?”

“Call me a knight, it doesn’t matter. Apparently, I’ll be given the title of knight soon anyway. So, it’s accurate.”

“Straightforward, I like it. You’re better than I expected.”

The favor in her eyes deepened. Seems like she really likes me. Judging by her taste, she might get along well with Freide too, what do you think?

“By the way, there’s a rumor about reaching the master level. Is that true? If so, I’d like to learn a thing or two.”

Leonor smiled brightly, showing her teeth. It wasn’t competitiveness. She knew she couldn’t win anyway. It was just a pure desire to train herself by sparring with someone stronger.

Ah, this is trouble. I think I’m starting to like her too. To the point where I might not want to be her enemy later.

Honestly, I also like this kind of bold personality. Not in an unhealthy way, just a genuine liking as a person.

“Not right now, maybe later when I get the chance. I’m still recovering, so it’s difficult.”

I can’t afford to delay my recovery by overexerting myself.

“Come to think of it, you got badly injured fighting the beastman, right? That must be why you look a bit weak. Well, nothing can be done then. Promise me next time?”

“Sure, once I’m fully healed.”

“I’d like to talk more, but… I can’t keep my brother’s guest for too long. See you later.”

“Alright, next time.”

Leonor turned away without hesitation. I watched her leave for a moment, then turned back to Ernst.

—

Ernst’s office was surprisingly simple.

Just a bookshelf and table made of solid wood, and a leather-covered wooden chair and desk. The only decorations were the longsword, halberd, and black iron armor displayed on one wall.

The windows were curtained, so the only light came from the magic lamp on the ceiling.

Leopold, who built a lavish office in a modest palace. Ernst, who built a modest office in a lavish palace.

Their contrasting personalities were quite interesting. And it wasn’t just the office decor that contrasted.

“Ernst von Wittelsbach. You’re a bit later than I thought.”

His first words were calm.

Ernst was a man who resembled a military officer at war rather than a prince. His dull blond hair was cut short, and he wore a plain purple uniform without any decorations. A rugged sword hung at his waist.

His expression was as stiff as a statue, and his deep-set eyes looked as strong yet melancholic as a cliff bathed in the evening glow. With his beard, he looked older than his twenty-three years.

This guy seems to have aged in reverse compared to the first prince. Time should be kinder to him.

“Ha-shal-leur Ai-shan Gi-or, I apologize for being late. I was talking with Princess Leonor.”

“And you’re being quite rude. This isn’t the palace of Ka’har.”

He was subtly strict. You also started with a jab at me. You’re just a prince, not the emperor or the crown prince.

“Ah, I’m truly sorry. Prince Leopold and Princess Leonor were so gracious as to allow someone as lowly as me to speak informally. I must have overstepped. To show such disrespect to the ‘third’ prince of the empire, I sincerely apologize.”

“…Enough with the sarcasm.”

“Thank you for your magnanimity, Your Highness the Third Prince… The imperial honorifics just don’t stick with me.”

Ernst shook his head and sat down on the chair. I also sat across from him, staring at him intently.

“Alright. Then, since we have things to discuss, let’s send our escort knights out. Is that fine?”

“Sure, as you wish.”

I shrugged and looked at Nigel.

“Nigel, please wait in the reception room as Prince Ernst suggested.”

“Yes, I will.”

The Royal Guard standing next to the prince and Nigel bowed politely and left together. That guy seems quite intimidating… probably at the master level.

“I heard you visited my brother first.”

Ernst spoke. So, he’s bringing that up.

“Well, isn’t that natural? It’s polite to visit the elder first.”

“It might be natural, but I wouldn’t call it wise. Anyway, let’s get straight to the point.”

So, he wants to get to the main issue quickly. He would’ve fit well as a military officer rather than a prince.

“You’re set to become the heir of the Landenburg Margrave, right? Why not become the empress of the empire instead?”

“Refused. It doesn’t suit me anyway.”

This guy’s also talking about marriage.

“On the surface, it might suit you. Not the inside though… but even with a rotten core, becoming an empress has been proven possible for a long time.”

You don’t seem to like your mother much? Talking about a rotten core with a queenly exterior, that’s your mother.

“Rotten core? That’s a bit harsh.”

“I’m not talking about the princess. …Enough of this. So, why refuse? Do you prefer my brother?”

“No, I just don’t plan to marry anyone. There’s no merit in it. Whether it’s an elector or an empress, it’s all the same. Being an elector might even be better.”

If the imperial family’s power was overwhelmingly strong, it might be different… but it’s not.

Rather than being an empress with a high status but little real power, it’s better to live like a king in a margraviate.

“True. Not wrong. Then, let’s move on to the second proposal.”

Ernst rested his chin on his hand and looked at me. His sharp gaze made it seem like he was glaring with hostility.

“Let me be direct. Join my side. The youngest master, the Beastman Devourer.”

His voice was low, his eyes sharp. His calm tone carried a strong force. It was hard to tell if he was persuading or commanding.

“The position was given by Ludwig, and I’ll grab power and honor myself. What do you want? A massive fortune? The royal family’s favor? I’ll do my best to accommodate.”

“Well? I don’t really want anything. But do you know what that means? It sounds like you’re openly planning to surpass your own brother.”

“You probably already know, but you’re trying to dodge the topic. From the start, even my mother treats me differently from my other siblings, and Leopold treats me like an enemy. What choice do I have? I don’t intend to be taken out so easily, so in the end, I’ll have to ascend to the throne. It shouldn’t be that difficult.”

Leopold didn’t seem like such a ruthless person…

Well, who knows? Leopold was never meant to be the crown prince anyway.

As long as Ernst is alive.

“Leopold said there’s not much difference now.”

“That’s just a temporary rebound. How long do you think that will last? He’s like a sinking ship. So think wisely.”

“Well, isn’t that something we’ll have to wait and see?”

No one knows what the future holds.

…Really, no one knows. Not even me.

“…Seems like you’ve already made up your mind.”

“Not quite. Neither of you has made a particularly appealing offer, so I guess you could say I’m neutral.”

Actually, I’ve made up my mind.

But I need to give the impression that there’s still room for negotiation, so they don’t pull any unnecessary tricks.

At least until I recover, I need to buy some time.

“Ha, neutral. Fine, let’s leave it at that for now.”

He doesn’t seem to believe me much.

But it seems he’s willing to let it go for now.

“But remember this. As a noble of the Empire, there’s no neutrality in the fight for the throne. Eventually, the moment will come when we all have to make a choice. I hope you make a wise decision then.”

“…So, is that the end of the conversation?”

Ernst nodded and stood up.

“Yes. Originally, my mother wanted to meet the princess too… but it’s not something I’d recommend. If the two of you met, it would only cause friction. I’ll handle it, so just go back. Consider this my last act of goodwill.”

That was a relief.

I really wanted to avoid walking into Isabella’s lair.

“Thanks for that. Well, I’ll be heading back now.”

“I won’t see you off.”

I also stood up and turned my back.

It was time to go.

“…Take care of Leonor. She’s a bit immature.”

As I left the office, Ernst added a quiet remark.

—

After that, nothing much happened.

Except for the fact that a guy named Evian returned to the special ward.

He was a stereotypical blond, tanned delinquent.

His half-buttoned short-sleeve shirt, gold chain necklace, and short pants below the waist caught my eye.

He had several earrings in his ears.

With his bad-boy look and flippant tone, it was hard to believe he was a prince from the southern kingdom.

Apparently, the brothel he usually stayed at burned down, so he came back.

Freide told me this with a look of disdain.

“It would’ve been better if he burned to death while fooling around.”

“That would’ve caused its own problems.”

I was worried he’d start bothering us here too, but surprisingly, he didn’t show much interest in us.

They say he doesn’t approach women who might cause him trouble.

That was a relief.

…I need to make sure he never runs into Milia.

—

My energy was steadily recovering, and my previously dull eyes were slowly returning to normal.

I thought the nickname “Daffodil” would disappear, but… it didn’t.

According to Freide, my appearance changed from tired and listless to healthy and determined.

When I looked in the mirror, I didn’t see much difference… but I guess the change in aura affects one’s impression that much.

It’s hard to notice it yourself.

Ah, and the black iron armor I ordered was finally completed.

I went to Asha’s room to check out the new armor.

The design wasn’t much different from the old one, but it felt a bit heavier due to the material.

Not enough to affect my movements, though.

Each scale, lined up on the soft fur, gleamed with a dark luster.

The glossy black fur also looked incredibly tough and durable.

It seemed like it could withstand even a decent sword strike.

“This is pretty good. What animal’s fur is this?”

“Boris.”

“…What?”

Was there such an animal?

Well, this is a fantasy world, so there might be animals I don’t know about.

Right?

“Boris, Boris. It was the best fur I could get.”

Asha smiled nonchalantly.

…I didn’t mishear.

Is this okay? Like, ethically?

Beastmen are trash, but they’re still a sentient race, right?

Is it really normal to make clothes out of them?

I had no response, so I just let out a hollow laugh.

In the end, I gave up arguing and accepted the armor.

I couldn’t ask for a new one now, and aside from the discomfort, the defensive performance was surprisingly excellent.

Well… as long as it performs well, that’s all that matters…

—

And then, time passed, and finally, the day of the award ceremony arrived.