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Chapter: 24

A prince rolling on the dirt floor – how amusing would that be?

People expected that. Only two people in this place expected something different.

"His Highness will win."

When Heo Seokgyeom said that, Yoo Geung replied in bewilderment.

"Do you really think so?"

"Do I look like someone who jokes around?"

Yoo Geung had rarely seen Heo Seokgyeom joke. This probably wasn't a joke either. He seemed to dislike the troublemaker prince, so Yoo Geung couldn't understand why he suddenly changed his attitude.

However, in Yugeung's opinion, the prince wasn't a bad person. It was the First Prince who not only didn't ignore the gangster swordsmen he encountered on the street but also saved the commoner in danger. Heo Seokgyeom was also that kind of person. He must have realized that the prince wasn't a bad person. Yugeung felt proud without even realizing it.

"I also hope His Highness wins."

Heo Seokgyeom nodded. He then looked away from the First Prince, whom he had been staring at intently, and towards the Second Prince.

He didn't think badly of the Second Prince. There were sinister rumors surrounding the deposed Queen, the First Prince's birth mother. Having been in the Geumo Guard for a long time, he didn't simply believe the Second Prince was entirely innocent and kind. People in high positions often resorted to evil deeds because they had a lot to protect.

So it wasn't strange that the brothers were glaring at each other with disapproval. However, he wished the First Prince wouldn't be so cold towards his few remaining blood relatives.

Even if the Second Prince's maternal relatives had killed the First Prince's birth mother, the Second Prince, who was young at the time, wouldn't have been involved.

Meanwhile, the Second Prince smiled at the First Prince.

He seemed relaxed.

"Don't you need time to warm up, brother?"

The bodyguard standing next to the Second Prince looked somewhat nervous. Similarly, the aide standing next to the First Prince also had a tense look. However, the First Prince's aide wasn't a bodyguard but an old eunuch.

Heo Seokgyeom thought the First Prince would also need a bodyguard. Of course, he knew why the First Prince didn't have one.

The first bodyguard couldn't stand the First Prince's wickedness and atrocities and left. The second bodyguard who came in was severely beaten and expelled after giving advice to the First Prince. The third bodyguard was stripped of his position for failing to prevent the drunken First Prince from getting hurt while doing something foolish.

In any case, it was the First Prince's fault.

But, maybe, just maybe... if the prince had truly changed, he might get a bodyguard again soon. Of course, that wasn't his role. Heo Seokgyeom didn't really want Yoo Geung to take that position, but judging by the prince's actions, it would be Yoo Geung who would become his bodyguard.

What could he do if his master wished it?

Anyway, Heo Seokgyeom held onto the hope that the prince had changed.

He had only crossed swords with the prince once, but he was convinced that the prince had considerable talent.

If he honed his skills, he would surely become a great figure. He was confident even with that brief experience. It was the kind of talent he wouldn't have missed if he had been his junior.

On the other hand,

"No, man."

"What, why?"

"You have to bet on the other side. If both of us bet on Prince Jaean's bodyguard, the bet won't be valid."

"Are you crazy? Then you bet on Prince Ikwon. I'll bet on Prince Jaean's bodyguard."

"Ugh! Forget it then!"

It seemed that everyone except him believed the First Prince would lose to the Second Prince's bodyguard.

Indeed, the First Prince's appearance was far from that of a victor. Long but skinny limbs that looked devoid of strength, a pale complexion that clearly showed a lack of sunlight, and hair that was untied and hung loosely.

Even his posture was sloppy. There was no trace of tension in him, no matter how hard one looked. If he were Heo Seokgyeom's subordinate, showing such an attitude in a duel would be unthinkable. A duel was still a competition, after all.

Anyway... those disrespectful people were actually betting money on the prince's duel. Heo Seokgyeom clicked his tongue inwardly and shifted his gaze back to the training ground. The troublemaker prince had already drawn his sword and was facing his opponent.

The Second Prince spoke to the two protagonists of the duel.

"Begin."

The First Prince darted forward like an arrow. It seemed the prince never refused when offered the first strike. This time too, the prince took the initiative. The prince's opponent, gripping his sword tightly with both hands, waited for the prince to close the distance.

A bluish flash immediately flew towards the bodyguard's waist. The bodyguard dodged the attack half a beat too late. The tip of the prince's blade caught the bodyguard's robe. A long slit opened in the fabric where it grazed. If it had been flesh, crimson blood would have flowed freely.

The First Prince was ferocious. This trait was more apparent when watching from a distance than when directly facing his sword. The prince's swordsmanship was pragmatic at best, and at worst...

"Die!"

...terrifying.

Was this how he truly was?

To use deadly techniques without any hesitation...

Was he still a madman after all?

In any case, the prince was venomous. Vicious.

The prince and the bodyguard's swords clashed a couple of times. Sparks flew. But the First Prince's eyes flashed even more intensely than the glint of the blades.

Heo Seokgyeom felt a slight chill.

"Hahahahahaha."

The prince laughed creepily. Was he... crazy? Heo Seokgyeom began to wonder if everything he had thought about the First Prince so far was wrong.

No... No. It's too early to say. Let's observe a little more.

"UWAAAAAAAAAAAA!"

The First Prince suddenly roared like a beast. The prince's sword soared high into the sky and then descended towards the bodyguard's head. It was a fatal attack. If that attack landed, the bodyguard would die. He could hear the people around him gasping.

But the movement was too big. It was easy to read in advance. The bodyguard dodged the prince's attack and retreated. Instead of striking the bodyguard and crushing his skull, the prince's sword plunged into the ground. Sand scattered in all directions. A few court ladies watching let out short screams at the sudden spray of sand.

Why, why... Why is he acting like this?

A question arose in Heo Seokgyeom's mind. Troublemaker, troublemaker, even though he was called that, the prince was still a prince. He wasn't exactly a dignified figure, but he was at least barely human. Now, he was no different from a wild beast let loose.

But despite his ferocious actions, there was no aura of a ferocious beast. It felt like he was deliberately acting this way.

So, this was like...

"Dieeeeeeeee!"

A loud cry. Heo Seokgyeom abruptly raised his head. The prince was levitating in the air, one foot planted on the bodyguard's face.

"What the..."

That sight looked like a true madman. Anyone who saw that would think the First Prince was a madman. Even if you brought someone who didn't know the rumors about the troublemaker prince, the result would be the same. The prince now was the epitome of a madman. He was perfectly in sync with his nickname.

Seeing that, Heo Seokgyeom thought.

It’s as if the prince was deliberately acting like a clown.

Why? Why, for heaven's sake? For whom was he putting on this show?

Thud.

The bodyguard, who had been enduring the First Prince's attacks, finally collapsed on the ground. He lay sprawled on the sand-covered training ground, convulsing a few times before stopping.

Several people screamed in fright.

"...Ph, physician!"

Calling for a physician was the spectators' role.

"Huh."

Heo Seokgyeom watched as the physician who rushed over, shook the bodyguard awake and informed the Second Prince that the bodyguard was fine. The Second Prince seemed more shocked by the immediate situation than concerned for his subordinate.

"My bodyguard was defeated..."

The Second Prince let out a hollow chuckle.

"...and you, Brother, won."

It wasn't as humane a sight as he had imagined. If the First Prince had been more skilled and cruel, his bodyguard would already be dead. Shouldn't he be relieved that the crisis had passed safely? Heo Seokgyeom realized he was disappointed in the Second Prince.

Of course, he was also disappointed in the First Prince. But it was a different kind of disappointment than the one he felt towards the Second Prince.

What about Yoo Geung? Heo Seokgyeom looked around for him. Yoo Geung, who had been next to him until a moment ago, was nowhere to be seen. He soon found Yoo Geung, who seemed unfazed, running towards the First Prince and massaging his shoulders.

...As expected, the position of the First Prince's bodyguard would go to Captain Yoo.

The scene was chaotic. In any case, the duel was over, and as he had predicted, the First Prince had won. Although the process was quite absurd. There was no reason to stay any longer, so Heo Seokgyeom thought he should return to his office.

As he thought that and took a step, an even bigger commotion arose.

"His Majesty arrives!"

An old eunuch shouted loudly. Immediately, everyone turned around to look at the eunuch. But their gaze didn't linger on him for long. The King was right beside him.

"I have observed Prince Ikwon's swordsmanship prowess from afar."

The commotion subsided instantly. Who would dare to make a sound in the presence of the King?

The King approached the First Prince and said, "I am impressed by Ikwon's bravery."

The King didn't even glance at the Second Prince or his bodyguard.

"I heard the two princes made a wager on this duel. If Prince Ikwon wins, Prince Jaean will grant him one request, and if Prince Jaean's bodyguard wins, Prince Ikwon will grant him one request."

Then, at the end of his words, he glanced at the Second Prince once.

"Prince Jaean, remember that a prince's words carry weight, and ensure that you keep your promise."

The Second Prince replied.

"...Yes, Your Majesty."

Heo Seokgyeom thought it might be humiliating.

But the King's words didn't end there.

"Impressed by my eldest son's achievement, I wish to grant Prince Ikwon one request."

It was a bombshell.

If this news spread outside the training ground, it would be an even bigger bombshell.

Everyone looked at the First Prince again.

To hear what the troublemaker prince would say.

Heo Seokgyeom instinctively realized that something was changing. But he still had a long way to go to fully grasp what that something was.