Chapter 12

Episode 12

Just like me, Barris hated Queen Liness.

Even though she wasn't their birth mother, he didn't expect to be left without care at all.

"I am going to meet father and tell him."

"That's not necessary."

"But...!"

"That's enough. Like I said, I can take care of myself. Let's talk about you guys. I heard you two are chasing a herd of local pirates."

"We are."

"Sure."

I was surprised that even princess Winley was involved in chasing the thieves with Barris. However, I had no power to do anything about it.

Winley used to hate life in the palace, just like Barris, and it was all because of her wild character.

She was incredibly talented in magic and was just a different breed who enjoyed her life like a spring sprout, unlike other aristocratic ladies.

"I'm sorry that you've already seen blood. I wish you only saw pretty and good things."

"This idiot would be badly hurt without me."

Barris, sitting right next to her, frowned and grumbled when she pinched his cheek.

"What the hell?"

"Did I say something wrong? You charge in like a battering ram!"

Queen Liness sent kids to the battlefield, who were only fourteen years olds. It was such a terrible act. If they weren't talented, their lives would've ended in tragedy.

I began to laugh in vain.

"So when are you going to come back?"

"Honestly, I feel at ease there. Even though I hate fighting, at least I don't have to stay in the suffocating palace."

It seemed like that was what they wanted as well.

"But Anisha is here. Wait, you guys went to see Anisha, right?

They seemed discomforted by my question.

"Sigh... I can't believe it. You should see her right now. What are you two still doing here?"

Their face turned pale as I waved and spoke.

"Hi-Hi-Hih! Yes, your Majesty."

"Brother! We'll be back in the evening!"

I smiled at them as I watched them run. Amy also smiled at them slightly with her head down, waiting in the distance to serve us.

* * *

In the palace, there was a queen and two concubines.

the eldest daughter of Duke Varietta, had replaced the queen after my mother died.

The two concubines were Anisha, the first concubine, and Alice, the second concubine. Barris and Winley were the children of Anisha.

Queen Liness didn't favor the first concubine. Unlike Alice, Queen Liness's favorite, Anisha had a good friendship with my mother back when she was alive.

Consequently, Anisha, the first concubine, was unfavored by Queen Liness, who hated any of my mother's traces. Well, Anisha's hatred was stronger, who sent her kids to somewhere remote from the palace.

It was best for her children to be in a safe area that her family had power over. At least Barris and Winley had been guarded by the local soldiers who were loyal to her household.

Barris and Winley, in return, were furious about the fact that their mother was being frightened by the queen.

It was late at night when the twins came back to see me. Amy got emotional when she saw the palace was regaining its original appearance as new servants started working in the place.

Did I overload her with work?

When I asked her, she shook her head. She seemed happy, almost as if she was a child.

Barris asked, "Brother, now that you're awake, does that mean that you're going to be the crowned prince now?"

"That's right, brother! I'm sure you will be the Sage King!"

"What?"

"As you know, the Crowned Prince's seat is empty in the Rown Kingdom."

"That's true."

"Then you will be one."

Flick!

I flicked his head with my finger, implying I didn't want to hear more. He yelled and stepped back in reply.

"Ow!"

I wanted to live for a long time enjoying my life. Being king was an unfortunate occupation where most people died from overwork.

It wasn't surprising that his head was in great pain, simply because my physical ability had exceeded normal human beings.

He looked shocked.

"Come on, get another drink."

"Brother, I'm considered underage for drinking."

"Huh! Don't be a prude, Barris. I'm ready for a drink, Davey."

Winley asked for her glass to be filled with wine as she handed it over. She was such a cutie.

"He is way better than our underaged brothers who party all the time-wasting money in the palace.

He smiled at me as if he agreed with me.

"Then I'll get a drink!"

He gulped down the wine I poured.

"Aaah... it tastes good."

"It's left by my mother."

"Oh... Shouldn't we save it?"

"Why the hell would you save the alcohol that she left for drinking?"

Barris looked at me curiously.

"You've changed a lot, brother."

"Do I look different?"

"That's right. You used to keep your mother's traces."

These little kids remembered everything. "Well, tell me why you came here in the middle of the night."

After being silent for a few minutes, I asked them when I noticed that they were hesitating about something. Then, instead of Barris, Winley pulled a small letter from the pouch in her hand.

"What is this?"

"It's a continental sword competition held every five years! It's going to take place in the Duchy of Felicity."

"Oh?"

There was an Olympic-like concept on this continent.

continental competitions. Swordsmanship, magic, archery. Even academic.

The competition, which covered various fields, revolved around each country, and it was also an excellent opportunity for those who won the prize.

Of course, the spectacle was definitely worth seeing because all the future notables and strong individuals would be there. Even aristocrats scalped tickets for the swordsmanship competition.

"Brother, you row when the water comes in. You've rarely been out of the palace, have you?"

"Yes."

"... So I asked father!"

Proudly shouting, Barris puffed his chest out. Winley poked his ribs with her elbow. "I've already told him. The only muscles you have are for standing and smiling."

"What the hell?"

I looked at the notice without saying a word as they grumbled again.

It was definitely one of the best contests for spectators.

The Continental Sword Contest was attended by many promising talents to make a name for themselves continually.

As it was a competition to promote the continent's harmony, anyone, from mercenaries to royalty, could participate if they had the required skill.

"Ahem! Brother, I got a ticket to the qualifying round!" Barris said proudly with a throbbing heart.

"Oh, really? You must've improved a lot."

I pretended to be surprised, but I could see Mana accumulating in his body.

He was an expert intermediate, which meant that he was on a tremendous level compared to his age. His talent was by no means average.

"I'm participating, and I'm asking you to watch me. Why don't we all go together?"

"My brother and I will also see the capital of Winley and the Duchy of Felicity! Hehe! The city of water must be lovely!"

I was thankful that it was clearly revealed that I hadn't been anywhere else since I woke up from my coma.

"Don't worry. If you suffer, I'll carry you on my back!"

"I heard from Lord Ramdas of the Royal Court. My brother's body is recovering at a tremendous rate."

"Lucky little ones."

The words made me laugh. Well, life had become full of leisure. The reason for being tied up like in the past had long since disappeared.

It wasn't detrimental for me to watch such a competition at least once, as Barris said.

And then, wait, we could join, right?

* * *

"It wasn't a good opportunity."

A woman's eerie eyes shone into the darkroom.

"I never thought I'd crawl into the dragon's mouth."

The woman, who was talking coldly and looking down at the cold cup of tea, was Queen Liness. She didn't even look at her, who was bowing her head in silence.

"Shari."

"Yes."

"There's no reason to save the man who wants to die."

"There is only one chance of a raid on the way to the Duchy of Felicity. I'll scatter their blood in it."

"If you fail, it's going to be a huge blow."

"They have no chance of survival."

Even if his bloodline hadn't continued, he was still a member of the same royal family.

Liness Varietta seemed to feel no guilt about making her do it.

"Yes, but you don't know what's going to happen, so you better finish it yourself."

"... As contracted."

When she said that, the woman-in-law, Shari, answered coldly, grasping at her coldly subsiding life.

* * *

In most countries, the competition where promising young people participated was truly remarkable. Of course, it was safe to say that the royal family didn't oppose Barris' participation in the continental sword competition.

What was a little surprising was that Queen Liness, who had never looked at anyone else's children with kindness, readily agreed to let him participate in the competition and to me accompanying him.

If Barris were to win a prize in the competition, his position would soar completely different from Carlos, who only believed in himself.

Of course, Queen Liness, who didn't want such a situation, would have to oppose his participation, but she was willing to allow it for some unknown reason.

In addition, she expressed her willingness to accept me joining the ranks under the pretext of nursing care.

A series of groups approached us, kneeling on one knee on the altar of the Mana Gate, which led to the estate nearest the Duchy of Felicity.

"Raise your head."

It was a stern voice, but on the other hand, it also sounded tired.

At the end of the silent raise, a middle-aged man came out and looked at the procession to the Duchy of Felicity, including Barris and Winley.

He was Crianes Al Rown, King of the Rown Kingdom.

He was the king of this country and my father. That was the first time I saw my father in nearly half a year after I woke up.

'You've been avoiding me.'

I peered at him closely. His former cheerful and imposing figure was hard to find in his current appearance. For six years, or a little longer than that, my father had been transformed into a completely different person.

He had now become a weary old lion.