Chapter 127: The Hunter And The Hunted

‘How on earth did this happen?’

The Fifth Prince, Haverion, felt a moment of suffocation as he took in the scene before him. Despite being under surveillance, he had managed to come out to the square thanks to a special request made through a royal knight the previous night.

“Even so, it’s a day for my brothers to be congratulated by everyone. Even if I can’t be the first to congratulate them as their brother, do I really have to be in this remote place?”

“I will ask His Majesty Eloin and then come back.”

The king naturally gave his permission. Of course, it was under a condition.

“You can’t meet or talk to other people.”

However, this didn’t deter Haverion.

‘I can at least see my youngest brother’s distorted expression.’

This victory ceremony was an important event for Kaistein, who would nominate a successor to the throne.

Haverion was making major plans for the event.

‘The youngest, who made great contributions to the Northern Expedition, stands alone in the front row.’

The place that received the most light.

An incident had occurred when Ian appeared alone amid everyone’s blessings, bearing the brunt of everyone’s anger and curses.

If the ceremony went awry, Haverion had plans for the next steps.

However, the scene before his eyes now changed everything.

“Long live Prince Ian!”

“Long live the First Princess!”

The Fifth Prince seemed shocked when an unexpected presence appeared.

And above all, the man right behind the two.

“The best knight on the continent!”

“The continent’s strongest knight! Long live Duke Lavaltor!”

Even Duke Lavaltor, with a stern expression, made Haverion sense that something was amiss for a moment.

‘Nonsense. I’m sure the youngest will be the only one in that position.’

The First Princess and Duke Lavaltor were supposed to be in different positions. And his plan was originally based on the assumption that Ian would be alone.

‘It will be quite difficult to execute the plan with those two there.’

Even more so, Duke Lavaltor?

What kind of person was that continent-level power?

But the biggest problem now was the First Princess.

She was an outstanding successor, but also a woman he cherished.

What if that beautiful face got scarred because of him?

‘He won’t forgive me this time either.’

But the plan had already begun.

It was natural for Haverion’s face to harden.

‘I need to stop the plan now. No, at least I need to send the First Princess to a safe place.’

He had to abduct the First Princess.

Thinking so, Haverion urgently tried to call the inquisitor.

But the royal knights beside him wouldn’t allow it.

“What are you doing now? Please do not leave your seat.”n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om

“I have an urgent need to use the restroom. I’ll be right back.”

“Have you forgotten? Your Majesty would not allow you to go anywhere but here. If you are still going to leave, I will prepare right away.”

“…!”

Grit.

Haverion was furious to the point of grinding his teeth, but he didn’t say a word.

If he did, he would be sent back to the treatment center. It seemed that the king had given them some prior instructions.

Thanks to that, Haverion, who glared at them as if he couldn’t stand them, bought some time.

‘Okay. It’s still okay.’

Duke Lavaltor and the royal knights would soon fell unconscious anyway.

There would be no disruption to the plan.

However, if there was anything to worry about.

‘Ian Kaistein…’

He didn’t feel good, but he couldn’t do it.

He glared at them and grabbed something from his pocket.

***

‘His expression is truly priceless.’

At the entrance ceremony, Ian, looking at Haverion, was smiling inside.

If his prediction was correct, Haverion was planning to act here.

Ian didn’t know the specific method, but he was sure Haverion planned it according to his schedule.

‘In that case, all I have to do is let it deviate from that schedule.’

That’s why Ian deliberately entered with such an unusual member lineup.

Of course, when he told this story, the expressions on the knights’ faces were worth seeing.

And at this moment.

Ian, who deliberately entered with the First Princess and Duke Lavaltor, laughed.

It had to be that way.

“Sister, please straighten your face. Aren’t the people fascinated by your appearance?”

“You speak well.”

Ian saw people cheering around him.

They were admiring the First Princess.

“It’s really the First Princess!”

“First Princess! You’re so cool!”

She looked different from her usual neat and tidy appearance, as she had prepared herself properly for the victory ceremony.

She was displaying a beauty that could be called breathtakingly beautiful. regardless of gender, mesmerized by her presence. Well, that was to be expected.

This was to be expected, considering she was one of the three most beautiful individuals in Kaistein.

Three flowers.

‘The other one was the young lady of Lavaltor.’

Since she was a lady from one of the ducal families in Kaistein, she would be even more famous among the people.

The citizens couldn’t help but fixate their gaze on the First Princess when she showcased her stunning appearance.

“You might like it a little more.”

Then the First Princess looked at Ian, asking what he was talking about.

“You are underestimating me.”

It was as he said.

“Wow, is that really the Seventh Prince from back then?”

“He’s as beautiful as the First Princess.”

“This is not good. I might fall into forbidden love.”

“Snap out of it! Don’t cross that line!”

Ian, riding the Blue Emperor, effortlessly caught everyone’s attention.

Even in his days as a commoner, he possessed a good appearance that made others envious. However, with disciplined dieting, training, and grooming, his hidden beauty emerged, captivating people of all ages and genders.

“You are the one who is getting more attention than me.”

“Is that so?”

Ian, riding Blue Emperor, with white ceremonial attire and a cape flowing behind his back.

The First Princess in black ceremonial attire atop a red horse.

The two people were in perfect contrast, amplifying each other’s charm.

However, the First Princess appeared uneasy with the situation.

“Do you think it’s appropriate for me to be here?”

But Ian answered calmly.

“Didn’t you also contribute enough in the Northern Expedition? You worked harder than anyone else.”

Nevertheless, the First Princess merely laughed, innocently doubting his words.

It was only natural.

The circumstances arose due to Ian’s unexpected visit the night before the victory ceremony.

He came alone, without even an escort, and spoke with composure.

“Let’s attend the ceremony together.”

“What did you say? Can you repeat that?”

“I am telling you this as you sit next to me at the victory ceremony.”

“Are you serious?”

“Why not? It’s not like you didn’t earn any merit.”

At first, she couldn’t believe it.

The victory ceremony held immense significance and was a source of great pride.

No one would willingly relinquish the seat that commanded everyone’s attention.

But Ian remained calm even then.

“If you don’t want to, you don’t have to.”

“Oh, no. I just need some time to think.”

“Do you need to think about it? Whatever intentions I had, it will be no loss to you, right?”

“…”

It was definitely not wrong.

Of course, it wasn’t without a cost.

“There are conditions instead.”

“That’s right. What did you want?”

“This time, these are the things my sister can give me. Don’t worry too much.”

“…!”

What Ian wanted was something the First Princess had.

The First Princess raised her eyebrows.

‘I don’t know how he knew I had it.’

The First Princess felt that this position was more important than the item.

That’s why she decided to make a deal with Ian.

Anyway, the main character was Ian.

‘Okay. whatever you think I’ll use everything that’s available.’

Everything for her to take the throne.

So she smiled brighter than ever.

“Waaaah!”

“The First Princess looked at me!”

“No, it’s me! Move aside!”

However, at that moment, Ian unexpectedly flashed a subtle smile as she was gaining popularity among the people.

“Don’t get too close to people. You never know what might happen, right?”

“You worry too much. With so many knights and soldiers around, what could possibly happen?”

She smiled.

‘Does he really think I’m a fool who can’t even guess his intentions?’

Ian’s goal was to form an alliance with the successors who would gather after the victory ceremony. He likely feared that outcome.

‘This is just another scheme to win me over.’

It was probably to make himself look good in front of her and have her join his side, as she has the most factional nobles and the strongest influence.

If she were on Ian’s side, it would be easier to restrain others.

The item Ian wanted from her was simply a tool to create justification.

However, there was one thing she didn’t understand.

‘The additional conditions he set were bizarre.’

Ian placed some conditions other than the item.

There were two in total.

And when the First Princess heard the conditions, she burst into laughter.

“Is that a condition? Are you really planning to start a rebellion in the middle of the royal palace?”

“I highly doubt it. After all, I am the most likely candidate for the throne. I have no reason to do something foolish like that.”

Of course, it wasn’t difficult to listen to the additional conditions he was mentioning.

‘You may have succeeded in conquering the North and became the king of Bahara, but in reality, you are more dangerous than anyone else.’

It wasn’t without reason that she hadn’t formed an alliance with the southern nobles after the Northern Expedition, nor had she easily relinquished her position as the commander.

Unless one of the other successors attempted to take her life, joining forces with the youngest successor was an easy task.

Nevertheless, she felt a sense of gratitude.

‘Sharing the glory that could be attained alone is never an easy feat.’

It was something she could have never imagined. And at that moment,

“The hero of the victory ceremony, the Seventh Prince, and the First Princess who aided him, please dismount from your horses and ascend the platform!”

The time had come to express their ambitions and the sentiments of victory.

Ian and the First Princess dismounted from their horses in response to the platform’s call.

All that remained was for them to proceed to the front, announce their victory to the king, and conclude the ceremony.

It was the moment for their names to be etched into the history of Kaistein.

“Come on, Sister.”

“Okay. Let’s go.”

The chamberlain shouted as if he had been waiting for Ian to come up.

“Now, the man who led the greatest achievement in the Northern Expedition, the Seventh Prince Ian, will speak!”

It was time for Ian, who had led the greatest achievement, to express his sentiments in front of the citizens.

The gaze of tens of thousands of people focused on him.

With a composed demeanor, Ian began his speech.

“This Northern Expedition is not just a victory for me, but for all of us. It’s an honor…”

Ian spoke at a deliberate pace, never rushing his words. As his speech neared its conclusion, something unexpected occurred.

“Kwaaaah!”

“Aaaah! Someone help me!”

“What’s with this madman? Ugh!”

Screams erupted suddenly, echoing through the surroundings. But it wasn’t just the screams that filled the air.

Boom! Boom!

The capital was on fire with a huge explosion.

The heart of Kaistein, considered the safest, was under a terror attack.

Such a disgraceful incident was happening during the most glorious victory ceremony.

But at that moment, a single man moved.

A strange herald who brought chaos.

He began screaming and attacking those around him.

It seemed like his purpose was to ruin the victory ceremony.

“Uhhhh!”

To make matters worse, the man was holding a hidden weapon.

‘This!’

The First Princess’s body stiffened at the sudden attack of the mysterious man.

However, Ian didn’t hesitate.

He sprang into action as if he had been prepared for this moment.

“Sister!”

He instinctively wrapped his arms around the First Princess, shielding her from harm.

However, in that very moment…

Shunk!

A dagger pierced Ian’s front.

“Ian!”

The First Princess cried out in shock as she witnessed the attack.

The dagger was deeply embedded in his abdomen, but Ian, without removing it, swiftly drew his sword and retaliated against the assailant.

With a swift slash, Ian’s sword struck the assailant’s chest, causing him to collapse to the ground.

The surrounding knights did not remain idle.

“Protect the princess and the prince!”

“Eliminate the assailant!”

In an instant, the knights closed in on the fallen assailant, their swords piercing his body.

Shunk!

Still, the man did not fall.

“Oooh!”

His red eyes gleamed with an unhinged fervor as he swung his dagger at the royal knights.

Despite the knights’ skill, facing a madman who disregarded his own life proved to be a formidable challenge.

And then, a swift sound cut through the air.

Sqwelp!

In an instant, the man’s head was severed from his body, rolling to the ground.

“Prince!”

The one who wielded the sword was none other than Ian.

When the assailant didn’t fall down, he cut the man in half.

Of course, his wound was serious. Ian fell to his knees again.

Seeing that sight, the First Princess turned pale and ran toward him.

“Youngest! Are you okay?”

Could it be that he foresaw this and made it a condition?

“Wear formal clothes, but put on armor underneath. Also, don’t fall from my side. Then I will give you the seat next to me.”

Immediately, the First Princess’s eyes flashed, and she pulled out her sword.

She tried to call for the presence of Duke Lavaltor who was with her, but…

‘!’

Ian secretly grabbed her and smiled in pain.

“This… I’ve been hit properly.”

“Now is not the time to say that. Let’s get you treated first.”

“It’s okay. By the way, do you know?”

“What did you say?”

“The crime of pointing a sword at the body of a royal family and shedding blood. How big and scary is that sin.”

For a moment, the First Princess could not say anything.

She didn’t understand why he was suddenly saying this.

‘His eyes are cold.’

It was because she felt the determination in Ian that he could never forgive those who attacked him. Well, she felt the same way.

“What are the royal knights and soldiers doing? The people of Kaistein are under attack! Take up your swords!”

She was sincerely furious.

She also felt guilty for Ian’s sacrifice to protect her.

But at that moment…

Grinning slyly, Ian lay down on the ground, pretending to be in pain, all the while maintaining a smile that went unnoticed by those around him.

‘Now you’re in big trouble, my brother. You’ll have to face the one person you least want to deal with.’

Just like the First Princess, Ian had also donned armor underneath his attire, so his injury wasn’t as severe as it appeared. Everything was part of his revenge against the Fifth Prince, who had attempted to shed blood on his glorious day.

‘The price of my blood shall not be taken lightly.’

His eyes gleamed with unwavering determination.