Chapter 9

Introduction to the Spoiled Brat - Chapter 9 (9/300)

#009

“This is a cup I’ve never seen before.”

“Of course, it’s in ancient language.”

This wasn’t entirely wrong, as Hangul existed in this world as an archaic language, almost like a divine tongue.

Strangely, the dungeon where one of the protagonist’s future powerful abilities would awaken had its strategy written in Hangul.

When I asked the author why, he said that the protagonist wasn’t the first Earthling to transfer to this world. The main reason was that he planned to write a sequel, so he left a hint.

In other words, it was a place that I could also conquer now.

The risk was low, but the reward was great. It was certainly worth trying, but since it was located at the end of the continent, it was difficult to go there immediately.

Anyway, the protagonist only found the clue around chapter 200, so I just needed to get it before then.

“So, what does this say?”

“I told you, it says that he saw the memories of the past, present, and future. What else could it be?”

“...It doesn’t seem like you’re fixated on the past or the present, so it must be about the future.”

Tirbing looked at me with a peculiar gaze as she said this.

“Why?”

“Not really. You said you felt nothing when you got me, but it was for this reason. Does the future written here mention me?”

“It was a bit later.”

“Is that so.”

Tirbing let out a small laugh.

“Many people have tried to obtain me.”

She raised her small fingers and began to describe each of her former owners.

The first dragon slayer who ever killed a dragon as a human.

A sword master who reached the pinnacle of his art.

The stories of heroes who roamed the continent of Artenia flowed from her lips.

“...Finally, the one who glimpsed the future. I’ve met many kinds of people, but this is the first time I’ve met someone like you.”

“Take it as a compliment.”

“It is a compliment.”

Despite her appearance, she was not a cute girl. She pushed my arm off the armrest of my chair and sat on it, looking at me with a subtle gaze.

“Still, you know that the end is destruction, right?”

“...”

Tirbing is a cursed sword.

One that brings destruction to its owner.

Obtaining her means that destruction awaits at the end.

...Then, I can just discard her at the end.

Of course, I know it’s a ridiculous idea. Knowing what will happen in the future, I have no intention of accepting destruction.

I still have the ‘protagonist’ as a good source.

“What do you want from me?”

Tirbing’s pitch-black eyes stared directly at me. This was a question similar to what Leos asked in the original story.

Some wanted immense power,

and some wanted the authority that everyone would look up to.

Tirbing granted all of these and then took them away in the end.

In a way, her words were not wrong. There was always destruction at the end.

“Teach me how to use a sword.”

But I had no intention of going down easily.

* * *

Time passed quickly, and the morning of the Founding Day, which celebrates the birth of the empire, arrived.

My usually quiet palace was bustling with people decorating it, and I was surrounded by several people.

“Are you telling me to wear this?”

A grand ceremony is held at the palace on Founding Day, and as the prince of the empire, my participation is a given. But this is not it.

The silk clothes seemed to be dyed with emerald green, and endless white frills were attached.

The splendid attire, reminiscent of a medieval French noble, made me shudder.

I frowned, and the maids around me flinched. Only Parsy didn’t step back and looked at me with a curious expression.

“These are the clothes His Highness has worn so far.”

In the story, it only mentioned that I was dressed in splendid attire, without describing each piece. But I hadn’t imagined it would be this extreme, so I sighed deeply.

Could I even move in this?

“Bring me the most decent one. If possible, one without those damn frills.”

“Decent ones, you say.”

To avoid making the maids cry, I reluctantly made a decision. The rows of formal attire in the room were cleared, and new clothes were brought in to replace them.

“...How about these, Your Highness?”

Parsy, who seemed a bit more distant in front of others, held out a few outfits. I felt a bit disappointed but didn’t show it, picking up the clothes she chose.

“Can I remove the decorations?”

“They can be removed, but...”

“Remove them all.”

It’s good to have power. The others didn’t even murmur as they removed all the cumbersome decorations from the formal attire.

“Now it’s more presentable.”

Without the frilly and decorative elements, the outfit became a slightly elegant suit. The maids offered me various pieces of jewelry, but necklaces, pendants, and brooches were all too troublesome. I waved them away, and Parsy looked at me with a worried expression.

“Your Highness, aren’t you going to look too plain?”

“I’m handsome, so it’s fine.”

“...”

Parsy looked at me with a bewildered expression. The other maids turned pale and gasped, but I just gave her a light slap as a punishment for her rudeness.

Smack.

“...That’s too much.”

Perhaps I didn’t control my strength well, as tears welled up in her eyes. Parsy, rubbing her red forehead, pouted.

“It’s the punishment for slandering the truth.”

I didn’t say that I found her a bit cute.

‘Sigh...’

Despite my light actions, my heart was tense.

The story hadn’t even started yet, but I had already altered many events. I didn’t know how they would unfold.

Moreover, the Founding Day is a gathering of many nobles. I wouldn’t know who would be there or what events would occur until I faced them.

Therefore, this is a very important moment for me.

I doubt anyone would directly attack me, but given my reputation as the empire’s spoiled prince, I would be a good target for gossip. Mental management is crucial from now on.

I can’t afford to make enemies, even if it means enduring humiliation. I’ve already made many enemies by turning Augustus into a pancake and slamming my face into Darius’s.

‘Think of it as a sweet potato for the soda.’

The refreshing taste of soda is enhanced by the blandness of the sweet potato.

I glanced at the ring on my hand and the book neatly placed on the table.

The Veil’s Curse and the cursed sword Tirbing.

And my hidden abilities.

‘The time will surely come.’

The moment I reveal my true self, the world will no longer call me the spoiled prince.

* * *

“Then, let us begin the glorious Founding Day of the Riber Empire...”

The banquet hall was filled with many people.

A noble in charge of the ceremony stood in the center and led the proceedings.

I, seated in the highest seat except for the emperor, watched with a bored expression.

The banquet hall was indeed splendid. The decorations were so magnificent that the room of the first prince, Carious, I had seen before looked like a child’s play. The event was of such high quality that it made my eyes sparkle.

But that was only for a moment. Sitting in the chair for over three hours was unbearably boring. The nobles below were enjoying drinks and food, but the royal family, including myself, had to remain in our seats until the meal was over.

“...”

The three other princes, except for me, were chatting secretly, seemingly enjoying themselves. I looked away from their childish antics and raised my head to look at the man sitting in the highest seat.

‘He’s the emperor.’

Gilgamesh von Riber.

The author said the name Gilgamesh was taken from the legendary myth of the early Sumerian dynasty in ancient Mesopotamia.

Thanks to a famous anime series, the name became well-known and had a distinct image.

Gilgamesh von Riber here, despite being close to fifty, still had radiant golden hair. The absolute aura he exuded made everyone bow their heads.

His expression remained unchanged as the ceremony progressed. I couldn’t tell if he was bored like me or if he was thinking about something else, as he just watched with a blank face.

The other nobles, used to the emperor’s attitude, proceeded with the event smoothly.

The ceremony honoring the founding of the empire ended. The emperor, Gilgamesh von Riber, who had been silent until now, removed his hand from his chin and stood up.

“...”

Just by standing up, everyone’s attention was drawn to him. The sudden change in the atmosphere made me flinch.

“It’s a joyous day. Enjoy yourselves.”

A short statement, almost embarrassing to call a speech. But the other nobles raised their glasses in praise of the emperor.

Soft music played, and drinks and food were served everywhere. The banquet officially began, but the high-ranking nobles still held their positions, indicating that something was yet to come.

“Your Majesty, Leos and Augustus will both turn seventeen next year. It’s time for them to enter the academy.”

“Is that so.”

The first prince, Carious, spoke to the emperor. I could feel the attention of everyone, including the nobles who were drinking and chatting, on me.

“Leos, Augustus. Come forward.”

Carious called us. I moistened my dry lips and stood up, and Augustus, on the opposite side, walked forward without hesitation.

“...”

Augustus’s eyes narrowed as he looked at me. He clenched his fists and glared at me with intense hostility.

“Leos, I heard you beat him recently?”

The emperor looked at us with interest, a clear sense of amusement in his eyes, which had been expressionless until now.

“It was just a mistake.”

Augustus answered, still clenching his fists.

“What about you?”

You.

It was not a term he would use for his children or relatives. But it came out of his mouth naturally.

In the story, the emperor was portrayed as a stubborn man who only cared about power.

Strength was the only justice, and he would do anything to become stronger.

Even if it meant leading to destruction.

Thus, his attitude was naturally fitting.

“It was a natural outcome.”

I answered calmly. The emperor’s eyebrows twitched, seemingly surprised by my demeanor.

“I heard you’ve never trained in martial arts. Was it just a rumor?”

“...”

The emperor’s eyes scanned my entire body. I felt as if I were being stripped naked.

‘Caught.’

The Veil’s Curse should have sealed my abilities, but the emperor clearly recognized the power within me.

Even a relic-level artifact couldn’t escape his eyes.

“Probably nothing special. Do you think you can block my sword, a sword user?”

Despite being in front of the emperor, Augustus spat out his mocking words without hesitation. I glanced up to see the emperor deep in thought, seemingly ignoring the situation.

“Isn’t that right?”

“Spoiled brat.”

Augustus’s words were echoed by Carious and Darius, and even the nobles from influential families, who didn’t need to consider my position, nodded in agreement.

I was slightly irritated, but from their perspective, it made sense.

Gilgamesh von Riber was considered the strongest emperor in history, aside from the founding emperor.

And the three of them had inherited his genes strongly.

They probably thought I was qualitatively different, being conceived from a one-night stand with a street maiden out of mere curiosity.

It was frustrating, but it was true.

Leos didn’t receive the unique blessing passed down through the royal family.

Moreover, he didn’t inherit any skills, so the only abilities he had were the Eye of Truth and Super Recovery, which he had acquired to survive.

But he turned it around through effort.

Effort surpassing talent. Of course, he had inherited some talent as the emperor’s blood, but what made Leos strong was his indomitable spirit and unwavering perseverance.

But that’s one thing, and this is another. No matter how much I tried to suppress it, I couldn’t help but feel annoyed.

“Are you going to be carried off by a knight again this time?”

“...Eek!”

Seeing him puff up his chest, emboldened by the support, I whispered in his ear, making his face turn red with anger.

According to the rumors I heard from Parsy, the incident where I beat him to a pulp and chased him away became a hot topic in the palace.

He was always strict with his subordinates, so he probably had many enemies. I hoped he would be mocked for a long time. What a dog.