Chapter 26

"Huh...?"

Whose voice was that, so bewildered?

The people present all widened their eyes at Raidor, who had so easily and without any lingering attachment, withdrawn the condition.

"I mean, if you hate it that much, I'll withdraw the last condition. I didn't really want to become the crown prince that badly anyway."

Saying this with a carefree tone, Raidor took out a brush and an ink pot from his pocket. He unfolded the rolled parchment again and without hesitation, drew a line through the last condition, erasing it.

"Alright, then the conditions are the top four. Is that fine, brother?"

"Ugh... Yes... That's fine..."

Grannard, who had been raging like a wildfire just moments ago, was completely deflated, his anger dissipated. In a dazed state, he inadvertently nodded to Raidor's words.

"That's good, that's good. I'm glad you understand. Let's have you sign the oath right away, shall we?"

(That's how it is, you really can do it...!)

Rokewood, folding his arms in satisfaction and nodding, understood the younger prince's intentions.

Raidor had never thought that Grannard would give him the position of crown prince from the beginning.

He deliberately listed a condition that would be rejected, and when Grannard reacted as expected, he easily withdrew it.

By doing so, he made it easier for his other demands to be accepted.

(If His Highness Raidor so easily withdraws a condition, and if I push for further concessions, it would make the king appear petty.)

Not all the nobles present were loyal to Grannard.

While they outwardly followed King Grannard, due to the empire's invasion, some were ready to defect at the first sign of weakness.

The king could not afford to show any signs of pettiness in front of these unpredictable people.

Grannard, seemingly coming to the same conclusion as Rokewood, reluctantly accepted Raidor's demands.

"...Fine. I'll have the royal seal brought here immediately. Wait a moment."

"That won't be necessary, brother."

Grannard was about to order his subordinates to bring the royal seal, but Raidor stopped him.

"We are blood brothers. Let's seal this contract in a way that befits us."

"An appropriate way for brothers? You don't mean to seal it with a verbal promise, do you?"

"If that makes you feel better, I don't mind... But how about we seal it with a blood seal?"

"Blood seal..."

Grannard furrowed his brow.

A blood seal, as the name suggests, involves signing a contract with one's own blood. While it doesn't have legal binding power, the contract is considered very serious because one's own blood is used as ink.

Breaking a contract sealed with blood is tantamount to defiling the dignity of one's soul.

"Your Highness... It is disrespectful to ask King Grannard to shed blood."

Rokewood, who had been looking increasingly haggard since the audience began, now offered a stern rebuke.

Raidor, with a sardonic smile, spread his hands wide.

"Is it? Indeed, brother is the king at the pinnacle of this country. I am merely a border lord, despite being of royal blood. There is a vast difference in our positions. However, we must face the empire's invasion together. Isn't it natural to reaffirm the bond of brotherhood?"

"That may be so, but there are proper procedures, are there not?"

"Blood brothers sealing a contract with blood. I can't think of a more fitting way."

Raidor stuck his right thumb into his mouth and, without hesitation, bit it with his canine teeth. Then, he used the oozing blood to write his name on the oath.

"Here, I've written my name. What about you, brother?"

"Ugh..."

Seeing the oath with the red blood seal, Grannard's expression grew even more severe.

It felt like a provocation: I don't mind shedding blood. What about you?

"Well, if you really don't want to feel pain, we can use regular ink. I won't force you."

"…Don't mock me. Who would be afraid of such a trivial thing? I didn't say I wouldn't sign it."

Grannard ordered a servant to bring the oath from Raidor's hand and, like Raidor, bit his finger and wrote his name.

King Grannard Zain and Prince Raidor Zain. The names of the two royals were written in blood.

The oath, now bearing their names, was returned to Raidor via the servant.

"Is that all, Raidor? I accept your conditions. I will fight the empire as promised."

"Of course. The contract is now in effect... 'Activate.'"

"What...!"

Raidor muttered the short incantation. In the next instant, the oath in Grannard's hand was enveloped in black flames.

Grannard hastily released the oath, but the black flames split into two, forming fist-sized fireballs that pierced the chests of Raidor and Grannard.

Raidor accepted the black flames without blinking, but Grannard, clutching his chest, rolled off the throne.

"Your Majesty!"

Rokewood shouted in shock, and the other nobles screamed. The audience chamber was instantly filled with cries and chaos.

"...The contract is now sealed. My fangs run deep, Grannard."

Raidor whispered in a voice so low that no one could hear, a cold smile on his lips.

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