Chapter 12

Baris belonged to the group that detested Queen Liness to the extreme.

No matter how much he was not a child born of his mother's pain, he seemed to have never thought that she would abandon them to such an extent by using her power.

"I will go to Father and tell him!"

"Do not cause unnecessary trouble."

"But—"

"Enough. I will handle my own affairs. By the way, both of you are said to be suppressing bandits in the provinces."

"Yes..."

"That's right."

Prince Baris, let alone Princess Winry, being involved in suppressing bandits was indeed a bit surprising.

But what could be done?

Winry, who resembled Baris, had a strong and impulsive nature and disliked palace life.

Moreover, she had a natural talent for magic, leading a life different from that of an ordinary noble lady.

"It's not good for someone as delicate and refined as you to be exposed to bloodshed so early."

"Without me, you would get seriously hurt, you fool?"

As Winry pinched Baris's cheek and grumbled, Baris frowned.

"What the hell?"

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

Sending mere fourteen-year-olds to the battlefield was also a despicable act by Queen Liness.

If they had no talent, it would have been disastrous.

A bitter laugh escaped me.

"So, when do you plan to return?"

"To be honest, I feel more at ease there. I dislike fighting, but at least I don't have to live in the suffocating royal palace."

It seems they also have their own desires.

"Still, isn't there Consort Anisha? Ah... You two, you haven't gone to see Consort Anisha, have you?"

At my words, a guilty expression appeared on their faces.

"Ha... You brats, get going. What are you doing here?"

As I waved my hand, their expressions turned pale.

"Yikes! I understand!"

"Brother! I'll come back in the evening!"

Seeing the two of them quickly run off, a pleasant smile involuntarily appeared on my face.

The maid Amy, who had been waiting at a distance to serve, also smiled faintly, bowing her head, as if she found the scene delightful.

* * *

Looking at the current state of the palace, there is one queen and two consorts.

The first to take the place of my late mother was Liness Barretta, the eldest daughter of the Barretta Dukedom.

And there are two consorts.

The first consort, Anisha.

And the second consort, Ellis.

Baris and Winry are the children of the first consort, Anisha.

The problem is that the first consort, Anisha, is someone who has fallen out of favor with Queen Liness.

Unlike Ellis, who is a devoted follower of Queen Liness to the core, Anisha had a close relationship with my late mother in the past.

Naturally, to Queen Liness, who detests any trace of my mother to the extreme, the first consort Anisha is a thorn in her side.

Moreover, she is someone who dotes on her own children, so she has used every means to get rid of Anisha's children.

However, it would be more accurate to say that the first consort Anisha had already sought refuge before Queen Liness could act.

At least the border region where Baris and Winry are active is the territory of her family.

Knights loyal to her would surely be protecting them with their lives.

Although Baris and Winry are aware of this, as young people whose blood is starting to boil, they seem resentful of their mother's fearful and trembling appearance before Queen Liness.

By the time Baris returned to the inner palace, it was quite late at night.

As the palace, which had become a virtual ghost town due to the replacement of the servants, began to return to its original state, Amy, who seemed deeply moved by this, was on the verge of tears.

Have I been too harsh on her all this time?

When I asked her, she shook her head vigorously and seemed delighted, like a child, that I was doing well.

"Brother, now that you have awakened, will you become the crown prince?"

It was Baris's question.

"Of course! Brother! You will surely become a great ruler!"

Winry also chimed in.

"What?"

"Isn't that right? The current throne of the Ron Kingdom is vacant."

"That's true."

"Then, Brother—"

Smack!!

I didn't need to hear any more, so I gave him a light slap, causing him to cry out and retreat.

My dream is to live a long life and lead a leisurely and comfortable lifestyle.

And yet, to be asked to become a king, a profession that most people die from overwork?

"Ugh?!"

Despite my physical abilities surpassing those of an ordinary human, the sharp pain in my head from my slap was not something to be surprised about.

The boy looked at me with a shocked expression.

"Stop talking nonsense, come here and have another drink."

"Brother, I am still a minor."

"Hmph~ You always act so proper, Brother! I am ready to accept the wine you give me."

Winry, in a coquettish manner, held out her wine glass with an expectant look.

"Compared to you, who only waste food and do foolish things in this palace, I am much better."

At my words, the boy smiled in agreement.

"Then, I should have a drink!"

Saying this, he gulped down the wine I poured for him.

"Ugh... It's good."

"It's what Mother left behind."

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

"Why save wine that was meant to be drunk?"

At my words, Baris looked at me with a curious expression.

"You've changed a lot, Brother."

"Is that so?"

"Yes. Brother, in the past, you tried to hold onto any trace of Mother."

Small things, but with a good memory.

"So, why did you come to see me in the middle of the night? What do you want to say?"

After a moment of silence, I noticed that he wanted to say something and asked quietly.

Then, Winry, on behalf of Baris, took out a small letter from the pouch she was holding and showed it to me.

"What is this?"

"The Continental Swordsmanship Tournament, held every five years! This time, it's being held in the Principality of Felicity."

"Oh?"

In this continent, there is a concept similar to the Olympics.

It is the various tournaments held continent-wide.

Swordsmanship, magic, archery, and academics.

The tournaments, held in different fields, rotate through various countries, and those who win receive a great honor.

With many promising future strong individuals participating, it is also a great spectacle to watch.

No wonder noble families even contact black marketeers to get tickets to the swordsmanship tournament.

"Brother, you should seize the opportunity when the tide is in your favor. You haven't been able to go outside the palace, have you?"

"That's true."

"So, I petitioned Father!"

As Baris proudly declared, Winry elbowed his side.

"I've already said it. You're just a muscle-bound idiot who stands there and smiles."

"What the hell?"

Again, I silently looked at the announcement, seeing the boys bickering.

Indeed, it is one of the best spectacles to watch.

The Continental Swordsmanship Tournament, where many talented individuals from the continent participate to make a name for themselves.

As a tournament that promotes unity across the continent, anyone can participate, from mercenaries to royalty, as long as they have the skills.

"Hey! Brother, I have the preliminary match ticket!"

Baris proudly said, thumping his chest.

"Oh. Really? Your skills must have improved a lot, then?"

Pretending to be surprised, but I could see the refined mana in his body.

Intermediate Expert.

For his age, he had reached an incredible level.

He must have extraordinary talent.

"I will participate. Brother, I am asking for your help. Will you not go out and see the sights with me?"

"By the way, Brother, you can also see the capital of the Principality of Felicity with Winry! Hehe! The city of water is said to be very beautiful!"

Their efforts to persuade me, considering my recent recovery, were evident, and I felt grateful.

"If you're worried about the fatigue, don't be! I will carry you if necessary!"

"I heard from Sir Lambdas of the court that Brother's body is recovering at an incredible speed."

"Stop talking nonsense."

Despite the situation, a smile appeared on my face.

Well, with a leisurely life, there's no reason to be bound by the past.

As Baris said, it wouldn't be bad to see such a tournament once.

And then, perhaps, I could participate as well, couldn't I?

* * *

"Isn't this a good opportunity?"

In the dark room, a woman's eyes glinted menacingly.

"Who would have thought they would crawl into the lion's den on their own?"

Speaking coldly, Queen Liness, without even glancing at the maid who was bowing her head, said,

"Shari."

"Yes."

"There is no reason to save someone who wants to die, is there?"

"There is only one chance to ambush them on their way to the Principality of Felicity. I will scatter their blood as you wish."

"If it fails, it will be a tremendous blow, won't it?"

"They will not survive."

Even if they are not blood-related, they are still members of the royal family.

Queen Liness Barretta seemed to feel no guilt in ordering such a task.

"Yes, I will take care of it myself."

"…As per the contract."

Shari, gathering her cold murderous intent, replied coldly.

* * *

The Continental Swordsmanship Tournament.

The prestige of the tournament, where most promising young people from various countries participate, is truly significant.

Naturally, there was no opposition from the royal family to Baris's participation in the Continental Swordsmanship Tournament.

What was surprising was that Queen Liness, who could not stand to see others succeed, readily approved of the tournament and my accompanying him.

If Baris were to win a prize at the tournament, his standing would rise sharply, unlike Kalus, who relies solely on his connections.

Queen Liness, who would not want such a situation, should naturally oppose his participation, but for some reason, she readily approved.

Moreover, she even approved of my joining the group under the pretext of convalescence without any hesitation.

It was as if she was certain he would not win, or perhaps she had other plans.

We knelt on one knee on the altar of the mana gate, which connects to the territory closest to the Principality of Felicity, as a group approached us.

"Raise your heads."

A strict voice, but also a weary one.

Lifting our gaze, we saw a middle-aged man looking at us, including Baris and Winry, who were part of the group heading to the Principality of Felicity.

King Crianes Ol Ron, the king of the Ron Kingdom and my father.

It was also the first time I had seen my father in nearly half a year since I awoke.

You've been avoiding me all this time.

I thought to myself as I looked at him.

It was hard to find the once hearty and dignified figure in him.

Over the six years, or perhaps a bit longer, my father had completely transformed into a different person.

Into a weary old lion.