Chapter 44

Squeal!

The energies of Rao and the Third Prince clashed head-on, and their swords screamed.

Sizzle!

The power that rose from his ankles filled Rao's forearms. A heavy force, like carrying a boulder, exploded from the blade.

“Gasp!”

The Third Prince's hands, gripping the sword, trembled like aspen leaves.

‘What a lunatic!’

He knew Rao was strong from a previous defeat, but he never imagined he could be so overwhelming in a direct confrontation.

“Grrr!”

The Third Prince gritted his teeth and let out a battle cry. Determined to fight to the death, he swung his sword with all his might.

Boom!

The practice swords clashed and Rao was pushed to the left while the Third Prince was pushed to the right.

“Ugh!”

The Third Prince pivoted on his left foot to regain his stance. His movements were quick and precise, ready to receive any attack.

But his opponent defied his expectations.

Whoosh!

Rao used the Garambu step to stabilize his stance and moved with it, appearing behind the Third Prince as if sliding.

“Gasp!”

The Third Prince, having unleashed his full potential, reacted faster than before. He stepped back and swung his sword.

Sizzle!

Rao twisted his blade to deflect the Third Prince's sword, which aimed for his wrist.

“Not yet!”

The Third Prince's sword, like a living snake, curved and shot towards Rao's chest instead of his wrist. His eyes were filled with a burning desire to win.

Clang!

Rao's eyes remained steady. He applied a reverse spin to his practice sword, neutralizing the spin in the Third Prince's blade.

“Gasp!”

The Third Prince let out a groan and was pushed back, his jaw trembling in disbelief.

“How... how...”

“I've experienced it before.”

Rao glanced at the barren land behind the Third Prince. He had simply neutralized the spin in the sword, just as he did when fighting the creature.

“Monster or genius...”

The Third Prince bit his lip and lowered his stance. He gripped his sword with both hands and angled it diagonally. Though it was a familiar stance, it exuded a different aura.

‘Perez Swordsmanship.’

One of the three royal swordsmanship styles of the Owen Kingdom, known only to its future rulers. It was a technique left by Perez, the continent's greatest swordsman from centuries ago, which combined attack and defense, embodying the flow of the heavens.

“Haa!”

The Third Prince let out a firm battle cry and stepped forward, swinging his sword like a gale.

Clang!

Rao did not resist the Third Prince's sword but used the Garambu step. Like a branch swaying in the wind, he brushed past the blade.

The Third Prince followed, striking down with his raised sword. His aura control was precise, making his movements fast yet balanced.

Clang!

Rao used the Flexible Sword Technique to deflect the Third Prince's sword and stepped back.

“I won't let you escape this time!”

The Third Prince, without slowing his pursuit, unleashed a more refined version of Perez Swordsmanship. The blade was imbued with a grand and subtle energy, as if containing the heavens.

‘Not bad.’

Rao smiled as he felt the Third Prince's sword pass above his forehead.

‘Different from before.’

His strength and resolve had changed since their last fight.

‘Indeed, a prestigious kingdom...’

It was no coincidence that the Owen Kingdom, one of the Six Emperors, recognized him. At such a young age, he understood what was important in a fight.

There was a possibility of facing the Owen Kingdom in the future. To prepare for that day, he intended to familiarize himself with the kingdom's advanced swordsmanship, and he was getting a good study.

Moreover, the Third Prince continued to think and adjust his movements during the fight. He was an interesting opponent.

Sizzle!

Rao fiercely struck the Third Prince's curved sword, which aimed for his neck. The sharp sword strike. But he had already grasped it.

Because he had fought using the Ring of Fire, it was not difficult to understand his swordsmanship. All the techniques the Third Prince used were neatly stored in his mind.

Clang! Clang!

Rao no longer used the Garambu step. He pressed his feet into the ground and received all of the Third Prince's sword techniques.

“Huff...”

“Madness!”

The Third Prince's eyes widened, and Tarthan Duke's mouth gaped open.

“Huff...”

The Third Prince exhaled a long breath and took a step back. He straightened his shoulders and gripped his sword firmly.

“I'm not done yet. I have one last move.”

He raised his sword in a stance that supported the sky and pushed off the ground.

‘A secret technique?’

Rao narrowed his eyes. Advanced swordsmanship had its own secret techniques. It seemed the Third Prince was about to use the secret technique of Perez Swordsmanship.

Whoosh!

The airflow from the Third Prince's body pressed against him, a rushing sword technique that aimed to strike from the front, preventing any evasion.

‘I'll receive it.’

Rao shifted his sword to the left. He had seen enough of the swordsmanship; it was time to end it.

A single move from the Ten Thousand Flowers Technique.

Reversing Spin.

A bright red flame bloomed from the tip of the sword, rotating like a saw, cutting through the heat of the training ground.

“Haa!”

The Third Prince did not retreat even when he saw the flames rising from Rao's sword. He trusted his aura and sword.

Sizzle!

The thin flames cut through the Third Prince's aura.

“Huff!”

The Third Prince's wide eyes were revealed through the split blue aura. But he was not just any Third Prince of the Owen Kingdom.

He summoned his last aura to fill the gap in his split aura.

“It's useless.”

Rao, with a firm voice, sliced through the practice sword to the end.

“I'm not done! My sword... huh?”

The Third Prince, his jaw trembling, stopped his downward strike.

No, he had no choice but to stop. His sword was already broken.

Rao's Reversing Spin had not only cut through the Third Prince's aura but also his practice sword.

“Huff...”

The Third Prince slumped to the ground, staring blankly at his broken sword.

“He, I had the advantage in strength and speed...”

“Retreating by using the Garambu step doesn't necessarily mean you're weaker. Sometimes, it's done to create an opportunity.”

“...I definitely felt it.”

The Third Prince sighed and stood up. He picked up his broken sword, adjusted his armor and helmet, and stood in front of Rao again.

“Thank you. I learned a lot from our second match. The world is indeed vast.”

He bowed, a gesture so formal that it could make one think he was a prince.

“I learned a lot too.”

Rao also bowed to the Third Prince.

“I'm sorry for underestimating you at first. I didn't have the eyes to see your potential.”

“It's fine.”

“How old are you?”

“Fourteen.”

“Ha, I lost to a younger swordsman, both in skill and character.”

The Third Prince laughed in a defeated manner, revealing his true nature.

“You seem to be alright.”

He reached inside his armor and pulled out a badge with a blue lion emblem. On the back was the name Grier.

“Please accept it.”

“This is...”

“It's a token from Grier, the Third Prince of Owen, promising to fulfill any request.”

“Huh?”

Rao's eyes widened. The badge the Third Prince handed over was a symbol of a prince, a token that could fulfill requests.

“Why are you giving this to me...”

“I lost, but my mind feels clearer. This is the first time I've felt this way. It feels like I've gained some insight.”

The Third Prince muttered that the badge was a cheap price compared to the lesson he learned.

“Hmm...”

Rao took the badge with a dubious expression.

“I'll meet you again someday. I hope you'll still be above me then. It will be fun to catch up.”

The Third Prince smiled without a trace of bitterness. He descended from the training ground and stood in front of Rimer.

“Coach Rimer. We lost. The bet will be honored as discussed.”

“Understood.”

Rimer nodded with his usual smile.

“Duke Tarthan.”

“Yes.”

“Let's return. I have something to do immediately.”

“Yes!”

The Third Prince and Duke Tarthan led the training knights out of the training ground.

“Hmph! He's still putting on a show. Annoying!”

Marta snorted in displeasure and kicked the broken training ground.

“Just putting on a show...”

Rao shook his head as he watched the Third Prince's retreating back. There was no confusion in the Third Prince's eyes.

‘He has changed and will continue to change, just like Barren and Marta.’

‘And...’

Rao licked his lips as he looked at the badge in his hand. He had only accepted the match for training, never expecting to receive such an item.

‘Interesting.’

Perhaps because of his past life of assassinations without any rewards, he found it hard to adapt to such sudden rewards.

He didn't know the Third Prince's intentions or why he gave it, but he could tell it wasn't for a bad reason.

‘This life isn't going as planned.’

* * *

The Third Prince went directly to the audience chamber. When he announced his early return, the door opened, and the chief butler Roen walked out.

“The head of the house asks you to enter.”

“...Understood.”

The Third Prince swallowed and followed Roen into the audience chamber.

“Huff...”

Facing Glen's eyes, which seemed unchanged since the first time he saw them, he felt his breath catch in his throat.

“Your eyes have changed.”

As the Third Prince was about to kneel on one knee, Glen's voice sounded low. It seemed he already knew everything.

“I was ashamed, but I thought I was the best. I believed I could surpass the talents of the other Five Emperors, not just the Owen Kingdom.”

The Third Prince continued with a serious expression.

“It was the same here in Zighart. I looked around the training grounds but found no satisfactory trainees. Even in the Fifth Training Ground, where there were three strong individuals, I thought I could defeat them. But...”

The Third Prince rubbed his right wrist, which Rao had hit.

“There was a strength I couldn't even grasp. Rao Zighart. I underestimated the strength of a younger trainee and was defeated one-sidedly. Even in the second match, which I forced, I lost.”

“Hmm.”

The Third Prince slightly raised his head at Glen's response. The atmosphere in the audience chamber seemed to soften slightly.

What can I say? It felt like he was encouraging him to continue, urging him to speak.

“Well, I've visited three of the Five Emperors and had matches, but I didn't see a trainee like Rao. He seemed to be a complete martial artist in terms of strength, character, and spirit. Perhaps because I lost to such a person, I felt enlightened rather than upset.”

As the Third Prince continued, the atmosphere in the audience chamber became as warm as spring.

“He was a swordsman younger than me but had much to teach.”

“Is that so?”

“Yes. That's why I want to return immediately. I want to internalize the insights I gained from him.”

“Understood. Inform the current king that I received his letter well.”

“Thank you.”

The Third Prince bowed respectfully to Glen and left the audience chamber.

“...Huff.”

In the audience chamber, a sound like suppressed laughter was heard. Roen was covering his mouth, looking at Glen.

“Why are you laughing?”

“Seeing the head of the house smile, I couldn't help but laugh.”

“Smile?”

Glen touched his lips and frowned.

“You've been smiling since the Third Prince of Owen mentioned Rao. It seems you were pleased to hear your grandson praised by a foreign prince.”

“...It's a mistake.”

Glen cleared his throat and rested his chin on his left fist.

“Huff.”

“Don't laugh.”

“Yes!”

Roen laughed louder but then closed his mouth at Glen's words.

“Spending time with Rimer, you've caught his disease.”

Glen sighed and closed his eyes, while the smile on Roen's face wouldn't fade.

* * *

“Third Prince. We're ready to leave.”

When the Third Prince came out of the head of the house's chamber, Duke Tarthan approached.

“Well done. We can return now that we've said our goodbyes.”

“Understood. Line up everyone.”

“Yes!”

At Duke Tarthan's command, the knights and training knights gathered behind him.

“Let's go.”

“Hmm...”

The Third Prince walked at the front, and Duke Tarthan walked beside him, licking his lips.

“Is there something you want to say?”

“About the match with that trainee Rao. I think you might have revealed too much strength and even used Perez Swordsmanship. It's better to hide your strength...”

“I know. It was definitely too much.”

“Yes. Perez Swordsmanship is the kingdom's top swordsmanship. There's no benefit in revealing it. And giving a token... it was too much...”

“That's not true.”

Duke Tarthan's words were cut off by the Third Prince.

“Rao Zighart showed me kindness. Even though I started by underestimating him, he treated me with respect.”

“Hmm...”

“I only showed him respect. Besides, he also demonstrated a technique that could be considered a secret.”

“...That's true.”

“And giving the token is an investment.”

“An investment?”

Duke Tarthan tilted his head.

“At his young age, with such strength, character, and spirit, even as a collateral line, he will become a significant figure known throughout the continent. If I build a friendship with him, it could be beneficial to me in the future.”

“I see. To see that far in the moment, you are truly remarkable.”

“Growing up in a kingdom where you carry a knife in your heart and tongue, if I couldn't make such calculations, I would be dead.”

The Third Prince smiled and walked forward.

“Hmm...”

Duke Tarthan scratched his chin. Unlike when he was beside the Third Prince, his expression was now cold and calculating.

‘He has definitely changed.’

The arrogance of the Third Prince, which was evident before coming here, had completely disappeared. Now, his eyes exuded a passion for development.

“I really need a drink.”

Duke Tarthan smiled as he looked at the Fifth Training Ground.

“If we meet again, I'll buy you a drink. And...”

He thought of Rao, who was inside the training ground, and his eyes darkened.

‘I'm curious. What kind of monster will he become the next time we meet?’