This Bastard is Too Competent - Chapter 143: What is the Price?

“Do you truly intend to make it happen for me?”

Leonic flinched without realizing it.

‘He’s going to set me free? Is he really planning to do it?’

No, it was more than just a glimmer of hope.

He may have lost his position as the Crown Prince to the Second Prince, but he believed that if he returned now, he could regain that position.

Excitement tinged his voice as he eagerly asked Ian, “Will you truly allow me to go back?”

His heart raced with anticipation, and his eyes bore an impatient gaze, silently urging Ian to grant his request.

Ian chuckled at the sight before him.

“No, am I foolish enough to release the fish I’ve caught?”

“!”

For a moment, Leonic was speechless.

He quickly grasped the situation. Then, seeing Ian’s eyes as if he was making fun of him, he abruptly rose from his seat.

“So, you were just playing with me!”

Bang!

He was so agitated that the chair toppled over.

But it was that moment.

Slam!

Before Leonic could fully stand up, a sword swiftly flew towards him.

In an instant, the sharp blade was positioned inches away from his neck and chest.

“Why don’t you remain seated, former crown prince?”

“I will not tolerate any disrespectful behavior towards Prince Ian.”

They were knights.

And to some, it would have seemed as if the knights’ momentum stopped the crown prince in his tracks.

However, Leonic was frozen for a different reason.

‘This guy. When did he…’

Clang.

Before he knew it, a sword was vibrating before his eyes.

The problem was Ian, the sword’s owner.

His intimidating gaze, which seemed to overwhelm him, was also a problem.

‘When did he draw the sword?’

He didn’t even hear the sound of the sword being drawn.

No, he didn’t even see the motion of grabbing the sword right in front of him.

Ian’s skill surpassed Leonic’s exceptional swordsmanship, evading his keen senses.

Ian’s sword was so stealthy and swift.

But for the other knights, it was a natural sight.

‘Our prince never misses a day of training. His growth rate is astonishing.’ 

‘Lately, he’s been able to graze my body with a sword. If he’s my disciple, he should naturally be able to do this much.’

Ian seemed to consider Patience as an additional strength.

He continued to train without change.

His efforts, passion, and talent were acknowledged by Galon and Nathan.

It was only natural for him to surpass Leonic, whose body had grown stiff due to his imprisonment.

But regardless.

Ian casually sheathed his sword and took a seat.

Leonic flinched slightly as Ian’s gaze made him feel like a mere subject.

He was still in an awkward position.

Seeing this, Ian spoke in a cool voice.

“Why don’t you sit down? Your legs look sore.”

“My legs are only…”

“Return to your seat,” Ian ordered, his voice sounding like a low growl.

Under his pressure, Leonic unknowingly had to return to his original seat. Seeing this, the knights put away their swords and returned to their positions.

But Leonic shouted as if he would not lose.

“I am the former crown prince of the Cantum Empire. If you think you can intimidate me into submission, you’re mistaken. I won’t lie down like a dog.”

“Threats? I have no such intentions.”

“Then what do you mean by toying with me like this?”

“I thought I could help you.”

“If this is some kind of joke, I’m tired of it. Get to the point.”

Ian smiled like a bad boy.

“I’ll give you what you need right now.”

“What I need right now is your neck, though.”

“Well, that poses a bit of a problem. This neck is quite valuable. How about something else?” Ian suggested as he moved closer to Leonic.

“The reason the Second Prince was able to take your place is because of Leonic Kahn. It’s because you were absent.”

“And you’re telling me this now?”

“I’m serious. Without you, Cantum began to crumble.”

“?”

Leonic looked at Ian as if asking what he was talking about.

But he was serious.

‘He’s not someone to be underestimated just because he’s caught by me.’

Leonic had overwhelmingly suppressed dozens of nobles and taken the position of Crown Prince.

He possessed exceptional swordsmanship skills, a keen political sense, and even led factions. If he hadn’t been captured, he would have easily ascended to the throne and waged wars across the continent.

‘But he’s too talented, which is a problem.’

Cantum is a great empire.

In such an empire, the crown prince’s supporters were bound to be numerous.

And Leonic skillfully balanced the power, ensuring that only he could stand above them all.

That’s where the problem arose.

When the Crown Prince was captured by Kaistein, the lower ranks started fighting among themselves, oblivious to their own interests.

Ian said, calmly sipping his tea.

“The lower ranks are too preoccupied with their own petty squabbles, right?”

“…”

“The Crown Prince, or rather the Second Prince, took advantage of that chaos and gradually took them down, one by one,” Ian continued.

Leonic was well aware of this fact.

Although he could only receive one-sided news about the situation in Cantum, he had managed to establish secret communication with someone who relayed information to him.

The news was disheartening.

‘Those fools. They’re being manipulated by the Second Prince, all because they’re blinded by a few pennies.’ 

Those who turned a blind eye were being exploited and eliminated by the Second Prince, while some even joined forces with him.

All this occurred because Cantum lacked a commander like Leonic.

“What can you do for me if you’re not going to release me anyway?”

His gaze conveyed an attitude of “So what?”

Even without Ian’s help, he could still hear news about Cantum.

What he needed right now was to escape from this place.

He had to take command of his subordinates himself.

Only then did Ian get to the point.

“You simply need the ability to communicate with the outside, correct?”

“What?”

“I will allow you to have face-to-face conversations, rather than the one-way communication you currently have. This way, you can move the hearts of Cantum’s people.”

“!”

Leonic looked puzzled.

“It makes no sense. Can you do that?”

No, it was a skeptical expression.

That was natural.

“Shouldn’t the king’s approval be necessary for something like this? Even if you become the crown prince, he won’t allow it,” Leonic reasoned.

Leonic had been stripped of his position as the crown prince, but he still held his former title.

There were ample opportunities for him to exploit, even in his diminished state.

But Ian smiled.

“I can make it happen.”

“!”

Ian was sincere.

And there was a reason why it could actually be possible.

‘If they are targeting Cantum after Bahara…’

And if the Berserk soon engulfs the Holy Empire, everything will go according to their plan.  Unless King Eloin was a fool, he would likely grant permission.

It would be against Kaistein’s interests to be consumed by the chaos as well.

“And actually, I don’t need permission,” Ian added.

“What…?”

Ian’s eyes turned to Leonic.

‘Because you’re the fish I’ve caught. If everything else fails, I can simply take you to Bahara.’

Leonic’s eyebrows raised at that moment, sensing something unsettling in Ian’s gaze.

‘What kind of gaze is that…?’

It felt like the gaze of a predator, as if a beast was fixated on him.

However, Leonic quickly shook off the thought, dismissing it as mere imagination.

“That’s not enough. I can’t change the minds of my subordinates.”

“Why?”

“I’m just a fallen prince captured by the Seventh Prince. I’ve already lost my honor as a crown prince.”

“Oh?”

Leonic wasn’t a fool. He was judging himself more thoroughly than ever.

“At the very least, I have to be able to escape from this country with my own strength.”

Only then would he be able to reclaim his position as crown prince.

So, Leonic said, his eyes serious.

“I assure you, if you send me away, I won’t come after you or Kaistein again.”

“Really?” Ian questioned.

“Of course. I promise on my honor.”

Ian appeared hesitant. “It’s a bit difficult to let you go, though…”

Leonic slightly shook his head, realizing that it didn’t make sense, even to himself.

Then Ian’s voice reached his ears.

“Instead, I promise you this. I will restore your title as the crown prince without needing to set you free.”

“What?”

“Wouldn’t it be okay to get the crown prince’s title back without leaving this place?”

Leonic’s eyes widened.

Not only him, but the other knights were also very surprised, as if they couldn’t believe it.

So Leonic had no choice but to ask with calm eyes.

“What should I do in return?”

Ian smiled.

***

 

Cardinal Cesare was in a very bad mood.

‘Is he interfering with my goals?’

The saintess’s prophecy.

It had been weighing on his mind for days.

But he was a man of steel.

“Cardinal Cesare, are you here?”

“Today is the day I meet His Majesty.”

“Understood.”

He was able to put on his usual smile without showing any signs of it.

But he was never idle.

‘The saintess’ prophecy is absolute. I have to deal with the Seventh Prince somehow.’

So the first thing to do was to shake up the Seventh Prince.

He cautiously called the priest behind him.

“Did you send the letter I told you to send?”

“Yes, of course. It should have arrived by now.”

“There shouldn’t be any issues, right?”

“The Second Prince of Cantum, or should I say the Crown Prince, has taken all the necessary measures to act as soon as he receives the letter.”

“Well done.”

The Second Prince of Cantum was receiving support from the organization.

Moreover, by becoming the Crown Prince after the downfall of the former Crown Prince, he gained control over the military power.

‘He will be compelled to launch an attack on Bahara.’

If Bahara was under attack, King Ian would have no choice but to return.

Failure to do so would pose a significant problem.

‘A king who neglects his people can never be forgiven.’

Even Bahara, a country of warriors, would never forgive a king who disregards his homeland for the throne of Kaistein.

This was especially true considering Bahara’s history of beheading kings who fled from enemy attacks with an axe.

However, Cesare’s expression was not good.

‘This alone is not enough.’

Currently, the Seventh Prince Ian is receiving overwhelming support from the knights and the people.

All of that support needed to be severed.

‘The great power of Kaistein, Garcia, cannot move at the moment. Lavaltor is on his side.’

If that was the case, it was time for him to use the influence he had built up for a long time.

Being a descendant of the Adria Dukedom.

Cesare asked the Marquis of Adelas.

“Marquis. Do you remember that I was once a member of the Adria Dukedom?”

“Huh… I am well aware.”

Marquis Adelas suddenly frowned, wondering why he was bringing up this topic.

Discussing such matters within the royal family carried some risk.

Nonetheless, Cesare smiled.

“As you know, Adria Duke’s family was wiped out due to false accusations. How do you feel about reinstating that family now?”

Hmmm.

Under the gaze of the Marquis Adelas, Cesare whispered quietly.

“If the Adria dukedom were to be revived… I would be the only surviving member of that bloodline, wouldn’t I? Perhaps it would be better for me, as a noble of the Adria lineage, to marry the First Princess rather than a mere commoner.”

“But… that is…”

The Marquis can’t handle Cesare.

Marquis Adelas kept his mouth shut, as if he could never allow that.

But Cesare’s words were like the whispers of a snake.

“Don’t worry. Even if I were to become a duke, would I ever forget Marquis Adelas, who has supported me?”

“Hmm…”

“In that case, how about I accept the Marquis’s child as my adopted son?”

“!”

Marquis Adelas’ eyes widened, and for the first time, a smile graced his lips.

“You can’t possibly mean to make my child the next duke…”

“I simply seek the rightful position as the husband of the First Princess. Everything else shall be returned to you, Marquis.”

“…”

The Marquis of Adelas was in deep thought.

Even though it would be Adria Duke’s family name instead of Adelas’.

‘One of my descendants will become a duke?’

For Marquis Adelas, who had always dreamed of being a duke, it was an irresistible deal.

At the very least, with the revival of the Adria dukedom, he would have the pretext to reign in other dukes, perhaps even toppling them if necessary.

‘The Marquis of Adelas could become a duke.’

His eldest son would be the Duke of Adelas.

The other son is the Duke of Adria.

Both dukes could fall into the hands of Marquis Adelas.

So, his eyes began to fill with greed.

“Today, I will subtly test the waters with His Majesty.”

“Well thought out.”

That was when Cesare smiled sinisterly.

It was that moment.

“His Majesty has refused an audience.”

“What? Why?”

Marquis Adelas was genuinely perplexed.

He needed to discuss the betrothal of the First Princess and Cardinal Cesare, as well as the Adria Dukedom.

Seeking clarification, he turned to the chamberlain for answers.

However, just as he was about to voice his concerns…

“The audience is not of immediate importance! There’s a civil war! A civil war has erupted in Cantum.”

“What?”

There was a civil war in the neighboring empire of Kaistein.

But that was not the only issue.

“The Crown Prince of Cantum has requested support from Kaistein. This is an order for all ministers to gather together for this matter.”

The betrothal was no longer important.

It was time to prioritize ending the civil war in Cantum.

But a problem arose.

“Prince Ian is currently in an audience with His Majesty.”

“What…”

“He is requesting His Majesty’s approval for the betrothal between the First Princess and the former Crown Prince of Cantum.”

“What?”

The situation was becoming increasingly bizarre.