Chapter 29: The Anticipated Four Years Later (1)

It was the year 938 of the Continental Calendar.

Four years had passed since the incident involving Diang Oulad.

Within the royal palace, peace prevailed, yet countless butlers and maids were busily moving about.

Today marked the seventeenth birthday of the Third Prince, Raion Canel, and the preparations for his coming-of-age ceremony were nearing completion.

Watching that scene from a high vantage point in the royal palace were three people — Queen Elina, the First Prince Ashuran, and the Second Prince Valet.

Until two years ago, both princes had been dispatched to the southeastern territories, where monster subjugation and commerce were the primary concerns.

It had been to nurture them into princes fit for succession to the throne.

Of course, they had returned with considerable achievements, not disappointing Queen Elina in the least.

Looking down below, Valet frowned and spoke.

“Do we really need to go that far for someone who hid himself in Taron’s Palace because he was afraid of the world?”

At his question, Queen Elina sighed softly.

“Still, what can we do? His Majesty cherishes that prince. Besides, he is your younger brother — I hope you two will congratulate him properly once he returns to the palace.”

Her answer carried the sting of subtle thorns.

Naturally, both princes fully understood what she meant.

Then Ashuran placed his hand on the sword at his waist and said,

“I suppose he must’ve worked hard hiding all this time. It would’ve been better if he’d just gone comfortably instead.”

The two princes knew well what had happened with the Third Prince about five years ago.

Though it had been a serious affair, their expressions showed that they didn’t think much of it.

“Don’t let anyone speak of that incident again. Understood? You must remember that.”

Hearing Queen Elina’s words, Ashuran and Valet both nodded.

Below them, the preparations were complete, and nobles and ministers were now entering in large numbers.

Then, from afar, a procession could be seen approaching the royal palace.

It was a carriage, elegantly designed — the one sent by the palace to bring the Third Prince Raion.

“There he comes.”

“So it seems, brother.”

Ashuran and Valet fixed their eyes on the carriage.

“Now then, let us go down and greet Raion. It’s been five years since he last showed his face, so please treat him well.”

At Elina’s words, the two princes descended.

At the palace gate, knights were busily checking and admitting nobles and ministers.

Even though the Third Prince wasn’t one with high expectations, he was still the cherished child of King Laskan, so no one dared risk offending him.

One by one, guests entered — and soon, Raion’s carriage arrived at the gate.

Clop! Clop!

Beside the carriage, the knight Jade and the mage Caldein rode on horseback, guarding him closely.

Naturally, the coachman’s seat was held by Patrick, the butler himself.

“Whoa∼!”

Patrick pulled on the reins, bringing the carriage to a halt before the gate. At that, the nobles and ministers who had been entering stopped momentarily.

It was out of courtesy — to allow the prince to enter first.

Knight Jade and mage Caldein quickly approached the carriage door to stand guard.

Meanwhile, Patrick stepped down from the coachman’s seat and opened the door.

“Your Highness. We’ve arrived at the royal palace.”

Everyone recalled the Third Prince who had once looked frail and small for his age.

However, the Raion who stepped out of the carriage was completely different from before.

He stood well over 180 centimeters tall, his build nearly matching that of the knight Jade.

Even through his simple attire, the contours of his well-toned muscles were clearly visible.

The only things unchanged were his neatly groomed, flame-like red hair and the golden tint within his eyes.

Step. Step.

As Raion stepped down, he looked steadily at the palace gate before walking inside.

The knights, nobles, and ministers all should have greeted him as he entered.

Yet, perhaps shocked by his transformation, they merely stared in stunned silence.

“May I go inside?”

At Raion’s calm question, one knight came to his senses with a start.

“Y-yes! Of course, Your Highness!”

Feeling the quiet pressure that radiated from Raion, the knight’s face showed even greater surprise.

“Thank you.”

With that, Raion walked further in.

Behind him followed Patrick, Monica, Jade, and Caldein.

As they entered the royal courtyard, those waiting inside reacted the same way — eyes widening at the sight of the changed prince.

Walking deeper inside, Raion finally arrived at the Grand Hall prepared for the coming-of-age ceremony.

On the platform stood King Laskan, Queen Elina, First Prince Ashuran, and Second Prince Valet.

“……”

They too could not hide their astonishment at Raion’s transformation.

Step! Step!

The others waited at the entrance of the hall.

Raion alone walked forward to the platform and went down on one knee.

“The Third Prince, Raion Canel, greets His Majesty the King!”

Even his voice had changed — calm, yet carrying a heavy resonance.

As that voice filled the Grand Hall, everyone fell silent, their eyes fixed on Raion.

“Are you truly the Third Prince, Raion Canel?”

King Laskan furrowed his brow, unable to believe what he was seeing, and stared intently at Raion.

“That is correct, Your Majesty.”

“How could you have changed so much? You stayed hidden in Taron’s Palace for five years. Did something happen there?”

“As Your Majesty said, it would be best to think of it as the result of continuously training in swordsmanship.”

Of course, such a transformation could not have come from sword training alone.

During those five years, Raion had raised himself to a level comparable to his former life — that of the special forces soldier, Kang Inhyuk.

“I nearly failed to recognize you.”

“You flatter me, Your Majesty.”

Showing modesty, Raion turned his gaze toward the queen and his brothers.

“Have you been well, Mother, Brothers?”

The three of them were so astonished by Raion’s transformation that they couldn’t immediately answer his question.

Then, Queen Elina spoke first.

“As His Majesty said, you have indeed changed a great deal. Seeing you now, it’s no wonder His Majesty is pleased. Don’t you agree, Ashuran, Valet?”

Her question turned to the two princes standing beside her.

“He truly looks much stronger. I heard he’s been training in swordsmanship — I’d like to spar with him myself if the chance arises.”

“I’d like to see that as well. Seeing our younger brother like this fills not only His Majesty, but me as well, with pride.”

Their answers made King Laskan’s heart swell with satisfaction.

“Indeed, today is a day of double celebration. And that knight back there — is he Jade, from the Wind Wolves?”

At King Laskan’s question, Jade stepped forward and knelt on one knee.

Jade, too, had grown leaner and more defined through training alongside Raion.

“As Your Majesty says, I am the knight Jade.”

“Oh-ho…! According to Sir Trine, you are a knight of both skill and talent, and now I see you possess a noble bearing as well.”

“I do not think of myself as such a great man, Your Majesty.”

Despite Jade’s humble words, King Laskan could sense a formidable aura emanating from him.

It was only natural — the king himself was a master swordsman who had stepped into the realm of the Swordmaster.

“If the opportunity arises, I would like to witness your swordsmanship personally. Would that be acceptable?”

“Should Your Majesty command it, I will show you anytime.”

“Excellent. Now then… is everything ready for the ceremony?”

At his question, Secretary Raphael stepped forward.

“Everything is prepared, Your Majesty.”

“Then let it begin.”

At those words, everyone began to move busily.

There wasn’t much to prepare for a coming-of-age ceremony.

The event consisted simply of the High Priest from the Temple of the Goddess of Sun and Blessings, Zigasis, personally acknowledging the Third Prince Raion as an adult.

Once that was complete, Raion would officially be recognized as an adult and a full member of the royal family.

Raion, who had stepped back for a moment, soon saw the High Priest of Zigasis Temple, Prabeus, entering.

Step. Step.

Standing on the platform, Prabeus accepted the High Priest’s staff from a lower priest.

“In the name of the Goddess of Sun and Blessings, Zigasis, I call upon Raion Canel, who turns seventeen this year, to step forward.”

At the High Priest Prabeus’s summons, Raion strode forth with a dignified bearing and knelt on one knee.

“Raion Canel comes forth to receive the grace of Zigasis.”

At that sight, Prabeus brought the head of the High Priest’s staff to Raion’s left shoulder.

“In the name of the Goddess of Sun and Blessings, Zigasis, do you swear to uphold your faith and conviction steadfastly in the life that lies ahead?”

Hearing the question, Raion spoke once more.

“In the name of Zigasis, I so swear.”

At his answer, the crystal on the staff’s head shone brightly.

High Priest Prabeus had infused his mana through Light Magic to signal the successful completion of the ceremony.

Clap clap clap clap clap!

When the coming-of-age ceremony ended, everyone applauded Raion warmly in celebration.

After that, a banquet was held.

Most of the dishes were made using the recipes Patrick had acquired under Raion’s instruction.

Over the past five years, many of those dishes had evolved and improved on their own.

Of course, the true creator of those recipes still remained a mystery.

As the protagonist of the day, Raion stood at the center of the banquet hall.

Yet, no one dared to approach him easily.

During those five years, a large number of nobles had joined the factions of Queen Elina and Duke Alito.

Naturally, since Raion was favored solely by King Laskan, anyone who approached him risked being misunderstood — so no one did.

In that tense atmosphere, Patrick quietly approached.

“As expected, the situation in the palace has changed greatly, just as Your Highness foresaw.”

“It was bound to turn out this way.”

“Even though this isn’t a favorable situation for us, Your Highness doesn’t seem troubled at all.”

Raion’s tone remained completely calm.

“It’s not as if the throne will ever be mine, so there’s no need to concern myself with it.”

“Are you saying, Your Highness, that you have no interest in the throne?”

Patrick thought that Raion was more suited to the throne than anyone else.

But Raion’s voice carried genuine indifference.

“I have no desire for the throne here. Besides, this won’t be the place where we settle down.”

His voice was quiet — quiet enough that no one else could hear, save for Patrick beside him.

“What kind of plan are you preparing, Your Highness?”

They had lived quietly for five years.

During that time, both Raion and Jade had grown tremendously in skill.

Judging by ability alone, they might already surpass the level of a knight commander.

However, Raion had ordered them to keep their true strength hidden from everyone.

“I’ll tell you once we leave this place.”

“Leave, Your Highness? Where would we go, leaving the royal palace behind?”

“You’ll find out in a few days.”

While the two were speaking, Ashuran and Valet began walking toward Raion.

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by NovelKeep