Chapter 41

Deep within the Third Prince’s Palace.

Knock, knock, knock—

“What is it? I told you not to let anyone in unless it was of grave importance.”

The Third Prince, Bernid, who had been in meditation, replied with a voice tinged with irritation.

“This is Marcellus of the Fifth Prince’s Palace, Your Highness.”

At that voice, Bernid’s furrowed expression eased slightly.

“Let him in.”

“Yes, I shall escort him in.”

Creak—

The door opened immediately, and Marcellus entered. With a heavy gait, he bowed politely.

“It has been a while, Your Highness. Have you been well?”

“Ah, it has indeed been a while, Marcellus. Have you been doing well yourself?”

“Thanks to Your Highness’s benevolence, I have been well.”

“Haha, good. So then, what brings you here? For you to come find me personally.”

“I came because I have something of great importance to report regarding the Fifth Prince.”

“The Fifth Prince? What about that youngest brat?”

“As Your Highness already knows, the recent movements of the Fifth Prince have been… unusual.”

“Indeed. I have been wondering myself whether I should take some form of action.”

That was no lie. Marcellus had scratched right where Bernid had been itching.

“Exactly so. Judging from the divine power the Fifth Prince has recently shown, this can no longer be denied. Hence, I have devised a small stratagem.”

“A stratagem to bring the brat down?”

“Yes, a scheme that—if it works—will bring him to his knees.”

Coming from none other than Marcellus, his most capable subordinate, the Third Prince was intrigued and straightened his posture.

“Very well, let me hear what this stratagem of yours is.”

“We shall kidnap one of the Fifth Prince’s people.”

“What? Just… a kidnapping?”

A disappointing answer that made his energy deflate. Bernid could not hide his dismay.

“I understand Your Highness’s reaction. However, what if we think of it this way?”

“…”

Marcellus had never once disappointed him. Bernid forced himself to listen again, attentive to his words.

“The White Dog has been pretending to be a fool for nearly ten years, deceiving the entire world. Isn’t that so?”

“That’s true. Everyone was fooled splendidly. Myself, the eldest brother, even Father….”

“Precisely.”

“Hm?”

“When a man deceives the ignorant, arrogance follows. And now, the Fifth Prince has succeeded in a decade-long ruse, deceiving everyone in the world. He has revealed his hidden power in an instant and is basking in the attention of all the Houkijisu participants.”

Bernid nodded, as though he was beginning to understand.

“So, you mean to strike when he is at his most arrogant—using a direct and obvious attack.”

Clap—!

“Exactly that!”

Marcellus clapped once in agreement.

“But, as you know, that Yurion brat is one whose mind no one can read. That’s how he managed to fool everyone in the first place. Do you really think such a man would fall for a straightforward tactic?”

No one gambled without certainty. Bernid wanted assurance.

“It is precisely because he is such a man that a direct tactic will work.”

Marcellus provided that assurance.

“First, we must acknowledge the White Dog’s talent. That bloodline is no ordinary one. But tell me, is there any reason to engage a man who loves mind games in a battle of wits?”

“…There isn’t.”

“Exactly. That is why the direct method is best. Assassination of key figures and kidnapping of hostages—though risky in political conflict—are the most effective methods.”

“I understand. But as you said, the risk is considerable. Are you certain this will be safe?”

Marcellus smiled faintly. He had already prepared his answer.

“In terms of risk, now is the most opportune time. The Fifth Prince is likely struggling just to protect himself.”

“…?”

“Right now, the Fifth Prince is the thorn in the eyes of every royal. He’s become the enemy of all. He’s monopolized the public’s attention on the grand stage of the Houkijisu Tournament. The Fourth Prince aside, do you think the Crown Prince and the Second Prince would sit idly by?”

“…Those two, who believe themselves the best, would never just watch.”

“They’ve surely taken action already—no, they have acted. I have obtained some information regarding it. Thus, the Fifth Prince must be having a hard time just keeping himself safe. In fact, he does not even have proper forces under his command. On the other hand, Your Highness has dozens, even hundreds of loyal men who would sacrifice themselves for you. This is our chance.”

“…I see now. Truly a clever plan, as expected of you, Marcellus.”

Bernid nodded repeatedly, impressed by the plan.

“Sometimes, acknowledging the strength of one’s enemy reveals the shortest path to victory. Identify your enemy’s strengths, neutralize them, and choose the battlefield that favors you. Then, all the world will kneel at Your Highness’s feet.”

It was music to his ears. Excited at the thought of toppling Yuwon, Bernid decided to carry out the plan at once.

“Then, I shall entrust this task entirely to you. Will you take it on?”

“Your Highness, why ask this lowly one’s opinion? I merely act as Your Highness commands. I shall receive this order as my greatest honor.”

Every word that left Marcellus’s lips flowed like water. He bowed deeply to accept Bernid’s command.

Thus, Marcellus, under Yuwon’s orders, met with the Third Prince and set the snare meant to strike Yuwon. Yet, something about their conversation was strange.

“So, have you decided who to kidnap?”

“The Fifth Prince does not keep many people close. I shall prepare someone whose disappearance will cause no backlash.”

It was strange. Marcellus had claimed he did not know Hastings’ whereabouts because of the Third Prince’s meddling. Yet the Third Prince himself had no idea that Marcellus had already set things in motion.

“Very well, I leave it to you. This time, we must crush him completely.”

“It shall be as Your Highness desires.”

The cunning Marcellus once again wove his schemes. Between the two princes, his perilous balancing act began.

“Ugh… Uuugh….”

Hastings, who had lost consciousness, let out a groan.

‘It hurts… I’m alive, then.’

As his senses returned, the pain all over his body became sharper and more vivid.

When he fully regained consciousness, Hastings opened his eyes and looked around. His body was still tightly bound, and his surroundings were shrouded in darkness.

‘That place… right. The same one.’

The musty stench of mold and the damp air told him that nothing had changed. He was still trapped in the cave.

Clatter—

At that moment, as if waiting for Hastings to wake, the stone door opened.

“Hey, you awake?”

It wasn’t Marcellus who spoke.

The man who came only during mealtime, untying Hastings’ hands and silently watching over him—

the nameless man—spoke to him for the first time.

“Things have changed a bit. I’ve been told to take on some other duties too. Nothing will change for you, so just get used to it.”

“…Something must have happened to Marcellus, right?”

“Silence. He’s not someone you can so easily speak of.”

The man was certainly of lower rank than Marcellus. Yet from his sudden anger, Hastings could tell something indeed had happened to Marcellus.

‘So something did happen to Marcellus.’

Whether this would work in Hastings’ favor or not, he couldn’t tell. Still, he hoped Marcellus had met a terrible end.

‘I just hope he’s not busy harming His Highness.’

Hastings’s thoughts didn’t last long. The man threw him a question.

“Same question as always. Swear allegiance to His Highness the Third Prince. I won’t just ask and leave today, so you’d better answer carefully.”

“I refuse.”

It was a question he had already been asked many times, and his answer was always the same.

“Yeah, I figured you’d say that. I heard you were just a bookworm—thought you’d cry and confess the moment you got a scare. But you’ve got more backbone than I expected. Fine.”

As if expecting that answer, the man pulled out something from inside his clothes—a gag and a small box the size of a child’s fist.

“…Like I said, today won’t end with just words. Let’s start with this. Bite your tongue if you want to die.”

The man’s rough hand reached for Hastings’s face—he intended to gag him.

“Whatever happens, my answer stays the same. Don’t waste your time.”

“I’m curious how long you can keep saying that.”

With a sneer, the man shoved the gag into Hastings’s mouth. Knowing resistance was futile, Hastings allowed it.

“Well then, preparations are complete. Time to welcome the star of the show.”

The man grinned unpleasantly, holding only the small box in his hand.

‘Torture…’

Until now, the worst of Hastings’s suffering had been starvation and immobility. But that seemed to be changing.

‘So they’ve kept me alive just to use me as a hostage… or maybe they’ve run out of time.’

“Ever seen a cramp before?”

Hastings didn’t bother to respond. With the gag in his mouth, proper speech was impossible anyway.

“Hey, I’m asking you something… well, fine, you can just listen. You’ve had cramps in your arms or legs before, right? From now on, every muscle in your body will cramp like that. Except no one will come to relieve you.”

With a smirk of pride, the man opened the box in front of Hastings’s eyes. Inside was a spider.

“This little guy will take care of that.”

The man, clearly experienced in such things, calmly donned protective gloves and picked up the spider.

“This fella’s a lifesaver. Whether you’re the one torturing or being tortured, it gets the job done cleanly—no filthy blood or stench to deal with.”

He dangled the venomous spider in front of Hastings’s eyes.

“Don’t worry too much. It looks terrifying, but it’s actually quite tidy. After you get bitten, the pain vanishes in exactly two hours, as if nothing happened. No damage to the body, either. Funny how poison can be so convenient when used right.”

He had expected Hastings to tremble in terror—but Hastings’s reaction was disappointingly calm.

“There are some cases where people become vegetables from the pain… but you’ll hold out. You’ve got a strong will.”

The man placed the spider on Hastings’s arm.

“Well then… see you in six hours. Endure it. Please. Heh.”

― Tonight, 11:30 p.m. Behind the Third Prince’s Palace. If you want to save Hastings Bartlett, come alone.

‘It’s here…!’

At last, what Yuwon had been waiting for had arrived.

Two days ago, Yuwon had set a trap through Marcellus.

Poisoned by Yuwon’s toxin, Marcellus had carried out the task flawlessly—without a single mistake.

‘Good thing I never neglected my studies on poison.’

Knowledge of toxins, and the living poisonous creatures kept within the underground chambers—Tang Seogyeom’s arrangements had proven invaluable this time.

And after all that waiting, the small scrap of paper—barely enough to call a letter—finally reached Yuwon.

‘Tonight, behind the Third Prince’s Palace… they must be confident. Not even bothering to hide what they’ve done.’

It seemed everything was finally in place.

‘Preparations are complete… all that remains is the reckoning.’

The plan had reached its final stage. Soon, the Third Prince would fall into his own trap and be devoured by Yuwon.

‘I just hope Hastings is still alive….’

Marcellus had insisted that if the Third Prince he knew was involved, Hastings would be unharmed—but Yuwon could never trust the man’s words.

‘That bastard fooled me once already. I spared him only because I still needed him to find Hastings—but once I rescue Hastings, Marcellus dies first.’

Keep friends close, and enemies closer. That was Yuwon’s reasoning for keeping Marcellus nearby.

But just when Marcellus’s execution drew near, the man dared to strike first. In the end, Yuwon had allowed a blow he’d never even suffered from his royal brothers.

Even now, recalling it made the back of his head sting. Seething, Yuwon barely managed to suppress his fury, reminding himself he’d kill Marcellus soon enough.

‘No more mistakes. Once Hastings is safe, I’ll take Marcellus’s head and teach Hastings martial arts so he can protect himself.’

He had always intended to train Hastings in martial arts—he had simply lacked the conviction to begin.

But while he hesitated over whether Hastings was ready, this disaster had struck. Now, Yuwon’s resolve was firm.

‘Fine. Even if something goes wrong, I’ll take responsibility myself. As planned, Hastings will be raised as my Guardian Knight.’

If all went well, Terrien would become his vanguard commander, and Hastings his Guardian Knight.

‘Yes, that’s how it begins. After that….’

The outline of his future plans unfolded clearly in his mind.

‘Enough hesitation. There’s no such thing as a perfect moment.’

It was his pursuit of perfection that had once caused his downfall. He had learned that while he prepared endlessly, his enemies did not wait.

“No more mistakes. Never again… I will never repeat the same mistake.”

Yuwon ground his teeth.

As he set out to rescue Hastings, anger still burned in him at the thought that Hastings might not be whole when he found him.

‘Please… just be alive and unbroken.’

It was time to leave. Yuwon opened the door of his chamber and stepped out.

As he descended the stairs—

“Your Highness?”

A young maid stood there, eyes wide. She was Erilyn, one of the few attendants whose name Yuwon remembered.

“Are you going somewhere at this hour?”

Yuwon replied with a faint, bitter smile.

“…A walk. I felt like taking a walk at night.”

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by NovelKeep