This Bastard is Too Competent

Chapter 29: We Finally Met

"What? A legitimation ceremony held in the royal palace? What kind of nonsense is that!”

Meanwhile, the Second Prince was doubting his ears. 

He was in the estate of a nearby Lavaltor vassal.

Originally, he was receiving treatment at Duke Garcia's castle, but he ran out, refusing to stay in such a place.

Also, he tried to forget about Ian and the pain in his arm for a while. 

“What kind of crazy bastard allowed him to the royal palace!”

The Second Prince was voicing his anger at the story he heard from the crystal ball.

It was none other than the problem of Ian's legitimation ceremony.

The decree that was delivered only to the Duke's Castle finally flew to all the royal family members and nobles. 

[The legitimation ceremony of the Seventh Prince will be held at the Royal Castle soon. Everyone is obliged to attend.]

Originally, Ian's legitimation ceremony was scheduled to be held in the temple on a small scale and with no nobles attending.

But how come?

"Did he get our permission? Tell me which man issued the order. I'll go and cut their decorative head.”

[You may go see His Majesty. This is an order from Father himself.]

“!!”

The Second Prince was completely frozen by the words from the communication tool. 

It was for no other reason.

"Father gave the orders?" 

[Yes. I think you should take care of your own throat. I'm sure they have contacted you, didn't you get it? ]

At those words, the Second Prince raised his voice.

"You did nothing but watch it!"

[What can I do? If I step forward for no reason, my head will be cut off.]

The moment he tried to swear at her for being useless. 

The princess, who had delivered the news to the Second Prince through the communication tool, giggled slightly. The clear laughter sounded like a bird's chirping, but there's no way the Second Prince didn't notice the contempt in her laugh.

[Then why did you do something that made you lose your arm, Brother?]

Had he stayed still, Ian would not have entered the palace.

However, the Second Prince gritted his teeth and shouted.

"I don't understand. Father is going to give that jerk power once I've become like this?"

The Second Prince finally stood up from his seat, declaring he should head to the royal castle immediately.

[Anyway, we just need to prepare four ceremonial outfits before the ceremony, right?]

The Second Prince smiled at the princess' words. Of course, there were five brothers aside from Ian.

He seemed to be very thrilled.

"Four? Something must have happened to the other besides me."

All royal family members must participate in the legitimation ceremony. However, if one person was missing, something must have happened to the other successor. 

Since they had been fighting each other recently. 

Well, it would be nice if something happened to the Third Prince.

‘I don’t know about the others, but I hope he disappears.’

The one who was overwhelmingly supported by the royal knights despite his inferior sword skills. The Third Prince was so talented that even Duke Lavaltor wanted to take him as a disciple.

In fact, the brothers competing for the first and second place in the ranking were on the top list of getting their lives threatened. 

And while he'd probably only lose one of his arms, the Third Prince might lose his life.

But soon the princess' clear laughter was heard.

[Why four, you asked? Except for you, Brother. You don't want to sit in the royal seat with such an arm, do you?]

Gritted his teeth, the Second Prince smashed the crystal ball into pieces.

***

‘It's been a really long time since I've been here.’

At the same time, Ian was looking at the royal castle that began to appear in the distance.

When he saw the appearance of the capital, his feelings grew anew.

How could he not? 

The capital was a place he couldn't visit again after the legitimation ceremony and undergoing some education.

Then Ian heard a voice from the side. Nathan was approaching the carriage. 

"I know how the prince feels, but if you stretch out your neck like that, you'll hurt yourself. Well, I also understand because my jaw falls out of amazement every time I come here."

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"Really? Someone like Sir Nathan? If it is Marquis Adeles…”

"Come on, it's just rural countryside."

Some countryside.

Nathan's hometown was the marquisate of Adeles, which was recognized by the kingdom.

Although they were lower than a duke by rank, they were at the top of the order of precedence and one of the owners of a territory that could be counted in one hand in the kingdom.

However, as Nathan said, the royal road was certainly very well developed. 

‘This is the central government where all famous nobles gather.’

It had not only a large population but also a logistics network that ran throughout Kaistein. It wasn't called the heart of Kaistein for nothing.

“Well, I didn’t know that the Prince would be looking forward to the capital city so much.”

Looking forward? Nathan must have misunderstood when he saw Ian staring at the royal road.

However, what Ian was looking forward to was not the royal road.

Woong!

The bracelet in Ian's wrist. The item that Ian obtained through his deal with the Duke was vibrating.

The closer he got to the royal road, the stronger the reaction was.

As if to let him know that the other half was nearby.

Of course, Ian had yet to unravel the secret of the bracelet.

But he was certain about some things.

What he knew was that this bracelet resonated with <Faith>. And the closer it got to Kaistein's royal road, the brighter it shone.

It was clear that the Duke had never come to the royal road with the bracelet.

‘Anyway, once I get to the royal castle, I will be able to unlock the secret of this bracelet.’

And he should never let it go into the Duke's ear. 

The fact that the Duke gave this away meant that most of the investigations about this bracelet were already over. 

When Ian asked for it, the Duke even made a face that he didn't understand why he asked for this useless thing.

It was possible for Ian to get it because there was nothing special about it other than the historical fact that the first Duke Garcia had used it in the past.

However, if it reacted like this, the Duke would change his mind.

‘He's without a doubt going to take it back.’

So, it shouldn't be discovered by anyone.

It was then. 

“The thing on your hand. What is it?”

“!”

Karan on the opposite seat was furrowing his brows.

"Isn't that an item from my father's office? You have been paying attention to it."

When Karan looked at him with sharp eyes, Ian smiled lightly.

"Paying attention to the situation and the expression of your master, you're going to make an excellent attendant."

"N-no…!"

"If you're that bored, I'll give you some work."

Karan almost couldn’t control himself seeing the golden eyes that were about to earnestly treat him as he said.

And as he was about to say something, Nathan looked in a certain direction and frowned.

"The soldiers have been dispatched to figure out the situation in the royal castle in advance. As expected, there are no welcoming crowds.”

It seemed like they had already looked into the situation inside the royal capital in the meantime. 

Perhaps because knights were not called superhuman for no reason, he seemed to confirm it only with his eyes. 

"Is there supposed to be a welcoming crowd?"

"Of course. It's the first day the Seventh Prince enters the castle. There must be a mistake."

"Is that so?"

That's all he said, but Nathan seemed to have his own ideas of Ian.

"It's okay, Prince! It's just that the rumors about the prince haven't spread to the royal capital yet!"

Nathan laughed like a child.

"And you have not had the legitimation ceremony yet…"

"That's right. You don't have to be too disappointed."

When Karan chimed in, Nathan looked at this punk as if it was a rare sight, but Karan snorted.

“Isn’t the Seventh Prince a bastard?”

"Young Master Karan!"

“I am just letting you know in advance. The king will never welcome the prince. He is telling you to prepare your heart in advance. As you can see, there are still no welcoming crowds.”

Ian laughed inwardly at Karan's words.

No, instead, the current situation was much better than before. 

At that time, he had to hear bad rumors about him even before entering the castle.

“This bastard. His mother is of lowly blood.”

“Oh my gosh, really? He is an illegitimate child? This is…”

“Does he deserve to enter the royal family?”

And this was also the case in the story behind the party at the temple after the legitimation ceremony.

“I heard that the prince likes the back door so much.”

“He must be a prince who knows no shame. I guess that’s to be expected coming from his humble serf background.”

But this time it was different.

Ian closed his eyes and the power of <Faith> was activated. 

Then he heard the voices of the soldiers who had checked the situation in the city beforehand.

– “Wow, rumors have spread already.”

– “The Seventh Prince and the Second Prince had a duel, but the Second Prince lost. Isn't the Second Prince the only prince taught by the royal knights?”

– “If he was able to defeat the candidate for the next crown prince, he must have inherited the blood of the king. Bloodline can't be fooled after all.” 

But whether he knew that or not. 

Karan continued his words.

“Kaistein is originally a place that seeks legitimacy. Honestly, if it weren't for my father's help, you wouldn't be treated this well."

Ian laughed.

“It’s different from what I’ve heard. Isn’t it strength that Kaistein takes precedence?”

“!”

That was true.

Ian had not committed the disgrace of entering the back door of the duchy. Furthermore, the present Ian managed to cut off the Second Prince’s arm, who was a strong candidate. 

Kaistein was a kingdom that prioritized legitimacy, but prioritized the strong over that.

There was no way to disparage Ian, who had achieved something that could not be ignored, even though he was a bastard.

Of course, that's why Ian had to be more careful.

‘Among the princes, there are those who are dangerously outstanding, for example, the Third Prince.’

Now they all hid their fangs, so nobody knew who it really was. But later, those who were excellent enough to lead the knights on the battlefield would show up.

‘I will still be in the royal castle.’

Unlike in the past, if he went to the royal castle, he might encounter them right away.

‘Royals and nobles alike, those wicked people. They must have felt a sense of crisis when they heard that the legitimation ceremony was to be held in the royal palace, so they might prepare poison.’

So, before the legitimation ceremony, he should make allies in the royal palace.

Well, there was a good guy right in front of him to exploit and work as a spy at his disposal.

“Well, what is it? Why are you looking at me like that…?!”

Karan trembled at Ian's thin smile for a moment, and Ian narrowed his forehead.

‘After all, I should visit Lavaltor as soon as I reach the royal castle.’

Ian thought he had to take one step ahead before he met his brothers.

But it was just then.

"Halt!"

"How dare you intervene! This is the march of a duke!”

The carriage that entered the royal road suddenly stopped. 

Ian looked out to see what was going on, and he could see the soldiers holding up their swords.

Someone was blocking the procession.

He was a dirty peddler who was as shabby as a beggar. 

But he didn’t put down his pack as if he was waiting for the Duke.

"I heard the Seventh Prince is onboard. I have something I really want to give him. Can I see him for a moment?"

The peddler had a friendly smile on his face.

But the soldiers and knights snorted. 

"What are you doing? Get rid of him right now!"

The Duke's soldiers quickly surrounded the peddler. However, the trembling peddler kept asking for a peek.

"Oh my goodness. What's wrong with you? I just need to see the prince for a second! There's something I have to deliver to him!”

Then Nathan’s eyes glinted dangerously.

"Huh, why should I? I don't know who ordered it, but the intention is obvious."

At the same time, the soldiers caught and dragged the peddler.

But right at that moment.

"Argh!!"

The soldiers holding the peddler were instead dragged by him and fell off. Even Nathan, who was watching, was surprised.

However, the peddler was flustered.

"Uh, what's wrong with you? I'm sorry!"

Nathan didn't put up with it anymore. 

"Whose spy are you!"

When Nathan's sword was about to pierce the peddler's body.

Smirk.

The peddler flashed a smile as he trembled. 

"You're pretty useful."

“…?!”

Nathan was surprised by the sudden whisper.

At the same time, the peddler jumped high on the spot. 

The fallen soldiers opened their mouths in surprise.

"Flying in the sky?!"

It was a jump high enough to be called flying. It was so high it easily exceeded the height of Nathan on horseback.

"Be careful! He's as good as a knight!"

"Everyone, surround him! Never let him approach the carriage!"

At the same time, a fearsome sword struck.

That's none other than Galon's sword! 

The peddler looked astonished.

"Wow, you're really strong."

Eventually, the peddler was caught by Galon. And finally, soldiers flocked the caught peddler. 

Right then, the Duke's carriage approached.

"What the hell is this fuss about?"

The Duke couldn't stand it and opened the carriage window.

"Didn't I tell you to beat him in moderation and kick him out? What are you waiting for?"

Ian also pulled his head out of the carriage window.

"What's going on?"

Then the soldiers prostrated themselves while Galon and Nathan dragged the peddler in shabby, beggar clothes.

"I apologize. This beggar suddenly got in the way! So, we beat him up a bit.”

"Beggar? Beat him up?"

"Ouch, it hurts. How can you beat a person like this?”

But then.

Duke Garcia and Ian's expressions paled in an instant after seeing the sniffling peddler.

The Duke's expression was particularly remarkable.

The soldiers tilted their heads in confusion.

"What's wrong, Duke?"

"Heuk."

The Duke took a deep breath, and Ian smirked. 

There was a reason for it.

‘Why is this bastard here?’

The third prince Louis Kaistein.

He was a dangerous successor who threatened the Duke's life using Nathan in the past.