This Bastard is Too Competent

Chapter 40: Will It Work?

Chapter 40: Will It Work?

The First Princess's direct escort knight, Roydern.

He remembered exactly the order the princess had given him.

“Go and provoke the youngest in the name of teaching swordsmanship.”

“Pardon? Provoke??”

Even after hearing the commands that followed, Roydern still doubted his ears.

He had no choice but to do so.

“Ho-however, if we do that, the princess's reputation will take a blow…!”

“No, it doesn't matter.”

Whatever she was thinking, the First Princess smiled leisurely, looking unperturbed.

“On the surface, there's nothing wrong with the child picked up by Garcia. It would not be a big deal to isolate a child with a shallow support base.”

“However…”

Roydern looked anxiously at the princess.

The legitimation ceremony changed the nobles’ view on the evaluation of the Seventh Prince.

But the First Princess didn't care.

“Do not misunderstand. Even if I admit it, I only recognized him as a prince now. The serf boy showed an unexpected side, so it's bound to be more shocking. The lower the expectation, the greater the effect. That's all there is to it.”

Due to such stuff, rumors were spreading among the knights.

The king had possibly begun to show affection to the Seventh Prince.

Of course, that meant that even the First Princess would not stay still.

“Your safety is guaranteed. And anyway, it's between successors. It can’t be helped in this kind of war of nerves. So, if you provoke him at the right amount, things will take care of themselves. I'm sure he will get agitated at the slightest provocation.”

The drug certainly had that kind of effect. The knight with sharp ears seemed to hear the princess muttering such words.

“What's wrong?”

“Ah. No. I'll follow your orders, Your Highness.”

Thus, Roydern had no choice but to come to Ian, leaving the First Princess’s cold smile behind.

In terms of rank, the First Princess was definitely superior to Ian. In the Battle of Ranking, unless the rankings were reversed, even the Seventh Prince would not be able to touch the princess's knights.

So, he picked a fight while being as polite as he could so that he could get on the other party's nerves.

“The princess is concerned about you. Rather than relying on a knight with an empty name, she wants to make sure you grow properly.”

Furthermore, Galon the commoner was a good target. This might be why the princess sent him on purpose while Nathan wasn't there.

And at this rate, he was confident that his mission would be successful.

‘I don’t know why, but there must be a reason for what the princess is doing.’

He could make him show his true colors out of repulsion. It would be even better if the prince raised his sword.

Of course, he might make a justification that Roydern’s side provided the cause, but the princess must have taken that into consideration.

‘Rather, she may intend to tie it with the case of cutting off the Second Prince’s arm and push him to the corner by saying that there is a problem with his temper.’

But at this moment, Roydern could only frown.

It was because of the interference of Lavaltor’s knights who appeared in front of them.

But regardless, Ian looked at Lavaltor’s knights unexpectedly.

“What are you guys doing again?”

"As the Duke ordered. He sent us saying that the prince would not have been able to learn proper swordsmanship, unlike the other royal family members. He said this was the minimum fairness for the Battle of Ranking.”

Roydern had no choice but to panic. 

There was no way that Duke Lavaltor would give Ian the precious First Knight Order for no reason.

‘It's obvious that Lavaltor is trying to give power to the Seventh Prince.'

But even if Lavaltor tried to attract him in this way, he was following only the Second Prince. 

Ian also looked at them as if it was unexpected. When the situation became complicated, Roydern quickly moved. 

“The Seventh Prince will be taught by us, the direct knights of the First Princess. So, I believe it would be better for the First Knight Order to go back.”

However, Lavaltor's side was also tough.

"Getting trained by the enemy knights? How funny. Did you knock your head somewhere?"

"Hooh. Lavaltor seems to have some misunderstanding, but the First Princess values the Seventh Prince highly. It is not the Seventh Prince that she is wary of.”

"Ah. That's why the First Princess declared the Battle of Ranking at the legitimation ceremony. I now understood the princess’s profound meaning.”

"How dare you insult the First Princess!"

"You did it first.”

"What?"

“Do you think we did not hear the disrespect you just said to the Seventh Prince? This will definitely not go unannounced. His Majesty and Duke Lavaltor will never forgive you.”

“…!!”

The First Princess's knights bit their lips. 

Roydern purposely aimed for the timing when no one was there, but these guys came out of the blue.

And after their brief talk, it became more certain.

‘These guys, they're also in favor of the Seventh Prince.’

Even Ian found this a little surprising. He didn't know Lavaltor would come out like this.

Since it had come to this, Roydern finally decided to raise the level of provocation. The princess said he just had to get Ian agitated somehow.

‘Rather, if I use these guys…’

It was then. 

Ian sighed all of a sudden. Far from being provoked, he even spoke in an icy voice.

"My training will be aided by Sir Galon here. You all may go back."

Roydern had a hunch that something was wrong. The First Princess’s plan was not going smoothly. 

But instead of being flustered, Lavaltor’s knights politely bowed their heads to Ian.

“We will teach you special swordsmanship. At least it will be much better than Sir Galon.”

However, Ian said with a cold face.

“You are all aware that Duke Lavaltor also acknowledges Sir Galon as one of the Third Great Knights. Are your remarks just now implying that you disregard the duke?”

At Ian's sharp words, Lavaltor's knights hurriedly spoke.

"We apologize. That's not it!"

They looked at Ian to clear up the misunderstanding.

"Your Highness, Sir Galon is Duke Garcia's knight, and when the time comes, he won’t be on your side."

"On the contrary, we're ordered to be by your side whenever you want—"

“You’re really cheeky. Sir Galon is no longer Duke Garcia’s but my knight. Anyway, you're talking about ignoring my knight in front of me. I assume you ignored me as well as Duke Lavaltor?"

"Ugh!"

Their faces froze at once.

“The knights here still don’t know who I am, do they?”

"We have sinned to die!"

They immediately couldn’t help but panic. Ian threatened them, but…

‘Wh, whose knight did he say?’

After apologizing, they naturally had no choice but to turn to Galon.

"Sir, Sir Galon…! Did you swear allegiance to the Seventh Prince?”

"Di, did Duke Garcia give you permission?"

Galon didn't even feel the need to answer.

He just unsheathed his sword and approached.

"If you keep ignoring my lord like this, I won't tolerate it any further.”

Galon was patient, taking into account Ian’s position who was of lower rank. However, he seemed to be seething with anger about them disregarding Ian.

The two knight groups were overwhelmed by him and fell into panic.

Although he fell down on the line of origin, they were familiar with Galon's skill, the man who was about to be chosen as the king's direct knight.

‘Even if his <Oath> is ordinary, he is a talented person that no one can complain about.'

‘A man who has surpassed his origin, his limits, and all with his talents.’

On the contrary, if Galon had left Garcia's hands, which the Duke was unlikely to let go, they would have had to work really hard to hurriedly bring him to their camp. That’s how worthy his talents were.

But when they were oppressed by Galon's aura.

Ian held Galon back with deep eyes that were unlike children of his age.

“Well, that’s fine.”

“!”

"If you really want to teach me that much, do you have the strongest knight among you?”

“!”

"So, who's the strongest?"

For a moment, silence dawned on the training ground.

But.

"Oh, you don't know? Then fight each other and the strongest will take charge of me."

Lavaltor's knights drew their swords at once.

"Alright, I'll show you what I'm capable of."

"Who says what?!"

As the knights were about to have a violent swordfight face-off, Roydern had no choice but to miss the fight out of bewilderment. 

It was only natural.

"Galon, shall we go?”

“?”

Ian was about to leave the training ground and head outside.

"Y-Your Highness! Where are you going…!"

"You said you will learn from the strongest…"

"Yes, then keep fighting. But I don't think any of you will.”

"Pardon?!"

“Well, I’m thinking of going to Duke Lavaltor now. Are you guys stronger than him?”

Everyone's mouths were shut like clams.

At the same time, Ian, who had noticed their innermost thoughts from the beginning, spoke coldly to them.

"And be sure to tell the First Princess. If she is going to send me a knight, at least send someone stronger than Sir Galon. I'm going to send you back to her because the knights she sent me are all useless."

In an instant, those who were stabbing each other had become fools.

***

Roydern, who could not do what the princess had ordered, had a gloomy expression on his face.

He had no choice but to do so.

Clank!

“What do you mean? The plan didn't work?"

"I, I'm really sorry, Your Highness."

It was because his master, the First Princess, was unusually angry.

Roydern replied with a look of genuine regret.

"I provoked the Seventh Prince as you ordered, but it didn't work. Somehow he looked calm."

"No way…"

Yet, the First Princess only thought it was a mistake, so she quickly sorted her expression.

Then she picked up the cup with a calm expression.

“Didn’t he show a different look? There must have been a change in expression even if he wasn’t angry."

“That… that…”

Roydern recalled Ian's appearance.

The Seventh Prince, who was cold and collected, did not have any of the symptoms the First Princess had mentioned. At least from what he heard from the prince’s servants.

“It is said that he has no lack of talent in swordsmanship as a Kaistein, and he has never lost reason or his dignity.”

"Are you telling the truth?"

"I wouldn’t dare lie to the First Princess, and…"

Roydern continued, recalling Galon.

"Sir Galon would have noticed if the prince had a problem with his skills. I hate to admit it, but his skills are certainly there."

Roydern bowed his head, and the First Princess bit her lip tightly.

It was clear that something went wrong. 

‘Is the information wrong? I heard it had been installed in the youngest's room.’

This was a problem that was bound to occur if she left things to others.

"All right, step back. I'm going to see my mother."

She was to meet the queen of this country who was also the mother of the First Princess and the Second Prince.

But it was then.

"Sister!"

The Second Princess rushed into the room.

Her expression looked very urgent, making the First Princess wonder what else went wrong.

It wasn't just that.

"Your Highness, I think you should go right away. The queen is now with the Seventh Prince…”

The First Princess couldn’t stand it and rose from her seat.

***

Meanwhile, Ian, who was heading toward the First Knight Order headquarters, furrowed his forehead.

He was going to meet Duke Lavaltor first and settle some issues. 

But then.

“Your Highness, I have figured it out!”

“!”

Ian opened his eyes wide when Karan, who had always been listless as if he were lazy, rushed to him.

Karan was the one he sent to inspect the scented candle, so Ian quickly moved to an empty place.

However, Karan's expression was unusual.

"Your Highness. Where on earth did you get this?"

“It hasn’t even been a day since you left, and you have already found out? The informants…”

“Don’t compare me to those informants. Our head structure is different.”

Ian laughed.

"What did you find out?"

Karan looked around again and said.

"This is something that should never be distributed, especially in Kaistein. It is a taboo item."

"How come?"

“This is already equivalent to an attempted murder by itself.”

"Is it poison?"

Karan couldn't readily answer.

This scented candle even made him, the third son of Duke Garcia, hesitate.

Karan glanced around for a moment and whispered quietly.

“This is said to be a scented candle that makes you lose your swordsmanship talent.”

"What?"

Ian's expression hardened slightly. This time, Galon also seemed to be greatly surprised.

There's no way an object that could do such a ridiculous thing existed.

But at the same time, Ian felt like he had been hit in the head.

How could he not?

‘Then maybe the reason I couldn’t learn swordsmanship properly in the past…?’

He recalled the remarks that he lacked the talent he had heard from the royal knights.

But Karan's words were not over.

“It’s not just that. It is said that not only the talent of swordsmanship, but basically it also makes you lose concentration and tired, and you will get angry even at the smallest things.”

Of course, there was no risk of getting sick because it contained herbal ingredients that had a calming effect.

And at the sight of Karan thinking if he was trying to use such a dangerous object in the Battle of Ranking, Ian laughed.

“Don't get me wrong. That's not what I was looking for. It was installed in my bedroom and dining room. From the room we stayed in for the first time to the Crystal Palace we have now moved to.”

"Oh boy. Then…"

“Then, do you have any symptoms of body aches or any other emotional problems?” Galon asked.

"None at all."

At the same time, Ian recalled the past. 

In the past, his personality had not become aggressive, but he often got tired all the time and was quick to get tired easily.

But he thought he was just tired at that time.

Karan smiled in relief with his distinctive mischievous smile.

“They said this scented candle does not work on those with a certain skill level or adults.”

“!” 

“And all of Kaistein’s royal attendants are talented people who have learned martial arts from a certain age. So, there is only one person who can be affected by this scented candle.”

“They are aiming for me, huh?”

However, unexpectedly Karan smirked.

"Yes. But it may have turned out for the better.”

Karan smiled meaningfully as if he had found something interesting after a long while.

“Originally, I wasn’t going to tell you this. I know someone who is knowledgeable about this.”

“!”

"I think we can turn this curse into a blessing."

Ian and Karan looked at each other with a meaningful smile.