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Amidst the vast, pure white marble structure, Carsus stood alone with an air of dignity. In stark contrast, Yubel was accompanied by Repenhardt, Siris, Russ, and numerous subordinates.

Draped in a pristine white cloak, Carsus gazed indifferently at the assembly. Despite having lost everything, he neither despaired nor showed signs of defeat. He met Yubel’s entourage with a regal composure befitting a king.

Repenhardt gave a bitter smile. The scene seemed strangely familiar.

‘Did I wear that same expression?’

He recalled himself preparing for the end in the Abyssal Hall. Though that future had vanished, the despair and hopelessness of that time still felt vividly real. Seeing someone now wearing that same expression from the opposite side left him with a truly peculiar feeling.

Prince Yubel looked around, puzzled, and asked,

“Where are the others, Carsus?”

Carsus responded calmly,

“I couldn’t let the family be destroyed. My father and grandfather have already taken refuge through the back route.”

It made sense why their resistance had been so weak. Most of Carsus’s nobles had already fled the capital, Krotin, through the northern gate. Count Feonin scoffed.

“Hmph, they’ve been branded traitors! Do they think they can find a place to stand in this kingdom?”

This war was not merely a territorial conflict or a power struggle. It was a war for the throne, and the loser would be branded a traitor, resulting in the extermination of their lineage for three generations. Especially for the giant noble families supporting Carsus, the Fernando ducal family and Marquis Brozen, their fate was nothing short of annihilation. They had no future left in the Crovence Kingdom.

Carsus chuckled weakly.

“Indeed. So, both of them have led their retainers towards the Duchy of Chatan. They will lose their former glory, but they can preserve their lineage. That will suffice.”

Count Feonin frowned.

“They’ve escaped to the Duchy of Chatan after all.”

The Duchy of Chatan, which valued gold above all else, had a longstanding reputation for welcoming any exile as long as they paid a hefty sum. Once accepted, they were protected regardless of external pressure. The most famous example was Sir Lantas of the Teikan Kingdom, a notorious pervert and aura user. Even a heinous rapist and murderer who had slain hundreds of children was welcomed by the Duchy of Chatan as long as he had money.

As a result, the Duchy of Chatan received countless moral condemnations from numerous scholars across the continent, but they steadfastly adhered to this policy. The profit Chatan earned from accepting a single exile was almost equivalent to the annual budget of a small country. Moreover, no country is without political intrigue. To Chatan, exiles were precious potential customers.

If they ever abandoned an exile, they would lose future profits. Therefore, no matter how much chaos Crovence Kingdom caused, it was clear that they wouldn’t hand them over.

“Hmm, it was expected, so there’s no need to be greatly surprised.”

Although momentarily flustered, Yubel quickly regained his composure and tilted his head.

“Then why didn’t you go with them, Carsus?”

“Why do you think, Prince Yubel?”

Carsus looked at Yubel with a slight sneer. Yubel blinked and then answered.

“I see. If it were those two alone, it wouldn’t be a problem, but if you went to the Duchy of Chatan, it would lead to a war between nations.”

There wouldn’t be much issue with Duke Fernando and Marquis Brozen. They had already lost all their power and justification. A mere letter of protest and diplomatic pressure on Chatan would suffice. Chatan had no reason to use them to instigate anything against the Crovence Kingdom.

But Carsus was a different story. He had a claim to the throne on par with Yubel’s. Losing the war didn’t change his bloodline. If Carsus were to exile himself to Chatan, the consequences were obvious.

If Crovence were stronger than Chatan, they would refuse the asylum outright. But now, Crovence was severely weakened by prolonged civil war and a great famine. If Chatan, with the legitimacy of Carsus, invaded, Crovence wouldn’t have the strength to fend them off.

Crovence would become a vassal state of Chatan, and Carsus would become a puppet king, stripped of all power. The only thing left would be the pitiful people suffering under foreign exploitation.

Yubel clicked his tongue.

“…So, you’d rather die here than become a puppet king.”

Carsus was more concerned about his kingdom’s people than his own life. Though an enemy, his mindset naturally invoked a sense of respect.

Carsus looked at Yubel with a slightly surprised expression.

“Contrary to what I’ve heard, you seem to have a deep understanding, Prince Yubel.”

His face showed that he didn’t expect Yubel, known as a playboy, to think this far. Yubel responded with a bitter smile.

“Then let me end everything as you wish.”

Carsus drew his sword and shouted with arrogant eyes.

“So, who will take my head?”

The knights on Prince Yubel’s side all lit up with excitement. Taking Carsus’s head would be the greatest achievement in this war. Moreover, Carsus was a renowned knight; defeating him in a one-on-one duel would ensure both honor and wealth. The knights, confident in their skills, looked to Prince Yubel, hoping to be chosen.

At that moment, Yubel stepped forward with his sword.

“My cousin,” he said, adopting a stance and speaking in a serious tone, “though you are a traitor, you are still of royal blood. I will take your life myself.”

☆ ☆ ☆

The nobles and knights under Yubel’s command looked at him in shock. They could hardly believe their ears.

Was this the same ‘Yubel’ who intended to face ‘Carsus’ directly? The one who spent his days with dwarven maidens now wanted to fight a battle-hardened knight? And did Yubel even know how to wield a sword?

Count Feonin shouted at his grandson in astonishment.

“Prince Yubel? What are you saying?”

Repenhardt hurriedly approached Yubel. He had intended to just observe the situation, but now he couldn’t help but intervene. As he got closer, Repenhardt whispered urgently.

“This is dangerous. If something happens to you here, everything will be for nothing! A true king does not approach danger!”

Despite his words, his inner thoughts were quite different.

Are you crazy? Do you think all the victories were solely because of you? You really don’t know your place!

Yubel smiled slyly and replied softly.

“I know.”

“What?”

“I know that I’m no match for Carsus.”

“Then why?” Repenhardt asked, bewildered.

Yubel shrugged, looking at Repenhardt.

“I’m seriously lacking in popularity. I need to prove that I at least have the courage befitting a king.”

Indeed, Prince Yubel had been significantly underestimated compared to Prince Carsus. He needed to use this opportunity to show that he had the bravery to stand against Carsus, even if he might be outmatched in skill.

“So, if things look like they’re going south, quickly jump in and protect me. You’ve got plenty of excuses, right? Just shout, ‘The prince is in danger!’ and pretend you’ve lost your cool in your excitement.”

“……”

Repenhardt was momentarily speechless. They say recklessness is a privilege of youth, but this boy in front of him, barely seventeen, was speaking like a seasoned middle-aged man.

“Having an aura user at my back is quite reassuring, isn’t it?” Yubel finished, winking subtly at Finia. Seeing her respond with a gentle smile, it was clear this wasn’t a spontaneous plan but a pre-discussed strategy.

‘Does he have something up his sleeve?’

At this point, it was futile to dissuade him. Repenhardt quietly moved away from Yubel. Carsus watched them and sneered.

“You say you’ll take my head, yet you plan to wait until I die of old age?”

“Apologies for the wait,” Yubel replied nonchalantly, drawing his sword and unslinging the shield from his back. Carsus also gripped his bastard sword with both hands.

The two heirs to the throne stood beneath the sacred hall, igniting their fighting spirit as they faced each other. Yubel shouted,

“As the true king of Crovence, I shall now take your life!”

Carsus, assuming his stance and cutting the air with his sword, responded sharply.

“Come! You’re just a lucky fool!”

☆ ☆ ☆

Prince Yubel charged at Carsus, bravely leading with his shield. Carsus showed a slight expression of surprise. Those properly trained in martial arts moved distinctly differently. Yubel’s movements were faster than expected, and his body remained stable, indicating a significant level of skill contrary to his reputation.

‘They said he always skipped knight training and only played around with dwarf women?’

Puzzled, Carsus also charged forward. Yubel extended his long sword behind his shield and thrust it forward.

“Hyaaah!”

It was quite a sharp thrust. Unexpectedly skilled, but Carsus easily dodged the attack. Even if he was considered weak, no knight ever let down his guard in a duel. Thus, Carsus remained vigilant even against Yubel, who was derided as a playboy by everyone.

Dodging the attack, Carsus swung his bastard sword wide. Yubel quickly blocked with his shield. Carsus pressed down hard with both hands, aiming to knock Yubel off his feet. Just as he was about to push the shield away,

“Haah!”

With a short shout, Yubel shoved back, throwing Carsus off balance!

Clang!

A loud metallic sound echoed through the sacred hall. Carsus, pushed back by the shield, flew over two meters through the air. Everyone’s eyes widened in disbelief.

“Gasp?”

“How does Prince Yubel have such strength?”

Carsus was wearing full armor and wielding a bastard sword. He was not small, standing at 180 centimeters with a well-trained body. Combining his weight and armor, he easily weighed over 100 kilograms, yet the relatively smaller Yubel had sent him flying. This was a feat that even strong knights found difficult.

Carsus struggled to regain his posture and landed on his feet. While the physical impact was minimal, his expression showed he was mentally shaken.

“You… you’ve been hiding your skills!”

“No, not really hiding. Just never had a chance to show them.”

Carsus glared and launched another sword strike. True to his reputation, each attack came at sharp angles, imbued with powerful force. But Yubel didn’t yield, parrying each blow from his position. With the shield in play, no matter how intricate the attack’s trajectory, it was easier to block.