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Translated By Arcane Translations
Translator: selkie
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‘I couldn’t even sense his presence…’
The Fifth Prince may be considered a rogue, but is he really that weak in sensing others?
However, considering the nature of the Royal Guard, it might be expected.
They are all exceptional superhumans.
“This is Lord Illusion of the Royal Guards. He holds the title of Baron.”
“Nice to meet you, Baron Illusion.”
Raymond nodded in response.
“It was sudden, so I couldn’t prepare any formalities. Instead, I’ve come to escort you, so please forgive me for that.”
Baron Illusion slightly bowed his head as he spoke.
Other princes likely wouldn’t have formalities prepared when visiting the palace either, so what difference does it make that he’s a rogue? It’s just empty words.
“Forgive you? It’s my fault for coming unannounced. Don’t worry about it.”
‘This is different from what I heard.’
Baron Illusion slightly revised his personal assessment of the Fifth Prince. He showed a hint of surprise, but Raymond couldn’t see it due to the mask.
“I will escort you to the banquet hall.”
“The Royal Guard’s guidance… This feels really reassuring.”
Raymond said with a bright smile on his face. It wasn’t sarcasm; it was pure joy.
The lively voice of the Fifth Prince brought a smile to Baron Illusion’s lips as well.
Of course, it couldn’t be seen because of the mask.
“Yes, Your Highness the Fifth Prince. Even if an assassin were to appear, I will protect you.”
“The shield of the royal family can never be pierced, right? That puts me at ease.”
After all, what could happen in the palace? Still, seeing Raymond’s genuinely grateful expression made Baron Illusion smile brightly beneath his mask.
Even if it was just empty goodwill, having this conversation with the Royal Guard was not a bad experience.
At this moment, there was no rogue Fifth Prince in front of him.
“Even if the ‘Assassins’ who guard the darkness of the Night Kingdom, Edryger Kingdom, were to appear, I will protect you, Your Highness the Fifth Prince.”
Although there was an alliance of three kingdoms hostile to the Philios Empire, could elite assassins really show up at this time?
Even if it is declining, this is deep within the royal palace of the empire.
‘That could never happen.’
But then again…
“Assassins!”
“The palace is under attack!”
“Protect His Majesty!”
The empire seemed to be in a much worse state than Raymond had thought.
“What the…”
He barely held back the curse that almost escaped.
Of all the times, to come here after five years and face something like this…
What terrible luck he had.
However, he was only slightly flustered; he wasn’t afraid.
Since it wasn’t mentioned in any settings book, it was likely a minor incident where most characters wouldn’t lose their lives.
And above all else, Raymond Philios, the Fifth Prince, survives even during the banquet hall ambush at the beginning of volume one.
Of course, he would lose his life alongside other royals at the climax in volume one during a bloody funeral. But for now, at least he wouldn’t die.
“Knights! Protect His Highness the Fifth Prince!”
At Baron Illusion’s shout, royal knights who had followed him drew their swords and gathered around Raymond.
Just as Raymond opened his mouth in surprise at this sudden situation…
“A royal? This is fortunate.”
An assassin appeared out of nowhere. Although it was said to be declining, this was still the royal palace. Assassinating the Emperor wasn’t an easy task.
This was merely a reconnaissance mission to assess the Emperor’s guard status. But here stood a royal. Moreover, there weren’t many guards around.
Most of the royal knights and Royal Guards were focused on protecting the Emperor.
“It’s my first time facing off against a Royal Guard.”
But the assassin was confident of victory. Seeing this made Baron Illusion speak up as well.
“It’s an assassin.”
‘They really sent true assassins?’
Raymond felt like he was going crazy.
“But don’t worry,”
Swish!
Baron Illusion drew his sword.
“I promised to protect you.”
There was determination in his voice.
“The shield of the royal family cannot be pierced.”
“I believe you, Baron Illusion.”
“I won’t let you down.”
Baron Illusion stepped forward.
As an unusual aura emanated from him, even the assassin who initially felt confident had no choice but to tense up.
“So this is a Royal Guard…?”
The assassin muttered with intrigue just as Baron Illusion swung his sword.
A short and sharp dagger shot out from the assassin’s sleeve.
‘Fast!’
After more than ten clashes between daggers and swords, Raymond finally realized that combat had begun.
‘They say I have no talent, but I didn’t expect it to be like this.’
Admiring the duel between two strong fighters while feeling helpless about not being able to see even their afterimages made Raymond sigh deeply.
He felt regretful about having such a body when he saw Baron Illusion fight as well.
Although Raymond Philios is one of the antagonists in volume one, he has very little involvement in the main story; thus there isn’t much description about him in the novel. So he didn’t expect his talent would be this lacking.
‘I’m practically an extra.’
A passing character who provokes the protagonist only to be crushed and exit sadly before losing his life due to plans against royalty in Danchi City.
‘And that day, all members of Philios royalty perish.’
His thoughts couldn’t continue for long because sharp fragments of blades struck near his feet.
Seeing that made royal knights rush forward and panic ensue.
“Your Highness! You must retreat!”
“This place is dangerous!”
But Raymond shook his head and spoke up:
“I’m not going anywhere.”
It might seem like stubbornness from a rogue prince.
“The bloodline of Philios royalty does not flee.”
However, today was different.
There was no rogue here; only a Fifth Prince who inherited Philios royalty’s bloodline stood before them now.
“Your Highness!”
“We will risk our lives to protect you!”
The royal knights panicked once again.
Regardless of their concern, Raymond kept his eyes fixed on both fighters before him.
Although he couldn’t even read their afterimages properly, he remained focused on them as a sign of respect for Baron Illusion stepping up as a shield for him.
‘This is different from what I heard.’
Feeling Raymond’s gaze upon him made Baron Illusion feel a bit moved inside his mask.
‘I cannot disappoint him.’
Baron Illusion’s eyes glinted sharply. He raised his spirit and withdrew his sword. Only then did the assassin realize that he had underestimated the Royal Guard.
“What…?”
As soon as the assassin realized his mistake and attempted to retreat, Baron Illusion swung his sword and unleashed an aura around him.
“So this is what a Royal Guard can do…”
Raymond clearly saw blood gushing from every part of the assassin’s body.
He collapsed like a puppet with its strings cut.
“Your Highness the Fifth Prince, I will escort you to a safe place.”
Seeing Baron Illusion bow slightly, Raymond smiled.
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Although the empire is in decline, it is still an empire.
No one expected that even the palace, considered the safest place within the royal castle, could be breached, even temporarily.
The intruders’ target was, of course, the Emperor.
More than thirty Assassins attacked the Emperor while he was moving to the banquet hall for breakfast, but they were all wiped out.
Even though the palace’s defenses were breached, the Royal Guards, the shield of the royal family, were by the Emperor’s side.
It was an ambush that had no chance of success from the start.
The empire’s leadership also viewed this not as an attack to kill the Emperor but as a show of force to assess their defensive systems.
“Report on the damage situation in the palace in detail.”
The current Emperor, Ronald, though old and sickly, spoke with a clear authority befitting a ruler.
One of the Royal Guards kneeling on one knee lifted his head slightly to report on the damage.
“Hmm.”
Ronald’s expression relaxed. The damage was less severe than he had feared, which eased his mind.
Seeing this, the Royal Guard felt a bit relieved and continued his report.
“… And His Highness the Fifth Prince was attacked by one Assassin.”
“Are you saying the Fifth Prince was in the palace?”
“Yes, that’s correct.”
The Emperor, who had been maintaining his composure, became agitated.
“It seems he accepted your invitation for breakfast this morning.”
“Ah…”
Emperor Ronald had sent breakfast invitations to Raymond every morning for five years. However, Raymond had never set foot in the palace during that time.
‘But today he accepted my invitation?’
“Raymond…”
The Emperor murmured his name quietly, with emotion evident in his voice.
“Where is he now?”
“He is in a safe location near the banquet hall under the protection of one royal knight and some palace knights. He plans to return to his residence once safety in the palace is confirmed.”
“No way.”
“Your Majesty?”
His tongue moved faster than his mind. Ronald had unintentionally blurted out his true feelings.
He felt the gaze of the Royal Guard who was reporting. The Emperor spoke with a stern face.
“I’m going to the banquet hall. Inform Kitchen 1 to prepare a meal.”
“Your Majesty! Safety has not yet been confirmed!”
“That’s right! There may still be remnants left.”
The captain of the guard and the commander of knights stepped forward.
“It’s been five years.”
The Emperor’s voice resonated quietly in the audience chamber. It was calm yet filled with strength.
The eyes of his subordinates gathered on him.
“Are you telling me that I cannot even share breakfast with my son, who has returned after five years? Or…”
His gaze fell successively on the heads of the Royal Guards, captain of guards, and commander of knights.
“Has the royal family’s shield weakened to the point where we can’t even protect a simple father-son breakfast?”
Those words pierced their hearts like sharp needles.
The Emperor’s words carried multiple meanings.
‘Has the empire fallen this far?’
It felt as if he were asking that question.
And…
Everyone needed to see that the empire was still standing strong.
The subordinates understood the Emperor’s intentions.
“Your Majesty. The palace is now safe. We will ensure it stays that way. Please proceed to the banquet hall without worry.”
It was Marquess Blizzard, who was acting as head of Royal Guards in place of their vacant duke position.
“It’s been five years? We will send more guards to escort His Highness to the banquet hall.”
The moment for father and son to reunite was approaching.
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“Can you explain that again?”
The Fifth Prince, Raymond, couldn’t understand what was happening right now. So he asked a nearby royal knight for clarification.
“You have received a royal command to be escorted to the banquet hall, Your Highness.”
“You mean you sent all of the Sixth Knight Division—the Golden Heart Knights—to escort me?”
“Yes. That’s correct.”
Raymond never imagined that over twenty knights from the Golden Heart Knights would be sent as escorts for him.
He didn’t expect such an enormous impact from his return after five years.
‘This makes it hard to refuse…’
He hadn’t anticipated an attack on the palace. He wanted nothing more than to return to his residence and hide away, but he never expected such action from the Emperor.
“Your Highness…”
Alex beside him cautiously urged him for an answer.
Though Raymond felt like running away, he didn’t show it and spoke up instead:
“Let’s go to the banquet hall.”
“We will ensure your safety.”
It wasn’t far to reach the banquet hall. Perhaps because they had just faced an attack, there seemed to be an unusually high number of armed guards along their path.
Finally arriving at the entrance of the banquet hall, there were two Royal Guards standing watch there.
“The Emperor is waiting for you.”
As one Royal Guard spoke softly and slowly opened the door, a spacious banquet hall came into view.
At the head table sat Emperor Ronald.
“Come in, my son.”
After five years apart, affection shone in Ronald’s eyes as he looked at his returned son.
Breakfast ended quickly. While Raymond ate, Ronald watched him with a satisfied gaze but didn’t say anything special.
Although they met after five years, there was hardly any conversation between them—most of it consisted of mundane topics.
After finishing their meal, Raymond noticed with disappointment as Emperor Ronald stood up first alongside his Royal Guards.
With an attack on the palace having just occurred, no one was busier than him right now. Yet he still took time out to have breakfast with Raymond.
It made Raymond realize how much care Ronald had for him once again.
‘But the Emperor is old and sick.’
Though there was still some vitality in his eyes, it didn’t change that he resembled a setting sun.
Chances were high that either Crown Prince 1 or 2—or perhaps even Crown Prince 3—would inherit the throne next.
[Crown Prince 1 has talent in swordsmanship; he is upright but has a fiery temperament and enjoys support from military leaders and knights. Crown Prince 3 has shown talent in magic by reaching high-level mage status at a young age; he receives backing from both enemy and royal mage towers but has lost some sharpness compared to before and is filled with jealousy and recklessness.]
It’s common for princes receiving support from mages or knights. The problem lies with Crown Prince 2.
[Crown Prince 2 is unique. He has overwhelming wealth and sinister schemes that keep darkness under control within the empire. Assassins follow his every move.]
He is someone who rules over darkness within the empire.
“What are you thinking so hard about?”
‘He’s no saint either.’
Raymond hadn’t expected him to show up at this exact moment.
