Episode 82: The Crown Prince (1)
And so, it was decided that Damian would journey to the capital.
“My son has been summoned by His Majesty to the capital!”
“Honey, this is such a joyous day.”
Damian’s parents were over the moon. It was only natural, given that the Haxen family had been loyal supporters of the royal family for generations.
Being chosen by the very monarch they had long served was a cause for celebration.
“Damian! You must do your best! You’re going to teach none other than the Crown Prince himself!”
Historically, when a new king ascended the throne, their mentor often gained significant influence.
For this reason, the role of guiding the Crown Prince was highly coveted.
Damian’s parents, well aware of these political implications, were even more thrilled.
“Yes, well, I’ll do my best.”
Damian himself, however, was less enthusiastic.
To him, this was merely a duty for the family, not an act of loyalty to the king.
“Damian, take care of yourself. They say the water and food might not agree with you in a new place. Be careful with what you eat.”
“Sister, he’s not a child. He’ll manage.”
“Brother-in-law, have a safe trip.”
After exchanging farewells with Louise, Abel, and his sister-in-law Olivia Copperhead, Damian set off for the royal palace with the knights.
Riding alongside the knights, Damian made his way to the capital.
Despite the name “White Horse Knights,” the horses they rode were of various colors.
“Sir Damian, how much do you know about Prince Oliver?”
Perhaps bored with the ride, Liam Bluegreen struck up a conversation with Damian.
“Not much, I’m afraid.”
In truth, he barely knew the prince’s name, but he couldn’t admit that outright.
“Well, you’re not from the capital, so it’s understandable.”
Liam Bluegreen stroked his beard thoughtfully.
“Prince Oliver is said to be the spitting image of His Majesty in his youth. Dark brown hair, golden eyes… even his mischievous smile.”
Liam’s eyes grew distant, as if reminiscing about the past.
“And that’s not all. He’s inherited his father’s brilliance. No matter how thick the book, he only needs to read it a couple of times to memorize everything, and he understands it all perfectly.”
“Then teaching him shouldn’t be too difficult.”
Intelligence and physical prowess are different, but a sharp mind often means quick comprehension, which should make teaching swordsmanship easier.
“Well, we’ll see about that.”
Liam Bluegreen gave a mysterious smile.
“Sir Damian, I like you, so here’s a heads-up… you’d better be prepared.”
“Pardon?”
“You asked why His Majesty summoned you when there are plenty of sword instructors in the capital. There’s a reason for everything.”
Liam’s smile widened.
“What is it about the prince that makes you say that?”
“Now, where’s the fun in telling you everything upfront?”
With a wink, Liam left Damian puzzled.
“Ah, don’t ask any more. I don’t want to be the one to spoil the surprise.”
Liam’s tone was firm, leaving Damian even more bewildered.
There wasn’t much Damian could do when faced with such a response.
Besides, he wasn’t curious enough to press for answers.
“The Crown Prince of the Apple Kingdom…”
Even as he racked his brain, nothing significant came to mind.
“Well, if he doesn’t behave, I can always use a stick.”
He still had the club he used to reform the notorious Veronica Sanchez tucked away in a pocket dimension.
It might be a bit crude for a prince, but with some adjustments, it could work.
“The real issue is how to prevent the palace attack.”
Oddly, there was little known about the attack on the palace.
Few witnesses survived, and the Apple royal family had covered up most of the details.
“Dealing with that might be more troublesome than teaching swordsmanship.”
Lost in thought, Damian continued his ride.
After a week of travel, Damian and the White Horse Knights finally arrived at the capital where the royal palace stood.
“Sir Damian! Welcome to the capital!”
Liam Bluegreen shouted, spreading his arms wide from atop his horse. His booming voice drew the attention of passersby.
“Have you ever been to the capital before?”
“No, this is my first time.”
At least in this life. He had visited once in his previous life.
“Haha, I see. What do you think? Isn’t it magnificent?”
Damian looked around at the bustling streets of the capital.
The main road from the city gates was impressively wide, flanked by three- and four-story buildings.
The throngs of people were like swarms of ants.
”…”
Suddenly, memories from his past life surfaced.
As a Death Knight, Damian had, under Dorogo’s orders, laid waste to these very streets.
He had commanded the undead to massacre the citizens and used his aura blade to demolish the buildings.
He had painted the streets with blood and screams as he advanced toward the palace.
“Sir Damian? You don’t look well.”
Liam Bluegreen’s concerned voice snapped Damian back to reality.
“It’s nothing.”
“Hmm… if you’re not feeling well, speak up. Ignoring an illness only makes it worse.”
Damian took a deep breath. The fresh air cleared his mind a bit.
Upon reaching the palace, Damian was promptly granted an audience with the king.
“Is it really okay to meet His Majesty like this?”
Still in his travel clothes, no less.
“Haha, don’t worry. His Majesty isn’t one to fuss over such things.”
Damian frowned, but Liam Bluegreen was unfazed.
“Let’s go meet His Majesty. At this hour, he’s likely enjoying a book in his study.”
Liam led Damian through the palace.
After a while, they stopped in front of a door guarded by two knights.
“Your Majesty, it’s Liam Bluegreen. I’ve returned with Sir Damian.”
Liam knocked on the door. Silence followed.
“Enter.”
With permission granted, they opened the door and stepped inside.
The first thing Damian noticed was the towering bookshelves that seemed to reach the ceiling.
There were more than just a few; they filled the entire room.
In the center of it all, a plump old man sat at a large, grand desk.
“Oh, Sir Liam! You’ve had quite the journey! Was it arduous?”
The king rose from his seat, his face and voice full of warmth.
Liam’s face lit up with a broad smile at the king’s welcome.
“Arduous? Not at all. Serving Your Majesty is a joy in itself.”
“Sir Liam, you’re truly a knight beyond compare.”
The king and Liam shared a hearty laugh.
After a moment, the king’s gaze fell on Damian Haxen.
“Could this be…?”
“Yes, Your Majesty. This is Sir Damian Haxen.”
“So, the rumors are true… a Mid-Class, as they say?”
“Indeed, Your Majesty. The rumors about Sir Damian are true. If anything, they don’t do him justice.”
The king looked at Damian with astonishment, then nodded with a sense of awe.
“Sir Damian, I’m delighted to have such a remarkable knight join the White Horse Knights.”
“Your Majesty, actually… he won’t be joining the knights.”
“What? Then why is he here?”
“Well…”
Liam began whispering into the king’s ear. As the explanation went on, the king’s eyes widened.
“Well, it’s a shame he won’t join the knights, but I’m thrilled to meet him nonetheless.”
The king approached and extended his hand to Damian. Damian shook it and bowed his head.
“It’s an honor to meet you.”
“The honor is mine. To be in the presence of someone who might make history…”
Damian found the king intriguing.
Despite his royal status, the king exuded no air of authority or distance. It felt like meeting a friendly neighbor.
“Sir Damian, from what Sir Liam tells me, it seems you’re willing to help, even if not as a knight… is that correct?”
“Yes, Your Majesty.”
“Hahaha, what wonderful news… please, have a seat so we can talk.”
The king gestured for them to sit across from him at the desk.
“Sir Damian, ever since I first heard about you, I’ve wanted to invite you to the palace.”
Damian was taken aback by the unexpected confession.
“You might find this unpleasant, but… I heard your reputation wasn’t… the best until recently.”
“To be honest, it wasn’t just bad; it was the worst.”
Damian chuckled, and the king joined in with a hearty laugh.
“But in less than half a year, you’ve transformed remarkably.”
“I’ve put in some effort.”
“That’s exactly what I hope for from you.”
Damian looked puzzled at the king’s sudden remark.
“I want you to help our Crown Prince… to change, just as you have.”
Just as the king was about to continue his explanation, a commotion erupted outside.
“Sir Liam has returned, hasn’t he? And he’s brought some strange fellow with him!”
“Your Highness! You mustn’t do this! His Majesty is entertaining guests right now!”
“Let go of me! How dare you lay a hand on me!”
Suddenly, the noise outside grew louder, with the sound of hurried footsteps and multiple voices.
“I heard everything! He’s the new swordsmanship instructor Father hired, isn’t he? Like I’d let that happen!”
As the voice drew nearer, the king’s expression turned grim.
Bang!
The door to the study flew open with a loud kick, revealing a young man. Despite his youthful appearance, his patchy beard and disheveled clothes gave him a rough look. To make matters worse, an unpleasant odor wafted from him.
“Smells like booze and… filth. He must have just come from some revelry,” thought Damian, recognizing the scents all too well. The real question was why they were emanating from someone in the royal palace.
“Father! I told you, no more instructors!” the young man stormed into the study, the stench intensifying.
“What kind of uncouth behavior is this? And you call yourself the crown prince of a nation?” the king shouted, his anger palpable. Yet the young man showed no fear.
“Stop changing the subject! Why do you keep ignoring me?”
“You insolent brat!”
The king and the young man began to argue, their voices rising in a heated exchange.
Watching the scene unfold, Damian turned to Liam Bluegreen and asked, “Surely not…?”
“I’m afraid so,” Liam replied, his usual cheerful demeanor replaced by a rare sternness.
“That, my friend, is none other than Crown Prince Oliver Apple,” Liam added after a moment’s hesitation. “As you can see… he’s quite the troublemaker.”