Chapter 33

Chapter 33

Your Highness, the Crown Prince!

Ah, were here too!

Please consider us!

You treated us well, but we are ready to repay your kindness!

Now that youve brought us this far, you must take responsibility for us!

You promised to nurture and foster us!

This situation was absurd, truly mind-boggling. Raciel stared at the gladiators who had gathered outside his bedroom, staging some sort of sit-in. He couldnt help but respond abruptly.

Wait, foster? What am I fostering here? Are you all potatoes? Maltese dogs?

Im sturdier than a potato!

I can guard a house better than a Maltese!

I can protect you better, Your Highness!

Move aside! I will protect His Highness!

If left unchecked, it seemed they would soon compete to prove who would be the best guard. Raciel sighed deeply at this nonsense.

Phew. Just calm down for a moment. So, you all want to be my guards, is that right?

Yes, thats correct!

And apart from being treated well, youre enticed by the ample compensation and welfare benefits, right?

Yes, thats

Right?

.

The gladiators fell silent, as if they had tasted something sweet. Their eyes were fixed on Raciel, waiting for his response. In reaction, Raciel grinned.

Haha. Look at these guys.

This was absurd.

It was supposed to be an ordinary day, starting with breakfast, followed by a leisurely walk for health, a steam bath, mindlessly dozing off, and so on. He had been looking forward to a fulfilling day of idle royalty.

But then, there was commotion outside his bedroom. Curiosity piqued, he stepped out to find this scene. Each one of them claimed to be the best guard and insisted they could protect him more diligently than anyone else in the world.

Sigh How did this happen?

Raciel narrowed his eyes, observing the bustling group of gladiators. And there was Demian among them.

Lets talk.

He invited Demian into the bedroom. As soon as they were inside, Raciel questioned him sharply.

Hmm. This is your doing, isnt it?

Im not sure what you mean.

I mean the conditions of becoming my guard. Youre the one who discussed it with them, right?

I didnt discuss it. I simply relayed what I heard.

Ah, I see.

Were those conditions supposed to be a secret?

What?

You mentioned it yesterday. You told me to consider the working conditions and benefits.

Oh, right. I did?

Yes. So, I thought about it. I pondered over it. But I couldnt easily reach a conclusion. So

Dont tell me.

A chilling intuition ran through Raciels mind, and as always, it proved to be accurate.

Yes, youre right. I did discuss it with them.

Since you never kept the working conditions a secret. And theres something else.

What is it?

Its about the leave mentioned in the proposed working conditions.

Oh, why is that?

When I thought about it, something seemed off. You mentioned monthly and annual leave, as well as parental leave. But if I were to be your exclusive personal guard, who would protect you at the closest proximity when Im on leave?

Of course, there are the existing royal guards. But you specifically chose me separately. You wanted a special guard who could be with you 24/7. So I pondered over it. Mentioning leave must have a deeper meaning to you.

This is the regular report on the recent affairs of Crown Prince Raciel Adria Magentano.

In the deepest part of the Magentano royal palace, a restricted area accessible only to the emperor and a few close aides, Emperor Asterion Testarosa Magentano stared at his teacup.

White steam rose from the cup, amidst which the report from the chief of the emperors direct intelligence unit could be heard.

First, regarding the gladiators that the Crown Prince brought into the Star Palace. Two days ago, all fourteen gladiators were appointed as the Crown Princes guards.

Guards?

Yes, Your Majesty.

The intelligence chiefs report continued.

The Crown Prince has dubbed them the Special Duty Squad and ordered them to provide 24-hour protection.

Hmm. Have the gladiators pledged their loyalty?

Yes, Your Majesty.

And what reward did Raciel offer them?

He entered into contracts with guaranteed salaries and various benefits.

Contracts?

Yes, Your Majesty.

It sounds grand, but it seems he has merely hired mercenaries with money.

Emperor Asterion chuckled softly. Despite his critical remark, he felt a deep interest.

Hes becoming more and more intriguing lately.

Raciel had always been a bedridden crown prince, a powerless patient who held no significance other than being the eldest son. Thats why every ten days, the report on Raciel was always a painful reminder.

But it was inevitable.

Every report that arrived was utterly disheartening, devoid of any glimmer of hope.

For a while now, he had been confined to his bed, barely nibbling on food. His activities consisted of taking a few feeble steps before needing to rest. It was a pitiful existence, a far cry from the daily life one would expect of the Crown Prince, who bore the weight of the Empires future.

The Emperor, having long given up hope, believed there was no future to be found. There were no signs of improvement, no reason to seek further hope. He had resigned himself to this reality for the past decade or so.

But

At some point, the Crown Prince, who had languished in this state, began to change. It was around two months ago, possibly when he heard the report about the prince pricking his body with a needle.

He, who was always watching over the sickbed. He, who seemed to be waiting for impending death. He started doing something. He started a task. He made an attempt. He dropped the gavel.

Since then, every ten days, the time to hear the report about Raciel grew increasingly captivating. He had commissioned a shield from the blacksmith in preparation for the showdown with the second prince. He exerted his strength to walk further and emptied his bowl. There were even reports of him raiding and subduing the underground organizations gladiator ring, active in the capital.

But this time, its a military organization comprised of gladiators.

Perhaps it was related to the information disclosed in the previous report. It mentioned that Raciel massaged the gladiators backs every day. Could that have been a form of torture? Did the gladiators yield to that torment?

No, that cant be it.

There must be something he didnt know. It couldnt be as simple as buying their loyalty with money. There must have been deeper connections and understanding between Raciel and the gladiators.

Thats good.

The Emperor felt a sense of contentment.

His eldest son, whom he had deemed to have no future, the child he regarded as a disappointment despite sharing his own blood, had become an object of unbearable pain, regret, and pity. Yet, the fact that he persistently strived to achieve something for himself brought the Emperor solace.

The Emperors voice, as he questioned the head of the intelligence agency, carried a subtle warmth.

Is there anything else to report?

Well

Undoubtedly, there was more.

However, the demeanor of the intelligence chief seemed slightly peculiar. Perhaps that Raciel had done something absurd once again.

Most likely.

The Emperor found himself rather pleased.

What kind of surprise would his eldest son spring on him this time? With curiosity and anticipation, he urged the intelligence chief to continue.

Go ahead, dont hesitate.

I apologize. Then, I shall proceed. In fact, since yesterday, His Highness the Crown Prince has

What could it be?

What preparations was he making to lead the Empire into the future? Or had he commenced his studies for personal growth? The Emperors heart throbbed with anticipation as he listened intently, his expression stern.

At that moment, the hesitant report from the intelligence chief unfolded.

He gathered all the servants, maids, and guards in the Star Palace and ruthlessly, mercilessly, and without any mercy, pricked each one of them with needles.

(TO BE CONTINUED)