Reincarnated with the King’s Power

Chapter 5

“How tiresome.”

Julian Eurasia, who had just entered the private reception room, threw open the tunic he was wearing.

Chamberlain Rhodos, who followed him in, offered him a sangria.

“Was there any progress?”

“Was there anything different? It was all the same talk about the Family Head's greatness and my accomplished older brothers.”

The corner of Julian's mouth twisted as he replied.

He was on his way back from entertaining the envoys who had gathered to celebrate the Family Head’s achievement.

Since the man himself, Simon, did not grant private audiences to anyone below the rank of a Family Head, such tasks were usually handled by the three princes.

“Still, you must get along with them. They are individuals who will be of great help in the competition for the position of Family Head in the future.”

“I know that too. Isn't that why I'm dealing with this rabble?”

Among the considerable number of guests who visited the family, he was personally entertaining all those who could not connect with the first and second princes.

Since those pushed out from the mainstream were strengthening their solidarity, there was no expression more fitting than 'rabble.'

“Your Highness is also a descendant of the Family Head's blood, are you not? You will surely reach the realm of a Superhuman.”

“That's obvious.”

Julian neurotically emptied his glass. It was because the inferiority complex he harbored towards his two genius brothers had surfaced.

It was a familiar sight for Rhodos, who had served the third prince for over twenty years.

“Your Highness, your mother actually visited a short while ago.”

“Mother? Did she leave any other message?”

“Yes. She ordered you to win over the fourth prince as soon as possible.”

“Killian…? Why that moronic bastard, all of a sudden?”

Julian's face contorted as he recalled the skin-and-bones Killian.

He found it unpleasant that a guy with no talent or background was called a prince, just like him.

He had disliked him and had been taming him with beatings, but a small commotion had occurred in the family because Killian had swallowed an Elixir, claiming he wanted to become a knight.

“Come to think of it, the approach ban ordered by Sir Escardo has ended, hasn't it?”

“That is correct.”

Rhodos nodded and opened his mouth.

“Her Ladyship said that a large-scale monster subjugation will begin soon.”

Monster subjugation.

It was a regular event for any family that possessed territory and knights.

‘If it’s what Mother said after her private audience with the Family Head, the information must be correct……. But why Killian?’

Rhodos, having read Julian's thoughts, continued.

“She said that by embracing the fourth prince and achieving military merit in the subjugation, you could leave a good impression on the Family Head. It may not be to your liking… but she also said that if you have the makings of a monarch, you must also know how to make use of the incompetent.”

‘I am to embrace the vermin my older brothers have no interest in…’

I would be able to show off not only my humane side but also my qualities as a competent monarch.

It would also be nice to stretch my body for the first time in a while.

“Indeed, she is right. Without delay, summon Killian at once.”

“I have already sent a person to the fourth prince's bedchamber. Since it is your summons, Your Highness, he will not dare to refuse.”

“Huhu. Of course, he shouldn't.”

Julian let out a sinister laugh as he recalled his relationship with Killian.

“And…”

Rhodos brought over and opened a silver box that had been placed alongside the sangria.

Julian tilted his head after confirming the contents of the box.

“Is this part of a monster's heart? Seeing as it's dried, it seems to have been processed as a medicinal ingredient.”

“Yes. It is the Magic Stone of a Half Lycanthrope.”

“A Half Lycanthrope?!!”

A monster’s heart hardens according to its growth and grade.

Because its properties were like that of an uncut gem, it was commonly referred to as a Magic Stone by the public.

Unlike the 5-star Lycanthrope, the Half Lycanthrope was a monster classified as 6-star.

Medicinal ingredients processed from its corpse had remarkably low side effects, and even its blood and hide were treated as precious.

‘A heart… and in the form of a Magic Stone at that…’

If properly brewed and consumed, it could exhibit effects no less potent than a miraculous medicine.

“Her Ladyship said she brought it herself, meaning for you to achieve the 3-star level as soon as possible.”

Was it merely about achievement? If I could digest it well, I might even be able to aim for the mid-level of 3-star at once.

The corners of Julian's mouth curled up.

“This unworthy son has troubled my mother. Since she is taking such care of me, I must show her the qualities of a monarch.”

Just then, the resounding voice of a royal guard protecting the reception room echoed.

“Your Highness, the fourth prince and his chamberlain have arrived.”

As if to signify the difference in the two princes' circumstances, the honorifics for the fourth prince were missing from the royal guard's report.

Julian and Rhodos exchanged sinister glances.

“Let them in.”

Creeaak.

The door to the rather large reception room opened, and Killian and Haman entered.

“Welcome. It's been a year, hasn't it?”

“…”

Julian's eyebrows twitched at Killian's attitude as he scanned the reception room without answering.

‘What's this?’

His eyes no longer held the fear of me as they had before.

‘A year was a long time, indeed. If he has lost his fear, I just need to instill it anew…’

Looking closely, his appearance had also become quite neat.

While he still could not be said to have a normal physique, he had gained an unbelievable amount of weight compared to before.

‘So you've been eating well and living comfortably all this time. You’ll be more resilient than before, I suppose.’

It was when he was scanning his younger brother’s changed appearance with trivializing eyes.

“I was wondering why you’d bother calling for me, and you had a gift prepared.”

“What?”

To Julian's question, which seemed to ask what nonsense he was spouting.

Nod.

Killian pointed with his chin at the silver box Rhodos was holding.

The Magic Stone of the Half Lycanthrope was visible through the slightly open gap of the box.

A brief silence followed.

And then.

“Hah.”

Looking at Julian, who let out a hollow laugh.

“Don't be shy.”

Killian gave him a gentle smile.

Silence once again fell upon the reception room.

‘What on earth is that fourth prince saying right now…’

‘Oh, Your Highness… what in the world are you trying to do…’

Gulp.

Gulp.

The sounds of Rhodos and Haman, the two chamberlains, swallowing their saliva were exceptionally loud.

It was Julian who broke the silence.

“Rhodos.”

“Yes, Your Highness.”

“Lock the door.”

There was no need to ask again.

Rhodos scrambled over and locked the door of the reception room.

With this, it was impossible to enter from the outside unless one broke down the door.

“Yo-Your Highness, why are you doing this? Prince Killian has only recently recovered from his illness…”

“Shut up.”

“—!”

“Do you think you can dare to speak to me just because you hold the title of a mere chamberlain?”

As if the answer didn't matter, Julian walked over to the display cabinet and picked up a wooden sword.

It was not a common training wooden sword for beginners. It was an item crafted by an artisan through several processes from Libretto wood soaked in salt, which, despite lacking a blade, was no different from a weapon in itself.

Haman blocked the path in front of the blankly standing Killian.

“Move, you damn fool. It’s too late to beg for mercy now.”

Woosh. Woosh.

Swinging the wooden sword in his hand, Julian walked threateningly towards them.

“Yo-Your Highness! You must get away! I will open the door somehow… run towards the bedchamber and don't look back!!”

Haman shouted, revealing his resolute will, but Killian's reaction was calm.

“This is between the princes. Do not interfere.”

“Yo-Your Highness…?”

Leaving Haman behind him, Killian faced Julian who stood before him.

“…”

Thump. Thump. Thump. Thump.

My heart was racing.

It was due to the fear of Julian Eurasia that had been ingrained in me through over a decade of assault.

I was so exhausted from suppressing my trembling limbs from the moment I entered the reception room.

‘A damn fool… he's not wrong.’

If it wasn't I who occupied this body, if it was the Killian from before he had forged his Mana Heart.

‘He would've pissed himself and begged for his life.’

The aura Julian was emitting carried enough pressure to cause just that.

I quietly awakened my Mana Heart.

Ssssss.

The Mana in my body circulated. The racing of my heart and the trembling of my limbs gradually subsided.

Controlling the body and emotions using Mana. It was a skill that could only be used by someone at the 5-star level, but no one noticed.

In the meantime, Haman quickly stepped back.

“This bastard is acting insane to the very end.”

Julian uttered a harsh curse and tapped the floor with the wooden sword.

“Get on your knees. I was planning to discipline your rotten attitude before you set off for the subjugation anyway.”

“…”

Beating a prostrated opponent to clarify the hierarchy.

It was a method he had used not only on his subordinates but also on Killian several times in the past.

But unlike before.

Killian neither trembled in fear nor backed away.

‘Subjugation? So that was the purpose.’

I simply recalled the family's regular event from my memory.

At the same time, the complex interests of why Julian, who was in a disadvantageous position in the competition for the Family Headship, had summoned me, were quickly sorted out.

Pfft.

A laugh escaped me upon reading his shallow trick.

‘In a situation where he should be begging for a favor, he resorts to this…’

Whoosh.

The wooden sword Julian swung in a surprise attack cut through the air.

It was because Killian had taken a step back.

“He dodged…?”

Julian’s face contorted at the unexpected miss.

Killian silently scanned Julian's posture.

‘He said he trained under high-ranking knights, but I guess he’s just an inexperienced brat after all.’

Although I had lost the Authorities I possessed as Adamas, I had not lost my insight.

A year ago, my body wouldn't listen, so I had to just stand there and take the blows, but it was different now.

‘Julian Eurasia. It seems I need to instill a new kind of fear in you.’

If I let my opponent look down on me, the number of jackals rushing in would only increase.

“This works out for the better. I was just in need of a real opponent.”

‘Is this bastard really crazy?’

From Julian's perspective, it was an absurd situation.

He was a knight who had formally learned the sword from a 6-star knight and had reached the 2-star level. In addition to Eurasia's swordsmanship, he had learned various sword styles from knights invited by the Sepia Merchant Guild.

To such a person, a real opponent?

To a knight who was on the verge of reaching 3-star?

“You dare, you vermin…”

The surging Mana from Julian's body completely enveloped the wooden sword.

Killian’s eyes narrowed.

Unlike his poor swordsmanship, his Mana was sufficient to be called 2-star.

‘If I get hit by that with my current body, it won't end with just a light injury.’

“You brought this upon yourself.”

Before he knew it, the wooden sword swung by Julian was right in front of his nose.

One step to the side.

Killian moved naturally and twisted his body.

Whooosh.

The wooden sword grazed past him by a paper's breadth.

“You bastard!”

Before the wooden sword that had cut through the air could be raised again.

This time, one step forward.

He instantly closed the distance and threw a fist filled with Mana.

Thwack!

A sound hard to believe was made by a gaunt fist echoed.

“Ugh…”

Julian, letting out a groan, clutched his nose and staggered back.

Drip.

Belatedly, blood flowed from one of his nostrils.

‘So he’s a 2-star knight, after all.’

Killian looked back and forth between his throbbing fist and the bleeding Julian.

I thought I had landed a perfect counter, but all it did was break his nose.

If my body had been a little more trained, Julian would have lost consciousness from that attack.

‘This is my limit for now.’

There was a limit to the Mana that could be contained in a weak body.

At most, about five times. If I were to swing my fist with Mana more than that, I would be the one to collapse first.

“Yo-Your Highness…?”

Rhodos, who was standing with his back to the door, called out to his master in a flustered voice.

Not being a knight, he had not been able to properly perceive the movements of the two princes just now. He had only seen it as Killian staggering back.

So why was it his master who was bleeding?

“You… son of a bitch!!”

The moment Julian, agitated by the pain he had never experienced before, charged again.

Thwack!!

A scene similar to the one just before was re-enacted.

“Ack…”

Julian, struck in the jaw, even dropped his sword and collapsed on the spot.

Drip. Drip.

Following his nose, blood now flowed from his mouth.

“Why…”

Julian trembled, his face showing that he couldn't understand the current situation.

Killian picked up the wooden sword that had fallen at his feet and swung it around.

Woosh.

The weight was light.

Whooosh.

And it was unnecessarily sharp.

He looked down at Julian, standing less than a meter away.

“A fellow worse than a wooden sword. We had something to settle between us, didn't we?”