Time until the final battle: five days.

I was cultivating in the warm sunshine of the back garden when once again the Black Prince came looking for me.

“Devil! Someone’s here!”

At Linda’s call, I opened my eyes.

From behind the building appeared the Black Prince and Sir Smith, both staring silently at me.

Linda didn’t even glance their way. Instead, she grinned like a child and said,

“Devil, Devil. I did good, right?”

“Yeah.”

“Then can I bite your ear?”

“Gently.”

“Chomp!”

Linda clamped down on my ear, chewing at it as carefully as a gourmet savoring a rare dish. She gnawed this way and that, testing every spot as if it were some delicacy. At last, she seemed satisfied, laughed brightly, and scampered off.

“Heeheehee!”

“...”

The Black Prince stared after her, then looked back at me with a sour face.

“You’ve got… unusual tastes.”

I wiped the saliva-soaked ear on my sleeve and replied flatly, “Tell me about it.”

That wasn’t the first time, either. In exchange for standing guard, I’d let her bite my ear, touch my hair, or hug me tightly for far too long. A series of indignities disguised as ‘rewards.’

The prince kept staring at me.

“You. Yes, you.”

“Me?”

“Yes. To take a lunatic like Linda as your lover… I almost find it impressive.”

The Heavenly Demon’s chuckle echoed faintly in my mind.

I scowled as hard as I could. “What the hell are you talking about? You're trying to die, Prince?”

The Black Prince blinked. “Wasn’t it? I saw you holding her the other day.”

“That was the price for guarding me. You think I’ve lost my mind enough to date that crazy girl?”

“Ah...”

His face fell with genuine disappointment.

“I thought you two suited each other.”

“Enough nonsense. What do you want?”

He went straight to the point.

“That damned wandering knight, Fluffy. Any word?”

“No.”

“...”

The prince rubbed at his temples.

“Devil, even you took a week to pass the Sword’s trial. We have only five days left.”

“Mm.”

Honestly, my ‘trial’ had taken one second. The moment I grasped the sword, Vlad flared like lightning and fell silent just as quickly. If you could even call that a trial.

It had been the Heavenly Demon who really bore the brunt of it, though even without him I doubt it would’ve lasted long.

The rest of the time had been spent conversing with Ophosis in that warped pocket of time.

But His Royal Highness—who only cared about results and never nuance—wouldn’t understand any of that.

So I offered reassurance in the simplest terms.

“Don’t worry. You said the last man standing wins, right? Then we just knock everyone else down. Worst case, I’ll fight in Fluffy’s place.”

The Black Prince sighed.

“Devil, it’s not that I doubt your strength. But this isn’t just a series of honorable duels.”

“What do you mean?”

“The battle itself is only the second stage. The first stage happens before we even set foot in the arena.”

I frowned, prompting him to elaborate.

“In the first stage, both sides work behind the scenes to weaken or eliminate the other’s knights before the duel ever begins. Every method is employed.”

I gawked. “Wait. Isn’t this supposed to be an official contest for the throne? And you lot still stoop to that kind of trickery?”

“Precisely because it’s a contest for the throne. The crown of a kingdom is at stake. Naturally, anything goes if it means winning.”

“Mm.”

When he put it that way, it almost made sense. Almost.

“This place is a den of schemes and slander. Poison in the food. Bribing knights. Taking relatives hostage to force their hand. As long as you don’t get caught, anything’s fair game.”

“...”

It felt like seeing the filth behind a grand, dazzling stage.

“Those are just the basics. There are dozens of other tactics. Which means we must be ready to counter every single one. And of course, we strike back when necessary.”

He continued his grim lecture.

“First, the ten knights must be people we can trust absolutely. Second, they must have no weaknesses—or rather, we eliminate their weaknesses in advance. We gather their families and loved ones under our protection. That way, we prevent them from being used against us. At the same time, their families serve as hostages of a sort, ensuring loyalty. This is the foundation of defense.”

“Wow...”

So-called ‘protection’ was really just a polite form of hostage-taking. By holding their loved ones close, the knights would be unable to betray or hesitate.

The Black Prince concluded coldly, “That’s how you buy loyalty.”

“...Aren’t you clever.”

I sighed. “So that’s why you’ve been running yourself ragged. No wonder you looked half-dead.”

“Exactly. That’s why I told you time is precious. You may have no weaknesses to exploit, Devil, but Sir Fluffy is another matter. We don’t even know who he is yet. We’re short on time to investigate. That’s what I meant earlier.”

“Damn, what a mess. Can’t we just fight straight and end it?”

“Impossible.”

“Sounds exhausting.”

I clicked my tongue.

“Tch. Typical nobles.”

He corrected me. “Royalty.”

“Royalty, nobles—same shit.”

“...”

“Anyway, I’ll handle my part. You handle yours. Don’t worry about me.”

He gave me a doubtful look.

“I believe in Shushruta. She’ll return with Fluffy. Why don’t you try believing in something for once?”

The prince sneered.

“The only one I trust completely is myself.”

“Good for you.”

With that, he spun on his heel and left. Smith followed, expression unreadable.

I didn’t waste time fretting over when Shushruta would return. Worrying wouldn’t change a thing.

Better to train.

I glanced around and yelled, “Linda! Where’s that mutt run off to now?”

A rustle came from the woods, and Linda came barreling out, clutching a handful of mushrooms painted in the most suspicious colors imaginable.

She skidded to a stop in front of me, chewing at her lip and thrusting them toward me.

“Devil! Wanna eat?”

“No. Just stand guard.”

“If I do, will you eat one?”

“...Fine.”

“Heehee. Okay!”

I sat cross-legged and closed my eyes.

Time until the final battle: four days.

The sun was setting, and still no word.

The Black Prince had dropped by several times that day. Each time, he asked the same question in different words: when is Sir Fluffy arriving?

And each time, I gave the same honest answer: I don’t know.

Every time, he stormed off in frustration.

But just as night fell, welcome news arrived.

The moment he received the report, the Black Prince bolted outside. I trailed along at a leisurely pace.

The knights had already ringed the clearing, torches in hand to push back the dark.

And in the circle of firelight—

There he stood.

The noble wandering knight, Sir Fluffy.

With the torchlight dancing like a halo of romantic candle flames, Sir Fluffy looked almost saintly.

Despite his shabby attire, he kept a hand on his sword hilt, eyes darting warily around. Beside him, Shushruta yawned lazily, jaw stretched wide as if he hadn’t a care in the world.

I couldn’t help shouting with genuine relief, “Sir Fluffy!”

At the sound of my voice, he squinted toward me.

“...Devil?”

“Yes, it’s me! Sir Fluffy!”

Unable to hide my joy, I ran toward him at full speed.

“Hahaha...”

The distance between Sir Fluffy and me shrank—ten meters, five, three, one...

Shrrk—

A flash of silver cleaved the darkness between us.

Sir Fluffy’s blade was pointed squarely at me, his eyes sharp.

“Long time no see, Devil.”

“Hah... That’s quite the greeting.”

Too sharp, in fact—if I had kept running, I’d have been skewered through the throat.

Now that I thought about it... how had we parted last time?

I’d kicked him in the groin, beat him senseless, and taken his sword... or maybe not? Bah, unimportant.

“Still, good to see you, Fluffy.”

“Does this look good to you?”

“Isn’t it?”

“No.”

“Shame.”

He was even fiercer than before.

From the side, Shushruta, who had been quietly watching, suddenly grumbled.

“Ashuban! What about me? Do you know how far I roamed without sleep to find Sir Fluffy?”

I waved him off. “Yeah, yeah. Our alley cat worked hard too.”

Shushruta glared at me, spun on his heel, and stomped away.

“Hey, where are you going?”

“Hmph! As if you care!”

Sir Fluffy watched her disappear, then turned back to me.

“...The Lady said it was urgent. That’s why I came.”

“And you just followed along without question?”

“To be honest... I came because I thought I might see you again.”

“Honest, at least.”

“My sword. Where is it? I came to take it back.”

“Oh, that? I broke it.”

“...”

He shut his eyes tight, murderous intent spilling from him.

“I told you...”

He looked ready to cut me down, so I quickly held up my hand.

“Sir Fluffy, wait. There’s business to deal with first. We can fight later.”

“What trickery is this? You sly devil. Trying to steal another of my swords?”

“Not this time.”

At that moment, the sound of footsteps echoed in the torchlight. A calm voice followed.

“I am the one who summoned you.”

Out of the shadows came Sir Smith, torch in hand, and the Black Prince.

As they approached, the Black Prince fixed his gaze on Sir Fluffy.

“So you are the Dog—no, Sir Fluffy?”

Sir Fluffy looked at him for a long moment before replying.

“I am not Fluffy.”

The prince’s eyes widened. “Not?”

“No.”

“Then who are you?”

“Röetgel.”

“...? But they said you were Sir Fluffy.”

Sir Fluffy’s eyes slid toward me.

“That was a name he made up.”

“Hey, now! Sir Fluffy, you agreed to it yourself! Said I could call you whatever I wanted!”

“Silence! How dare you call me a dog.”

“What? An egg roll?”

“...”

The prince glanced between us, clearly unimpressed.

“You two don’t seem to get along.”

Sir Fluffy shot me a glare. “You could say that.”

The prince nodded mildly. “Not surprising.”

Then, without preamble, he introduced himself.

“Sir Röetgel, my name is Roanoke Vittorio Blake. Third Prince of the Blake Kingdom—known as the Black Prince.”

I blinked, genuinely surprised.

“So that’s your name? Wait, no—Vittorio? Or Blake? You’ve got three? Which one am I supposed to use?”

The prince gave me a look that screamed shut up, then turned back to Röetgel.

Sir Fluffy stared blankly for a moment, then hastily sheathed his sword and dropped to one knee.

“I greet Your Highness.”

“Rise.”

The prince helped him up with a nod. “There’s much to discuss, but urgent matters come first. Later, Devil.”

I gave a small nod. The prince stepped back.

Sir Fluffy stood bewildered, glancing between us.

I asked, “Sir Fluffy. Do you really want to fight me?”

“Do you even need to ask?”

I raised my bandaged left arm.

“Even though I’m injured?”

“A perfect chance.”

Turning weakness into opportunity... For a ragged wanderer, he’d grown a lot.

So much that I felt a strange swell of pride.

Perhaps this was what the Heavenly Demon had felt when he saw me improve?

[No.]

...Apparently not.

Sir Fluffy’s gaze lingered on my arm.

“I heard you fought the Frost Knight. Is that where you were injured?”

“You even know about that?”

“How could I not? The tale spread everywhere.”

“And still you’d fight me?”

He gave me a crooked look. “Any problem with that?”

“Hahaha!”

My laughter rang out across the dark clearing.

Take a good look, you so-called noble knights.

You flinched and avoided me like cowards.

But this ragged wanderer, weaker than any of you, faced me head-on.

He knew he would lose, yet still raised his sword and came at me.

That is a true knight. That is Sir Fluffy.

“Why are you laughing, fool?”

Oblivious that I was praising him, he snapped at me.

I grinned. “Fine. I’ll fight you. But first—this.”

Shrrk—

A crimson blade tore the night.

It gleamed like the thorn of a rose drenched in blood.

I drove Vlad into the ground before him.

“Sir Fluffy. Do you know what this is?”

He eyed it calmly. “A blade of red steel. Strange.”

“A magnificent sword.”

“So it seems.”

“I’m giving it to you.”

His eyes flicked up to mine. “Truly?”

“Yes. Truly. Remember last time I said I’d repay you?”

“I don’t recall.”

“Oh, right—you’d passed out. Doesn’t matter. A little late, but here’s my thanks. Take it.”

“...”

He looked at me with deep suspicion.

“What’s your scheme? What’s this sword? And why is the Black Prince with you?”

“Nothing sinister. The truth is... this blade’s picky. It’s looking for its master.”

“Its master?”

“Yes. With luck, you’ll be the one.”

“...”

He stared between me and Vlad, uncertain.

“Take it—if you can.”

I smirked, taunting him.

“Or... are you afraid?”

He smirked right back.

“Hardly.”

And with that, his hand closed firmly around Vlad’s hilt.

(End of Chapter)

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