Chapter 99: The Foolish Prince Charges Forward
Time rewinds slightly, to two hours after the commencement of the Monster Hunting Festival. Amidst the chaos of students from the Royal Academy battling against monsters, one man ventured deeper into the heart of the Subnock Plain than anyone else.
“Hmph… mere pests. Do not stand before a champion.”
“Graaaahhh…!”
With a spell unleashed by this man—Rodel Aiwood—a gaping hole was torn into the chest of a monstrous black bear, its head adorned with menacing horns. Though it was a formidable creature, Rodel’s advanced magic had dispatched it in a single blow. Behind him stood two attendants, watching the battle unfold. The usual retainers cheered for their unscathed master, who had achieved a resounding victory.
“Well done, Prince Rodel!”
“Just as expected from Prince Rodel! Taking down a large monster in one strike!”
The one who shouted with applause was a small man among the retainers, his flattery overt and exaggerated. Receiving such praise from his sycophants, Rodel let out a triumphant “Hmph!”
“Of course. There is no way I could lose to such lowly monsters.”
Rodel Aiwood, the Second Prince of the Aiwood Kingdom, had entered the plain early in the festival and was now nearing its depths, leaving the other students far behind with his astonishing speed.
“Still… are you sure this was wise, Your Highness?” asked a large man, also one of Rodel’s retainers.
Rodel turned back, a puzzled expression on his face. “What do you mean?”
“Surely, it would have been better not to participate in such trivial games? Someone of your stature need not compete with the commoners.”
His words were sincere praise. Although Rodel was regarded as a selfish nuisance by the majority, he garnered fervent support from a select few, including his two retainers. This was partly due to the influence of the late Queen Dowager, but also because Rodel possessed an extraordinary magical talent.
Rodel was a genius—at least in the realm of magic. His magical power was vast, and his output was high. As a student, he had mastered several advanced spells and was expected to be a leading figure of the next generation. Reaching the depths of the plain in just two hours was no mere coincidence; it was a testament to his overwhelming talent.
His rough and reckless personality was also admired by a small segment of the populace. There were those who idolized individuals who defied rules and conventions. Historical figures like Napoleon Bonaparte, Julius Caesar, or even Oda Nobunaga came to mind. Young people often found themselves drawn to those who disregarded the opinions of parents or superiors, trampling traditions to forge new paths. Rodel’s retainers were among them, enamored by his audacity to ignore even the king’s counsel as he pursued his own ambitions.
“Hmph, it’s obvious.”
“Obvious… you say?”
“Just the other day, that fool who dared to challenge me in class, and those teachers who suspended me… there are far too many ignorant souls who fail to recognize what truly deserves respect.”
Rodel raised his right hand above his head, pointing to the heavens.
“Who is meant to stand at the pinnacle… I must make these commoners understand. Is it my eldest brother, who was merely born first, or my second brother, who lacks magical talent? It is not, is it?”
With an air of arrogance, Rodel proclaimed as if he were unveiling the truths of the world.
“I, Rodel Aiwood, am the one destined to stand above. I shall demonstrate this with visible results.”
He intended to achieve results in this Monster Hunting Festival. Mere victory would not suffice; he sought overwhelming triumph. He aimed to make it clear to even the most blind of commoners through undeniable evidence. This was why Rodel had chosen to participate in the event.
“You all need only follow me. I will show you how I ascend to the throne.”
“Your Highness…!”
“Oh…!”
His grandiose declarations left his two retainers breathless. In a time when the First Prince was widely regarded as the next king, no one else but Rodel Aiwood could boldly utter such words. In a sense, Rodel possessed the makings of a king. He had the vision to aspire and the will to charge through the desolate lands toward a future of success.
Yet… one must not forget. No matter how brash or unruly one may be, nor how firmly they believe themselves to be a king, talent alone does not guarantee success. Wisdom and luck are also essential to create a new world. Whether Rodel Aiwood possessed these qualities remained in question.
“Alright, let’s move on. This bear is not enough. Bring me something bigger!”
“Y-Yes… Your Highness, this prey is…”
“Leave it. I have no interest.”
Rodel surged forward, relentlessly pursuing his path. He continued onward, unaware that the road he walked might lead not to glory, but to ruin.