The sixth prince, who had been executed in the kingdom after being betrayed by the trusted saint, was reincarnated and, in order to seek revenge, became engaged once again to the neighboring kingdom’s “Guillotine Princess.” As a result, he was adored and lived happily.

As the day of my engagement with Princess Abigail and our departure to the Strasclide Empire drew closer, I continued to practice my swordsmanship in a corner of the training ground.

Since my sparring match with Phillip, the other knights had stopped challenging me directly and instead just gave me disdainful glances. Well, it was only natural. If they were to lose to me, not only would their honor be tarnished, but they might even risk their lives. However, there was one exception…

“Your Highness Gustave, may I request another sparring match?”

“Sigh… you again?”

I sighed as I heard the voice from behind me. The man’s name was Renard Lucrel, the youngest and lowest-ranking member of the Royal Knights. Despite repeatedly being scolded by Vice Captain Baraque, he continued to challenge me, which was quite troublesome.

“Are you perhaps afraid of losing to me?”

“What are you talking about? We’ve sparred over a hundred times, and you’ve lost every single time.”

I couldn’t help but be exasperated by Renard’s clumsy provocation. Nevertheless…

“Alright, let’s do it.”

“Thank you!”

Despite the difference in our abilities, sparring was necessary for me to improve, and it seemed that Renard had improved considerably since our first encounters. I couldn’t help but think that I was training a future opponent.

“Damn it!”

Renard yelled as he fell to the ground, showing a frustrated expression. The other knights around us paid no attention, as they had grown accustomed to this sight.

“Well… this marks our fifth sparring session today. Aren’t you satisfied yet?”

“No! Please, just one more round!”

Honestly, my stamina was reaching its limit.

I always thought that Renard had an excessive amount of stamina and resilience, even though he was lacking in skill.

“Alright, but this is truly the last one.”

“Understood!”

So, we had one more sparring session, and predictably, Renard ended up defeated and on the ground.

“Alright, this time it’s really over.”

“…”

I extended my hand, and Renard reluctantly accepted it, pulling himself up.

“Hey…”

“What is it?”

“Why do you keep challenging me like this?”

I finally asked the question that had been on my mind. The other knights avoided any interaction with me, let alone challenging me.

Yet, this man continued to challenge me as if he didn’t care about losing. Moreover, his words and attitude didn’t show any sign of disrespect towards me.

Even though the people in the palace didn’t hold me in high regard…

“Of course, it’s because I want to defeat you, Your Highness.”

“I understand that, but that’s not what I meant…”

“I watched that duel and thought about it. How could someone as young as you have such exceptional skill?”

It was true that I had cultivated my skills during my previous life, but I couldn’t reveal that. Still, it seemed that Renard genuinely appreciated my abilities.

“Well, until Your Highness leaves for the Empire in a week, I’ll definitely win someday.”

“I see…”

Renard smiled with an earnest expression. It was a surprise to see someone from the Royal Knights, who should naturally have reservations about me, appreciating me in this way.

“Anyway, even with just three days left until your engagement with Princess Abigail, you wasted a day with me. It looks like I’ll settle this with an undefeated record…”

“Your Highness Gustave.”

As I shrugged my shoulders and was about to resume my practice, Vice Captain Baraque approached.

He hadn’t interacted with me since our sparring match, so I wondered what had changed.

“What is it?”

“Royal Knight Renard Lucrel has died in an accident during training.”

“What…?”

I was taken aback by Vice Captain Baraque’s sudden announcement.

Renard… had died?

“He was sparring with Prince Phillip as part of the training, but the strike seems to have been fatal… Would you like to confirm the body?”

“…”

Even though one of his subordinates had died, Vice Captain Baraque seemed somewhat pleased. I was concerned about this, so I nodded silently and followed him to the mortuary where Renard’s body was.

“This is…”

Renard’s limbs were twisted in unnatural directions, and his entire body was covered in bruises. His wide-open eyes seemed to be pleading for something.

The regret that Renard had experienced during our duels…

“Well, Renard had great potential, and it’s truly unfortunate what happened. But accidents can’t be helped. Your Highness probably feels the same way, right?”

He said it with such ease. Considering Renard’s condition, there was no doubt that he had suffered a one-sided beating, likely not only from Phillip but also from other knights.

It was frustrating… Renard had gotten involved with me, and now he had met this fate because of it. Those fools…

“Your Highness Gustave, where would you like to go?”

I ignored Vice Captain Baraque’s smug smile and turned on my heel, heading back to the training ground.

Well, I may not know the details, but rest assured…

The ones who turned you into this, Renard, will eventually face even harsher consequences at my hands.

I couldn’t help but smile with a hint of cruelty, clenching my fist tightly, not caring that blood was dripping down and staining my clothes.