Chapter 10: Failed Assassination

Kael woke up with a dizzy head the next morning as sunlight poured into the room.

"Good morning, Crown Prince," a familiar voice greeted him. It was Garrick.

Opening his eyes, Kael saw Garrick standing a few feet away. He glanced around the unfamiliar room, puzzled for a moment, before remembering that he was in his bride's kingdom.

With a yawn, Kael sat up and looked at Garrick.

"Morning… yawn… have you found it?" Kael asked, recalling the task he had assigned Garrick to locate a secret agency. His reasons were twofold: to confirm their presence in every kingdom and to ensure Garrick stayed out of his way.

"Yes, Crown Prince. What we feared has come to pass," Garrick replied, his tone serious. Kael frowned.

"I'll need to keep an eye on them, but once I'm done with this trial and have caused enough chaos, it should all be over. If not—well, who am I to care about their lives and deaths?" Kael mused internally, his expression indifferent.

"Also, Crown Prince, the King of Jimi Kingdom wishes to see you before you leave today," Garrick added.

"Good. Wait outside while I pack my things," Kael instructed. Garrick bowed and exited the room.

Once alone, Kael searched for the crest the drunken warlord had given him the previous night. Finding it brought a sense of relief. After packing a few other items, Kael dressed in a bright, exquisitely tailored outfit and headed for the throne room.

As he left his quarters, he signaled the palace guards to summon the maids to pack the rest of his belongings and load them onto the carriage. Kael was leaving today.

On his way to the throne room, Kael observed the guards, the palace's design, and its layout. The differences between this palace and the one in his kingdom were stark. Eryndor's wealth allowed for a grander and more intricate structure, while the Jimi Kingdom's palace was smaller, adorned with artwork and blacksmith craftsmanship to make up for its lack of grandeur.

Moments later, Kael arrived at the doors to the throne room. The guards bowed and opened them. He entered, with Garrick following closely behind.

Inside, the King of Jimi Kingdom sat on a large throne. He was an old man, and beside him were two smaller thrones—one for his wife and the other for his daughter, Princess Kim.

"I greet the King," Kael said with a slight bow. Although Eryndor was far more powerful, Kael was only the Crown Prince. The gap in status between a prince and a king was vast. Moreover, this man was his future father-in-law, a thought that nearly made Kael chuckle.

"Rise, Crown Prince. It is good to see you," the King said, laughing warmly. He hadn't expected such respect from Kael, given the rumors surrounding the Crown Prince of Eryndor.

"Haha, the pleasure is mine… Father-in-law," Kael said, a charming smile on his face. The King's expression shifted slightly. He couldn't forget that the Jimi Kingdom had once sought to escape Eryndor's shadow. Yet, he understood the past reasons—no one wanted to marry their daughter into a kingdom with a perverted and vile Crown Prince.

"Haha, Crown Prince. Today, I called you to discuss and finalize everything. While I am the King, I am not the one marrying you. That decision lies with my daughter," the King said.

Kael pondered the King's words for a moment. The King was cleverly distancing himself and the Jimi Kingdom from responsibility, placing the decision squarely on Princess Kim. This might have been cruel in other situations, but here it was ideal. With her ancient warrior master backing her, Kim could stand against the entire Eryndor Kingdom if necessary.

Kael smiled faintly, unbothered by whether Kim accepted or rejected him. It wouldn't affect his plans. In fact, the entire reason he had approached her that day with Garrick was to create a rift between the heroine and the "Son of Destiny."

"I accept the King's decision. I am not a petty man. If she says no, I won't harm the Jimi Kingdom for it. Everyone has the right to choose," Kael said, his smile strangely captivating. Without her master's protection, the Jimi Kingdom would have never dared take such a stance.

The King nodded, his heart racing momentarily before calming down. He trusted in the protection his daughter had.

"Father, Mother, I have made my decision," Kim began, standing up. She glanced at her parents before looking at Kael, her heart skipping a beat.

"No. I am a martial cultivator now. Master told me to always follow my word, or it may affect my martial heart during future breakthroughs," Kim thought, gritting her teeth.

"I… I will marry the Crown Prince in a month's time. However, due to my unique physique, I cannot consummate the marriage yet. I… I plead with the Crown Prince for his understanding," Kim said, bowing slightly as her voice grew faint.

"Haha! Crown Prince, my daughter has spoken. Your marriage will take place in a month," the King declared, laughing heartily. Yet, his mind was puzzled. Why had his daughter agreed?

Afterward, Kael, the King, Kim's mother, and Kim discussed the marriage arrangements, finalizing everything.

When the meeting concluded, Kael left the throne room with Garrick and boarded his carriage.

Their journey back to Eryndor had begun.

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(Ding! Host has created a small rift between the Son of Destiny and the first heroine.)

(Ding! Host has altered the cause of the original timeline, leading it to a chaotic future.)

Progress of the Orb of Chaos Trial: 1%

(Ding! One Shard of Chaos has been gained.)

Chaos Whisperer: This ability can be used on any being, regardless of rank. It draws out their chaotic nature, forcing their darkest and most evil intentions to surface. Gets weaker the stronger the being is.

"Wow, holy f*ck, this ability is perfect," Kael thought with a sinister grin. With this power, he could complete the Orb of Chaos trial far more quickly.

But Kael never forgot—beyond this trial lay the Realm of War, a place infinitely more dangerous than anything he currently faced.

As the carriage continued forward, Kael studied his abilities, refining his plans.

Eventually, after traveling several dozen kilometers beyond the Jimi Kingdom's borders, the assassination he'd been expecting finally began.

Beside him, Garrick sat tense, his sharp senses attuned to every movement outside.

"Enemy attack!" a guard protecting the carriage shouted, but it was already too late.

Bodies began falling, and silence reigned. Garrick moved to leap into the fray, but Kael caught his arm, shaking his head.

"Not yet," Kael whispered, his calm demeanor unnerving as the metallic scent of blood filled the air.

"Crown Prince! You've been a reckless fool, forcing our princess into marriage. Come out and accept your death!" a voice thundered, echoing across the area.

Kael chuckled darkly. Are these assassins brain-dead? Even with an ancient warrior backing them, the Jimi Kingdom wouldn't dare assassinate me outright. Or do they still think I'm the weak, former prince?

"Let's go," Kael finally said, signaling Garrick to step outside.

The scene before them was carnage—mutilated bodies scattered across the ground.

Garrick's eyes narrowed in fury as he spotted a group of five men, their leader standing at the forefront. All were dressed in tight, black ninja-like attire, swords in hand, blood dripping from the blades.

"Crown Prince, are you ready to die?" the leader sneered.

Kael grinned. "Garrick, attack."

Smoke erupted as Garrick moved like lightning. A sonic boom echoed as his fist smashed into the leader's chest.

"H-how?! F*ck, I'm a Martial Master!" the man thought in disbelief as he was sent flying.

Without hesitation, Garrick turned on the remaining assassins, dispatching them with ruthless precision. In mere moments, their lifeless bodies hit the ground.

"Wow, he really is a death soldier," Kael mused, impressed. "No wonder he's the Son of Destiny—his precision, intent, and efficiency are unmatched."

Kael raised his hand, clenching it into a fist as determination filled his gaze.

"Being a villain pulling the strings is fun and all, but I want the strength to back it up," he muttered.

(Ding! Power gained: +1, +1, +3.)

A floating pop-up appeared before him, and Kael felt a surge of strength coursing through his body. Then he remembered his second ability—Chaos Body.

"Is this its effect? Amazing," he thought with a satisfied smile.

(Breakthrough! Martial Disciple – Stage 1 achieved.)

(Ding! Power gained: +5.)

Kael felt his body transform, surpassing human limitations and ascending into a new stage of evolution. Meanwhile, Garrick continued battling the remaining assassin leader with ease.

Suddenly, a middle-aged man appeared beside Kael, startling him.

"Second Uncle?" Kael asked, his eyes wide in surprise.

The man nodded calmly.

This was a Grandmaster Realm martial cultivator.

"Hahaha! Father didn't disappoint me," Kael laughed, his joy palpable.

"How could he? He loves you dearly," the man replied. "Your predictions were accurate. Shall I take care of the enemies for you?"

Kael quickly shook his head.

"Take care of them? How? Don't you see I'm farming experience here? You won't do anything until I at least reach the Martial Warrior Realm," Kael thought, excitement flashing in his eyes.

(Ding! Power gained: +5, +1, +1, +1, +3, +5, +7, +1, +1, +2, +2.)

Kael grinned as his strength surged once again, his ambitions growing bolder with each passing moment.

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