A King and a King

"Looks like there's no problem here." The one in charge of registering for the competition, after checking through my identification, finally took the stamp out.

Here, he wasn't the only one in charge of registering. It was just my bad luck that I came through him. This person talks a little too much.

'Of course, there's no problem. I even made several alibis in Springbell for four months. Marcel Mistmer is legit, you know!!'

"But just let me ask you this kid, which school do you represent?" He asked.

"School? Uh...I don't attend or represent any schools. Let's just say... I was taught by someone very strong?"

"Oh! You mean a noble?"

"What? No, I am just a commoner. "

"Then you neither represent any school nor you belong to any noble faction? That means you're without any backing, sigh!"

'What nonsense is this bastard spouting!? Why do you need all those to participate? Does he think I am just an ignorant kid who came here to play?'

"Does this count as a backing?''

I showed him my Adventurer Card. His eyes widened for a second then nodded his head as if he was just enlightened.

Name: Marcel Mistmer

Race: Human

B Rank Adventurer

I didn't become a bigshot in Springbell for no reason. These past few months, I cleared almost every easy to impossible missions to upgrade my rank. They even issued a daily limit because I monopolised most of the quests for myself.

"I see. You should have told me earlier that you're a B rank adventurer"

He laughed out loud and putting a stamp on my form he continued,

"Boy, Welcome to the 8th Blood Legacy Competition."

***

The stamp guy at the stadium also told me that the competition will begin after five days. And I have my first match on the third day, meaning I had eight days to prepare.

The first match was a qualifying round and only one out of hundred participants would advance. I could already imagine how unsightly and chaotic it would be.

And till then, since I have a lot of free time, I decided to drop by the market.

I could see several shops lined up together in the busy street. Especially the food stalls, they were quite a lot.

Most of the women were wearing a beautiful dress with long sleeves and embroidered flowers. Although several colours, red was more common between them.

'These people look like natives here. And those lanterns in the shops look really popular in Lumina Town.'

But just as I was about to go to a food store, something - or to say, someone- bumped into me.

Crashhhh!

"Ouch!... "

It was a beautiful girl with black hair and fair skin in commoner's clothing. But for some reason, she really looked out of place.

She looked like she was in a great hurry.

And just as she stumbled to the ground, two other people, who looked like guards hurriedly came over to us.

After giving a quick look to me and the girl, one of the guards grabbed my collar and started shouting like a madman.

"You bastard! What did you do with 'Our Lady'?"

'Our Lady? What is a noble's daughter doing here? No wait! How is this my fault?'

"Wait Isaac. Its my..."

"Do you want to get arrested? Get down on your knees now!!!"

The girl was about to say something but the guard just kept shouting, suppressing her voice.

The other guard also came forward and stopped her from interfering.

"My Lady. Please stay out of this. We're already in a lot of trouble because you ignored His Majesty the King's orders. "

'The king? Why is this escalating so fast?'

The girl also looked very troubled at his words.

'She is not the King's daughter as they didn't call her princess. Rather someone who could ignore the King's orders. His friend's daughter maybe? Or maybe his daughter's friend? Ah! The Duke's daughter, perhaps.'

The only one with authority enough to ignore the King's words are the Dukes. And based on how carefully they were treating her safety, it wouldn't be surprising if she is one of the Duke's daughter.

Looking at the situation, it didn't feel like it would be over any time soon.

Well, that is, if I stay silent like this.

Of course, I couldn't let them do as they please. I was already very annoyed at this guy who grabbed my collar without warning.

Taking a deep breath, I calmed myself down and started the next show of my masterclass acting.

"You pig like bastard!!! Who do you think you are touching with your filthy hands." I said as I grabbed his hands from my collar and pushed them backwards.

"What? You bastard, who are you?"

"Hah? You don't even recognise the youngest son of the Great King Johnathan de Graham Serendipity III and dared to touch me!"

Feeling a little confused and hesitant, he freed his hands and took two steps back. But still he wasn't ready to back down completely.

"W-who is that? There is no such King. Don't lie to us".

"What? You pig like bastard, do you want to start a war. You better start hiding. Once my father hears this, there will be no place for you to run".

Gulp!

Both the princess and the guard were utterly shocked and were staring at me intently.

As the Blood Legacy Competition was already in hype, it wasn't rare to find the princes and princesses of different kingdoms and races here.

And as such, it was natural to not hear about someone big from a different kingdom.

Looking at the situation that escalated quickly, the other guard came forward and asked politely.

"May I ask which territory does your father the King belong to? "

I laughed at him mockingly and replied in a cold tone.

"What are you people saying? Have you not heard about the great King Johnathan de Graham Serendipity III from 'Arcanum Territory'? It's in the Dwarven Kingdom, you rascal"

'Arcanum' meant 'mysterious.' It was the most intimidating word I could think of on the spot.

'I mean, no way anyone can remember every territory in this world, right?'

And surely, it did its work.

The other guard pondered for a moment before bowing slightly. "We apologize for our improper behavior. We should have asked more politely."

"I-I am sorry" The ill-mannered guard also apologized reluctantly.

And the girl bowed her head slightly as if greeting me. I too bowed back to her as I didn't want to be in any more trouble.

'Of course, I can't act too politely. They would only be more suspicious. '

I maintained my cold tone and replied with a slight annoyance.

"You guys better watch out. I won't let this slide next time."

Saying that, I turned back and walked away. After walking for a few minutes I started to run.

I took two round trips into the market, changed my clothes in a public washroom and finally returned to my inn.

"Hah... Hahahaha... I don't know what sort of situation that was."

To be honest, it was a gamble and I did this with two things in mind.

First was, of course, to get out of that troublesome situation.

But the second was for a completely different reason.

People have already started to sing praises about King Johnathan's courtier in Springbell. And many have already seen my face in Pearlton acting as the courtier.

It won't take long for them to realize that King Johnathan is a fake. They'll start doubting the authenticity of this King Johnathan.

But now, with a supposed 'lost prince' also appearing, they would be forced to reconsider. Instead of investigating me directly, their focus would shift to verifying the King's existence.

The closest they can get is that- Marcel Mistmer is somehow related to the King, probably his courtier.

Both these incidents would act as a justification to each other.

Although they would have questions about me, but instead of focusing their main attention on me, who was legally participating in the competition, they will have to keep investigating the King.

Even if they did focus on me, they wouldn't touch me carelessly, considering this unknown King is secretly backing me up.

And, of course, there's no way they can find the King.

With all these seeds of confusions I planted, I hope it brings me enough time to return to Elysium after winning.

'Sigh! I hope the Duke's daughter doesn't do anything unnecessary.'

***

Lumina Town, Blue Sapphire Inn

Sitting on a reclining chair in a large room filled with paintings and expensive displays, Lady Penelope was in deep thoughts.

She was the daughter of Duke Zarda, belonging to one of the seven Great Imperial Families of the Glorior Kingdom.

As a seventeen year old girl, she came here to enjoy the competition with two of her friends, one of which was the princess of the Royal Family.

But, before arriving, the King ordered them to strictly remain in their rooms unless the guards escorted them personally.

But she couldn't control her curiosity and sneaked out wearing a commoner's dress to visit the market.

Knock! Knock!

Bringing her back to reality from numerous thoughts, she heard someone knocking at the door of her room.

"Come on in"

It was another girl that looked around her age with blonde hair, doll-like features and a beauty to match up even the prettiest of Elven princesses.

"I heard you sneaked outside, Pen" This beautiful girl started complaining.

"Yeah. But I am grounded now. I can't visit the play tonight with you guys".

"What!? You should have told me. I also wanted to see the market. I don't want to go to that boring children's play anyway".

"Haha.. Right? I don't know why the princess still wants to visit it. Anyway, sleep in my room, Belle. I am really bored"

"Okay, I was bored too. Tell me how the market was."

Belle, or in other words, Isabelle Aeris was the daughter of Duke Aeris. As another girl belonging to one of the Seven Great Imperial Families, they met frequently and became friends quite easily.

Although Penelope was quite proud of her looks, she felt quite defeated in front of Isabelle.

Isabelle's looks were quite breathtaking and stunning. Even the sons of many nobles sent her several letters in order to gain her favor. Of course, none of them were accepted.

"Say Belle, have you heard of the Great King Johnathan de Graham Serendipity III?"