Chapter 100: Chapter 100

-----------------------------------------------------------------

Translator: Vine

Chapter Title: The Treatment Center

-----------------------------------------------------------------

Preliminary Round Injury Treatment Center.

The students' enthusiasm was so fervent that the injury treatment center was bustling with people.

Still, the turnover rate was incredibly fast.

This was because professors and assistants from each academy's Divine Arts department were present, even bringing their Divine Arts students for practical training.

Except for those who had lost consciousness, everyone was quickly leaving the treatment center.

I visited such a treatment center.

In my hands were two lunchboxes I had asked Card to get for me.

"I've come to pick up a friend who was admitted."

"Ah, yes, please state their name."

A student replied, pulling out a register.

The treatment center was extremely busy.

But since this was also training for them, the students were treating patients without a word of complaint.

"Seron Parmia, from Jerion Academy."

"Please go to room J-21."

The student quickly departed after answering.

I felt my own urgency rising along with theirs.

I walked and soon arrived at room J-21, which the student had told me about.

Even after knocking twice, no answer came from inside.

Creak—

So, I opened the door and stepped inside.

I wasn't about to not go in just because there was no answer.

Inside the room.

On the only occupied bed lay a small girl.

All her injuries were healed, but perhaps she hadn't fully regained consciousness, as she was still breathing softly in her sleep.

I approached her and pulled up a chair to sit.

Then I placed the lunchboxes beside her, careful not to wake Seron.

"...Prince Sweet Potato."

Did she wake up already?

"You're awake. Hungry, aren't you? I brought lunchboxes."

"...I don't get an appetite the moment I wake up, you know? Who do you take me for, a pig?"

Seron grumbled as usual.

But she seemed a bit listless.

It didn't suit Seron.

"I saw your preliminary match."

Seron's shoulders twitched.

Her face flustered, she darted her eyes around.

"Oh, when did you see it? You were in your own preliminary match."

"My group finished quickly because I was so active."

"Wow, look at you bragging. So annoying."

"You should speak properly. I'm just good, that's all."

Seron made a disgusted face.

Oh, really?

Seeing her reaction, I raised a hand to my neck.

Then, as I slightly pulled and unwound the bandage of the veil, Bikamon's original face was revealed.

Seron's body froze instantly.

I smiled sweetly.

Seron was instantly blinded.

"Seron, why don't you try saying I'm annoying again?"

"H-hic, th-that's cheating, it's cheating!"

Seron struggled, pulling the blanket up to her face.

Her forehead was dyed bright red.

Her tone had somehow become meek.

"You said all sorts of embarrassing things like 'real prince' and what not..."

"Why did you hear that, why did you hear ittt..."

Seron trembled uncontrollably.

Seeing her, I chuckled.

"Looks really are a cheat code."

Seron's shoulders twitched at that.

Seron mumbled with her lips, then clutched the bedsheet tightly.

"...I don't like you because of your looks."

Seron slowly lowered the bedsheet she held.

Her face was completely flushed with embarrassment, but she looked straight at me.

"Wow, it's just that I have no immunity to your Prince form, that's all. Whether you're Bikamon-senpai or Hanon, I like you because you're *you*."

Her earnest gaze shone.

Her sincerity was so pure that even I felt embarrassed listening to it.

And what about me, facing such a Seron?

Unfortunately, my emotions were already being warped by the bandage of the veil.

I was losing not only love but also anger.

But whenever I looked at Seron, I vaguely felt it.

This is what it means to like someone.

At that moment, Seron's face flushed as if it would explode.

Smoke seemed to rise from her forehead as she melted into a puddle.

"H-heh, p-phu, b-but not now. D-don't smile like thattt."

Seron feebly waved her arms, covering her eyes.

Yet, she peeked at me from the corner of her eye, as if wanting to see more.

I belatedly realized I had been smiling without knowing it.

If I stayed in Bikamon's form any longer, Seron would break.

I rewrapped the bandage of the veil, returning to Hanon's form.

Then I stood up and lightly patted Seron's head.

"Seron, this is my personal decision. I'm going to get an apology from Ergo."

"Ugh."

Seron flinched, perhaps recalling what Ergo had done to her.

Ergo, unable to control his rage, attacked even after the preliminary match had ended.

Because of this, he was disqualified from the preliminaries after a council meeting.

There was no way they would let someone who didn't follow the rules advance to the main competition.

The revenge for this incident was originally Seron's to take.

"Because I'm the kind of petty guy who can't just let it go when my friend gets treated like that."

I'd rather live a petty life than do nothing at all.

"So eat your lunch and cheer up. You're prettiest when you're being a pain in the ass."

"...Is that a compliment, or an insult?"

"Interpret it as you wish."

She had a sulky expression, but perhaps because she heard she was pretty, the corners of her lips were slightly turned up.

She's consistent, as always.

"So what are you going to do? Are you really going to get an apology? I'm fine, though."

A slightly uneasy gaze met mine.

She was happy that I cared about her so much.

But she didn't want this to cause trouble for me.

As I sensed her trying to dissuade me, I grinned.

"Don't worry. I'm just going to have a little chat."

"Saying 'don't worry' makes me even more worried."

"What do you take me for? I'm a gentleman, despite appearances."

Seron's face grew even more uneasy.

Why does she see me as such a troublemaker?

I couldn't understand.

"I'll really just make him apologize and come back."

"Really, really?"

"Really."

I reassured her one last time before leaving the room.

As I walked out of the room, I habitually cracked my neck.

It was a warm-up ingrained in my body before a fight.

Ergo was scheduled to be repatriated to his home country after being disqualified from the preliminaries.

So, I didn't have much time.

Of course, I didn't intend to fight recklessly.

If I attacked a royal in something other than an official match, who knew what kind of punishment I'd receive.

And apart from an apology for Seron, there was something else I wanted from Ergo.

I had already planned to make a deal with Ergo once anyway.

It worked out perfectly.

Therefore, I decided to challenge him to a fight in a very legitimate way.

I moved quickly, seeking out a certain person.

Then, I immediately bowed my head to the person I sought.

"Lady Iris, please help me just this once."

"Hmm?"

It was Card, a member of the Imperial Family, even higher than royalty.

* * *

The Sky Kingdom, with the longest history in the world.

Furthermore, a kingdom that inherited the bloodline of the great royal family Parazon, who stood alongside the great hero Wolfram.

The overwhelming successor to Parazon's throne.

The sole prince, Ergo Parazon.

With golden hair and even his attire adorned in gold, he now wore a very displeased expression.

The reason was simple.

He had been disqualified from the preliminary match for daring to punish a girl who had spouted words denying him.

"Disqualify *me*? These abominable wretches."

His teeth ground together in fury.

Ergo, with his towering self-esteem, believed everything he did was justified.

Apart from his natural talent, he had a strong tyrannical disposition.

However, it was true that he was capable.

Though a tyrant, he had already shown outstanding promise in politics.

Thus.

"Your Highness Ergo, the Third Imperial Princess, Iris Hysirion, has come to see you."

Ergo would not simply ignore a meeting with the Third Imperial Princess.

The anger visible in his eyes vanished as if washed away.

The Third Imperial Princess was one of the figures closest to the Emperor's throne in the Hysirion Empire.

There was no reason to refuse her visit.

"Let them in."

Ergo straightened his attire and sat in his chair.

Creak—

Meanwhile, the door opened, and two people walked in.

A look of bewilderment appeared in Ergo's eyes as he saw them.

One was the Third Imperial Princess, Iris Hysirion.

She possessed such exquisite beauty that her fame had spread even to foreign lands.

Beside her was a boy who shared many resemblances with her.

Black hair and red eyes.

He was a boy of small stature.

"Lady Iris, is this your younger sibling?"

"Yes, he is my younger sibling."

Even Iris, who typically didn't use overly formal speech, maintained a respectful tone with Ergo.

This was because he was the one destined to become the future King of Parazon, having secured his succession to the throne.

"Pleased to meet you. My name is Hanon Airey. I am Lady Iris's cousin."

Cousin.

Hearing that, Ergo smiled sweetly.

The fact that Iris had brought him herself meant he was a cherished younger relative.

Naturally, he wouldn't act disrespectfully.

"I see. Pleased to meet you. I am Ergo Parazon."

He was well aware that Hanon had not inherited the name of the Robliaz ducal family.

Still, he didn't bother to question it.

In this world, family name isn't always everything.

"Forgive me, but the reason I came to see Your Highness Ergo today is for my own business."

"Hmm? Business, you say. Speak."

It was awkward that it was Hanon's business, not Iris's.

However, he decided to grant special consideration and listen to Hanon's story.

"Your Highness Ergo, do you not possess the Sword of White Dreams?"

"I do."

The moment the Sword of White Dreams was mentioned, Iris inexplicably glanced at Hanon.

Ergo held a hint of bewilderment at this but didn't bother to ask.

"Would you be willing to exchange that sword for a sword I possess?"

"The Sword of White Dreams?"

Ergo's eyes widened slightly.

Ergo had a deep possessiveness over his sword.

Therefore, a sudden proposal to exchange swords couldn't help but displease him.

If it were Iris, perhaps, but for her cousin to demand his sword...

His tyrannical tendencies were beginning to surface, but he tried hard to suppress them.

"You don't seem to have a sword on you."

"Yes, not at the moment."

Just as Ergo's face was slowly beginning to show irritation at Hanon's vague answer.

Hanon unfastened something from his neck.

What he held in his hand was a pendant.

Immediately after, the moment Hanon tapped the pendant, a sword materialized.

It was an old sword, but one could feel that it was quite a good one.

However, it seemed to hold no other particular significance.

Just as Ergo's interest was waning.

"It is the sword used by the ancient hero, Parazon."

The moment he heard Hanon's statement, his eyes shot open.

"What did you say?"

"It is the sword used by the ancient hero, Parazon."

"That, what the..."

Ergo wore a confused expression.

Even Iris, perhaps not expecting this, stared at Hanon with wide eyes.

But Hanon's expression remained unchanged.

"If you recall the paintings of the Parazon Royal Family, you'll see it matches. If you wish, you may verify its authenticity."

"W-wait."

Ergo felt a sudden headache from the abruptness of the revelation.

He then gazed intently at Hanon's sword through the gap in his fingers, while holding his forehead.

The paintings of the Parazon Royal Family were vividly etched in his mind.

Naturally, having grown up always seeing the self-portraits of Hero Parazon, he remembered them clearly.

'It's certain.'

That sword definitely matched the appearance of Parazon's sword.

However, countless counterfeit swords claiming to be Parazon's had appeared throughout history.

There was a possibility that this sword was one of them.

'But.'

The fact that he came with Iris bothered him.

Would someone vouched for by Iris truly try to deceive him, a descendant of Parazon?

However, he also had another thought.

'The Sword of White Dreams is a good sword, but...'

Is it truly worth exchanging for Parazon's sword?

Parazon's sword was a sword the Parazon Royal Family had always sought.

They hadn't made much effort to find it, believing it had been lost long ago.

If, however, it were found, it would be an item worth emptying the Parazon Royal Family's treasury to acquire.

Parazon's sword itself had no special abilities.

However, its name alone was enough to move the Parazon Royal Family.

To propose exchanging such a thing for the Sword of White Dreams was incomprehensible.

"Ah, and in addition to this, there's one more thing I'd like to request."

Immediately after, Ergo's face became one of 'of course'.

He naturally assumed Hanon would want something in return.

And the next words threw Ergo's expression off.

"Fake Prince, would you like to have a sparring match with the real Prince?"

Hanon smiled sweetly.

Fake Prince, let's have a go.