Chapter 89
1104 Words
KRON
“I am both surprised and honored that you accepted this duel.”
“Don’t be too excited. My fiancé said I had to accept it so I wouldn’t be rude. I could care less about you.”
“Of course. Shall we fight?”
“Whatever.”
I took the initiative, rushing at her with my sword. I delivered my heaviest strike and jumped back. When I looked back up, she was still standing in her initial position, her body still in a starter stance. She even looked bored.
“Oi, What are you doing? I thought you said you wanted to spar? Why are you just staring at me?”
I raised my sword once again and rushed at her. I managed to increase my force and yet… nothing. She just looked a little more annoyed. Over and over again, I stroke her sword, and I never moved her an inch from her position. It felt like I was hacking away at a mountain.
“Don’t tell me… this is the extent of your strength? How the hell have you survived so long on the battlefield?”
“Pardon me, can you attack me instead?”
“... If your arm breaks, I won’t be held responsible.”
“I can accept that.”
As soon as I said that, it was like she disappeared from view. When she appeared next, I found myself flying five meters backward. Rather than breaking my arm, I think I broke my spine a little.
“You’re really weak.”
When did she… get beside me?! How fast is she?!
She pulled me up and began to walk away.
“Can you at least tell me why I lost?”
“Isn’t it obvious? Your will is weak and so, you’re weak.”
“My will?”
“You asked me for a spar knowing too well how strong I am. But you faltered all through the fight.”
“I put my all…”
“You hesitated because you knew I wouldn’t truly hurt you. You weren’t ready to put your life on the line. I won’t blame you for that because you’re a prince, not a warrior. In case you didn’t know, you can’t be both.”
Her words stung a bit but they eventually made sense. She was right. I wasn’t planning to risk my life and I thought it was a part of my greatest strength because it gave me the will to live.
“I can’t measure up to my father. As worthless as I am a warrior, I am also at being a prince. I honestly just want glory.”
“So you thought defeating a War General was your path towards that?”
“Yes.”
“Wow, you’re a dumb one. Even I wouldn’t dream of doing that.”
“Why?”
“Because I can’t win. We’d both die and the battle would be pointless. I still want to live. Why should I participate in such a dumb fight?”
“But you’re a warrior. I thought risking your life was a part of it.”
“Prince Kron, is that head of yours empty? At least think. I am a warrior which means whenever I am summoned to fight, I fight with my life on the line and bring out the best results. But I am wise enough to withdraw from battles that wouldn’t benefit my fellow warriors. I am a pillar of this nation. If I die, there would be a lot more people dying than there would when I am alive. Do you understand now?”
“... Yes.”
I wasn’t expecting her to be capable of critical thought. She was literally a beast who ran on bloodlust.
“... Can we go again?”
“Unfortunately, I have a wedding to plan so you’re on your own. You can ask my father though. I’m sure he’d be more than happy to participate.”
She left without looking back. I sighed, crashing back to the floor on my bottom. I stared at the sky, thinking. Eventually, I got frustrated, ruffling my own hair whilst growling.
“Your highness, what are you… doing?”
“Reid.”
He walked up to me and stretched a hand to me. I ignored it.
“You look like a disgrace. Get up your highness.”
“Leave me be. I’m thinking.”
“I thought you were supposed to be sparring with Commander Tiller. Why are you here?”
“We sparred and I lost. She said I lacked the will of a warrior.”
“Hmm, if it’s that, she’s probably right.”
“How?!”
“Your highness, Warriors are people who risk their lives for a greater purpose. For someone like Commander Tiller, it’s the whole kingdom and for someone like me, it’s something as simple as your life. Your highness, you lack the willingness to risk your life for something.”
“But I don’t want to die.”
“Even as a prince, that is a selfish thought. What exactly do you want to achieve?”
“I want to be greater than my father at least.”
“Are you prepared to risk your life for that?”
“If I do, how would I become king?”
“As King, you also have to risk your life for the kingdom. Are you going to abandon the kingdom because you want to live? Do you want to be known as a coward for the rest of your life?”
“I’m not a coward,” I mumbled.
“Yes, you are. You have a lot of people willing to risk their lives for you and a whole kingdom of people waiting for you to rule them with all your heart. Yet, here you are, valuing your life over your purpose. Without your purpose, your life is meaningless.”
“You’re the one that’s always saying I shouldn’t be reckless. Now you want me to risk my life?”
“You always want to die for the stupidest reasons. I do not support that so I stop you. If you die for a noble cause, I’ll be proud of you and even follow you to your grave.”
“Don’t joke about that.”
“I apologize,” he said, chuckling.
“It’s almost time for lunch. Let’s go, your highness.”
“I’ll go if we’re going to have crabs.”
“You sound like a child, your highness. Even Prince Miyon isn’t this picky.”
“Shut up!”
- Writer
