Hahahahaha


    What?


    Sullivan startedughing all of a sudden, so Lowen frowned.


    He then noticed that Sullivan was now wearing a silver bracelet and looked at him, wide-eyed.


    Whats that bracelet!? Men, restrain him!!


    Yes sir!!


    Lowen did not know what the bracelet really was, but he was sure it was a magic tool  so he immediately ordered his subordinates to move.


    However


    Gwaaaahhh!!!


    Sullivan roared and swung his arms.


    Gah!?


    He only swung them wildly, but one of Lowens subordinates was tossed against the wall.


    You!


    Lowen nced at the soldier thrown against the wall, then drew his sword.


    He stepped next to Sullivan in an instant and shed him diagonally.


    Sullivans body was cut deeply and sprayed blood.


    Haha!! Hahahaha!! That is nothing!! Grraaaahhh!!!


    Im-impossible!!


    Sullivans wounded body recovered, almost instantly.


    Sullivan then swung his arms in Lowens direction.


    Lowen parried with his sword and jumped backward to kill the momentum.


    Ghwhat unbelievable power!


    Captain Lowen! Youdamned rebel!!


    The other soldier pierced Sullivan with his spear, exactly under his armpits: the spear went through the ribs and reached Sullivans heart.


    Out of my way, you imbeciles!!


    Even with his heart pierced, Sullivan did not die: he forcefully snapped the spear with his arms.


    You dare wound my noble self!? I will have you all hanged!! Mark my words!!


    Sullivan broke through the window and jumped out.


    Stop!!


    The soldier who stabbed Sullivan with his spear drew his sword and started giving him chase.


    Stop! Dont chase him!


    Lowen, however, stopped him.


    Theres no need to. Take care of his wounds instead.


    But, sir


    The soldier looked at the shattered window, then hisrade slumping against the wall.


    Its fine. There was an unexpected ident, but things arergely proceeding as nnedwe wanted to let him escape from the start, anyway.


    R-really sir? Understood


    The soldier cocked his head, confused.


    Lowen shook his head and sighed.


    He heard moring voices from the hallway. The residents of the Nommes house heard themotion and started gathering, naturally.


    Lowen headed towards the hallway, to exin the situation to the head of house Nommes.


    Lets leave the judgment to the young masterif only he let himself get caught, he would have been judged as a human being.


    Lowens whispered words were filled with pity.


    ~


    Shit!! Shit, shit, SHIT!!!


    Sullivan cursed as he ran through the town at an incredible speed.


    Herakles, magic tool and national treasure of the Lamperouge kingdom. Its power boosted the wearers physical and healing abilities.


    There were many magic tools that boosted physical abilities, but Herakles was especially powerful.


    As long as Herakles was worn, the user would not die even if their head was smashed or their whole body was stabbed by spears. The wearer became immortal and could fight hordes of enemies on their own.


    Additionally, unlike other magic tools, Herakles did not cause any fatigue to the wearer, so it could be used without limit.


    When the kingdom of Lamperouge was founded, the first king fought with Herakles, spreading his fame as an immortal warrior, leaving legends such as his battle against armies of thousands on his own.


    Who do you think I am, you miserable peons!? I am the fated ruler of this kingdom!! Everything in this kingdom belongs to me!!


    Sullivan had lost his position as crown prince, his position as heir to house Nommes, everything.


    What he had left was only the old silver bracelet on his left hand.


    Nothing will stop me now! Yes, a country where I am not the king cannot be right!! I have no need for it anymore!!


    Sullivans heart sank deeper and deeper into a swamp of ill intent: his uncontroble rage and hatred painted the scenery before him red.


    The people in the streets, alerted by his screams, quickly opened a path for him, but he did not even see them anymore.


    I will kill you, Dyngir Maxwell!! Your father Dietrich too!! Im going to take your two heads as a gift and turn to the empire!!!


    If the margrave of the eastern province, guardian of the border, was killed along with his son and heir, the eastern territories of the Lamperouge kingdom will surely crumble.


    If the empire took the opportunity to invade, the whole country was going to fall.


    Yes!! I will be a hero in the empire!! The country that abandoned me will be burnt to ashes and a new age will be born!!


    The dashing young nobles handsome features twisted evilly.


    Sullivans heart had no more traces of love for his homnd: there was nothing but hatred and a desire for revenge upon those who caused his life to go out of control.


    (First of all, I must regroup andyes!! Zaill!! I must punish that man for introducing me to those useless assassins!)


    Sullivan was now headed to the residence Zaill told him he could use as an emergency shelter. It was rather far from the town, but, thanks to Herakles, he could reach it in about one day.


    Zzzzaaaaaaiiiillll!!! Just you wait!!! Your king will punish you personally!!!


    The silver bracelets dull glow grew stronger as Sullivan kicked the ground with more power.


    The journey to the residence would normally take days, but the bracelets full speed allowed Sullivan to arrive by sunset.


    The residence was located in an area known as a summer resort in the eastern province: among many other noble residences, it stood taller and more imposing than any other. Its garden wasrge as well, making it look like a vi fit for royalty.


    Hmph, if he could build a mansion like this, he must have quite a lot of finances at his disposal. Looks like I might be able to make good use of you, Zaill


    Sullivan opened the iron gates and adamantly made his way inside.


    The residence was veryrge, but there was no sign of security anywhere. Not even servants or maids could be seen.


    I expected to find more security, thoughcould he have deserted the ce?


    Sullivan, perplexed, walked towards the entrance.


    Eventually, he spotted a gorgeously decorated door.


    Hmm?


    Before he could reach it, however, the door opened from inside.


    Whoa, you got here earlier than expected.


    What!? You are!!!


    From beyond the luxurious door leading into the residence emerged Sullivans most hated man, Dyngir Maxwell himself.


    Dyngir Maxwell!! Why are you here!?


    Why? Why cant I be in my private residence?


    I shrugged at Sullivans angry shouting.


    The residence we were in was one of my private properties.


    If someone was to be used, it was him for entering without permission  but I knew that such reasoning wasnt going to work on the idiot standing before me.


    Your private residence!? Thats impossible!! This is Zaills


    You called for me, Lord Sullivan?


    A man appeared from behind one of the pirs in the entrance hall.


    Zaill!! What is the meaning of this!? Why is Dyngir Maxwell here!?


    Sullivan continued yelling.


    The well-dressed man, hisposed, gentlemanly expression unperturbed on his face, replied to Sullivans question as if appeasing an unruly child.


    I see you still do not realizewhat exactly your current position is. Even in a situation like this, you still do not see on whose side I am on?


    You cant be saying


    Sullivan was hit with the realization.


    He finally understood in what ce he had been lured in.


    That the man called Zaill was not his ally.


    You bastard! How dare youbetray me!!!


    Betrayal? I am afraid that is not correct. In the first ce


    Enough already, Im sick of hearing you talk like that, could you stop?


    I couldnt stand to watch that farce anymore, so I interrupted the man.


    Your job is over now, so you can talk as you usually do, Clown.


    Ooh, is that soheeheelet me talk normally then, sir.


    The atmosphere of the man Sullivan called Zaill changedpletely.


    His polite manners and gentlemanly features crumbled away, leaving a vulgar-looking hoodlum in their ce.


    That was the true appearance of the man said to possess one hundred faces, Zaill  Clown.


    (This face might be a fake one too, though.)


    W-who the hell are you!? Where did Zaill go!?


    Sullivan waspletely confused by the drastic change in Zaills appearance: he had instantly changed to apletely opposite face.


    I understood how he felt though: when I saw it for the first time, I was speechless too.


    Heeheehee, the man named Zaill never existed in the first ce. My name is Clown, I am just a poor swindler.


    Aa swindler?


    Yes sir, you have been deceived from the start. I approached you as Zaill, told you about the Fangs of Steel, said that you had a chance to be the next Lord Maxwell to lure you into a trap. Heeheehee.


    I cantbelieve this


    Sullivans expression twisted horribly.


    What emerged from his expression now was humiliation and suspicion.


    You havent realized it even now? You fell for it, hook, line, and sinker. It was a test, to see if you were worth the title of Baron Nommes. And you failed it spectacrly! You spat and stomped all over it! Heeheehee!


    ..


    Sullivan fell silent after Clowns mocking words. Then, after a brief silence, he exploded.


    D-damn youuuuuuuu!!!! You will pay for deceiving meeeeee!!!!


    The bracelet on Sullivans left arm gave a dull glow.


    With a booming sound, as if the very earth exploded, Sullivan jumped at Clown.


    You, test me!? Test this kingdoms crown prince!? This countrys rightful ruler!? Know your ce, scuuuuuuuuuum!!!


    Heehee, this looks bad!


    Clown lightly stepped aside, revealing the silhouette of a person who faced Sullivan in his ce.


    Is it my turn finally?


    The silhouette behind Clown was thence maiden, Shana.


    Shana smoothly ran past Sullivan, as she thrust the hilt of hernce between his legs to make him tumble.


    Nuooooohhh!?


    Sullivans legs flew up in the air and he crashed headfirst against one of the entrances pirs.


    Over already? How boring.


    Gwuh, gweeeehhh!?


    The marble pir shattered, its debris falling over Sullivan.


    Ah!! Hey, Shana!! Dont go destroying my residence!!


    I-it couldnt be helped! Its this mans fault for being too weak.


    Shana spun hernce and struck the floor with the hilt.


    She parted her silver hair, showing a dissatisfied expression on her handsome face.


    I cant expect him to be as strong as you, but I wanted to see some more grit, at the very least.


    Well, looks like he has enough grit to stand back up though.


    Ooh?


    Gwaaaahhhh!!!


    Sullivan tossed away the debris crushing him and stood up ferociously.


    There was blood on his head, but the wound seemed to be closed already. His recovery abilities were clearly superhuman.


    Kill!! Kill!! Kill, kill, kill!!! All those who harm my noble self!! Will face execution!!!


    It cant be. I respect tough men, buthow can he stand up again after that?


    Shana whispered, perplexed.


    At the speed Sullivan crashed against the marble pir, his cranium should have been shattered, his neck snapped. It was normally impossible to stand back up after such damage.


    Its the royal familys secret treasure, Herakles. The bracelet of the immortal hero. Honestly, how did you manage to steal it?


    Even if Sullivan was the crown prince, it wasnt something that could have been easily taken outside.


    It was the first kings heritage, after all: more than just a magic tool, it was a symbol of the royal houses authority.


    (I didnt hear about it being stolen, though. Did someone hide the fact? Could he have allies among the nobles in the capital?)


    The only nobles that could have managed to sneak a national treasure out of the capital were Duke Rosais or nobles with simr authority.


    For a moment, I considered the possibility that someone secretly gave Sullivan the bracelet in order to dispose of me, but I quickly discarded it.


    I couldnt think of any major nobles in the capital foolish enough to give a national treasure to this idiot, even for the sake of killing me.


    Well, whatever. Stand back, Shana. Im going to deal with him.


    Mph! Didnt you say you would leave him to me?


    This is the end of our little quarrel. I have to take responsibility, right?


    Shana, though disappointed, retreated. Clown, on the other hand, had already run off somewhere.


    Time to settle the score, then. You want to kill me, right? Do your worst.


    DYNGIR!!! MAXWELL!!!!


    Sullivan leaped towards me, roaring like a wild animal.


    I drew my sword and faced the man who stole my fiancee in our final battle.