The Former Prince Who Lost Everything Becomes a Masked Strategist, Dominates from the Shadows, and Vows Revenge - Chapter 1.1

The Royal Castle.

The training grounds in the courtyard.

Gasping for breath, I dropped to my knees on the ground.

Before me stood a towering knight clad in full armor.

It was only natural that a mere child like me—only ten years old—could not possibly stand a chance against an adult knight.

However… I am the son of the King of Knights. A prince.

Even if this was just training, I couldn’t afford to show weakness. One day, I would bear the weight of the Kingdom of Lambert on my shoulders.

“Haaah!”

Forcing myself back onto my feet, I raised my wooden sword high above my head and leapt forward, aiming a heavy overhead strike at the knight before me.

It was a powerful downward blow, targeting his head.

But the knight effortlessly parried my strike with his own wooden sword and swiftly countered with a kick to my stomach.

“Guh…!”

The air was knocked from my lungs, and I staggered backward, nearly losing my balance.

Of course, the knight wouldn’t let such an opening go to waste. Without hesitation, he swung his wooden sword down toward my head.

“O-oryaaah!”

Just then—

A boy wielding a wooden sword charged at the knight from behind.

Sensing the ambush, the knight immediately turned, swinging his sword in a wide arc.

The boy managed to block the attack by bracing his sword horizontally, but he couldn’t completely absorb the impact.

He was sent flying backward.

“Whoa!”

“Alphonse! Damn it!”

I quickly scrambled to my feet and swung my wooden sword at the knight.

However, he effortlessly blocked it, using the gauntlet on his arm to deflect my strike.

“Your stance is still too weak, Your Highness.”

“Gah…!”

The knight struck me with his wooden sword. The blow landed squarely in my abdomen.

I had no chance to resist. The force sent me tumbling across the ground until I crashed into a tree in the courtyard.

A loud thud echoed as the back of my head slammed against the trunk, and dry leaves rained down from above.

It hurt. A lot. My head was spinning.

“Ugh… Oww…!”

Clutching the back of my head with one hand, I gripped my wooden sword tightly and forced myself back onto my feet. I glared at the knight before me.

Seeing this, the knight removed his helmet.

Beneath it was the face of a man in his late sixties, his neatly slicked-back white hair framing a calm and gentle smile.

“That will be enough training for today, Prince Grace.”

“…No! I can still fight, Gilbert!”

“Your Highness, overexertion will do you no good. You are still only ten years old. Pushing your body too far is dangerous.”

“But…!”

“There is no need to rush, Your Highness. You have talent. And more importantly, you are a prince of the royal bloodline of the Knights’ Kingdom. In time, you will surpass even me and undoubtedly grow into a noble King of Knights, just like His Majesty. As a former captain of the Royal Guard, I guarantee it.”

“…But I want to become stronger right now.”

“And why is that?”

Gilbert, the old knight, maintained his gentle expression as he stepped closer and extended a hand to me.

I accepted his help, rising to my feet. Looking away, I pursed my lips before speaking.

“…I made a promise to my mother before she passed away last month. I swore that when I inherit the throne, I will bring peace to this world, no matter what.”

“You made such a promise to Lady Cattleya?”

“Yes. That’s why I have to grow stronger as soon as possible—”

“Waaaahhh!”

Just then—

A loud wail echoed through the courtyard.

Alphonse, the blond-haired boy who had been training alongside me, burst into tears and ran away.

Watching him flee, Gilbert let out a sigh of exasperation.

“Good grief… to think he would break down over mere training. I must say, as my grandson, he is quite the embarrassment. I had hoped that one day, Alphonse would serve as your knight, Your Highness, but given his current state, I fear he lacks the fortitude to protect you properly.”

“Gilbert, I trust Alphonse more than anyone. We grew up together here in the palace. There’s no one else I’d rather have as my knight.”

Handing my wooden sword back to Gilbert, I approached Hannah, the maid who had been standing at the edge of the courtyard. She offered me a towel.

“You worked hard today, Prince Grace.”

“Thanks, Hannah.”

Taking the towel, I wiped the sweat from my face and let out a deep breath.

Then, turning on my heel, I made my decision.

I would go find Alphonse.

“Your Highness, where are you headed?”

“To talk to Alphonse. I think I know where he went.”

“Your Highness. Your kindness is a remarkable virtue. However, when it comes to choosing knights, you must prioritize skill with the sword over friendship. You are the prince who will one day bear the weight of this kingdom. Please do not select my grandson as your knight merely because he is your childhood friend.”

“I understand that. But it’s not just because we’re friends that I want Alphonse as my knight. He may be a crybaby, but I can see that he has undeniable talent with the sword. If even I can recognize it, then surely you have as well, Gilbert?”

“Well… I suppose. However, with that personality of his…”

“People can change. Now, I’ll be off. Hannah, Gilbert, I’m leaving the cleanup to you.”

“Yes, have a safe journey, Prince Grace.”

“Take care, Your Highness.”

With that, I parted ways with Hannah, my maid, and Gilbert, my sword instructor, and left the courtyard.

A short distance from the royal palace, atop a small hill.