The Former Prince Who Lost Everything Becomes a Masked Strategist, Dominates from the Shadows, and Vows Revenge - Chapter 5.1

I held my sword at mid-stance, steady and unwavering.

Standing before me was a towering man with a sword resting on his shoulder, his long hair tied back—Eirik.

Facing him directly, I could tell immediately.

He was on a completely different level from the man I had disarmed earlier.

His body was honed, his muscles lean and efficient, covered in countless old scars.

A former knight, he said. That meant he was someone who had truly experienced war.

“Prince, I used to be a knight guarding the bridge between the royal territory and the Fräbel region.”

Tapping the flat of his sword against his shoulder, he gave a crooked smirk.

“Back then, I made a little extra on the side—taking bribes from criminal groups and letting them cross the bridge unnoticed. It was easy money. But one day, the Knight King Gaizerion found out. That bastard stripped me of my knighthood. Since then, all I’ve had for your father is hate.”

That was entirely his own fault.

But saying that now would be pointless.

He just wanted to take out his frustration on me.

“Alright, let’s see how much of your father’s skill you’ve inherited, little prince. Come at me.”

With my sword raised, I charged at the man who called himself Eirik.

But he dodged my strike with ease—then slammed his fist into my face.

“Guh!”

Bl00d dripped from my nose as I staggered back.

Eirik followed up with a barrage of punches and kicks.

“Hahahahaha! You make a great punching bag, prince!”

I couldn’t resist—I was getting beaten to a pulp.

Seeing me like that, Lilliette and Alphonse cried out.

“Prince Grace!!”
“Prince Grace!!”

Damn it… The reach difference between an adult and a child is just too great. I can’t even fight back.

But even as he hit me, I kept my eyes locked on his movements.

My weapon wasn’t my sword. Like my father had said just the other day—my real weapon was my mind.

Think. Find a way to win. Find his weakness.

Observe his habits. His fighting style. Memorize everything.

(Wait… His left leg…?)

Every time he moved to attack, he seemed to favor his left leg, as if protecting it.

Could it be—?

“What’s wrong, prince?”

Eirik’s punch slammed into me again, and I spat out bl00d.

“Hah… hah…!”

I wiped the bl00d from my forehead, lifted my sword, and glared at Eirik.

It had been ten minutes since our duel for Lilliette’s freedom began.

I hadn’t even managed to scratch him.

Every attack I made, he dodged effortlessly—then struck back, landing blows on me again and again.

Bruises covered my body. A lump swelled over my eye. Bl00d dripped steadily from my nose.

I was barely able to stand. The fact that I had stayed conscious this long was shocking, even to me.

(I understand now.)

Through our exchanges, I had learned one undeniable truth.

I could never defeat him in a straight fight.

It wasn’t just because I was a child.

The simple truth was that I was never meant to be a swordsman.

With my physical abilities, I couldn’t parry his attacks.

Damn it! If only I had more talent with the sword…!

I could see the path to victory—but I was missing the pieces I needed to make it happen…!

(But I refuse to lose! I’m the only one who can fight right now…!)

I took a step forward and swung at Eirik again.

“Hah! That same boring attack again? You’ll never hit me, prince! How many times has it been now?”

He dodged and kicked me hard in the stomach.

The force sent me flying into the wall beside Alphonse.

I coughed up bl00d and collapsed onto the ground.

I tried to get up—my legs wouldn’t move.

“Move… Move, damn it! I’m the son of the Knight King! If I don’t move now, when will I?!”

I clenched my bloody fists and pounded my thighs in frustration.

Tears welled in Lilliette’s eyes as she sobbed.

“Please… Stop, Grace…! Forget about me, just run…!”

Like hell I would. I was the son of a king. I wouldn’t break from something like this…!

“G-Grace…”

Alphonse, his voice shaking, knelt beside me, lifting me up.

Tears streamed down his face as he pleaded.

“Enough, Prince Grace! We should call for help! You don’t have to go this far! Let the adults handle it!”

“Hah… hah… If we do that, they’ll just take Lilliette and run! I’m the son of the Knight King… I can’t just run away…!”

I reached for the sword on the ground.

But before I could grab it, Alphonse snatched it first and stepped in front of me.

“Alphonse!?”

“P-Prince Grace doesn’t have to get hurt anymore! N-now… it’s my turn!”

His legs shook violently, his face twisted with fear, but still—he raised the sword and pointed it at Eirik.

Seeing this, the thugs around us burst into mocking laughter.

Eirik let out an exasperated sigh.

◇◇◇◇◇

“You really think you can fight me with that trembling stance? You look like you’re about to run away. Just drop that sword and disappear, kid. I’m not interested in you. I just want to beat the hell out of the little prince to blow off some steam.”

“S-shut up! I won’t run away! I swear—I absolutely won’t!!”

Despite his shaking body, Alphonse shouted with all his might.

Seeing him like that, I smiled slightly and, though barely standing, leaned close to whisper in his ear.

“Listen to me, Alphonse. I promise you—you’re strong.”

“I’m not strong at all, Grace! M-my legs are shaking so much I can barely stand…”

“What do you think of yourself?”

“H-huh? Me? I… I think I’m pathetic. A coward. A failure… The grandson of a former knight commander, but completely lacking any talent with the sword.”

“Then tell me—what kind of person do you see when you look at me?”

“You’re brave, always confident, skilled with a sword… The complete opposite of me.”

“Then hear this—I, the person you see as strong, am telling you that you are strong. Believe in me. If you can’t find your own courage, I’ll give you wings. I’ve known since we were little—you have the talent to be one of the strongest knights.”

“Huh…?”

“Now, do exactly as I say. That guy’s left leg—there’s a weakness…”

I quickly whispered my strategy to Alphonse.

“So, are you done with your little strategy meeting?”

As our conversation ended, Alphonse stepped forward to face Eirik.

Eirik yawned loudly, looking down at him with a bored expression.

Alphonse’s shoulders trembled violently. He looked like he could burst into tears at any moment.

I leaned against the wall, covered in bl00d, watching his back.

“Go, Alphonse. You’re strong—the strongest. Swing your sword with everything you’ve got!”

“Uwaaaaaaaahhhhhhhh!!”

Alphonse let out a battle cry, swinging his sword wildly.

Eirik, thinking it wasn’t worth dodging, lazily raised his own blade to block it.

But—

“What—?!”

Eirik was forced back as Alphonse’s sheer strength pushed him away.

“Now, jump back, Alphonse!”

Following my command, Alphonse leaped backward—just as Eirik’s kick swiped through the air where he had just been standing.

“What?!”

“Now, swing recklessly!”

“Uwaaaaaaaahhhhhh!!”

Alphonse swung his sword wildly, like a desperate child flailing in panic.

To anyone watching, it would seem like an untrained, pathetic attempt at fighting.

But that was exactly what I wanted.

If it were just random swinging from a normal child, it wouldn’t even be considered a threat.

But Alphonse was different.

The power in his strikes wasn’t that of an ordinary child.

“Tch!”