The Spirit Said, 'You're Unworthy as My Master, Cancel the Contract!' So I’ll Give It to My Sister Who Wants It - Episode 2.15

—A few days later, in Terre.

The king’s bedchamber. All the windows were shut, and the room was faintly hazy with smoke. A special incense, which eased pain when inhaled, was continuously burning.

The King of Terre, Doran, had been bedridden with illness for a long time.

“Gilbert has returned from Asteria…?”

Wheezing as he spoke, Doran asked the chancellor who stood by his side.

“Yes. He should be arriving soon.”

“Haa… I was worried about whether he could handle things well in Asteria… But my life is already hanging by a thread. He must inherit the throne. He has a short temper, but he has the talent of a spirit user.”

As Doran twisted in his bed, the maid attending to him immediately brought a cup to his lips.

“Your Majesty, the thing is…”

The chancellor hesitated, averting his gaze awkwardly. Sensing trouble, Doran furrowed his brows.

“What on earth did he—”

At that moment, the tightly shut doors of the bedchamber suddenly burst open with a loud bang. Doran gasped in shock and began to cough violently.

“Cough, cough!”

“I have returned, Father! How is your health?”

“…Gilbert…”

Doran felt a headache coming on at his son’s lack of decorum. But he was used to it, so he allowed Gilbert to approach his bedside. Sensing the mood, the chancellor bowed to both Doran and Gilbert before quietly leaving the room.

“If I hear that you performed your duties well, perhaps this pain will lessen a little. So, what was this ‘Hero of Salvation’ from Asteria like?”

“Ah, that woman. Since everyone praised her so highly, I had high expectations. But when I met her, she was nothing special. I can’t believe such a frail-looking woman could wield enough power to destroy a kingdom. The spirits that follow her are nothing extraordinary either. Even when I so generously proposed to her, she didn’t smile in the slightest. What a boring woman.”

“…Proposed?”

Doran’s headache worsened at those words. Unaware of the tension in the air, Gilbert continued talking carelessly.

“But I managed to put her in her place! I forced that useless earth spirit, Solm, onto her. Father, this is our chance. While that woman is being dragged down by Solm, we should invade Asteria. Please, make the decision—”

“You fool!!”

Doran’s furious voice boomed like a thunderclap.

The maid flinched and paled, looking down in fear. Gilbert, frozen with a smile still on his face, failed to comprehend what had just happened.

Panting heavily, Doran glared at Gilbert with disdain.

“You proposed to the hero without even discussing it with their royal family!? And to make it worse, you were rejected… How dare you disgrace me! And if that wasn’t enough, you casually handed over a precious spirit to another country!? I ordered you to establish friendly relations with Asteria, not to prepare for war! Sending you there was a mistake. You are not fit to rule this kingdom!”

“W-what? F-Father…?”

“Do not call me ‘Father.’ Address me as ‘Your Majesty.’”

The icy tone pierced through Gilbert’s heart. A cold sensation spread through his chest.

(He’s saying I am unfit to rule this kingdom!?)

As the son of the queen, Gilbert had been raised with honor. He had never once doubted his position as crown prince. To him, being the first heir to the throne was an unquestionable truth, an inseparable part of his identity.

And now, his father was saying he had no right to it.

“Ridiculous…! Take back those words! Have you finally lost your mind!?”

Like a desperate puppy snapping at its owner, Gilbert’s defiance was met with a sharp snort from Doran.

“You are the fool here. Your greed is obvious, you simpleton. You just want to destroy Asteria with brute force.”

“And what’s wrong with that!? I refuse to be a cowardly king who avoids war! A ruler must be feared! Why are you so reluctant to fight, Your Majesty!?”

“Because war leads to countless deaths.”

“…!”

“But I, too, am to blame for raising you into such a fool. I will not exile you, but you will remain here in silence. In time, I will arrange a suitable marriage for you. …Hah. I’m exhausted. Leave now.”

Doran let out a deep sigh and waved a hand dismissively, as if shooing away an animal.

Gilbert started to argue but stopped himself. Without another word, he turned on his heel and left the king’s chamber.

Outside, he furrowed his brows, replaying Doran’s words in his mind. His father had spoken as if he were stripping Gilbert of his right to inherit the throne.

(I won’t accept this…!)

Clenching his fists tightly, Gilbert trembled with rage.

(If I were king, I would have already invaded Asteria! If we take the land protected by the Guardian Crystal, our country will gain enormous wealth. That cowardly old man—how does he expect to make history if he’s afraid of casualties!? That so-called Hero of Salvation is nothing but a pathetic little girl who looks like she’d blow away with the wind. Damn it, if only I had the power to command an army…!)

As he gritted his teeth in frustration, a voice suddenly called out to him.