Despite their murmuring, he warmed up and began exercising.

“Everyone, train on your own. Anyone who can’t keep up gets left behind.”

“Yes, Your Highness!”

He threw out a casual threat and got started.

Today’s going to be a tough one, punks. He’d said the ones who gave out first would be dropped.

“Huff, huff, huff…”

“Your Highness! If you fall behind, shall we leave you behind?”

“Not at all. I’m not tired in the slightest.”

“Of course! We knew Your Highness wouldn’t falter!”

He was the first to get exhausted.Andre’s beaming smile was extremely irritating. It was inevitable. After a life of indulgence, he’d only just recently begun training.

Andre and the others might’ve been the youngest of their group, but they were still members of the Imperial Knights, men who had endured endless training for the sake of honor.If stamina were something that could be measured, there wouldn’t even be a comparison.

His own stamina trait wasn’t even labeled as “exceptional”, just “average.”

But Still,

“You’re still keeping up?”

“Your face doesn’t look so good, perhaps a break.”

“Not at all. Everyone shut it and keep running. I’m just… out of breath.”

No matter how hard it got, he didn’t stop. His legs were trembling after repeatedly squatting with heavy iron weights, but he kept moving.His breath came in ragged gasps, but he kept running.He couldn’t allow it.

“You dare…dare run ahead of me?”

“You wretches think I’ll fall? Ridiculous. I’m a prince.“

Arrogance, pride, violence, his noble fate refused to let him give in.This was certainly the same fate that turned the former Prince into a tyrant.The previous version of himself might have stabbed Andre and the other knights then and there.Unable to accept his own shortcomings, he would have dragged others down just to soothe his inferiority. But now, it has become a driving force. The arrogance that insisted he couldn’t fall behind. The brutality that compelled him to win, no matter what.

With sheer willpower, he tried to overcome lacking stamina and unimpressive talent. The expressions of the others watching him carried a strange mix of pride and amusement. It spurred him on even more.

“Haah, haah… blargh …”

“Uh, Your Highness? Are you alright?”

But inevitably, a limit comes.After pushing through intense training, he staggered on the verge of collapse.

[Lower fate “Madness” supports the other fates. Temporarily suppresses pain.]

[Due to prolonged extreme conditions, a new fate is forming. From the lower fate “Madness,” the new attribute “Selflessness” is born.]

[Entering the state of selflessness. Pain forgotten!]

Suddenly, his lower body felt as if it had disappeared, it was light and numb.A clear, cool breath. A wide, open view.

“Hahahahaha!” Bursting into manic laughter, 

He ran, and the knights behind him laughed and ran too. The servants watching the Prince and his knights beamed proudly.

A new daily life had taken root in the Eleventh Prince’s Palace, one tinged with madness.

“Your Highness, say ‘ah.’”

“I can eat on my own.”

As expected, the excessive training caught up to him.During lunch, the effect of the selfless state wore off, his hands trembled so badly he spilled soup three times.A maid, unable to bear watching, stepped forward to feed him herself. At first, his pride wouldn’t allow it.

“Bread. Dip it in the soup.”

“Yes, now say ‘ah’.”

Once he got used to it, it wasn’t so bad.Even while eating, 

“Can’t do afternoon training today.”

“You should rest. You’ve pushed yourself too hard lately.”

“Has His Majesty said anything? Or is he just going to throw some White-Faced monsters at me and wash his hands of it?”

“He said that, if requested, you could be granted access to one of the Imperial Stores or a mysterious location.”

“The Imperial Store, fine, but even the mysterious places need special permission? I’ve been disciplined so often I forgot. Then how’d I get into the Spirit Garden last time?”

“The Spirit Garden is mysterious, yes, but there’s nothing particularly valuable there.”

They reviewed the Emperor’s past rewards and discussed future plans.He had earned a little trust and some reputation, unrestricted access to the Spirit Forest, and a pile of white masks from the last hunt.The Forest had proven useful as a training ground. As for the masks,he had another use in mind. The remaining reward was access to another Imperial Store or a mysterious location. Due to the Eleventh Prince’s former behavior, most areas had been restricted.

There was no choice but to continue proving his ability, gradually expanding his permitted reach.One accomplishment alone wasn’t enough to gain full trust.Perhaps the Empress’s influence was involved as well.

“There’s nothing valuable in the Spirit Garden?”

“The spirits are precious,but that’s all. They’re not particularly useful.”

Alfred’s response made him realize something still hadn’t been revealed.The Spirit Garden would come later,once preparations were complete. He already had permission to return whenever needed.

As he watched the sky grew darker…

“What about going outside?”

“That too requires His Majesty’s approval.”

“Ugh, that’s annoying. What if I just sneak out?”

“…”

“My already bad reputation would tank even further, huh.”

“That is correct.”

“But can it really get worse than it already is?”

“Pardon?”

Alfred’s face froze at his confident question. Watching Alfred like that,

“Kidding. I don’t want to lose my pass and get grounded again.”

He was considering using his pass for an excursion outside,there was someone he’d need to meet eventually. But he held back, there’d been no shift in fate. Leaving now would probably be a waste. As he debated what move to make,

“What about Sol? It’s been a few days since I gave her the White Masks. No word yet?”

“She’s reportedly immersed in her research.”

At the mention of Sol, the mage he’d brought to the Forest,

[Lower fate “Shadow” stirs.]

A smile spread across his face at the words that appeared. Interesting…. Something that was supposed to happen much later seemed to be unfolding already, sprouting quickly from the fate he had sown. From there, his next move became clear.

“Alfred. Night patrol, tonight.”

“Night patrol, sir?”

“Yeah. Late at night. Get the carriage ready. I want to visit the canyon.”

“…Understood.”

Alfred hesitated for a moment, then bowed his head. He must’ve had questions.But knowing the Prince would do as he pleased anyway, he swallowed them. The “Mad Prince” persona made these things easier.

Night fell swiftly.After spending the afternoon using the Flame Emperor’s Heart Scripture to recover, he climbed into the waiting vehicle.

[Reading the fate of an object. The object is fated to meet its end today.]

The message hinted at the coming event, and his smile deepened. To the nervous driver, he gave a cheerful command,

“Let’s go. To the canyon.”

The vehicle, carrying him and Alfred, glided smoothly through the night-darkened steel city.

Toward the place where the Shadow Witch would be born.