“Rest easy, all of you. Sleep without worry.”

What nonsense.

I curled my lips into a crooked smile at Alfred’s words.

“And what good is their recognition?”

“If you gain popularity among the people, your influence will grow even within the Steel Fortress. That would give you a considerable advantage in the upcoming coming-of-age ceremony and the battle for succession.”

“So what? What’s the point of securing that advantage?”

Alfred tilted his head, puzzled by my disinterest.

“May I ask why, Your Highness?”

“Alfred.”

“Yes, Your Highness.”

“Public favor can vanish in the blink of an eye. And a feat like this? It might cause a brief stir, but it won’t last. It’s a fleeting illusion,just another kind of madness. I already have enough madness inside me. It’s not time to make a move yet.”

“Then… you intend to simply watch from the shadows?”

“Better to let others bask in the light and grow complacent, while I remain in the dark, waiting for the right moment to eliminate the true obstacles.”

Alfred’s face lit up with admiration, he understood. He knew popularity was fleeting. He knew that eliminating enemies was the wiser choice.

“Tch. Always testing your lord, aren’t you? That’s another life I saved. I’m starting to wonder when you’ll ever repay that debt.”

“My apologies. It seems all I ever do is disappoint.”

“Strange thing to say with a face that looks oddly pleased. Do you enjoy this kind of work?”

“…I don’t believe that’s something I should hear from Your Highness. But I do enjoy watching your growth.”

“I don’t pay off life debts with flattery. Just focus on the task I’ve given you.”

“Of course.”

At his curt command, Alfred bowed deeply and disappeared as quietly as he’d come.

He no longer even tried to hide his power.looked toward where he had stood just moments ago.

Coming-of-age ceremony… and the battle for succession…

His words echoed in the prince’s  mind, pulling his thoughts toward the future.

Within the Steel Fortress, every imperial child must undergo a coming-of-age ceremony at a certain age. Only those who survive it gain the right to participate in the fight for the throne. Of course, one could choose to withdraw. But choosing not to fight didn’t guarantee a peaceful life.

Even the one who became a tyrant must have taken part in the succession struggle. He was never lacking in ambition.

To that day, hestill wondered, 

“How did that bastard become Emperor?”

A monster born of the worst fate imaginable, a calamity that should never have existed in the empire, how did he become ruler?

He knew the outcome. Yet he could never make sense of it. But that night, when he rejected the demon’s offer and struck him down, 

[You have rejected the demon of Fate and twisted your assigned path!]
[You have denied the usurpation by a key Fate Demon. A portion of your fate has been consumed. You gain a large amount of Alteration Points.]
[The core succession fate has been distorted.]

That’s when he understood, that mad prince, he had become Emperor by making a deal with a demon …Absolutely ridiculous.

That’s why he took even greater care to conceal his name,
To avoid attracting the attention of demons.
To buy himself time to think.

Just how deep does the rot go?

The empire’s capital was overrun with demon worshippers. Has the whole nation already fallen?

At first, he only wanted to stop “Night Sky”, a drug that would devastate not just the capital, but the entire empire.

In his previous life, he’d read a record, it had started in the capital’s sewer district.

It only came to light much later.

“Night Sky” is a conduit of corruption created by demons.

A drug made from the foul secretions of demons, designed to seduce humans and expand their power,  its ultimate goal was to bring about the world’s end.

And surely, it wouldn’t end there.

He had prevented its spread in the capital, but who’s to say it wasn’t already surfacing in other cities?

“The coming-of-age ceremony, the battle for rank, saving the empire from demons, cleansing the rot…”

He thought of the enormous fates awaiting him. To change them.

“Your Highness, have you rested enough?”

“You’re getting cocky, commoner. I don’t get tired.”

“Then I’ll go all out!”

Shhhng.

Sword training. Physical endurance. Power control.

Before facing the larger destinies, he had to devour and change the smaller ones.

“Let’s go!”

“Whoosh!”

For days now, he’d been sparring endlessly with Andre.

Last time The prince fought a demon, the firepower had been enough, but his swordsmanship and stamina had fallen short.

His blade darted in from every direction, and the prince’s eyes moved swiftly to keep up. 

Prompts flashed through his mind, 

[The blade is aiming for your shoulder. You avoid injury.]
[The point aims for your side. It’s a meaningless strike.]
[The edge tries to slash your arm. Potential damage detected.]

The sword’s fate. Maybe due to his growing abilities, the prince could now see fate with more clarity.

He tried to block, dodge, and turn the tide, aiming at Andre’s vital points, but seeing fate and following it with your body were two very different things.

As his flurry of attacks picked up speed, the prince began to falter.

[You glimpse your opponent’s fate. Andre gains the advantage.]

Then fate whispered his loss, but he had no intention of conceding.

Just as Andre went for the final strike,
“Fwoooosh!”
The prince unleashed flames and pushed him back.

“Come on, Your Highness! Every time I’m about to win, you blast me with fire!”

“Hey, commoner.”

“Yes, Your Highness?”

“Not losing…that’s the duty of the noble. You are trying so hard to win, are you mad?”

“But this is training! Victory should go to the one with skill!”

“I never lose. The royal bloodline doesn’t lose.”

As we bickered for what felt like the hundredth time, I suddenly said:

“Don’t worry.”

“About what?”

“The kids.”

Andre froze mid-wipe, sweat still beading on his browbut the prince continued , casually.

“I’ve arranged it. The orphanage will be under the care of House Royce.”

“…Is that so.”

“Yeah. I told them, make it bigger while you’re at it. So they can take in more children.”

“…That wasn’t something Your Highness needed to concern yourself with.”

“The Emperor is the parent of all imperial citizens. I may not be able to care for them directly, but I can appoint others. That’s the power of class and authority, commoner.”

“The power of class…”

“Jealous?”

“…Thank you. Truly.”

“Then how about losing once in a while?”

“No can do. I’ll fight even harder, in honor of Your Highness’s generosity!”

As he grinned and raised his sword again, 

[Commoner knight Andre’s core Fate: Loyalty has shifted. His destiny as a Sword Master is strengthened.]
[Due to increased loyalty, Andre’s swordsmanship evolves.]
[You have consumed the core fate of the Rebellion in Andre. Alteration Points gained.]

His fate unfolded before the prince like a scroll. Then he smiled and said, without an ounce of shame.

“Your Highness always looks after others so suddenly. It’s admirable.”

Ugh. Gross.

“That’s enough of that. No more compliments, just spar.”

“With pleasure! This commoner, Andre, shall give it his all!”

“Didn’t I just tell you not to?”

As they resumed their sparring, exchanging words and blows, 

“Your Highness! Your Highness!”

A retainer from House Royce came running towards the prince,  out of breath.

“The Emperor! His envoys have arrived!”

[A great fate, the Emperor, is now watching you.]

“They say they’ve come to escort Your Highness to the Imperial Palace!”

[The threads of fate you’ve built begin to twist, forming a new path ahead.]

[A critical point of fate: Imperial Audience has begun. The path diverges depending on the Predator’s choices.]

A moment of great consequence had arrived.