The Wastrel Prince Becomes Ruthless-Chapter 31

Chapter 31
Announcement of the Houkijisu Tournament!
The Empire’s grand annual event, which returned once a year, came this year far earlier than originally scheduled.
The atmosphere of the Imperial Palace, which had been frozen stiff at the news of the Houkijisu Tournament, thawed as if it had all been a lie, and beyond the palace, the Capital and even the entire Empire became bustling with preparations for the festival.
It was the most popular event among those hosted under the name of the Aphahiel Imperial Palace, so it was only natural that interest soared.
Judging from its immediate effect, the Emperor’s handling of the situation could only be called a masterstroke.
The Houkijisu Tournament referred to a gathering of the children of all noble families to determine superiority.
It was divided into various events such as hunting, swordsmanship, magic, mounted combat, and mixed martial arts, with each event deciding victory according to its own rules.
Participation was, of course, voluntary, yet from the nation’s most prestigious high-ranking noble families to minor, provincial nobles whose names many had never even heard, none ever failed to appear at this tournament.
Nobles of great renown showcased their skills before the nation’s eyes to solidify their standing, while the mid-rank and lesser nobles who sought to rise higher strove to prove their worth amid fierce competition.
The Aphahiel Empire encouraged fair competition and was a nation of chivalry that never neglected to reward the price of that competition.
To support them, the Imperial Palace opened its treasury and bestowed suitable rewards upon the winners.
Receiving a prize granted in the Emperor’s name? It could only be considered the utmost honor and glory of one’s family.
And knowing this better than anyone, the participants rushed into the competition.
The Houkijisu Tournament was the representative example showing why Aphahiel was a great power.
Furthermore, the main rounds were even open to the public, making them a popular form of entertainment for the people; truly, the nickname “Aphahiel’s Spring Festival” suited it perfectly.
“Didn’t they say the Houkijisu Tournament is being held earlier than usual this year?”
“Eh? That’s the first I’ve heard of it?”
“They just posted the notice a while ago. From the poster, it looks like it’s happening in exactly ten days.”
“So suddenly? Heh, ten days… ten days, huh… The busy season is right in front of us now.”
“Well, the weather’s warmed up enough already, hasn’t it? Not bad at all. Normally around the finals it gets secretly hot. This is better.”
“Now that you mention it, that’s true. In that case, this year I’ll definitely win big! Watch me!”
“Haha! Sounds like you’ll lose all your pocket money again and be begging meals off me like last year. Instead of dreaming about your daughter’s dowry, you’d better pray I win more.”
The bets placed on the Houkijisu Tournament were a form of national entertainment the citizens of the Empire would never miss.
Every year, when the Houkijisu Tournament season arrived, production and consumption—stiffened somewhat from the winter—rose noticeably.
With the tournament news spreading, every corner of the Empire became lively with excitement.
It wasn’t only merchants who grew busier. Noble families across the nation were no exception; a fire had been lit under their feet as well.
“This is strange, nothing like this has ever happened before. The Houkijisu Tournament announced so suddenly?”
“In ten days? Are you all out of your minds? What are you doing! Hurry and inform the heir to prepare for a journey to the Capital!”
“Heh, keeping a permanent portal open to the Capital, they say. The old men of the Magic Tower will tear out what little hair they have left.”
“It seems this year’s tournament is indeed unusual. My son, stay vigilant. Something about this year feels off, starting from the very beginning.”
“You already heard, so there’s no need to make a fuss. Prepare the entourage at once. Last year I regretfully ended as runner-up, but this year I will proudly win and elevate our family’s name.”
Noble families from all regions began preparing for their journey to the Capital in competitive haste.
These were the ones who would participate in the tournament as Houkijisu. None anticipated this day more than the young heirs.
It was their chance to prove the fruits of their blood-soaked efforts over the past year. That chance arrived a little earlier this year.
Talents of the Empire, who had honed their achievements as if sharpening blades, began gathering one by one in the Capital.
“Is everything proceeding according to plan?”
“Yes, all is being done according to Your Majesty’s wise intention.”
“Good. Let’s make it more interesting this year.”
“We shall give our utmost, Your Majesty.”
Not only the Emperor, the nobles, and the hardworking citizens across the land, but even the drunks and gambling addicts at the bottom of society—all turned their attention toward the Capital.
Day by day, the Houkijisu Tournament approached with quick strides.
---
On the second day after the announcement of the Houkijisu Tournament was posted, the five Princes gathered in one place.
“You all know perfectly well why I called you here, don’t you?”
At the Crown Prince’s greeting, the Second Prince Arencar displayed his displeasure.
“Don’t misunderstand. I came because I have something to say to the Third. No one summoned me.”
“I also have much to say, brother.”
The rift had yet to be mended; Third Prince Bernid glared at Arencar with burning eyes.
“I personally thought such mediation was necessary, so I’ve been waiting.”
Fourth Prince Mariel seemed to welcome this gathering. At Mariel’s words, Arencar turned his gaze toward him.
“Come to think of it, our Fourth… You didn’t seem interested in the throne, yet you were impressive. Judging from the forces the Church sent this time, you weren’t just favored—you seemed to be gripping them in your fist. Hm?”
At Arencar’s remark, Yulia and the other Imperial brothers quietly nodded. Indeed, the strength Mariel displayed during this incident was nothing to underestimate.
“You flatter me… The teachers of the Church merely looked kindly upon me.”
“Tch, if you couldn’t speak, that’d be better… Fine, forget the Fourth… Now, our youngest…”
Arencar shifted his gaze to Yuwon. With a deliberate motion, he brushed back his hair, revealing clearly the cross-shaped scar above his eyebrow.
“From this incident, we certainly learned our youngest’s true strength, didn’t we? Isn’t that right, youngest?”
Unlike his brothers, Yuwon showed no reaction whatsoever to the uproar. He behaved as if this were someone else’s matter entirely, and the Princes—already on edge from recent tensions—could not possibly have failed to notice.
There was a world of difference between not acting because one couldn’t, and not acting despite being able. Arencar targeted that point.
“It was obvious that His Majesty the Emperor would mediate, so was there any need to make a fuss? You should be grateful His Majesty opened another path to let this pass peacefully.”
“Ha! What an excellent excuse.”
“If you cannot even tell whether this is an excuse, that explains the scene you caused. By the way, I see you’ve gained a new scar since last we met?”
“Ah, that happened.”
Arencar smiled as if it were nothing serious. But that smile did not last long.
“Perhaps you didn’t… deliberately carve it in while saying you would never repeat such a mistake again, right?”
Yuwon hit the mark precisely. The smirk on Arencar’s face vanished.
“…What?”
“What is that reaction? I was joking, but I suppose I was right? You have an unexpectedly cute side, brother.”
With that, Yuwon let out a faint laugh. It was an outright sneer.
Bang―!
“You, you bastard! I’ve been letting it slide, but you—!”
Stung by Yuwon’s mockery, Arencar exploded in anger. His hand went to his left hip, gripping the hilt of his sword.
“Control yourself. Do you think His Majesty will look kindly on you again and again?”
Of course, he could not draw the blade thanks to the Crown Prince Yulia’s intervention.
‘I was planning to grab his hair and smash his head the moment he charged… shame.’
The one who truly felt regret was Yuwon. His prowess had already been revealed to some extent, and as long as he had a reasonable excuse, there was no reason to keep his strength hidden—especially if it was self-defense.
‘…I provoked him hoping he’d take the bait… but that chance slipped away.’
Had the Second Prince struck first, Yuwon planned to use that excuse to give him a thorough beating. A pity that it did not happen.
Uncertain whether he knew Yuwon’s intentions or not, Yulia stepped in, having stopped Arencar, and continued speaking.
“He is the Emperor before he is our father. Accept His Majesty’s mercy with gratitude, Arencar. It is not something you can count on twice or thrice. Remember what blood he shed to become Emperor.”
That chilling warning was no joke. Arencar lowered his tail as if defeated.
“…Fine. There’s no need to waste effort on someone who has nothing worth revealing. I came today to speak with the Third.”
At being addressed, Bernid furrowed his brows deeply.
“Was there still room left for conversation between us?”
“Ah, we’ll talk about that later, just the two of us. You’re misunderstanding something, Bern.”
Arencar’s shameless attempt to act close, calling him by his childhood nickname, grated on Bernid’s nerves.
“A misunderstanding? I can already guess what excuses you’ll make, but since things have come to this, I’ll listen. I look forward to it.”
Bernid clenched his teeth.
Thinking again of the blow to the back of his head made the anger he had barely managed to suppress rise anew.
Sensing the strange tension in the air, Yulia stepped in before the conversation veered off course.
“We’ll leave personal matters for later. We gathered today because of the Houkijisu Tournament. You all know why His Majesty advanced the schedule, don’t you?”
“If someone doesn’t, he might as well go die.”
“I understand.”
“Of course. We all know.”
The Princes answered one after another. Yuwon answered with a nod.
“Since you all know, there’s no need to drag this out. His Majesty widened the stage for us this time. If you want to fight, then fight.”
“At best, what—just bickering as individuals? Will that be enough?”
At Arencar’s retort, the Crown Prince replied with irritation.
“You fool. After seeing that the participants’ lodging wasn’t assigned separately but left for us to choose among the Prince’s Palaces, you still say that?”
“…!”
Arencar’s eyes widened at Yulia’s words. The other Princes also nodded slightly as if something clicked.
‘Right. Factions are power too.’
“There is no certainty yet on how things will change. But without a doubt, this year’s tournament will be different from all others. You should all stay on guard.”
Yuwon also nodded at Yulia’s words.
‘Up until now, it was just Princes squabbling among themselves. But not anymore. The performance of the Princes in this tournament will further solidify their factions. Once the tournament ends, the childish play inside the palace will be over… The true struggle for succession begins now.’
While Yuwon’s thoughts continued, Yulia drove in the final nail.
“It seems you all have roughly realized it. So don’t think about hiding your strength half-heartedly. If your supporters underestimate you, that’s the end.”
The Third Prince chimed in in agreement.
“This will be an opportunity either to unite a faction solidly or to have it crumble like a castle of sand.”
“Exactly. So all of us must do our utmost.”
The Crown Prince paused briefly and looked over his four brothers. From the Second… to the Third… to the Fourth… and finally to the youngest, Yuwon.
Yuwon and Yulia, who had been listening quietly without visible reaction, locked eyes in midair. Their identical, cold-blue gazes clashed and shattered. Neither looked away.
“This time, I’ll show that being born first isn’t everything. All of you must give it your all. Otherwise, after this tournament, none of those around you will remain.”
Yulia firmly believed that what Yuwon had shown so far was not all.
‘He spent nearly ten years acting a fool, an idiot, a wastrel, while building his strength. If all he did in those years was raise his personal combat power, then this is as far as you go, Yuwon.’
What he had swallowed down earlier, Yulia now spoke aloud.
“I will show my full strength in this tournament. Try facing it.”
Though spoken for all to hear, the words were aimed at Yuwon. And knowing that better than anyone, Yuwon answered with a smile.
“I look forward to it. Your full strength, brother.”