The sixth prince, who had been executed in the kingdom after being betrayed by the trusted saint, was reincarnated and, in order to seek revenge, became engaged once again to the neighboring kingdom’s “Guillotine Princess.” As a result, he was adored and lived happily.

“Oh…?”

“… …”

Two pairs of eyes were fixed on me as I walked past the knights who were training.

– The Shield of the Empire, Silas Garland.
– The Spear of the Empire, Glenn Corbett.

I needed these two because of something crucial.

“Haha! I never expected Prince Gustav to come to a place like this!”

The middle-aged man with a sturdy body, who was playfully adjusting his mustache, was General Silas. He was a key figure in the Empire’s defense, known for his heroic deeds in defending Normandy against a force of 50,000 with only 5,000 troops. He was also known as the “Impregnable Fortress.”

Next to him was a young man with a composed expression, the Knight Commander Glenn.

He had become the Knight Commander at the young age of twenty-two due to his martial talent and had achieved numerous feats alongside King Edward. He was known for his incredible spear skills and charging through the battlefield alone, earning him the nickname “Swift as Lightning.” He was also Claire’s brother, as their last names indicated.

I approached the two of them and said, “Nice to meet you. I am Gustav, who has become Princess Abigail’s fiancé. Please remember me.”

Placing a hand over my chest, I bowed respectfully.

“Well, well, I am General Silas Garland, in charge of the Empire’s military. And this here is… Aren’t you going to introduce yourself?”

Glenn, who had been wearing a serious expression, only fixed me with a sharp gaze and didn’t open his mouth or even nod.

In other words, he didn’t acknowledge me. That was just like him, and it reminded me that he was Claire’s brother.

“So, Prince Gustav, what brings you here?” General Silas asked.

“Yes. Since I haven’t had many opportunities to move around from the capital to here, I thought I’d do some swordsmanship training.”

“Oh… You won’t be using the royal training grounds, then?”

“No. Even if I train alone, I won’t make any progress.”

My words caught the attention of the knights who were training.

Perhaps they were thinking that I might challenge one of them to a duel. From a knight’s perspective, that would be quite a nuisance.

After all, even though I’m the sixth prince of an enemy nation, I couldn’t be injured by them. Moreover, if they defeated me and earned Princess Abigail’s displeasure, they would be in a tough spot.

For these knights, dueling me was like avoiding a calamity.

However, they didn’t need to worry.

I wouldn’t ask these knights to spar with me.

“Lord Glenn, would you spar with me?”

“What!?”

Even Glenn, who had maintained his silence, widened his eyes in surprise.

He probably didn’t expect that he would be challenged to a duel.

“Heh… Hahaha! This is quite audacious!”

General Silas, who had been listening, burst into hearty laughter.

But everyone here knew that not everyone could match Glenn. Of course, I didn’t think I could defeat him either.

Not now, at least.

“How about it? Of course, I won’t complain even if I lose or get injured.”

Such things wouldn’t bother Glenn, for sure. In fact, challenging this man to a duel would only make me a laughingstock.

“Lord Glenn?”

“… Understood.”

He must have realized that I wouldn’t back down.

Glenn turned and picked up a wooden sword, then tossed one in my direction.

“Let’s begin.”

“Here I come!”

I immediately rushed forward, holding the wooden sword.

Unlike when I sparred with Renaud and that knight in the Kingdom, I didn’t test the waters or use any tricks.

I just threw everything I had into it.

But…

“Ugh…”

In less than ten minutes since we started, my sword hadn’t even grazed Glenn, and I was being relentlessly struck by his blows.

Ah, well… He’s not holding back at all.

I groaned and writhed on the ground like a caterpillar, unable to do anything else.

“… …”

Glenn looked down at me with an indifferent expression, as if he were looking at a roadside stone.

Then…

“… It seems he’s not suitable for that person after all.”

“Huh…?” *Ugh!*”

The moment Glenn muttered that, he kicked me with all his might, and I tumbled over, clutching my stomach.

“On the battlefield, being kicked isn’t uncommon. Naturally, this kind of thing happens too.”

“Ugh…!”

As I lay there, dazed and writhing in pain, Glenn relentlessly swung his wooden sword down on me.

It seemed he really didn’t like me. That much was clear.

“…”

Picking myself up and rolling away from Glenn’s attack, I managed to get up, albeit unsteadily.

“Even though you’re her fiancé, you look quite pathetic.”

“Ah, well… Are you really concerned about appearances on the battlefield…?”

I retorted sarcastically to Glenn’s sarcasm.

In any case, I couldn’t match his strength at all in my current state. If I continued, I would only get more beaten up.

So, should I surrender and escape with my tail between my legs? No, that would be foolish.

When I came to the Empire, I had no escape.

Besides, I had made a vow.

A vow for revenge against the Empire and to protect myself and Princess Abigail.

To hear the continuation of the words from that day.

So…

“Ugh…”

“Surprised to see me on the ground again?”

“Haha… Haha…!”

Even though my senses were numb from all the hits, I managed to laugh weakly.

But even in this state, I would not yield to a sword that held no true feelings.

“My turn…”

Backing Glenn into a corner, I suddenly stopped retreating and advanced, step by step.

“Kuh! What’s this!”

“Ha… Haha…!”

I had been struck repeatedly, and my eyelids had swollen, making it difficult to see, but I didn’t mind.

I wouldn’t yield to this man, whose sword lacked any real intent.

“…?”

“Ugh… Ha… Ha…!”

I allowed his sword strikes to land, but I didn’t retreat. Step by step, I moved forward.

“Kuh! This…”

“Is it… over…”

I collapsed onto the ground, my consciousness slipping away.