Chapter 58 – Humoresque Palace
[Ten Years Ago]
The Emperor of the Dvorak Empire, my father, Antonin, took me and my older brothers to the “Elf Country Borodin”. I didn’t know the exact reason, but I heard that we would meet the “Holy Maiden”.
I heard that she was a cute, blond-haired girl, and my heart swelled with anticipation.
When the ship arrived at the port, the streets were filled with brick houses. The elves welcomed my father, and both my older brother and I followed behind.
Upon entering Borodin’s largest palace, the “Humoresque Palace”, there stood a high priestess. As I thought, she was a beautiful woman with golden hair.
“Welcome from afar, Your Majesty.”
“Yes. Today is the promised day. I have come to receive the ‘World Scriptures’.”
“I see. Then, without delay ――Oh, children?”
“Yes. I have brought my children as well. The First Prince Wagner, the Second Prince Brahms, and the Third Prince Rasty.”
“What a surprise, with the prince… In that case, the children should play with the Holy Maiden, Skor Zlonitse.”
A blond-haired girl was hiding behind a pillar. She came into my view, but I wasn’t particularly interested. I found her bothersome, even. I wanted to read books. The world of books was my place to be. ――Even as a child, I felt that way.
My older brothers took the Holy Maiden girl to the square and treated her roughly. In that moment, I suddenly felt angry. Even though she was a stranger.
“Hey, this guy is an elf!”
“Their ears are pointy and disgusting!”
Yes, my older brothers were scum.
Their personalities were flawed, and they were trash.
Even though they were children, they were princes. They had received a high level of education and were supposed to be sensible… But in the end, kids were just kids. Perhaps I was too much of an oddity because I was too composed. And seriously, were those guys really my brothers? They were completely different in character, and even their appearances were slightly different.
Even their hair and eye colors were different.
As I watched from the corner of the square, Wagner and Brahms escalated things. They mercilessly kicked that girl. Hey! It’s not just an international issue! It could escalate into an all-out war!
Isn’t she supposed to be the Holy Maiden!?
“Waaaah! S-Someone, please help… Why do I have to go through this…?”
Holding her head, the girl cried loudly.
D*mn brothers… I can’t forgive them anymore.
“Hey, Wagner, Brahms!”
“What?!”
“What is it, Rasty? I’ll punch you again.”
“Shut up!!!”
I threw a thick, heavy book at Brahms’ face. Second big brother fell down with a single blow. Serves him right!
“Hey, hey, Brahms!! D*mn it, Rasty… You’re so insolent! Don’t go against your older brother!”
“What older brother? Bedwetting Wagner!!”
“…………R-Rasty, you…”
I knew.
I knew that Wagner wet his bed almost every night. When I mentioned it clearly, Wagner’s face turned red with rage.
He came charging at me in his anger.
“Oh no…!”
“You know it, Rasty. I have received the ‘Blessing of Ice’. I will eventually become known as the ‘Ice Emperor’. I’ll freeze you in ice…!”
Wagner raised his hand, emitting a chilling aura. Uh-oh, he was naturally talented in magic. Even at this age, he already had powers comparable to great magic. If he used that against me, I wouldn’t stand a chance.
…D*mn, is this the end?
――There’s no way I’ll give up!
“Wagner, I know that your great magic… takes time to chant…!”
“Da, d*mmit, nooo!”
What an idiot this guy was!
I went ahead and circled around to Wagner’s back.
And then, I gave him a kancho.1
“Aaarghhh!”
“Gyooooooooh!”
Wagner was defeated.
He fell down foaming at the mouth, twitching and convulsing in an unsightly manner. …Hah, I’m glad I learned self-defense from Alfred.
