“You can’t do this to me! I know my rights! And I have the right to remain silent! Anything I say can and will be used against me!” [Ryner]

“Shut up, damn it!” [Random guard]

Ryner was locked inside the dungeon built underneath the castle. After being arrested by the knights, he was put in a cell with shackles around his wrists that had weird markings. If someone tried to control their mana to strengthen their body or cast magic, the markings would glow and suck in their mana to disturb the flow and cancel the spell, sealing the prisoner’s magic by using his own mana. Magic users are rendered powerless with these, but to Ryner who doesn’t use magic, they’re just normal shackles. Four guards were standing in front of his cell, fully geared with armors, spears and permission to kill him should he try something.

“What the hell is wrong with him?” [Random guard]

“Ignore him. I heard about him from Trevor. This guy’s a real clown. He even joked around in front of the princesses!” [Random guard]

“Seriously? Does he have a death wish?” [Random guard]

“Well, he will be dead soon. Have you heard about Princess Tiffany?” [Random Guard]

“Yeah, thank god Knight Commander Klauss was there to save her. This guy’s a total bastard for wanting to hurt someone like her.” [Random guard]

“I didn’t do it!” [Ryner]

“I’ll say. She even greets low ranking soldiers like us. Her smile always makes my day.” [Random guard]

“I’m innocent!”[Ryner]

“Yeah, she’s beautiful and kind, just like her mother in her younger years. Prince Sirius really is a lucky man. You’ll think he’ll marry Princess Leila too?” [Random guard]

“This is a conspiracy!” [Ryner]

“Who knows, she doesn’t seem to like him that way. But maybe he’ll find himself another wife. He is quite good looking.” [Random guard]

“Get me my lawyer! I want my phone call!” [Ryner]

“Quiet or I’ll shut you up for good!” [Random guard]

Although they tried to ignore the prisoner who was making a ruckus, they couldn’t endure his outbursts anymore and turned to look at him. One of them shouted at him while hitting the iron bars with his spear.

“Hey, I’m just trying to make conversation. Being stuck in a cell is boring, you know?” [Ryner]

Even though he’s been arrested, the man didn’t seem to be panicking at all. This ticked off the guards, so they decided to tell him his fate.

“Yeah? Well, if I were you I would enjoy every second. Once you leave that cell, you’re heading for the interrogation room.” [Random guard]

“Hah, that’s right! And guess who will be doing the interrogating? The Knight Commander himself!” [Random guard]

“You won’t be walking away alive, you creep. That’s what you get for trying to kidnap Princess Tiffany!” [Random guard]

“Hey, maybe we’ll get to keep his tongue as a souvenir after he’s done talking?” [Random guard]

They were all smirking and talking in a threatening tone, hoping to agitate him so that he’ll break that unchanging sleepy face. Ryner looked down, hiding his eyes with his bangs, standing still. Thinking that they succeeded, they started to turn their back to him, but he suddenly looked up, an annoyed expression on his face.

“That’s it, I’m leaving.” [Ryner]

The guards stared wide eyed as their prisoner easily tore apart the magic restricting chains and bended the thick iron bars before slipping out. Getting back their senses, they quickly tried to attack him, stabbing forward with their spears. Ryner grabbed the handle near the tip and pulled the spears out of their hands one by one. He then proceeded to throw them in his cell through the small opening he made before bending the bars back straight.

“(Man, my vacation sucks right now. I really should have just stayed away from the castle.)” [Ryner]

Ryner had decided to come quietly and explain the situation to them since running away would make him look like a criminal. But hearing his future treatment, he just didn’t care anymore and chose to escape from the kingdom instead.

“See you later, guys! It’s been fun! Freedoooom!” [Ryner]

While he was noisily escaping, he unfortunately didn’t know that the prison guards all had a magic stone similar to Lily’s. The guards on standby were alerted of the prisoner’s escape and soon word spread throughout the entire castle.

“Your majesty, there is nothing wrong with her, she is just sleeping.” [Healer]

An old woman with gray hair said as she bowed to the king. Adrian, Leila, Sirius and Klauss were in the room of Tiffany and Sirius where the first princess was sleeping on the bed.

“I see… That’s good… Thank you, you may go now.” [Adrian]

The king, visibly relieved, thanked the healer before patting Tiffany’s head. The nation nearly lost their next ruler, but truth be told, he didn’t care about that. What mattered was that his eldest daughter was safe and sound. The second princess was holding her big sister’s hand with teary eyes. Even though she trained for years, she couldn’t do anything at all. Even though she was right next to Tiffany, she let her get kidnapped. Her older sister that was always kind to her nearly disappeared from her life. Her father also shared similar thoughts as both of them were truly happy, all except for Prince Sirius. It cost the lives of four men to kidnap her, yet here she was, resting on his bed. He was fuming mad and would have lashed out if it wasn’t for his great self-control.

“Your majesty, the two kidnappers are dead, but we have captured a man that seems to be involved in this affair. He might be an accomplice.” [Klauss]

The knight commander walked closer to the king and bowed slightly before talking.

“An accomplice, you say?” [Adrian]

“Yes, but we might also be mistaken. For now, we are holding him in a cell for interrogation later. I will be personally asking him questions. ” [Klauss]

“Very well, if he is involved, find out whatever you can about this attack… And thank you for saving my daughter, Klauss.” [Adrian]

The king ordered his most trusted subordinate before giving him his heartfelt thanks.

“Your words are too kind… But I did not s-“ [Klauss]

Before he could continue, a man in full body armor rushed into the room, visibly agitated.

“Commander! The prisoner has escaped!” [Knight]

“What!? What were the guards doing?! Where is he now?!” [Klauss]

Hearing this grim piece of news, his attitude changed as he hurriedly asked the knight before him.

“He’s in the castle, but we lost sight of him!” [Knight]

“Dammit! Your majesty! Please stay here and keep the door locked. My men will guard this place…” [Klauss]

“Very well-Oh no… Clara, my wife!” [Adrian]

Klauss suggested keeping the king and princesses in one place and have it guarded, just in case the young man was another assassin. Though he still had his doubts, as the knight commander, he had to prioritize the lives of the royal family, so he couldn’t hesitate if he ended up fighting that kid. The king agreed, but quickly remembered his bedridden wife and dashed out of the room.

“Guards!! You are to protect my daughter! Do not let anyone in until I get back!” [Adrian]

He quickly gave orders to ensure Tiffany’s safety as he left. Klauss, Leila and Sirius quickly followed him. Once they reached the door to the bedroom where Clara was resting, the knight commander felt a presence besides the queen and quickly kicked the door open. There, in front of everyone’s eyes was a man with unkempt black hair, a dark brown left eye and a white right eye. He was standing by the queen’s bedside, looking at her while frowning before turning towards the door.

“… Crap.” [Ryner]

That was all Ryner had time to say before a figure charged at him. It was Leila who moved before anyone else with a furious look on her face. Seeing her, the intruder turned back and jumped down from the balcony.

“Leila, wait!” [Adrian]

“Princess!” [Adrian]

The other two called her to stop while Sirius kept silent, but she had already jumped down after Ryner.

“Your majesty, please take her highness and return to Princess Tiffany’s side! I will pursue them!” [Klauss]

“Yes, I leave my daughter to you. Sirius, you too, make sure she’s safe.” [Adrian]

The Knight Commander quickly jumped out the window with the prince quietly following behind him. The king then gently picked up his wife in his arms and hurriedly went back to where his oldest daughter was. After passing the guards standing outside, he then laid her down next to Tiffany. Seeing both mother and child sleeping together side by side made him once again realize his situation: he was losing his wife and he nearly lost his daughter. With a pained expression, he patted their head and it was then that the first princess stirred, waking from her sleep. She slowly opened her eyes before taking a look around her.

“Tiffany, are you ok?” [Adrian]

The king quickly asked upon seeing this, happy and worried.

“… Father?” [Tiffany]

She asked in a small voice, still confused. Adrian breathed a sigh of relief, grateful that his daughter’s mind didn’t seem to be scarred by the recent ordeal.

“Yes, it’s me Tiffany. You’re safe now, rest. Everything is going to be ok.” [Adrian]

He gently told her, trying his best to reassure her, to let her know that he won’t let anything harm her again. The first princess nodded with an absentminded expression before looking up to the ceiling.

“Father… Where is that man…?” [Tiffany]

“How dare you hurt Tiffany!? I knew you were trouble the moment I saw you!” [Leila]

In the castle grounds, Ryner was dodging Leila’s attacks by a hair’s breath. She drew the huge magic sword from her back and easily waved it around despite its size, a trail of light following her every swing. A group of soldiers were watching the fight, ready to pounce if she were to get into trouble. The second princess told them to stay back and let her deal with the prisoner herself.

“Like I keep telling you guys, I didn’t do it!” [Ryner]

He yelled while leaning backwards just before the slightly glowing blade cut his face off. His voice clearly conveyed his irritation at the current situation.

“Liar! You were there! You were planning on kidnapping her too!” [Leila]

“Are you guys idiots?! There was a freaking assassin corpse next to me! Of course I saved her!” [Ryner]

“Your tricks won’t work on me! You even tried to hurt my mother just now! I’m going to kill you no matter what!” [Leila]

“Annoying! This is why I hate royalties!” [Ryner]

While they were engaged in combat, the knight commander jumped in the fray out of nowhere, turning it into a two versus one fight. The princess was reluctant, but she decided to accept his help as she couldn’t hit him at all. The prince was waiting a bit further away. His leg was healed thanks to magic so he could fight properly. He was also quite strong, a C rank just like Leila, if she didn’t have the royal family’s sword. But he was letting others do the work, hoping that the intruder died a horrible death for interfering with his plans. And sure enough, his wish came true. With an S rank as an opponent, the pathetic commoner couldn’t keep dodging the two’s swords anymore. After narrowly escaping from the second princess’ sword, Klauss went in for the kill.

The blade, moving at high speed, was about to cut his face in two horizontally. However, what happened next shocked everyone. A huge clanking sound was heard as the sword stopped before it cut into Ryner’s face. Or rather, Ryner bit down on the blade and stopped it with his teeth. That powerful strike from an S rank that could cut through steel armor was blocked in such a ridiculous way. Cracks ran through where the blade was bitten as Ryner chewed through iron, breaking the weapon. Even though he was in combat, Klauss stood frozen, looking at his broken sword with wide eyes. Magic users used their mana to reinforce their body as well as their armor and weapons, making them tougher, stronger or sharper. Yet, this kid bit through the enhanced blade of an S rank as if it was nothing. While he was stunned, Ryner instantly moved in and punched his stomach.

The armor protecting his body broke into fragments from the impact and Klauss was literally sent flying a few dozen meters away. He rolled on the ground before stopping, both knees and his left hand on the ground, his free hand covering his stomach. While breathing painfully, he coughed blood a few times and only stared at Ryner as he didn’t have the strength to stand up. Everyone there also stared with their mouths open, from the soldiers, to the prince and the princess. Their strongest knight was so easily defeated in one punch.

“Well kid, want to continue?” [Ryner]

Startled by his voice, the second princess quickly raised her sword again, but her fury was now gone. ‘There is no way I can win.’ That fact became clear to hear as she clenched her teeth, mustering all her willpower to keep her hands from shaking. The other soldiers also got ready for a fight, but most of them were backing away. The prince, seeing his strength, cursed in his mind. ‘DAMN IT!! He’ll ruin everything!’ His arrival was like a storm and it blew away all of his carefully thought out plans.

“STOP!!!” [Tiffany]

At that moment, a voice resounded through the silent area with a few figures rushing over. Princess Tiffany, King Adrian and a few of their guards were running over to where Prince Sirius was standing.

“Tiffany! You’re awake!” [Leila]

Seeing her older sister awake, Leila was overjoyed and renewed her will to fight. But Tiffany’s next words took the wind out of her sails.

“Yes, I’m alright Leila, so lower your weapon!” [Tiffany]

“Everyone! You are to lower your weapon as well!” [Adrian]

“What?! But, but father! T-Tiffany! This man tried to kidnap you!” [Leila]

“No! You’re wrong! He saved me!” [Tiffany]

This time, the second princess was at a complete loss on what to do. The man she had been trying to kill actually saved her older sister? Another voice then snapped her out of it.

“See! I told you I saved her! But you didn’t listen… Cause you’re an idiot! Stupid! Stupid idiot!” [Ryner]

With his irritation at max, Ryner started insulting his attacker like a kid.

“Y-You dare make fun of me! Even though you’re just some-!” [Leila]

“Stupid ponytail~!” [Ryner]

“W-what!?” [Leila]

“Your hair looks weird! Unkempt ponytail!” [Ryner]

“I don’t want to hear that from you!” [Leila]

“This is the latest fashion!” [Ryner]

“As if that’s true!” [Leila]

The second princess got sucked into the man’s pace before she knew it. For some reason, the tense atmosphere dissolved as Ryner and Leila started bickering like little kids.

“You’re just jealous! You jealous little kid!” [Ryner]

“You don’t look older than me! And you’re the one acting like a child!” [Leila]

“No way! I’m older! I’m eight hundred thousand years old!” [Ryner]

“Liar!” [Leila]

Seeing these two, everyone was at a loss as they lowered their weapons. But the first princess enjoyed the sight of her little sister’s outburst as it reminded her of when she was still a child. She put a hand to her mouth before laughing.

“Puu~… Hahahahaha! [Tiffany]

Once again, everyone turned towards her. Ryner and Leila stopped verbally fighting as well. Tiffany then wiped the tears in the corner of her eyes before taking a serious expression as she looked at Ryner. But then it quickly changed into a warm smile and she bowed to him.

“I, First Princess Tiffany Welston, offer you my deepest gratitude for saving me.” [Tiffany]

The princess of the kingdom was bowing to a commoner. The little sister was flustered as she jogged to her sister’s side, telling her to stop. King Adrian was watching it while smiling. It has been a long time since he heard his daughter laugh like that, not to mention seeing his second daughter bicker with someone. He believed Tiffany’s words and he believed that a man that could bring out such a side from his daughters can’t be bad.

Next to him, the knight commander was crouching slightly, finally recovering enough to walk again. Truth be told, he was relieved and happy to hear that the young man wasn’t an enemy. Relieved because if he were, they would have been annihilated, and happy because he could see such expressions on the princesses’ face thanks to him. Only one man was boiling with anger: Prince Sirius. Everything was falling to pieces, all his planning, all his hard work. If things became any worse, then he would be forced to resort to more drastic measures, but he wanted to avoid it at all cost since it would make his rule harder.

“Young man, I would also like to thank you for saving my daughter. I also extend my apologies… We jumped to conclusions and treated you unjustly. Can you forgive us?” [Adrian]

The king addressed Ryner, thanking him as well and apologizing for their blunder. Of course, he did not bow to him, for a king should not bow to someone else no matter what, even if that someone saved his precious daughter’s life. Ryner looked at him for a few seconds with a sleepy expression once more before giving his answer.

“No way.” [Ryner]

Shock was on everyone’s faces. He bluntly and rudely rejected a king’s apology. If they didn’t see him send their strongest knight flying with a punch, they would have thought that he had a death wish.

“I got arrested, thrown in jail, chased by the guards and attacked by those two. Sorry isn’t enough. As such…” [Ryner]

Hearing him talk, everyone thought that he was going to ask for a large reward, although it was fine with the king since he planned on giving him one from the start.

“I’m leaving and never coming back.” [Ryner]

But instead of asking for anything, Ryner declared his departure. Everyone was at a loss for words. Adrian felt bad that his benefactor didn’t want to visit his city anymore, Leila was still mad at him for his impudence, Klauss hoped that such a man wouldn’t become their enemy in the future and Tiffany sadly looked down, disappointed that she wouldn’t be able to invite him to tea and talk with him later on. However, all these thoughts were quickly blown away by this laidback man.

“See you later. Oh and you should hurry up and get rid of that curse thing attached to the queen, or I think she’s the queen.” [Ryner]

Just as he was about to turn around and leave, the king stretched his arm out to him and called him to a stop.

“WAIT! Please wait, young man… Could it be? Do you know what’s plaguing my wife?” [Adrian]

He asked with a hopeful tone, his voice slightly shaking. His two daughters also looked at Ryner with tension in their eyes.

“Well… Yeah, or rather you guys don’t know? Isn’t this a magic world? Getting rid of curses and stuff should be the norm.” [Ryner]

All three of them gasped. The soldiers around were chattering while the knight commander stared wide eyed. Sirius, who’s been keeping quiet all this time, was panicking as things were taking a turn for the worse.

“Please wait, father-in-law! You can’t believe everything this man is saying!” [Sirius]

“Sirius…” [Adrian]

“What if he’s lying!? What if his real purpose is to kill mother-in-law?! We can’t risk it!” [Sirius]

He didn’t know if he really could save the queen, but he didn’t want to take any chances with this man. Everyone listened to the prince’s doubts and turned towards the king, waiting for his decision.

“There’s no use fooling ourselves any longer. Clara isn’t going to get better and we can’t save her… She’s going to die…” [Adrian]

At his words, everyone sadly looked down, especially the princesses who both looked mortified.

“But! But even so-!” [Sirius]

“This may be our only chance. That’s why, young man…” [Adrian]

King Adrian, wanting to ask for Ryner’s help, turned towards him who was standing still and quietly watching their interaction. More specifically, he was scrutinizing the prince. Being watched with such disrespect by this man, by this lowly commoner that ruined the kidnapping, the prince couldn’t take it anymore. First the princess and now the queen, this pathetic worm was undoing everything he had worked so hard for! Sirius looked down, his expression hidden from everyone’s view, and started laughing to himself quietly. The surroundings looked at him with a questioning gaze, wondering what was wrong with him.

“Ha… Haha…Hahahahahaha!” [Sirius]

He then roared to the sky with a mad laughter, stunning everyone by his crazed look.

“Enough of this farce! You! And you! Everyone will bow down to me!” [Sirius]

Suddenly, he raised his hand and casted magic, shooting three fireballs up into the night sky. Then, on that signal, half of the soldiers around them raised their swords once more and pointed it at those who did not move, stunned. Men completely dressed in black suddenly fell from the sky right next to the royal family and pointed their short swords at them as well as at the knight commander. More of these assassins rushed towards Ryner and surrounded him. With this sudden turn of events, no one could talk, unsure of what was happening, until it finally sank into them. The prince was pulling a coup d’état.

“From now on, this is my kingdom!” [Sirius]

Sirius shouted with his fist raised upwards, a huge twisted smile on his face. He was frustrated that he had to play this card as well as happy to see the immediate results. Tonight, the sun will rise on the dawn of a new era… His era.

*Author* Think I found how to do the spoiler tag, I'll put the +18 scenes as side stories after the next chapter, I think.