This Bastard is Too Competent

Ian raised the communication tool, causing the saintess to look at him in surprise.

‘What exactly are you planning to do?’

There was no other choice.

The Adelas are a marquis aristocratic family.

It was also a powerful noble family, capable of leading a faction.

Furthermore, the involvement of the saintess, the cardinal, and the Holy Empire made the matter even more problematic.

Nevertheless, the saintess felt compelled to assist Ian and protect her family.

‘If I touch his body, I can see the future and help him.’

But she didn’t.

She knew what would happen if she touched him.

‘If I make a mistake, the prophecy may be triggered.’

The saintess’s power lay in prophecy, which automatically activated when she made physical contact with someone.

Because she couldn’t control this power, it became even more dangerous.

She had a clear understanding of the repercussions if she were to touch Ian.

‘Once caught in the saintess’s prophecy, one’s fate becomes fixed.’

Despite the belief that fate could be altered, the saintess’s prophecies prevented any such changes.

Even Cesare avoided contact with her to shield himself from the influence of her prophecies, relying instead on predictions obtained through the consecration ceremony.

It was a natural precaution.

Prediction and prophecy.

They were similar, yet different.

The consecration ceremony allowed glimpses into multiple people’s fates with minimal impact, whereas the saintess’s physical contact revealed the future of a single individual with far-reaching implications.

‘Once a fate is read, it becomes an unchangeable record.’

It felt as if the record was being written in the world itself.

And it was destined to unfold exactly as written.

This was also written in the ancient records left in the Holy Empire.

“Even those called heroes couldn’t pioneer their own fate. They became mere puppets, forced to live exactly as written in their destiny.”

This inherent danger made it risky for the saintess to touch Ian, as it would fix his fate and prevent any deviation.

It felt as if someone else spoke through her when she interpreted and conveyed fate.

To protect Ian from having his destiny sealed, the saintess refrained from physical contact.

But Ian himself was busy moving around.

“Can you hear me?”

A voice came from beyond the communication tool at Ian’s words.

[Yes, I can hear your voice, Your Highness.]

A deep and firm voice.

It was Galon.

Ian immediately gave him an order.

“Bring all the items that Sir Walter brought last time.”

Galon seemed a little surprised.

[Are you referring to that hideous thing as the Marquis of Adelas?]

“Yes. But make sure you’re not caught.”

[I will obey your orders.]

Galon wasn’t the only one.

Ian contacted others as well.

It was about mobilizing all the forces available to him.

That’s when it happened.

Buzz buzz!

Suddenly, Ian’s communication tool emitted a bright light, indicating an incoming call from someone other than his usual contacts.

As Ian raised the communication tool, a voice could be heard.

[Prince! Where on earth are you!]

Simultaneously, Nathan’s face appeared on the screen.

He looked disheveled, with grass leaves sticking to his head, clearly having been searching for Ian for some time.

He urgently shouted.

[I’ve been searching everywhere for you! I can’t find you. What should I do? More importantly, where are you, Prince?]

Instantly, as if Nathan was leaning his face towards the communication tool, he came closer.

Ian covered the saintess partially, hiding her from Nathan’s view.

“It’s a secret space of the Adelas family.”

[What? We had such a place in our house?]

“It seems you’re not trusted much on this side either.”

[…]

Nathan’s face showed a hint of hurt, but something caught Ian’s attention.

He leaned closer to the communication device, trying to see what was behind Nathan. Specifically, he wanted to see who was with him.

“Sir Nathan, what are you doing right now?”

[Oh, nothing much.] Nathan replied, scratching his head.

Ian expressed disbelief, saying, “It doesn’t seem like it’s nothing much.”

The reason for Ian’s doubt became evident as he saw several fallen figures behind Nathan. Most of them were men dressed as priests.

It seemed someone had attacked the priests and taken them down.

“Did you kill them because you were found out?”

[Do you think I’m such a brutal man? It was just an accident during the mission.]

“An accident? What exactly are you doing?”

[Well…]

Nathan’s explanation was simple.

While searching for Ian, he witnessed priests trying to kill another priest.

And unknowingly, he intervened.

[That’s what happened. I thought maybe this person could be of help to us.]

Beyond the communication tool, a man came into view.

He was a priest with a simple appearance.

At that moment, the saintess exclaimed in surprise.

“Yan?”

The man with numerous wounds on his face rushed forward from behind the communication tool, as if startled by the saintess’s voice.

[Saintess? Is it really you, Saintess?]

[What is this? Get out of my way.]

[Saintess! You must not proceed with the ceremony. Your body is already weak… If you go through with it this time…!]

[Just move aside!]

Suddenly, there was commotion beyond the communication tool.

Nathan and the man named Yan were engaged in a physical fight to gain control of the communication tool.

Nathan shouted in confusion.

[More importantly, a saintess? What are you doing, Prince? No, what are you up to?]

[Saintess! If you listen to Cardinal Cesare’s words…]

[This bastard! Let’s talk!]

Nathan rushed at the man named Yan as if he were going to knock him unconscious.

And then he strangled him.

[Keug!]

[Just do it! To the savior of life!]

Meanwhile, Ian turned his attention to the saintess and asked her, “Is he a close friend of yours?”

“He used to take care of me.”

“Is that so?”

Ian didn’t ask any further questions.

He already knew what had happened in the saintess’s room.

‘He must have ended up in this situation while trying to protect the Saintess from being taken away.’

Although the saintess’s blood had not undergone an official test, there was a strong possibility that she was his twin sister.

Therefore, Ian made a decision.

“Sir Nathan, protect that man and move him to a safe place.”

[Him? This guy?]

Nathan looked at the fallen man with a hint of annoyance, but he didn’t question Ian’s command.

“He is my sister’s savior. Treat him with the utmost respect.”

[What… If it’s an order, I will follow it… Huh? Sister? The saintess is your sister? Wait a moment! Your Highness?]

Pop!

Ian abruptly turned off the communication tool.

The situation was precarious, and he couldn’t afford to waste time.

He needed to wrap things up quickly, so he immediately contacted the last person on his list.

A voice filled with coldness came through the communication tool.

[What business do you have?]

Despite the chilling tone, Ian proceeded with his message.

“I have something to tell you.”

[I’m busy. Just state your business briefly.]

“Are you going to act like this between us?”

[If you have nothing important to say, then I’ll end the call.]

The other person seemed irritated, but Ian continued with a smile. “Are you already preparing to become the Empress? You don’t need to rush.”

[You little… Why are you contacting me for such nonsense?]

“I was just joking because my sister seemed busy. Actually, I just wanted to inform you briefly.”

[Inform me? About what?]

Ian’s voice was colder than ever.

“Marquis Adelas. I will destroy him.”

[What?]

“I’m just letting you know not to interfere in advance.”

[You… What is this sudden…]

“Let me reiterate, this is just a notification.”

[…]

The First Princess fell silent for a moment.

But soon, as if she had organized her thoughts, she asked, [What did Adelas do to you?]

“He touched something that should never be touched.”

[No compromises?]

“Absolutely not.”

The First Princess seemed to be pondering as she asked, [So, what do you want from me?]

“I want you to refrain from interfering with my actions. And if possible…”

[If possible?]

Ian smiled brightly.

“Would you mind relaying this message to His Majesty instead? Time is of the essence.”

[What?]

“I mean, I intend to eliminate him immediately.”

[Just… Wait a moment. Where are you right now? Don’t tell me?]

Pop!

Ian turned off the communication tool.

***

Cesare was a little tired.

It had to be that way.

‘Marquis Adelas. He was more troublesome than I thought.’

It wasn’t just because his conversation with Marquis Adelas had been lengthy.

Adelas was more cunning than Cesare had anticipated.

In fact, he had said this:

“Are you really planning on letting the Fifth Prince die like this?”

“Well. It will also be the will of the Lord for the servant to return to the Lord.”

“However, the Pope doesn’t seem to share that sentiment, does he?”

“What do you mean?”

Unbeknownst to Cesare, Marquis Adelas had made contact with the Pope.

He had turned the tables on Cardinal Cesare.

“Moreover, the conclave. The Pope appeared furious because he had no knowledge of it.”

“That was to prevent such a situation…”

“It seems like many people are secretly moving, doesn’t it? Other cardinals.”

“!?”

For the first time, Cesare had a murderous look in his eyes.

How dare Adelas try to threaten him?

However, the Marquis of Adelas boldly proposed a deal.

“I have no intention of becoming your enemy, Cardinal Cesare. What do you think?”

“What do you mean?”

“What do you think about being allies? Instead of merely seeking advantage, let’s truly cooperate.”

“…”

Marquis Adelas revealed Cesare’s weaknesses, which he had found.

He demanded a price to eliminate them.

He laid out clear conditions, unlike the vague ones before.

‘I thought he only intended to use and discard me, but he’s actually quite shrewd.’

In the end, Cesare had no choice but to join forces with Marquis Adelas.

As they walked together, the Marquis smiled and remarked, “I never expected to witness your unwavering loyalty. Thank you, Cardinal.”

“You flatter me.”

“And to think you’re safeguarding the future of my family. Such honor can hardly be found elsewhere.”

“…”

Cesare clenched his teeth inwardly.

While Marquis Adelas had provided him with foresight by pointing out his weaknesses, he couldn’t shake the feeling of being manipulated.

‘But soon enough, your smile won’t last. Once the succession begins..’”

The country itself would no longer be important. Cesare smiled.

“Well then, shall we go in?”

“Are you starting immediately?”

“As long as the offerings are ready, we can start as soon as the priests arrive.”

As they were about to enter the underground with smiles on their faces, a loud rumble echoed.

Bang! Bang! Bang! Crash!

“!”

A tremendous explosion was heard, coming from the secret space where the saintess was supposed to be.

Cesare and Adelas were shocked, their faces frozen in disbelief.

“What is happening…”

“What are the priests doing? Hurry, go inside and check!”

But it was that moment.

Bang!

With a tremendous explosion from the underground, dust billowed out.

Even the knights and priests who were about to enter covered their mouths and retreated.

“Cough…”

“Everyone, quickly inside… Rescue the saintess…”

Everyone tried to go down to the underground by any means necessary.

However, the problem was right after that.

Boom!

“!”

Something was amiss.

It wasn’t just the underground secret space trembling; the entire mansion seemed to be shaking.

The startled knights shouted at Marquis Adelas.

“The mansion is collapsing!”

“We need to evacuate immediately!”

“My Lord!”

The Marquis frowned and looked at the Cardinal.

“Cardinal, what can you do about this— Huh?”

But Cesare was already gone.

As soon as the mansion started shaking, Cesare was the first to rush outside, with only a few priests going down to the underground.

Marquis Adelas was bewildered but followed suit and went outside.

It was when everyone had made it outside.

Thud!

With a resounding impact, the mansion started to crumble.

The supporting pillars gave way, and Cesare and Adelas stood in shock, their souls seemingly escaping through their eyes.

Time passed.

“What are you all waiting for? Quickly, find the saintess!”

“Call for the laborers! We must rescue the saintess trapped underground!”

The two of them urgently shouted.

In response to their orders, knights, priests, and many others rushed towards the collapsed mansion.

And then it happened.

Clack, clack, clack.

With a tremendous sound of hooves, the Blue Wolf of Lavaltor arrived on the scene.

They encircled the mansion and the two men as if laying siege.

Marquis Adelas, startled, directed his question to Fiosen, who was leading the Blue Wolf.

“What in the world is happening?”

But Fiosen did not respond.

Instead, he bowed his head toward a man behind him.

It was Ian Kaistein, his gaze fixed on Marquis Adelas with an icy coldness.