The Wastrel Prince Becomes Ruthless Chapter 48

The Imperial Palace announced the southern subjugation expedition merely four days before departure.

The sudden news of the expedition had not only the Imperial Palace but the entire Capital bustling in preparation for the march.

Yuwon was no exception. As it happened, Yuwon already had business in the South, and this expedition presented a great opportunity for him.

‘First, I’ll join the subjugation force heading south. I’ll blend in for a while, then slip away to chase after Marcellus. If I can come up with a decent excuse, it’ll be much easier than heading south alone.’

No matter how grandly it was named a “subjugation force,” it was, in essence, just an extension of the Houkijisu Tournament. Knowing this well, most of the participants prepared for departure with excitement, as if they were going on a picnic. But Yuwon was different.

‘I don’t care how long it takes. On this southern journey, I’ll secure Hastings’ whereabouts and personally kill Marcellus to sever this ill-fated tie once and for all.’

One way or another, that man could not be allowed to live—leaving him alive would only invite future trouble. Instead of being impatient, Yuwon sharpened his resolve like a blade.

‘Hastings is Marcellus’ last bargaining chip to keep himself alive against me. Hastings must still be alive.’

While Yuwon was deep in thought, Bernid, who had been fiddling with a magic device nearby, suddenly lifted his head.

“Ah, right. Come to think of it—do you even have a horse?”

“A horse?”

“No, I suppose not. Everyone knows you don’t have one. But more importantly, do you even know how to ride?”

At Bernid’s question, Yuwon sifted through his memory.

“Hmm, now that you mention it…”

Before Yuwon had taken over this body, Yurion hadn’t known how to ride a horse—and despite being a Prince, he hadn’t even owned one.

“There’ll be plenty of carriages heading south anyway, but wouldn’t it be better to get a horse and learn some riding skills while you’re at it?”

“Hmm… You’re right. That would be better.”

He wasn’t wrong. Of course, Yuwon could already ride perfectly well, but it seemed wise to acquire a horse of his own at this point.

‘Preparations are more or less complete, and I was just double-checking that I hadn’t missed anything… I’ve got time to spare.’

Having made up his mind, Yuwon immediately rose from his seat. There was no reason to delay once a task was decided.

“You’re going right away? Ah, well, that’s a good idea. With the departure so soon, it wouldn’t hurt to get in some practice early. You probably won’t master horse handling before we leave, but still—not a bad plan. You didn’t forget anything before you go, right?”

Yuwon chuckled and pulled a small vial from his robe, handing it over.

“I haven’t forgotten anything now, have I?”

Bernid, taking the vial carefully so as not to drop it, grinned back at him.

“Glad we understand each other so well.”

“Then, finish up what you’re doing and head back on your own.”

“Sure. Go on, then. Pick a good horse.”

With a casual wave, Yuwon left the library. On his way out, he suddenly remembered Terrien, who was training under the blazing sun.

“I should bring Terrien along too.”

A few days earlier, Terrien had sulked because Yuwon hadn’t taken him to the duel with the Third Prince, and Yuwon had “rewarded” that attitude with an all-out sparring session. Though Terrien hadn’t said anything, the shock of being completely overpowered without landing a proper strike still lingered.

‘And he lost to Arencar in the finals too. That must’ve hit him hard. But he’s not the kind of man who’d crumble from that. He’ll use the defeat as nourishment to grow stronger. Still…’

Yuwon didn’t wish to raise his one and only knight solely through the lash of discipline.

Soon, upon leaving the library, Yuwon spotted Terrien’s back—sweating heavily under the midday sun. He deliberately concealed his presence and quietly observed him.

‘His aura’s gotten sharper.’

Terrien himself might not realize it, but he was growing at an astonishing pace beside Yuwon. When Yuwon finally revealed his presence, he called out.

“Terrien.”

Terrien immediately lowered his sword, turned, and approached with proper courtesy.

“Ah—Your Highness! I didn’t notice you had come.”

Terrien’s upper body, stripped bare, was flushed red from intense training. Realizing his attire, he gave an awkward smile.

“Ah—pardon my appearance, Your Highness. Please forgive my rudeness.”

“No rudeness at all. It’s good to see my knight training so diligently—it’s reassuring.”

“Haha, is that so? Still, I have a long way to go. At the very least, I must work harder so as not to hold Your Highness back.”

“That’s enough. You’ll get there soon, so don’t be too hasty. But for now—put on your clothes. There’s somewhere we need to go.”

“Go? Where to?”

Yuwon smiled faintly as he replied.

“The stables.”

Yuwon and Terrien made their way to the stables on the outskirts of the Imperial Palace. It was vast—no surprise, considering this was where most of the palace’s horses were managed.

Before them stretched a wide field where horses grazed and ran freely.

“These horses live better lives than most people.”

That was Yuwon’s impression—and indeed, the horses were living luxuriously. The facilities were immaculate, and stable hands were stationed everywhere to tend to them.

“So this is the Imperial Palace’s stable. Impressive. I should be able to find a fine horse today.”

His admiration lasted only a moment. Word of Yuwon’s visit quickly reached the stable’s manager, and a man who was clearly the head caretaker came hurrying over, bowing deeply.

“Oh, Your Highness! What brings you to this humble place?”

“You work hard. I’ve come to choose a horse for the upcoming subjugation expedition. Would you guide me?”

“Of course, Your Highness. Are you looking for a horse for your personal use?”

“That’s right. And I’d also like to pick one for my knight here. Could you find one for him as well?”

Yuwon gestured toward Terrien, who stood beside him. The named man looked startled.

“M-My lord?”

“What are you so startled for? What other reason could I have for bringing you here?”

“It’s not that, Your Highness. I’m fine. I know very well how much you value me, but… to choose a horse for me here, in the Imperial stables? That’s far too much.”

Terrien waved his hands in refusal, but Yuwon simply maintained his calm, gentle smile.

“So, it’ll be fine, won’t it?”

“Well, all the horses here are property of the Imperial Family, so normally no one but members of the royal family would be allowed to take one, but… since it’s the Fifth Prince, whose recent accomplishments are the talk of the Empire, of course we must make an exception. I can take care of one or two with my authority. Please, follow me. I’ll show you the finest ones.”

The stable keeper led the way, guiding Yuwon and Terrien. After a few minutes, they arrived at the section where the finest horses were kept under special care.

The way those horses were treated was extraordinary—one glance was enough to tell they were receiving exceptional attention.

“These here are the ones we tend to with the utmost care. Not a single one among them could be called anything less than a prized steed. Please, take your time to look around.”

“Hmm, I may not know much about horses, but they certainly look like fine ones.”

He wasn’t merely being polite. The wide, spotless stalls and the horses’ glossy coats gleaming under the light drew genuine admiration from him.

“Of course! These are among the best—no, the very best across the entire continent. You’d only find finer ones in His Majesty the Emperor’s private stables. Though, truth be told, most of those were first chosen from among these.”

The stable keeper’s shoulders rose with pride. He looked like a man brimming with confidence in his work.

“That makes me trust you even more. However, I’m not well-versed in horses—could you make a recommendation? For me and for my one and only knight here.”

Yuwon deliberately emphasized ‘my one and only knight’—a subtle way of pressing the man to choose an equally fine horse for Terrien as well.

“For Your Highness and the White Dragon Knight himself? Haha, it’s truly an honor. Then I shall choose with all my heart.”

Watching the stable keeper’s reaction, Yuwon could feel how much his status had risen since the Houkijisu Tournament.

The stable keeper once again took the lead, striding through the stalls. The first horse he showed them was a golden one standing right beside them.

“This one here is the twin of the Crown Prince’s own steed. His Highness the Crown Prince agonized for quite a while between this one and the one he ultimately chose. I personally and wholeheartedly recommend this horse.”

“I see. A fine steed indeed. But it seems a bit hasty to choose right away when there are so many good ones here. I can see a few more, can’t I?”

“But of course, Your Highness. We’re only getting started. I simply introduced the one I thought most suited to Your Highness first. There are still plenty more to show, and the final decision, of course, lies entirely with you.”

Next came a black horse, its coat dark from head to hoof.

“The one I showed you earlier was the twin of the Crown Prince’s mount, and this one shares the same parents as the Second Prince’s steed. They say a younger sibling can’t surpass the elder, but… if I may be so bold, I’d say this one is even finer than the one the Second Prince chose.”

“Hmm… I see.”

It was indeed a fine horse, but it didn’t particularly catch his eye. Reading that lack of interest in Yuwon’s expression, the stable keeper moved on without the slightest hint of disappointment.

“I’m sure the next one will capture your heart. This one is…”

And so the pattern continued through several more horses.

The stable keeper spoke incessantly, enthusiastically describing each horse’s merits, while Yuwon and Terrien listened quietly—nodding now and then, occasionally adding a short comment.

By the time they had seen around fifteen horses, even the stable keeper had lost count of how many they had examined. It was then that something caught Yuwon’s attention—or perhaps, rather than his eyes, it was his nose. A foul stench drifted toward him.

“Hmm…?”

The source of the smell was a filthy, unclean stall tucked away in the far corner. Unlike the spotless stalls that looked clean enough for a person to sleep in, that one was a complete mess.

“What’s that stall? It looks like it hasn’t been cared for at all.”

“Ah… you’ve noticed. How embarrassing. That, well… is the result of my own shortcomings.”

“The result of your shortcomings?”

That only piqued Yuwon’s curiosity further. The stable keeper, wearing a shamefaced expression, cautiously elaborated.

“Well… there’s a horse in that stall too. It’s undeniably a fine breed, but it’s so ferocious that we can’t even clean the stall, let alone mount it. It was originally meant to be presented to His Majesty the Emperor himself, but… it’s so untamable that even we—who’ve spent decades handling horses—have all given up on it.”

“I see…”

Noticing the gleam of interest in Yuwon’s eyes, the stable keeper quickly tried to dissuade him.

“If, by any chance, that one caught Your Highness’s attention, I must strongly advise against it. I say this not because of the horse’s worth, but out of concern for Your Highness’s safety. Countless people have been injured by that beast’s temper—some even kicked half to death.”

But Yuwon was already intrigued by the troublesome creature. The man’s warnings could no longer deter him.

“Well, it won’t hurt to take a look.”

“No, please, Your Highness! That horse lashes out at anyone who approaches, trying to strike through the stall gaps. If you were to be injured here, I’d lose my head! Please reconsider!”

“Don’t worry. That won’t happen.”

“Ah… Your Highness…”

Ignoring the man’s desperate plea, Yuwon strode forward until he stood before the infamous stall. The place reeked—clearly, it hadn’t been cleaned in ages.

Yet Yuwon ignored the stench and peered inside.

‘Indeed… a true steed.’

A sleek, sharply built body from head to hoof. Though its mane and tail hadn’t been brushed in ages, they gleamed like silk. Its thick, muscular legs looked ready to burst into a sprint at any moment.

And its size—easily thirty percent larger than any other horse he’d seen. But what caught Yuwon’s attention most was its color.

‘Red… as red as blood.’

Its coat was so darkly crimson that it looked drenched in blood. Yuwon had pretended ignorance about horses, but in truth, he knew them quite well—especially this one before him.

‘To think I’d see it here of all places…’

For the first time that day, genuine excitement lit up his eyes.

‘This one. It’s mine.’

Yuwon had finally found the horse he would ride.