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.

“Alright.”

I changed into my training attire, prepared myself, and took the saber in hand.

Now… all that’s left is to defeat Glenn.

“Your Highness Gustav, you seem more determined than usual today.”

“Do I?”

I hadn’t told Mariette about today’s match. If she knew, she would likely cause trouble again regarding the kingdom’s affairs.

“Well then, I’ll be on my way.”

“Yes! Do your best!”

With Mariette’s farewell, I left the room and headed towards Princess Abigail’s chamber.

“Princess Abigail.”

“I’ve been waiting.”

The door opened before I could knock, and Princess Abigail gracefully curtsied as if she had been waiting for me.

“By the way… Are you okay with your official duties today?”

“Please don’t tease me like that. I wouldn’t make such a foolish mistake as to schedule something on your important day.”

She chuckled and smiled.

“Shall we go then?”

“Yes.”

I took her small hand, and we headed to the training grounds.

“Ha-ha! We’ve been waiting for you!”

“Your Highness Gustav!”

Already there were General Cyrus and Mick and Terry, who greeted me with smiles. It seemed Glenn hadn’t arrived yet.

“Did you sleep well last night?”

“Yes, thanks to you.”

That was my answer, but in truth, I had hardly slept at all. The excitement for today’s match and the pressure not to lose had overwhelmed me.

“Your Highness Gustav, it’s okay… It’s okay.”

“Princess Abigail…”

It seemed she had seen through my worries. She placed her small hand on my back and smiled with affection.

Her warmth from her touch calmed my heart.

At that moment…

“Sir Glenn…”

“… …”

Glenn appeared, carrying his large two-handed sword, the claymore, which he had prepared for today’s match. He was accompanied by his sister, Claire.

“Cough… Well then, let’s begin the match between Your Highness Gustav and Sir Glenn… But before that, let’s confirm the conditions of this match.”

Referee General Cyrus went over the rules and details of the match.

The match would be conducted seriously, and it would end when one side admitted defeat. If I won this match, Glenn would join Princess Abigail’s faction.

“Sir Glenn… If I win this match, you will be obliged to lend your strength to Princess Abigail. However, we haven’t decided what happens if I lose. So, it’s safe to say that you won’t ask for anything from me… Is that right?”

I deliberately brought up this unresolved issue. I didn’t want to deal with unreasonable demands after the outcome was decided. In fact, I suspected that was his intention.

For example, the dissolution of my engagement to Princess Abigail.

If I had stated such conditions from the beginning, I could foresee Princess Abigail rejecting them outright. Glenn, the Knight Commander with the nickname “Gale Thunder,” and the shield of the kingdom, was somewhat cunning, I thought. So, what would his response be?

“In that case, there’s one thing. If I win, I’d like Your Highness Gustav to dissolve your engagement with Princess Abigail.”

“Wha…!?”

“Sir Glenn! Your Highness Gustav!”

Princess Abigail was shocked by my acceptance of his conditions.

“Princess Abigail, my engagement with Your Highness Gustav is a contract between our countries. It’s not something that can be dissolved just because you wish it.”

Princess Abigail stared at him with an icy glare and spoke in a terrifyingly low voice.

Her gaze alone made it seem like I might lose my life through sheer fear.

“No, there is a way.”

Glenn quietly replied, looking at me.

I see… So, that’s what you mean.

If I were to die, the engagement would surely be dissolved without any choice.

The only one besides me who seemed to have realized this was General Cyrus. Princess Abigail probably didn’t want to consider the possibility of my death, so it hadn’t occurred to her.

“Your Highness Gustav.”

“… I understand. It’s fine.”

“What!? Your Highness Gustav!”

I accepted those conditions, which surprised Princess Abigail.

“Princess Abigail, my only choice is to win. For your sake… and for mine.”

“But… but…”

“That’s why… Please watch over me.”

I took her small hand and gently kissed it.

If you’re watching me, I’ll surely win, no matter who my opponent is.

So…

“I will win! I’ll show you!”

I drew my saber with a flourish, pointing it towards Glenn.

“I am the Kingdom’s spear, Glenn Corbett, known as ‘Gale Thunder.’ Don’t underestimate me, just because I’m the sixth prince of the kingdom.”

I discarded the scabbard and readied my saber.

Glenn held his claymore, his blue eyes just like Claire’s filled with anger, hatred, disdain, and various other emotions directed at me.

“Then…”

General Cyrus looked at both Glenn and me alternately and slowly raised his right hand.

And…

“Begin!”

The match had begun.