This Bastard is Too Competent
Chapter 211: So Give It To Me

A luxurious room.

A cold voice echoed as First Prince Leon sat in his chair.

“Are you telling me you couldn’t handle the Seventh Prince?”

His heavy voice filled the space with overwhelming pressure. The man kneeling before him lowered his head, his expression desperate.

“M-My apologies… I will send more men. It will be taken care of soon, I assure you…”

“Hmph…”

Just as Leon’s voice hinted at displeasure—

Crash!

“Ugh…”

A tremendous force bore down on the man, forcing him to collapse onto the floor. He had no choice but to press his forehead against the ground.

“I-I’ll make sure of it! I’ll handle it properly—please, no more…”

The man—no, the Crown Prince Yoon—screamed. But Leon’s cold expression remained unchanged.

“You swore to follow my orders without question in exchange for the throne.”

“O-Of course. That’s why I sent my most loyal knights and soldiers, but… there were intruders.”

“Intruders?”

“They fell from the sky. Two knights and a boy, I was told.”

“What?”

Leon’s eyebrows twitched. A familiar name came to mind.

‘Could it be him again?’

That seemed unlikely. The youngest, Ian, had gone to the Garcia territory, not Cantum. Yet an inexplicable unease gnawed at Leon. He slowly released the pressure on Yoon.

“Fine. But forgiveness is only granted once.”

“Y-Yes! I will handle the Seventh Prince myself.”

“Make sure you do. I despise failure.”

“O-Of course.”

Yoon scrambled out of the room. Leon, without glancing back, gestured.

“Ceres.”

“Yes, my lord.”

Ceres Garcia emerged from the shadows. Without turning, Leon spoke in a cold voice.

“This is suspicious. Send someone to Garcia territory. I want confirmation that the youngest is really there.”

“As you command.”

Ceres was about to depart when Leon suddenly halted him, as if struck by a thought.

“By the way, where is he right now?”

“Are you referring to the Grand Master?”

“Yes.”

“He has stepped away for the moment. As always, he claims to be preparing for the future.”

“Again? What future is he seeing this time?”

“Who can understand his thoughts? But he has never made a wrong choice.”

“Indeed. He can see the future.”

Leon’s eyes flickered.

“I hope he isn’t having second thoughts now.”

“I doubt it. After all, the Grand Master bestowed that power upon you, my lord.”

“True. This power and influence all stem from the Grand Master.”

And for that reason, the Grand Master had to remain at Leon’s side. He could not allow him to fall into anyone else’s hands.

Yet, for some reason…

‘I feel uneasy. Something is different this time.’

Leon’s eyebrows furrowed. The Grand Master’s recent attitude, coupled with the youngest prince’s interference, had begun to irritate him.

‘I must be cautious. If the Grand Master were to betray me…’

Of course, even if he did, it would not be a fatal blow. Many already followed Leon instead of the Grand Master. But one must never lower their guard. He had long prepared for this possibility. Leaning in, he whispered to Ceres.

“They’re ready, aren’t they?”

“With a single command, we can eliminate the Grand Master’s forces immediately.”

“Good. Move quickly. Find out where both the youngest and the Grand Master are.”

“As you command.”

Ceres vanished into the shadows, leaving Leon alone in the cold silence.

***

The fortune teller, who introduced himself as Yunseul, had a peculiar presence. His gaze seemed to pierce through everything, and a subtle smile played on his lips.

The longer Ian observed him, the more an inexplicable sense of familiarity crept over him—almost as if he were meeting an old friend.

So he asked, “Are you here to guide my path?”

“Yes. I have been waiting for you, for that very purpose.”

Ian’s expression remained cold, showing no hint of trust.

“Is that so? Then go ahead—guide me.”

“If that is your wish…”

At that moment—

Woong!

A strange vibration resonated from Ian’s heart, and the space around them shifted.

Swoosh.

A table and a crystal ball appeared between them. Yunseul reached toward the crystal ball.

“Then… I will show you.”

His hand brushed lightly over the surface, and a soft light began to seep from within the black crystal.

“Look closely. This is your fate.”

Flash!

A brilliant light erupted from the crystal ball, illuminating the surroundings. Ian squinted against the sudden brightness.

And then—

“What… is this?”

The sight before him left him speechless.

Yunseul smiled gently.

“Did I not tell you? This is your fate.”

“!”

It was understandable.

What Ian saw before him was a vision unfolding in real time—a scene where he stood conversing with the fortune teller.

[Will you follow me?]

[I swear my life to you.]

Time within the vision moved swiftly. The fortune teller was always by Ian’s side, fighting alongside him in every battle.

[It’s dangerous. The enemy is approaching.]

[What’s the plan?]

[I’ve already called for reinforcements. We just need to hold out a little longer.]

[I see. Then I’ll buy us that time. Everyone, follow me!]

No matter how formidable the enemy, it didn’t matter. With the fortune teller’s foresight and Ian’s leadership and strength, they overcame every obstacle together. With the fortune teller’s guidance, Ian crushed all his foes—even the powerful First Prince, Leon.

[I… I can’t believe I’m losing like this…]

[Damn you… I won’t forget this…]

And so, even Leon, the greatest obstacle to the throne, knelt before Ian.

But victory came at a cost.

Just when they thought all threats had been vanquished, a colossal dragon appeared.

[An existence that defies fate. Disappear.]

The massive red dragon unleashed a torrent of flames, consuming everything in its wake. Under its fiery breath, Ian’s knights and soldiers were reduced to ashes. Ian fought with all his might, but the dragon was unlike any enemy he had faced. At that moment, the fortune teller shouted:

[The dragon’s weakness is its neck! Aim for the reverse scale!]

[It’s flying too fast. Even with the mobility from my cloak and boots, I can’t keep up.]

[Then this time, I will create an opening for you.]

[What?! That’s too dangerous—come back!]

[Do not worry. I shall fulfill my duty.]

In the end, the fortune teller sacrificed himself, allowing Ian to strike the decisive blow.

Finally, after bringing down the dragon—

[I, Third Prince Louis Kaistein, renounce my claim to the throne.]

[I admit defeat. Brother, you are the only one fit to rule this kingdom.]

Both the Third Prince and the First Princess bowed before Ian. King Eloin smiled and placed the crown upon Ian’s head.

[Restore the former glory of the Kaistein Empire—and beyond.]

The people revered Ian. His mother and younger sister approached, embracing him with bouquets of flowers. He had not only claimed the throne but had also found the family he had never truly had—even in his past life.

It was the future he had always dreamed of.

And in the final scene of the vision, Ian stood before a gravestone, laying flowers upon it.

[This was all thanks to you. I will never forget you, Yunseul.]

As the new king of Kaistein, Ian’s reign was unstoppable. He eventually unified the continent and became the one and only emperor by uniting the two continents.

And finally—

[I have no regrets in this life.]

With his legacy complete, Ian placed the royal sword upon his chest, closed his eyes, and embraced death like a peaceful slumber. The vision depicted the life of a man who had built an empire that would stand the test of time.

At that moment, Yunseul quietly approached and whispered, “This is your destiny.”

“My destiny, huh…”

“You will defeat all who stand in your way, ascend to the throne of Kaistein, and create an empire. You will become the one and only emperor of the continent.”

“An emperor of the continent?”

“That is correct.”

Yunseul’s eyes gleamed with satisfaction.

“You are the one who will unify this land and eventually merge the two continents into one. That is your fate, Ian Kaistein.”

Ian remained silent for a moment, his heart pounding as he processed the vision before him. He had seen it all—even the fortune teller who had sacrificed himself for his cause. His tone softened slightly as he spoke.

“But in that vision, you die along the way. Doesn’t that seem unfair to you?”

“Not at all. If my life serves a grand cause, then it is not wasted.”

“I see…”

Yunseul moved closer, his lips near Ian’s ear. His voice drifted like a whispering breeze.

“Do not worry about a mere life like mine. You are a great man who will build Kaistein and, beyond that, an empire.”

“Your mission is only one. To unite this continent and then the two continents into one.”

“Let that mission guide you.”

It was a grand destiny. Not merely to be a king, but to be an emperor who would unify the world—the Kingdom of Magicians, the Kingdom of Swordsmen, and beyond. The First Prince? He was nothing more than a stepping stone.

“Use me, Ian Kaistein. Fulfill your destiny.”

“A destiny to build a great empire…”

Ian’s eyes flickered with something close to temptation. Even for someone who had lived through past lives, the idea of shaping history with his own hands was intoxicating.

Yunseul’s voice grew softer, drawing Ian in.

“Take my hand. Together, we will build the grand empire.”

Unconsciously, Ian’s hand moved. Drawn by Yunseul’s words, he reached forward—

And finally—

Clasp.

The moment their hands touched—

Slash!

“Kugh…!”

A sharp sound rang through the air as Yunseul staggered back, his expression contorted in shock. His severed hand fell to the ground, strands of his hair floating around him.

“W-what are you doing?!” Yunseul exclaimed, his voice filled with disbelief.

It was inevitable.

Yunseul had assumed Ian was swayed by his words, but in an instant, Ian drew his sword and struck. Clicking his tongue, Ian muttered in disappointment.

“Tsk. I missed your neck. What a shame.”

His blade had been aimed for Yunseul’s throat, but the fortune teller had been surprisingly quick. Though Ian had severed his arm, his expression remained one of disappointment at failing to land a fatal strike.

Yunseul clutched his wound, his voice trembling. “Are you rejecting your destiny?! If you don’t take my hand, your empire will crumble before it’s even built!”

“So what?”

“W-what…?”

“If I need someone like you to build an empire, then it’s not an empire worth building.”

“You’re speaking nonsense—”

“I will carve my own path. I don’t need your help.”

Ian’s gaze was cold. But it wasn’t just arrogance or defiance.

‘The future he showed me… my knights weren’t in it.’

Only Ian and the fortune teller’s actions were present. That meant the future Yunseul had shown was a lie. No, it couldn’t be real.

‘Does he really expect me to throw away everything I’ve built and believe his nonsense?’

Ian had already been betrayed once by someone he trusted. There was no way he would fall for sugar-coated lies again. His instincts screamed the truth at him.

Woong Woong!

The power of Faith within his heart—it was what had shielded him from Yunseul’s influence. Not only had this man tried to manipulate him with honeyed words, but he had also attempted to invade his mind with a hidden power. That was unforgivable.

“I’ve had enough of your tricks. But the joke ends here.”

Summoning the power of Faith, Ian drove the royal sword deep into the ground.

Bang!

In an instant, the illusion shattered. The veil of darkness crumbled, revealing the reality beneath. A rundown house in a filthy alley appeared before him, its desolate room reeking of neglect. It was clear no one had lived there for a long time—no one, except for one person.

“Ugh…”

A man lay sprawled on the floor, barely clinging to life. Ian narrowed his eyes.

‘So the real fortune teller I was looking for… must be him.’

Then who was this imposter? The answer came not from Yunseul but from the power of Faith itself.

Woong!

The strange resonance Ian had felt in his heart all along—its source was now clear. His gaze darkened as he asked coldly,

“The power you wield… is it one of the Seven Virtues?”

“How do you…?” Yunseul’s voice wavered.

“I don’t know where you’ve been using these tricks,” Ian continued, his voice laced with contempt, “but they won’t work on me.”

Lifting his sword, his sharp eyes gleamed with dangerous intent.

“I don’t know who you really are, but…”

The power Yunseul possessed was exactly what Ian had been searching for. A rare and valuable prize had fallen right into his hands.

A smirk curled at Ian’s lips as he spoke.

“So hand it over. That power.”

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