Crown Prince Sells Medicine

Swiftly and without warning, the Royal Guards unsheathed their swords. Chaos ensued among the gamblers, promoters, and organization members who had gathered in the underground arena. Before anyone could react, the situation escalated.

“Everyone, seize everyone present and execute those who resist!” commanded the resolute commander.

The clashing of armor echoed through the air as 150 Royal Guards pressed forward, launching an unrelenting suppression operation.

Tables were overturned, people stumbled and attempted to flee, but the Royal Guards were already one step ahead. Their swords showed no mercy as they advanced, their shouts and trampling forming an impenetrable wall.

Numerous individuals were apprehended and arrested. In the face of this seamless operation, gamblers, promoters, and organization members alike fell victim to the unfolding events.

They were bewildered, unable to comprehend why this was happening. Why did the Royal Guards suddenly invade the once-thriving underground arena? They were left in the dark, with no means to seek answers.

“Of course. How could you all possibly know,” Raciel murmured, a slight smile adorning his face. He recalled the events that had transpired earlier before he left the Star Palace. It was still the afternoon, the sun hanging low in the sky.

“Tonight, we must mobilize all the Royal Guards stationed at the Star Palace.” 

“Pardon?” The Star Palace Royal Guard Commander’s eyes widened in surprise, soon giving way to a stern expression.

“Your Highness, the Royal Guards stationed here have been tasked with guarding the Star Palace by imperial decree and protecting Your Highness.”

“Nevertheless, tonight they will move according to my orders.”

“Excuse me?”

“There will be something they need to protect me from.”

Raciel didn’t provide further details or objectives, merely assuring them that they would understand once they followed his orders. And that was all he said.

The commander remained perplexed, but eventually acquiesced to his command. Keeping a discreet distance, he had trailed Raciel since the latter’s departure from the Star Palace. Secretly, he had cordoned off the area surrounding the restaurant housing the underground arena.

Thanks to this meticulous planning, Raciel’s prediction—or rather, expectation—came to fruition.

‘Promoter Kusman, it seems I owe him my gratitude for tailing me as anticipated.’ a wry smile graced Raciel’s lips.

In truth, he had foreseen this outcome. It was based on the behavior of Promoter Kusman from the novel “Devil Sword Emperor.”

‘Kusman was always wary, promptly surveilling anyone who could pose a potential threat. He employed trusted subordinates skilled in abduction and torture. By exploiting weaknesses or resorting to ruthless murder, he maintained his position of power.’

Raciel believed the same approach would apply this time. That’s why he purposely made contact with Kusman.

He expressed his desire to buy Demian.

He inquired about the cost.

By presenting an offer that would be impossible to accept, he exposed his own presence, providing confirmation.

And the outcome?

Exactly as anticipated.

The tailing commenced immediately. Thanks to that, the Royal Guards Commander, who witnessed the events unfold, was consumed by fury.

“How dare someone tail a member of the royal family, especially the crown prince! And to be armed as well!” his thoughts seethed.

The outcome was inevitable.

As soon as the subordinate involved in the tailing approached Raciel, the Royal Guards swiftly subdued him. The commander wasted no time in presenting the charges to Kusman’s trusted follower.

“Attempted assassination of a member of the royal family.”

That was the end.

Raciel didn’t need to issue any further orders.

The commander, fueled by his anger, mobilized the Royal Guards with an invincible determination. They sealed off the restaurant and captured the passageway leading to the underground arena. Their advance was relentless.

Now, they were indiscriminately apprehending everyone in the arena, causing chaos.

“This is no joke,” Raciel murmured in awe as he observed the Royal Guards’ crackdown. Undoubtedly, they were the cream of the crop. His own experience as a military officer allowed him to appreciate their skill even more.

A sense of pride welled within him.

Was it because justice was being served against the underground organization today? Or because those who had been exploiting the gladiators were being punished?

Not at all.

Raciel had never been interested in dispensing justice in the first place. That had been true since his time in Korea. He had been preoccupied with mere survival, juggling university and various part-time jobs while managing to study.

His life had been a constant struggle to climb up from the bottom. He had never had the luxury of caring for others compassionately.

And it remained the same now.

With only a few months left to live, his priority was to secure an extension. There was no time or inclination to waste on matters of justice.

Hence, the reason for his pride was singular.

‘It’s done now. Almost everything is in place. I’ll soon secure a complete set of premium patients who will generously contribute to extending my lifespan,’ Raciel thought, clenching his fist.

If things continued to progress smoothly.

If he remained vigilant.

It would undoubtedly be achieved.

However, he refused to let his guard down.

The job was not yet complete.

“Hey, all of you,” Raciel called out to three nearby Royal Guards assigned to protect him.

“Follow me.”

He led the Royal Guards into the dark passageway within the arena. The individual he needed to apprehend tonight would undoubtedly be there.

♣ ♣ ♣ ♣ ♣ ♣

“…Huff! Huff!”

Kusman panted heavily, struggling to catch his breath. Sweat poured from his body like rain. Simultaneously, he ground his teeth in frustration.

“Damn it! I can’t believe the situation I’m in.”

There were no signs, no indications whatsoever. Yet, the Royal Guards stormed in with a force he had never anticipated.

“How could that guy…” he muttered, recalling the individual who had brazenly proposed a preposterous deal.

The guy claimed he wanted to purchase Demian.

Inquired about the cost.

That insolent brat had provoked him, prompting him to order surveillance immediately. He suspected the brat to be a pawn of another organization, a bait testing his reactions. That was his initial assumption.

So he had planned to make an example out of him.

Kidnap, torture, a gruesome death, and disposal of the mutilated corpse in the river. His aim was to instill fear and caution in those who had sent him.

But now?

“How… how could he be the crown prince?” he asked himself, unable to believe it.

Initially, he couldn’t fathom it, even when he witnessed it. But the Royal Guards trailing behind that brat were undeniably real. It was a situation that left no room for disbelief.

“Why? Why would the crown prince want to buy Demian? Why me? Why?” His mind was in disarray.

Amidst the chaos, the crackdown operation progressed mercilessly. The Royal Guards behind him moved with unwavering determination. Those attempting to flee were met with a gauntlet-clad fist to the jaw, while resistance led to instant wrist fractures.

The screams sent shivers down his spine.

“If they catch me… it’s over!”

Thankfully, he possessed agility and an intimate knowledge of the underground arena’s layout.

He utilized everything at his disposal—the overturned tables, the shadows cast by extinguished lights, the iron-barred fighting stage, even the silhouette of a fleeing figure. He made full use of his surroundings to navigate through the blind spots, narrowly evading the Royal Guards’ detection. With that, he managed to escape the main hall of the arena.

Sprinting through the dark passage towards the liquor storage, he knew salvation awaited him through a secret passage known only to key executives of the organization running the gladiator ring and a select few promoters.

“Huff, huff, just a bit farther!”

He needed to reach that exit. No matter how formidable the Royal Guards were, they wouldn’t be aware of that passage. It was an escape route known only to a privileged few.

“I made it! Almost there!”

A glimmer of hope ignited within him.

Kusman pushed himself harder, the door to the liquor storage within arm’s reach. A wide smile spread across his face. But just as he swung open the storage door…

“What?!” His smile shattered.

“What… what is this?” he stammered in disbelief.

Swoosh!

Three swords pointed directly at him.

Kusman staggered backward, his heart racing. The swordsmen advanced, their figures illuminated by a faint light streaming through the open storage door.

Kusman’s eyes trembled.

‘Royal Guards? How did they get here?’

Had they been lying in wait?

As if they anticipated his arrival.

At that moment…

“I knew you would come here. It was inevitable, wasn’t it?” a voice emerged from the darkness of the storage.

Kusman’s eyes widened as he recognized the figure slowly stepping forward. It was the same brat who had proposed the deal, now revealed to be the crown prince.

Raciel’s grin sent chills down his spine.

“Do you not comprehend the situation? Can you not fathom why I am waiting for you here, no matter how much you ponder?” Raciel taunted.

Kusman remained speechless, utterly bewildered.

Raciel’s satisfaction grew, his smile widening.

‘He must be utterly confused.’

Kusman was unaware that Raciel had read the novel “Devil Sword Emperor.” Therefore, he had no knowledge that Raciel had learned about the existence of this secret passage through the book.

‘After the original Crown Prince Raciel’s demise, a massive fire erupted in this place.’

A recollection from the novel “Devil Sword Emperor” suddenly surfaced in Raciel’s mind. The underground arena had been engulfed in flames during a crackdown operation against the underground organization led by the Second Prince. Amidst the chaos of the fire, Demian had seized the opportunity to escape through this very passage.

In the process, he sustained a severe burn on his back, coincidentally where the brand had been engraved. The burn had inadvertently broken the curse of the brand, granting him true freedom.

Raciel tucked this novel plot detail into a corner of his memory. He then addressed Kusman.

“It matters little to you why I am here. Nonetheless, I am disappointed,” Raciel stated.

Kusman remained silent, still struggling to comprehend the situation.

“I hold a deep regard for the value of medicine,” Raciel continued. “I despise those who manipulate medical costs. It is an act that repulses me, whether I am at the receiving end or the one perpetrating it upon others.”

“What are you talking about?” Kusman interjected, his confusion mounting.

“That is why I inquired earlier. How much was the cost of the painkillers provided to Demian? How much was I expected to pay? Do you not recall?” Raciel questioned.

Kusman’s mind raced, attempting to grasp the significance of Raciel’s words.

“In any case, I made a goodwill offer. Do you comprehend? It was you who spurned that goodwill.” 

“You’re spouting nonsense!” Kusman snapped, his anger surging.

He realized he couldn’t prolong the situation any further. If he hesitated, more guards would arrive. Making a swift decision, Kusman drew two daggers from his waist and lunged ferociously at the three guards.

In an instant, it was over.

Crash!

A gauntlet-clad fist from one of the guards crushed Kusman’s nose, rendering his daggers futile. Kusman couldn’t even reach the guard.

And just like that, it was done.

“Cough!”

Thud!

Kusman crumpled to the ground, his face bloodied. Two guards aimed their swords at him.

“Please… please, stop!” Kusman pleaded, writhing like a trapped insect.

But he couldn’t muster the strength to rise and resist. Instead of attempting to stand and fight, he quickly knelt down. His pleading eyes met the gaze of the guards.

“I… I made a mistake.”

Had the forceful blow subdued him into obedience? With his face covered in blood, Kusman began to plead. He bowed his head towards the guards, extending his hands in a desperate plea for mercy.

“I must have foolishly resisted with reckless thoughts. I deeply regret my actions. Please, do not continue to harm me. I will remain still and quietly cooperate. Just bind my hands, if you may,” Kusman pleaded, his voice filled with a mix of fear and submission.

The guards glanced down at him, their eyes filled with disdain. They couldn’t fathom how quickly his demeanor had changed after just one strike. They questioned whether someone could be so fickle.

One of the guards retrieved a rope for binding. At the sight of this, a smirk tugged at the corners of Kusman’s lips. A cruel glimmer of joy flickered in his eyes.

‘It’s done. I’ve got you now.’

He thought of his special ability.

Engaging in combat with daggers?

No.

That was merely a means of self-defense. His true expertise lay in the art of assassination through poison.

Just like now.

…Grind!

Kusman pushed one of his lower molars outward with his tongue. The tooth yielded effortlessly, dislodging itself from the gum. But it wasn’t a tooth; it was a capsule shaped to resemble one.

The moment the capsule left his gum…

Crunch!

He bit down hard on the capsule.

The device inside the capsule sprang into action.

‘Five seconds. After five seconds, this capsule will explode.’

And it would unleash a deadly explosion, causing significant harm to those nearby. Upon exposure to the poison, their facial muscles would be paralyzed. Unfortunate individuals might even suffer from blindness. If luck turned against them, respiratory distress would set in, leading to their demise.

‘Then I can leisurely make my escape!’

Now, he would forcefully expel the capsule from his mouth. Immediately afterward, he would roll on the ground, putting distance between himself and the guards. That would be it. The three guards, unaware of the impending deadly explosion, would be incapacitated easily.

After that?

He would swiftly slash the prince’s neck and flee through the passage.

‘Finally… You’re finished!’

Kusman silently counted the seconds.

Five seconds.

He rolled the bitten capsule inside his mouth and placed it on his tongue.

Four seconds.

He took a deep breath, curling his tongue.

Three seconds.

He aimed the capsule, now cupped by his tongue…

Thud!

An unexpected hand intervened, blocking his mouth.

…!

Kusman was taken aback.

He quickly looked up, his gaze locking onto the person who had thwarted his plan.

Prince Raciel.

A sinister smile adorned Raciel’s face.

And he uttered something even more foreboding.

“Oh dear, why are you trying to recklessly spit it out? Don’t you know about social distancing?”

…Huh?

Kusman was stunned.

Suddenly, a chilling realization echoed in his mind.

‘This guy… No way… does he know… everything about my secret technique?’

In that moment…

Pop!

The poison capsule in Kusman’s mouth detonated.