Chapter 59 Service to the Prince and the Festival of Iron and Blood
Edited by: Kanaa-senpai
My quiet but dangerous verbal duel with Prince Liam ended in a great victory. Self-praise, I know. But it was a total victory—so full that I could’ve shouted it from the rooftops.
”Before you leave,” I said, “might I ask you to give these girls a tip? They’re favorites of mine, you see.”
I gestured to Cecilia and Lizel, who stood behind me in dancer outfits—their appearances fully changed by the [Ring of Transformation].
Deep in the dim VIP lounge, the tiny mirror ornaments sewn into their shiny costumes caught the candlelight and gleamed.
”A tip? Very well. Come here, then.”
The prince nodded with polite graciousness and produced two clean high-value bills from his nice coat pocket, motioning them closer.
”However, Your Highness, there is a special etiquette for tipping in this VIP lounge. I would ask that you nicely follow it.”
”Etiquette?” The prince’s brow furrowed—curiosity and doubt mixing on his face.
”Yes. You take the cord of their clothing—like so—and give it a short tug. You press the bills against their bare skin, then release the cord with a snap.”
”Wha—! T-that’s such an improper way to hand it over!” The prince’s proper face flushed red to the tips of his ears.
”Surely you can’t do it? You, the prince of this nation?”
”Fine! … I’ll do it!” Clenching his jaw in annoyance, Prince Liam rose to the bait and—his handsome face burning red—carried out the unpleasant ritual I’d suggested.
First came Lizel’s turn.
With a tense expression, Prince Liam timidly pulled the cord of her outfit. The feel of the silk cord giving under his fingertips—for some reason, I felt it too.
He pressed the bills against her clear white skin, then let the cord go with a snap. The dry sound echoed through the room.
Then came Cecilia’s turn.
”This one—doesn’t she remind you of Cecilia? Especially those fire-like red hair, so beautiful.”
”N-now that you mention it… I suppose she does bear some resemblance…”
His face getting redder, Prince Liam awkwardly tugged at Cecilia’s cord. I caught his gaze fix on her red hair—if only for a moment.
”Th-then…!”
The cord released. Another snap echoed.
Still red-faced, Prince Liam hurried out of the theater and disappeared. His back looked… awkward. It seemed he’d fully enjoyed himself. Good.
After my meeting with Prince Liam, I returned to the Grimlock Margrave estate with Cecilia and Lizel in tow.
Once there, I invited them both to my bedchamber and, once again, spent a great, sweet night with them.
The soft bedsheets absorbed our warmth, creaking softly under our weight.
I gazed at Cecilia’s red hair—beautiful like fire—and her white back, its skin so smooth. I took in the deep satisfaction of having fully made this woman mine.
My fingers traced along her smooth skin. The warmth of her body reached me, clear and close.
That perfect prince, Prince Liam, who’d shown very obsessive behavior in his eager pursuit of her.
That fact only sparked my conquest, rising with heat from the bottom of my being.
Beside me, Lizel—who’d been quietly and carefully helping us throughout—placed a quick peck on my cheek. Her lips were soft, like a kitten’s.
Good.
Once I’d pleased Cecilia to my heart’s content, I decided I’d give this nice little cat my complete care too.
* * *
Several days after I’d easily sent Prince Liam away.
I was riding in a carriage with Elenor and Kuuko—who was in her kitten form—heading toward the colosseum. Through the window, the steady rattle of the carriage mixed with the busy sounds of the lively city streets. Vendors calling out, children’s laughter, the far clang of a blacksmith’s hammer. It was pleasant.
”So who ended up being the other contestants? You’d better not tell me you couldn’t find anyone. I’ve had quite enough of those losing matches from last time.”
Elenor said this with clear unhappiness. Her gaze was fixed on me, mixed with doubt.
”Relax. I’ve prepared some excellent fighters.”
”Fine, I suppose that’ll do… But what’s with that cat on your shoulder?”
On my shoulder, Kuuko—still in her kitten form—purred happily. I could feel the tiny shakes of her throat through my clothes.
”This one’s the newest addition to our team, ‘Royal Phantom.’ A hopeful new member.”
”…I’d tell you to stop joking, but that would require you to exist first.”
Mean.
”Now, now, don’t get so upset. We’re supposed to meet the third member there.”
I yet wanted to keep the [Ring of Transformation] a secret from Elenor.
”More importantly, Elenor. You’ve gotten even more beautiful.”
She seemed to grow more beautiful with every battle she fought.
Her clear white skin gleamed like polished jewels. Behind her blue eyes burned a steady flame of resolve, and her bright red hair caught the light with a brilliant sheen.
I pulled her close, lifting her chin with a soft grip, and brought my face near hers.
”Wh—! You bastard!!”
Surprised, Elenor tried to push me away, but it was useless.
Thanks to my [Magic Seal], she couldn’t use mana reinforcement, while I could enhance myself freely. In a test of pure strength, it wasn’t even a contest.
Her hands pressed against my chest, but I didn’t budge.
Eventually, giving up to the unavoidable, she closed her eyes with a look of annoyance—but, perhaps, a hint of hope too—waiting for my kiss. Her long lashes shook slightly.
I gave her pointed nose a light flick. Pish, a sharp sound.
”…What were you expecting, Your Highness?”
She shot me an angry glare, her eyes sharp like a hawk’s.
Good. I’d well switched the subject.
Soon, the carriage arrived at the colosseum.
Descending below ground, I could already hear the loud shout of the crowd. The scent of blood, iron, and sweat mixed in the air—that clear colosseum atmosphere. The strong heat of the spectators reached me even through the thick walls, creating a clear thrill.
”Well then, shall we go?”
The event of iron and blood—the [Abyss Coliseum]—was about to begin.
—
Summary:
The protagonist humiliates Prince Liam by goading him into performing a degrading tipping ritual with Cecilia and Lizel in the VIP lounge, then savors his victory in a private night with both women. Days later, he travels to the colosseum with Elenor and Kuuko for the Abyss Coliseum tournament, but conceals his identity and the [Ring of Transformation] while teasing Elenor with a nose-flick instead of a kiss. As they arrive, the crowd’s roar signals the start of the festival, but the third team member has yet to appear.
—
Trivia:
Prince Liam’s obsession with Cecilia has been established in previous chapters, which the protagonist exploits by using a stand-in with similar red hair.
The [Ring of Transformation] completely changes the wearer’s appearance, allowing the protagonist to move undetected.
Elenor is bound by the [Magic Seal], which prevents her from using mana reinforcement—making her physically weaker than the protagonist.
The protagonist’s team is named “Royal Phantom,” and its third member has not yet appeared.
Kuuko is not originally a kitten; she was transformed using the [Ring of Transformation].
The “dekoppin” (nose-flick) is a genre-typical moment of teasing, subverting Elenor’s expectation of a kiss.
The colosseum’s underground area is filled with the scent of blood, iron, and sweat—setting a brutal tone for the upcoming tournament.
The protagonist’s narrative voice consistently exhibits self-awareness of his boasting, often undercutting his own smugness.
Notes:
• Prince Liam – The first prince and protagonist of Asgard, Liam is a handsome, golden-haired “born winner” with a refined, measured demeanor that cracks under pressure. Officially engaged to Princess Elisabeth while supported by Elliot and Aldrick, his secret pursuit of Cecilia—with whom he shares a frustrated, past intimacy—and obsession with her now threaten his political standing.
• Liam – The first prince and protagonist of Asgard, Liam is a handsome, golden-haired “born winner” with a refined, measured demeanor that cracks under pressure. Officially engaged to Princess Elisabeth while supported by Elliot and Aldrick, his secret pursuit of Cecilia—with whom he shares a frustrated, past intimacy—and obsession with her now threaten his political standing.
• de – A particle used in the aristocratic name of the Margrave Albion de Blanchefort.
• Cecilia – Eldest daughter of the Vermillion Duchy and former saint figure, this graceful noble has flame-like red hair, deep blue eyes, and translucent skin. Outwardly cold yet timid, she completely rejected her obsessed suitor, Prince Liam, to become Xenos’s fiancée and “Dedicated Slave.” She adores Kuuko, visits the Grimlock estate, and uses a ring to disguise herself in a revealing dancer’s costume.
• Lizel – A petite, graceful Blanchet count’s daughter, academy student, and wind mage with pink twin-tails, purple eyes, and a smirk. Luca Dalton’s fiancée and Grimlock’s classmate, she accompanies Cecilia and Xenos, disguised in a dancer’s costume via a magic ring. Though a protective, anxious tsundere, she is a direct, playful, and quietly supportive companion deeply devoted to serving Xenos.
• Grimlock Margrave – The owner of the estate where the protagonist resides. Mentioned only by estate name.
• Grimlock – As the mana-less heir to House Grimlock, Xenos manages a military legacy and shadow network with his father, Gaius. Masked by deceptive noble etiquette, this ‘Royal Phantom’ uses spatial magic and a Collar of Submission to manipulate others. He invokes family authority to dismiss the interference of Prince Liam, who formally addresses him by his family name, Xenos.
• Elenor – Revered as the “Saint of Light,” Student Council President Princess Elenor is a proud, haughty gladiator for Xenos’s Royal Phantom team. Unrivaled in the ring, she has translucent white skin, sharp blue eyes, and vibrant hair. Rigid yet hosting a secret, twisted pleasure under the protagonist’s punishments, she is bound by his Magic Seal, complicating Xenos’s political ties despite their past.
• Kuuko – A cat beastkin infiltration agent masquerading as a tiny black kitten via the [Ring of Transformation]. She has a delicate build, wide innocent eyes, and childlike features. Powered by Xenos’s mana, this team member can shift into a massive monster and trains in the courtyard. She vocalizes with cute mews, purrs on Xenos’s shoulder, and is affectionately adored by Cecilia and Lizel.
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Edited by Kanaa-senpai.
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