This Bastard is Too Competent

[Blame on the child?]

The helmet spoke in disbelief.

There seemed to be no other explanation.

[The strongest knight of Kaistein hindered by his own child?]

Garcia von Andelgram, the first king’s right-hand man, his most loyal knight, stood out among the famed Seven Knights of Kaistein as the strongest.

It wasn’t an overstatement to say that the First King leaned on him heavily to consolidate the empire.

[Your son is not even a knight.]

However, Andelgram sighed as he reminisced about that moment.

[I went to say goodbye to my son before departing on the king’s orders.]

It was a goodbye to his son, a farewell that might have been their last.

To transport Faith, a power that should never be touched, to a forbidden place, one had to stake their life.

But his son, who held the title of Duke at the time, said something unexpected.

“Why must that power be hidden?”

[What?]

“With such power, couldn’t we ascend to the throne of Kaistein… No, even become the emperors of the Garcia Empire?”

[What nonsense is this?]

“Isn’t that true? The founding king became the unparalleled emperor with that power. Why should we give it up?”

[!]

At first, it seemed preposterous.

Andelgram was a pivotal figure who traversed the continent alongside the founding king to establish the empire.

It was solely due to Andelgram’s feats that his son could rise to the rank of Duke.

The groundwork for his son’s ducal status was laid because of Andelgram’s unwavering dedication to serve only as the king’s knight, a commitment that led the founding king to ennoble his family as the first ducal line.

Yet, what vexed Andelgram wasn’t just his son’s lack of gratitude.

[This power is dangerous. It’s not a power you can handle.]

Even the great first king had given up.

Each passing day witnessed his body deteriorate further, his bloodlust escalating to the point where he almost routinely threatened loyal subjects without cause.

Even the most devoted knight had found his life threatened.

The king foresaw his own demise and decreed the concealment of the power.

Thus, the man known as the strongest knight risked everything to seal it away, preventing further casualties.

But his son couldn’t suppress his ambitions.

“The founding king, once an ordinary man, possessed that power. What makes you think that I, as a duke, cannot handle it?”

[The empire’s unification under the king wasn’t solely due to that power.]

“But it must have played a significant role. And I have legitimacy. Many kingdoms integrated into the empire will believe that I’m fulfilling His Majesty’s legacy.”

[You… no one, not even you, can handle that power. You would be consumed by it and lose your very self.]

“How would I know unless I try?”

[You impudent child…]

Andelgram gave up on persuading his son.

He concluded it was futile to reason with a son blinded by greed, no matter how hard he tried. Thus, he prepared to depart.

[There’s no point in continuing this discussion. I shall take my leave now.]

“Please, wait a moment.”

[What? Do you plan to catch me off guard and seize the power?]

The notion that his son would try to murder his own father for power was beyond belief.

It was an act of unfilial betrayal.

Andelgram could not tolerate such treachery, even from his own flesh and blood.

He unsheathed his sword, prepared to strike him down then and there.

However, his son shook his head.

“Surely, I wouldn’t do that, Father.”

Then, with an expression that had regained calmness, the son quietly spoke again.

“No matter how much I covet that power, you are my father, whom I may never see again. Please, allow me to do what must be done as your son.”

[And what would that be?]

“Even if you are the strongest knight, it is said that venturing to the forbidden place demands risking one’s life. My daughter will arrive here soon. Just one look at her face before you leave.”

[Hmm…]

Even a knight who lived solely for the king could not evade the love he held for his child. Particularly at the mention of a granddaughter, whom he cherished above all else, the strongest knight found himself hesitating.

The helmet, upon hearing this, erupted in anger.

[Have you ever seen such foolishness! He was obviously trying to delay and figure out a way to deal with you!]

[That’s right. But I wanted to take one last look at my granddaughter. And… no matter how excessive my son’s greed was, I didn’t think he could do anything to me.]

There seemed to be no alternative.

He wasn’t just a bearer of Faith; he was also master of one of the Seven Virtues.

Moreover, with the Oath bestowed by the founding king, he surpassed all others as the strongest knight.

Regardless of what forces his son gathered, he seemed unbeatable.

Nonetheless, the helmet harbored doubts about this.

[But how on earth did you end up trapped here?]

[That…]

Andelgram struggled to find the words.

The helmet pressed him to continue.

[Speak up. The truth may lie hidden in your words.]

[Huh… The truth is, there were some men working for my son.]

[What?]

These were not mere companions.

Despite Andelgram being a master of one of the Seven Virtues and the strongest knight…

[Rowen. That damn bastard and those mages have filled my son’s mind with hollow ambitions.]

Rowen Gatimore.

The sage, the First King’s left-hand man, one of the Seven Mages.

If Andelgram represented the pinnacle of knighthood, Rowen was the most formidable mage, his Achilles’ heel.

Additionally, he was the custodian of the Seven Sins.

The mages who sided with him also wielded the powers of the Seven Sins.

But it didn’t make sense.

[It’s implausible that you, one of the Seven Virtues, wouldn’t have recognized the power of the Seven Sins.]

[It appears my son has been cunning. In truth, he laid a trap with their aid.]

[Huh…]

It wasn’t about taking his life; it was about preventing him from moving from that spot until his dying breath.

Because of this, he hadn’t realized it was a trap.

[Afterward, my son began to visit me regularly.]

Each time, his son would threaten him to hand over Faith, shout at him, and even plead with tears in his eyes.

One day, he nearly lost control and attempted to kill his own father.

However, Faith could not be obtained by killing its bearer.

After all, he was merely the carrier.

The moment he was killed, Faith would return to its original master, the founding king.

[Of course, I couldn’t be swayed. Despite my love for my granddaughter and son, I never forgot my duty.]

Andelgram remained steadfast against the years of persuasion that followed.

No matter how bound he was, his will was unyielding.

He was not a man whose spirit would crumble under mere familial affection.

But the real problem arose soon after.

[I heard war has broken out. The king has passed away, and the empire is collapsing.]

This was the truth.

The sudden death of the founding king had triggered a great war that would split the continent.

The helmet realized the truth.

[So you no longer sensed the presence of the Seven Virtues after that.]

[That’s right. While I couldn’t hand over Faith, I couldn’t just stand by and watch the empire crumble. Therefore, I handed over my Seven Virtues to my son.]

Yet, even with this sacrifice, he could not prevent the empire’s collapse.

After the great war, the continent fractured into numerous kingdoms, marking the end of the once-mighty empire.

It was then that Ian understood the truth.

‘Did Garcia aim to become emperor? Did Kaistein fall because Faith was lost.’

It was a ridiculous story if one thought about it.

All this destruction because of a single power.

Or perhaps it was the absence of the founding king that led to such chaos.

‘In any case, what Duke Garcia wanted was to establish his own empire.’

The intriguing part came next.

Following the war, the first Duke Garcia was too busy fighting to have time to reclaim Faith.

As a result, Andelgram remained forgotten in memory, left here for hundreds of years.

In a sense, one could say the first Duke Garcia’s desire had been fulfilled.

‘In my past life, Karan eventually discovered this place and inherited the power.’

In this life, Ian inherited Faith.

Without his rebirth, events might have unfolded according to Karan’s will—an existence where the Garcia lineage ascends to imperial power through Faith.

Regardless, Ian now knew all the critical details.

“Well then, I’ll take my leave.”

It was nothing more than the old memories of two elderly men who could no longer do anything.

Just as Ian was about to turn around and leave, he was interrupted.

[Wait, I still have something to say.]

“I’m not really interested. Since Faith has come to me, the descendant of the first king, your mission is complete. Rest in peace now.”

[W-Wait!]

“?”

Andelgram grabbed Ian with a desperate expression.

However, Ian tilted his head in confusion.

Was he trying to pass on his famous swordsmanship, which was often referred to as the strongest in the land?

Ian was filled with anticipation as he looked at Andelgram, who then spoke with a serious demeanor.

[Do you remember the worst mage, Rowen, that I told you about?]

“The one from the Seven Mages? The master of one of the Seven Sins?”

[That’s right.]

“Why him?”

[I’m sorry, but… I can smell his scent on you.]

“What?”

Ian sniffed.

But he couldn’t smell anything.

“Could it be ‘Jealousy’ or ‘Rage’ he possessed? I wield those powers.”

[I apologize, but he was holding a different one.]

“?”

So what scent was Andelgram referring to?

Was he insinuating that Ian smelled like a commoner despite his noble status?

As Ian furrowed his brow in confusion…

[I cannot identify the Sin, but… I strongly sense his scent. It is undoubtedly his power.]

“?”

Ian tapped his helmet gently.

“Pardon me, Wisdom of the First King. Why don’t you say something?”

[Hmm…]

The helmet seemed to contemplate for a moment.

But soon, as if arriving at a conclusion, it cautiously began to speak.

[In your previous life, I have been pondering this, but your second life might be related to him.]

“What?”

Ian’s eyes widened in surprise.

***

‘Could my second life truly be connected to the Seven Sins and the first king’s servant?’

Ian was walking out of the secret passage with a troubled expression on his face.

Just then, a man came rushing toward him.

“Ah! Your Highness! We’ve been searching for you everywhere!”

He was the king’s chamberlain, not the one executed for recent events.

Nathan approached from behind.

“Oh, come now. I told you to be patient. Our prince would have come eventually.”

“Sir Nathan! You fail to grasp the urgency of this situation!”

“Our prince may be handling important matters!”

“This is His Majesty’s royal decree! Is there anything more pressing than this?”

“And yet, here you are, making a grand entrance.”

“Ugh!”

Ian couldn’t help but chuckle at the situation.

It seemed Nathan had done an excellent job of stalling for time, although it wasn’t necessary to agitate the chamberlain so much.

‘How was that? Did I do well?’

By the look on Nathan’s face, it seemed he was intentionally getting under the chamberlain’s skin just to keep him from focusing on Ian’s affairs.

Thanks to this, the chamberlain had not even noticed the direction Ian had come from.

The chamberlain urgently exclaimed, “You must hurry to the royal palace! Tomorrow is the departure ceremony for Cantum!”

The chamberlain was pacing back and forth.

The most important part of the departure ceremony was the execution of Haverion.

If they were to head to Helgaia to get the Spear of Execution, every second counted.

Despite the urgency, Ian only smiled wryly.

“Don’t worry. I promise I won’t be late.”

The chamberlain was taken aback. “Pardon? Even if you rush from here to the royal palace, it will take a week. Further delays might lead to serious trouble.”

With tens of thousands of troops involved, the swift consumption of supplies was a pressing concern.

The chamberlain, responsible for royal finances, was understandably anxious.

The longer reinforcements were delayed, the greater the risk of misunderstandings with Cantum.

This was evolving into an international crisis.

Yet, Ian wore a calm expression.

‘This man appears worried on the surface, but he’s not truly concerned.’

The reason was obvious.

He probably thought Ian would use the dragon pact he’d shown in the past again.

Or perhaps he was expecting the black dragon he had shown this time.

If he flew, he could get there in just one day.

All this fuss was just a subtle pressure to ride a dragon.

However, Ian had more urgent matters to attend to.

“There’s someone I need to meet first.”

“In a situation this urgent, you wish to meet someone? That can wait…”

“It’s my sister and mother.”

“Pardon?!”

The chamberlain quickly shut his mouth.

Regardless of the situation, he was well aware of the queen and the new princess.

He thought that meddling in Ian’s affairs could potentially cause trouble.

“T-then please hurry. Or would you like me to accompany you?”

“Well, let me meet them first, and then we’ll decide.”

At that moment, Ian reached his hand upward.

With that gesture, the black dragon depicted on his body began to soar towards the sky.

As Ian mounted the dragon, Nathan stealthily climbed on as well, and the chamberlain shouted anxiously,

“Wait… Your Highness!”

He wanted to be taken along.

But Ian, with a hint of a smile, said, “I’ll come to the palace once I’ve taken care of things. We’ll meet there.”

Ian opted not to disclose his meeting with his mother and sister to the chamberlain for a simple reason.

[There hasn’t been a saint for a thousand years, nor before that. But your sister is a saintess?]

Ian’s amnesiac helmet was unaware of his sister’s existence.

This implied that there were traces of the Seven Sins or the Seven Sins within her.

[If I’m right, the saint— no, your sister holds all the answers.]

The reason for Ian’s new life might be linked to the secrets held by his sister and mother.