Chapter 13: The Prince’s Justice

Yu Geung charged forward. With hands behind my back, I counted the heads of the sword ruffians visible beyond Yu Geung—exactly five.

All five were lousy fighters, but maybe because they only did evil, every attack they threw was utterly vile.

Thanks to that, our Captain Yu got a scratch on his arm in just five clashes.

“Disappointing, huh?”

Should I dress it up as a glorious wound earned protecting a prince? I’m not a stingy guy, so that kind of reward’s no big deal.

“Ugh!”

Since this Yu Geung is younger than the one I knew, I couldn’t help clicking my tongue at his pathetic moments. But Yu Geung was never stronger than me anyway. This was all within my expectations.

Now, let’s see about those sword ruffian bastards.

One dumb-looking guy acting dumb. One sleazy-looking guy acting sleazy. One sneaky-looking guy acting sneaky. One annoying-looking guy acting annoying. And one ugly guy acting pathetic.

That’s the five. How’s there not a single decent one among them?

What a sorry bunch.

Thus, the clash between Yu Geung and the five sword ruffians was like a life-or-death brawl among idiots. Yu Geung’s an idiot too.

Why? Because even here, he couldn’t shake his rigid nature, using honorable tactics against morons.

If it were me, I’d have thrown dirt. Yu Geung didn’t.

Then again… that’s the kind of guy he was, dying that way in that place.

At that moment, one of them—the ugly one—grabbed the crying kid sprawled on the ground and started running.

But something’s off. He’s clearly ugly, yet somehow familiarly ugly.

Where have I seen that face?

No way I’d have crossed paths with capital sword ruffians…

“Hey!”

Seeing no chance to win, he was fleeing with the kid to sell. Afraid of losing his merchandise.

Can’t let that slide. I rushed past Yu Geung, who was struggling against the remaining four, and chased the runaway.

“Better stop.”

I threw out a bold warning, but it had no effect. Why? Because my stamina’s so damn awful, running was brutal. My panting was probably audible.

Damn it.

What kind of embarrassing mess is this?

“Hey, you not stopping?”

I shouted again at his back, but no dice. If I were him, I wouldn’t stop for some guy gasping and about to collapse either.

Who’s to blame…

But I didn’t give up and kept yapping.

“You’d better stop right now. Because…”

I couldn’t think of what to say next.

“Because… because…”

And I was out of breath. Gasping, I said,

“Because I’m a prince. Stop now. It’s a prince’s order.”

He glanced back briefly, then turned forward. The alley was nearly at its end, with a turn just ahead.

Suddenly, a two-word name popped into my head.

“Inhong!”

I remembered where I’d seen that ugly guy. His name was Inhong. I’m damn good at remembering faces.

By the way, that’s why Jincheon, the bastard who chopped my neck, is still vivid like I saw him yesterday.

I recalled where I knew Inhong from the next moment. Inhong had led a volunteer militia to support Hyeolyunseong.

Compared to Hyeolyunseong’s trained forces, they were a ragtag bunch, not much help, but we needed every hand back then.

What did he say?

I remember.

He’d been a street rat, but a mentor turned him around, inspiring him to join the militia.

That’s all I know.

Right after I called his name, he stopped.

I was dying from running, but I couldn’t miss the chance. I hurled my scabbard with all my strength, hitting him. The scabbard struck his head, and he collapsed. I staggered over, half-dead.

“Ugh, I’m gonna die.”

Catching my breath, he glared at me with a serious look. I’m dying here, and he’s all calm—pissed me off. His head was bleeding, not so calm, but whatever.

Maybe my knack for this proves I was always suited to be a notorious prince.

Then I heard Yu Geung approaching from behind. Right, Yu Geung’s coming.

Trusting Yu Geung, I smacked Inhong’s head.

“Hey, you lowly bastard. A prince says stop, and you ignore me?”

A sharp whack echoed.

Inhong glared harder.

“Who the hell are you to know my name?”

“This is His Highness the Prince,” Yu Geung cut in.

What’s so special about a two-word name? But it stopped his fleeing feet, so maybe it is.

Is this really the Inhong I know? I can’t imagine what turned a scummy sword ruffian into the Inhong I knew.

I thought my life was rough, but compared to a capital sword ruffian ending up dead in Seopyeong, mine might be smooth. They say the capital’s full of weirdos, and it’s true.

“Your Highness!”

Yu Geung called, rushing over. He didn’t comment on the head-smack, so maybe this was normal for me.

Who knows.

Before checking the surroundings, I grabbed Inhong. With my sword in the other hand, he wouldn’t dare run.

Man, this is wild. It’s far in the future, and in a different body, but two guys from the capital who died in Seopyeong are here.

What a strange connection.

Or a bad one, since we’re dead.

“You, take care of that kid.”

I pointed to the child dangling in Inhong’s grip. Yu Geung glared at Inhong and snatched the kid.

“You’re safe with me. I’m a Captain in the Royal Guard…”

Not sure why it’s “me” and not “us,” but whatever.

“Is Your Highness unharmed?”

Yu Geung asked after a few words, quick to check. I nodded.

“Not really.”

“Huh?”

Despite looking fine, my negative reply threw him, but I ignored it and continued.

“This guy called me ‘you bastard.’”

“What?”

Yu Geung seemed to get flustered too easily.

“Don’t freak out.”

“Yes, Your Highness.”

“His name’s Inhong, and since he called me ‘you bastard,’ he’s insulted the royal family, so he’ll face punishment.”

“Huh?”

Maybe it’s his first time with this, but Yu Geung kept repeating the same response.

“What did you just…”

“Shut it.”

I snapped, and Inhong closed his mouth but kept glaring.

His eyes were annoyingly defiant, unyielding even after a hit.

“Lower your damn eyes.”

Even so.

“Guard Yu.”

“Yes, Your Highness.”

“What about those other guys?”

“I tied them up, Your Highness.”

“Tied? With what?”

Yu Geung answered proudly.

“I carried a rope in case, Your Highness.”

“…Right, good.”

Yu Geung’s no ordinary guy either.

“With your permission, I’ll take them to the magistrate.”

I nodded.

“Do it.”

Inhong squirmed, unable to hold still.

“And this guy…”

I pondered his crime.

“Royal insult? Nice. That’ll do. Guard Yu, seize the criminal.”

“I obey, Your Highness.”

Inhong gasped.

“What nonsense…”

“Throw him in the Royal Investigation Bureau, let him rot a few days, then send him off.”

Yu Geung pulled another rope from his pouch. How’s that even in there? I asked, and he replied.

“I prepared thoroughly to serve Your Highness without issue.”

Loyal as hell.

Inhong, eyeing his chance, asked.

“Send… where…”

“You’re a sword ruffian, right? You bastard.”

I smacked Inhong’s head again.

“Pathetic jerk.”

Another smack.

“Lousy jerk.”

One more.

“Ugly jerk.”

Yu Geung looked hurt. Inhong took the insult, so why’s he reacting? I didn’t call him ugly.

“This ugly bastard. Born however he likes, acting however he likes. Did you roll up the law and eat it? Ugh.”

I clicked my tongue and told Yu Geung.

“Guard Yu, take this guy and the others to the magistrate.”

“What will Your Highness do?”

“I’ll go to the magistrate too. You planning to leave me alone in the alley?”

“No, Your Highness.”

Being a notorious prince means not sweating the small stuff. No rush to get to grandfather’s, since I never said when I’d arrive.

“Let’s go.”

“Yes, Your Highness.”

On the way to the magistrate, I kept smacking Inhong. He didn’t back down, glaring defiantly. I wondered about the unknown mentor who reformed him into a militia leader.

Must’ve been someone incredible to turn this guy around and make him a militia leader.

“Whoever they are, they owe me thanks.”

Thanks to my help, reforming Inhong will be easier, so they should be grateful. As I muttered, Yu Geung and Inhong stared at me like I was nuts.

“What you looking at?”

Meanwhile, Yu Geung was proudly mumbling to the kid he’d saved, thinking he’d done a good deed.

At the magistrate, Yu Geung said,

“I’ll hand them over, Your Highness.”

Kidnapping’s a serious crime, and human trafficking too. The law’s harsh on sword ruffians, so without me saying a word, Inhong was locked up.

I approached the official with hands behind my back.

Sure, I had him locked up, but Inhong’s got room to improve.

“Hey.”

“Speak.”

“I’m a prince, Grand Prince Ikwon. I’ll contact you later, so keep an eye on this guy. Don’t mistreat him, and treat his busted head. I hit him, after all.”

“…Yes, what? Yes?”

“If you’ve got messages, pass them to Yu Geung of the Royal Guard.”

I decided to keep tabs on Inhong and told the official to watch him. The official looked between me and Inhong, confused.

Since fate brought us together, I’ll keep an eye on him.

I left the magistrate with hands behind my back.

Looking up, the sky was clear.

“Damn lucky day.”