Chapter 54: The Thief Revealed

The Lord of Wolhanseong sighed heavily and called for someone.

“Bring Hondon.”

At her command, the servant’s face darkened. I’d worn that same look when I was stuck cleaning latrines in Hyeolyunseong.

“Yes, my lord.”

Unable to refuse, the servant bowed and left the room.

I watched the door close, then turned back to the Lord of Wolhanseong.

“Is that the kid’s name?”

“As I said, it’s not a child.”

It sure looked like one. I tilted my head.

“Though it has a child’s appearance, it’s long past Your Highness’s age.”

That was surprising.

“Interesting.”

The lord explained further.

“Due to a mistake with medicine, its growth stopped. You needn’t worry, but there’s no need to see it as young.”

What a bizarre reason. Seems they had a quack like Sun Gang here too.

“Got it.”

I nodded.

It was an odd figure, but I’d never heard of them. Of course, if they were born in Wolhanseong and never left, a Seopyeong bumpkin like me wouldn’t know.

“Is the name Hondon?”

“Their real name is different. The surname is Son, and the given name is Soha.”

Son Soha. Same surname as the lord, so probably a relative.

“In our northern frontier, we have a tradition of selecting four of the strongest warriors to send to Wolhanseong. Son Soha is one of them… and my cousin.”

As expected, a relative. But the lord didn’t seem pleased explaining Son Soha. The reason wasn’t hard to guess.

That swift thief who stole my sword right under my nose. A leaky bucket here won’t hold water there.

“I see.”

I made a mental note. Hondon, Son Soha. One of the four strongest in the northern frontier.

The frontier’s always been a battleground. Unless the nation’s collapsing, Seopyeong wouldn’t send soldiers elsewhere, no matter how big the fight.

I’d seen the nation fall, but the court was smashed by the Second Prince first.

With the court gone, there was no one to order the frontier’s troops to move.

So, no matter how strong the frontier’s warriors or how many troops they had, their power didn’t reach Seopyeong.

Or maybe those four died in battle, so by the time Seopyeong fought, they were already gone.

Retrieving my sword was important, but since Hondon wasn’t my original business, I returned to my purpose.

“By the way, you mentioned needing an expedition.”

The lord’s eyes hardened as she replied, “Yes, Your Highness.”

The expedition. That’s why she called me today.

She wanted to find and eliminate the root cause troubling Wolhanseong.

I thought that was the better path too. Killing every beast in sight would never end.

“I don’t know the situation well, so I think crossing the border myself would be good. What do you think?”

I’d never been beyond the border. Even in Seopyeong, that was the extent.

Seopyeong’s northwestern border, the northern frontier, was uninhabitable, so I had no reason to go there while fighting for Hyeolyunseong’s revival.

I’d hidden in the mountains, but only barely crossed the border.

So I was curious about what lay beyond. Just personal curiosity, not critical.

Seeing the beasts’ habits with my own eyes felt important. Knowing their weaknesses and preferences would help corner them. Of course, King Bonhyeon, sending a mad prince like me, didn’t expect great results, but I needed to achieve something.

When someone who’s not expected to succeed does, they get more praise.

That’s me right now.

The lord seemed skeptical of my enthusiasm.

“There’s no reason for Your Highness to take on such a dangerous task.”

She rejected my proposal outright. But I’m not so incompetent I can’t handle myself, and there’s a limit to relying on secondhand reports.

“How about this? I’ll join the expedition myself.”

“The terrain has no proper paths. It’s too treacherous for a large group.”

“How many are you planning for?”

“No more than ten.”

Then they’d need the elite of the elite.

“Must be skilled in mountain trekking and beast-slaying.”

“Indeed. We plan to send someone experienced in navigating mountains as a guide.”

That meant excluding me and the capital’s officers.

I was a trekking expert. After Hyeolyunseong fell, I wandered the mountains for months. Would I see a rough path as a threat?

But as Grand Prince Ikwon, I’m just a greenhouse mad prince from the palace, so her stance made sense.

I replied casually, “If you’ve got such a guide, I can trust and follow. No worries.”

“How could I let Your Highness undertake such a grueling expedition? I’ll ensure the expedition’s reports reach you.”

Not buying it.

Her dismissive attitude stung a bit.

I pressed harder.

“How can I trust what I haven’t seen? If there’s a better way to assess the situation, tell me. My ears are open.”

She couldn’t refuse after that. If she was worried I’d get hurt and the court would retaliate, I knew better.

That wouldn’t happen.

“…As you wish.”

“Good. I’ll leave selecting the rest to you. Regrettably, my men aren’t suited for trekking.”

“I’ll take utmost care.”

“Alright, good.”

I was nodding when a servant spoke outside.

“My lord, I’ve brought Hondon as ordered.”

The lord glanced at me, her eyes asking if it was okay to let them in. I nodded again.

“Let them in.”

The door opened, and the kid from last night appeared.

Even in the light, they looked like a child. I burst out laughing and pointed.

“You… no, you.”

The kid, Hondon, sauntered in, ignoring me, and plopped into a seat. Sitting without invitation—truly Hondon.

They weren’t pretending not to know me. Even if they didn’t know I was a prince, they should recall meeting me by the wall last night.

How could someone suit the name Hondon so well? Is it a title earned by temperament?

The lord spoke sternly, “Hondon.”

The nonchalant Hondon looked up.

“Yes, my lord.”

“I heard from His Highness about your misdeed.”

Hondon’s carefree face cracked. They glanced at me, eyes asking, “You’re a prince?”

I gave a victor’s smile.

Hondon immediately backed down.

“I’m sorry, my lord.”

Not scared of a prince but terrified of the lord. Typical frontier—royal authority doesn’t hold here. A fresh experience every time.

If I left the frontier, I wouldn’t be treated like this.

I understood why King Bonhyeon sent me to Wolhanseong.

If a prince gets this treatment, imagine a regular official. Who’d come here to be humiliated?

“You know you stole His Highness’s sword.”

“I’m sorry, my lord.”

“Your apology lacks sincerity. And it should be to His Highness, not me.”

Finally, Hondon’s eyes turned to me.

“My apologies, Your Highness.”

Doing as told—maybe not a bad kid?

…No. Stealing from a stranger? At least crazy. No sane person, especially not some commoner but a high-ranking figure with no need for money, would do that.

“Bring His Highness’s sword now.”

Hondon replied glumly, “Understood.”

They stood abruptly, not glancing at me, and left the room.

“My apologies.”

The lord apologized on their behalf.

“No need to apologize.”

“They’re not bad by nature, but sometimes rude. I’ll ensure Hondon doesn’t trouble Your Highness.”

I wasn’t that bothered. I replied casually, “Do that.”

A brief silence followed. Thinking of leaving, the lord spoke.

“About yesterday.”

She meant the duels. Come to think of it, I hadn’t seen the soldiers I fought.

They weren’t dead, probably resting after being knocked out.

I waved it off, “Best to forget it.”

But the lord disagreed.

“So many saw and heard it—how could it be forgotten?”

“Yeah, a lot of people saw.”

Was she going to hold me responsible for beating her soldiers? As I pondered, she spoke.

“They must have learned much. On their behalf, as their lord, I thank you.”

Unexpected words. I shook my head.

“Thanks for what? No way.”

I was the one who learned, figuring out how to use the blood-point technique better. It was a big help.

“One must give thanks where it’s due.”

The lord said that and fell silent.

I couldn’t tell what about me impressed her.

“Well… anyway, I’ll prepare for the expedition.”