The sixth prince, who had been executed in the kingdom after being betrayed by the trusted saint, was reincarnated and, in order to seek revenge, became engaged once again to the neighboring kingdom’s “Guillotine Princess.” As a result, he was adored and lived happily.

“The Third Prince’s Challenge”

“Haah… Haaah…”

I gasped for breath, my heart pounding as I remembered the events of that day—the last day of my previous life. Yes, I had returned. Back to the day that had led to everything falling apart, to her death.

The first time… the first time she had smiled at me, and I had ruined it with my foolishness.

“Hehehe… Why mourn when you can see her again so soon?”

The mocking words of the holy maiden served as the signal. Now, I found myself strapped to the guillotine, soldiers raising their axes to cut the rope. I had brought this fate upon myself, and I knew that in the underworld, I would face the consequences for my actions, for the death of Princess Abigail.

But, if I had one wish…

“Hehehe… Farewell, then. It’s so sad to part ways, dear foolish clown.”

Everyone here, they would all experience despair and suffering.

—

However, in this second chance at life, I was determined not to make the same mistakes. The kingdom had meticulously prepared for the events leading up to the capture of the capital three years from now, using my authority as the prince.

On the flip side, I knew every detail of their plan. I would use that knowledge to thwart their every move, and not just that—to have some fun along the way.

“But… the engagement with Princess Abigail is still three months away.”

In my first life, I had been too terrified to leave my room, overwhelmed by fear and nightmares, screaming in my sleep. But not this time.

“…Oh well, never mind. In this second life, I’ll make the most of this time.”

I clenched my fist and steeled myself, leaving my room and heading to the training grounds. Many within the Strasclide Kingdom harbored animosity towards the Valorian prince that I was. Even though Abigail, the princess, had placed knights to guard me and protect me from harm, I had still been in danger multiple times, thanks to their aggression.

I had to learn to protect myself. No, it was more than that—I had to become strong enough to protect her from the fate that awaited her.

So, I began.

“Ninety-eight… Ninety-nine… One hundred…”

Ignoring the puzzled glances of the knights, I relentlessly swung my wooden sword. While I had some experience in swordsmanship from my previous life, my physical abilities had regressed to what they were three years ago.

I needed to become stronger, to go beyond where I was on that day…

“Nine hundred and eighty-one… Nine hundred and eighty-two… Nine hundred and eighty-three…”

After completing a thousand practice swings, I fell to my knees, exhausted. My body wasn’t accustomed to this level of exertion anymore.

“Haah… Haah… Next…”

I was about to begin my running exercises when a knight approached me.

“Your Highness Gustave, may I have a moment?”

I glanced at the knight who had spoken. His expression seemed to contain a hint of mockery. Of course, I knew why. The palace knights were sworn to loyalty to the royal family, and they did not acknowledge me, the illegitimate child. I didn’t expect or want their acknowledgment, and even if they bestowed me with knighthood, it would be nothing more than an inconvenience.

“Training alone won’t get you very far, and practical combat is the best teacher. How about a spar with me?”

I understood his motives. But besides honing my skills, sparring with an actual knight was beneficial for my physical conditioning. So, I agreed.

“Thank you, that would be helpful.”

“Very well.”

I picked up the wooden sword I had just set aside and followed the knight to the center of the training grounds. Other knights, curious about our encounter, stopped their own training and watched us closely.

“Let’s begin.”

I was ready. Or so I thought.

“Start…!?”

Before the deputy commander of the Royal Knights, Clément Baraque, could even give the signal to begin, I lunged forward and disarmed the knight, knocking his wooden sword out of his hand.

“Oops… Looks like I was too hasty.”

The knight retrieved his dropped weapon, but his expression had changed from a mocking smile to anger.

“Let’s try again, then!”

With renewed determination, the knight charged at me, wooden sword in hand. However, whether due to his loss of composure or my newfound strength, his attacks became predictable.

“Come on! What’s wrong?”

He seemed to grow more confident, swinging his sword more forcefully. But I could tell his movements were getting sluggish.

“See? It’s over.”

I raised my sword to strike, hitting his exposed throat. He gasped for breath, then collapsed.

“Gusp… Guh…”

He lay there, foaming at the mouth, his fellow knights rushing to his aid.

I observed their reactions with

a smile. My strength had improved immensely over the past few months of intensive training. If I could defeat the palace’s deputy commander so easily, then the upcoming confrontation with the kingdom would be a piece of cake.

“Alright, that’s enough excitement for today. Time for some more practice.”

Ignoring the commotion behind me, I returned to my training, determined to become strong enough to change the future.