This Bastard is Too Competent Chapter 245 - You Are Not Alone

 

A black aura began to rise from Ian’s body. He could no longer suppress the Jealousy and Fury he felt toward Duke Garcia and Leon. Darkness gradually clouded his vision. Then, he heard voices whispering in his ears—Greed, Fury, and Jealousy.

 

[Take back what was stolen from you!]

 

[Kill them!]

 

[Destroy everyone who made you this way!]

 

They tempted him to reduce everything to ashes. And now, Ian had the power to do just that.

 

Woong!

 

It was Pride—the power of one of the Seven Sins, once mistaken for Faith. A force that could bring the entire world to its knees. Its voice rang with conviction:

 

[Subjugate them. Make everything bow before you.]

 

The voice was like the temptation of a devil.

 

[All you have to do is want it. If you desire it, I will grant you the power to claim anything.]

 

Pride’s energy slowly surged from Ian’s body. This wasn’t just any Sin. It was an intoxicating, euphoric force that made him feel as though he could destroy the world itself. And it wasn’t alone.

 

[Do you seek their ruin?]

 

[Do you want to crush everyone allied with them?]

 

[Or… would you rather manipulate them into turning on one another?]

 

[If that’s what you want, you can devour them all.]

 

[Speak. No matter how twisted your wish, I will grant it.]

 

Along with the voices of Greed, Fury, Lust, Gluttony, and Sloth—each voice urging him—power flooded into Ian. His body was entirely overtaken by their influence. Even Jealousy, which had grown strangely familiar, whispered softly:

 

[Let’s take everything from Leon… everything that was rightfully yours, stolen by him.]

 

All they wanted was one thing: Ian’s desire. If he wished for it, they would give him everything.

 

Strangely, the Seven Virtues and the First King’s helmet remained silent.

 

[…]

 

[…]

 

They said nothing. As if, like the Seven Sins, they too were waiting for Ian’s answer. Ian’s lips trembled.

 

“So… all I have to do is want it? Then… I can get the power to defeat him?”

 

[Of course. Whatever it is, we will help you achieve it.]

 

“But… I already had power. The swordsmanship I trained in every day… the knights who followed me…”

 

[Forget the dreams you once held. They were just illusions. In the end, you will have no choice but to rely on us.]

 

Pride spoke firmly. It was telling Ian that everything he’d achieved so far—the victories, the life he thought was his current existence—wasn’t real.

 

[What you have left is nothing but a hollow shell. Without our power, even that won’t survive.]

 

“…”

 

Pride wasn’t wrong. Only the power of the Seven Sins had closed his wounds and replenished his blood. Without it, he would have already died. In the end, Ian had no choice but to speak.

 

“Then I will wish for it. What I desire is—”

 

Bang!

 

The prison door burst open. A man kicked it down and stepped inside, a sneer playing on his lips.

 

“This is perfect. Truly a fitting sight for a pathetic insect.”

 

It was Heinley Garcia—the man who had tormented Ian throughout his past life. He wore the same wicked expression as before. And he wasn’t alone.

 

“Lord Heinley, this is dangerous.”

 

“This area is off-limits. Duke Garcia gave strict orders.”

 

Knights followed closely behind, but Heinley ignored them.

 

“My father told me to keep him alive. That’s why I came—to treat him.”

 

“Is that so?”

 

“Yes.”

 

At Heinley’s gesture, attendants rushed forward to support Ian. They began cleaning his back wounds and applying ointment. But just then—

 

“I can’t let this go. Because of you, I was mocked, compared, and constantly scorned by Father. Don’t you think it’s time you paid the price?”

 

Thud.

 

Heinley stomped on Ian’s back, right on the wounded area.

 

“Arghhh!” Ian screamed, the pain ripping through him. The power of the Seven Sins, which had been surging moments ago, vanished with Heinley’s arrival, replaced by the pain of his injuries intensifying. The knights quickly intervened.

 

“Lord Heinley!”

 

“You mustn’t do this. His wounds are still untreated—he could die.”

 

“The Duke wants him kept alive. You know that.”

 

Ian’s head hit the cold stone floor. He had already been stabbed near the heart and was bleeding heavily. Now Heinley was stomping the same area. The pain was so unbearable, Ian could barely remain conscious. Alarmed by the sight, the knights spoke urgently.

 

“We need to treat him immediately.”

 

“Punishment can wait. What if he dies and the Duke finds out?”

 

But Heinley was irate.

 

“Shut up! I’m going to be the rightful heir—not only of Kaistein, but of the new kingdom!”

 

Ceres, the first-born, was Leon’s right-hand man and had been promised the position of second-in-command in Leon’s empire, not this kingdom. Karan, the third-born, had long since left the house. That left Heinley with no choice but to follow in his father’s footsteps.

 

“Are you trying to obstruct me, Sir Johnson?”

 

“N-No, sir. I apologize.”

 

As Heinley’s gaze grew cold, the knight named Johnson quickly backed off. Only then did Heinley lean close to Ian’s ear, his tone almost conspiratorial.

 

“Did you know? The emperor of Cantum is sending an envoy,” he whispered.

 

And it wasn’t just Cantum.

 

“The new king of Bahara, the Cardinal of the Holy Empire, even the distant empires of the east—they’re all sending delegations to celebrate the birth of the new kingdom.”

 

In the end, the kingdom of Kaistein would vanish, and only the Garcia family would remain. But the true significance was what came after.

 

“They have no idea what awaits them once the two continents unite under the birth of the Garcia Kingdom.”

 

Once the continents merged, the magicians would come. They were all followers of the Great Master—Leon’s subordinates. Most of the knights from the Swordsmanship Continent had already sworn allegiance to Leon and Duke Garcia. Soon, they would declare war on every nation.

T/N: I would like to clarify a previous naming inconsistency. “Kingdom of Swordsmen” has been corrected to “Swordsmanship Continent,” and “Kingdom of Magicians” to “Magic Continent,” now that we have clearer information. Apologies for the earlier confusion.

 

“Soon, all continents and nations will kneel before Leon.”

 

When that day came, everyone across both continents would become slaves to Leon and the magicians—working only for them. Only the Garcia family, granted autonomy over the Swordsmanship Continent, would remain free.

 

“A new regime will be established under the name of Garcia.”

 

But in that future, there was no place for Ian—because Heinley intended to end his life with his own hands.

 

Thwack!

 

Heinley kicked Ian hard. Ian, too weak to resist, could only endure the beating. It was just like in his past life. Back then, he had suffered not only under Duke Garcia, but also under Heinley—tortured under the pretense of “training” whenever no one was around. But now, Heinley didn’t even bother to hide it.

 

Stomp.

 

“Aaargh!”

 

Ian screamed as Heinley drove his foot into the same wound again. Heinley grinned viciously.

 

“An insect should’ve stayed an insect. You’ve gotten far too arrogant.”

 

“What… What did I do wrong? I only ever followed your orders. What more was I supposed to do?!”

 

“Hah! You really don’t get it, do you?”

 

Heinley’s eyes glinted with malice.

 

“You think someone like you—just sitting quietly in a corner—could become so popular without doing anything? You wouldn’t understand… all the insults I had to endure because of you!”

 

“What?”

 

Heinley motioned to one of the knights nearby.

 

“Why don’t you tell him? Who was Prince Ian?”

 

“That’s…”

 

“It’s fine. Just speak honestly. You’re forgiven for today.”

 

“…”

 

The knight hesitated, then finally spoke.

 

“Prince Ian was well-liked by the people of the Garcia Duchy… and by the soldiers.”

 

“And why’s that? He never did anything but stay out of sight.”

 

“That may be true,” the knight admitted, “but his humility and kindness earned him respect from attendants, maids, and even the commoners.”

 

It wasn’t flattery. Ian had never acted like royalty. He would kneel without hesitation in front of those with lower status—attendants, maids, anyone. He was generous and considerate, even though he was a powerless puppet. The soldiers especially admired his sincerity.

 

“Even when he was assigned to the rear for safety, he stayed in the infirmary to help treat the wounded. They called him the Angel of Light. He even spent his own money to help others. Thanks to him, many soldiers survived and returned to the front lines.”

 

It wasn’t just about money. Ian would tear his own clothes to bind wounds in emergencies. Because of him, Garcia’s forces had more soldiers returning to the battlefield than dying from injuries.

 

“And he never fled. He always stayed behind to protect the others.”

 

That was noblesse oblige. Even as a powerless royal, he upheld this principle. So much so that some compared him to the great King Eloin.

 

Heinley, by contrast, was the complete opposite—and the knights knew it.

 

‘Lord Heinley always ran ahead. He didn’t care whether the soldiers lived or died.’

 

Because of that, the Duke constantly compared Heinley to Ian. At least the eldest son, Ceres, carried himself with a degree of dignity, but—

 

‘Heinley was cruel. He treated commoners like animals.’

 

In fact, most of the knights supported Karan—the third son. But Karan had left long ago, having gone with some mysterious power. Even now, Duke Garcia was trying to bring him back, but Karan refused.

 

Heinley didn’t care what the knights thought. He only smirked smugly.

 

“Now do you see? You say you did nothing—but that ‘nothing’ stained my name. You’ve brought me nothing but shame.”

 

He couldn’t kill Ian outright. So instead, he planned to publicly ruin him first—turn him into a criminal and then execute him before the people.

 

“I’ll destroy your reputation, strip away every ounce of trust, and erase your name from history,” Heinley declared.

 

“Why… Why go that far?”

 

“Because of the knights and commoners who still follow you. I need to crush their hopes.”

 

Even the great Galon had shown Ian some favor—and so had many of the other soldiers. As the future head of the Garcia family, Heinley wanted to eliminate any potential threats. His eyes gleamed with murderous intent as he shouted.

 

“You won’t die peacefully. Even after death, I’ll tear your body apart and scatter your remains around your mother’s grave!”

 

“…Mother? She died long ago…”

 

“Hahaha. You fool. Your mother’s alive—or was, until recently,” Heinley said with a wicked grin.

 

“!”

 

Delighted by Ian’s horrified expression, Heinley raised his voice.

 

“You didn’t know? Your mother was the former Saintess. Then again, we only found out recently.”

 

“What are you saying…?”

 

“Oh, and you have a sister too. The current Saintess. Not that it matters—both of them have already served their purpose and been discarded. You’ll join them soon.”

 

“!”

 

At first, no one in House Garcia had known the truth. But once Cesare fully seized control of the Holy Empire, the secret was revealed to a select few among the upper ranks—about Ian’s mother and his younger sister. Heinley had only recently learned of it, but he didn’t care.

 

“You really are pathetic. You couldn’t save your parents… not even your sister,” Heinley sneered.

 

“…”

 

To him, Ian’s despair was all that mattered. From the very first time they met, Heinley had always found joy in humiliating Ian, this royal of low birth. But at that very moment—

 

“You… you truly!”

 

Ian’s rage erupted. Though he had already learned the truth in this life, hearing it thrown back at him like this stirred a fresh, seething fury.

 

‘I pretended not to know, hoping to draw out more information…’

 

But now, he couldn’t hold back any longer. As if answering his fury, two of the Seven Sins—Fury and Greed—began to surge within him.

 

‘Very well. If it’s war you want… I’ll give it to you.’

 

Just as Ian’s eyes darkened—

 

Thud!

 

A heavy thud echoed through the room, and Heinley collapsed. The knights flanking him cried out in shock.

 

“Who goes there?!”

 

“Who dares strike the heir of House Garcia?!”

 

As they reached for their swords—

 

Thud! Thud!

 

Both knights were swiftly struck down. It was no surprise. Any of Garcia’s men would’ve fallen just as easily.

 

“You… it can’t be—?”

 

“Forgive me for being late, Prince Ian.”

 

It was none other than Sir Galon, House Garcia’s finest knight—and the Duke’s right-hand man.

 

“Sir Galon…?”

 

And he wasn’t alone.

 

“We’ve come to rescue you, Your Highness.”

 

“We’re truly sorry it took us this long.”

 

Behind him, the soldiers of Duke Garcia appeared. Not only the soldiers, but also the attendants and maids, each gripping clubs with fierce determination in their eyes. These were the seeds Ian had unknowingly sown in his past life.

 

“Why… Why would you come for me…?”

 

As they supported him, Galon and the others spoke gently.

 

“You’ve always protected us. We’re only sorry we couldn’t return the favor sooner.”

 

“We may not be strong, but… please allow us to fight by your side, Your Highness.”

 

“You’re not alone, Prince Ian.”

 

And in that moment—

 

Thump. Thump.

 

From within the dark glow of the Seven Sins, a single ray of light pierced through. It wasn’t just a simple white beam—it shimmered with the brilliance of countless colors, a radiant multicolored glow. Ian’s heart pounded loudly in his chest.