I Became the First Prince

hen I had faced the Warlord, for, at that time, I was just a young warrior who fought and got trampled on.
I was just a young warrior who was excited about the reconstruction of my kingdom.

However, the overlord was a big-brained being who had fought countless wars in the Great War.
Unlike the Warlord, who was killed without even leaving a name, Overlord Ur-Du was a monster that had become notorious all over the world.

And such an entity was now aiming for Winter Castle.

It would not be enough for us to strengthen the walls and bar the gates, as against the Warlord.

“Oh my gosh.
Well, if there is such an orc,” said Vincent then frowned, sighed, and spoke on, “Well, I’ve never lost money betting on your Highness’s words.
I understand things, for now.”

Vincent continued to complain, saying that we would now have to have a countermeasure council all day long.

“Okay.
Good job,” said I, trying to turn around, and then stopped at a sudden thought.

“Vincent.”

“Why are you calling me?” he near-groaned as he looked at me.

As time passed, the face of a man who almost had his father’s face began overlapping with the face of that old knight who had passed away in the unknown wilderness.

I could no longer judge the truth – was Vincent truly the reincarnation of the avenger, or did they merely share names?

If the avenger was truly reincarnated, was it a coincidence that the Overlord who destroyed his former life now faced him once more as the leader of the enemy?

Had it been destined to be like this from the beginning?

I was unsure.

“Be careful.”

I just hoped that Vincent would not fade away as sadly as he had in his previous life.

“This is not a day or two of the old war, but a new one.”

“Why is your face so serious? People are starting to feel weird,” said Vincent in a casual tone as he struck me on the shoulder.
“Don’t worry.
I have been working for so long due to a certain someone that I let go of my sword.
I won’t be able to fight, even if I do go out and meet the foe,” Vincent continued, his face getting closer to mine.
“So don’t have such an anxious face.
Unlike my father, I have no intention of dying before I see your Highness ascend the throne.”

Having said that, Vincent giggled and began to stride away from me.

“Only your appearance has changed.
Inside you’re still the same: A kid,” came Vincent’s disrespectful words from afar, yet they were filled with undeniable affection.

“Please come to terms with the desires that you couldn’t fulfill last time,” I wished for Vincent.

The avenger who died while fighting orcs in his previous life – the lord of the castle who blocks off the orcish army in his present life.

Hopefully, the karma and spirit of the man from his previous life will be completed in this one.

* * *

That evening was calm.

The monsters which had retreated to the mountain range did not appear again.

However, the energy of the Overlord that was felt coming from beyond the red mountain peaks was still directed towards Winter Castle.
The day passed in tension as if it was the eve before the storm.

And the reinforcements sent from the capital reached Winter Castle.

“Huh?”

“How come they came to the north?”

The rangers and Winter Knights gossiped as they saw the troops, and I understood why they did so.

The bright golden armor of the knights belonged to the palace knights of the royal family, knights who never left the royal palace.

“And how about those soldiers following the palace knights?”

The banner they held was that of the Second Central Army, the most elite soldiers of the kingdom, tasked with defending the capital.
And at their fore, there marched an old, white-haired knight.
He was the commander of the palace knights, the king’s personal escort, Count Schmilde Stuttgart, Nogisa.

“You have suffered much in coming so far, elder,” came Vincent’s greeting as he ran out to greet the old man.

“A homage to the blood and sweat of the Balahards that has drenched this land,” came the Nogisa’s words as he raised his sword, with Vincent and him expressing their respect to each other.

“When my father was alive, he sang your praises, Count Stuttgart.”

“He was the best knight in the kingdom, as far as I know.
Because I am on a mission, I have not gotten the chance to bless his memory in a funerary right by piercing the ground with my sword.”

“It would be unjust to demand such a thing.
I am merely grateful that you have come to our aid in such a difficult time, elder.”

Their attitudes have become so polite that it was almost a battle of politeness, and I found it all to be a bit much.
Looking at such an embarrassing display, it felt as if I was dying on the inside.
Then, the old man came to me, and when he came to stand before me, he said with a sigh, “Your Highness, please be considerate, so that my forces can fulfill your commands.”

Some of the veteran rangers stood tall and laughed, saying that now that all the folk of the capital had come to join us, we could charge out at once.
But their laughter didn’t last long.

‘Chnck~’ the old man suddenly knelt before me.

‘Schnk!’ and one hundred knights knelt with Nogisa.

“I am Schmilde Stuttgart, commander of the Knights of the Palace.
I have just arrived with the First Squadron Palace Knights, one-hundred total!”

All the palace knights were kneeling before me.

“Uh? Huh.”

I looked around, frowning at the sudden and excessive display of respect.

Vincent’s mouth was wide open, and the rangers had stiffened where they stood.
The other knights all wore stupid faces.

I only then did I realize it: Nogisa was the king’s first escort knight, and the first among the palace knights serve only the king.
The only being these knights would bow to in obeisance was the king – or the one who is set to become king in the future.