The Tyrant Wants to Live - Chapter 4

I met the power to change destiny

 

An event was just an obvious point of interest. Underneath were numerous overlapping lines of action and intention. Deeper yet, there was a multifaceted side to the cold calculations of politics and profit and the chaos of emotions and relationships.

An event was what popped up on the surface when all these things were added together. Destiny was similar, shaped by the interlocking fates of the world and those around you. No destiny existed in a vacuum.

If that were the case.

Crash!

I’d be dead right now.

“Kyaaaah!”

A maid passing by witnessed the scene and screamed. With that as the starting point, the employees inside the palace rushed out all at once.

“You guys come running as if you were waiting, huh?”

At the center of their attention was the prince. To be precise, it was the large flowerpot that had fallen next to the prince. It landed right next to where he stood, and if he’d been standing even a little closer, it would’ve bashed his head in. As they each stared at this scene, the prince asked:

“Didn’t I tell you to put it further inside?”

His voice was like the calm before the storm, portending a ferocious madness. One of the maids, shaking, crawled on her knees forward, head bowed.

“I’m sure we brought it in. For some reason, it fell.”

“Is that all?”

He definitely didn’t say it, but she heard: “Are those your last words?” The terrified maid couldn’t answer properly, and her tears dripped on the floor.

“It’ll be dinner time soon. Put it away and get a similar potted plant.”

The prince, who would normally have run rampant and killed many of them to relieve his anger, finished with that and moved off to take a shower. That was it, and it was a miracle.

But after the prince disappeared, they were left standing there to thank their lucky stars…

‘It worked.’

I was overjoyed. It was a life-threatening situation, but the joy of having my plan work exceeded the fear. Actually, was I going a bit crazy?

Before going to bed, I figured out what I’d choose.

 

[All 200 modifications ​​were invested in the low-rank destiny misfortune! Destiny changed]

[A new destiny was born!]

 

I poured it into misfortune. The reason was simple: in facing any event or fate, I needed a key to control multiple variables all at once. Among the options, luck was the most difficult to control with human power but had the greatest impact. A small engagement could lead to big results, and a small misalignment could cause tragedy. But it was the only card that could change any given situation.

 

[Destiny’s misfortune tendencies were weakened. You avoided the worst. The attribute Fortune out of Misfortune will be added]

[Fortune out of Misfortune – out of countless misfortunes, luck is triggered with the worst chance]

 

Luck. If I cannot create a positive destiny immediately, I decided to leave it up to luck. And what I just saw was the result.

 

[Destiny Assassination Attempt and Fortune out of Misfortune were activated]

[You grasped the destiny early thanks to your improved physical abilities]

 

The flowerpot slipped and fell. Thanks to my previous training, I avoided it entirely, which was possible because I’d heard how it rattled before when they moved it according to my instructions. In this way, destiny wasn’t a single element but a combination of many things. Of course, luck played a role.

 

[Fortune out of Misfortune was activated, and you obtained additional modification points]

[With Fortune out of Misfortune, little patience was activated as a bonus]

 

When everything turned to the worst, luck arrived with Fortune out of Misfortune. With the little fortunes I accumulated with my training, I was sure I could attain the power to change my destiny.

The moment I turned the gold-painted shower handle, recalling the luck I had today.

 

[You found the optimum temperature at once thanks to Fortune out of Misfortune. Fatigue will recover a little faster]

 

The pleasant temperature that was neither too cold nor too hot hit my body. Without realizing it, a satisfying hum left me.

“…!”

“I-Is it him?”

The servants and maids, standing restless outside the shower, trembled when they heard the hum. For some reason, they felt goosebumps run down their spines. Then, rumors that the 11th Prince’s madness was developing in a different direction spread around the castle.

 

* * *

 

“Brother! See you again!”

“Okay.”

“I will see you again for sure!”

“Okay.”

“I’m really coming back. I really will!”

“…Okay.”

“It’s a promise! Promise me with your pinky!”

“All right.”

Mother watched anxiously as I made a promise to my little sister.

“Then, be safe going home.”

As I spoke to my mother, I struggled with this awkward feeling. Still, it was much better than the first time.

“…See you again. Prince.”

She carefully promised.

“Yes.”

Despite my simple answer, she smiled again and left with my sister. Mother’s black hair, like a night sky, and my sister’s milky silver hair waved in the wind as they left. Looking at their side views, they seemed happy in conversation.

 

[You devoured a low-rank destiny. Additional modification points ​​were acquired]

[A new destiny sprouted from the effect of Fortune out of Misfortune]

[Low-rank destiny Family Love was born]

[Family Love – when faced with blood ties, control of madness increases] 

[Immoral Destiny and Family Love were activated]

 

A different destiny lay in front of me.

 

[You can devour the chosen destiny]

 

Of the two options, I had to choose which to devour. It was rather good, and I just needed to go back and forth between Immoral Destiny and Family Love to get more modification points.

“Alfred.”

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

“Did you find the person who dropped the flowerpot?”

“I’m sorry. I haven’t yet.”

“Let me know when you do. I think it will be fun.”

“…All right.”

Not everyone we call family is actually family. When I was about to turn around…

“Sir, I know this is out of my place, but may I ask you one thing?”

Steward Alfred called to me with a somewhat satisfied look. He judged that my silence meant yes.

“How about not inviting the Empress and the Princess for the time being?”

“You’re being impertinent.”

“I’m sorry.”

“You owe me your life with this, so do what you must do.”

“I will keep that in mind.”

I deliberately spoke with a chilly madness. It meant I should’ve killed him for this, but I chose not to. Understanding this, he deeply bowed his head. Passing by him…

“Forbid any invitation for ten days. If you say my madness has returned, they will understand.”

Alfred, at my words, suddenly raised his head. His warm gaze tickled the back of my head. In fact, even now, the rebellious temperament, arrogance, self-righteousness, and other heaven-mandated destinies bothered me. I watched to attack him and swear.

But.

‘If I do that, I might die.’

Knowing Alfred’s true face, I didn’t dare. In front of him, if his mind was made up, even the pretense of being a prince would be useless. However, I was only bluffing a little by acting with the prince’s personality.

 

[You devoured the low-rank destiny rebellion, self-righteousness, arrogance, and cruelty. Acquired a large number of modification points]

[Little patience has been strengthened]

[Immoral Destiny and Family Love will change depending on your actions]

 

I gained something new, but that wasn’t the end.

 

[As a result of your actions, the Assassination Attempt has missed people around the target]

[As a result of the previous selection, you greatly devoured the Immoral Destiny. Acquired a large number of modification points]

[The destiny of related characters changed a little more]

 

Destiny changed once again. As I turned around, reading that the Assassination Attempt missed the people around, I noticed Alfred was gone.

Feeling the hairs on the back of my arms raise, I hurried into my room.

 

* * *

 

The next day, I started training again in the morning.

 

[You devoured the low-rank destiny laziness, weakness, and low-quality stamina]

[With Fortune out of Misfortune, patience was activated, and you devoured it as a bonus. You will attain additional modification points]

[Total modification score: 250]

 

The points I’d collected so far were pretty good.

 

[All of the modification points were invested in Misfortune. You weakened Misfortune. The chance to trigger Fortune out of Misfortune has increased]

 

Again, I invested in Misfortune. I also thought about increasing my physical abilities, but I was able to improve those with exercise first.

 

[Activated Fortune out of Misfortune]

 

A sudden gust of wind blew past.

Thud.

“Ah…?”

“Hmm.”

Bird poop that was definitely flying toward me fell instead on the steward’s forehead. One of my favorite things about the prince’s personality was that I didn’t have to hold back laughter. I was a crazy guy, so no one could say anything, even if I laughed like a madman.

While I grabbed my sides and laughed, the steward raised a handkerchief with blush and wiped his forehead.

“I have obtained permission for you to use the Vigo.”

He informed me about the orders I gave him before.

“I’m going to take a shower and have lunch.”

“I will prepare the vehicle.”

The Imperial Steel Castle was in the center of Ferma, the capital of Ironia. Given that it was practically a small city in itself, everything was too far away for walking.

“Get in, Your Majesty.”

A vehicle dedicated to the royal family glided smoothly in front of the 11th Prince’s Palace. With smooth curves and wheels that ran with a Mana engine and an interior finished with ivory and silver, I was struck silently by its elegance.

Glance, glance.

The driver continued to look in the rearview mirror as he drove.

“We’ve arrived.”

Alfred opened the door to announce my arrival, and as soon as I climbed out, I paused to witness the sight unfolding ahead of me.

Vigo was where all knowledge and treasures of the Empire were kept.

“Amazing.”

It was wonderful to see you again. Several square-shaped buildings gathered around a large site.

“We will help guide you.”

One of the imperial wizards in charge of Vigo approached as I stood there.

“Only access to the study was permitted.”

I hadn’t heard that. When the corners of my lips went up, he grew nervous but didn’t back down. Of course, he had his own reasons.

“It was by His Majesty’s orders.”

That was it. To think I’d have to pass through without seeing or touching the treasures piled up before me.

“The reason is?”

I still wasn’t satisfied, so I asked him this.

“Because you tried to smuggle weapons out of the arsenal and stole jewelry the last time. You even tried to leak Margot’s knowledge….”

“Stop. Stop.”

The answer came from Alfred, oddly enough.

“Why are you here? Protect the Prince’s Palace.”

“How can I not follow as your steward?”

“Aren’t you here to watch for accidents?”

“…How could I be?”

“Your answer was one second late. You owe me another life.”

“I will repay you.”

For a moment, the wizard was surprised by the casual conversation between Alfred and me.

“Then, I will guide you to the library.”

As he activated Vigo’s magic.

Boom, boom, boom!

The buildings started to overlap like blocks until they formed a majestic wall. There were more than twenty of these blocks that made up the library.

“Shall I assist you?”

“No, I don’t want to be watched.”

Rejecting Alfred’s offer, I stepped into one of the alcoves of the imperial castle. No verification process was required; it was confirmed as soon as we entered. Once inside, I took a moment to look around.

“I’m glad that only the library was allowed. I can’t use the things from other places yet.”

With that certainty, I started walking through. As my memory led me, I searched for the books I had read before. It took me hours to roam the library, but finally…

“Found it.”

I found what I was looking for. It was a book, but it didn’t have the shape of a book. Its form was a blazing flame, and what it contained was a strong desire. As I reached out and held the fire that gently tempted me-

It spread and devoured my body.

 

[You faced a mighty force that will change your destiny. The great power is about to swallow you up]

[This is a mystery that has already been dealt with. You devoured its destiny, the Forgotten and Abandoned Mystery]

 

In the end, I swallowed it. It was a fate I’d faced in the past that I couldn’t use properly.

However, this time I devoured a different mystery.