The Bastard First Prince Doesn't Want to Die

[Translator - Jjescus ]

[Proofreader - Starfall ]

Chapter: 198

As I took in the bewildered expressions of the fortress lord and my second brother, I couldn’t suppress the strange feeling rising within me.

The moment I entered the fortress as Prince Ikwon, I had become nothing more than a guest here.

"My Lord, truly, it’s fine. There is no need for this… really."

I forced my voice to sound firm as I reached out a hand. But the fortress lord, with his head still bowed, showed no intention of moving from his spot.

The sight of him weighed heavily on me.

I was reminded once again just how burdensome the concept of formality and reverence could be.

"I may have to stay in your fortress for a while, and if you treat me like this—"

Ah.

Only then did I realize how odd it was for me to be speaking so formally to the fortress lord.

I pressed my fingers against my temple before continuing.

"If you keep treating me this way, how am I supposed to stay here comfortably?"

"Ah… I now understand Your Highness’s profound intentions."

The fortress lord spoke in a hushed voice, yet it was heavy with unspoken burdens.

Perhaps this was meant to be a show of respect, but rather than making me feel honored, it only served to push me further away.

I gave a strained smile and waved my hand dismissively.

"It would be better if you treated me more casually."

My second brother still couldn’t mask the confusion in his eyes. His lips parted and closed multiple times, as if he wanted to speak but couldn’t find the words.

It seemed he still couldn’t believe who I was.

To him, I had merely been his older brother’s savior.

And now, suddenly, he was expected to lower his head to me. The situation must have been just as bewildering for him.

"More importantly… how is the eldest son doing?"

I deliberately changed the subject.

At that, both the fortress lord and my second brother finally rose to their feet.

My second brother, looking slightly awkward, answered.

"His leg is broken, but there are no severe complications. It is all thanks to Your Highness’s grace."

I let out a short, involuntary laugh.

A broken leg, yet no severe complications?

To anyone else, that would be an outrageous statement.

But in this household, it was completely reasonable.

I had been the same.

I’d broken my bones plenty of times before.

And whenever I had, my second brother would smack me on the back and tell me to stop whining—even as I clutched my fractured arm in pain.

Of course, our eldest brother had done the same to him, and the fortress lord had treated the eldest brother’s injuries in much the same manner.

"Would you like to see him? My son would surely wish to thank Your Highness personally."

"Very well. Lead the way."

I could find my eldest brother’s resting place even with my eyes closed.

But knowing the way didn’t mean I should wander off on my own.

The fortress lord took the lead, and I followed.

As we made our way to see my eldest brother, I recalled something my maternal grandfather had once told me.

"May I ask you something, my lord?"

"Yes, Your Highness. Please speak."

I hesitated for a moment.

Had there always been this many people in Blood Cloud Fortress?

The population seemed larger than I remembered.

It struck me as strange.

And then I recalled something my grandfather had mentioned before.

Yehui—that bastard—had been planning to head to Blood Cloud Fortress to aid in a battle there…

"Has my younger brother come to this fortress?"

"Yes, Your Highness. However…"

The fortress lord trailed off, his expression suddenly tinged with uncertainty.

"Why do you hesitate?"

"Forgive me for asking, but… is Your Highness’s visit meant to be a secret?"

It was true that my companions weren’t exactly suited for battle.

He was likely wondering why I had traveled with them in the first place.

"There’s no need to keep it a secret."

I answered plainly, then added after a brief pause, "Are you asking because of my brother?"

The fortress lord seemed reluctant to answer.

"That… is the case."

"It is not a matter of great concern."

I waited, expecting him to say more.

But no further words came.

It seemed that news of my disappearance from the Wolhan Fortress had yet to reach this far.

"Then… could it be that you’ve come to align yourself with General So, who is expected to arrive in fifteen days?"

Huh?

I was momentarily surprised but quickly nodded as if nothing was amiss.

"Well… something like that."

That’s strange. Grandfather shouldn’t be arriving at Blood Cloud Fortress just yet.

"If this is an unofficial visit, I will keep it confidential."

"I’d appreciate that, but I wonder if you won’t end up earning my younger brother’s ire because of it."

"Would a mere commander of a small fortress on the frontier be worth his concern?"

The fortress lord responded with a sly smile.

Frontier, huh…?

If this place was just some insignificant frontier stronghold, then what did that make me, someone who had once fought desperately and died defending it?

"We’ve arrived."

After leading me to the inner quarters where the fortress lord’s family resided, he spoke.

A few more steps from here, and I would reach my old room.

Would it still be empty?

I glanced down the corridor before pointing toward the direction of my former quarters and asked,

"What’s over there?"

Caught off guard by my sudden question, the fortress lord hesitated before replying.

"An empty room, Your Highness."

"Ah. An empty room."

I nodded.

"I see. Understood."

"Is there something strange about it…?"

"No, nothing like that."

I had briefly wondered if there might be another version of me in there.

But it seemed that wasn’t the case.

Just… empty, huh?

As I pictured my old room, sitting vacant without an owner, my gaze shifted toward the door of my eldest brother’s room.

"This is the eldest son’s chamber?"

I asked nonchalantly, even though I could already sense his presence inside.

"Yes, Your Highness."

The fortress lord opened the door, revealing my eldest brother scowling in frustration.

However, the moment our eyes met, he broke out in a cold sweat and immediately tried to sit up.

"Stay comfortable. Just relax."

I waved my hand dismissively, trying to stop him. But, as always, my brother was stubborn.

"That would be improper. How could I remain lying down before my savior—"

"Ahem."

At that moment, the fortress lord cleared his throat.

"This is Prince Ikwon. Show proper courtesy. It’s not as if your injuries are severe enough to warrant lying down all day, are they?"

"W-what…?"

My eldest brother’s eyes widened in shock.

He scrambled to sit upright in a flurry of movements.

A headache was beginning to form from all this excessive formality.

I was already exhausted from trying to stop them, so I said nothing. And, sure enough, my eldest brother proceeded to lower himself onto his knees.

"What do you think you’re doing?"

I pressed a hand against my forehead and let out a long sigh.

The air in the room suddenly felt cold.

"Are you trying to make me look like some heartless tyrant who forces even the injured to kneel?"

"N-not at all, Your Highness!"

"I’d best leave."

With that, I turned on my heel and walked out.

I knew it wasn’t their fault, but that didn’t stop the irritation from creeping in.

If only I could be as cold-blooded as the high officials in court.

But if I had been that kind of person, I wouldn’t have had the chance to return here in the first place.

Muttering to myself in frustration, I stepped into the corridor.

The fortress lord quickly followed after me.

"My deepest apologies, Your Highness."

"It’s fine."

"We were simply overwhelmed by Your Highness’s generosity and acted excessively. Please, do not be upset."

"I’m not."

I turned my head away, wearing an expression of mild annoyance.

I had wanted so badly to return, and yet now that I was here, all I wanted was to run away somewhere—anywhere.

"Would it be alright if I took a walk around the fortress alone for a while?"

The request seemed to catch the fortress lord off guard.

He hesitated briefly before giving a nod of approval.

"Of course, Your Highness."

* * *

It seemed that word of me being Prince Ikwon had yet to spread, as no one excessively bowed upon seeing me.

However, a few who had witnessed me during the earlier battle recognized me, inclining their heads or even approaching me, calling me the eldest son’s savior.

"That’s the one who rescued the eldest young master."

"Really? To think he defeated so many enemies alone and survived..."

I could hear their hushed whispers, but I continued walking as if I hadn’t noticed.

Praise like that was nothing new to me. And yet, somehow, it felt foreign now.

I wandered through Blood Cloud Fortress at an unhurried pace, attempting to trace the marks left by time.

This was my home—so achingly familiar. Yet, it felt like a place I had never known.

The fortress I remembered was long gone, and whatever traces I might have left behind had vanished as well.

There was no place for the wandering warrior Baek Yeon, whose origins were unknown.

And yet, Blood Cloud Fortress would continue forging its history, creating new memories—without me.

The thought that my home would move forward while leaving me behind felt unbearably cruel.

Scars from the battle stained the corridors—burn marks, shattered walls, remnants of destruction.

Soldiers carried the wounded, while the servants tirelessly scrubbed away the bloodstains.

My gaze wandered, unable to settle on anything.

"You’ve come all the way here… It seems the honored guest enjoys exploring unfamiliar places."

I had noticed the approaching elderly man but hadn’t expected him to address me.

Turning around, I found myself staring at an old man with snow-white hair.

Though his tone was respectful, his eyes carried a peculiar warmth.

I observed him in silence before finally speaking.

"Who are you?"

He was a stranger to me.

"I once served as a military advisor to Blood Cloud Fortress. Now, I am little more than an old man with no title."

I nodded at his introduction.

His face was not entirely unfamiliar, yet I struggled to recall any memories of meeting him before.

"There is something unusual about your presence. May I ask where you hail from?"

His question left me momentarily silent.

He felt familiar—but from where?

After a brief moment of thought, I concluded that he must be a stranger.

So I answered honestly.

Judging by his demeanor, he seemed to be someone in charge of managing the inner gardens. If that were the case, there would be little reason for us to cross paths again.

"This place holds a deep connection to me."

"A connection, you say…"

The old man narrowed his eyes, scrutinizing me closely before allowing a faint smile to tug at his lips.

"No matter where fate leads this fortress, I doubt it is mere coincidence that you have returned. It seems I, too, have a role yet to play."

His words carried an almost cryptic weight, like a riddle waiting to be unraveled.

And yet, his demeanor did not suggest the ramblings of a senile elder.

What is this? Is he a fortune teller?

I wanted to question him further, but at that moment, the sharp blare of a war horn echoed from deep within the fortress, cutting our conversation short.

Another battle?

Or had the enemy returned?

I instinctively prepared to rush out but paused as I remembered—Jincheon was no longer here.

Without him, there were no threats worth fearing.

The old man lifted his head, his expression turning grim.

"It seems the enemy is once again eyeing our gates."

I merely nodded in response.

Without another word, the old man turned and walked away, his steps unhurried as he left the courtyard.

I watched his retreating figure for a moment before resuming my own steps.

[Translator - Jjescus ]

[Proofreader - Starfall ]