With each passing moment, Haruko's confidence swelled within him like a raging torrent, fueled by the knowledge and training imparted to him by the strongest entities in existence. Gravity seemed to give way to his determination as he flew towards the imposing castle, his movements guided by a sense of purpose that burned bright within his soul.
Drawing upon his training, Haruko muttered a few words under his breath, channeling his inner strength and focusing his energy with unwavering resolve. As he spoke the incantation, a subtle shift occurred, causing his body to shimmer and fade from view, blending seamlessly with the surrounding environment.
Now cloaked in invisibility, Haruko descended towards the castle with silent determination, his movements swift and precise as he navigated the intricate layout of the walls that surrounded the fortress. With each step, he drew closer to his destination, his heart pounding with anticipation at the prospect of what lay ahead.
Finally, Haruko landed on one of the walls that encircled the castle, his invisible form blending seamlessly with the stone structure.
As Haruko landed on the towering wall that encircled the castle, he scanned his surroundings with keen eyes, searching for any sign of his elusive target, the seventh prince. Despite the grandeur of the castle and the sprawling grounds that surrounded it, there was no immediate indication of the prince's whereabouts.
Undeterred, Haruko's determination burned bright within him as he steeled himself for the task ahead. With a silent resolve, he leaped off the wall, his movements swift and precise as he descended towards the ground below.
As he plummeted through the air, Haruko's training and expertise guided him, ensuring a controlled descent that landed him gracefully within the confines of the castle grounds. It was a feat that many had attempted but few had succeeded in achieving, a testament to Haruko's unparalleled skill and determination.
As Haruko continued his search within the castle, his invisible form weaving through the bustling corridors and grand halls, he observed the daily lives of its inhabitants with a detached curiosity. Unfazed by the machinations and intrigues that unfolded beyond these walls, he remained focused on his singular objective: to find the elusive seventh prince.
Despite his thorough search, Haruko's efforts yielded no trace of the prince within the castle's confines. However, as he ventured deeper into the heart of the fortress, he heard the distinct sound of grunts and exertion emanating from a distant location.
Following the sound, Haruko's invisible form made its way towards the source of the noise, navigating through the sprawling grounds until he reached a vast training ground that stretched out before him like a football stadium in size.
"A training ground," Haruko muttered to himself, a flicker of interest igniting within him as he surveyed the scene before him.
Maintaining his invisibility, Haruko stepped onto the training ground, his presence masked from view as he observed the proceedings with a keen eye.
As Haruko observed the figure training on the expansive grounds, his eyes narrowed in focus as he studied the blonde-haired male with green eyes. The prince's movements were swift and fluid, his sword swinging with precision and grace as sweat dripped from every pore of his body.
A smirk tugged at the corners of Haruko's lips as he murmured to himself, "The seventh prince." Drawing closer while maintaining his invisibility, he settled onto the ground nearby, his gaze never leaving the prince as he continued his intense training regimen.
For a time, Haruko remained silent, content to observe and analyze the prince's techniques, seeking to unravel the mysteries of his fighting style and gain insight into his way of thinking. But as the moments stretched on, frustration began to gnaw at Haruko's patience.
"That's not how it's done," Haruko spoke out suddenly, his voice cutting through the air like a sharp blade. The unexpected interruption startled the prince, causing him to whirl around with a sharp intake of breath, his eyes narrowing as he caught sight of Haruko's form.
Startled by his own slip-up, Haruko cursed inwardly as he realized he had forgotten about his invisibility. Meeting the prince's gaze head-on, he found himself staring down the sharp point of a sword as the prince leveled it at him with a steely glare.
"Who are you?" the prince demanded, his voice laced with suspicion and caution. The tension in the air crackled with uncertainty as Haruko weighed his options, knowing that his encounter with the seventh prince had taken an unexpected turn.
As Haruko muttered the incantation, "Law Of Space," a surge of energy coursed through him, and in the blink of an eye, he vanished from his spot and reappeared a few meters away from the prince. Rubbing the back of his head sheepishly, Haruko met the bewildered gaze of the prince.
"You almost killed me," Haruko stated matter-of-factly, his tone tinged with a hint of exasperation.
The prince's expression shifted from confusion to incredulity as he processed Haruko's words. "Excuse me, killed you? You fucking startled me!" he retorted, his voice rising with a mixture of frustration and disbelief.
The tension between them hung thick in the air as Haruko and the prince squared off, each bristling with a mix of suspicion and irritation. Despite the unexpected turn of events, Haruko remained composed, his mind already racing with potential strategies for diffusing the situation and earning the prince's trust.
Haruko maintained his calm demeanor despite the escalating tension between them, his voice steady as he addressed the prince's accusation. "You aimed at me with a deadly weapon. If I was not invisible, you would have succeeded," he pointed out, his tone tinged with a hint of irritation. "So spare me the incredulous expression."
The prince's expression darkened further at Haruko's words, the intensity of his glare matching the simmering rage that pulsed beneath the surface. The veins on his neck stood out prominently as he struggled to contain his anger, his grip tightening on the hilt of his sword.
"Who are you?" the prince demanded once more, his voice laced with a steely resolve as he leveled his sword at Haruko. "And I suggest you tell me exactly what you are doing in the royal castle."
Haruko's calm demeanor remained steadfast, his gaze unwavering as he responded to the prince's accusation. "Damn, who hurt you? The animosity you have is too much," he remarked, his words carrying a note of blunt honesty as he chose to ignore the prince's demand.
The prince's incredulous expression morphed into one of disbelief, his features contorted with indignation as he struggled to comprehend Haruko's audacity. "A-animosity? Where the hell do you think you are?!" he exclaimed, his voice rising with a mixture of anger and frustration. "This is my training ground! And you're talking about animosity?! The hell?!"
Haruko remained unfazed by the prince's outburst, his expression composed as he regarded the prince with a calm resolve. Despite the escalating tension between them, he remained determined to uncover the truth behind the prince's transformation and the mysteries that shrouded the royal castle.
As the tension between them gradually eased, Haruko waited patiently for the prince to calm down, his demeanor composed as he observed the prince's guarded stance. With a cautious glance over his shoulder, the prince eventually turned away from Haruko, his vigilance still evident as he maintained a wary distance.
After a moment of silence, the prince spoke up, his voice tinged with curiosity. "What do you mean?" he inquired, his gaze still fixed on the ground as he struggled to understand the meaning behind Haruko's earlier remark.
Haruko met the prince's gaze with a raised eyebrow, a subtle smile playing at the corners of his lips as he considered his response. "What did you mean, 'that's not it'?" the prince pressed, taking a tentative step towards Haruko in search of clarification.
Haruko's smile widened as he regarded the prince with a knowing look. "Your stance," he began, his tone measured as he offered his insight. "It may seem perfect and all, but it's not perfect. Not for your body, at least."
Haruko maintained his composure as the prince's gaze bore into him, his expression unreadable as he listened to the prince's words. "This is the Royal Sword. A sword technique for direct bloodline. Are you trying to say I'm not of the royal family?" the prince questioned, the edge of his voice tinged with suspicion as he subtly shifted his stance, preparing to defend himself if necessary.
Haruko held up a placating hand, his tone calm and measured as he sought to defuse the tension between them. "I never said that," he clarified, his voice steady as he met the prince's narrowed gaze with an unwavering stare. "While it may be a technique reserved for those of royal blood, that doesn't necessarily mean it is the best fit for you. There are many other royals who have lived their lives practicing this technique, unaware that it may not be suited to their individual strengths and abilities."
The prince's expression remained inscrutable as he absorbed Haruko's words, a moment of contemplative silence stretching between them as they stood locked in a silent exchange. Finally, the prince broke the silence, his voice soft yet filled with curiosity as he posed a question that lingered on the tip of his tongue. "Who are you?" he inquired, his gaze piercing as he awaited Haruko's response.
Haruko returned the prince's gaze with a respectful nod, a small smirk playing at the corners of his lips as he maintained his composure. "I'd be honored if the prince would call me Haruko," he replied, his tone polite yet tinged with a hint of playful banter.
As he offered a shallow bow in deference to the prince, Haruko couldn't help but feel a sense of satisfaction at the subtle exchange. It was a gesture he had picked up from Raiden, a subtle reminder of the etiquette and formalities befitting his role as a skilled operative in the presence of royalty.
The prince, Sanemi Shikabane, regarded Haruko with a measured gaze, his expression unreadable as he acknowledged Haruko's words with a nod of his own. "I am the seventh prince of the Lustmore Kingdom," he introduced himself with a sense of pride, his voice carrying a note of authority as he spoke his name.
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That's it for chapter 23