Jason was sparring with someone.
Finding a few sparring partners in the imperial palace was easy enough. So that he could fight at full strength, Jason had specifically sought out a member of the Rhine Clan.
His opponent was an earth-attribute warrior instructor, an Eighth-level Warrior who also bore the surname Rhein.
His opponent's formidable defense allowed Jason to attack without holding back, but in truth, Jason had not put him under much pressure.
Jason's attacks consisted of horizontal and vertical slashes. He took so long to build up power that they were easily blocked with a weapon, and he made far too many unnecessary movements without managing to conceal his true intentions-
To the experienced instructor, Jason's fighting ability posed less of a threat than a sixth-level magical beast.
The members assigned to serve as instructors in the imperial palace were all people of average aptitude who worked exceptionally hard, had extensive combat experience, and were calm and meticulous by nature.
For that matter, the members of the Rhine Clan were all fairly strong. As long as they were willing to train, they could at least reach the seventh level, which was already above average on the material plane.
The fight lasted half an hour. Only when Jason was panting for breath did the instructor unhurriedly put away his weapon.
"Your Highness, forgive my bluntness, but with your current strength, traveling through the Sunset Mountain Range would be far too dangerous. I suggest you spend some time training within the empire, where it's less dangerous. You could take part in some bandit suppression operations, for example."
Jason had publicly declared that he was going to train in the Sunset Mountain Range, since the Rhine Empire bordered it. In truth, he wanted to go to the Mountain Range of Magical Beasts and find Mist Valley.
Jason's face flushed red, but he could not refute him. In half an hour, he had not even made his opponent move. This wasn't a matter of being bad; he was far too bad.
Fortunately, there was not a trace of mockery on the instructor's face, which put Jason somewhat at ease.
The instructor had taught many students from the Rhine Clan and had been through the same thing himself in his younger days. He knew that Jason's performance was typical of the clan's younger members.
"I appreciate your instruction. I'll settle down and hone my martial skills." Jason bowed, showing that he accepted the instructor's advice.
The instructor saluted and left.
Jason returned to his courtyard and took a bath with the help of a maid.
Looks like I'll have to postpone my plan to find Mist Valley, Jason thought.
Judging from the area where Linley had traveled in the original story, Mist Valley lay in the western part of the Mountain Range of Magical Beasts, while the Rhine Empire was on the eastern side of the continent, with the Yulan Empire between them.
The Rhine Empire and the Yulan Empire were currently at war, so Jason could only head south to the Sunset Mountain Range first, travel west along its northern side, pass through the Dark Alliance, and then travel north along the western side of the Mountain Range of Magical Beasts before he could reach the area where Linley had traveled.
I'd thought that as a seventh-level warrior, I'd face some danger on the way, but nothing fatal. Now it seems I'm at the seventh level without the strength of a seventh-level warrior.
"Your Highness." A maid's voice came from outside.
"What is it?"
"The empress would like you to come see her."
"I'll be right there."
The empress had treated Jason well over the years. She had even arranged for someone to vacate the courtyard he now lived in.
When he reached the empress's chambers, Jason discovered that his mother, Imperial Consort Aidema, was there too.
Once Jason had taken a seat, the empress spoke in a leisurely tone. "Jason, I hear you're going to the Sunset Mountain Range?"
"Ah, I sought the instructor's advice today and realized that my strength still needs improvement. I've changed my mind and decided to delay my departure by a year."
"That's perfect, then. Get married during that year. I've already picked out several candidates. Take a look and see what you think. If one suits you, the wedding can be held in a month."
Pfft. Jason sprayed out a mouthful of tea. "That's too hasty. Let's wait a few more years."
"It's not hasty. You can marry first and develop feelings afterward. Your imperial father gave strict orders that you must leave at least one child behind before you leave home."
Imperial Consort Aidema, who was sitting beside her, also urged him, "In the imperial family, how often do people fall in love at first sight? As long as you're suited to each other, you can marry and have children first. The feelings and everything else will follow."
As the two spoke, portraits of six girls were hung up in front of him.
"They're all beautiful, but I really don't want to get married right now."
Jason had a reason he found hard to speak of. In his previous life, there had been a girl he loved. They had not married yet, but they had been close to it. Now that he had suddenly transmigrated here, it pained him to think how devastated she might be.
There were also his elderly parents, whose care had been left to his elder brother.
I should at least wait twenty or thirty years. I wasted the best years of that girl's youth and let down my parents' earnest hopes, as well as my relatives and friends.
At the thought, Jason blamed himself deeply, and his mood sank.
Yes, Jason was indecisive by nature. In the ten years since he had transmigrated, he had spent almost all his time training, and had not changed much.
Noticing Jason's low spirits, the empress seemed to misunderstand something.
"If you're not satisfied, then choose one of the maids in the palace. You can have several if you like. Take whichever ones catch your eye. Since you said you're delaying your departure by a year, a year should be enough time to get several maids pregnant."
The empress was also following the emperor's wishes. The Rhine Clan instinctively valued bloodlines, and Emperor Maisiji seemed to think highly of Jason's.
Frightened by what the empress had said, Jason wanted to leave first, but as soon as he stood up, two people restrained him.
"You..." Jason looked to either side. They were two of the empress's maids, both seventh-level warriors. Subduing a seventh-level warrior who was all show like Jason was effortless for them.
"I know young people are easily embarrassed. You'll be fine once you've tried it," the empress said casually. "These two girls have been with me for more than ten years. I couldn't very well let them grow old alone, so they'll be with you from now on. Remember to treat them well."
"The room is ready. Have a good sleep."
And so Jason was carried out by the two delicate maids, one on either side of him.
"I'm an imperial prince! How can you behave like this? Put me down!"
"Your Highness, the empress has already told the other attendants to withdraw. There's no one else around now." The two maids did not seem the least bit shy. They were simply going through the motions as they took Jason toward their destination.
After looking at the maids on either side of him and seeing their attitude, Jason thought, There's even less chance I can accept this.
He was no paragon of virtue, but he valued feelings, especially when the maids seemed to be treating this like an assignment.
They had already entered a room decorated in highly suggestive colors.
Jason sensed that there really was no one else around.
"If you really want to stay by my side, you can go live in my courtyard from now on. We'll talk about it when I get back. I really can't accept this right now," Jason said.
The two seemed to realize what was about to happen, but it was already too late.
A soul attack spread out from Jason, leaving the two of them dizzy.
It was the fourth-level necromancy spell Soul Shock. Jason had only recently raised his spiritual force to the fourth level.
As warriors, the two maids' spiritual force was not strong enough to make them immune to Soul Shock. Jason took the opportunity to break free, pulled out a petrification scroll and tore it, immobilizing them on the spot before making his escape.
As an imperial prince, Jason had been given plenty of fine things by the imperial family over the years. The Petrification Spell scroll was something he carried to save his life.
Feeling that something was amiss, Jason removed a jade pendant from his waist and placed it on the table in the room. "If the empress blames you, tell her I've already accepted you. This pendant is the token. I'll give you a proper status when I return."
Jason then turned and ran toward his courtyard.
The empress had sent the maids nearby away, so no one stopped him along the way. Only at the door did he encounter two powerful guards. But since Jason was an imperial prince and looked to be in a hurry, the two merely frowned and let him pass. They planned to ask a maid to go in and check on the empress when they saw one.
There was nothing remarkable about the battle qi Jason cultivated, except that it gave his speed a slight boost. It took him only a few minutes to return to his courtyard.
After giving the maids and guards a few instructions, Jason packed his belongings.
He took a two-handed tang saber and a single-handed curved saber. He left his other two pieces of equipment, a shield and a chainmail shirt, behind.
He also brought two Magic Crystal Cards, each holding fifty thousand gold coins, some spare change, and a few scrolls to save his life.
Fortunately, many children from the Rhine Clan's collateral branches lived on the outskirts of the Rhein imperial palace and went out every day. Jason's courtyard was in that area as well.
Jason left the imperial palace on the pretext of going out to see a friend.