The Kingdom’s Greatest Fool? No, I’m the Ruler From the Darkness ~The Hidden Face of the Fat Prince~

Chapter 59: Confession of Truth

As the afternoon report meeting ended and dusk approached, I, the great one, prepared the training grounds.

It was a rarely used space, but perfect for tonight’s purpose.

The large stone room had various weapons hung on the walls, with a practice mat in the center.

Sunset light streamed through the large window, casting a reddish hue over the room.

“Will they come?”

Iris asked, preparing several magical potions.

“Soon.”

I answered quietly.

“You haven’t explained anything to them?”

“No, I summoned them without explanation. To heighten their tension and make tonight’s events more impactful.”

Mia entered, announcing their arrival.

“Shall I let them in?”

“Yes.”

I stood in the center of the training grounds, awaiting their entrance.

The door opened, and Eleanor and Leia entered cautiously.

Their faces showed clear tension.

Leia, in particular, seemed more anxious, noticing the training grounds.

“You’re here.”

I grinned.

“Lord Victor…”

Eleanor bowed slightly.

Her silvery-blonde hair gleamed in the sunset.

“Why… here?”

Leia asked nervously, her eyes darting to the swords hung on the wall.

The instincts of the former “Flame Sword Princess,” no doubt.

“I have something important to tell you both today.”

I fixed my gaze on them.

They exchanged uneasy glances.

“First, Leia, I want you to ‘train’ me.”

Leia’s face showed shock, her color draining.

“Train…?”

“Yes. Show me your swordsmanship.”

Leia, confused, looked at Eleanor.

A wordless conversation seemed to pass between them.

“No need to worry. I called you here for a different reason today.”

I smiled.

“I… haven’t wielded a sword since that day…”

Her voice trembled.

“That day” was when she submitted to me.

“You’ll wield one again starting today. I command it.”

My voice was firm and resolute.

Leia hesitantly took a sword from the corner.

Her movements hinted at the shadow of the Flame Sword Princess.

“Let me explain why.”

I had them sit, speaking with a serious expression.

“I have a grand goal.”

I stood, moving to the center of the training grounds.

“Let me show you my true power.”

I began releasing the magic I’d kept secret.

Black and brown mana swirled from my body—earth and dark magic, the two forces I’d secretly mastered.

“Behold.”

I spread my arms, and a massive chunk of earth rose from the floor, merging with dark energy.

A towering tornado of dark earth, like a mudflow, formed in the training grounds.

Leia and Eleanor gasped.

Their eyes widened in fear and astonishment.

A deadly magic that could kill on contact.

I controlled it perfectly.

“This is the power you didn’t know I had.”

As I dispelled the magic, silence fell over the training grounds.

Eleanor and Leia were speechless.

“Let me tell you my goal.”

I stood before them, speaking earnestly.

“My aim is to make the world take notice. To make the entire world mine.”

“What…?”

Eleanor let out a small voice.

“Don’t misunderstand. Not through slaughter or destruction. I’ll dominate economically, militarily, politically, and unite the nations.”

My words left them with confused expressions.

“My first goal is to become this kingdom’s king. Then, I’ll gradually conquer neighboring countries—militarily, politically, through religion, and economically, using various combined methods.”

Leia spoke hesitantly.

“Why… tell us this?”

“Good question.”

I approached her, peering into her face.

“Those who thought me a foolish, lazy prince would try to assassinate or eliminate me in countless ways once I start moving seriously. I maintained this fat body and trained only in magic because it kept enemies off guard, which was convenient.”

I paced before them, continuing my explanation.

“But now, with my engagement to Eleanor announced, enemies are no longer careless. My reputation in court is already shifting. It’s time to train my body and hone martial skills.”

“So, you want me…”

Leia began.

“Yes, I want you to teach me swordsmanship. I’ve only trained in magic so far. But now, I must prepare for every danger.”

Leia looked shocked.

She must have thought I only used her for pleasure.

She seemed bewildered by this new role.

“And Eleanor, I want you to train with me in magic.”

Eleanor looked up, surprised.

“Magic…?”

“Yes. Your ice magic combined with my earth magic could create new power.”

Eleanor stared at me, confused.

She knew she was announced as my fiancée, but hadn’t realized it was part of a grander plan, not just for power.

“And one more important thing.”

I spoke meaningfully.

“Something significant for both you and me.”

They held their breath, awaiting my words.

“Have you seen the small bottle Iris holds?”

They turned to Iris, standing in the corner, holding a small bottle.

“That’s a transformation potion.”

“Transformation… potion?”

Eleanor asked, puzzled.

“Yes. One of my greatest secrets.”

I signaled Iris.

She approached, handing me the bottle.

“When I drink this, I become someone else.”

I took the bottle and drank it in one gulp.

My body began to change instantly. Fat tightened into muscle, my face sharpened, eyes grew piercing, hair became lustrous. In seconds, the fat Prince Victor was gone, replaced by a lean, handsome man.

Not just my body—my hair and eyes changed too. Brown hair, green eyes, with dwarven features.

They gasped.

“This is Marcus Gray, soon to be ennobled as a baron, my businessman persona.”

Their eyes widened.

“Baron Gray… you?”

Leia exclaimed in shock.

“Yes. As Marcus Gray, I’ve approached Lucius, gathering information from his faction.”

I drank another bottle, transforming into a silver-haired noble in his forties.

“And this is Earl Leon Silver.”

“Earl Silver too…!”

Eleanor choked.

Earl Silver was deeply tied to her engagement and had pressured her family’s business.

She was visibly shaken to learn I was him.

“And finally.”

I drank the last bottle, transforming into a frail, sinister-looking figure.

“This is Hugo Black, my slave trader persona.”

They were utterly speechless.

They could only stare in shock as I transformed repeatedly before them.

“Why…”

Eleanor finally managed, her voice strained.

“Why go this far…”

“To seize the world.”

I answered, reverting to my original form.

“Since childhood, I resented this fat body and the role of the foolish prince. But I stopped resenting it when I realized it was the perfect disguise.”

I continued my explanation calmly.

“No one suspected me. No one saw me as a threat. Meanwhile, I secretly amassed power, mastered magic, and built wealth and status in other forms.”

“You planned all this alone…?”

Leia said, her voice filled with shock.

“No, not alone.”

I looked at Iris and Mia.

“They are my most trusted allies. Gifted to me by Uncle, they’ve become indispensable to my plans.”

Iris and Mia bowed silently.

“Without Iris’s knowledge of magical potions and Mia’s commercial talent, I wouldn’t have come this far.”

“But now, the two of them alone are not enough.”

I turned back to Eleanor and Leia.

“My future plans require your strength as well.”

“Our… strength?”

Eleanor asked, puzzled.

“Yes. Eleanor, you’re the Frostheart heir with ice magic talent. Leia, you’ve inherited the Braveheart family’s swordsmanship and have an affinity for earth magic. Both of you hold positions in high society.”

I stood before them, speaking earnestly.

“As Earl Silver, I’ve pressured your families’ businesses. But it wasn’t to destroy them—it was a stepping stone for integration.”

“Integration…?”

“Yes. By merging the Frostheart family’s ice magic stone technology and the Braveheart family’s earth magic stone technology with Earl Silver’s magical device business, we can create an entirely new industry.”

I spoke passionately.

“Road construction, medical fields, new magical devices… the possibilities are endless. Through marriage and business partnerships, your families can be saved from economic hardship and achieve greater heights.”

“You’ll save our families…?”

Leia’s voice held a mix of doubt and hope.

“Yes. In return, you’ll cooperate with my plans.”

Eleanor bowed slightly, speaking softly.

“My family already sees a path to salvation through my engagement to you.”

“Exactly. And tonight, I want to make the same offer to Leia.”

Leia’s eyes widened.

“The same… offer?”

“I want you to become my second wife.”

Silence spread through the room.

Leia was speechless with shock, and Eleanor caught her breath at the unexpected proposal.

“Your… second wife…?”

Leia finally managed to speak.

“Yes. Eleanor as my first wife, you as my second. I’ve grown fond of you both through our nights together. I’d love you every night. It saves both families and strengthens my power. It’s the best choice for all of us.”

I approached Leia slowly, peering into her face.

“So, Leia, will you become my wife and join my plan to dominate the world?”

Leia stared at me, speechless.

Eleanor held her breath, awaiting her response.

“You can take time to think it over.”

I said gently.

“But the sooner you decide, the better for your family.”

Leia sent a pleading glance to Eleanor.

Eleanor hesitated, then nodded softly.

“Lord Victor.”

Leia finally spoke.

“Thank you… for this offer.”

She slowly knelt.

“I… accept.”

“Good.”

I nodded with satisfaction.

“A wise decision.”

Eleanor knelt beside her.

“Master, we will serve you together.”

“Rise.”

I had them stand, lifting their chins one by one to meet their eyes.

“From now on, your new training begins. Leia, master swordsmanship. Eleanor, perfect your magic. I want you both to gain strength worthy of my wives.”

“Yes, Lord Victor.”

They answered in unison.

Their eyes held fear but also a new resolve.

“Iris, Mia.”

I called, and they approached.

“Prepare their training plans. Start tomorrow.”

“Understood.”

They bowed.

“And tonight, we’ll make it a celebration.”

I smiled meaningfully.

“I’ll reward your loyalty fittingly.”

Eleanor and Leia exchanged glances, nodding softly.