I Transmigrated as a Prince Extra

Later that evening, Juhtmed sat in his chambers, a flickering candle casting a warm glow across the room. Lian entered, her expression cautious.

"Your Highness," she began, holding a piece of parchment. "I've made inquiries about the knight I mentioned earlier. His name is Kaitsja Jumal. He's said to be exceptionally skilled, though…"

"Though what?" Juhtmed asked.

Lian hesitated. "He's also known for his laziness and stubbornness. He doesn't seem to respect authority unless it suits him."

Juhtmed chuckled. "Sounds like an interesting man. Where can I find him?"

"He's currently stationed at the training grounds on the eastern side of the palace," Lian replied. "Though from what I've heard, he may not be there unless forced to attend."

Juhtmed smirked. "Bring him. I want to meet this Kaitsja Jumal."

An hour later, the doors to Juhtmed's chambers opened, and Lian stepped in, followed by a tall, disheveled man. Kaitsja Jumal strolled in with an air of indifference, his dark hair unkempt and his armor slightly scuffed. His eyes, a piercing shade of red, scanned the room lazily before settling on the prince.

"So, you're the famous Prince Juhtmed," Kaitsja said, scratching the back of his head. "Didn't expect to be summoned by royalty today. Or ever."

Juhtmed tilted his head, intrigued by the knight's lack of formality. "And you must be Kaitsja Jumal. I hear you're skilled but… difficult to deal with."

Kaitsja shrugged. "People like to talk. Can't say they're wrong, though."

Lian's expression tightened, but Juhtmed raised a hand to stop her from speaking. "I appreciate honesty. Tell me, Sir Kaitsja, are you aware of the situation with House Dervain?"

Kaitsja respond with nonchalance. "Sure. Something about bandits and nobles throwing a tantrum, if im not wrong? Not really my problem."

Juhtmed's lips curled into a smirk. "It will be, if you agree to join my envoy."

Kaitsja leaned against the doorframe, crossing his arms. "Let me guess. You need someone who wields a sword and looks intimidating. Why not pick one of those suck-up knights in your family? They'd be happy to bow down and do all the work for you."

Juhtmed's crimson eyes narrowed. "Because I don't need someone who's not related to any family plus who can think for themselves, someone who isn't afraid to challenge authority when asked. Can you do that?"

Kaitsja's eyes sparkled with amusement. "Challenge authority? That's my specialty. But what's in it for me?"

Juhtmed leaned forward, his voice dropping to a conspiratorial tone. "You'll gain something most knights can only dream of—Nobleness. If you join me, you'll answer only to me; No to any politics, not even groveling pompous lords."

Kaitsja considered this for a moment before straightening. "Alright, Your Highness. I'll join your envoy. But let's get this one straight—I'm not here to play the loyal dog. I'll fight because I want to, not because you tell me to are we agreed on this one?"

Juhtmed smiled faintly. "Fine..."

The knight chuckled. "Fair enough. So, when do we leave?"

"Soon," Juhtmed replied. "Lian will fill you in on the details. For now, prepare yourself. This mission isn't as simple as it seems."

Kaitsja gave a mock salute. "Simple missions are boring anyway." He turned and strolled out of the room, leaving Juhtmed and Lian in silence.

As the door closed behind Kaitsja, Lian turned to Juhtmed, her brow furrowed. "Are you sure about him, Your Highness? He doesn't exactly inspire confidence....and the way he adreqq to your highness"

Juhtmed's gaze lingered on the door. "He's unpredictable, which makes him valuable. I need someone who isn't bound by their expectations or loyalties. Besides," he added with a wry smile, "he amuses me. And he's definitely the type of person i can trust."

Lian sighed. "As you wish, Your Highness. But I'll keep an eye on him, just in case."

"Do as you want" Juhtmed said. "Now, let's finalize the rest of the envoy. We'll need more than one knight if we're to succeed."

Lian nodded and began gathering the documents on the table. As she worked, Juhtmed stared out the window, his mind already racing with plans.

"Kaitsja Jumal," he murmured to himself. "He sound like a character coming out of a novel."

The following morning, preparations for the envoy's departure were in full swing. The courtyard of the palace bustled with activity: servants loading supplies onto carriages, horses being saddled, and soldiers checking their weapons. Despite the apparent chaos, there was an underlying order.

Juhtmed observed the preparations from his wheelchair, his eyes scanning the activity. He was dressed with a dark cloak draped over his shoulders to shield him from the morning chill. At his side, Lian stood attentively, her usual calm demeanor betraying a hint of concern.

"Are you certain about including Kaitsja in the envoy?" she asked quietly. "His... temperament might prove challenging."

Juhtmed's lips curved into a faint smirk. "Precisely why I chose him. Someone like Kaitsja is unpredictable. That can only be a advantadge for us."

Before Lian could respond, a loud yawn interrupted them. Kaitsja Jumal strolled into the courtyard, his armor loosely fitted and his sword slung carelessly over his shoulder. His long, dark hair was tied in a messy knot, and his expression was one of profound boredom.

"Morning, Your Highness," Kaitsja drawled, scratching the back of his neck. "I assume this is the part where we ride out and save the empire?"

Juhtmed raised an eyebrow. "You seem relaxed for someone going on an imperial mission."

Kaitsja shrugged. "Relaxation is a state of mind, Prince. Besides, stressing out won't make the road shorter nor the mission."

Lian's lips tightened, but she said nothing, choosing instead to focus on securing Juhtmed's travel pack. Juhtmed, however, chuckled softly. "I trust your skills will match your confidence, Kaitsja."

Kaitsja grinned lazily. "They usually do. Just don't expect me to charge into every fight like some heroic knight from a bard's tale. Efficiency is key."

"Efficiency," Juhtmed repeated, his tone laced with amusement. "Very well. Just ensure that efficiency includes loyalty to her."

Kaitsja gave a lazy salute, his eyes twinkling with mischief. "Of course, Your Highness. Loyalty's my middle name."

The envoy set out just as the sun reached its zenith. The party was composed of Juhtmed, Lian, Kaitsja, a handful of soldiers, and two scouts. The path to House Dervain's territory was long and treacherous, winding through dense forests and rugged hills.

As the group rode, Kaitsja rode beside Juhtmed's carriage, his posture as loose as ever. He occasionally whistled a tune or commented on the scenery, much to the irritation of the stoic soldiers.

"You're unusually chatty for a knight," Juhtmed remarked after one particularly loud whistle.

"Silence only makes journey longer," Kaitsja replied with a shrug. "Besides, someone has to keep the mood light. You don't seem like the type to crack jokes."

Juhtmed's lips twitched in a suppressed smile. "It's true. I'm not comfortable around jokes and i prefer to save my energy for more productive pursuits."

"Like playing in the court?" Kaitsja asked, his tone casual but his eyes sharp.

Juhtmed turned to him, intrigued. "And what do you know of court politics, Kaitsja?"

"Enough to know that most nobles would stab each other in the back if they thought it'd get them an extra plot of land," Kaitsja said with a grin. "Not that I care much for their games. I prefer to stay out of the mess noble makes."

"And yet, here you are," Juhtmed pointed out.

Kaitsja shrugged. "I like a good challenge. And you're interesting, Prince. You're not like the others."

Juhtmed studied him for a moment, his crimson eyes thoughtful. "Perhaps not. But tell me, Kaitsja, why did you agree to join this envoy? I doubt loyalty to the empire was your primary motivation."

Kaitsja's grin widened. "Simple. I was bored. Thought this might be fun."

Juhtmed chuckled softly, shaking his head. "You are a peculiar knight, Kaitsja Jumal."

"I've been called worse," Kaitsja replied, tipping an imaginary hat.

As the sun began to dip below the horizon, the envoy reached the edge of a dense forest. The air grew colder, and the shadows lengthened, casting eerie shapes across the path. The soldiers grew more vigilant, their hands resting on their weapons.

"We'll camp here for the night," Juhtmed announced, signaling to the group. "This forest is too dangerous to traverse in the dark."

The soldiers quickly set up a perimeter, while Lian prepared a modest meal over a small fire. Kaitsja lounged against a tree, chewing on a piece of dried meat and watching the flames with half-lidded eyes.

"Something's off," he muttered, more to himself than anyone else.

Juhtmed, seated nearby, looked up. "Explain."

Kaitsja gestured lazily to the surrounding trees. "It's too quiet. No birds, no rustling leaves. Either the forest is haunted, or we've got company."

The soldiers stiffened at his words, their eyes darting to the shadows. Juhtmed's expression remained calm, but his grip on the armrest of his wheelchair tightened.

"Scout the area," he ordered, his voice steady. "Report back immediately if you find anything."

The two scouts nodded and disappeared into the trees. The group waited in tense silence, the crackling of the fire the only sound.

Minutes felt like hours. Then, a bloodcurdling scream pierced the air.

"To arms!" one of the soldiers shouted, drawing his sword.

Before anyone could react, a group of masked figures emerged from the shadows, their weapons glinting in the firelight. Bandits.

"Protect the prince!" Lian cried, drawing a dagger from her belt.

Kaitsja pushed off the tree with a sigh, unsheathing his sword. "So much for a peaceful evening."

The bandits charged, their movements swift and coordinated. The soldiers clashed with them in a flurry of steel and shouts. Lian stood protectively in front of Juhtmed, her dagger ready.

Kaitsja, meanwhile, moved with surprising agility, his lazy demeanor replaced by sharp focus. He parried an incoming strike with ease, his movements precise and efficient.

"Not bad for a bored knight," Juhtmed remarked, watching him.

Kaitsja grinned, dispatching another bandit with a swift strike. "I told you, efficiency is key."

The skirmish was over as quickly as it began. The remaining bandits fled into the forest, leaving behind their dead. The soldiers regrouped, tending to their injuries and securing the perimeter.

Juhtmed surveyed the scene, his expression unreadable. "These weren't ordinary bandits. Their attack was too coordinated."

Kaitsja wiped his blade clean and sheathed it, his grin returning. "You think they were after you, Prince?"

"It's most certain," Juhtmed admitted. "They only left the dead behind; perhaps its was an avertissement."

Kaitsja nodded, his eyes gleaming with curiosity. "This is turning out to be more interesting than I expected."

The night passed in uneasy silence, the group wary of another attack. Juhtmed sat in his tent, his mind racing with possibilities. Kaitsja's observation had been correct—something about this mission was deeply amiss.

As he planned the next steps, Juhtmed couldn't help but glance at Kaitsja, who was lounging outside, humming a tune. The knight's unorthodox approach might just be the key to unraveling the mystery.

For now, however, Juhtmed resolved to focus on the task ahead. The envoy would continue to House Dervain, but the prince knew that the real danger was only beginning.

As dawn broke, the camp stirred to life. The morning air was thick with the tension, and the memories of the bandit attack lingering around. Juhtmed sat at the edge of the camp, his wheelchair positioned to face the sunrise. His crimson eyes flickered with thought as the golden light danced across the treetops.

Kaitsja emerged from his makeshift bedroll, stretching lazily. "Good morning, Your Highness. Sleep well?" he asked, his tone carrying the usual blend of sarcasm and indifference.

Juhtmed turned his gaze to the knight, his expression unreadable. "It was a quiet night after the attack, though I don't want to stop this quietness."

Kaitsja yawned, scratching his head. "Sounds like you've got a poetic streak hidden under all that royal seriousness. I like it."

Before Juhtmed could respond, Lian approached, her steps brisk and purposeful. "The men are ready to move, Your Highness. But we're down two scouts. It'll make it harder to navigate safely."

Juhtmed nodded thoughtfully. "We'll have to adjust. Kaitsja, you seem to have an affinity for sensing trouble and the one to start it. You'll take point with the remaining scouts."

Kaitsja raised an eyebrow. "Me? Leading? That's a first. But don't get used to it," he added with a smirk.

Lian sighed, her patience clearly wearing thin. "Just do as the prince commands, and try to take it seriously. We can't afford any more surprises."

Kaitsja gave her a mock salute. "Yes, ma'am."

The envoy resumed their journey, the dense forest giving way to rolling hills. The path wound narrowly through the landscape, forcing the group into a single file. Juhtmed's carriage creaked as the wheels struggled against the uneven ground, but he remained calm, his eyes looking at the horizon.

Kaitsja rode at the front, his posture relaxed despite the weight of her task, humming a soft tune, his eyes resting on anything that seemed out of place. Lian rode close to Juhtmed, his hand never straying from the hilt of his dagger.

"Your Highness," she said quietly, leaning closer. "I don't trust Kaitsja. His attitude is one thing, but his casual approach to danger is reckless."

Juhtmed tilted his head slightly, his gaze fixed ahead. "Kaitsja, may look reckless Lian. but in situations like this ,his unpredictability can be valuable and i trust him."

Lian's lips pressed into a thin line. "I only hope your trust isn't misplaced."

By mid-afternoon, the group reached a fork in the road. One path led through a rocky ravine, its narrow passage littered with loose stones. The other wound up a steep incline, a more exposed route but with clear visibility.

Lian dismounted, studying both paths. "The ravine is the faster route, but it's a natural place for an ambush. The hill gives us visibility but slows us down."

Kaitsja leaned on his sword, eyeing the paths with disinterest. "I say we take the ravine. If someone's waiting for us, they're probably too dumb to handle a proper fight."

Lian shot him a glare. "That's reckless. We should take the hill."

Juhtmed observed the debate in silence, his mind looking the risks. Finally, he spoke. "We'll take the ravine."

Lian looked at him sharply. "Your Highness, are you sure? It's a greater risk—"

"Exactly," Juhtmed interrupted. "Our enemy will expect us to avoid it. We'll use their assumptions against them and they must have know for my condition in their mind ill only take the easy path."

Kaitsja grinned. "I like the way you think, Prince."

The group descended into the ravine, the walls closing in on either side. The air grew cooler, the shadows longer. Every step felt heavier, the tension palpable. The soldiers gripped their weapons tightly, their eyes darting to every crevice and overhang.

Suddenly, Kaitsja halted, raising a hand. The group froze.

"Something's wrong," he said quietly, his voice uncharacteristically serious.

Juhtmed narrowed his eyes. "What did you see?"

Kaitsja pointed to a cluster of rocks ahead. "Those boulders weren't there this morning when we scout the area. Someone's set a trap."

Before anyone could react, a deafening crash echoed through the ravine. The boulders ahead tumbled down, blocking the path forward. From the ridges above, a hail of arrows rained down.

"Ambush!" Lian shouted, pulling Juhtmed's carriage back into cover.

Kaitsja moved swiftly, his sword flashing as he deflected an arrow mid-flight. "I told you this would be fun," he muttered, a grin tugging at his lips.

The soldiers scrambled to shield Juhtmed, forming a tight defensive ring. Bandits poured in from both sides, their weapons gleaming in the dim light. These attackers were better armed and organized than the ones from the previous night.

Kaitsja didn't hesitate. He charged into the fray, his movements fluid and precise. His skill was undeniable. He weaved through the chaos, cutting down foes with an almost casual grace.

Juhtmed watched from his position, his mind analyzing the bandits' strategy. "They're not trying to kill us outright," he said aloud. "They're stalling."

"Stalling for what?" Lian asked, her dagger slicing through an attacker's throat.

"Reinforcements," Juhtmed replied grimly. "They're trying to trap us here."

Kaitsja, overhearing the exchange, called out. "Then let's give them something unexpected!"

With a sudden burst of energy, he leapt onto a nearby rock, his voice booming. "Hey, you lot! Who's paying you to play soldier, huh? Maybe I'll double it if you drop your swords and run."

The bandits hesitated, their movements faltering. Kaitsja's confident grin and commanding tone seemed to sow doubt among their ranks.

"Enough games," Juhtmed said, his voice cold. "Lian, signal the archers."

Lian nodded, pulling a small whistle from her belt. A sharp, piercing note echoed through the ravine. Moments later, a volley of arrows descended from the ridges above, striking the bandits with deadly precision.

The remaining attackers broke ranks, fleeing in disarray. Kaitsja jumped down from his perch, dusting himself off. "Not bad, Your Highness. You've got a good sense for theatrics."

Juhtmed's gaze remained steely. "This was no mere bandit raid. Someone's orchestrating these attacks, and they're growing bolder."

Lian stepped forward, her expression grim. "We need to move quickly. If they're stalling for reinforcements, we can't stay here."

Juhtmed nodded. "Agreed. But first, we'll interrogate one of the wounded. We need answers."