65 – Southern Hunting Tournament (4)

A hunting competition held every year in the southern region.

The venue of this tournament and the place we have arrived at is Legion, one of the border regions of the Runproud Mountains. This tournament is not held continuously in one territory, but is held every year in the territory bordering the mountain range.

Although the main participants are aristocrats, in the territory where the tournament is held, a large festival is held in which civilians also participate, so there is a considerable economic advantage to the territory holding the tournament.

For those who were born and raised in the South, the festival held as a spring hunting competition is authentic, so there is no need to worry about the number of people.

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Moving the venue every year also has various problems considering the habitat of seawater, but it is also to prevent any one place from monopolizing the benefits from these parts. Originally, when the Krause family first settled down in the south, it seems that they handled these things independently, but it is said that it also changed in the previous generation and changed in a cyclical way like now.

Should I call this a coincidence?

In fact, this Legion is a territory that has a very close relationship with Krause. There is no family in the south that does not get entangled with Krause, but Viscount Graham, the lord of Legion, was a person who, a little more special than the others, had a vassal relationship with the Count Krause.

Krause’s small household owner, I, is a person whom I have known since childhood, and it seems that the emperor paid a lot of attention to the staff.

It wasn’t that the Imperial Knights were escorted or anything grandiose like that, but looking at the various situations and the characters involved in them, things related to Orcus didn’t escape Krause’s fence. As if the father had a precise grasp of the extent to which he could fully control.

The relationship between the father and the emperor may have been close, but this was also evidence of how well the imperial family grasped the power of the Krause group.

Are you saying it’s not a millennial empire for nothing?

In any case, I was able to arrive in Legion on time.

Orcus’s comment that riding horses in the imperial castle was a hobby was not empty, but he rode the horse skillfully. It must have been his first time sitting on a horse for a long time, but he had such a well-developed body that he did not appear to be uncomfortable with Orcus while moving.

The appearance of Orcus riding next to me with a confident face was different from what I expected, so I was a bit disappointed, but I was fortunate as I was in charge of training the two because I didn’t have to practice what I had prepared just in case.

Passing through the gates and heading towards the gathering place, Yeongju Castle, people’s gazes did not cease. This happened every year, but this year it was particularly severe because Orcus was with me.

Bright blonde blue walls like pure gold.

Orcus’ appearance was very outstanding, if not a candidate for the main character in the novel. However, that may not have been the decisive reason for attracting people’s attention. Looking at the imperial pattern sewn on his shoulder with gold thread and Orcus’ appearance, it was enough to recognize Orcus’ status, even for those who were not related to nobles.

“For some reason, your shoulders seem wider than before you entered the castle.”

“Well, that doesn’t mean you can’t show a stooped figure. More than that, I thought it would be a little underdeveloped because it was the border area of the heinous Rune Proud, but it’s a pretty decent city.”

“It’s a mountain range overflowing with seawater and monsters, but it’s very rare for them to enter the castle. And that’s why we came here to prevent that from happening.”

To this, Orcus happily nodded and replied.

“That’s right. It’s a waste of effort so far, so I have to work hard.”

Orcus’ face was so confident that even a few days ago, he wondered if he was the one who said he was a wizard. Of course, he may not be aiming for the championship, but his goal would have been achieved even if he raised some meaningful performance.

It is well known to the public that the first prince has a talent for magic.

So, it would be right to say that his purpose was to put more meaning into participation than the results of the hunting competition. Still, in order to save my side to some extent, I was still sticking around and guiding.

Participating directly in the competition would be the best way to plant an image of being versatile and to gain favor from the lords of the south, who are made up of warriors. Considering Orcus’ skills now, considering that he was a wizard, there was no shortage of points to get from them.

So who taught you?

I’d say … but it was because Orcus had put in the effort and fortunately he had a knack for moving his body. It made me wonder if he would have become a skilled knight to some extent if he had been interested in swordsmanship.

The more you know about the lineage of God, the more versatile you think. You can also use a strange power that is different from mana called divinity.

Well, it’s not that I’m envious.

Because I’m sorry

There were no major problems on the way to the lord’s castle.

As if to show that many people have already visited this place today, the behavior of the local residents was very skillful in paving the way. It seems that they were surprised by the appearance of the royal family, but it only appeared in their eyes, and their appearance was very neat.

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Maybe it was talked about beforehand…

Orcus was amazed at the quiet reaction of the locals, but in fact, this is not surprising.

Some time has passed since Orcus and Noel came to the South, so there will be no nobles in the South who are still unaware of their visit. Since the timing was also the timing, it wasn’t too difficult to infer that the prince and princess would also participate in the tournament.

And the information that flows into them is naturally passed down. Whether it be rumors or whatever, in any form.

Perhaps Viscount Graham, who was paying attention to the imperial family’s visit, made an announcement directly to the locals.

Leaving behind the villagers who quietly bowed, Orcus spoke to me in a low voice.

“Did you see the man standing in front of the bakery earlier? I didn’t know when he was wearing a hat, but when I passed by, he took the hat to his chest and showed his respect. But I never thought he would have been bald. Are hats made with fur attached these days?”

Was this guy originally like this?

I’m not sure if Orcus has changed or if the book doesn’t fully capture his personality.

I answered Orcus’ words with a light smile.

“Somehow, I was suddenly dazzled.”

“right?”

***

Upon entering the lord’s castle, the patterns of familiar families begin to come into view.

He had no choice but to do so because it belonged to the families who decided to participate in the contest. Usually, they arrived on the day of the competition, but apparently everyone moved their bodies early when they heard that the prince and princess were coming.

It wasn’t the only thing that caught my eye.

The owner of the castle, Viscount Graham, and his father and Alphonse were waiting for us to come. When those who were waiting bowed to Orcus, I immediately got off my horse and greeted my father.

“Everyone seems to have arrived early. Are we the last?”

“It’s not like that. Two families haven’t arrived yet. However, when I received the call, it seems that they will arrive within today.”

I guessed where the family was that was late to my father’s words. It’s not like the two of them are late. The reason for the delay is probably simply because of the large distance difference between Legion and the territory they live in.

Orcus didn’t seem to care too much about how much he understood. Orcus dismounted and began talking with his father and the viscount. It wouldn’t have been bad to listen to their conversation, but when the greeting seemed to be over, I moved to the carriage to escort Elena.

But when I arrived, it was already a step too late.

In the carriage, Noel and Elena were descending holding hands. Noel, who was dressed like a knight, got off first and grabbed Elena’s hand.

But why is the princess escorting Elena…

I was suddenly given the role by Noel, but I didn’t care and walked towards where they were. Elena’s face starts to change as the distance gets closer. Considering the warm wind blowing when our eyes met this morning, should I say that it has improved a lot now?

cute.

I managed to swallow these words that seemed to jump out of my mouth at any moment, and opened my mouth while making eye contact with Elena.

“Did you both have any inconveniences while moving?”

“Oh, Damian.”

As if he had been paying attention to Elena, Noel only looked back after I spoke to him. Certainly, Elena’s condition was different from usual, so she couldn’t help but be concerned, but knowing the reason, it was just a smile.

“As you can see, I was able to be very comfortable.”

“Then I’m glad.”

Noel answered, but Elena was still silent. Although she was making eye contact with me, her purple eyes were shaking like a boat meeting a strong wave.

It must have been she who always actively approached me.

It’s just strange to see him shaking like that with just one light kiss.

“Elena.”

I quietly called her name.

First of all, I think I need to transfer the hand that is holding Noel to mine.

I reach out and grab Elena’s hand, and at the same time, I immediately feel her warmth and trembling. Perhaps as a reflex, Elena let go of Noel’s hand, but she still didn’t move.

I feel my heart beating faster. I couldn’t tell if this was mine or hers.

Elena was dyed red beyond compare to before, as if she had recalled what had happened at that time. Her lips parted slightly and her voice whispered my name.

“Oh, Damian…”

“Yes.”

What she would say next was something I couldn’t predict.

Such was the atmosphere flowing between us. As much as her eyes sway back and forth, my heart continues to shake.

When her mouth opened again, I pricked up my ears and did not take my eyes off her lips. As I prepared to bring Elena over here at any time, I alerted my senses.

As a result, it became an unnecessary action.

“Now, wait…I’ll drink some water!!”

“Yes Yes?”

When I asked her again at Elena’s sudden words, Elena’s hand had already slipped away from mine. When I found her again, Elena was far away from me, disappearing among the Templars.

As I was staring in the direction Elena ran with blank eyes for a moment, I heard a strange wind noise from behind.

“Hwihwi-“

Is that wheezing? Or is it just word of mouth?

When I turned around at the noise that disturbed my ears, Orcus and my father, who I didn’t know when, were looking at me with pitiful eyes. I wish I could say something, but seeing the two of them looking at each other without saying anything, my heart became more disturbed.

please don’t look at me like that