139. two winters (3)

“victor-! Arsene Bern of the 2nd Guards!!!”

The referee loudly announced the birth of a new winner. Maxim set down Theodora Benning slowly, and the crowd clapped and roared. There will be no going back to that dark-haired knight from now on. Thinking that way, I felt both relieved and disappointed. Opposite him, Theodora, who had picked up Heilang and put it in a sheath, looked at Maxim. It was a light movement, like someone who had unloaded a burden somewhere.

However, there is a hint of concern in the eyes looking at him. Maxim knew what Theodora was concerned about, so he patted his chest lightly.

“The wound is fine now. You can’t use auras, but now you won’t have to worry about not knowing when you’ll die like before.”

After confirming this fact, Theodora was speechless and muttered, looking at Maxim with teary eyes.

“… really? Now, there is no need to overwork yourself and collapse like before, right?”

“I have no reason to lie anymore. I have no reason to hurt you again like that.”

“… I was the one who hurt you.”

Maxim pretended not to hear Theodora’s last muttering. Theodora sighed, knowing that he deliberately didn’t listen.

“-therefore?”

At Theodora’s question, Maxim tilted his head. To Maxim, that figure was both familiar and unfamiliar. It was not the appearance of the knight commander who was consistent with his cold words and voice. It wasn’t even the image of an ex-girlfriend who despaired and regretted after learning the truth of the past. Theodora now had the same atmosphere as when they first met.

“What will happen now?”

“Okay. First of all, I want to enjoy the feeling of being a winner.”

When Maxim said teasingly, Theodora’s expression became pouty again. Even though it was messed up with dust, the pouting expression was very cute.

“Joke. From now on, probably a lot will change. The atmosphere in the royal capital will become more bleak than before, and the quarrel between Earl Benning and the royal family will be visible on the surface.”

The prospects after the reunion were not so bright. Maxim slowly told the truth. What Maxim unraveled was just one of many tangled knots. There was still a long way to go before they could properly face the past again.

“Then you and I will probably diverge further.”

Theodora’s expression did not darken. She, who has been searching for something all along, finally does not miss the given milestone.

“I won’t let it split. Now that you’ve appeared before me like this, I have no intention of sending you anywhere else until we clear up all the misunderstandings between us.”

“I was about to say that.”

At Maxim’s answer, Theodora laughed. Snow was piled high above both of their heads. Maxim raised his hand and brushed the snow off Theodora’s head and shoulders. Theodora smiled happily. That smile brought back so many memories to Maxim.

“And, can you tell me how this all happened?”

“I guess I need some time to tell you everything? It seems a bit difficult now.”

Theodora laughed again at Maxim’s reply.

“I know, stupid. I was just asking if you could explain something to me.”

“There’s only one thing I can’t tell you so far.”

“now? Can you tell me any of that?”

Maxim nodded to Theodora, who asked with a slightly hurt voice.

“yes. Now, I can tell you everything.”

“… That’s it, that’s it.”

Theodora fell away from Maxim. The cheers of the audience knew no bounds. Maxim, who met again after a long time, was on the side of what should be called an enemy, but that fact did not despair Theodora. Because I don’t want to miss you again, because I want to continue the next one. Like a bird freed from its shackles flapping its wings awkwardly, the freed Theodora exhaled. Breathing through the snowflakes rises like mist.

“Congratulations on winning, Maxim.”

Saying that, Theodora laughed. The figure that had been crying in the winter at that time was no longer there. Maxim answered Theodora, envisioning the day when he would erase even the remaining shadows.

“… thanks.”

As if letting go of her lingering feelings, Theodora slowly moved away to the waiting room. Maxim stood there staring at his back for a long time. snow is piling up On the other side of Theodora’s remaining tracks, Maxime also began to walk.

—

“Nice.”

The King, who was watching the entire process from the VIP seat, clapped his hands slowly, closing his eyes.

“You really did.”

Hugo Berne muttered in an admiring voice. The king nodded slowly.

“You did a great job. Really, it’s an article that makes you feel worth investing in.”

What Arsene Bern can do ends here. What was left now was really up to the king. The king lined up his plans for the future in his head. There were so many variables, but Arsene overcame and brought the situation to this point.

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No, you can’t call me Arsene Bern anymore. Maxime Apart. You did a really good job.

The King smiled a little at the thought.

“I’m not in a position to be optimistic yet, but as a winner, I’ll be fine with the next few days.”

“Your Majesty’s words aren’t yours.”

At Yuugo’s answer, the king spat out a laugh.

“Reward and punishment must be certain. Yugo, it’s kyung Well, I don’t know how you’ll feel since I’m always pampering. If it’s dissatisfaction, would you take a vacation at least once?”

“I’m sorry, but I will refuse.”

The captain of the escort knights replied with a rare laugh. After a while of chatting, the king regained his original solemn expression as he watched the host eagerly run to the VIP seat. The moderator tipped off to the king who raised the courtiers.

“Your Majesty, prepare for the awards ceremony and closing ceremony.”

“i get it. I’ll get you down to my bar, so let me know.”

“I will take your word for it.”

The king turned his head back to the arena. Maxim did not seem to enjoy him even amidst the cheers of many people. Only the person in front of me was looking at it as if it mattered. Maxim’s determination, which he had told himself, was not in vain.

“Congratulations, Maxim.”

The king rose from his seat, congratulating Maxim inaudible. For a while, the swordsman’s turn does not come back. Now, it was the turn of the people who hold the fan base and roll their heads.

“egg plant.”

The king spoke briefly and stood up. Hugo faithfully followed the king and walked down from the VIP seat.

—

“Were you expecting this to happen?”

The witch’s voice landed in Leon Benning’s ears as if teasing. The count lowered his eyes and quietly captured the scene in the arena with both eyes. that cold anger. Witch Lillia felt the murderous intent that sent chills down her spine.

“Did you know?”

“You might know. If I had known, I would have tried to get that article into my hands at any cost.”

Theodora did her best.

Leon Benning knew that without even asking her. I had never imagined a situation where Theodora, who had done her best, would lose. The fact that Arsene Berne was Maxime Appart was half-suspected, but not convinced.

“I should have forced you to drop it in the quarterfinals.”

It was said that he showed overwhelming inaction to the extent that he could not declare disqualification. His faithful henchman was about to make the most fatal mistake at the most crucial time.

“What are you going to do now?”

At Lilia’s question, Leon Benning’s eyes lit up.

“The plan went awry from the moment Theodora threw her sword into the arena. As much as I invested in this plan, I lost a lot because it failed.”

As soon as the martial arts tournament is over, the king will use public opinion that does not cool down to increase the power of the first prince and try to put pressure on himself. No, it’s still fine. There is still a hand that can reverse all situations at once.

“… We should start by cracking down on the house.”

Leon Benning muttered and rose from his seat. Eliminate the impure forces that you thought you had eliminated after weaving them out.

Theodora, and Maxime Appard.

The loose shackles had to be tightened. Fish that had already been missed could not be caught again. Leon Benning rose from his seat, exhaling a chill.

—

A deafening roar rang out. Even in the pouring snow, the heat of the people did not seem to know how to cool down. The arena was soon tidied up, and above it were the knights who took first to third place in the martial arts competition.

“Third place, Damien Law.”

Originally, the match for third and fourth place should have been held, but Javier Franco, who was a semifinalist, withdrew and automatically gave up third place. The king himself was presenting the award, but the person who took third place did not seem to be very happy.

“Become a strong shield that protects the kingdom from now on.”

“I will obey your command.”

The king’s gaze then turned to the runner-up knight. Theodora Benning’s expression was so bright and confident that it was hard to believe that it was that of a knight who was unfortunately defeated in the finals. The expression on his face when he first entered the finals was spleen and bitter. I knew there would be a little bit of regret, but it was never like that.

The king turned his gaze slightly to see the winner, Maxime Appard. The relationship between Maxim and Theodora Benning was well known even to the king.

“Second place, Theodora Benning.”

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

The prospect, whom he first encountered in the palace, soon became a lumber capable of sustaining the kingdom. Since she is the daughter of the Bening family, is it absurd to say that she is a timber capable of supporting the palace? The King smiled bitterly and faced Theodora Benning.

“Unfortunately, he won the runner-up, but the hard work he showed became a model for knights.”

“It’s too much praise, Your Majesty.”

“In the future, I hope you will remain as a knight who protects the kingdom with the same activity as now.”

“I will obey your command.”

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Now, it’s the winner’s turn.

The King faced Maxime Appart, who faced him with firm eyes. Now, he didn’t hide his true face, he was revealing it to the world.

“First place, Arsene Bern.”

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

The king raised his voice as if to listen to the murmuring crowd.

“I will turn a blind eye to the fact that I participated with a different name from my real name. However, from now on, you will live as a knight serving the kingdom under your real name, not under the name Arsene Bern.”

“It is so, Your Majesty.”

The king gave a deep smile and dispelled the concern. The murmur of people’s voices suddenly changed to shimmers close to cheers.

“How reassuring it would be if a knight like a policeman guarded the palace. Today is a very happy day for Jim.”

The King’s hand rested on Maxim’s shoulder.

“Congratulations on winning. I hope you will continue to be the sharpest sword of the kingdom and protect the royal family and the people.”

The king’s declaration was like a declaration of war against someone. Maxim accepted the king’s words and knelt down. As if he himself would not lose to that will, he answered with a firm voice.

I caught the end of the broken line. Now, all that was left for Maxim was to continue the line.

“I will obey your command.”

—

The 120th Martial Arts Competition had a splendid finale leaving strong memories in people’s minds in many ways. The intruder incident, did the person who advanced to the semifinals abstain, and after twists and turns, I wondered if the finals would proceed normally, but the opposing article barely appeared on time and kept my heart on edge until the end.

The final, which was held in this way, attracted people with a match that unfolded a more intense and beautiful sword dance than any other final. People unanimously praised the beautiful sight, and the names of Theodora and Arsene quickly spread throughout the capital.

“By the way, that article. I heard your real name is Maxime Appard?”

“They said he applied for a different name than his real name. It seems that his face changed during the game. Didn’t your hair color change?”

“It is said that there were circumstances, but it is said that His Majesty tolerated it, so what can I do? The organizers didn’t say anything about whether there was any stabbing.”

Of course, the fact that Arsene Bern’s real name was Maxime Appart, and that his appearance was different from his true form, was not a case that was dealt with very importantly by the citizens of the royal capital.

“By the way, was the knight who won first place this time a member of the knights of His Highness the First Prince?”

“I heard that you don’t have a strong presence in the royal family, but now it’s time for you to show yourself as a candidate for succession.”

The victory achieved by a knight belonging to the 2nd Guards had the same effect as the victory of the 1st Prince. People mentioned Prince 1 more often and more, and stories about princes who had passed the age of majority and succession to the throne began to be talked about along with martial arts competitions.

“… So, who do you think will be the next heir to the throne?”

“Aren’t you sure you’re the first prince? He’s also the eldest son.”

“right. But isn’t there a reason why His Majesty the King hasn’t yet announced the next successor to the throne?”

If the topics of conversation among the citizens of the capital were like that, the conversations of the nobles in the capital were like this.

“You know this New Year’s ball is more important than ever, right?”

“cancer. If you saw this martial arts competition, you wouldn’t know. In general, the fact that the power structure of the three princes and the princess was achieved through a fight. We’ll have to keep an eye on who we’ll stick with.”

“Anyway, wouldn’t it be the victory of His Highness, the 2nd Prince with Count Benning on his back? Just what happened this fall… .”

“Shh! You are too light-mouthed anyway. But what if someone hears it?”

The New Year’s ball to be held after the martial arts competition.

The attention of all nobles in the kingdom turned to the social world, which had now become a battlefield.