Author: rolypoly

“The destructive power of these arrows is on a completely different level compared to regular ones. The target in the training ground, which withstood thousands of arrows, was shattered by just one of these!” 

 

The arrowhead made of a magic stone gleamed with a blue light as Delmar excitedly continued his explanation.

 

“The beasts in the imperial hunting grounds will drop the moment they’re hit by this arrow. Everyone will be curious about the secret behind it!”

 

“You’re happy.”

 

“I’m more than happy. Just thinking about everyone rushing to ask me about it…” 

 

Delmar, who had been smiling, lost in a sweet dream, cleared his throat.

 

“Oh, well, of course, I’m glad that the low-quality magic stones that were disregarded and the Eastern regions now have a market, but… ahem.”

 

“Are you planning to give credit to the Eastern regions for that?”

 

“Uh… since it was developed in Marquis Lantier’s territory, and the primary source of the magic stones is also in the East. Is there something wrong with that?” 

 

Delmar looked at his brother’s face.

 

‘Ah, since making arrows with low-quality magic stones was brother’s idea, brother…’

 

It seemed too harsh for his brother, who couldn’t be at the forefront.

 

Even bragging like this now is openly teasing him. His brother can’t participate in the hunting festival, and he can’t hunt with the arrows he came up with. It was at that moment, when Delmar realized his own slip of the tongue, that he began to fidget with his lips.

 

“In that case, the place where the nobles will all rush to is not you, but Marquis Lantier.” 

 

“Then should we refrain from revealing that it’s an eastern creation at the hunting festival?”

 

“If you want universal praise, it would be better not to reveal it. If you want eastern praise, then reveal it.”

 

“Which do you think is better?”

 

“You decide.”

 

Aurelio answered plainly. Delmar, who was watching the situation, asked quietly.

 

“Don’t you get greedy, brother?”

 

“What do you mean?”

 

“Just… everything. You’re always attributing the credit to me. In reality, the praise and cheering should rightly go to you, but you keep insisting on giving it up, so it’s a bit embarrassing and… I feel sorry.”

 

Aurelio gave a dry smile.

 

“I only want one thing.”

 

“What is that?”

 

Delmar asked, thinking about gold, honor, or precious books.

 

Aurelio saw Snowball for a while. He stared at the peaceful snowy field in the glass and he answered.

 

“Quiet life.”

 

There was a fleeting emotion in his usually oddly calm eyes. It felt like seeing something he shouldn’t have seen. Delmar turned away. 

 

After the conflict with Empress Diana, Delmar had reassessed his situation. With the realization that even his own mother couldn’t be blindly trusted, he knew he needed to build his own power. Although he had brought the eastern regions into his fold, he still lacked sufficient strength. Moreover, nobles could betray or align with whomever suited their needs, just as Menelik had aligned with his mother.

 

In that case, who could he count on to be unconditionally loyal? The person who first came to mind was none other than his half-brother, Aurelio.

 

A brother who had been at odds with his mother and didn’t stab him in the back, there could be no greater blessing for the royal family. Delmar thought that he should show favor to him as much as his brother had treated him.

 

What should he do for him that would make him happy? 

 

“You’re talented in battle too, Brother. You did everything on your own in the Peter.”

 

After thinking about it, Delmar said.

 

“So…how about you participate in the hunting festival?”

 

Aurelio, who had been looking at the snowy landscape, turned his head. Wouldn’t he just hate it?

 

Feeling more confident, Delmar said with a hint of charm.

 

“You’re always stuck in the Northern Tower, so it must be a bit frustrating. It would be great if you could think of it as an outing to the hunting grounds for some fresh air. Honestly, I’m quite curious to see how you handle a bow!”

 

“With my identity revealed?”

 

Delmar understood that he was reluctant to reveal his identity. He answered casually.

 

“You can just say that you participated as a member of the Imperial Knights. If you come out wearing the armor and helmet of a knight, no one will know. I’ll take care of the list. After all, I’m hosting it under my name.”

 

“Your kindness goes this far. It’s a great kindness.”

 

“What wouldn’t I do for you, brother?”

 

Aurelio snickered.

 

“Thank you for your kind words.”

 

“Yes, I’ll keep your identity a secret no matter what happens. So you’re going?”

 

“Of course.”

 

Delmar grabbed his hand and held out the arrow.

 

“Practice with this arrow!”

 

“I’ll practice, but I won’t use it in real combat.”

 

“Why? Oh, is it unusual for a knight to have arrows made for the prince? It’s a shame; I would have liked to see you use them too.”

 

Delmar said brightly. Aurelio patted his head and answered softly.

 

“This is your chance to win. I can’t take it away from you.”

 

Those words sounded like Delmar’s victory was impossible in a fair environment.

 

sarcastic words. Delmar’s expression hardened for a moment, but he shook his head and quickly got up with a smile.

 

“I’m leaving early.”

 

“I have something to do tonight. I’m going to take care of some state affairs in advance.”

 

The medicine Cherry gave has all been used up. As the saying goes, a thirsty person must dig their own well, so it’s inevitable that he has to go see her.

 

Delmar thought about telling his brother about Cherry, but he quickly changed his mind. Originally, it was an expression of his thought that it would be bad to tell someone who should forget his brother that she remembered him. Of course, there was a bit of self-centered thinking behind that conclusion. 

 

‘If something goes wrong with Cherry, I wouldn’t be able to get any more medicine.’

 

Delmar felt a slight sense of guilt, but he said that and left the room.

 

Rev turned the arrow Delmar had left behind. The arrow that had been spinning around his fingertips slowly rose. The arrow that left his hand swam around the magic stone arrowhead.

 

The arrow that had been moving gracefully like a fish suddenly cut through the air.

 

The arrow hit the stone wall and shattered miserably with a small cracking sound. Rev, who had been watching the scene indifferently, turned his gaze to the list of participants in the hunting festival. Since Delmar had been mumbling and reciting it, there was no need to take out the list. 

 

Rev’s gaze, which had been scanning the names of the nobles, stopped at ‘Menelik County’. There were two participants in Menelik County.

 

The current Count Alika Menelik, and the Young Lord Friedrich Menelik. 

 

It wouldn’t be only animals that would lose their lives at the hunting festival. He had something else to hunt. 

 

The guards of the north tower had to closely monitor who came and went. It was Diana’s order.

 

However, as with all things, when they get used to it, they tend to neglect it. At most, only Prince Delmar entered the north tower, and the owner of the north tower was locked in his room except for going to and from the palace library. It was a task that, though meaningless and unremarkable, was exceedingly easy.

 

Moreover, the owner of the tower always revealed his business and time whenever he had to go out, so the knights of the northern tower only had to guard the main entrance. They had never imagined that there would be another way in or out.

 

Rev leisurely left the tower and headed toward the Empress’s Palace. It wasn’t hard to spot someone leaning toward the north with a dark face and an envelope in his hand.

 

“…Rev…inas…?”

 

Franz, who was a knight but dressed as a servant, trembled his lips as if he couldn’t believe it even though he saw it with his own eyes.

 

Rev put a hand on his shoulder.

 

“Franz.”

 

It was a natural gesture, as if the master was encouraging the knight.

 

“Do you need time to organize your thoughts today?”

 

“It’s an animalistic instinct for a mercenary to know who will be his master.”

 

Intuition was faster than logic. Franz slowly lowered his head.

 

* * *

 

“I wondered who would buy so many fatigue relievers every time, and it was Elaine?”

 

“It couldn’t be helped. I gave some to the junior librarians at the library, and they were all so pleased, asking where they could get more. Hmm, now that I think about it, it might also be their way of expressing how tired they are.”

 

“But why did you come alone?”

 

“The subordinates have to work at this time. And I don’t want everyone to know about this high-quality supply.”

 

“Since you say supply,  it sounds like we’re engaged in some secret transaction.”

 

“Ahem, if you have any good ones, give me more,  Lucette.”

 

“Really!”

 

Elaine laughed and bought all the remaining fatigue relievers. She trusted Lucette’s medicine every time she visited, so she would buy them all. She said she was giving them to the junior librarians at the library.

 

Judging by the considerable amount of medicine she was giving out, she must have been a much higher-ranking librarian than she thought. With her own separate office, it would be reasonable to consider her the chief librarian of the library.

 

‘Well, because of Elaine’s words, Dietrich and I were able to enter the palace library.’

 

“But you’re buying a lot today. Can you take it with you?”

 

“Phew, since the librarians are constantly talking about this, it seems others became curious too. Some who had a sip asked if they could buy some for themselves. Even the cleaners, knights, and visiting attendants are asking.”

 

“Really?”

 

“Yes, even people who were reluctant at first drank it without much hesitation because it looks like a drink. Everyone comes because it’s so effective.”

 

“You’re also giving them a guide to taking it?”

 

“Of course, I understand why you’re worried, Lucette. You’re concerned that everyone will drink it like water because they say it tastes good, right? I’m explaining everything to them.”

 

Elaine, who had been whispering that she had to leave her own share even though it became popular, made a gesture.

 

“The knights especially like it very much. It looks like they’re just playing around, but I don’t know why they’re looking for this…I think there’s an event coming up at the palace soon. They’re going to be tired, so I think it would be good to buy this in advance.”

 

Luce, who was wondering what the palace knights were playing around with, asked.

 

“What kind of event is it?”

 

“I don’t know the details, but it’s probably an event with a lot of nobles. So it’s something the knights need to be nervous about. You might receive large orders soon, so be ready to rake in the money.”

 

Luce, who sent Elaine off with a thank you, met a group of knights and information that evening.

 

Author's Thoughts

Hello! You can also buy the advanced chapter in Ko-fi now, just click the ko-fi button and look for the title of the novel in shop. Thank you for your support!

Table of Contents
Reader Settings
Font Size
Line Height
Font
Donation
Amount
rolypoly

Ko-fi Ko-fi

Comments (0)