Second Life, I’m Dying Soon Chapter 35

Chapter 35

 

The hunt had only just begun when—Pwooo!—a loud trumpet blast echoed across the field.

A servant who had been watching the grounds through a telescope shouted loudly.

“Baron Rowen has raised his flag! It’s white!”

Oh dear! Laughter broke out inside the pavilion. Everyone knew how thoroughly Rowen had prepared for today, so while some expressed regret at his sudden withdrawal, most simply scoffed.

Cecil quietly glanced at the Empress’s expression.

Seated with a maid on each side fanning her, Elizabeth wore her usual lofty expression. Even though her scheme had just unraveled, not a trace of displeasure showed on her face. Truly befitting of an Empress.

“It seems something unavoidable has come up for Baron Rowen.”

“I had high hopes for his marksmanship. What a shame.”

Cecil and the Empress spoke as if nothing were out of the ordinary. Yet despite the sweltering heat, a chill hung in the air between mother and son.

Cecil took a sip of the chilled sangria. To others, the Empress may have looked calm, but to his eyes, it was clear she was seething beneath the surface. The thought brought a faint smile to his lips.

“There are always variables in everything, after all.”

“Indeed. That’s why one must always prepare a contingency.”

At her response, Cecil’s hand paused. He slowly raised his gaze to the Empress without saying a word.

Her face was now turned toward him. Within her delicate and beautiful features, a pair of emerald eyes—just like his—gleamed brightly. Their gemlike brilliance belied the greed and selfishness brimming inside them.

“…As expected, Your Majesty is nothing if not thorough.”

“But of course.”

The Empress took a leisurely sip of her wine. Her crimson lips curved into a graceful smile.

At some point, she had stopped sharing her schemes with Cecil. After being let down a few too many times, she had grown even more secretive.

Though things seemed to have returned to how they were, she could feel deeply that Cecil was no longer the same.

“Cecil, no more reckless thoughts today. Just behave. I’ll take care of everything for you. It’s all for your own good.”

“Reckless thoughts? How could I possibly defy my mother’s will?”

Their glances cut sharp. Despite hiding their true intentions behind smooth expressions, their exchange held tension as taut as wire. On the surface, they appeared no different from any other close mother and son.

“Good. Stay just as you are now.”

Fortunately, the Empress didn’t seem to suspect that it was Cecil who had foiled her plan. Just then, a few noblewomen approached, requesting an audience. The Empress received them with a graceful smile.

While she chatted with them, Cecil slipped away from the pavilion under the pretense of giving them space.

His heart was pounding wildly. He had thought stopping Baron Rowen would be enough to prevent the coming incident. But reality was veering away from his predictions, forcing Cecil to rethink everything over and over again.

What if this changed the future?

That sudden thought made him halt in his tracks. With a pale face, Cecil looked out over the hunting grounds.

The things he had done to help Alexis were already starting to alter the future. The path once set in stone was shifting—and there was no guarantee the change would lead to anything better.

What if Alexis ended up even more seriously injured? What if… he died?

As that thought crossed his mind, Cecil turned immediately. Practically running, he made his way to the command post overseeing the hunting tournament.

Since the competition had begun, the staff there had been enjoying a brief break. Like the other nobles, they were indulging in some lemon sherbet and light conversation.

“Ah, Lord Cecil.”

But their leisure didn’t last long. The moment they saw who had barged in, they hastily set down their glass bowls and stood.

“Is this the map?”

Cecil marched right over and grabbed the sheet spread across the wide table.

The hunting grounds were vast. The area was divided into zones, with each participant assigned a specific section within which they were allowed to hunt.

Cecil scanned the map quickly. He ignored everything else, looking only for the flag that marked the Crown Prince’s location. Once he found it, he tossed the map back onto the table and walked out.

“W-what was that about?”

The committee members could only stare in bewilderment as he disappeared from view. A heavy unease settled over them.

Still, they thought, what could possibly happen? None of them realized that Cecil had committed the entire terrain to memory in those few seconds.

Cecil headed straight for his next destination: the area where the Imperial Guard and private soldiers brought by nobles were stationed. One of the guards recognized him immediately and snapped to attention.

“Salutations to the Empire’s Little Star!”

The nearby soldiers, catching on, straightened up and offered their respects in unison. But Cecil ignored them and walked forward without a word.

He strode to the makeshift armory, selected a bow, a quiver of arrows, and a dagger. The sudden act of arming himself sent the guards into a panic.

“L-Lord Cecil! What are you doing?”

“Move.”

“You can’t! You mustn’t take weapons out without permission, no matter who you are!”

Unable to stop him, they could only wave their arms in distress. Cecil gently pushed the guard blocking his way aside.

He then walked to where horses were resting leisurely. He selected one of the reserve horses prepared for immediate departure, placed his foot in the stirrup, and lightly mounted the saddle.

His upright posture was flawless. Though he had no talent for swordsmanship, he was skilled enough at horsemanship to ride with his eyes closed.

Cecil firmly gripped the reins and pressed his calves against the horse’s springy body.

Neighing, the sturdy stallion pranced and reared its front legs, but his stable posture remained undisturbed.

“Go to the command post and tell them I’ll be participating in the hunt as well.”

“Lord Cecil!”

“Don’t follow me. Anyone who disobeys me will be punished.”

He issued the grim warning and pulled on the reins. With a tap of his heel to the horse’s flank, the animal surged forward.

The thunder of hooves kicked up a cloud of sand behind him. As Cecil disappeared into the hunting grounds, the guards were struck pale.

“Captain! What do we do now?”

“…We can’t just stand here. Let’s go after him.”

They wavered for a moment, then scrambled to arm themselves and mount up, leaving only the bare minimum behind.

With a sharp command, the guards charged after Cecil. Whether they followed or stayed behind, the outcome would be grim either way.

The peaceful hunting tournament was beginning to fall into chaos.

The terrain of the hunting grounds was wild and unruly. A smooth forest path would suddenly give way to a steep downhill slope, and at times, the way would be blocked by streams or piles of rocks.

The dense foliage also hindered visibility. It might have been the ideal condition for hunting, but for Cecil—who had to reach his destination in a single dash—everything served only as an obstacle.

Still, he gripped the reins tightly and urged the horse faster. He overlaid the mental map he had memorized onto the actual terrain, swiftly passing through each segment. The well-trained imperial horse, as expected of the royal guards, galloped exactly as he willed.

From time to time, he ran into other participants of the hunt. Startled by his sudden appearance from the forest path, they recoiled in fright.

Some of the guides and scouts at the front even mistook Cecil for a beast native to the hunting grounds. Arrows had flown toward him a few times, but thankfully, none had hit their mark.

After running at full speed for more than twenty minutes, his whole body was soaked in sweat. The clinging silk of his clothes stuck damply to his skin, and the neatly arranged cravat had long since come undone.

By then, even the horse was exhausted, breathing out heavy, hot puffs. Cecil pulled the reins and halted by a nearby stream. At last, he had reached the base where Alexis was located.

He let the weary horse quench its thirst with the cool water and headed toward a spot where a white tent had been erected.

Flags bearing the imperial crest surrounded the tent. Nearby, horses stood at the ready, and imperial attendants bustled about in a hurry.

Cecil dragged his exhausted body forward. One of the attendants, who had been preparing and stacking fresh game, turned and widened his eyes in shock upon seeing him.

That Cecil had appeared in the hunting grounds was already surprising—but more than that, his appearance was utterly disheveled.

“Lord Cecil! What brings you here…?”

“Haah… Alexis…?”

Cecil barely caught his breath. The crown prince’s attendant awkwardly stood and pointed into the forest. Turning his head, Cecil spotted three people—two men and a woman—focused on hunting among the thick trees.

The familiar silhouette finally brought him some relief. Without delay, Cecil resumed walking. His footsteps dragged heavily, but the sound was enough to catch Claude’s attention first. He turned around sharply.

“Huh?”

His voice was filled with surprise. Alexis and Yuria also turned around. Yuria, just about to shoot a bird that hovered before her, had her bowstring drawn taut.

Startled by Cecil’s appearance, she let go of the string. Thwip—the arrow struck the ground right at Cecil’s feet.