Chapter 7: The Hunting Competition (2)

The 8th Prince was glaring at me as if he would kill me, his pride seemingly deeply wounded by the humiliation that wasn't quite humiliation he had suffered at the last ritual.

For 1 hour.

For that whole time, the kid had been glaring like that, steadily, ever since leaving the Imperial Palace.

It was a tenacity that made it hard to tell whether I should praise his ocular health or his persistence.

Was it because he was imperial that his eyes hurt less, even when overworking his eye muscles like that?

I, who had sent my mind flying far, far away with the completely unproductive thought that perhaps the muscles around an imperial's eyes were also more robust than a normal person's, ignored the kid diligently in my own way.

If there was one thing that had become certain from the last incident, it was that, perhaps because it was 1 year before the start of the original work, that kid was just a little bit more hot-tempered and impulsive than when I had read about him in the book.

Recalling the kid who had looked ready to slam the table and lunge at me, I didn't want to carelessly provoke him, at least until we reached our destination.

Because a pretty important event was waiting for me today.

Come to think of it, even when I lived in the modern world, there was nothing as scary to someone in their late 20s as the vigor of a teenager.

I just stayed still, with the feeling of 'go on and let it all out and then please be quiet'.

“You bastard, are you ignoring me right now?!”

But my calm attitude seemed to have pissed him off even more.

If I engage him, he gets angry; if I don't engage him, he gets riled up.

Is this kind of insolent situation exactly what one experiences when they get a younger brother?

Even while I was lost in such stray thoughts, the kid continued to mutter curses or something similar to curses.

Still, this time, the kid was at least keeping his voice low, so as not to be as conspicuous as last time.

I couldn't exactly praise him for being admirable.

The main words he spat out were 'vermin', 'insect bastard', 'dirty blood', 'vulgar black horse'.

A vulgar black horse, he says.

Personally, I like it better than the golden horse.

I gently stroked the mane of the black horse, whose whole body was covered in jet-black fur, and which was walking, carrying me.

The fellow, as if in a good mood, made a snorting sound and shook its head slightly.

It seems the 7th Prince isn't popular with people, but he's well-liked by animals.

When I scratched its neck again, the fellow let out a small neigh and put strength into its steps.

It wasn't vulgar like that petty cockscomb had said.

Of course, I wasn't really sure what a 'vulgar horse' was, but in my eyes, it looked elegant enough.

“You're a pretty cute fellow, but you're getting poor treatment because your owner is the 7th Prince.”

When I muttered softly, the fellow bobbed its head again.

I've thought about this for a while, but the animals in this world act strangely as if they understand human speech.

The cockscomb kid started squawking again, saying that I was ignoring his words but talking to a beast, but I was able to ignore him this time, too.

This black horse was a gift to the 7th Prince in his childhood from someone, maybe the 4th Prince, to make fun of the prince who had black hair and no Manis.

A jet-black horse, with its whole body and mane black, standing out among the white horses with golden manes.

It's said that when he was among the imperials, he looked even more jet-black, and the 7th Prince felt ashamed.

It seemed the imperial family was even bullied by throwing money around.

That…… I like it.

Don't just run your mouth like the young prince right next to me; keep bullying me just like this.

I mean, if you're going to do it, gift me something like black jewels or a black sword.

A horse of such an inconspicuous color is also convenient to take when I run away from the Imperial Palace later.

Around the time the 8th Prince's voice had almost quieted down, a small tower marking the beginning of the forest finally revealed itself.

When we reach the entrance of this large imperial forest, which shows the Emperor's prestige, the opening ceremony of the hunting competition will be held simply, and that will be the official start of the hunting competition.

Usually, the winner here is set to be a prince or princess.

Because a normal person can't beat a Manis wielder.

The people of the imperial family, born with blond hair, have innately superior physical abilities.

But it's not like using abilities is forbidden in the hunting competition, so there's no way anyone can beat people like this.

Originally, the imperial hunting competition was just an event to enhance the prestige of the imperial family and announce policies in a brutal atmosphere.

Traditionally, the person who takes 1st place in the hunting competition can make one wish to the Emperor.

This is also said to be a tradition that started from the first Emperor enjoying hunting, but now it's just a political tool for the imperial family.

Since the ones who win are all imperial families, they state wishes that are pleasing to the Emperor or advantageous to them.

And above all, anyone who raises an objection here must risk their life.

Next to the place where the tower is built, there is a sheer cliff.

For the crime of raising an objection against the sacred tradition of the imperial family, that person is thrown off the cliff.

In return for risking their life, that year's wish is rejected once.

Even so, the hunting competition is held again the next year, and if the winner makes that wish again, it's all for nothing.

Since no one wants to suffer this meaningless death, there is almost no one who steps up to express opposition.

Well, aside from that, if letting the imperial family's boiling bloodlust vent a little is the purpose, then it's a purpose.

“When the hunt begins, I'll catch you and that horse first, skin you, and burn you alive.”

To calm down energetic guys like this cockscomb.

I made eye contact for the first time in 1 and a half hours with the kid, who was speaking while grinding his teeth, as if he knew we had now arrived at the tower.

Because it would be a bit troublesome for me today if he really followed me around all day.

“You can't do that.”

When I finally answered, the cockscomb, who had been preparing to hurl insults, frowned, as if finding it strange that I was speaking to him more nonchalantly than he expected.

I leaned my body slightly toward the kid and whispered softly.

“If that happens, everyone will notice that you're an imperial who can, at best, only light a small oil lamp.”

I watched the kid's eyes widen and his face turn blue, and continued.

“At least for today, stay quiet. Even if I go crazy and shout in front of everyone for you to try and burn me today, there's nothing that can help you, is there.”

Bwoooo-

Along with the well-timed sound of the horn, the boring procession finally stopped.

We had arrived at the entrance of the forest, at the stone tower.

The stone tower, seen from a small distance, looked like it was roughly piled with stones, and it was incomparably crude compared to the Imperial Palace, which was wrapped in gold, silver, and bronze.

That building, just as old, is called the Primordial Tower.

That, too, was built by the first Emperor, and from then until now, the opening ceremony of the hunting competition has been held here every year.

The ritual can be said to be the successor candidate, chosen by the Emperor, showing off his power, thereby displaying the imperial family's power in front of the nobles.

The scene where the 1st Prince overexerts himself and uses his power in the original work is precisely this one.

I reviewed the original work in my mind once more and looked around the stone tower.

Around the somewhat crude stone tower, which until recently had only the frame of a platform, luxurious tents and an altar, unbefitting of it, had been prepared.

The subordinates must have been worked to the bone.

It seemed the day of the hunt was no different, as the high-ranking nobles and those attending to the imperial family were moving busily.

I, naturally, had brought no one.

I could have employed the 7th Prince's Palace servants, but the work I do is better with fewer people, so there was no reason for me to bring them.

I led my horse among the busy people and quietly, carefully examined the stone tower and the entrance to the forest.

I did feel a few people throwing glances at me, wandering around without even a confidant, but preparing for what would happen today was far more important than worrying about every little thing like that.

Not long after, as the imperial family and the central nobles took their places, the ritual began at once.

I don't like the Emperor as a person, but I liked that one thing, how fast he is at processing work.

In front of everyone watching, the Emperor ascended the massive, gold-decorated altar.

Bwoooo--Bwoooo-

In time with two long horn blasts, the Emperor expressionlessly raised his hand.

And the first prince, matching him, stepped forward with a solemn atmosphere.

He stretched out both hands.

The moment he extended his hands, his eyes met mine, as I stood below the altar, but he immediately avoided my gaze.

And he infused his power.

He probably did.

It wasn't a visible power, so I couldn't see it, but according to the spectacle that unfolded immediately after, it must have been a pretty strong power.

A small water vortex was created within his two arms.

Everyone gathered watched him with tense or expectant gazes, wondering if the 1st Prince would gush blood this time, too.

But that kind of thing doesn't happen.

Because I intervened this time.

The small vortex quickly grew in size and eventually swelled as large as the ancient stone tower.

When the 1st Prince stretched his hand toward the sky, another water spray, in the shape of a wolf, soared up from within the vortex.

The wolf made of water ran above the heads of those gathered below the altar, then leaped high and disappeared into the sky.

In the spot where the wolf disappeared, a few strands of rainbow, created by the light dispersed by its remnants, were formed.

A quiet silence fell upon the altar.

Everyone was staring blankly, unable to pull themselves away from the sight that no human could dare create.

Bwoooo--Bwoooo--

Just as when the ritual began, only after the pulsating sound rang out twice did people begin to come to their senses, one by one.

Following that, the sound of thunderous applause filled the forest.

The 1st Prince enjoyed the cheers with a confident expression, and when the sound died down, he stepped back down, without having shed a single drop of blood.

With this, the opening ceremony, where the most likely candidate for Emperor shows his power in front of the people once a year, was over.

Now that he had shown the 1st Prince's healthy appearance, it would buy some more time until the start of the original work.

The 1st mission in the hunting competition was safely completed.

The 1st Prince stepped down, and this time, the Emperor slowly opened his mouth.

“The hunting competition begins.”

The Emperor's voice echoed, and the gathered people, one by one, formed their prepared parties and began to enter the vast forest.

Since the 1st Prince had completed his mission, I, too, must achieve my purpose for coming here.

I struck the black horse's reins and rode toward the small animal zone of the forest.

It was the start of the hidden episode.

***

“The Emperor has begun crushing the nobles' spirits a little early this time.”

At the indifferent voice, his cowardly aide, Tollin, was startled and looked around, and after confirming no one was there, whispered quickly.

“Please, save such irreverent words for when you are alone, and when you are far enough away that it's clear the Duke and I are not the least bit associated! Only then, please!”

At that fussy appearance, an expression of looking at something pathetic flickered across the face of Tollin's superior, the one who had made the irreverent remark.

“Tollin, I am a man who looks where he will stretch his feet before lying down. Otherwise, I wouldn't have lived to this age. There is no one within 50 feet in front of us who can hear.”

He, who had shaken his head at his aide, who was now following him with a relieved expression, listlessly threw his gaze to the sky.

The rainbow created by the giant wolf that the 1st Prince had shot up right before the opening was still faintly visible.

Contrary to the beautiful scenery, his insides felt stained with mud, complicated.

His name, who was looking at the sky with a complicated heart, was Agoni Piteos.

The head of the Piteos ducal family, a vigorous old man who had once served as a vanguard on the battlefield past the age of 50, and a poor mortal whose fate would be greatly changed by someone today.

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