Chapter 291
Chapter: 291
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>Translator: penny
>Chapter: 291
>Chapter Title: Justitia (3)
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Meanwhile, there was another person suffering from the aftermath of that all-nighter gaming session.
"Now my bones are aching..."
Seongjin, who had arrived at the training grounds a bit later than usual, sat blankly on the floor, forgetting even to meditate.
"Considering Your Highness's aura layer, this is truly peculiar. It seems the aura's natural recovery effect on the body is weaker compared to others."
Masain, examining Seongjin's aura with a worried expression, cautiously suggested.
"You have monster subjugation duties soon. How about resting from training for the day?"
"Uh, sure."
As Seongjin nodded obediently, Masain's face grew even more grave. The training-obsessed prince taking a break just because someone suggested it?
"...I'll summon Physician Ninnias."
Seongjin dazedly petted Max's head, which kept nudging his hand, too out of it to even think of stopping Masain as he left with a stiff expression.
Had it been a few days of gaming? Three straight all-nighters, right?
'They said my aura operates differently from others.'
Logan had pointed it out before.
Seongjin's aura followed his will so faithfully that it apparently ceased all activity when his consciousness was absent.
That's why his hangovers lasted longer and fatigue built up faster than other aura users of the same level.
'The aura's recovery effect is slower...'
Now, Seongjin was feeling that difference deep in his bones.
Look at the resident knights. Had those boozehounds ever wheezed like this after a few days of drinking and pulling all-nighters?
'Today's the audience day, perfect. Maybe ask Father to take a look this afternoon.'
Still, how the hell did Owen survive that lifestyle for years? The guy's stamina was insane.
Woof woof!
At any rate, Max was thrilled by the unexpected break.
As if protesting the recent lack of playtime due to the busy schedule, he rubbed against Seongjin and showered him with affection.
[Get lost! Know your place! Don't shove your head in whenever you feel like it, you stupid mutt!]
The demon king's mood soured as well. He knew it was unavoidable, but he was clearly miffed that Seongjin had gone to Pangea Chronicle alone.
"Max, you mutt! Don't disturb His Highness's rest—come here!"
Fortunately, Captain Bruno stepped in to help Seongjin.
He held a wooden plate painted in bright colors—one Seongjin had specially ordered recently to play with Max.
Whine!
Spotting the familiar plate, Max's eyes lit up as he wagged his tail.
"Here, fetch!"
Whoosh!
The plate sliced through the air in a perfect arc, and the wolfhound charged toward it at full speed.
Then—
Smack!
Kicking off the training ground, Max leaped high, twisting his body gracefully to catch the captain's tossed plate in his mouth.
Thud!
"Whoa!"
"Not bad!"
It was such a spectacular sight that the resident knights paused their training to watch.
But the cool moment ended there.
Whine?
After glancing at Seongjin and the captain, Max bolted off with the plate still in his mouth!
"...M-Max?"
Captain Bruno's dazed voice echoed across the training grounds after having the plate snatched. Seongjin couldn't help but chuckle softly.
"Haha."
Still, that's progress, Captain. At first, he'd just stare blankly at whatever was thrown.
Then, sensing a peculiar gaze, Seongjin looked up.
Sure enough, Edith was standing by the window, staring intently at them. When their eyes met, she flinched in surprise and hurriedly ducked back inside.
"......"
What was with that envious look?
Seongjin scratched his cheek, thought for a moment, then called out to the captain.
"Um, Captain Bruno? If you have time, maybe sometimes with Edith too..."
"Pardon?"
"...Nah, forget it."
Asking her personal maid to play fetch? What kind of weird request was that?
'Next time, I'll find an opportunity to "accidentally" drop the plate naturally...'
As he pondered, Seongjin clicked his tongue in exasperation.
In this world, was he the only one scheming for the perfect moment to toss a plate to his personal maid?
[You're the only one. Obviously.]
Ah, shut up!
Just then, on one side of the training grounds, a spar between two knights was wrapping up. Longtime drinking buddies, Sir Kurt and Lady Maria.
The only advanced knights among the residents, they often held these wagering matches over drinks.
Clang! Clang!
A fierce exchange where neither gave an inch.
'Watching like this, their differences stand out more.'
Unlike Lady Maria, who wielded the clean, standard Imperial Knight swordsmanship without waste, Sir Kurt from the northern regions used a more intricate, old-fashioned style.
Not the refined Banahas style, but closer to ancient techniques like Orden or Baltazar.
Yet unlike his usual relaxed spars, today's Sir Kurt was struggling against Lady Maria's blade.
And the decisive final blow.
Banahas Form 5, Stance 6: Hive Thrust.
Boom boom boom boom!
Sir Kurt, barely defending, lost his grip on his sword to Lady Maria's sword tracing even more precise concentric circles.
Clang!
As Sir Kurt panicked at the clean defeat, Lady Maria confidently pressed her blade under his chin.
"We agreed on fine distilled liquor today. I hope you haven't forgotten."
"Ugh..."
Gripping his numb hand and sweating coldly, Sir Kurt locked eyes with Seongjin and cried out pleadingly.
"Your Highness! What's gotten into this woman? I used to have to hold back just to make it a decent fight, but lately, I keep losing and buying drinks!"
"Don't brag. Who said you held back?"
Lady Maria shot back curtly, and Sir Kurt—usually so composed—raised his voice uncharacteristically.
"You're the one pretending not to know! What the hell happened up north? She wasn't this good before!"
Sir Kurt wasn't entirely wrong.
It wasn't just Lady Maria. Knights like Carmen and Lady Claudia, who had gone to the Zigsmunt territory with Seongjin, had all noticeably improved.
'Real combat is the best training, after all.'
The results of battling spirit beasts, glacier trolls, and countless lycanslopes were finally showing.
Of course, Carmen's aura brightness was still the most pathetic.
"......?"
As Seongjin gave him a pitiful look, Carmen twitched and raised an eyebrow, clueless.
"Our win rate was definitely 7:3 before! With me at 7! And even that was me going easy most times!"
"Precise win rate was 6:4. Me at 6. And you, desperate to save on drinks, going easy on me? I swear to the gods, never once."
Lady Maria replied curtly, then glanced at Seongjin with slight concern.
"By the way, Your Highness, you've looked fatigued since yesterday. Is something wrong?"
"Hm? No. Just had a rough night. I'm fine."
As Seongjin waved it off, Sir Kurt suddenly shoved his face forward with a joking vow.
"I can't stand this! Next time Your Highness travels anywhere, I must accompany you!"
Lady Maria snorted beside him.
"How could we trust you with His Highness's guard? Just stay in the capital like a good weakling and buy me drinks."
"What? Puffing up because your swordplay improved a bit? Not afraid of repercussions?"
"Repercussions my ass! Try beating me if you can."
"Eek!"
Whoa, they're at it again.
Half-listening to their bickering, Seongjin spotted Sir Masain and the strawberry-nosed physician rushing into the training grounds from afar.
* * *
"Rest from training for the time being and take it easy."
Physician Ninnias's diagnosis was simple fatigue.
He prescribed some herbs and a tonic, giving Seongjin a few reminders.
"Eat regularly and get proper sleep. Your Highness is naturally healthy and an aura user besides. You'll recover soon."
"Yeah, thanks."
But Seongjin couldn't guarantee tomorrow's condition.
He was meeting Owen and the silent villains in Pangea Chronicle tonight, after all. Sleep deprivation and fatigue would continue for a while.
With mixed feelings, Seongjin headed to the monster subjugation unit.
But for some reason.
Jingle, jingle.
Observing the Miley Merchant Guild's seizure search, Seongjin's condition recovered so rapidly it surprised even him.
"Your Highness, you seem in better spirits than usual?"
The red-haired inquisitor, reporting on the seized goods with a puzzled look, prompted Sir Masain to glance worriedly at Seongjin.
Seongjin grinned at him.
"Ah, I'm fine, Sir Masain."
As you know, once you get into work, even a bit of body ache becomes bearable.
And look— the national treasury's filling up by the second. With all those money pouches stacking neatly before your eyes, who wouldn't feel upbeat?
Unsure how to take Seongjin's pleased smile, the red-haired inquisitor cautiously warned.
"...It's under investigation, so no siphoning, Your Highness."
No, Lady Valerie? What do you take me for?
And in the afternoon, the awaited audience time arrived.
He'd popped into the office occasionally, but this was his first official audience since returning from Zigsmunt territory.
"......"
Following Chief Chamberlain Luis into the office, the usual elaborate tea spread awaited Seongjin.
Gazing nostalgically at the steaming Melbourne tea—
"Morres."
The Holy Emperor called concisely, staring at Seongjin for a moment before silently beckoning.
Yeah, I figured this guy would notice right away.
Whoosh.
Letting the brilliant light pouring from his head wash over him, the fatigue vanished as if cleansed, his sluggish body instantly refreshed.
'Whoa, feels crisp...'
The refreshment must have shown on his face like an old man soaking in a hot spring.
Watching Seongjin's expression, the Holy Emperor withdrew his hand with a complicated sigh.
"I wonder if I've spoiled you too much."
Uh, ahem. Sorry.
Coughing awkwardly in embarrassment, Seongjin faced an unexpected follow-up.
"Drop by the office occasionally from now on. This state will likely persist for a while."
"...Guh!"
Caught off guard, Seongjin bit his tongue. But at the same time, an inexplicable relief welled up inside.
Ah, this guy's got it all figured out.