Chapter 26

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Translator: penny

Chapter: 1

Chapter Title: Sacred Festival (1)

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Training had just wrapped up when the announcement came.

"Alright, everyone."

The producer stepped to the front.

"Our program has been selected to participate in the empire's grandest event—the Sacred Festival!"

"Congratulations to everyone!!!"

The producer shouted.

"Every single participant from our Fate's Red Thread!"

His voice rose even higher.

"Will be entering the empire's grandest festival—the Sacred Festival!"

Cheers erupted.

"Ooooh!"

"The Sacred Festival?!"

"No way!"

Everyone was losing their minds in excitement.

Everyone except me.

Ha...

"This is all thanks to the imperial family's permission."

At that, all eyes turned to one side.

Red hair.

The First Imperial Princess, Irene.

She gave a faint smile without a word.

"Whoa... I think she just stole my heart."

"She's so beautiful."

It was just a polite smile, but the guys were already dazed.

The producer continued.

"That said, not just anyone can join the Sacred Festival."

"We still have to compete in the qualifiers!"

"And now, we'll reveal the qualifier event!"

Whoosh—

The screen changed.

"This will take place on the abandoned uninhabited island in the Magic Tower's 12th Laboratory."

Footage of the island appeared on the screen.

‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠

Dense jungle packed with trees.

And between those trees, the glowing red eyes of magical beasts.

...Fuck.

And unidentified tentacles, too.

We're really going in there?

"You'll survive here for 7 days."

"Elimination conditions: fainting, injury, or requesting rescue."

The participants murmured.

"Seven days there?"

"This is insane..."

"Aren't we ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠gonna die?"

"Why are there so many magical beasts..."

Someone raised their hand.

"What about food?"

The producer smiled.

"Gather it yourselves."

"Water?"

"Gather it yourselves."

"Sleep?"

"Find a place yourselves."

The air grew heavy, faces darkening.

Except for Kael.

"Hah!"

He clenched his fist.

"A true battlefield at last!"

His eyes sparkled.

"Magical beast hunting! Wild survival! This is a man's dream!"

That's when

I raised my hand and spoke.

"So, preparations are up to each individual's discretion?"

The producer paused for a moment,

"Hmm..."

Then replied thoughtfully.

"Yes. It's all part of your personal capabilities, after all."

Participants chimed in one by one.

"Gotta prep gear thoroughly."

"Full magic tools equipped."

"Top-grade protective gear."

'Personal freedom in prep, huh...'

I racked my brain quickly.

'Seven days.'

On an uninhabited island.

Camping...

My lips curved up.

This is gonna be sweet.

Time to show some next-level prep.

The camera followed me.

"Young master, what's your plan for survival prep?"

The camera closed in.

"Securing a base is key."

Well, actually,

camping is key.

"Ooh!"

The cameraman seemed impressed.

"I'll move efficiently."

Meaning 'I'll move as little as possible.'

But I nodded seriously enough.

Magic Tower first floor, 'Arcana Outdoors.' A store run by the tower selling outdoor gear.

My steps halted the moment I entered.

Whoa... nice.

"..."

My eyes widened.

'What is this place?'

Shelves reaching the ceiling gleamed with limited-edition camping gear like jewels.

All handmade? The quality looks insane.

I strolled slowly, eyeing each one.

First shelf: a seemingly ordinary one-person tent. A spec sheet beside it.

What functions does it have?

Sold exclusively through the Magic Tower site, so no basic magic...

"..."

I swallowed hard.

Calling this a tent feels wrong.

What to call it...? Mobile fortress?

If asked why buy it,

'It's the perfect mobile fortress.'

Sounds legit.

'Truth is, I just want a solo 1,000 sq ft apartment.'

Heh heh.

My hand moved.

I picked up the tent. Light as a feather.

'Insane.'

A whole 1,000 sq ft apartment in this.

"Heh."

My lips curved up.

Into the cart it went.

Second shelf: sleeping bag. I read the spec sheet.

Cozy as spring!?

And guaranteed deep sleep?

My hand brushed the sleeping bag.

So soft.

Like touching a cloud.

Kuhhh...

Honestly, buying for the feel alone.

Into the cart.

Third shelf, burner.

Can't give up grilling steak over a campfire.

Kuhhh...

Before I knew it, the cart was full.

"I'll check out."

"Ah... yes..."

The clerk scanned the two carts with the ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠crystal orb, and the bill popped up.

Numbers started climbing.

Not in gold coins—silver coin units.

10.

50.

Yeah, about this much.

500.

5,000.

'...Hold up?'

50,000.

'...Fuck?'

The number stopped.

I stared at it.

Stared again.

One more time.

'It's pricey.'

Insanely so.

Magic Tower prices are nuts.

A single tent costing as much as building a city wall?

I have sunglasses money.

Can afford it.

But.

'If I spend all this...'

No wiggle room for a while...

Fuck.

My hand trembled slightly.

I pulled out my mana card.

"..."

'It's fine.'

Cup ramen won't kill me.

I squeezed my eyes shut.

The moment I went to hand over the card.

Then.

Something felt off.

Sounds were fading.

Murmurs stopped. Footsteps halted. Even breathing seemed to cease.

Vacuum state.

Like time froze.

'...What?'

I turned slowly.

The clerk was frozen.

Almost dropped the crystal orb in her hand.

Gazes fixed on one spot.

The store entrance.

The cameraman noticed something.

Whirr—

He whipped the camera around. Toward the entrance.

His hands started shaking.

I looked, too.

A robed mage bowed their head. The mage beside, then the customer, then the clerk. Like dominoes, heads bowed one by one.

The crowd parted like the sea.

Footsteps echoed from the end.

Click—

Click—

Click—

Slow, elegant, dignified steps.

Faint golden light shimmered. Not blinding, yet impossible to look away.

Someone approached.

Red hair gleamed in the sunlight as it cascaded down.

Pale skin, sharp eyes, red lips. Subtle golden mana wafted through the air.

Breath caught.

The First Imperial Princess. Irene.

'Why is she here...?'

Irene's gaze swept the room.

Cool, cold, sharp, majestic eyes.

Bowed heads dipped lower.

Irene walked straight toward me without breaking stride.

'No way.'

Coming to me?

Our eyes met.

In that instant.

The cool gaze.

Subtly.

Ever so subtly.

Softened.

Others wouldn't notice.

But I did.

Definitely.

Irene stopped two meters away.

Face-to-face with the princess.

"Young master."

A low, calm, dignified voice rang out.

"Have you been well?"

"Yes."

I bowed my head.

Praying my voice didn't shake.

Irene's gaze slid from my face down to the carts.

6-star barrier tent, sleeping bag, burner... packed with camping gear.

She stared for a long moment.

Tilted her head slightly.

"Planning to build a fortress?"

"..."

'It's a tent...'

"Ah..."

I scratched the back of my head.

"Prep for the deserted island survival."

"Gotta last seven days."

Irene's eyes narrowed.

"Do you need a 6-star barrier tent to survive seven days?"

"..."

Not really needed... it's for my damn camping romance.

Rainy day, coffee in the tent.

Kuh...

Heavenly bliss.

Can't say that, though.

"Fully prepared."

I packaged it nicely.

Irene's lips curved faintly.

"Fully prepared, hm..."

She glanced at the carts again.

6-star barrier sleeping bag.

1,000 sq ft penthouse tent.

"You're as unique as ever, young master."

Irene paused.

Expression like she'd remembered something.

"Even back at the Fire Festival..."

Her gaze shifted to the crystal orb's bill.

The number.

For a moment.

Said nothing.

Irene raised her hand.

A black mana card between her ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠fingers, absorbing light. Imperial crest in gold.

Imperial black card.

Whoa... fuck.

Heard of it, but it really exists.

Tap—

She placed it lightly on the counter.

Small sound, but echoed through the store.

"Please process the payment."

To the clerk.

The clerk's face paled.

"P-Princess?!"

Hands shaking, she cradled the card like a relic and swiped it.

"Y-Yes! Right away, Your Highness."

The clerk's hand trembled holding the black card.

...

Soon enough,

Ding—

Clear, crystalline—like heavenly harp strings.

The clerk looked ready to cry.

"Th-Thank you, Your Highness..."

Irene didn't even glance at her, eyes fixed on me.

"Your Highness."

I opened my mouth.

"I was going to pay for this."

Irene looked at me.

For a moment.

"I know."

'...Pardon?'

"But I wanted to."

Irene's lips curved faintly.