The Sword and Magic Festival
After our conversation with Albireo at the mansion, time had flown by in a hurry.
During that period, I had devoted myself to training without missing a single day.
This was because to ascend to a higher realm than before and protect my people, I needed to perfectly master the powers I possessed.
And every morning after my training, I had been diligently handling other matters.
In the afternoon, alongside Vanessa, I managed the affairs of the family and the territory.
After dinner, I would check if my subordinates were performing well.
Before going to sleep, I would conduct a video call with Eustia using a communication magic correction spell.
I was truly living an incredibly busy life.
A month felt as if it had passed in the blink of an eye.
“Today is already the Sword and Magic Festival, time really flies fast.”
Just like usual, I had come to the training ground early in the morning.
I was savoring the now-warming breeze, taking in the scenery before the arrival of summer.
The trees, transforming from the fresh hues of spring into a lush, complete green.
Looking up at the sky, white clouds were slowly drifting across the deep blue background.
A peaceful daily scene.
Despite having noticed that Albireo was the culprit who had disrupted my plan after the chess game that day.
In the span of just a month, he had taken no action against me or Eustia.
At first glance, one might think he had abandoned his plan.
But I knew this was the calm before the storm.
Not revealing himself meant, in other words, he was hiding to strike from behind.
...Annoying guy.
Of course, knowing that he was moving to deceive me, I wasn't sitting idly by either.
To prevent any accidents where subordinates, like Liliana, become careless and get hurt by the heroines.
“Alright, shall I loosen up my body a bit?”
Now, before heading to the Sword and Magic Festival Arena, I had taken a moment to train.
I passed by the swords stuck in the ground arranged in a circle and stood in the center.
From above, it would look like I was at the center of the circle.
In that state, I slowly focused my mind.
Authority
Freely move distant objects
Swoosh.
Soon, mana spread out from the Authority in all directions.
Responding to the mana, the swords embedded in the ground were pulled out one by one.
After a short while, ten swords were floating in the air.
I looked at the swords surrounding me widely and crossed my arms.
Hmm, good.
As if protecting me, the swords floating around me made me slightly lift the corner of my mouth.
During this time, I had practiced not only to improve my mastery of aura but also to freely utilize the Authority.
Especially, this was something I had wanted to do since I obtained the Authority.
That is, the technique of controlling swords with qi.
A technique commonly used by characters like the Heavenly Demon in martial arts novels, very useful because even without a sword in hand, you could move freely to attack or defend.
Most of all, it's cool.
Suppressing enemies with countless flying swords, crossing mountains and rivers by flying.
This was truly a man's romance.
Anyway, because I wanted to master it, I had diligently trained in the technique of controlling swords with qi.
As a result, recently, I had reached a level where I could handle it quite freely.
Huhuhu...
A final boss-like laugh escaped from between my slightly parted lips.
While practicing the technique of controlling swords with qi.
Hearing familiar footsteps, I turned my head, and there was Liliana standing at the entrance.
“Ah, did I interrupt?”
“No, it's fine. I was planning to take a short break anyway.”
“Hehe, that's good.”
Liliana smiling bashfully while gently twirling the ends of her light green hair.
Under her angelic beautiful face, a beautiful valley of fair skin was visible.
Hmm... This is indeed that, right?
Liliana had been in the mansion for about a month now.
During this time, there had been signs.
Recently, when alone, she would subtly press her breasts against my back, or lean her body to show her cleavage towards me.
I'm not a pervert.
At this point, I have no choice but to understand her heart.
I'm a sinful man.
With the thought that I should propose a date later, I took a step, and Liliana followed beside me.
“As a deputy, is it worth learning?”
“Yes! Senior Lucy teaches well, so I'm studying hard.”
“That’s good. When we return to the northern territory, there will be more work, so keep learning diligently now.”
“Ah, can I go to the north together?”
“Of course. I can't let a talented deputy go.”
“R-really? Ehehe.”
Liliana smiling with an embarrassed answer.
Her appearance was quite cute, so I drew a curve on my lips.
Recently, every time I worked in the office, she nagged me from the side, which made my mood fluffy and good.
As expected, if you receive something, you have to return it.
So, lately, I've been praising her a lot.
But thinking about it, isn't this a waste of talent?
An elf maiden who was evaluated as a genius to carve her name in elven history is being used as a personal deputy in the mansion.
A faint sense of guilt rose.
Well... When I return to the north, she will have many opportunities to shine. Then, let her show her talent to the fullest.
After Liliana entered the mansion.
With the help of the maids, I finished preparing for the outing and came out, and Lucy was waiting at the mansion entrance.
I clasped my hands politely and approached her.
“I already know, but today I will be absent. Please take care of any incidents.”
“Understood.”
“By the way, you smell good. It suits you well.”
“...Thank you, Master.”
Lucy speaking in a deadpan tone.
However, her cheeks were faintly blushing.
Since we started our relationship a month ago, we've maintained a strange distance.
Not lovers, but we have mutual affection.
If I could, I wanted to advance the relationship further, but Liliana was staying in a nearby room, so it was noticeable.
Lucy, who was like mine yet not mine, gently stroked my coat.
“Safe travels.”
“Yeah.”
It seemed like a casual farewell.
But perhaps because I knew there would be a clash with Albireo at the Sword and Magic Festival.
Lucy's voice trembled slightly.
When I realized she was worried about me, I felt quite good and gently stroked her silver hair.
“It’s fine. Nothing will happen.”
“But...”
“Don’t worry. I’m here to ensure nothing happens.”
In a gentle tone.
Then Lucy's expression became more relaxed.
“I’ll be back, Lucy.”
Leaving behind Lucy who saw me off like a husband going to work, I left the mansion.
***
The Sword and Magic Festival.
A historic event where strong people from across the empire gather in the capital for a tournament-style duel.
If you win here, you can receive direct praise from the emperor.
For the Sword and Magic Festival, the academy selects representatives by grade to participate.
According to Eustia, the representative from the Knight Faculty 1st year is Luke, and from the Magic Faculty 1st year is Eustia.
In the original story, Liliana missed the selection tournament and wasn't selected as representative, so up to this point, it doesn't differ much from the original story flow.
Suddenly, I wondered if Luke was doing well.
While passing through the noisy festival streets in a carriage, I thought of the boy from the stars.
Well... probably he was living peacefully, focusing only on training.
Originally, my vassal families that should have harassed Eustia and Luke in the academy instead cooperated with them.
Thinking about it, I heard that among the vassal families' children, there were those selected as representatives this time.
Should I check.
Not only at the academy but also at the Sword and Magic Festival, those who committed evil acts under my orders were helping Luke and Eustia.
Thanks to that, Eustia's face contacting me was quite bright, so after the festival, I should properly reward them.
They probably arrived in the capital by now, and they might be enjoying the festival together.
By the way, the festival... I want to enjoy it too.
Quietly resting my chin, I looked out the window at the bustling scenery.
As with any grand event, the Sword and Magic Festival was a good opportunity for merchants to make a profit.
The way from the residence area to the arena passed through the commercial district, where merchants hustling customers and street food constantly caught my eye.
...Should I go once.
A mask lying in the corner of the carriage seat caught my eye.
If I wear this, it won't be bad for a while?
The commercial district during the festival period is a must-see for me, a fan of the original story.
I had to roll around diligently anyway.
At least, I wanted to enjoy the festival scenery for a bit.
After much deliberation, I told the coachman.
“Hey. Stop the carriage.”
“Yes, Young Master.”
Without asking why or arguing, the coachman reduced speed.
After a while, the carriage completely stopped.
I put on the mask and said.
“Go ahead to the venue first. Since we can go separately, don't worry.”
“Yes, understood.”
Immediately with the sound of horse hooves clattering, the carriage started.
And I, wearing the mask, mixed into the crowd of pedestrians.
“Come on! Fresh potatoes directly from the north! Buy buy!”
“Buying sturdy leather clothes made from Greenskin leather!”
“Check out the handicrafts made with dwarf craftsmanship!”
Friendly hawking sounds bursting from everywhere.
The atmosphere of the festival filled my heart with excitement.
But while the corner of my mouth was slightly raised, a merchant's shout hit my ear.
“Try southern specialty ostrich leather chicken skewers!”
What.
Ostrich leather chicken skewers.
Is that chicken skewers?
This I can't stand.
As expected, when coming to the festival, eating food is a given.
So, walking confidently, someone lightly bumped my shoulder.
Thud.
“Ah! Sorry! I was so focused on eating that I...!”
A black-haired woman apologizing with sincere words, as if it was a real accident.
I raised my hand lightly to show I was fine.
Anyway, it wasn't a strong bump.
If it was a burly mercenary uncle trying to shoulder bump, I would have dodged long ago.
More importantly, now it was about the ostrich leather chicken skewers.
Checking if something was on my clothes, and about to lift my head to continue walking.
“!”
I froze when I confirmed the woman's face.
Black hair and black eyes unique to northern tribes.
Contrasting with snow-white skin.
Fierce yet restrained aura, as if facing a wild beast.
Academy Knight Faculty Professor, Elda Ferrenka.
One of the original story's heroines, with an apologetic expression, her large breasts jiggling.