Chapter 180
Chapter 180
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Translator: crow
Chapter Title: Empire's Greatest Sword Selection Tournament (3)
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Leaving behind the rumor that the emperor had a bizarre dream.
The next day, Irina headed to the western part of the capital.
Normally, she would have gone to the Water Guard or Norston.
However, the princess entered the affluent neighborhood of the 1st Imperial Princess, which she personally disliked.
「Baron Veil's Territory」
This was the domain of the man she had come to meet.
"Baron Veil's territory..."
Passing the signpost revealed a vast plain beyond the row of roadside trees.
Countless fences stood in neat rows there, overflowing with lush watermelon vines.
The large, plump watermelons visible among the vines proved that summer had not yet ended.
"Eutcha...!"
Burly men with thick forearms harvested the sturdy fruits.
Members of the northern Tolman clan loaded carts to the brim with watermelons using both hands.
Beside such a man was a noblewoman offering him tea.
These days, it was trendy in the empire for women of any status to take a husband.
"It's hot out here. Why not stay inside? The baron even made you a parasol."
The clan leader, Orin, accepted the woman's teacup with a gentle smile.
The fierce face from his days receiving tribute was long gone.
Seeing him so caring now, it was no wonder the noblewoman was charmed.
His large build and neatly trimmed beard looked so reliable.
"No... I like watching you up close like this."
Even from afar, the heartwarming scene made kernels of joy scatter everywhere.
Irina watched it all contentedly, clearly not displeased.
Then, only after her eyes suddenly met Orin's did she reveal the purpose of her visit.
"Isn't that Your Highness the 2nd Imperial Princess...?"
"You know me...?"
Irina came face-to-face with Orin, whom she had only heard about from Veil.
"Yes, the baron instructed us to serve you with utmost hospitality if you ever came."
His recently romance-bloomed lip service was top-notch.
"With hair like fine silk and clear jade-green eyes—how could I not recognize you?"
His eloquent speech was as if he'd learned it straight from the man himself.
However, Irina was even happier to hear that Veil thought of her that way.
"I don't know where to put myself with such praise..."
"Please follow me. He's at the mansion right now."
Orin led her to a cart.
It was stacked neatly with watermelons, with space for two people to sit.
"Have a seat. It's farther than it looks, so riding is better."
"Uh... Thank you, but... is that okay? It'll be heavy with me too..."
Faced with the cart, Irina waved her hands.
Then Orin chuckled heartily and slapped his thigh.
"It's fine. Serving two such beautiful women would give me strength I didn't even know I had."
He lowered his body like an ox.
Grabbing the front of the cart, he prepared to set off.
"Then, I'll be off..."
Irina cautiously climbed aboard, having no choice.
The woman sitting opposite her smiled brightly and offered tea.
"Would the young lady like a cup too?"
The black-haired lady hadn't heard from afar that Irina was a princess.
Irina arrived at Veil's mansion while sipping the tea she was given.
"We've arrived."
"Thank you, Orin."
The princess reached the mansion's front gate with a light nod.
After that, she knocked on the door.
―――.
"Who is it...?"
"..."
Irina gave no answer.
Instead, she quietly moved to the side of the door.
The gate opened.
Then, I emerged yawning, dressed in a T-shirt and pajama pants.
"Kids here for more watermelons again?"
Scratches crisscrossed my forearms as I scratched my belly.
Half-asleep, I scanned the surroundings.
"Whoa!"
Irina approached from behind.
Like a wolf, she placed her hand firmly on my shoulder.
"Your Highness...?"
"Is it okay for an imperial knight to be this defenseless?"
The princess smiled brightly.
She shook a lunchbox at me and spoke.
"I came to give you this too."
"I never dreamed you'd come all the way here...!"
I brought Irina into my mansion for the first time.
"Wow... As expected of a place built by Sir Colbert. It's so stylish."
Luxurious marble tiles and outer walls.
Even the perfectly plush sofa and table.
Irina sat on the sofa, clearly satisfied with the mansion she'd bought me.
"It's all thanks to Your Highness. I never imagined living somewhere like this in my wildest dreams."
"Hehe... I'm glad."
The house she'd bought.
The fact that she let him live under her grace.
At that point, Irina felt a strange flutter and swallowed deeply.
"Now, sit. Eat the lunchbox before it gets cold."
"You came all this way and brought food too... This is too much honor."
I casually opened the lunchbox lid.
I savored the hamburger steak kept warm by preservation magic.
"How is it?"
"Wow... Your Highness, your cooking skills have really improved."
I was genuinely impressed by her skill.
Rich meaty aroma and tender texture.
My lips curved up involuntarily.
"This rivals Lea even."
Was it because it was so delicious?
Irina flinched at my unwitting remark.
"L-Lea...?"
'Ah...'
"Ah, I mean... The 1st Imperial Princess once brought me a lunchbox too..."
I tried to take back my words.
But it was too late; Irina pouted.
"That cold woman made you a lunchbox too, huh...?"
"Just once! Just once!"
I waved my hands frantically.
Irina soon giggled, finding my panicked face cute.
"It's okay, it's okay."
The silver-haired princess smiled brightly.
"I'm not the type to get mad over that. But..."
However, I soon realized the meaning behind her smile.
"Whose lunchbox was tastier?"
I'd thought her a delicate little animal.
But she was a wolf after all.
A fierce silver wolf protecting her mate.
I swallowed deeply at her smile laced with killing intent.
"You can be honest..."
Irina covered her lips with her fist, anxious.
That's when I noticed the various scars on the princess's fingers.
"..."
Those scars proved her diligent practice up to now.
"Of course, Your Highness's steak."
I took a bite of the meat.
Slowly savoring the taste, I thanked her for her effort.
"..."
Irina stared at me intently.
Then she realized she'd asked a mean question.
"Thank you, Veil."
Feeling better, she let out a deep breath.
Afterward, she lightly asked about my knightly schedule.
"By the way, the second-half knight evaluations must be keeping you busy soon."
"You mean the Empire's Greatest Sword tournament?"
"Yeah, all knights have to enter the preliminaries."
Hearing her, I quietly shook my head.
Instead, I scooped mashed potatoes onto a spoon and ate.
"Well, I'll do the preliminaries since I have to. But I'm not interested in the main rounds."
"What...? Why?!"
Irina's emerald eyes flashed at my apathetic words.
"With your current skill, you could not only make the main rounds but win it all, right?"
She knew about my grand aura.
She seemed to think no one could stand against me.
"That's exactly the problem."
I answered her firmly.
"I've already made plenty of money, and the crown prince has fallen from His Majesty's favor with his recent actions."
I swallowed the last steak.
I took a refreshing gulp of water.
"The empire is already running smoothly."
Seeing me focused solely on the empire's well-being, Irina let out a short sigh.
"But if I step up in this situation and face Your Highnesses' knights..."
I responded calmly to her.
"It would be a disaster if vice-captains lost to a mere defensive knight."
"That's..."
Irina bit her lip.
Her sullen gaze suggested she had words for me.
"Your Highnesses should forget the past and look only ahead now. That's how you'll lead the empire, right?"
I approached Irina slowly.
With earnest eyes like a loyal retainer, I answered.
But at that moment.
"You're avoiding me again..."
"Pardon...?"
Irina looked up at me with wistful eyes.
"You're doing this because if you become the Empire's Greatest Sword and rise in rank, I might pursue you seriously, aren't you?"
Her sharp words made me freeze.
"If you don't like me, just say it... Do you have to beat around the bush...?"
The 2nd Imperial Princess looked up with the sad eyes of a baby animal.
My gaze was drawn to the clear droplets welling in those eyes.
"How could that be? I admire Your Highness so much."
I comforted her as best I could.
Honestly, I didn't dislike Irina either.
"I'm just not ready yet. There's the status gap too."
It was simply hard to explain our relationship to the emperor.
"Is that really the only issue?"
"Yes, it is."
She should understand at this point.
It always worked on any princess.
But.
Today was different.
"Fine, then let's do it this way."
Irina raised the corner of her mouth, as if she'd been waiting for my answer.
With a seductive smile, she took my hand.
"I won't be a princess anymore either."
A declaration of abandoning her princess status.
Her words sent shivers through my entire body.
"I'll dump it all on Lea and live with you."
The empire's 2nd Imperial Princess looked straight up at me.
Her jade eyes blinked between her lustrous silver locks.
Those beautiful eyelids framing them.
It was fatally beautiful to any man.
"N-No, that's too much of a joke, Your Highness..."
I panicked at the princess's words of giving up everything she had.
Then, Irina slyly pressed her plush chest against my shoulder.
"I'm serious..."
Her body, now even more mature.
The once purely innocent girl had become a lady.
'Hoo...'
Unlike my previous life, had all these events ripened her fully?
She flaunted her deadly allure.
If it were a simple man-woman relationship, I'd have kissed her right then.
But if she suddenly declared abandoning everything.
And it turned out to be for me...!!
'It might lead to a more dangerous situation than just sleeping together.'
"Understood. Then let's do this instead...!"
To prevent that, I swallowed deeply.
I made a proposal to the silver wolf clinging to me.
"I won't enter myself. But I'll train knights to make one the Empire's Greatest Sword for you."
Still refusing wealth and fame to the end.
Irina pouted, dissatisfied.
"Then I have a condition too."
The clever adult she'd become immediately dismantled my safeguard.
"Let everyone know you trained the knights. As the tutor of the Greatest Sword."
Tutor of the Empire's Greatest Sword.
Just hearing it sounded famous and grandiose.
"Then what's the difference from me winning?"
"It's different."
Irina's eyes flashed with a monarch's resolve.
"If you win, you'll showcase your own strength and be advertised as the empire's top talent. But as a tutor, it's different."
The princess crossed her arms alone.
With confident eyes, she replied.
"It doesn't prove your personal strength. So at least, there won't be any annoying hassle beyond teaching."
No matter one's own skill, if a disciple wins, they get lavish treatment.
Afterward, they could receive a high title and court a princess.
Realizing her intent, I sighed deeply.
"So, honor without excessive attention."
Irina nodded.
"Exactly. Like a suitably great advisor?"
I gazed steadily at Irina.
Her emerald eyes brimming with strong will.
"You're persistent, Your Highness."
The woman who'd matched me so far had become a monarch who knew when to play her cards.
My lips curved up in response.
"Understood."
As I chuckled and agreed, Irina's face finally brightened.
"Really, Veil?"
"Of course. How could I lie before Your Highness?"
She looked at me joyfully, fists clenched.
Tears glistened like jewels at the corners of her eyes.
"Thank you!!"
The empire's 2nd Imperial Princess leaned softly on my shoulder.
She closed her eyes gently, finally at ease.
"I'll try being the tutor for the Greatest Sword."
I glanced down at her.
The princess's beautiful silver eyelids sparkled.
'Somehow, Irina feels more seductive than in my previous life.'
Perhaps the fox wasn't me, but her.
"But really, was my steak tastier than Lea's?"
The princess asked slyly.
For some reason, I felt like teasing her.
"Probably because I like hamburger steak more than hamburgers."
Hearing my answer, Irina peeked up.
Her lips pouted petulantly.
As if she were my wife.
"So if Lea makes steak, the result might be different?"
At the princess's question, I tilted my head back.
I played dumb shamelessly.
"Who knows— I'd have to try another lunchbox from Lea to say for sure—"
"What did you say—?"
Irina nibbled her lip at my teasing, then playfully nipped my shoulder.
"Ow, that hurts...!! Your Highness!!"
In moments like this, she wasn't much different from her previous-life self.
I enjoyed our brief, friendly time laughing together.
「―――――」
After Irina left.
I was left alone in the mansion's living room.
The lunchbox she'd given me.
I stared blankly at the empty container, lost in thought.
"Tutor for the Greatest Sword, huh..."
Of course, I was confident in teaching.
Even during my time as Irina's guard, I'd trained plenty of knights.
They'd all been scouted to good places and made names for themselves.
Some even ended up following the crown prince and stabbing me in the back.
That shock had made me never want to be a teacher again.
'No helping it.'
The emperor was a mountain I'd have to face someday anyway.
Better to climb to a position where I could meet him directly.
"The promising ones to train are first Irina's Allen, Lea's Richard, and Lydia's Batsu."
All three had solid skills.
Especially Richard, who'd grown faster than in my previous life and was on the verge of his Swordmaster exam.
He was likely the strongest among his peers.
But.
"Camilla, that woman's the problem."
She was already a Swordmaster herself.
Ekina and Flamer too.
It wouldn't be easy for those three to beat those two.
'Of course, I could threaten them, but with them eyeing knight order captain positions, their backlash would be fierce.'
No point stirring up trouble for my own loss.
So, win with skill it was.
"Strategy will be key."
To overcome overwhelming skill gaps, tactics and strategy mattered.
That's why I'd teach combat, but they needed another teacher for using their heads.
"..."
As I pondered a suitable candidate.
I suddenly remembered where my territory was.
'Right in the domain of the tactics master, the operations commander!'
I stood and headed to the cold storage.
There, I pulled out a top-grade watermelon kept for gifts.
Large, full, smooth—prime quality.
I tucked it under my arm and stepped out onto the veranda.
And...
Headed straight to the neighboring villa.
――――――.
The sound of the pool grew closer.
Following it through the garden, a white villa soon appeared.
A familiar parasol by the pool caught my eye.
The spot where, my first time here, the princess had lounged waiting.
I approached it.
"..."
However, the princess was nowhere to be seen.
Just a white robe draped over a chair.
"Weekend and she's out."
A training manual titled 'Swimming Lessons' lay on the table.
"Learning to swim...?"
As I wondered why she was reading it alone.
A splash came from the pool.
――――――.
Turning my head, watermelon still tucked under my arm.
That instant.
「Haa—.」
I dropped the watermelon onto the chair at the sight of the woman facing me.
"...!!"
The empire's 1st Imperial Princess, Lea, emerged from the pool.
She revealed a body as beautiful as the watermelon I'd brought, leaning out of the water.
"Veil?"
Her ample chest rested on the pool edge.
The princess, in a black bra, propped her chin on her hand and gazed at me steadily.
"Anything's possible, you coming to see me in person."
Her soaked, radiant golden hair.
From within, blue eyes full of tactical knowledge sparkled.
"What intriguing matter have you brought this time?"