Chapter 190
Chapter 190
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Translator: crow
Chapter Title: Fox Hunt (4)
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After receiving Baron Greta's approval like that.
By the time I returned to the living room, the princesses were already gone.
I'd heard they left early so I wouldn't feel burdened.
The princesses were trying their best to respect me, refraining from throwing their authority around.
They simply watched over my actions in silence.
'They've changed a lot too.'
With their old personalities, I would've expected them to rush over and interrogate me right away.
Somehow, it felt refreshing to sense that they now saw me as an equal.
"Did you have a good talk with Father?"
Another change was my senior, Miya.
"Yeah. And you, Senior? What did the princesses say?"
"Just... they said they'll cheer for the upcoming tournament."
She declared to me that I'd definitely achieve great results in the tournament ahead.
Then, with her senior-like gaze, she looked up at me fondly.
"Take care of me from now on too, Veil."
"You too, Senior."
I reached out for our usual handshake.
But Miya soon...
"A handshake feels a bit lacking now, doesn't it?"
Instead of shaking hands, she hugged me tightly.
Then, with a shy smile, she straightened my disheveled sideburns from the fight.
'What happens when even hugs start feeling insufficient...?'
I swallowed hard.
But for now, I focused on the adorable senior right in front of me.
"You met Dad looking all messy like this?"
Almost like lovers.
"Haha... I'll be more careful next time."
I kept my conversation with Baron Greta about our bodies a secret from her.
Either way, I'd resolved things well with him.
Now, what remained was...
'Right, just the tournament.'
「――――――」
The next day.
The vice-captains were all busy taking leave under the pretext of tournament preparations.
Afterward, they swarmed into a small baronial territory in the capital's western outskirts.
Having finished their initial training through spars with Echina Plamer, according to her, they'd grown considerably but hadn't quite grasped enlightenment yet.
In other words, they were all at the peak just before swordmaster level.
Among the imperial knights, they'd rank in the upper echelons.
The problem, probably...
'Would be the Black Knights.'
The crown prince's elite forces, hidden under Veil.
Of course, from facing two alone, they'd seemed manageable enough.
However, there had to be veterans among them.
Since they were unpredictable foes, better to stay cautious.
"..."
Thinking that, I gazed at the three knights immersed in meditation.
I'd even made them wear straw hats to conceal their faces, sitting cross-legged in the watermelon patch.
Their mana had definitely grown sturdier during that time.
"Maintain meditation for another hour. Then I'll spar with you directly."
"Yes, sir!!"
Allen responded first with a loud reply.
Batsu and Richard furrowed their brows at that.
The one who'd been the craziest wild dog was now showing such deference, so they too silently recommitted to their training.
"Veil, what should I do?"
Miya, who'd gotten permission from Camilla and taken half a day off, placed a hand on my shoulder as she joined us and asked.
"Stretch first for now? I'll spar with you right away."
"Got it~."
Miya stretched her lithe body excitedly, loosening up.
She seemed thrilled to escape administrative work for combat.
'Just like the daughter of the Mace Hero.'
I watched her fondly and sat on a thick, unripe watermelon.
"..."
The vice-captains eyed me sullenly for being especially kind to Miya.
On top of that, sparring with her first.
They looked quite envious.
'You little...'
Still, it was good to see them working hard to protect the princesses.
'Yeah, you all need to grow fast so I don't have to suffer.'
Their growth was vital for my own peaceful, lazy days too.
Thinking that, as I rolled my stiff shoulders...
"Veil, you're working hard?"
I ran into Irina, who'd arrived with Dasha carrying a basket.
"Ah, Your Highness?"
I quickly stood from the watermelon.
And greeted Irina with a smile.
"Yeah, I wanted to help while everyone's training so diligently."
She wore a wide-brimmed hat.
Under it, a modest dress.
Her silvery hair fluttered lightly as the princess smiled.
"Here, take this."
With a saintly gentle voice, the princess handed over the basket.
Inside were...
Hamburgers, just like the ones Lea had packed before.
"I made enough for everyone. Eat up after training."
"Th-thank you..."
"Eat together with Lady Miya too~."
Irina called out to Miya with a smile as well.
At that, my senior approached slowly, eyeing it suspiciously.
Like a stray cat wary of food.
"Thank you, Your Highness... I'll eat well."
Irina replied with a wistful eye smile.
Then, she called Dasha over and laid out various tournament gear she'd brought.
"Oh my, you prepared so much for Allen?"
"It's for the other vice-captains too. Lea and Lydia were busy, so I offered to deliver them."
As Dasha unrolled the bundle, gear made from mithril-steel alloy caught my eye.
From Batsu's spear to Richard's longsword and Allen's twin blades.
All looked light and agile.
"But what do we do... I didn't prepare anything for Lady Miya..."
The alloying technique for mithril and steel was still new.
The princesses had only recently learned of Miya, so they hadn't made her weapon yet.
"Ah, no...!! I wouldn't dream of receiving support from the princesses."
Miya hurriedly stepped back.
And stared blankly at Dasha placing the gear by the training vice-captains.
"..."
At her waist hung a modest hand axe.
But it was quite old, the leather grip worn and shabby.
"Senior."
"Yeah...?"
As I approached Miya, she tilted her head.
Irina behind us did the same.
As I drew close to Miya, Irina's lips turned down.
"Mind showing me your axe? Time for some private tutoring."
"Should I...?"
Miya hesitated, then drew her hand axe.
Even with the shabby leather, the axe blade itself was in excellent condition.
Meticulously maintained, the steel was as sturdy as mithril.
"This is fine as is—no need for light mithril. Axes need weight to deliver proper power anyway."
I took her axe and examined the elegant patterns under the sun.
"Plus, Senior, you've got plenty of strength~."
I said, thinking of her thigh power.
Miya poked my side in retaliation.
"What're you saying, really..."
"It's a compliment, a compliment~."
Miya grumbled as she took the axe back.
Irina, watching from afar, had an unusual glint in her eyes at our friendly exchange.
Her eyes usually sparkled like jewels.
But perhaps because we were so casual, unlike the deference she received.
The focus vanished from her gaze.
"Alright, let's check your ready stance first."
"Got it."
Miya extended her left leg slightly and raised the axe with one hand.
A solid stance and fierce cat-like eyes.
To the untrained eye, she might look like just a cute woman with a dainty hand axe.
But anyone with skill would know.
She far surpassed average water defense knights.
"Swing once. Aim for the neck like usual."
In the Supreme Sword Tournament, fighters clad themselves in mana and battled. The first whose mana shield broke from a hit lost.
Knowing this, Miya swung confidently.
Buwoong―――――!!
A heavy yet swift sound.
Less power than Baron Greta's, but faster.
"Hold on, everything's good but..."
I approached her slowly.
Then...
"Step your thigh forward more."
I placed my hand on her black stockings.
I gripped the taut thigh flesh firmly, urging it further ahead.
At the touch, Miya flinched like a startled cat.
"Uh, yeah..."
But I ignored it.
For her score, for her family's revival, I immersed myself in instruction.
"Now, tuck your armpit tighter. That way your body weight transfers better."
I grabbed her arm and gently pressed it to her side.
Miya let out a thin groan like a growl.
"It tickles..."
"You're more sensitive than I thought, Senior."
I chuckled and guided her familiarly.
But soon, my gaze drifted from Miya.
"...?"
The vice-captains had been deep in meditation moments ago.
Yet their mana was subtly disrupted.
"..."
I tilted my head and refocused on Miya.
Gradually, their closed eyes turned toward us.
"Now, try a defensive stance?"
"Ah, got it..."
Miya gripped the axe horizontally.
She dropped one knee, assuming a guard against an incoming sword.
"Hmm..."
I faced her.
And drew close enough for our noses to touch.
"Your lower body's solid, so you'd hold up well."
"Mm..."
Miya's sturdy thighs passed.
Then, I looked up at her chest.
"Grip with your chest, not just your arms. It'll hold stronger."
I slipped my hands slowly into both her armpits.
Just as I checked if she was tensing properly.
「Ooh....」
I whipped around at the sound from behind.
There were the vice-captains, peeking at us.
"..."
Like students caught spying, they hurriedly resumed meditation.
But it was far too late.
"Add one more hour of meditation."
They bowed their heads deeply and refocused on mana training.
I clicked my tongue at the men.
"That's why the Supreme Sword's slipping away..."
I sighed alone and glanced at Irina.
I'd thought she'd pity the immature vice-captains like I did.
But.
'Huh...?'
Irina's gaze wasn't on the foolish vice-captains—it was on me and Miya.
"It's all just training, after all."
Her cold stare was one I'd never seen before.
I swallowed deeply.
"Training..."
She quietly spread a mat and set out the hamburgers.
She squeezed one so hard the patty oozed out.
"Haha... Senior, should we eat first and resume?"
Noticing, I slowly pulled away from Miya.
And cautiously suggested a meal.
"You two rest too. Gotta fill up for the spars later."
「Yes, sir!!」
They broke meditation immediately.
And gathered on the mat set by the princess and maid.
"Y-Your Highness, please join us..."
I smiled brightly at Irina.
She smiled back.
"Yeah... I should eat."
Irina stayed quiet throughout the meal.
She nibbled the hamburger like a bird picking at seeds.
"Man, this is seriously good."
"I never knew Your Highness could cook like this."
Oblivious to her mood, Batsu and Richard laughed heartily while chewing.
When in life would they eat a princess's cooking?
"Right? Join our Verdant Knights, and you can eat it often."
"That's definitely enviable."
Emboldened, Allen spoke confidently.
The other vice-captains seemed jealous of that too.
"Eat plenty, everyone."
Irina chuckled at Allen's words.
Fortunately, her mood had lifted quickly.
She was a true sovereign who always thought of others first.
"Wow, it's so good...!!"
Miya held the hamburger with both hands, her black eyes sparkling.
Sauce smeared her lips as she chomped vigorously.
"Senior, you've got some here."
"Where...?"
She tilted her head.
I grabbed a napkin nearby and...
"Here."
Wiped her lips myself.
That instant.
I glanced at Irina to gauge her reaction.
"Eat up, Allen—you love beef, right?"
"Thank you, Your Highness."
'Was it my imagination?'
Thankfully, Irina showed no discomfort.
If anything, sorry for her poor expression control, she encouraged the vice-captains kindly.
'Good.'
After eating, we took a short break and dispersed.
Even then, the vice-captains dove back into training.
Miya too.
She practiced the stances I'd taught with passionate eyes.
I watched, then headed to the mansion briefly.
Leaning against a corridor pillar, I pondered.
'One week left till the tournament.'
Satisfied with the smooth progress, I closed my eyes gently.
Taking a brief rest.
――――――.
A familiar footfall reached my ears.
As if in response, I slowly opened my eyes.
Irina had approached and stood beside me.
"Your Highness?"
"Yeah."
Her firm reply.
I asked cautiously.
"You barely ate earlier—are you hungry?"
"Oh, you saw..."
Irina glanced up at me.
And answered with wistful eyes.
"I was hungry."
"Then why didn't you..."
As I started to ask.
Irina reached for my face.
"For something else."
Something else.
With that, Irina rose on tiptoes.
"Something else...?"
The silver-haired princess blinked her soft eyelids.
Then whispered with mature eyes.
"Yeah."
Irina took my lips like soft bread.
And nibbled like a wolf playfully biting its mate.
"My thighs are sturdy too..."
The princess pressed closer.
Then began rubbing her plump thighs against my leg.
As I'd thought, she was jealous of my senior.
"I can endure better than Lady Miya."
Irina squeezed my leg with her soft thighs.
Hot breath escaped her moist lips.
"Mm... nice."
The starved wolf gazed up intently.
Slowly closing her eyes, she kissed me.
As if guarding her male from other females.
"Huu... haa..."
The one who'd always seemed purest and gentlest.
Now expressing desire with just a pillar between her and her rival.
Her heart raced at her own sight.
"So, Veil..."
It fueled an unknown instinct awakening in her, tightening her thighs.
Warming the man with her hot flesh, sating her hunger.
"Fill me up too?"
The supposedly innocent Irina.
Her seductive gaze made saliva pool in my mouth.