Chapter 210
Chapter 210
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Translator: crow
Chapter Title: Noble Competition (1)
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“What in the world is this medicine that it’s so...”
Black Knight Captain Lyn.
She stared intently at the elixir inside the glass vial resting in her palm.
“It’s said to cure all ills.”
Her single black eye looked up at me steadily.
That murky pupil reminded me of the comrades we’d fought and died alongside on the northern front.
“Is it really okay for me to take something this precious...? I’m the captain of the Knight Order you were furious with...”
Under the brilliant sunlight.
I flashed a bright smile at the Black Knight.
“It should go to someone who needs it. I’m far too healthy myself.”
My tattered dress shirt.
A trickle of red blood seeped from within.
Lyn seemed to realize something as she looked at my ragged state and smile.
She closed her eyes gently.
“Yeah... I get it now.”
Lyn bowed her head before me.
She, who had never bowed to anyone save the imperial family.
“I’ve truly felt the weight of your sword.”
The Black Knight Captain had grasped my intent in treating her as part of the Empire.
And she felt ashamed of her conviction that had only ever considered her nation and her siblings.
“Perhaps... you’d be better suited to be Knight Order Captain than me.”
“I’ll pass. I’m done with positions that come with that kind of responsibility...”
I stuck out my tongue and waved my hands dismissively.
Lyn chuckled along at my exaggerated gestures.
At that moment.
「It seems the tournament has concluded.」
The Emperor rose from his throne to bring the event to a close.
「Is there any other knight here who wishes to challenge Veil?」
Leonhardt gazed leisurely over the vast Rastioum arena.
Yet among the countless gathered here, no one dared challenge me now.
“...”
Even Lord Burke in the waiting room.
Camilla and Ekina as well.
None of them could muster the nerve.
They merely stared blankly up at the sunlight pouring from the split sky.
“Leon’s sky is so warm.”
Christina, the princess of Bakal in the stands.
She let out a deep sigh at the sight of me confronting fate instead of escaping with her.
“Father. I’m preparing to study abroad in Leon for geographical exploration this time...”
And she scribbled a note to attach to a messenger pigeon.
「No one, it seems.」
The Emperor smiled in satisfaction at the now-silent Rastioum arena.
Then, spreading his massive hand wide, he declared.
「The winner of the 80th Imperial Greatest Sword Tournament is...」
Everyone focused on the conquering king’s booming voice.
And in the moment he named today’s champion.
「Veil Mikhail of the Capital Defense Knight Order.」
Attendants waiting at the top tier of the circular arena appeared.
They scattered white petals from baskets across the arena for all to see.
―――――――.
On a day at the tail end of summer.
White snow began to fall from the sky.
Amid the falling petals, the crowd’s applause rang out.
Yet I didn’t bask in their cheers.
Instead, I focused on the small footsteps amid the clapping.
Those sounds drawing steadily closer.
At last.
Through the falling white petals, one woman caught my eye.
Irina, the Empire’s Second Imperial Princess.
Just as in that time we’d faced death together.
But the princess’s steps held no hint of frailty.
Her silver hair fluttering brilliantly, tears falling from the corners of her eyes.
She moved with more lightness and beauty than anyone.
‘So this is what it feels like to see her standing.’
In the past, I’d only seen her collapsing, dying.
I’d never dreamed the sight of Irina running toward me could be this beautiful.
Thanks to that, this moment stepping forward before everyone held no regrets.
“Veil...!!”
Irina threw herself into my arms.
“Why did you have to charge right into that sword aura...? I was so worried...”
I embraced the Irina in my arms.
And said.
“You’ll get blood on you.”
“I don’t care...”
The princess pressed her platinum dress as close to me as possible.
The other princesses watching that sight.
“Look at that...?”
“Daring to shove her nose into Veil’s shirt first...”
They too rose promptly from the VIP seats.
And hurried down to the arena.
――――――.
What followed was a magnificent sight.
The ruined sparring grounds.
Countless people flooded into the space.
Our first encounters had all been poor, but those who’d become connected beyond a single regression.
Allen, Batsu, Richard.
Plus Ekina and Camilla.
Even General Valderian of the Water Defense Division and Miyah-sunbae.
They filled the sparring grounds.
“I believed in you, Veil. I knew you’d win!!”
Miyah approached me with a beaming smile.
“When we made bets with the seniors, I went all-in on you alone~.”
The black bob-haired sunbae wrapped around us softly.
For now, we were all one, celebrating together.
“Veil! You doing it again, making everyone worry all by yourself?”
Lydia returned with her characteristic nya-nya speech too.
She joined the embrace with Miyah and me.
“You’ve worked hard, Mikhail.”
Leah didn’t hug me.
Instead, she faced me amid the surrounding crowd.
“Thank you, Your Highness.”
Leah stared piercingly at my sly grin.
Then, covering her lips with her fist, she cleared her throat.
“Even so, from now on, treasure your body more.”
The noble Leah gradually drew closer to me as well.
At last, she hugged me from behind, rubbing her nose against my nape.
“Huuu...”
Pretending to be aloof, she secretly whispered her hidden feelings to me.
Afterward, she savored my scent to her heart’s content, like a dark lioness.
「...」
The Emperor silently watched the crowd filling the sparring grounds.
Unwittingly, his expression softened into a smile.
「Sir Veil seems to have lived a more upright life than his appearance suggests.」
Leonhardt stroked his chin and chuckled.
Mosian standing beside him nodded in agreement.
“He’s been active in the Empire, known and unknown alike.”
「Is that so...?」
The Emperor gazed comfortably at the one man surrounded by the throng.
Then, spotting a familiar silver-haired beauty among those embracing him, his eyes widened.
「Hmm?!」
For some reason, an ominous premonition surged within Leonhardt.
He whipped his head around to the golden round table where the princesses had sat.
“...”
But no one was there.
Only their cooled teacups remained.
「W-Wait... where did they all go...?!」
Was it his instinctive fatherly instincts?
A chill of unease crept up his spine.
The Emperor strode straight to the VIP balcony railing.
And spotted the familiar beautiful women among the crowd around the man.
「Mosian. Were my daughters perhaps ‘quite close’ to Sir Veil...?」
He’d heard reports of them meeting a few times for strategic reasons.
But he’d never imagined his haughty daughters would press their bodies against him in embrace.
“That is...”
Mosian scratched his sideburns.
He knew the Emperor’s deep affection for his daughters.
“In truth, all the princesses received great aid from Sir Veil each in their own way.”
Rozanna and Leon, who’d been sitting with stern faces, both turned to Mosian at once.
The prime minister suddenly found himself grilled by three lofty figures.
Yet the old man didn’t flinch and began his account boldly.
The exploits of the one man he’d positioned as the pillar of the Princess Alliance.
“Do you perhaps remember the civil war between Prince Hakim and Princess Lydia?”
Hakim.
At that name, Leon’s eyes flashed too.
He’d promised support, toppled Lydia, and ordered Hakim to seize the capital’s eastern district.
「I remember. That child... tried to steal Lydia’s power. Even after being stripped of his throne for his own tyranny.」
Leonhardt squeezed his eyes shut thinking of his worthless son.
He seemed to regret not paying him proper attention in education.
“Prince Hakim was preparing a rebellion in the underground city with General Hammus. Had civil war broken out in the capital, the civilian casualties would’ve been immense.”
「...」
The Emperor drew a deep breath.
He resembled a massive pride leader suppressing his rage.
“But the one who raided that underground city ‘alone’ was none other than Sir Veil.”
Mosian rummaged in his back pocket.
He pulled out a ‘fox mask’ he’d kept to report to the Emperor someday.
“Wearing this, he slew Captain Hammus single-handedly, then disguised himself as reinforcements.”
「He hid his own achievements?」
The Emperor furrowed his brow in disbelief.
Leon felt the same.
Had he known Veil was the ringleader, his murderous glare suggested he’d have eliminated him immediately.
“Yes. Only the princesses who witnessed it directly caught on.”
「I see... Any other news?」
The Emperor wore an expression of delight, like hearing of a conquered nation’s surrender in the past.
But his smile soon hardened coldly.
“Yes, next is news of Second Highness Irina.”
Mosian relayed the next exploit.
And the culprit of that exploit was present here.
“A few months ago, you’ll recall the ‘arson incident’ at Second Highness Irina’s mansion.”
「Yes. It was Istina’s cherished place... The damage was severe.」
The Emperor sighed deeply at the news of the precious site with his second wife being ruined.
Leon listening beside him inwardly lamented too.
“In truth, Sir Veil was instructor for the New Green Knight Order at the time and witnessed the arson.”
Mosian recalled my request to keep Ekina’s story secret.
Thus, he smoothly omitted her and only mentioned the accomplice wizard.
“He tracked and captured the culprit, then had Third Highness Leah interrogate his backer.”
「And? Who was the culprit?」
The Emperor’s voice grew icy.
His wife and son instinctively sensed the danger.
“That was...”
Mosian glanced at Princess Rozanna, who’d come with Epina.
He seemed to hesitate slightly due to their bond, but the old man soon steeled himself.
“Crown Prince Leon...”
「...」
The Emperor closed his eyes humbly, as if he’d anticipated it.
Before looking at his son, he gathered his thoughts briefly.
「Leon.」
“Yes, Your Majesty.”
The crown prince squeezed his eyes shut tightly.
「Is what Mosian says true?」
“...”
Leon made no reply.
No point in denying here; a confession spell would reveal all anyway.
「Why did you set fire to Irina’s mansion?」
The Emperor asked curtly.
Yet that short question carried myriad implications.
「Did your little sister forming a knight order feel that threatening?」
“...”
Leonhardt shook his head in disbelief.
She’d had no forces and made it just to protect herself.
To crush it anyway—he pitied his son’s vessel being so small.
「We’ll handle this matter in the Imperial Council. Leave us now.」
“Father...”
Leon unwittingly called the Emperor “Father” in this formal setting.
But he soon sensed his slip.
「I said leave!」
The pride leader lion couldn’t forgive a son who’d tried to devour family while he slept.
“Understood...”
Amid the brilliant arena where all celebrated with smiles.
Leon alone wore a devastated expression.
Before departing, he silently bowed to his father.
Then, with cold shoe clicks, he turned into the shadows.
“Come with me.”
「No, Rozanna, you stay as well.」
The Emperor halted his first consort.
And ordered Mosian to continue.
「Prime Minister, was there something similar with Leah?」
At the conquering king’s question, the old man nodded.
He recited the information he’d heard and compiled verbatim.
“Finally, news of Third Highness Leah.”
This time, Rozanna exhaled deeply.
Throat parched perhaps, she took a sip of the wine before her.
“In truth, while Your Majesty slumbered, Lady Leah’s health was poor.”
「Yes, I’d heard as much.」
The Emperor’s gaze turned grave at news of his cherished eldest daughter’s illness.
“The reason Third Highness Leah fell ill was a curse secretly placed on her by a band of dark wizards.”
Dark wizards.
At those words, the Emperor instinctively glanced at Rozanna.
“...”
The imperial consort avoided his gaze, calmly sipping her wine.
As if utterly unconcerned.
“Sir Veil met Lady Leah while capturing the arson culprit I mentioned earlier and personally eliminated the group who’d cursed her chambers.”
「A curse...」
The Emperor repeated the word, staring at Rozanna.
The woman before him.
She was the Empire’s foremost master of curses and dark rites.
「Rozanna.」
“Nothing to say.”
The twenty-year-younger consort spoke forlornly.
“I never meant to kill Leah. Just to scare her a little.”
「Hah... She lay suffering day after day from illness, and you call that just scaring her...?」
The Emperor pressed his forehead.
He suppressed his anger at the pair’s misdeeds coming to light one by one.
「You’ll remain in the palace for now. We’ll interrogate you later.」
“Trying to play good dad now, after all this time?”
Rozanna rose silently from her seat.
Her heels clicked as she vanished gracefully into the shadows.
“That won’t change anything. To our children, we’re both the worst parents there are.”
「...」
Afterward, only the Emperor and prime minister remained in the VIP seats.
The two silently gazed at the Rastioum arena without a word.
“Veil—!! Veil—!!”
“Please give a big round of applause for our champion of glory!!”
One man amid his lovely daughters.
The Emperor recalled Rozanna’s words as he watched him.
‘You never cared about your children at all.’
Veil, who perhaps knew his daughters better than he did.
The Emperor pressed his lips tight and sank into solitary thought.
How long he pondered, white petals piled thick on his shoulders.
「――――――」
In the dim arena corridor.
Lyn and Leon waited by a pillar after the match’s end.
“Mother.”
“We greet Your Imperial Consort Highness.”
Leon’s blue eyes gleamed from the shadows.
The blond man clenched his fists, drawing a deep breath.
“I’ve come to discuss future plans before Your Highness is confined to the palace.”
As expected of the crown prince, the conquering king’s firstborn—he maintained composure even cornered.
“Do you have some plan in mind?”
Rozanna removed her white gloves.
Heat from sweat welled up within.
“I fear we can’t evade responsibility for the arson at Irina’s mansion.”
“And the black mana from this tournament match, which I’ll soon be questioned about?”
The consort knew Leah could uncover the dark rite she’d bestowed.
Thus, she bit her lip with sharp eyes.
“Didn’t we place Listo and Dark at the forefront for this very moment?”
Even amid unease, Leon smiled faintly.
“We’ll treat it as them acting independently to elevate the Black Knights’ standing.”
“...!”
Lyn, listening silently beside them, flashed her single eye at those words.
“Your Highness...? What do you...”
“It’s all for the greater good, Lyn. Or would you prefer to take the fall alone?”
Leon regarded his defeated knight coldly.
“And come to think of it... what did you receive from Veil earlier...”
“Yes...?”
The Black Knight Captain in her torn uniform.
Her lips parted at her lord’s icy gaze.
“You didn’t perhaps make some promise with Veil and hold back till the end?”
“Absolutely not. How could I ever...”
Lyn shook her head with a knightly, resolute gaze.
Yet the crown prince harbored no less suspicion.
“Then what was the item you received?”
“One pill.”
The captain answered honestly and showed the vial.
Inside lay a single black, round pill of unremarkable appearance.
“...”
The crown prince stared at the medicine.
Then indifferently turned away.
“Refrain from any operations for the time being.”
“What of our Black Knights then...?”
Leon clicked his tongue, unwilling to hear more questions.
“Ignore that. Focus solely on recovery.”
As if excluding Lyn from his plans entirely.
“...”
Lyn sealed her lips at her lord’s ruthless demeanor.
“Understood...”
The crown prince turned to his mother.
And shared a frank conversation solely with her.
“I’ll send a subordinate later with the full details.”
“See to it.”
Leon departed the corridor silently.
Rozanna glanced back at the captain before quietly consoling her.
“Don’t worry too much, Captain. Leon’s just excited now, so his words are rough.”
“I understand, Your Highness.”
Lyn bowed her head quietly.
“I’ll have Leon summon you again soon, so focus on treatment first.”
The First Imperial Consort said that and gradually receded.
Lyn waited silently until the lofty imperial voices fully faded.
Once the corridor fell quiet.
She grasped the meaning of the pill in her palm.
“Veil... what a terrifying man...”
The fox-like man’s gift to her.
She saw it as concern for her—and a trap for the suspicious crown prince.
“Still, I should try what he gave me.”
Lyn gripped the vial tightly.
And for now, resolved to focus on her sibling.