Chapter 263
Chapter 263
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Translator: crow
Chapter Title: Fox's Prey (2)
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There was a post-duel reflection session.
Lize had restored the wrecked arena back to a flat plain, allowing me to stand right in the center.
“Please wait just a moment.”
I extended my hand toward Duke Luke and the princess to ask for their understanding.
Then, I beckoned to Arthur, the South's Greatest Swordsman, who was in shambles.
“…?”
The Swordmaster, who had planned to retreat as far as possible as the loser.
He followed me out to stand before thousands of spectators.
“I’ll say it again now.”
I amplified my voice through the amplification spell that Mago had activated.
And I spoke plainly to the southern citizens who had been hostile to the Empire.
“Did you see it well?”
They gave no response to my brief question.
Many scowled fiercely, as if they thought I was mocking them.
“What did we see? You winning? Is that it?”
One spectator shouted in a loud voice.
The atmosphere then erupted in anger, surging like an explosion.
Duke Luke must have thought I was pouring oil on the fire, as he moved to take over the speech.
Lea stopped him and suggested they listen quietly for now.
“Let’s hear him out first. That boy wouldn’t open like that without a plan.”
“….”
“Yes, I won. The South's Greatest Swordsman fell to a Leon Empire imperial guard.”
I looked at Arthur standing beside me.
Even as I drove the point home, he showed no particular displeasure.
I figured he had some intent, just like earlier when he’d shattered the rock to lure my guards into coming to his aid.
And my guess was spot on.
“The Empire is this strong. Even if every city-state in the south united their power, they couldn’t match us.”
At my repeated grating words, some spectators even stood up as if they couldn’t bear to listen.
However, they couldn’t leave the arena.
My next words caught them by the ankle.
“But do you know why the Empire still hasn’t conquered the southern states despite that?”
The citizens fell silent at my question.
Then they began to listen to my words again.
In return, I opened my mouth.
“It’s because the people of the south possess tremendous ‘potential.’”
Like Archimond, whom Irina admired—a tenacity that held firm even in certain defeat.
Like Arthur’s effort to fight to the end and push me, even after realizing I was a Grandmaster.
“Sir Arthur here beside me showed that same spirit in pursuit of victory.”
I pointed to the South's Greatest Swordsman standing next to me.
Then I spread my palms wide toward the vast crowd and shouted.
“The resolve to always give your all, no matter the opponent, to protect your nation and family. The Empire values that quality highly.”
I extended my hand to Arthur.
“The Empire is strong. But we will not look down on the south.”
I clasped his hand and raised it high into the air.
“We pledge to value your potential highly and become your steadfast ally.”
We are strong.
Yet we respect you and will ally as equals.
At those words, the crowd—whose pride had somewhat recovered—halted their departing steps.
“With the south’s premier nation and the continent’s strongest united, what is there to fear?”
Scattered applause began to rise from the distance.
It swelled like incoming waves, soon turning into cheers.
“My thanks to Duke Luke and Your Highness Lea for arranging this gathering of harmony. And to all of you gathered here today, I dedicate the glory of victory.”
Thanks to that, the two nations’ greatest swordsmen stood in the center of the arena, able to gaze at each other.
They shared faint smiles and shook hands repeatedly.
A scene that might go down in history.
The two leaders in the royal box silently looked down upon it.
“I have no choice but to acknowledge it.”
Duke Luke looked clearly disappointed.
In the end, he had admitted the gap in power between the Empire and the kingdom.
To have a knight who overwhelmed the South's Greatest Swordsman as mere security.
Realizing how many powerhouses lurked in the central continent, he humbly lowered his head.
“Thank you for reminding me of the Empire’s strength, Your Highness.”
“I’m equally pleased to learn of the South's Greatest Swordsman’s potential and the black mages’ loyalty, Duke.”
She shook hands, saying she now understood why Hausen Kingdom represented the southern alliance.
“Now I truly understand why Father always warned me to be cautious of the south.”
With the duel over, witnessing the Empire respecting his nation.
Duke Luke’s mind eased a bit, shaking off the lingering bitterness from his lips.
Afterward, gazing at Lea’s radiant golden hair shining in the sunlight, he wore a resigned expression.
He realized that to embrace such a perfect woman, a man needed to be on the level of defeating the South's Greatest Swordsman—and cleanly admitted defeat.
“Are you leaving tomorrow?”
“That was the plan.”
Luke looked at Lea with a relieved expression free of ulterior motives.
Then he politely made one proposal.
“Understood. I suppose I’ll see you at the party celebrating the alliance signing.”
“Indeed, see you tonight.”
Lea slowly rose from the royal box.
She casually clasped her hands behind her back in her white uniform.
“Tell the guards to rest until the report and the party.”
“What will Your Highness do?”
Lea wearily closed her long eyes.
She suppressed a yawn with military firmness and spoke.
“I need some rest too. I’m tired.”
「――――――」
And so the friendly duel between the two nations came to a close.
As Arthur and I descended the arena stairs side by side, he said he would go see his father, Captain Archimond.
“I need to tell him I understand what you meant by the qualities of a captain.”
“Good. As expected of the Greatest Swordsman—you’ve got sharp instincts.”
I chuckled and we finished descending the stairs.
“When you become captain, treat me to a feast. It’s thanks to me, after all.”
“You’re awfully sly about this stuff.”
He gazed at me indifferently with his lifeless white eyes.
Up close like this, it was a bit eerie….
“Don’t worry. When I become captain, you’ll be the first to know.”
Arthur soon broke his blank expression with a faint smirk.
Then he headed to his family estate, eager for his father’s approval.
“Well then, time for me to rest a bit.”
Afterward, Mago and I relaxed comfortably in our private quarters.
Lea insisted the mood between the nations was good and she could take care of herself, so not to worry.
Thanks to that, I got an entire luxurious state guest room—right next to hers.
“Grrraah— so comfy!!”
I flopped onto the king-sized plush bed.
It was sturdy and cozy enough for two people to jump around on without collapsing.
Arms spread wide, I stared up at the beautiful chandelier ceiling.
Then I drifted into thought.
“Is it really over now?”
There’s nothing left to threaten the Empire.
We’ve allied with Bakal and the south, and the crown prince has reformed.
“Peace has finally come.”
A perfect peace, at least while I’m alive.
And freedom too.
Imagining that comfortable future, I stretched out in joyful contentment.
“….”
The quiet room.
Only the steady ticking of the clock echoed at regular intervals.
With over five hours until the party and nothing to do, I decided to indulge in my favorite nap.
I turned my face to the side and gently closed my eyes.
Then I began to savor the silence bit by bit.
“….”
But.
Perhaps because my mana senses had sharpened even more after reaching Grandmaster.
My eyes suddenly snapped open.
I lifted my head, following the faint mana I sensed.
‘A watcher…?’
I stared at one wall, tracing the mana’s afterimage.
There, I felt a hazy mana presence I wouldn’t have noticed before.
‘Strange. The mood between the nations was good.’
Suspecting eavesdropping, I slowly rose.
Then I approached the seascape painting on the wall.
“An artifact…?”
A frame on the wall isn’t unusual.
But normally, they’re placed at eye level.
This one was subtly low, and the blue ocean painting clashed with the room’s warm atmosphere.
I slowly reached out.
The moment I infused Grand Aura into the frame.
“…!!”
The sea painting in the frame rippled.
Then the view of the next room slowly became transparent.
Like a transparent secret door.
‘I’ve heard of setups like this to rescue royalty if trouble arises inside….’
Normally only palace staff could activate it in emergencies, but I’d apparently forced it with my aura.
I awkwardly tried to restore the frame to normal.
But like any curious human, my gaze drifted to the透視ed room.
And there….
“I’m tired….”
Lea had returned to her room around the same time for rest.
She was in a tight white uniform that hugged her body.
She slowly removed her hat and draped her jacket over a chair.
“Whew….”
Usually so dignified, always wearing gloves when touching things.
But she tossed the jacket carelessly and loosened her shirt’s necktie.
At that human side of her, I found myself staring blankly without realizing it.
From beyond the wall.
With the jacket off, her sweat-soaked shirt clung revealingly to her ample curves.
Heat wafted from between her full flesh.
「….」
The princess then removed her black skirt as well.
Now only her long shirt barely covered her hips in a dizzying sight.
In that state, she placed both hands on a chair.
She stretched her body forward, loosening her stiff waist from sitting so long.
Her full hips rose prominently, her slim waist dipped low.
And below that, her abundant curves drew the eye even more.
The open shirt hid bare skin.
But even through it, she looked incredibly enticing.
“….”
At that sensual figure, I blinked in awe.
Then, as I hurriedly tried to pull away from the frame.
“Hm…?”
I froze at the princess’s short murmur.
“Oh dear… I forgot to hide this.”
Lea released the chair and bent down to the floor.
Her radiant golden locks cascaded down, releasing a rich pomegranate scent.
The princess elegantly swept back her falling bangs and picked up something from the floor.
I stared at the item intently.
Something I’d never seen in my life.
‘A bunny…?’
What Lea picked up was a headband utterly at odds with her image.
She was symbolized by the golden lioness, after all….
“Does this thing really work…?”
Lea held the bunny ears and stood before the full-length mirror.
In her sensual lingerie with just the shirt draped over.
“Like this…?”
The cool-headed soldier who handled everything perfectly.
She tentatively placed the bunny headband on her head for the first time.
Blue bunny ears sprouted from her hair.
At the sight, I couldn’t stop my lips from curling up.
「….」
The princess stared at her bunny-disguised visage in the mirror.
Then she raised both hands, curling them slightly….
“Hop… hop?”
She tilted her head while imitating a bunny.
“!!!”
A voluptuous woman with sharp eyes mimicking a bunny.
My lips parted involuntarily.
“How does a bunny cry?”
Unaware, the princess adopted an analytical gaze alone.
Then, still wearing the bunny headband, she spun around and headed to the bed.
“I’ll look into it next time.”
Lea lay on the bed right against the wall I’d been peeking through.
Face down, perhaps.
Her full breasts, encased in a black bra, pressed softly.
Like pillows.
「….」
But even lying on the bed, she didn’t close her eyes comfortably.
Perhaps because she was closer to the wall I’d been at….
She’d noticed ‘something.’
“Bale…?”
Lea looked straight at the wall I was against and asked.
Startled, I instinctively pulled my hand away and stepped back.
But it was far too late.
The princess, sensing my presence, soon wore a mischievous smile.
“Were you peeking on me this whole time?”
“N-no, Your Highness!! I felt faint mana from the wall and was just investigating…!!”
I shouted honestly.
I hadn’t expected my aura to trigger an emergency device.
The princess chuckled leisurely and asked back.
“What did you see to get so flustered? It’s not like you.”
Lea had a keen sense for magic.
So she assumed I’d been peeking when she lay on the bed.
But.
“Th-that is….”
Her relaxed expression soon flipped.
I’d been unwittingly watching Lea longer than she thought.
“Hop hop…?”
The moment those embarrassing syllables crossed my mind.
The two rooms, separated by the wall, fell deathly silent.
No longer at the frame, I couldn’t see Lea’s face.
But I could sense it instinctively.
Her face had flushed deeply.
“Th-that too….”