Chapter 13
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 13
Chapter Title: Hunting Festival (2)
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As the Hunting Festival began, the nobles mounted their horses and scattered into the forest.
"More nobles are entering with their partners than I expected."
"Hehe, our empire has always revered the martial arts at its core, after all."
Yujin nodded.
"I suppose that's true."
Lucia was right.
The Argentus Empire was a nation founded at the end of a war of conquest.
Naturally, it had venerated martial prowess from its roots, and the nobles had naturally evolved into something akin to military aristocrats.
If compared to Earth, it was like the great sword nobles of France during its monarchy or the Prussian military nobility known as the Junkers.
"When do we set out, Your Excellency?"
Irene asked.
"Hm, we've got twelve hours... We can take it leisurely without issue."
The allotted time was about twelve hours.
They needed to use it wisely to aim for victory.
...Though that was just the mindset. Not a single member of Yujin's group doubted they could win.
No matter how much they tried to stay cautious, their overwhelming strength made it impossible.
"Well, the marquis's very existence is almost like cheating."
Lucia murmured softly. Hearing her, Irene chuckled and added,
"The other nobles already seem to have given up on winning."
"...Is that so."
"As long as Yujin's here, victory is ours for sure."
Irene said proudly.
Her thinking was simple.
The presence of a Sword Master like Yujin. Just him alone made the game as good as over.
And even without Yujin, both Lucia and Irene were 6th Circle mages.
'Considering Archmages start at the 8th Circle... 6th Circle makes them Archmage material.'
One Master and two high mages...
Yujin looked at them anew and murmured,
"You two are truly impressive."
His gaze made them smile confidently.
"Of course, Your Excellency. Who do you think we are?"
"Even without the marquis, the two of us could have won easily."
Of course, there were plenty of formidable participants in the Hunting Festival.
Especially the Crown Prince and the Northern Grand Duke.
Were those two the protagonists of some romance novel? Their power levels were certainly strong.
'But...'
Could those idiots actually win?
They seemed more likely to screw up trying to impress Sena...
What good was great hardware if the software couldn't keep up?
'Whatever, it doesn't matter to me.'
"Victory... You seem quite confident."
"Hm, Irene and I have been friends since childhood, so we're used to coordinating like this."
He put on a thoughtful expression and teasingly murmured,
"Hm... Then maybe I was intruding unnecessarily?"
"Hehe, nothing like that."
Lucia hugged one of his arms and said,
"We'll be 'together' from now on anyway, so it's good to get reacquainted starting now."
Her voice carried clear affection. Yujin paused at it.
He wasn't used to it yet.
"...I see."
"Yes."
She nodded.
"With that in mind, could you call me by name like you do Irene?"
"...Would that be alright, Your Highness?"
Lucia was royalty, after all. Asking him to call her by name...
"Yes. I actually want you to. I don't want to feel left out, hehe."
Lucia murmured.
"..."
Yujin gazed at her steadily.
Soon,
*Nod.*
"Understood, Lucia."
Irene hurriedly inserted herself between them.
"Shall we head out now?"
"Very well."
And so, Yujin's group mounted their horses and entered the forest.
The forest entrance was quieter than expected.
Rather than monsters, they encountered more fellow noble participants.
So, even if they crossed paths during the hunt, no one drew swords to steal each other's prey...
This was a formal event at its core, closer to a social gathering. It wasn't some hardcore survival game focused on points.
Thus, they simply exchanged silent nods with the nobles they met and moved on.
As they ventured deeper, Yujin sensed the presence of monsters.
'Ten of them.'
Judging by the pack...
'Frost Wolves.'
Yujin nodded slightly and said,
"Everyone, prepare. Frost Wolves are coming soon."
"Where?"
"East."
They nodded without a word.
As they slowly gathered their mana, the Frost Wolves appeared and began surrounding Yujin's group.
"...Arrr..."
"...Grrr... Bark!"
The Frost Wolves encircled them completely, baring their fangs and growling.
Watching this, Lucia stepped forward.
"Marquis, leave this to us."
Pause.
"Are you sure, Lucia?"
As Yujin glanced at Irene too, she nodded confidently.
"Hehe, it's nice you're worried, but we're proper high mages, you know? These Frost Wolves are nothing."
"...Understood."
Yujin stepped back.
At that moment,
"Awooooooo!!!!!"
As if judging the situation, the Frost Wolves bared their sharp fangs and leaped into the air toward them.
Irene moved first.
Her violet mana rippled, spreading like mist around them.
The Frost Wolves engulfed in the mana mist soon melted limply from their bodies.
"...Hoo."
He let out an impressed sound at Irene's magic.
'Is this Irene's illusion magic?'
She was famous not just for her genius but for mastering the niche illusion magic.
'Quite a show.'
Noticing his admiration, Lucia used her own magic competitively.
The imperial family's signature golden mana etched into the air, forming dozens of swords.
Soon, those mana swords rained down like arrows on the charging Frost Wolves.
"Hehe."
In the end, the Frost Wolves were shredded beyond recognition.
*Clap clap clap.*
"You two are amazing. I see why they're called geniuses."
"You're too kind, Your Excellency."
"Hehe, Yujin's praise feels nice."
The praise was genuine.
'At that level... They'd handle their own in war easily.'
Hell, what was one person's share? They looked good for two or three.
He'd only seen a fraction, but Irene's illusion magic seemed perfect for countering enemies with its mystique,
'And Lucia...'
Did she even need words?
That was borderline cheating in group fights.
'...Come to think of it, the Infinite Sword Emperor?'
It resembled what Lucia had shown.
'Fitting for noble imperial blood.'
As he pondered their magic further—
*Thud.*
*Thud.*
*Thud.*
"This presence... Giant Orc."
At Irene's words, Lucia murmured quietly.
...As if she'd noticed something odd.
"...Giant Orc?"
But before he could react, the Giant Orc burst out, toppling trees aside.
*Thud.*
*Thud.*
The Giant Orc stood huffing massively, looking quite threatening.
"Looks like it's my turn to show off."
He pushed them back and stepped in front of the Giant Orc.
'Bigger than expected—'
At that instant,
*KABOOM!!!!!!*
The Giant Orc swung a fallen tree like a club at him.
*Whoosh!!!!!!*
A shockwave and gust swept through instantly.
But—
"...Chit?"
As the dust cleared, Yujin stood unharmed.
No, he'd blocked the attack effortlessly with one finger.
And then,
"Insolent orc."
*Slash!!!!!!*
The Giant Orc, five times a man's size, was cleaved in half in an instant.
*Thud.*
Its massive body crashed to the ground.
"..."
"...Incredible."
Watching from behind, they covered their mouths in awe at his transcendent power.
The Giant Orc, split cleanly in half without him even drawing his sword.
...That was the Mind Sword technique, something even among Masters no one could currently use.
After storing the Frost Wolves and the bisected Giant Orc in his subspace pouch, Yujin's group pressed deeper.
During the trek, Irene spoke first.
"Your Excellency—no, Yujin."
"...?"
Yujin gave her a puzzled look at being called by name so suddenly.
They say men get scared when women call them by name casually... but not really.
"What is it?"
"...Well."
She seemed hesitant instead.
She bit her lip slightly, then,
"Can I call you by name from now on?"
'...That's it?'
Yujin, who had been wondering what she'd say, chuckled at the surprisingly innocuous request.
Was this really the same woman who'd clung to him naked that day?
Whether it was a gap moe or whatever, it was oddly cute.
"...Do as you like, Irene."
"Yes! Yujin."
As Yujin and Irene grew closer, Lucia wedged in between them.
"Oh my, if you two get closer without me, I get jealous. Can I call the marquis by name too?"
What if he refused here?
It'd make things awkward between him and Lucia, and between Irene and Lucia too.
'Not that I plan to refuse.'
"Of course, Lucia."
*Nod.*
"Thank you, Yujin."
If anything, Yujin was grateful. How could he not feel good with beauties approaching him first?
'...Hm.'
That said, this meant...
"...May I drop the formalities with you two as well?"
"!!!"
His unexpected proposal lit up Irene and Lucia's eyes.
They licked their lips and nodded.
"Sure, Yujin."
"Hehe, me too, Yujin."