Chapter 79: Just Before the Hunt Begins
Just before the hunt was set to begin, the forest entrance buzzed with competitors in the hunting competition and crowds cheering them on.
Kaiser led me toward the gathered horses and handed me the reins of the black steed that looked the swiftest and most robust among the Crisis family's mounts.
This is... Kaiser's favorite horse, isn't it?
It was such an exceptional steed that the emperor had once granted Kaiser an entire estate just for one of its foals.
As I blinked, still gripping the reins, Kaiser chuckled softly.
"I know you'd prefer moving without a horse, but in front of all these people, it'd be best to at least pretend to ride one."
I was so accustomed to the forest by now that traveling on foot was far quicker and more convenient than on some fancy mount, but since I'd publicly declared at the ball that I'd participate in the hunt, all eyes would be on me. Walking in casually might make me look weak, so he meant for me to ride at least until we entered the woods.
"And if you're going to ride anyway, why not the finest steed? You're my daughter, after all."
Kaiser slowly smiled as he firmly placed the reins of his most cherished horse into my hands. His words brimmed with affection for me, so I beamed back at him.
"Thank you."
Before I knew it, I'd become someone who no longer felt awkward receiving such overwhelming fondness.
I mounted Kaiser's black horse, while he took a healthy, swift bay—not quite as impressive as the black, but serviceable enough—and we headed back to the forest entrance.
I scanned the crowd and tilted my head.
"Come to think of it, I don't see His Holiness the Pope."
Holy knights participating in the hunt dotted the groups here and there, but El himself was nowhere in sight.
Usually, the emperor and the pope attend hunting competitions together as a matter of custom.
As I pondered this, eyeing the emperor—who was watching the hunting groups with keen interest—and the empty papal throne, Kaiser spoke up.
"The Pope had an urgent patient needing treatment this morning, so he's running late. He should arrive soon."
Hmm...
I furrowed my brow at the oddity.
The Pope's divine power outshone any priest in the temple, but he didn't dispense it freely to just anyone. Common patients were handled by acolytes, nobles by high priests—and only marquesses or higher got the Pope's personal attention in dire cases.
But for someone of that rank to need the Pope's treatment right now? That's suspicious.
Something tugged at the edge of my memory, frustratingly vague. I sat there on my horse, racking my brain.
It feels like something from the original story, but honestly, I don't remember every detail of Fairy Night. It's from my past life's memories, not this one, after all. All I have are the broad strokes of major events and key characters' backstories.
For now... let's focus on the hunt.
There were plenty of loose ends nagging at me, but the hunt came first. I'd ask El about the patient when he arrived. For now, with Kaiser off to fetch something from the tent, I sat alone on my horse, waiting for the start.
"Lady Crisis."
Then a familiar voice called from beside me. Delighted, I turned with a light smile.
"Sir Ainheart."
His golden eyes caught the sunlight, shimmering brilliantly. At my quiet call, a hint of softness touched Rainer's otherwise coldly impassive face.
"I heard you're participating in the hunting competition."
He'd brought his white horse close as he spoke.
Of course Rainer knows. The confrontation with Audi at the imperial ball spread like wildfire through high society, making me the undisputed star of this hunt. It'd be harder not to know.
Proof enough: nobles' stares were prickling my skin.
"As a swordswoman, how could I sit out a hunting competition?"
I nodded with a relaxed smile.
Rainer watched me for a moment, hesitating, then asked in a low, grave tone.
"Do you plan to reveal it this time?"
No subject needed—he meant my identity as Mir. Guessing that much was easy.
He's puzzled that I, who never wanted to reveal I was Mir and even threatened him not to tell, would enter a contest where I'd have to show my skills, drawing even more attention.
It did seem odd from his perspective.
But I don't want to hide being Mir forever.
In the coming storm from the north, my identity as the Mercenary King, the Black Calamity Mir, was one of my strongest cards. I had no intention of discarding it.
I've kept it hidden so far precisely for the dramatic reveal.
Hiding it now wasn't to abandon Mir—it was to etch the name indelibly into the public's mind. Kashmir Crisis had to debut as the heroic Mir in spectacular fashion.
This hunting competition is just bait to stoke the nobles' curiosity about me and my abilities.
My plan required public support, and for that, I needed a strong image and dramatic flair.
It feels like I'm some scheming director... but it's all for the nation and its people.
My schemes truly were for the Solatine Empire. I didn't have some grand dream of saving it single-handedly, but in the end, every action of mine served its safety.
"Not yet."
Rainer narrowed his eyes at my whisper, trying to read my intent. I grinned at him.
"Not yet."
He stared intently at my loaded reply, questions flickering in his golden gaze. Smiling back, I smoothly changed the subject.
"You should join the hunting competition too, Sir Ainheart."
He blinked slowly but nodded along with my pivot without complaint.
"Will you be hunting alone, Lady Crisis?"
"Pretty much. No one's coming with me."
I shrugged. The only suitable partner was Kaiser, but we'd agreed to hunt separately—otherwise, we'd wreck the forest's ecosystem.
Rainer bowed his head, stroking his horse's mane, then glanced at me sidelong before speaking slowly.
"Then... would you hunt with me?"
Hunt with Rainer?
I tilted my head at the unexpected offer. Reading the surprise on my face, he added hastily.
"I'm nowhere near your level, but I won't be a burden. Put me on game-tracking or odd jobs—I'll do them diligently."
As his words tumbled out, I blinked at him. His mouth corners drooped, as if expecting rejection. His face remained blankly stoic, yet somehow evoked a forsaken puppy—heartbreakingly so.
"...No, then."
His sharp eyes softened, red lips pressing tight. The fiercely handsome man turning sullen packed a punch.
What is this? Master key activated?
I flinched slightly, staring at Rainer. Every time, I marveled—he was terrifyingly gorgeous.
One person... shouldn't be a problem.
A Sword Expert like Rainer wouldn't hinder me, he already knew I was Mir so no need to hide my skills, and he wanted this so badly—why refuse?
Absolutely not because of his face.
"If that's what you want, it's no trouble."
His face lit up at my curt yes. I watched, amused at how even his blank expression betrayed so many emotions, then tugged the reins.
"But once we're in the forest, I might not be able to look after you, Sir Ainheart. I'm used to going solo."
"That's fine. I'll keep up as best I can."
Resolve hardened on his face. He seemed too determined, leaving me a bit embarrassed.
"Then, let's take care of each other during this hunt."
I smiled lightly and extended my hand. Rainer glanced at it before carefully clasping it.
Our swordsmen's callused hands met. His felt as rough as mine—kindred.
We gripped silently for a moment, and his hand began to redden. Realizing I'd held too long, I shook quickly and let go.
Rainer slowly withdrew, staring at his hand before turning his head slightly. Beneath his neatly combed silver-gray hair, his ear tips glowed faintly pink.
"Speaking of which, I don't see the Atara delegation."
I murmured after glancing around again. This hunt celebrated the Atara envoys' visit, so they should be central—yet not even Leo was in sight.
"...The Atara delegation."
Rainer's expression darkened. Sensing something, I leaned toward him and whispered, ignoring his fluster.
"Something's happened, hasn't it?"
"...Can't you tell me?"
His lips pressed thin, eyes downcast. Bewilderment spread across his face as his hands clenched the reins fiercely.
I could tell him.
If it were top-secret info that'd get him in trouble, I wouldn't pry—but the vibe suggested he could share if pressed. Our regular meetups had taught me he was weak to pitiful expressions, so I sighed deeply with feigned hurt.
"Even if you did, I'd keep it to myself... but I guess you can't trust me that much."
"Absolutely not!"
Rainer raised his voice sharply. More eyes turned our way—already magnets for stares. Realizing his slip, he clamped his mouth shut and sighed faintly.
"I absolutely trust you, Lady Crisis."
His golden eyes shone with earnest conviction. His firm denial made me feel guilty for prodding.
Timing it, I lowered my voice.
"Then will you tell me what happened to the Atara delegation?"
Hesitation rippled in his golden gaze. His large, knightly hands kept rejigging the reins.
Watching him waver tore at me, but I needed to know.
My instincts are screaming. Something's up.
A Sword Master's intuition for the world's flow was absolute. Some crucial clue I'd overlooked fluttered just beneath the surface.
"Rainer."
At my urgent, quiet call by name—rare, since I'd habituated to "Sir Ainheart"—he snapped his head up, eyes wide.
I met his gaze steadily, the familiar-yet-awkward name on my lips.
"Tell me."
I had to know.
Rainer's mouth parted slightly as he sighed once more. Resolve settled over his reopened golden eyes.
Leaning close, he whispered in my ear.
"It's something that could shake high society, so they're undecided on a public announcement... but..."
"Yes."
"One of the Atara envoys lost consciousness from an external poisoning attempt."
My face stiffened.