Chapter 91
Chapter 91
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 91
Chapter Title: To a Suspicious Degree
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Leonhardt von Orsia.
He had been a man overflowing with passion since childhood.
When he had just turned thirteen, he volunteered to join the Imperial Knights' training.
A grueling regimen so harsh that even adults struggled to endure it.
Yet he didn't just bear it—he bloomed with smiles as he powered through.
His instructors were the ones left stunned.
"Your Highness, this training makes full-grown knights groan in agony. How can you smile through it?"
Sweat-drenched, the young Leonhardt would flash his clear golden eyes and reply.
"No pain, no growth. Feeling the strain is proof you're getting stronger—how could it not be thrilling!"
"......"
Such was his fervor, but the imperial family harbored someone utterly his opposite.
His one and only little sister, Princess Adelheit von Orsia.
He cherished her so deeply that she could do no wrong in his eyes.
Unlike him, though, she was perfectly ordinary—lazy by nature and fond of slacking off.
"Adel! What fine weather today! Perfect for training, wouldn't you say? Come to the training grounds with your big brother!"
"Um, Brother... I kind of want to rest today."
"Rest? You'll have eternity to rest when you're dead! Let's sweat it out together!"
Leonhardt adored his sister and tried desperately to share his joy with her.
She had a kind heart and couldn't refuse his pleas, so she went along despite herself.
But one day, she hit her limit.
"Adel! Gloomy skies today! Days like this are made for tempering body and mind! Won't you join your brother at the training grounds?"
"Ugh, Brother, you have zero sense!"
"Adel...? What do you mean by that?!"
Boom—!
A rebuke from his beloved sister.
That day, Leonhardt faced a shocking truth.
"People don't burn as bright as you all the time, Brother. They just pretend because you're the Crown Prince!!"
His passion, which he saw as infectious, could overwhelm ordinary folk.
And all those smiling faces around him? Not from joy, but obligation—because of his exalted status.
"...So that's how it was. I'm sorry, Adel. Your brother was shortsighted."
He reflected deeply.
A true sovereign doesn't just impose their own convictions.
They must understand and embrace those who differ.
Armed with this revelation, Leonhardt reined in his zeal and lived with restraint.
As gently as possible.
Without burdening others.
He had managed it...
Until his battle with Jeron unraveled the leash.
Faced with such a strong, captivating foe, his suppressed nature burst forth unfiltered.
Leonhardt slowly replayed his actions.
Covered in blood.
With a manic grin.
Charging sword-first, confessing his eagerness to clash.
'...I went too far!'
He pressed his forehead.
Jeron already seemed perpetually listless and aloof.
To him, Leonhardt's fire must have been suffocating.
'That's why he fled.'
That final, weary glare from Jeron.
It screamed exhaustion from Leonhardt's overwhelming intensity.
Like a wild beast in the dark recoiling from blinding light.
He, the blazing sun, and Jeron, craving shade—they were polar opposites.
'Troubling.'
Their first encounter had gone utterly awry.
Yet Leonhardt had no intention of giving up on Jeron.
If anything, the fight had only fueled his desire.
The power and cunning Jeron displayed were irresistible.
And deep down, he yearned to witness Jeron's true strength someday.
He'd held back before, fearing he'd scare Jeron off—but now, he craved connection by any means.
So, what to do?
Hmm...
Leonhardt pondered deeply for a moment.
Then it hit him.
Begging to be his mentor outright? Jeron would recoil and bolt.
But 'friends'? That might work.
Build rapport gradually as equals!
'Perfect!'
He slapped his knee in triumph.
***
Meanwhile, at the ruins where the dust had settled.
Yuria and Artel slumped to the ground, panting heavily.
Drenched in sweat, they looked utterly spent.
'As expected of the Crown Prince.'
I inwardly whistled.
Even in tatters, he'd fought like a demon to the end.
In that near-death state, he could still best most S-Ranks.
The only ones capable of landing the finishing blow—barring the Four Emperors—were the duo I'd meticulously nurtured: Yuria and Artel.
They might not realize it, but together, they packed enough punch to take down an S-Rank.
'They earned their keep.'
Satisfied, I approached them.
"Good work."
"Jeron! You scared us half to death! We knew you went after a big fish, but... the Crown Prince?!"
Yuria pouted with teary eyes.
Artel, meanwhile, watched me silently with an inscrutable expression.
'Come to think of it, this is the first time Artel's taken down the Crown Prince.'
An impossible route in the game.
Curious what she'd say, she spoke.
"...Jeron, thank you."
"Hm?"
"You trusted us enough to hand over the Crown Prince—practically defeated by your hand—for us to finish. Such immense honor..."
Her eyes glistened faintly.
"All that growth you pushed me through... it was all to give me this moment today."
'Uh...'
True, I'd trained her to beat the Crown Prince.
But the reasoning was a tad different.
Not the moment to confess, though—the mood was all wrong!
I just offered a soft smile and stayed quiet.
Artel bowed her head.
"Keep that up, and I'll really misunderstand."
She murmured something and took a step closer.
"So, Jeron, Artel! What's our next move?"
Yuria cut in, asking about plans.
"Ah."
Artel startled and stepped back.
'Hm.'
Our next steps, huh.
"Rest."
"Besides what you want to do! The real plan!"
[Sloth Meter +1!]
'No, this is the real plan.'
I felt wronged.
Surprisingly, Artel backed me up.
"No, Yuria. Jeron's right."
"Even you, Artel?!"
"Look at our situation. We've locked in a massive lead. Roaming for more would just backfire."
She was spot on.
Points from the checkpoint strategy.
Plus the haul of star shards from devouring the Crown Prince's team.
Those two alone guaranteed first place.
The gap was even wider than after the first exam.
We'd stripped the previous leaders bare.
No need to do anything now.
In fact, doing nothing was optimal.
My mana was drained; they were exhausted.
Better to hunker down safely than risk a fluke encounter with a powerhouse.
Plus, I was pretty beat.
Sure, I barely lifted a finger, but it took mental effort.
"This spot's good."
Using game knowledge, I found a nearby hideout.
Part the thick brush, and a concealed clearing appeared—invisible from outside.
A classic camping spot.
"Won't get spotted here."
Artel nodded approvingly.
One issue, though.
'I wanna lie down.'
Tired, and during exam time? Bonus Sloth points.
But the ground was rocky and cold—no way.
'Then make one.'
I called Kerr.
Ssshh.
Shadows writhed, swallowing sharp stones and twigs, morphing into a plush, spacious bed.
Truly versatile.
"Gonna crash."
I flopped onto it without hesitation.
Soft and pillowy.
Heaven.
Tension melted; sleep beckoned.
I closed my eyes and drifted into deep slumber.
***
"......"
Jeron was already snoring away in dreamland.
The two exchanged glances.
"He... really just falls asleep like that? Even during the exam?"
"Sigh... can't be helped."
Awkward silence fell.
They stole glances at the peacefully sleeping Jeron.
His bed was oddly spacious for one.
Big enough for two on either side.
His spot lay vulnerably empty.
"......"
Artel averted her gaze to the ground.
"But Yuria, you okay? You look wiped."
"W-Well, conserving stamina does sound smart...?"
"Then maybe we rest a bit too? Not sleeping—just vigilant, more efficient recovery."
"That... might be a good idea...?"
In the end.
Rustle. Rustle.
Artel and Yuria quietly flanked Jeron.
"This is just for stamina... Yeah, totally rational."
Artel muttered excuses to no one.
Her face burned red.
"Y-Yeah... Next exam's coming... Gotta save energy!"
Yuria matched her.
***
When I woke again.
[Sloth Meter +300!]
'Huh?'
A suspiciously huge Sloth Meter gain.