Chapter 372
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Translator: 8uhl
Chapter: 372
Chapter Title: I Can't Understand.
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Kilimanjaro Autonomous Government.
This fledgling military regime had been gripped by anxiety not long ago.
Their leader had suddenly formed the Continental Alliance, and the Egyptian army had invaded, sparking a massive war on their territory.
What would happen if they lost the war?
Everyone had no choice but to live in fear.
But that was precisely why the Kilimanjaro Autonomous Government was now swept up in cheers.
"Woooaaah!"
"Long live the Continental Alliance!"
The Egyptian army's full retreat.
The peace treaty with the Continental Alliance.
And the safe return of their soldiers.
For the residents who had braced themselves to shout hurrahs just as long as the country wasn't reduced to rubble, this war's outcome was reason enough to cheer until their throats went hoarse.
Even soldiers and leaders from the other military regimes in the alliance joined in the jubilation.
It was only natural that Kilimanjaro had turned into a festival ground.
"Hahaha! See? I told you we just had to trust the General!"
"If I recall, Chief Lukuma, you were saying something a bit different."
"Ah, let's forget about the past! Yeah?"
"You sure talk a good game."
The key figures of the autonomous government were just as caught up in the festivities.
Chief Lukuma had thrown open the warehouses in grand style to officially kick off the celebration, and Shu chided him for it.
Umbaru was also knocking back drinks with leaders from the other regimes.
Africa's undisputed strongest power.
Having repelled the Egyptian army and secured peace filled them with boundless joy.
"They're celebrating so carefree."
But they didn't know.
The Egyptian army's top fighter and leader was right in the heart of the autonomous government, watching them with cold eyes.
"They've signed a peace treaty, so it's no wonder they're happy."
"It's a peace that won't last long anyway."
Hasneti pointed out in a gravelly voice.
After the Grassland Incident wrapped up.
Having admitted defeat to Rose in the duel and signed the peace treaty, she had no intention of waging any more conquests.
However, that didn't mean peace had come to Africa.
"Even if I stay put, they'll soon start devouring each other."
Even without the threat of Egyptian invasion...
No, precisely because of that, the Continental Alliance would wage even fiercer territorial wars from now on.
To seize hegemony over this power vacuum of a continent, now that Summon Lord Branga was gone and Hasneti had halted her conquests.
Those sharing drinks now would have guns and blades pointed at each other in a few months.
Hasneti declared it with certainty.
"Yes, it probably will turn out that way."
Rose readily acknowledged it.
She now understood well what Africa was like.
Even so, with a faint smile, Rose continued softly.
"Still, I think their joy in this peace is genuine right now."
Even if they went to war tomorrow.
They had earned the right to celebrate peace today.
Hasneti silently watched the calm Rose as she spoke, then followed her gaze.
And in front of the roaring campfire flames, she spotted a blond, tanned boy gleefully plucking a bluebird.
She asked quietly.
"Including him?"
"...Of course."
"Do you really believe that?"
As if reading her hesitation from the delayed response.
The moment she heard Hasneti's sharp question.
Rose closed her eyes.
And she remembered.
The expression on Rimon's face during the fierce battle against the Apex Predator.
Not his occasional malicious smirk.
Nor his cold sneer.
But that smile—innocent like a child receiving a surprise birthday gift, joyful like a boy reuniting with his lover.
"To be honest, I can now understand what you're saying, Hasneti."
Even someone unseasoned like her could tell from that pure smile alone.
Rimon was a sword-wielder at heart.
One who found joy in battling strong foes.
"But my thoughts remain the same."
"Even after seeing him fight the Apex Predator?"
"Precisely because I saw it."
When the two additional Apex Predators appeared.
And ominous energy writhed from the hole in the sky.
What Rimon craved was easy to guess from the smile that grew even deeper in that instant.
But because she had seen that pure smile twist into a hollow chuckle, and witnessed his actions afterward.
Rose asserted bitterly.
"Even if he set aside his own desires, choosing victory over the thrill of the fight means he loves peace too."
Since it was his choice.
She would help Rimon protect that peace, sustain it, and find him other joys.
Hasneti gazed at the composed Rose with her blood-red eyes, lit a cigarette, and murmured.
"I still can't understand you."
They had seen the same scene.
What Hasneti had felt was joy—and an even deeper regret because of it.
That she wasn't wrong.
And that his duty as humanity's guardian was merely a chain binding him—she was more convinced of it than ever.
"I can't understand you either."
Rose, who saw Rimon's conviction and believed upholding his pride would be his happiness.
Hasneti, who saw his craving and believed freeing him would bring him joy.
Both loved the same man.
They had clashed fiercely.
Faced strong enemies together.
They knew him.
Yet... no, precisely because of that, the two princesses reached utterly opposing conclusions and stared intently at each other.
Of course it was natural.
Hasneti, for whom struggle was life itself, and the just, merciful Rose.
They were polar opposites at their core, and falling madly in love, descending into depravity, wouldn't change that.
"If that's how you feel, think whatever suits you."
"I planned to anyway."
But Hasneti didn't pick a fight.
And Rose didn't impose her beliefs.
It wasn't because they acknowledged each other through the duel and friendship bloomed from fighting the Summon Lord together...
...or some such nonsense.
They could punch each other in the face right now if needed—and honestly wanted to.
Yet the reason they held back was one.
They agreed they didn't want to disturb Rimon's rest.
Though their ways differed.
Both yearned to be loved by him.
Both truly wished for his happiness.
Two princesses so different yet alike watched Rimon side by side.
Pajing.
"Princess, we're back."
"Sorry it took so long."
That was when Lucas and Nadia appeared behind them and naturally knelt on one knee.
Even though they had been fiercely battling each other just yesterday.
Even accounting for spatial movement, their side-by-side appearance felt ironic compared to their princesses.
But Hasneti didn't mind.
She simply asked curtly.
"Did you get it?"
"Yes, it kept escaping, so it took a bit."
"As long as you have it."
Without even glancing at Nadia proudly presenting the cloth bundle, Hasneti slowly walked forward.
Toward Rimon, who was stuffing well-roasted meat from Yuna Kyung's beak into his mouth.
"I've got something to discuss briefly..."
"Ah, want one too, Pharaoh?"
As lively as ever with his nonsense, but then his throat got clogged with meat.
He giggled at the flailing Yuna Kyung, then suddenly offered her a skewer, and Hasneti fell silent.
After a brief silence, she asked.
"Can I have it?"
"Of course."
"Then I'll eat."
"Yeah, delicious..."
Who would complain about the Pharaoh eating a mere skewer?
Rimon smirked, but blinked in surprise.
Instead of taking the skewer he offered, Hasneti slowly bent at the waist.
Chomp.
Parting her red lips slightly.
Baring white teeth to bite the meat.
Chewing slowly and swallowing.
Unhesitant like a beast taking food from its master.
Languid like a tyrant savoring his concubine's delicacy.
Hasneti kept her head slightly lowered, devouring the skewer in Rimon's hand from the tip, one by one.
Next, next, and next.
Even after the last meat vanished.
She didn't stop, climbing further until.
Her sharp fang finally nipped even the little finger holding the skewer.
Or it seemed that way.
Clack.
If not for another skewer intervening, crossing her path.
"If you're hungry, have this, Hasneti."
Hasneti looked up.
Seeing Rose smiling faintly at her, she replied in a gravelly voice.
"No need."
"Is that so? You were eating so undignifiedly, I thought you'd lost your mind from hunger."
"Where's the lack of dignity in my consort feeding me?"
"He's not your consort anymore."
"I've been robbed of my consort by a shameless thief, but I've never permitted him to stop being one."
"What a coincidence. My lover was also stolen by some tyrannical brute."
Gulp.
Yuna Kyung unwittingly swallowed the meat filling her mouth in one go.
The voices were calm.
But the tense atmosphere between the two princesses made her feathers stand on end and her throat bob.
So she turned to the one person who could stop them.
And gaped in shock.
Munch.
[...Team Leader? What are you doing?]
"What else? Eating."
[...]
Yuna Kyung was dumbfounded.
Eating skewers in the middle of this?
Well, that she could understand. This guy was always like that.
The problem was one thing.
The skewer Rimon was eating right now was none other than the one Rose held.
"Uh... Sword Duke?"
Too flustered.
Rose, who had forgotten her showdown with Hasneti, blinked blankly.
But Rimon just kept eating the meat off her skewer piece by piece.
Until he finished the last chunk, his lips creeping up to the white fingers holding it.
As Rose swallowed dryly.
And Hasneti clenched her fist.
Lick.
Rimon naturally pulled away from the skewer and licked his lips.
"Ah..."
Whether from regret.
Rose let out an involuntary sigh.
Hasneti quietly exhaled.
Rimon gazed leisurely at the festival-goers and said.
"Sis, Pharaoh. It's a festival today, right? Let's just relax."
"...Got it."
"Sorry for worrying you."
"Nah, it wasn't that worrying."
Where had that murderous aura gone?
Yuna Kyung stared incredulously at Hasneti, head bowed like a scolded puppy, and Rose, blushing with embarrassment.
But Rimon casually asked.
"So, what did the Pharaoh want to say?"
"...?"
"You had business with me, right?"
As if recalling her purpose upon hearing that.
Hasneti murmured.
"Your gift has arrived."
"My gift?"
"Yes."
Facing Rimon's puzzled look at the baffling words, Hasneti extended her hand.
The moment she took the cloth bundle from Nadia behind her and held it out.
Slither.
[Huh?]
Yuna Kyung's eyes widened.
The cage revealed as the cloth fell away held something utterly unexpected.
[...Elder? What are you doing there?]
Gray feathers.
Emaciated body.
Pathetic appearance.
Impossible to mistake—the old bird who had told her about Hasneti's secret space from that very cage.
Yuna Kyung was baffled why Hasneti was presenting this old bird as a gift.
Thus, the next moment.
Yuna Kyung's eyes nearly popped out in shock.
"You'll give this seven-colored parrot as a gift?"