Chapter 31
Chapter 31
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 31
Chapter Title: I'm Making a Scene Too (3)
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Barron Caron's territory lay along the Empire's northern border.
This was typical for a Swordmaster's domain.
They needed a powerful blade to fend off foreign invaders, so they were stationed at the frontiers.
In return, the lands were vast and rich in resources.
The Northern Archduke is the founder of peak Wooden Swordmastery.
The Northern Archduke's image was getting tarnished all on its own.
Passing through the Hessin Duchy, which bordered Arcana, led straight to Caron's territory.
That meant crossing the Hessin Duchy without getting caught.
"A quarter of the Hessin Duchy is untamed jungle teeming with danger, untouched by human feet. We'll cut straight through it."
No one from Hessin would spot us in a monster-infested zone like that.
To them, it was worthless land, but to me, it was a precious experience point goldmine.
If only I could annex Hessin—I could hit level 40 in no time.
After that, I'd need to scout new hunting grounds, though.
"Monster attack!"
"Protect His Highness the Prince!"
"Hold on!"
I raised my hand, and the knights and soldiers halted in unison, turning to me.
"Don't kill them. Just subdue them. I'll deliver the killing blows myself."
"...Your Highness?"
Their faces stiffened instantly.
It wasn't just about handing over the last hits—it was a lunatic order in the middle of a dangerous monster fight.
"Not a single one escapes my blade."
"Your Highness, projected casualties will be severe! Please reconsider!"
"No need to worry. Duchess!"
"Got it!"
Canelian drew her sword and stepped forward.
The Blood-Axe Orcs charged with crude axes, snarling viciously.
Canelian's sword, cloaked in aura (not an Aura Blade!), sliced through three orcs' weapons at once.
They faltered in shock, stumbling back, and she moved on to the next targets.
Disarmed, they turned tail like whipped puppies.
And so Canelian dove into mob herding with gusto.
Her movements were just like our Rammer after a long rainy spell, finally out for a walk and bursting with energy.
A few orcs she let slip charged toward the main group.
"You can handle that much safely, right?"
"O-Of course, sir! Orders received!"
If they couldn't manage that, they had no business eating soldier's rations.
The power gap was massive.
The soldiers formed an encirclement while the knights swarmed in, beating and stabbing the orcs.
With limbs severed, the orcs wailed in agony, their will to fight shattered.
I finished off those barely clinging to life.
Thunder Chain! Thunder Chain!
Of course, I didn't cast it outright. Too many eyes watching.
I wanted to keep my mage identity hidden as long as possible.
So Object casually sketched some random activation magic circle nearby.
I stood over it and unleashed Thunder Chain barrages.
"What? His Highness is a lightning mage? Casting spells that powerful!"
"No, look closely! His Highness is just activating Professor Silvret's activation circle!"
"Ah, right. Handing over casting rights on an activation circle lets even normals use it."
Now it looked like Silvret was just giving the prince a mage experience session.
To the knights, I must've seemed like a president clicking the final launch button on a nuke from the Oval Office.
"Your Highness! Now!"
Once the stragglers were handled, Canelian, mid-mob herd, shouted our way.
She reminded me less of a retriever and more of a border collie on sheep duty.
Silvret caught my eye and called out softly.
"Your Highness, now! P-Please activate my magic circle!"
"Got it, Professor! Thanks!"
Thunder Chain! Thunder Chain! Thunder Chain!
I stood at the center of the grand, flashy activation circle and fired off Thunder Chains wildly.
Canelian didn't dodge; she focused on herding.
She even acted as a conductor, letting the chains link even better between mobs.
Thunder Chain (Lv. ?)
Chain lightning strikes multiple targets, dealing escalating thunder damage!
Kieeeek! Kuaaaagh! Gruuuuroook!
Unpleasant roars, but oh so satisfying.
Canelian had bunched them up perfectly,
and since Thunder Chain hit every enemy in the chain up to its limit, the hunt wrapped up in seconds.
"... ."
"... ."
The knights and soldiers wore priceless expressions.
Like total noobs wondering what the hell they'd just witnessed.
Moments later, cheers erupted.
"W-Woah! Long live Duchess Canelian!"
"Who knew the Duchess was such an incredible knight!"
"Professor Silvret's lightning magic was top-tier too! Elves are the best!"
"But wasn't it His Highness who landed those hits precisely?"
"Duchess herded them, Professor prepped the spell, and His Highness nailed the strike!"
They were desperately trying to hype me up.
Probably felt like a regimental commander scoring an assist goal in an exhibition match.
"Your Highness, I'm embarrassed. I didn't do anything... ."
Silvret murmured softly.
I gripped her shoulder and chuckled quietly.
"What do you mean nothing, Professor? You provided perfect cover. See? No one suspects I cast the spell myself."
Canelian returned, her hair spiking wildly skyward.
She scowled, fussing to smooth it down, and stood by my side.
"But why go through all this hassle?"
"Mana observation experiment. Gathering as much data as possible on how the spell works."
"Oh, I see."
"Consistent observation is a crucial step in establishing magic theory."
Couldn't exactly say it was for level-ups, so it was a handy excuse. They both bought it.
Maybe... I have a talent for lying?
That much experience already, just from a short kill spree?
Hunting mobs at my level was indeed the best.
The knights and soldiers eyed the monster corpses wistfully.
"Should we at least grab some byproducts... ."
"No time to fool with loot! Move out—double time!"
We pressed on.
A few injuries cropped up along the way, but... .
"This is a potion made from precious Mana Herbs. Drink it."
"Gasp, Your Highness! How can you waste something so valuable on a lowly soldier like me?!"
The continent had no priest class.
Temple priests were religious folk, not the healing-and-blessing priest class.
In the original game, only players could pick priest.
If I'd gone priest, I'd be the continent's one and only true healer.
Occasionally tempting, but no regrets.
Potions covered healing, and my thunder skills outdid any blessing.
After days of marching, we reached the northern edge of Hessin's jungle.
"Your Highness, the river ahead marks the start of the Edelmark Ducal Domain."
"Professor, if you would."
"Yes, Your Highness."
As the soldiers stood guard, Object set up a large-scale teleportation circle in the clearing.
Linked to the one back at the palace, it would whisk the domain's folk home safely.
"This is a custom activator stone. Place a mana stone in the circle to charge it—it'll glow red when full.
Then trigger the teleport."
"I'll guard it with my life, Professor."
The expedition leader accepted it solemnly.
We hadn't brought many mana stones—I'd blown through most recently.
"Captain, source more on-site as needed."
"Understood, Your Highness."
"Then good luck."
"Preserve your health as well, Your Highness. You lot! Guard him with your lives!"
"Yes, sir!"
I split off with a handful of knights and soldiers.
The expedition handled evacuating the civilians; I was off to raid the ducal castle.
"The sixth one?"
"Yes, the last concubine."
Entering the sixth concubine's chambers, we found her collapsed from exhausted sobbing, staring at us in horror.
She gripped a sharp dagger, poised at her own throat... .
"Touch me even with a fingertip, and I'll kill myself!"
"Calm down, madam. We're here on Baron Caron's orders."
"What? But he's dead?"
"All a misunderstanding. Here's a letter. Read it. And put down the dagger."
We placed the letter at a safe distance.
Still wary, dagger in hand, she read it—and burst into grateful tears.
How did all six react exactly the same?
"Hic, sob! Y-You're alive!"
"The Duke fled to Arcana because the Emperor wanted him dead. Come on, let's go."
I wondered what the letter said to earn instant trust, no forgery doubts.
But I didn't care to peek into the abyss.
"Wait, I have so much to pack."
"Take it all. We've got the hands."
The sixth packing spree began.
Soldiers swept valuables into sacks as directed.
No items here.
Only two Epic (C)-grade artifacts found so far.
People used them as mere decorations, clueless.
Arcana's palace, crawling with Legendaries (A) and Mythics (S), had been the exception.
"Escort the madam out immediately."
"Yes, Your Highness!"
The concubine's eyes widened at how they addressed me, but no time to chat with a slave's wife.
"Now for that wooden sword. Where the hell is it?"
We'd searched the obvious spots first—nothing.
So we'd prioritized the concubines.
Canelian, who'd knocked out patrolling guards with bored flicks, spoke up.
"Your Highness, maybe the Duchess has it stashed? Word of Baron Caron's death spread."
"Could be."
Caron had said to leave his wife if she refused to come.
I wasn't keen either.
She was the Emperor's cousin, after all.
That's why we hadn't gone for her yet.
"A Legend (A)-grade item equals a small domain's worth. Can't pass it up. We check with the Duchess."
Even with my warehouse stuffed with Legends and Mythics already.
A guy with 9999 gold still chases that last coin to hit ten thousand.
With Object's concealment magic aiding us, we headed for the Duchess's residence.
We knocked out the entrance guards and flung the doors open.
"Wh-Who are you?! Such insolence!"
The black-clad Duchess, caressing the wooden sword, recoiled in shock.
"Found it. That's it... Huh?"
"What's wrong, Your Highness?"
"Are you perhaps distracted because the Duchess is such a stunning beauty?"
"No, not that."
Not a weapon—an Object?
And not Legendary, but Mythic grade.
Oh, that changes everything.
Originally meant for Caron since it was his,
but handing a Mythic Object used as a weapon back to a slave? Too wasteful.
If I silence her, Caron has no way of knowing I took it.
Studying the poised, terrified Duchess, she was strikingly voluptuous and mature—a real beauty.
Tall, slender, with a dangerously alluring air.
Why'd that halfwit Emperor need to force her along? Because she's his cousin?
The concubines were beauties too, but she was the top pick in my eyes.
"Madam, we want that wooden sword."
I'd considered silencing her permanently, but... .
The petty, spiteful, tenacious Emperor would throw endless fits over imperial honor.
My kingdom needed more internal consolidation first.
"Hand over the wooden sword, and we'll leave quietly. I ask politely."
"This sword is his memento! I don't know which clan's bandits you are, but you can steal it—my suicide is beyond you!"
"S-Suicide?"
"You know, right? If I die, my furious brother the Emperor will hunt you to the continent's edge!"
Canelian and Object looked troubled.
Suddenly, I wanted to test her a bit more.
"Madam, truth is, Baron Caron lives. He sent us."
"What? He's alive?"
She leaped up.
Her speech flipped in an instant—what was that?
"Really? Proof? Where's the proof?"
"Well, the concubines believed the letters right away, but no letter for you."
"So typical of him. Anything else?"
"Said to ask you once, and if you refused, leave you be."
"You really are his men! Oh, Caron! My love! You survived!"
Tears streaming as she wept.
Why did I feel like the bad guy?
Finally calming, the Duchess spoke with resolve.
"It'll take about twenty days."
"What will?"
"To pack up all the domain's people, livestock, and wealth for the move."
Ah... .
Suddenly, I pictured the expedition leader frantically looting away.