The Rift of Emotions
About an hour’s ride from the Rebellion Grand Duchy lay a forest. It was a hunting ground used exclusively for training and managed directly by the duchy itself. Cynthia made it a point to visit this place on every birthday to hunt. Though she possessed exceptional talent for manipulating mana, her lofty status left her with almost no chances to gain real combat experience.
‘Hunting on her own birthday party…’
“Cynthia, what did you release for the monsters?”
“Battle wolves and hobgoblins to start.”
“That’s it? How boring.”
“Did you forget today is my birthday party? We have to return by evening. If it’s too dull for you, feel free to sit out.”
“No chance. Do you have any idea how much money is riding on this?”
‘It’s getting serious.’
At Cynthia’s invitation, Rian Veilburg had decided to join the hunt. He held no particular interest in the activity, but he needed an opportunity to speak with her alone if he wanted a serious conversation. Naturally, Cynthia’s friends did not seem pleased by his participation.
“Rian.”
‘Why is she suddenly calling me by my first name?’
“You’ll ride with me. What weapon would you prefer?”
“Weapon… I don’t really use any in particular.”
Having no experience in hunting, he possessed no preferred weapon. He had learned swordsmanship as a boy, but his skill was mediocre at best and offered nothing useful in a real hunt. Perhaps his honest admission amused them.
“Pfft.”
“Hey, he can hear you.”
“So what if he does? I’m only laughing.”
“So the rumor was true—he really doesn’t train with mana.”
“Then why did you even come? You’ll only get in the way…”
‘Not exactly a warm welcome.’
Their first meeting had already left a poor impression. For some unknown reason they treated him with open hostility, while Cynthia played the role of mediator. It struck him as odd that she would intervene on his behalf, but since he had no intention of growing close to any of them, he planned to ignore their barbs.
“Then a crossbow it is. Easy to load and won’t hinder you during the hunt.”
“Understood.”
“You’ll want a sidearm as well. I happen to have a spare sword—please take it, Rian.”
“……”
She reached out herself and fastened the belt sheath around his waist. Such courteous kindness was rare from her, yet Rian found her consideration burdensome. Knowing the feelings behind it only made her attempt to close the distance feel stifling.
Whoosh!
“I can manage on my own.”
“……”
Click!
He brushed aside the hand that had offered kindness and buckled the belt himself. The gesture drew a clear line. Cynthia’s friends openly displayed their displeasure, but Cynthia herself spoke with perfect composure, as though nothing had happened.
“Then let’s be off.”
‘Is this how nobles amuse themselves…’
Thwack! Thwack! Thwack!!
“Woo-hoo~! That one’s mine!”
“Hey, don’t get carried away.”
“If you kill everything yourself, what are we supposed to fight?”
“Shut up! Since when does a contest allow concessions!? If you want to resent someone, resent your own pathetic skills.”
“You finished talking yet, you bastard?”
‘Not exactly the thrilling spectacle I expected.’
A hunting competition? To Rian it looked closer to slaughter. Hobgoblins and battle wolves were prolific breeders with voracious appetites—monsters officially designated as ecosystem disruptors. There was nothing wrong with hunting them, and they made suitable targets for nobles eager to vent their frustrations.
Still, to someone who rarely hunted, the scene felt…
‘Cruel… Though I can’t say I don’t understand it at all…’
Mana—the power that let humans surpass their limits. Nobles in particular received systematic training from childhood and could wield it freely. Whether through martial arts, swords, spears, or magic, mastering mana allowed one to break past human boundaries with ridiculous ease. That was precisely why nobles constantly burned with unfulfilled desires.
‘They must be itching to cut loose on any given day. So this is one of their little games.’
Rian had already withdrawn from the hunt. He simply watched from a distance as Cynthia and her friends pursued their prey. His own inadequate skill made it impossible to keep up, so he had removed himself.
“Still, they’re impressive. I thought it was just a way to blow off steam, but every one of them is genuinely skilled.”
“A few of them are aiming for the Royal Knights. Their goals are rather different from ordinary people.”
“?”
When had he drawn near? Vihar Poland approached with the same friendly smile he had worn earlier. Rian’s expression darkened the moment he saw him.
“What do you want, Master Vihar?”
“Ah, I wanted to apologize.”
“Apologize?”
“Yes. I’m sorry for what happened at the party earlier, Rian. I was personally curious and ended up testing you. It was rude of me.”
He wore an awkward, genuinely remorseful expression and offered a slight bow. The apology was perfectly measured—neither excessive nor insufficient. Rian considered it for a moment, then gave a small nod of acceptance. After all, the man’s grip had not been that strong; continuing to make an issue of it would only make Rian look strange.
“I accept your apology.”
“Yet you aren’t participating in the hunt at all.”
“My skill is too far below everyone else’s. I didn’t want to be a burden.”
“There’s no need to worry on that account. Several have already split off on their own, and should any trouble arise, the nearby knight order will arrive quickly.”
“Watching is enough for me. Are you certain you don’t need to hunt, Master Vihar?”
“I’m fine. I have little interest in the wager, and there are a few things I’d like to ask you.”
“…Speak.”
By now Rian’s own curiosity had been piqued. He wanted to know why they harbored such hostility toward him, what Cynthia was truly thinking, and why Vihar was showing him such pointed interest.
“Rian.”
“Yes.”
“What are your thoughts on the engagement with Cynthia?”
“…Why ask something like that so suddenly?”
“At the party earlier I noticed you still address her as ‘Rebellion.’ Is there a particular reason you use her family name rather than her given name?”
“……”
‘That’s what I want to ask you.’
When they addressed each other, Rian called her “Lady Rebellion” and she called him “Master Veilburg.” The formal distance had not been his suggestion; it was the wall Cynthia herself had built. Yet today, for some reason, she had been the first to call him “Rian.”
‘How irritating.’
“Forgive me, but that is a matter between Lady Rebellion and myself.”
“Is there some reason you must hide it? It doesn’t seem like an especially difficult question.”
“As I just told you, this concerns only the two of us.”
Rian’s tone was sharp, a clear warning not to probe further. Vihar paused at the sudden sternness, but he had no intention of dropping the subject. His lips continued to move.
“My question must have struck a nerve. If so, I apologize.”
“…Yes. I would prefer you refrain from asking again.”
“I see… It appears you’ve already noticed.”
“Pardon?”
Vihar’s eyes narrowed with sudden significance. When Rian frowned and glared, Vihar abandoned the pretense and spoke plainly.
“You’ve realized it, haven’t you?”
“What are you talking about?”
“That Cynthia isn’t truly serious about this engagement.”
Rian’s body gave an involuntary flinch. Realizing his slip, he quickly checked Vihar’s face, but the man only continued with that same courteous smile.
“It’s all right.”
“…What is?”
“I won’t speak unnecessarily. I received strict ‘instructions’ from Cynthia, so I couldn’t even if I wished to.”
“……”
In other words, what Vihar had just said was the truth.
“Naturally I will keep this conversation confidential as well. I sincerely hope the two of you can end your relationship cleanly, without any complications.”
“……”
The hidden barb was unmistakable, yet Rian could find no words to refute the smooth tone.
The hunting contest ended quickly. Although Cynthia’s birthday celebration was meant to last the entire day, the star of the event had to return to the main venue by evening to preside over the festivities.
Clip-clop. Clip-clop.
“……”
“……”
Her friends had been placed in a different carriage. Inside the one carrying only Rian and Cynthia Rebellion, silence reigned.
‘I finally have the chance to speak with him…’
Cynthia stole a glance at Rian’s face. He stared out the darkened window with an utterly expressionless mask. The gentle, easy smile he usually wore had vanished completely. The distance between them seemed even greater since leaving the hunting ground.
‘Perhaps I shouldn’t have forced him to come.’
During the hunt Rian had done nothing at all. He had simply watched her from a short distance away. Yet the experience could hardly have been pleasant for him; he had witnessed exactly how her friends treated him.
‘I brought him to ease the mood, but it only made things worse…’
“Lady Rebellion.”
“…Yes?”
The silence had stretched on when Rian Veilburg unexpectedly spoke first.
“You seem to have something you wish to say to me. There’s no need to hold back any longer.”
“……”
“If not now, I don’t know when the chance will come again.”
His voice was dry, his face devoid of emotion. Was this truly how a man looked at his fiancée? Of course, since she had been the first to adopt such a cold attitude, she had no right to complain, yet—
‘…To think a single apology could be this difficult.’
Even she no longer understood her own heart. The icy Rian somehow filled her with resentment. She wished he would show even a glimpse of his former self. Just a little. If he would reveal even the smallest trace of the person he used to be, she would swallow her pride and—
KWAAAANG!!!
It was an ambush—!!
“!?”