Noel Estelia and Orcus Estelia’s visit was surprising, but not entirely unexpected. The fact that the imperial family took direct action was astonishing, but it was within the realm of possibility for the imperial family to send soone as a gesture of goodwill.
The engagent between Edelweiss and Kraus was very significant.
It was an engagent between two major noble families that could boast of being among the handful of powers in the Empire, to the extent that no one could currently rival them. I knew well the strength Kraus possessed. If we set our minds to it, we could easily take over half of the southern regions from the Empire and establish a separate kingdom, having enough power to rule without any shortages.
That being the case, was Edelweiss any different? Considering the harsh conditions of the northern lands where people could barely survive without magic, Kraus might find it easier to control the north rather than trying to dominate the south.
Of course, this was an extre example, since any attempt to declare a separate kingdom in the presence of Altaire, and the history of unity under the Empire would be treated as heresy. Nevertheless, it showcased the significant influence of the two families in the empire.
No matter how powerful a force was, it had no aning if it couldn’t be controlled.
The visit from the Estelia imperial family was undoubtedly to confirm if there were any ulterior motives behind my engagent with Elena. While the truth was that the engagent started as a casual conversation between friends, it might appear differently to others.
It was sothing that passed by almost without ntion in the original story, and I knew that neither my father nor Duke Joachim had any special intentions about it, so I wasn’t particularly worried.
If there was any problem, it would be the fact that Orcus and Noel ca here themselves.
Although the Emperor held high regard within the Empire, sending the Crown Prince and Princess, who were ranked first in the imperial succession, to a place that could be considered enemy territory was equally puzzling. I didn’t understand this decision.
If the two of them were to be taken hostage, how would they handle the situation? Although Kraus had been quiet for a long ti, there was no guarantee that the events I ntioned earlier would not happen. Even the emperor knew this better than anyone else.
If they had to be sent, shouldn’t at least one of them have been left behind in the Imperial castle?
‘Make friends...’
My father’s words passed through my ears.
“What nonsense…”
“Damian?”
“Ah. It’s nothing, Elena.”
It was sothing I said in my mind, but it accidentally slipped out of my mouth. Thankfully, it seed that only Elena, who was sitting closest to , heard it. I glanced at her in response to her curious gaze and then looked at those sitting across from us.
Orcus and Noel...
The two of them entered the dining hall shortly after Alphonse arrived.
As soon as Orcus stepped into the room, his gaze t mine. After a few seconds of staring, he flashed a playful smile and took his seat. I wasn’t sure if he ant to make feel at ease, but that smile made cringe inside.
It seed like I was destined to have bad luck with this person, and I hadn’t wanted to get involved with him in the first place.
Orcus was a man who showed no signs of wavering, even in the presence of a swordsman who could take his life at any mont. He had spoken with my father without any apparent concern, which surprised .
Noel, who sat next to him, said nothing, but her twinkling eyes told what was she feeling. From Noel’s perspective as a swordsman, a Sword Master was an ideal existence.
Still, I had expected Orcus to show at least so caution toward us, but he was very skilled at hiding his emotions.
It was true that Orcus was a character who excelled not in physical strength but in other areas, unlike the other guys, so I didn’t think it would be easy to figure him out.
I trusted my father’s words, but I couldn’t help but wonder what Orcus was truly thinking.
As soone who was suspicious by nature, he would undoubtedly try to probe at least once. If sothing strange happened during this encounter, things might take an unexpected turn in the future. So, I remained on guard in case Orcus asked anything probing.
My father’s conversation with Orcus didn’t seem to carry much significance; it felt more like a formality. After exchanging a few words, Orcus turned to again, flashing a smile, and started talking.
“By the way, Lord Demian, as far as I know, you are the sa age as , is that correct?”
“Yes, Your Highness. I am sixteen this year.”
“In that case, you will be entering the academy in the sa year as . Oh, did you have no intention of attending the academy? According to what I heard from Noel, soone of your caliber wouldn’t need to attend classes.”
“You’re exaggerating. I do plan to enter the academy.”
I shook my head in response to Orcus’ question.
Estelia Academy, nad after the imperial family, was a prestigious educational institution where students were strictly selected. But if one were a noble of the empire, they were basically eligible to enter.
Although it was not a requirent to attend for nobles, most young mbers of noble families choose to go there. The reasons vary from building connections to attracting talented individuals to their own families.
I, too, wanted to attend the academy for those reasons.
“Why? What is there for you to learn at the academy?”
Orcus seed puzzled by my answer. It appeared that he, being from the imperial castle, didn’t understand why nobles attended the academy despite not being obligated to.
Recalling my father’s words before coming here, I replied, “Attending the academy isn’t just about learning sothing. For example, it’s also about making friends.”
Then, our eyes t again. Orcus smiled, seemingly satisfied with my answer, and nodded. It seed that he had no particular thoughts on this matter. Fortunately, it looked like I could pass this without any problems.
“Exactly. At the academy, you gain more than just academics. By the way, have you already talked to the Count about that matter?”
“Not yet.”
“Then you’d better tell him now.”
‘What is it now? Is there sothing else?’
After turning his gaze back to Father, Orcus spoke so cryptic words. However, it seed Father understood his aning and imdiately replied to Orcus’s question with a smile, without saying anything to . Upon seeing that smile, Father’s previous words echoed in my ears.
‘Could it be?’
“I heard that a hunting competition will be held in the southern regions in a few days. It’s been quite a while since His Majesty visited the south for an inspection. His Majesty has instructed to participate in the competition and, at the sa ti, conduct an inspection.”
‘I see.’
It appeared that my father’s words about the Emperor’s statent were genuine after all.
The hunting competition was only a week and four days away, so it seed highly likely that the two siblings would stay in Kraus for at least that long. Making friends overnight was practically impossible, so I wondered if their extended stay was solely for participating in the hunting competition.
What on earth was he believed in to carry out such actions?
Does the Emperor have any ans to restrict my father and Duke Joachim’s actions?
Orcus, who was talking to , looked sowhat bitter.
It was understandable. Unlike Noel, who excelled in her own field, Orcus was specialized in magic. While there was no rule preventing a magician from participating in the hunting competition, the spring hunting competition was intended for pure martial arts competition among warriors, not hunting monsters but animals.
In other words, to participate in this competition, one must either wield a bow or hold a weapon.
“There is one concern I have, though. You see, I’ve never tried hunting before. So...”
“Wow!!”
Before Orcus could finish his sentence, a cheer erupted throughout the dining hall. All eyes turned from Orcus to the side. When the noise subsided after a mont, the hall fell silent.
It was no wonder that Noel, who had co with Orcus, was the one cheering at his words.
Leaving her mont of joy behind, Noel realized that everyone was looking at her, and she lowered her head, avoiding the focused gazes, and said, “Ah, oh. I’m sorry... I, I’m just too happy...”
‘No, why? Why is she reacting like that?’
‘Both of them ca together, right? Why are their reactions so different?’
I couldn’t understand Noel’s reaction, so I turned my head back to look at Orcus. As soon as our eyes t again, he smiled blankly and then quickly looked away, diverting his gaze from mine. But his ears were turning red, and it seed like Orcus was embarrassed by Noel’s reaction as well.
To forget about what happened just now, he continued laughing for a long ti. And as his laughter was about to end, he seed to have sothing on his mind that he hadn’t ntioned yet, or perhaps it was to change the subject, but he unconsciously started talking to again.
“Oh, um... Congratulations on your engagent, Lord Demian, Lady Elena.”
“...Thank you.”
‘Well, he said it too soon.’
--- END OF CHAPTER ---
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