Chapter 104: Hunting Tournament

So, Cruel refused the countship, and in the end, it went to some unheard-of nobody from a distant branch of the family.

‘So there was a distant branch. If I, from the direct line, didn’t know about them, they must be practically strangers.’

Quite the feat to become the head of the family.

Well, it’s not entirely unexpected. They say the Hart family was ‘annihilated,’ but since two direct descendants with the Hart surname are still alive, they won’t be removed from the noble lineage. And since not all the retainers died ‘back then,’ they could always rebuild if they wanted to.

……No, can this even be called ‘rebuilding’?

I chuckled. My expression is probably with one corner of my mouth turned up in a smirk. The distant relative stammering about his injured pride, questioning if I dared to laugh at him, wasn’t even worth noticing.

I simply curved my eyes into a genuine smile and spoke sincerely.

“My, my.”

“……”

“Congratulations.”

Even without a title, the Empire’s official heroes are inherently respected. The circumstances are different, so it can’t be compared to a specific title, but if the Emperor is interested, cherishes them, and even provides regular upkeep expenses, that says it all.

To openly treat such a hero carelessly? That’s just plain foolish.

This fool couldn’t have become the head of the family on his own merit. More likely, the retainers of the Hart family, consumed by their own greed, propped up an idiot they could easily manipulate.

That’s why I laughed.

At the Hart family collapsing like this.

It was wonderful.

***

“Why is a mere honorary count called a ‘Count’… Tsk.”

When those words were spoken, the nobles quietly gasped. Why would anyone provoke him? Did this man even realize he was asking for trouble?

Why is the ‘Hart Honorary Count’ called ‘Hart Count’? It’s a sign of respect, isn’t it?

The fact that ‘Honorary Count’ is a longer title is secondary.

Deon Hart is the Empire’s hero, the Emperor’s cherished sword, and a Margrave with territory bordering the frontier. That alone was reason enough.

Nobles who didn’t want to risk offending a man with such fearsome nicknames by pointedly calling him ‘Honorary Count’ simply referred to Deon Hart as ‘Count’.

“Who is that man?”

“He’s been seen frequently in social circles lately… I haven’t paid much attention, so I’m not sure.”

“Indeed… Judging by his behavior, he’s rather uncouth. Probably a noble from the distant provinces?”

“Who knows? Whoever he is, he’s a fool. Does he really want to see blood drawn?”

The man is the master of murderers, the Vampire Count.

The nobles pretended not to notice as their attention turned to the minor commotion.

Deon Hart, unfazed by the sudden provocation, calmly observed the swaggering man before asking a quiet question. The identity of the man no one cared about was revealed.

[The ‘real’ Hart Count.]

Only then did the nobles understand the situation.

With Cruel Hart and Deon Hart, direct descendants of the Hart Count family, showing no interest in the family, a distant relative had taken the position.

‘Oh dear…’

‘That foolish man becoming the head of the family means the retainers are all in cahoots.’

‘Even if he wanted to take back the position from that arrogant man who’s riding high on his flimsy title, it’s too late now…’

It would be a long and arduous path.

Interest flickered in their eyes.

How would this ruthless hero react? Would he get angry? Or would he go even further, willingly embark on that difficult path, and try to seize the position? Or perhaps, he might even draw his sword.

Contrary to expectations, however, Deon Hart didn’t get angry. He simply smiled brightly, his eyes crinkling in amusement, and said,

“My, my.”

“……”

“Congratulations.”

His attitude blatantly conveyed his disdain.

The ‘real’ Hart Count’s face flushed crimson. He stormed forward as if about to explode in anger, but then he saw something, turned pale, and abruptly backed away.

“You… you…”

“……?”

The nobles watching the scene exchanged puzzled glances.

Deon Hart didn’t seem to have done anything yet, but the finger pointing at him trembled violently.

The foolish noble’s arrogance, which had soared to the heavens, vanished. His eyes darted around frantically, and the moment Deon Hart took a step closer, he turned and fled.

An awkward silence fell.

“……What was that about?”

“Didn’t the Hart Honorary Count do something?”

“But he didn’t do anything.”

“Perhaps… he was overwhelmed by his presence? They say a hero who’s swept through battlefields has a certain aura.”

“Ah, that must be it. To chase someone away with just his presence, as expected…”

Lost in their own conjectures, they overlooked Deon Hart.

They didn’t see Deon Hart flicking a bug off his shoulder. And they didn’t hear him shuddering and muttering something.

***

“Ugh, disgusting. What kind of bug is that big?”

Thanks to my war experience, I’m immune to bugs, but I’m still not comfortable having something like that on my shoulder.

Silently thanking the guy who was trying to provoke me, I brushed my shoulder again.

‘Now that I think about it, he seemed to be participating in the hunting tournament… Is that even possible?’

With that kind of mentality?

The pale face he made at the sight of a bug came to mind.

He seemed to have been raised quite delicately. And that kind of guy is going to hunt monsters?

The area has been initially cleared, and the monsters are weak enough to be pushed from the Demon Realm to the Human Realm, but they’re still monsters. There’s no way someone like him could catch them easily.

‘…Well, it’s not my problem. If he dies, he dies.’

My thoughts were interrupted. An announcement was made that His Highness the Crown Prince would be speaking, and I fixed my gaze on the platform.

As the nobles bowed their heads, the Crown Prince gracefully walked onto the platform. Soon after, the command to raise our heads was given.

…….

Aren’t they going to start the tournament soon….

With a bored gaze, I scanned the scene before me. A fervent, pink atmosphere permeated the air.

“Sir Lien.”

“Yes, my lord.”

“Your lord is participating in the tournament, and you don’t even have a handkerchief for me?”

“Yes. I have no doubt that my lord will win even without such things.”

Oh, okay….

The phrase ‘even without such things’ stabs at my heart… but still, thank you….

“The mad dogs… I mean, the knights?”

“Would we even have such things?”

“Even if we did, we wouldn’t give them to you. We don’t want unnecessary misunderstandings.”

Damn it. Just leave me alone.

I gestured for the knights to leave and leaned against a secluded wall where I wouldn’t be seen. Eight minutes until the tournament starts. These are going to be the longest eight minutes in the world.

The Crown Prince’s speech, which I expected to be a long, drawn-out affair like most from those in power, ended quickly. It seemed like he was wishing us to enjoy ourselves without serious injury or something like that.

‘He’s young, so he has a good sense. Speeches are better when they’re short.’

The problem was what came next.

Ten minutes to give a ribbon or handkerchief to your lover, family, or close friends!

High-pitched laughter like a warbling songbird could be heard. The sound of brief kisses also reached my ears. Seriously? Those people over there are full-on making out?

‘Shit.’

A ribbon for a lover, expressing affection. A handkerchief for someone you wish a safe return to, without romantic feelings.

It’s only because the participants are nobles of the Empire, hardened under the tyrannical Emperor, but originally, monster hunting is a dangerous activity where you risk your life. That’s why, even in a hunting tournament, the exchange of handkerchiefs felt as natural as it would on a battlefield.

Of course, everyone else received a handkerchief except for me.

“I want to go home…….”

“That’s not allowed.”

I know, I know. I’ve heard it enough. His Majesty is coming, so I can’t just leave in the middle, right? That’s why I want to go home.

Meeting with the Emperor. The interview that follows. And the looming tension of war.

‘…….’

I rolled my eyes.

I have a good idea of what the Emperor will say when we meet face to face. And that it will be a command that puts me in a difficult position.

Not a war with another kingdom, but a war between the Human Realm… no, the Empire and the Demon Realm.

‘Knowing all this.’

I clicked my tongue quietly.

“Perhaps I should resign….”

“Excuse me?! You’re going to resign because you didn’t receive a handkerchief?!”

“No, it’s not that. Just speak a little quieter.”

I hate war. I don’t want to participate. Especially this war with the Demon Realm.

……No, let’s remove ‘especially’ and ‘even more’.

‘The fear of being crushed in a fight between giants is just an excuse.’

I simply haven’t escaped the nightmares of war yet.

The weight of the bag slung over my shoulder suddenly felt significant. I lifted my gaze from the floor and met Lien’s eyes.

“Sir Lien.”

“Yes, my lord.”

“Did you… participate in the Eight Years’ War?”

“Yes?”

A bewildered voice returned, surprised by the sudden question.

“No. My older brother participated in the Eight Years’ War.”

“I see. Then if another great war breaks out, will Sir Lien’s older brother participate again?”

And Knight Lien will participate separately?

The Emperor would be thrilled….

“No. Absolutely not.”

“?”

Lien’s face was set in a grim expression as she said that.

“Back then, I wasn’t a knight, so there was nothing I could do, but it’s different now.”

“…….”

“My older brother will never step onto a battlefield again.”

“What kind of….”

I hastily stopped myself from asking what kind of situation it was. This was the first time this had happened.

Have I ever shown interest in Lien Riner outside of work?

To me, she is a capable parachute appointment sent by the Emperor, a trainer of mad dogs, and a knight who is inflexible and rigid, adhering to the orthodox knightly code.

My thoughts raced.

‘Let’s not ask.’

I somehow ended up in a lord-knight relationship with her, but I have no luxury to care about others when I’m struggling to take care of myself.

There’s no need to pry into her private affairs….

“My older brother is frail.”

“Oh…….”

She didn’t have to say that.

“Originally, I wanted to go to the Eight Years’ War, but my parents cherished me so much that my older brother went instead. I’m better with a sword and have better stamina, so why my frail older brother…….”

“…….”

“That’s why I became a knight. If I became a knight, my parents wouldn’t be able to object.”

The reasons they raised in objection would be shattered.

“So my older brother will not participate in the war. Because I’m here.”

“……That sounds very similar to someone I know.”

Though the ending was different.

I abruptly turned my head. People tightening their weapons and mounting their horses came into view. I, too, mounted the horse Dan had brought.

The sweet time was over. Now it was time for the hunting tournament.