Chapter 100: Tangled Fates at the Hunting Contest

“…Hey… Sorry to interrupt your fight, but you’re clashing because of me, right…?”

Yet her cautious inquiry was regrettably brushed aside.

“Damn it!”

Lara, her face flushed, paused mid-step as she tried to exit the room, caught by a voice from behind.

“If we’re to argue, it’s not Tisha we should be worried about—it’s Lord Robes, whose shifting sentiments are the real issue…”

“What did you say?”

Quickly turning her head, Lara glared at the two men, her eyes burning with a demand for clarification over his recent words.

“So, did I literally trip over my favorite?”

“Hmm… I didn’t say it. The Pope did.”

“Lara, I’m not out to bash your favorite at all. I mean, from the ‘Valentine of Love’ angle, it isn’t just Tisha being criticized; Lord Robes isn’t exactly blameless either…”

“No way—in volume 8, Lord Robes changed his heart because Tisha used a love toxin. No matter how beautiful your favorite might be, blaming someone else for his mistake is just absurd!”

“Then what did Tisha do so wrong? Let’s be objective here.”

“To be frank, Tisha played the villain in Volume 7, Episode 36, Volume 9, Episode 84, and Volume 10. Granted, even though Lord Robes wavered between Lilica and Tisha at the time, he didn’t exactly win anyone over.”

“They both know nothing about Lord Robes!!”

Lara intervened forcefully between the two male leads. Soon, their voices rose and they began shoving each other, each using his favorite as a shield.

“The reason Tisha turned out this way was already revealed in the manga, wasn’t it? That traitorous Lilica—doesn’t her obvious favoritism for the protagonist go too far?”

“Pope, wait a minute…! We’re not talking about falling for Lilica, are we?”

“Honestly, even Lord Robes originally debuted as Lilica’s rival…”

“No, let’s drop the Lord Robes topic. Ah! Did we just shove each other?!”

Amid the larger men, Lara got jostled and tumbled backward immediately.

Startled, Karlahee and Mikhail turned to look just as Lara sprang up and charged at the two men, headfirst like a bull into Mikhail’s stomach and shoving aside Karlahee, who was reaching out to catch her.

“Oh, come on, Lord Robes!!”

“Tisha! Tisha! Tisha!”

“Lilicaaaahhh!!”

It was total chaos—a rough physical scuffle paired with a heated debate over who was truly the best. It was, without a doubt, the most pointless argument ever.

After an endless, fiery debate that lasted about an hour, it finally ended with a single offhand remark from Lara.

“But if we keep going like this, Tisha’ll eventually die, won’t she?”

Anyone who’s seen the newest official update knew this all too well. Yet Lara was oblivious to the fact that these words would hit someone harder than any doomsday prophecy or cosmic collision.

“Tisha is…”

Mikhail’s eyes trembled with unshed emotion.

“She’s dying…?”

“Gasp… You haven’t reached that part yet?”

Lara clamped her hand over her mouth in shock, while Karlahee, nearby, fell silent with wide eyes. Mikhail bowed his head—the thought of her dying pressed on him like a crushing sorrow.

“Please… say it’s not true, hurry up!”

Mikhail’s voice, intermittently trembling, gradually surged in intensity and echoed throughout the quiet room; Lara and Karlahee stood frozen in place.

Then, like a tragic hero, Mikhail hesitated before collapsing onto the bed. The brutal truth seemed to tear his heart into pieces—an injury so profound it might never heal. Deep despair clouded his eyes.

“I just want to be alone. Get out…”

At those words, Lara and Karlahee departed solemnly. Though their favorites differed, they understood his sorrow all too well, sharing the pain of loving the same one.

Chapter 12: The Essentials of the Hunting Contest

The long-anticipated hunting contest was suddenly upon them—so sudden that only on the day of the event did Elina II truly feel it.

Attending as the Emperor’s partner, Elina II had been meticulously preparing since early morning. After the previous debacle with that wicked woman in party attire, she couldn’t let her guard down at today’s outdoor contest party.

She wore a flamboyant style with a bright silver underdress tied at her waist. Knowing she’d be treading over grass and dirt instead of a banquet hall floor, the dress was kept minimally adorned. Elina II and Kim Bing-ui studied their reflections. The woman, with wavy silver hair and sparkling silver eyes, was as breathtaking as ever.

Without hesitation, Elina II boarded the waiting carriage headed for the Lantemberg Mountains, where the contest was to be held.

At the mountain’s base, the opening ceremony had already begun. Though protagonists are known for their late entrances, appearing too late still drew disapproving glances. In the expansive clear ground, every Knight Order had lined up in two long rows, followed by Youngsik and Youngae arranged by height.

Clearly a stage for young nobles to showcase their vigor and martial skills, most seasoned power players were absent. Elina II quietly slipped into the back row, looking up admiringly at Emperor Karlahee standing regally on the dais. He looked striking in his leather armor, a sword at his waist.

“…That concludes His Highness the Emperor’s address.”

“Ladies and gentlemen, I am delighted to host this hunting contest under the vast blue sky. Fall has arrived, and I wonder how much everyone’s improved since last year. Some have pursued self-improvement, others have patched up their weaknesses, and some learned hard lessons from failure. Each follows a different path; none is the one and only answer… (omitted)”

“……”

“Our royal family stands with your dreams. You’ve surely heard that ‘youth is painful.’ You’ll face setbacks and failures, but if you give up… (omitted)…I wish you a joyful, peaceful life in the Knight Order; above all, your health and safety come first.”

“That concludes His Highness the Emperor’s remarks. Next, we will hear from the Grand Duke.”

A collective, weary sigh drifted from the crowd; only a few maintained proper posture while most slumped in defeat. Ignoring the crowd’s eagerness, the elderly Grand Duke climbed the stage and began his speech.

“Since His Highness has covered everything, I’ll be brief. Enjoy yourselves, everyone. That’s all.”

“Woooaaahhh!!”

Within ten seconds after the Grand Duke’s brief address, applause broke out, and every face lit up with unexpected cheer.

“With that, the opening ceremony of the hunting contest is concluded. Participants, please stay in your positions until the starting signal sounds.”

At those final words, the gathered crowd dispersed. Elina II glanced around before approaching a group of Youngae clad in similar dresses.

“Do you know where the party’s being held? It seems to be outdoors, but I’m new here, heh heh.”

“Party? I only came to support my sweetheart…”

“I’m just here to look around. If it is a party, maybe…”

A Youngae with brown hair, standing beside the responder, shot a sidelong glance. Elina II followed the direction and immediately stiffened.

“Oh my, who might you be?”

One Youngae from the notorious wicked clique spotted Elina II and chirped out in a trilling tone. Soon, others noticed her and snickered silently.

‘…Damn, they heard everything.’

From afar came muffled chuckles as Rozally, at the center of the group, approached sporting the air of a clueless yet kind-hearted Female Lead. Clad in rugged warrior attire with a greatsword slung over her shoulder, she stood in stark contrast to Elina II’s elegant party dress.

“Ah, we’ve been waiting! You’ve arrived. So, what’s your role at the party today? Hmm~ You’re not a healer, are you… Ah, perhaps you’re a tank?”

With a cheerful clap, Rozally grinned warmly, scrutinizing Elina II from head to toe.

“Really… did you actually come dressed for a party? Gasp, I never imagined the Lady would make such a mistake… I’m sorry. I assumed you truly intended to party. Ahem—oh, forgive me for laughing. Boo hoo.”

“Rozally, don’t be too apologetic. It happens. In a hunting contest teeming with riffraff, a sweet cup of tea is welcome. Ha ha!”

“Well, yes, it is a party. Oh ho ho!”

Beside Rozally, a Youngae carrying a cane and another wielding a magic wand joined in. Elina II silently pursed her lips. Though it was a fantasy tale, the idea of Youngae forming alliances and taking part in a hunting contest was utterly absurd.

“Oh, damn, this is ridiculously stupid.”

“What did you just say?”

A Youngae, likely in a healer role, suddenly interjected. Fearing a reprimand, Elina II quickly steered the conversation away.

“No, hehe. I just never imagined forming an alliance at a party~ But since I’m here, may I join in?”

“Of course, heh heh. I already promised to team up with you, Lady.”