Chapter 82. As it turns out,


    a hunter who has been bitten by a gentle (1) prey does one of two things.


    Either they are scared, or they try topletely destroy their prey.


    ‘Don’t be scared by the guys you have to hunt.’


    Warrior of the Great Desert.


    A proud wolf.


    That is wrong.


    There was no such thing as pride to be shared equally among all wolves in the first ce. In the end, they were no different from the people who lived trapped within the walls of the kingdom. While there were some who had high pride, the majority of them felt that even the title of wolf was undeserved.


    Wolves who have lost their pride.


    Arsene roamed the great desert hunting those guys.


    So, of course, I got bitten by them. I have been cut by a sword, I have been cut by an ax, and I have been cut by an arrow. Every time that happened, Arsene’s teacher always reacted the same way.


    ‘If that’s the case, why didn’t you pick up a sword and learn magic?’


    The first thing I did was scold my student for his habit of walking up to the noses of those wielding weapons and throwing out spears of ice. Even after I answered yes because I wanted to watch their lives end, I still asked that question.


    ‘Don’t be afraid of the guys you have to hunt. Are you going to die as their prey again?’


    After that, I advised him not to get scared and take a step back due to the injuries he received from those guys.


    ‘Does it hurt a lot?’


    And in the end, I was always worried.


    Thanks to this, Arsene has been able to spend more than half of his life in the Great Desert. There, the wolves who had lost their pride were sent hunting down the rotten root-like warriors of the great desert. Then he returned to the city and lived as a wizard rather than a hunter. That’s how I lived.


    however.


    – Thick!


    When Gray Brisen was Margrave. On the way back from meeting Gray of the Margrave on Calian’s errand, Arsene changed a little again. This is because of the warriors we encountered in the forest that followed Euria. After being helplessly pushed back in the fight against them and barely surviving thanks to Calian’s help, Arsene always suffered phantom pain when he saw the warriors of the Great Desert belonging to Zeon.


    The warriors of the Great Desert belonging to Zeon were not the ones Arsene had known before. It was much stronger. I tried to make Arsene neither a hunter nor a wizard, but a hunted person. I constantly tried to scare him.


    “Huh…”


    Arsene raised his head, shaking off the pain in his shoulder that was irritating his nerves.


    Now there is no teacher to tell us not to be afraid.


    So what should we do? You have to get rid of your fear and be a hunter.


    Arseneposed his mind once again and moved his hand.


    – Sweet.


    And of course, I opened the door to the study, filled with the scent of what should have been Arsene’s prey.


    – Rattle!


    But I felt something caught on the door that was opening inward. Arsene, with a slightly frowning expression, pulled the door once, confirmed again that it was not a door that could be pulled open, and pushed it again.


    As I open the door, it feels like something heavy is being pushed out.


    – Slurp… thud!


    Then, the sensation of something sliding onto Arsene’s shoes and touching them continued. Because of this, Arsene’s eyes turned even harsher when he looked down and checked it.


    “I remember you are Count Hertz. Is that correct?”


    A voice sounds like it hasn’t seen anything like that.


    Arsene, leaning against the door that had fallen on his feet and letting the dead man’s arm fall from his shoe, looked up.


    “you’re right.”


    “See you again. I am Baron Pierce Hazel.”


    The person who revealed himself by another name known to the world was none other than Freyr. And it was the Wolf of the Great Desert who had just removed his arm from Arsene.


    “This is Arsene Hertz.”


    Even though he is a Baron, isn’t he rted to Calian by blood? Therefore, Arsene did not address Freyr in a lower tone and instead greeted him. After that, he looked at Freyr nkly and opened his mouth.


    “Are they targeting the prince? Or are they an unrted enemy?”


    “They are not the ones who went into hiding after Prince Kalyan. They are rted to me. You don’t have to worry about an attack on the prince or his other brothers.”


    “Then why are they here?”


    “I’m sorry for showing you this when it’s my first time seeing you in private. It happens often, and there won’t be another attack for a while, so don’t worry about them attacking you again, just rest.”


    It wasn’t an urate answer to the question.


    Therefore, Arsene, who had been standing still for a while, took a stride. I walked to Freyr’s front, passing the six dead bodies lying here and there in the study, which Freyr probably removed them himself. After that, he put his hand into his bosom and took out his pocket.


    – Sweet.


    And he took out an ice statue carved with a dog that resembled Freya, Calian, and Jan, the reason they came here, and ced it on the table.


    Freyr, who was looking at the thing wrapped in red cloth, looked at Arsene.


    “Our prince… This is a gift prepared by Prince Calian as an apology.”


    “The word apple”


    means “an apology for many things.”


    Things that distrusted, tested, mourned, and suffered.


    Presenting the dead Freyja in front of Freyr.


    Arsene, who had lumped together ‘a lot’ of things that did not need to be exined, ran his hand over the red cloth that had wrapped the statue, to be exact, the statue he had just put down. And he stretched out his finger and pointed at it. It meant to open it.


    “Yes. Then.”


    Freyr bowed his head once more to express his gratitude and moved his hand.


    Do you know that the bodies of those who just died were left behind? Freyr, looking at the bloody scene behind him, wordlessly unwrapped the gift Calian gave him.


    – Sarah…


    The cloth wrapping the statue flowed down one by one onto the table.


    And before long, what was inside was revealed.


    Freya and Calian.


    The faces of the mother and son smiling while sitting side by side.


    Freyr, seeing that, opened his mouth for a moment. But he couldn’t say anything and closed his mouth again. Then he opened his mouth again and closed it tightly, as if he couldn’t do anything.


    The closed mouth was opened only after some time had passed.


    “…… ah.”


    Then he said something like this.


    That was all it said. There were no other sentiments or repeated thanks. A short sound that is difficult to describe as just one letter. That was the only expression Freyr came up with.


    Arsene, who was quietly looking at Freyr’s face, opened his mouth.


    “Talk to me.”


    “What do you mean?”


    “Is it true that they are being targeted rather than driven out by the elves? Are they branded as Zeon’s prey? If you tell me,” it is unclear


    what kind of ident resulted from this, but words filled with clear conviction came out of Arsene’s mouth and were directed at Freyr. .


    Freyr raised his head.


    Blue eyes filled with the deep, clear valley of midsummer stared at Freyr.


    “The Baron’s nephew will help you.”


    The blue-haired crazy wizard made a wild bet like this.


    Those were words that Freyr would never have uttered if he had expressed even a single word of true appreciation after seeing the statue.


    * * *


    The three who were moving towards Calian were stopped.


    This is because Siona, who was holding onto Calian with one arm, held out her other arm to prevent the others from getting too close.


    “You’d better note any closer. If you vomit blood again, it might stter.”


    Meanwhile, Calian did not wake up. Even right after dealing with the Harpy, I came to my senses as soon as Siona’s hand touched me, but not this time. He said he would sleep for a while, closed his eyes, and did not open them again.


    He also fainted while leaning like that.


    Like a habit.


    ntz quietly closed his eyes and spoke in a low voice.


    “……You crazy guy.”


    I wrote clean.


    The face and hair color have changed, but the clothes remain the same. The voice didn’t change either. It is said that only the face was changed while disguising itself as ntz. It also meant that I had lost my mind and had no time to pay attention to details.


    Still, I used clean.


    I was afraid that the blood staining my clothes might have been mixed with poison. Because I had chosen to wear a pink jacket that was very conspicuous today, I was worried that nts, who couldn’t take it off and had to change into it, might be affected by the blood.


    Didn’t ntz say that? They say they can’t use clean. So, in the midst of all this, I took the trouble to use magic. Even though I know better than anyone else that nz can perform as cleanly as possible. That way, the saying ‘I haven’t learned how to clean yet’ bes true.


    Crazy guy.


    You damn bastard.


    If Serenti really brought that guy in and brought him back to life to use him as hisst hand, it wouldn’t be because he’s a talented guy who knows how to use his brain as well as his sword. It was probably because I knew that he was a terrible person who would never exist again in the world.


    “Don’t worry too much. Sword Masters won’t die from this much poison.”


    In front of ntz, who had experienced with his own hands the severity of the harpy’s poison, which was said to have left no one alive after being poisoned, the Sword Master assured him that there was no way he would fall asleep while intoxicated with drugs, and then reassured the group of Shionaga, who had slept for the first time in a while.


    Unfortunately, you may or may not know that ntz, who became extremely anxious because he knew of that episode, began to repeat very earnestly, saying, “Let’s believe in the terribleness of my brother, not Siona.”


    “It looks like the wound has healed reasonably well. I don’t think you need to worry either.”


    Siona, who took off Calian’s clothes, looked at the wound on his side with a calm face and said this. And after confirming that there was no more blood flowing, I wrapped the wound with the bandage given to me by Demirea.


    A, who was watching that scene, turned her head. And then he opened his mouth to ntz.


    “First, you need to change your clothes, so let’s go inside the vi. Make your face.”


    “…… okay.”


    ntz nodded and changed his appearance back to the Calian look he had be so familiar with recently. Meanwhile, Siona, carrying Calian on her back, walked into the vi with great strides, and nts and Demirea followed behind her.


    Soon, E came next to ntz and continued speaking.


    “The prince contacted his servant. He said the lord’s castle has already sent soldiers this way. It’s time for them to arrive.”


    This time, nz looked at E.


    A’s quiet voice continued.


    “Pretend to be Prince Calian and report that he is injured this time. Please do so.”


    “who.”


    “The prince.”


    “When did I tell you?”


    “When you’re vomiting blood.”


    – A.


    – In this situation? Are you calling me like that?


    – sorry. I think I’m going to fall asleep again.


    “Almost right after Rashid disappeared. He told me before he met me that his condition would likely worsen.”


    After exining, A raised her hand with a ring on it.


    Kalian, who contacted Jan immediately after Rashid disappeared and first checked the situation in the castle, told the story to E. It was possible tomunicate with Demirea, but I thought it would be better to tell the story to A, who knew everything about the circumstances of their lives while constantly changing appearances within the lord’s castle.


    “I am releasing all of the evidence, but if the fact that Prince Kalyan was injured is also known, it might be better to say that he joined hands with Lord Hill and the Duke of Duchess to harm the prince. Before the prince could stand up and exin, the situation would be resolved. “It could get worse.”


    “Because it’s Whitlin.”


    “Yes. This is Whitlin, so if Prince Calian is harmed, something bad might happen to you and the First Prince. There is a Vulcan, but I don’t know the level of Freyr’s skills.”


    “…… Yes.”


    “I said it would be better to keep the letter a secret, so I learned the handwriting and burned the letter and put it away in the study. I’ll just pretend I haven’t been there at all. “I told you to tell the story of the prince ‘identally breaking’ the piece of Siegfried’s sword found in the training ground here, but not to reveal first that the prince’s servant was from the Siegfried family.” “Then Lord Hill or the Duke should havee to check it out


    . “One.”


    “No. “I thought it would be better to just figure out what happened here after I arrived.”


    E shook her head.


    “If you came here for that matter, people would suspect you were trying to destroy evidence or take action in advance. There is no need to hide the sword, but he said that attention should not be focused on Siegfried.” ”


    Of course.”


    “Because the prince and Lord Hill are close friends, and Lord Hill is also rted to Queen Freya. Sir Hill, who heard the story of meeting the harpy, was worried about the prince and came to see Freyr for the first time in a long time. However, Sir Hill did not have the authority to use the moving magic circle on his own, so he came with the Little Duke.” It was not an incoherent excuse. In fact, it


    was


    . Siona could only use the moving magic circle when apanied by a guarantor. Until now, only the royal family, Balkan, and some of Siegfried’s people were allowed to pass through this ce. Therefore, n, who did not fully trust Siona yet, took measures to give her only limited authority. “In that case, there is no need for the


    minor duke to vacate the capital and establish a ce here as a justification.” “I don’t


    need a justification.”


    As A said this, she pointed her hand at Calian and Demirea once at a time.


    “You two . They are also famous for being good friends in Kairisis. What justification do you need toe to meet such a betrothed?” ”


    … I see.”


    “Yes.”


    “Okay.”


    There are so many things that have been said in the meantime.


    It will be difficult toe to your senses after the fight with Rashid. It was a short period of time between feeling this and facing thepanions. During that time, which did not take long, ntz guessed things that would be difficult to do on his own, decided what to do, and informed A. A fistful of blood was enough


    . I vomited.


    In the midst of pouring out such things, I couldn’t believe I was contacting you. Cleaning things up. Just as


    nz was frowning his red eyes after seeing once again how absolutely crazy his younger brother was, E, who had finished speaking at length, turned her head. And entered the vi. I asked Siona and Demirea who were climbing the stairs behind me.


    “I asked you to do that. Is it possible?”


    Siona, who was listening to the conversation between E and ntz, nodded and answered.


    “I don’t think it will be a problem. It is true that he is acquainted with Freyr. It may be difficult to tell a lie with my own mouth, but if the Duke exins it, I will nod my head.” ”


    Yes. “I will exin.”


    Demirea added.


    ntz, who had memorized all of A’s words, said,


    “The other thing.”


    “You and the First Prince can take care of the rest.”


    “Okay.”


    “ah. And please drink a lot of water.”


    “Why the water?”


    ntz stopped talking and looked at Calian’s back with irritated eyes.


    “… My brother barked at me.”


    That little brother. Even though he was not at all carefree, he barked so calmly that he passed out. I told


    him to drink a lot of water.


    Don’t wilt.


    My little brother is really annoying.


    “Okay.” I


    asked him how long he was going to treat me like a child. That’s it. I’m going to tell you that I won’t wither until that little bastard opens his eyes.


    I really, really definitely.


    * * *


    I guess I’ll have to wait a little longer to see Lucy and Anne.


    I still have to rest with the two round balls of fur on myp. I guess I should hold on a little longer.


    – Sleep sleep sleep.


    A day has passed.


    He hasn’t woken up.


    – Sleep sleep sleep.


    Two days have passed. Three days have passed.


    He hasn’t woken up.


    – Tak.


    Don’t promise me that you’ll sleep for just one day .


    I’ll make you promise not to wither away. Or not.


    “… Ha.”


    A long sigh continues under the eyebrows that were said to be pretty.


    This is it.


    Is it to tell me to worry or not to worry? I


    intentionally let it out the whole time I left the room where the ‘Crown Prince’ was staying and went to the entrance of the spacious conference hall. ntz, who had put all his effort into imitating the unique footsteps, stopped,


    turned his head for a moment to check his face reflected in the hallway window, and then tightened the red tie around his neck a little more.


    – ck.


    When the long, thin hand with a neat tie moved again and reached around the waist, the heavy door, less oiled than the pce’s, opened with a small noise. ntz raised his head. He moved his head slowly from right to


    left


    . I slowly nced at the nobles sitting inside the conference hall.


    – Just like that.


    When standing in front of people, put a little more pressure on your toes. Look just slightly downward to avoid lifting your chin too much. Straighten your shoulders and stick out your chest. I was careful not to let my toes spread as I walked and not to forget to smile and


    say “Nice


    to meet you .”


    You may wonder if there is any difference in the steps of the royal family, but the steps of Randel, ntz, and Calian were never the same. If Randel’s steps contained a gaze toward the opponent, and nz’s steps contained the height difference between them and the opponent, Kalian’s steps containedposure toward himself. It was a clear difference.


    I walked without forgetting the difference. Not only did he look at each and every one of the twenty or so nobles gathered here, he also did not fail to raise both corners of his mouth in gratitude towards the servant who pulled out the chair.


    Soon nz sat down. Then, the voice of Navia, Lord of Whitlin, was heard.


    “Then let me tell you.”


    “I do.”


    “Yes, my prince.”


    Navia opened her mouth again in response to the answer she gave while nodding her head.


    “It is true that the harpy was found in the forest of Whitlin and the prince’s vi.”


    “I know.”


    Afterwards, Navia began to tell a boring but necessary story. The story goes that the harpy has already disappeared and no monsters simr to it have been found anywhere, so it is unknown where the harpy appeared.


    In short, this meeting was prepared to report on Navia’s investigation results, which confirmed who was involved with the Harpy, and to inform Calian of how the matter was nned to be resolved.


    “… For this reason, we are looking for people involved with Rouse Tryon, themander of the outer castle garrison, who has already died. We rmended that he be appointed as themander of the outer castle garrison, changed the garrison’s schedule on the day of the attack, and managed the vi. “We are tracking down the respective Barons we were supposed to be in charge of: Yeka Emmons, Dora Shulin, and hio Labyrin.”


    “It’s all just the information I already checked and told you first. Are there any other facts?”


    Navia looked at nz with her mouth shut for a while and then spoke.


    “Prince.”


    “I’m listening.”


    “I understand that the Prince’s knight and the vice-captain of Balkan are continuing to investigate the matter.”


    “Yes. I ordered it.”


    “Please stop the investigation. All of our territory will keep quiet about the appearance of the harpy. We will not let it be revealed to the outside world.”


    “The reason is.”


    “…… The reason is.”


    Navia, who was saying this, closed her mouth again.


    The red eyes that were looking at Navia glowed brightly.


    “Is it because Baron Hazel was involved?”


    Freyr.


    The name of someone who was not present was mentioned.


    There was no reply from Navia.


    “Is that correct.”


    ntz asked again.


    Navia didn’t answer.


    After a while, Navia’s cracked voice echoed through the conference hall.


    “Baron Hazel… used to say things I couldn’t understand.”


    “What?”


    “… That’s…”


    “I’m actually a fake wearing the mask of the Third Prince. Did you say that?”


    ntz asked.


    You may or may not know that this question has suddenly changed. Navia couldn’t give an answer.


    “under.”


    ntzughed.


    There was a childlike smile in those red eyes.


    Soon nz spoke again.


    No. I’m sure it’s Calian. Where did you hear such nonsense and believe it? That’s what I was going to ask.


    But then.


    – Quang!


    The door burst open with a loud sound.


    Everyone’s eyes turned towards the door.


    – Jump and jump.


    It seems like there is nothing to worry about.


    It seems like there is nothing to hide.


    The person in the conference room raised his head, walking without the slightest hesitation. Then he stared at everyone present with his light green eyes and opened his mouth.


    “…… dare.”


    A low voice suppressing anger was directed at everyone.


    “Did you see me as a foolish older brother who didn’t even recognize my younger brother?”


    Calian opened his eyes.