Chapter 62

Day One.

The day of 'Those Who Give.'

Schützenfest served to prevent wild animals that might appear in the forest surrounding the capital from heading down to civilian houses by capturing them in advance.

"Do you know? They say demonic beasts used to live in this forest long ago. It seems Schützenfest wasn't simply for catching dangerous wild animals."

"So it was also part of demonic beast hunting."

Though it was an event for the kingdom's best hunters, not all nobles participated directly in the hunt.

Unless they were vigorous young lords or knights, most preferred to stay in safe resting areas.

And he was one of them.

"Would you like to look around?"

"No, it's fine. I don't know anyone anyway."

In the distance, young men who at a glance were clearly nobles were making a fuss about choosing weapons and putting on armor.

Though knights were relatively quietly preparing for the hunt, they stood out just the same.

Were they the only ones who lacked preparation?

As he anxiously glanced at Russel and Leandros, Arndt, who was placing cold black tea in front of him, whispered.

"Don't worry, Your Grace."

"As if you know what I'm worried about."

"I can tell at a glance."

The sound of trumpets announcing the imminent start of the event was heard.

Now everyone entering the forest had to come forward.

"Leandros, Russel."

"Yes, Your Grace."

"At your command."

"It's your first time using these weapons, right? Test them to your heart's content."

Besides the weapons they had loaded onto the carriage, the two had brought the swords that had been bestowed upon them for the first time.

Having never properly used them until now, even the grips of the swords were pristine.

It would be good if they could also show them off to the people around while they were at it. After adding that, Russel thumped his chest with his fist and said firmly.

"Just rely on me, Your Grace!"

He waved his hand behind them with a faint smile.

As the participants, equipped with everything from slender hunting spears to arrows and swords, gathered, a royal servant climbed onto a small platform.

"Honor to the brave, and will to advance to those who hesitate!"

Along with the servant's announcement of the opening of Schützenfest, the rules of Schützenfest were introduced next.

Points would be awarded according to the size of the game, and all points would be tallied on the last day of the three-day hunting festival.

The one with the highest score would be the winner, receiving great honor, as would their family.

The servant, having finished all explanations, concluded.

"Then I wish you luck!"

The trumpets sounded.

The participants all shouted in unison and rushed toward the only entrance to the forest.

* * *

Leandros had no particular thoughts about hunting.

After all, he didn't enjoy hunting to begin with, and the reason he became a knight had nothing to do with hunting.

As Leandros walked, muffling his footsteps and erasing his traces, Russel, who was beside him, casually said.

"Senior, Sir Leandros. Do you hunt often?"

"If I must."

"But you have to now, don't you?"

"That's why I'm doing it."

"It's boring, so since it's come to this, shall we make a bet between us? Whoever gets more points wins."

Leandros immediately classified Russel's suggestion as useless talk.

Just as he was about to suggest looking for a squirrel if he had time for that, someone interrupted.

"Sir Leandros. It's been a while. Fancy seeing you here."

"...I behold the small sun of the kingdom, His Highness the Crown Prince."

The person walking out from the undergrowth not far away had his pale blonde hair tied high.

His black and loose clothing appeared comfortable for movement. On his forearms and hands, he wore thin leather vambraces and gloves.

It was a modest appearance, completely different from the garb of many young lords who sparkled with embedded jewels.

Of all the things he had, only his clear red eyes were shining.

"It's the first time since you entered the ducal family. Have you been well?"

"I'm glad to see that Your Highness also seems to be well."

"I haven't been well because of you. As you may know, I've always thought of you."

"You bestow excessive favor. If you don't move now, you'll miss all the game."

"It's just a few minutes. Is the new Duke treating you well?"

"He treats me excessively well."

"I could treat you even better than the Duke."

"Having already belonged to the ducal family, my disposition depends on Duke Arenheit Hartmann."

Russel rolled his eyes at the responses being thrown without the slightest hesitation.

There was a strange undercurrent flowing between the Crown Prince and his senior, Sir Leandros.

"You're still cold despite being comrades who took the knighthood training camp examination together. Though I value that aspect highly."

"Is that so."

"Don't you think about returning to the royal palace?"

"Please look after the future of talents far superior to me."

"Everyone but you is just a nobody. Given how highly I personally regard you, I think your name should be widely known. I don't understand why you're secluding yourself in a ducal family and hiding yourself."

Wasn't this completely one-sided courtship?

Russel took a step back, observing Leandros's increasingly darkening expression.

Leandros replied to Crown Prince Yurik.

"It's the path I've chosen. I'm sufficiently satisfied, so please withdraw your excessive praise."

"...Well, I have no choice but to believe you if you say so. But if it were me, I would surely have given a talent like you a more honorable mission. Mere Schützenfest. Everything you hunt will become the Hartmann Duke's, won't it?"

"That's right."

"How touching to see you dedicating yourself to the young Duke. Then I'll try not to lose to the Duke either? I'll see you at the evening banquet later."

Yurik left with a refreshing smile.

Only an awkward silence remained between Russel and Leandros.

Russel glanced at the game sack Leandros was holding.

If Russel's eyes weren't mistaken, Leandros was strangling the sack.

What else could it be but strangulation when he was gripping the sack's neck so tightly?

If the sack were alive, it would have been dead by now.

"Russel Nabilov."

"Y-yes?"

"Acquire at least 20 points by the end of today."

"What? W-wait a moment."

Twenty points, how much would he need to catch?

While Russel was frantically counting on his fingers, Leandros continued walking with heavy steps.

His back, filled with tension, exuded an aura of 'I cannot lose.'

Russel looked at his retreating figure and then gazed up at the sky.

Your Grace, if you can hear my thoughts right now, please tell me the correct answer as to why senior Leandros is so upset...

* * *

Early afternoon, when the sun had tilted slightly from its zenith.

Participants began to return one by one.

Most held at least two rabbits or birds.

Those who occasionally returned with a fox had their shoulders visibly raised, boasting to those around them.

Seeing those who brought back game, he became a bit curious.

"Arndt, is the likelihood of hunting failure high?"

"It's not an easy task. But it shouldn't be difficult for Sir Leandros and Sir Russel."

"They'll catch at least a rabbit, right?"

"Of course. They're Your Grace's escort knights. Even if it's the first day, they have to live up to their name."

But it would be nice if they could bring back a fox.

While rabbits were worth 1 point, foxes were worth 3 points.

As he was watching the ladies and noble women surrounding a glossy-furred fox, a commotion was heard at the forest entrance.

He briefly considered telling Arndt to go see what was happening, but there was no need.

The cause of that commotion was approaching him.

"Your Grace!"

The approaching cause had Russel's face.

Russel was smiling more brightly than anyone.

His smile was so radiant that his golden hair seemed to sparkle, but what he was carrying on his back was not so pretty.

"I'm a bit late returning. Your Grace, you've been waiting for a long time, haven't you?"

"Not really. But that is."

"Ah, this?"

-Thud!

Russel's spoils landed on the ground.

A gray wolf with an arrow in its neck.

Judging by its body length, it seemed to easily weigh over 40kg.

Russel proudly said.

"Isn't it magnificent? Do you know how hard I chased it?"

"You brought this all the way here? You could have just looked at the heavy parts and asked someone else to transport it later."

"That's true, but it wouldn't be stylish to just bring the head as evidence. Besides, I wanted to show it to Your Grace quickly."

Russel added with a grin.

"I worked so hard because I was worried Your Grace might be sad being the only one without game. Isn't this as good as anyone else's?"

Indeed, as Russel said, the gray wolf was quite eye-catching.

Even bringing ten foxes wouldn't beat one wolf.

He could feel the noble ladies who had been surrounding the fox looking in their direction.

"Well done. I should give you some gift when we return. But where's Leandros? Didn't you go in together?"

"We did, but we separated halfway and hunted separately. I'm not sure where he is now, but since the hunting end time is approaching, shouldn't he return soon?"

Was that so.

Just as he was about to nod and suggest moving this wolf somewhere, he felt that the surroundings had become unusually quiet.

It wasn't because of Russel or his wolf.

The gazes of those around were directed toward the forest entrance.

-Thud, thud, thud.

Footsteps that sounded heavy just from hearing them.

Like the spectators, he too turned toward the forest entrance and was speechless.

-Thud, thud, thud.

It was a massive antler.

A large stag with huge palm-shaped antlers.

The person carrying the stag on his shoulders was none other than...

"It's Sir Leandros."

Arndt murmured.

Like Sisyphus's punishment, he carried the stag on his shoulders and headed straight toward him, just as Russel had.

-Thud!

"I apologize for causing concern with my late return, Your Grace."

"This... is."

"A deer."

Though its fur was reddish, there were sparse white spots like white fur on its back.

It was a noble and beautiful game with dignified and sad eyes even after death.

Leandros said.

"I present Schützenfest's first game to my lord, the Duke of Hartmann."

The most valuable and precious deer caught so far.

It meant that Leandros was the most outstanding hunter among those gathered here.

And the one to whom he presented the first game was none other than him.

Applause filled with admiration and envy poured from around.

Mixed in were whispers asking who this knight was, and who he was to be called Duke Hartmann.

This could be considered a successful debut.

"I commend you for your hard work."

A knight kneeling on one knee with his hand on his chest, and a young Duke receiving his loyalty.

He thought it would stir the nobles in some way or another.

On the first day of Schützenfest, the Hartmann ducal family recorded a total hunting score of 12 points, ranking first overall.

Many nobles began to acknowledge them at the outdoor luncheon held in front of the large scoreboard.

Thanks to that, they were also able to appeal the business they were conducting with Aisling quite effectively.

It wasn't a bad start.

If it continued like this, the promotional effect would be quite substantial.

With such hope, he greeted the second day of Schützenfest.

"Of course, His Highness the Crown Prince will take the victory!"

"Yes, indeed. Look at those game. Who else could hunt like that?"

"Others won't even be in the running. Haha!"

That day, Crown Prince Yurik captured two wolves, three foxes, one badger, and one bear, shattering his hopes into pieces.