nChapter 104 - Chapter 17: Test #3

nAfter In-gong, who had the highest priority, made his selection, it was Felicia’s turn.

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"6th Princess, please make your selection.”

nIsabella said with a gentle smile, but there was some pressure in it.

nTelling them to make a choice with almost no time to think...

nThis was one of the ways of evaluating the demon king’s children, with regards to things like their judgment and determination.

nAfter looking at the map for a moment, Felicia glanced at the pitiful-looking Silvan, then turned to In-gong. She sighed and made a decision,

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"As you know, I’m more like a civil servant rather than a military officer. So, instead of taking an area directly, I will take on the role of supporting 9th Prince and go to Evian.”

nUnlike her energetic personality, her voice was clear and calm.

nFelicia finished speaking and glanced up at the demon king. The demon king didn’t speak directly but nodded to give permission to Felicia.

nFelicia had never heard her name being called, but she was satisfied about that small exchange with the demon king. Stealthily, she pressed a hand against her chest to check her heart.

nChris looked at Felicia. She noticed Chris’ gaze and the two people exchanged glances that showed their intentions.

nSilvan’s present condition wasn’t that good, so Felicia wanted to embrace and comfort him.

nHowever, she couldn’t do so because this was the court gathering. While thinking about this, Felicia stepped back.

nSilvan would recover soon. So, she should think about something else and not about sticking to Silvan.

nFelicia didn’t follow In-gong because she wanted to work with him.

nOf course, she wanted such a thing inside her heart, but that wasn’t the main reason.

nDue to the return of the group and the sword duke’s intervention, In-gong hadn’t made a declaration, but he was recognized as the leader of the fourth faction.

nIn-gong needed support. Putting aside combat power, Felicia and Chris were the only ones able to assist In-gong in the political field.

nHowever, Chris was a warrior. It was unnatural to say he would go with In-gong when he had a combat power comparable to Silvan’s. That would be an excessive waste of combat power and the Demon King’s Palace wouldn’t accept it.

nShe didn’t know why In-gong had picked Evian, but she would follow him. After all, they had been together since the Red Lightning Tribe.

nAfter Felicia made her decision, knowing gazes were passed between the people gathered in the hall. It was widely known that Felicia had decided to help In-gong.

n

"From now on, the selection order will be decided based on the merits accumulated in the Merits Department. 2nd Prince, please make a selection.”

nIsabella gazed at Zephyr with gentle eyes. Zephyr then gazed at Evian for a moment, then turned toward the north.

n“I will go to Haragal.”

nMany people nodded calmly at the 2nd Prince’s declaration.

nHaragal was as close to the Northern Limit Line as possible and was regularly attacked by violent creatures. Haragal’s degree of difficulty was higher than Evian’s, never lower.

nOf course, nobody could be sure that there would be an actual attack on the area predicted by the Demon King’s Palace or even about the scale of the enemies that would appear.

nHowever, from the outset, Haragal was an important land. Haragal’s land itself wasn’t rich, but there were abundant resources underground including the papunil, that was called the vein of the Demon World.

nHaragal was the shield that protected the papunil.

nSo, 2nd Prince’s choice was expected. If there truly was an attack, then it was the area where the greatest merits could be gained.

n‘It is the next best thing since Zephyr was looking at Evian earlier.’

nSince In-gong had first opened his eyes in Carack’s barracks, he had been good at reading things.

nWhen In-gong selected Evian, Zephyr clearly had a different reaction from usual. It was difficult to explain, but In-gong was able to sense it.

nZephyr seemed to be pursuing Evian as well.

nIf so, why? When looked at objectively, Evian wasn’t a good choice.

n‘General Vandal.’

nThe name surfaced reflexively, but In-gong was certain. So, it was good that he sensed it.

nZephyr also seemed to be looking to bring in General Vandal.

nIn Knight Saga, Zephyr had been able to defeat Vandal at the end of his second year, Year 514. However, that had been in Knight Saga.

nIt was estimated that this Zephyr was much stronger than the Zephyr of Knight Saga. So, it was possible for the current Zephyr to beat Vandal.

nAs an adult, Zephyr was able to move freely and choose his own missions just like Silvan and Felicia. However, it wasn’t possible for him to meet with military personnel any time he wanted.

nSo, maybe Zephyr thought about using this situation as an opportunity.

n‘It is quite plausible. Then shouldn’t I hurry and get Nayatra and Sektum as well?’

nThey had been his three favourite subordinates in Knight Saga.

nSuccubus Knight Nayatra, the Worst Necromancer Sektum and the Ogre Warrior Vandal...

n‘I have to hurry and visit the slave auction house where Nayatra is. It is necessary to secure Nayatra before securing Sektum.’

nCaitlin’s birth secret had been the beginning of the lycanthrope subjugation.

nThe one who had obtained this information had been Nayatra. There was no guarantee that she would get the information, but he had to block Zephyr from acquiring her.

nWhile In-gong was thinking, 1st Prince Baikal made his choice. Baikal also made a sensible choice.

nNext, 4th Princess Anastasia made her decision. Her choice didn’t overlap with In-gong’s, Zephyr’s or Baikal’s.

n3rd Prince Victor chose to support Anastasia and the demon king allowed it.

nFrom In-gong to Anastasia, the leaders of each faction chose different areas and there were now only two areas left unselected.

n

"5th Prince, please make your selection.”

nSilvan jumped at Isabella’s call and chose a place close to Evian. As there had been no abnormality when In-gong, Zephyr and the others made the selections, he had managed to restore most of his composure.

nNow, there was only one area left and Chris and Caitlin, the siblings, had the opportunity to choose.

nEveryone thought they knew what the lycanthrope siblings would choose, so they thought there would be nothing else worth seeing.

nChris would choose the remaining area and Caitlin would follow.

nIt wasn’t a bad thing. This was a good but reasonable choice.

nHowever, Chris just laughed and exchanged glances with Caitlin who nodded.

n“I will go to Kaltu.”

nChris said the name of the remaining area.

nThe selections were now as good as over. Isabella turned to Caitlin with a gentle expression.

n

"8th Princess, please make your selection.”

n“I will go to Evian.”

n

"I understand. Evian... huh?”

nIsabella cried out involuntarily. Gellahed, who was standing with the other captains, also looked at Caitlin with confused eyes.

nCaitlin took a deep breath and spoke calmly,

n“9th Prince Shutra is still young compared to the other princes and princesses. 6th Princess is helping, but 6th Princess is a scholar and not a warrior. I am inexperienced as well, but I am a warrior. So, I think I would make a decent balance with 9th Prince and 6th Princess.”

nHer words were reasonable.

n9th Prince had only started to stand out a few months ago.

nMoreover, the Demon King’s Palace didn’t yet know In-gong’s real strength, so they didn’t think he would be stronger than Caitlin.

nIsabella, who thought Caitlin was going to follow Chris, looked at the demon king with a puzzled faced. The demon king nodded again to express his permission.

nIt was a reasonable decision. From the beginning, the Demon King’s Palace had thought Caitlin would go with Chris. However, Chris was much stronger than In-gong. So, there was no reason to refuse to let her accompany In-gong when they would have allowed her to accompany Chris.

n

"You have completed your area selections. Princes and Princesses, five days from today, you will start moving to each area. The information regarding the purple aura enemies will be sent to your homes.”

nThus, the main agenda of the court gathering was over. As usual, there were a few ceremonial events to end the court gathering.

nIn-gong took a deep breath and looked around. The sword duke was smiling with an unknown expression while the demon king was as expressionless as always.

nGallehed was gazing at Caitlin with worry, while Yecaderina, the nightmares captain, was giving a lovely smile.

nAs for Richard...

nThe leader of the draconians and one of the strongest captains aside from Gallehed—

nHe had been In-gong’s strongest ally when In-gong played Zephyr. However, at this moment, Richard was looking down at In-gong with a ferocious smile. In-gong ignored Richard’s gaze and turned to Zephyr.

nAt that moment, Zephyr turned his gaze to In-gong as though he had been waiting for it and their gazes met in midair.

n&

n

"I’m tired, tired, tired!”

nAs soon as they returned to the waiting room, Felicia threw herself onto a large sofa and screamed.

nAlthough it was far from polite, the people in the waiting room were all close to Felicia, so there was no need for politeness.

nFelicia waved her arms and legs and kept sighing.

n

"Ah, the sword duke is a fool. A person like that isn’t good for my heart. He should tell us in advance.”

nIt had been a few days since the group had arrived at the Demon King’s Palace. It would have been nice if he sent a simple message during that time. Despite that, he still insisted on surprising them today.

n“S-sword Duke.”

nSilvan sat down next to Felicia and clutched his chest. Felicia felt sorry for Silvan and hugged him tightly.

n

"My poor Silvan.”

nHe really wanted to become the sword duke’s disciple.

nAs Felicia patted Silvan’s back with gentle eyes, Chris turned his gaze to In-gong and said in a lively voice,

n

"Anyway, his actions were helpful. At today’s court gathering, the sword duke practically announced that he is supporting Shutra. By the way, it is strange. How did you manage to catch the sword duke’s heart? What is the secret? I want to learn how to do it.”

nSilvan’s eyes flashed as he also wanted to learn the secret. In-gong just grinned awkwardly and replied,

n

"I don’t know.”

nThe sword duke’s favor derived from In-gong’s uniqueness and the demon king’s interest. So, the other princes wouldn’t be able to apply to this.

nFelicia, who was still hugging Silvan, asked Chris suddenly,

n

"Chris, is it okay for Caitlin to not go with you?”

nFelicia was also surprised when Caitlin said she would go with In-gong instead of Chris.

nChris replied with a shrug,

n

"It is bittersweet, but it will be more helpful than if she stays with me. It seems like the performance of the Moonlight Core and Starlight Core is better than expected.”

nIt had only been about 10 days or so, but In-gong and Caitlin had shown a huge growth in their aura over the last 10 days. The synergy between the Moonlight Core and Starlight Core was truly amazing.

nChris patted Caitlin’s head and asked,

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"Caitlin, unlike Spider Forest, this might be a moderately long mission. Is that okay?”

n

"Yes, it is okay.”

nUnlike the time at the lycanthrope house, Caitlin answered with a bright smile. There was no unease at all.

n

"Really bittersweet.

"

nChris complained with slumped shoulders and Felicia laughed. She was still holding onto Silvan when she said,

n

"Well, today’s work is over. The enemies with the purple aura, the sword duke... There are many things to talk about, but I want to rest for a while. Isn’t that right, Silvan?”

n“Hu... Sword Duke.”

nSilvan nodded reflexively. At that moment...

n

"Huh? Did you call me?”

nThe sword duke’s voice was heard from behind them. Startled, Felicia jumped up from her seat and looked back.

n“S-sword Duke?”

nIt truly was the sword duke. He laughed from the door of the waiting room, then he pinched Felicia’s cheeks.

n

"This princess is still a baby. Aigoo, so cute.”

nFelicia’s face was red while Silvan was stunned. The sword duke laughed and moved on.

n“Ohh, 8th Princess. You are much bigger up close. I have to try it once.”

n“Huh? Kyak?!”

nThere was no time to reply. Just like he had done to Felicia at Thunderdoom Fortress, he placed his hands between Caitlin’s arms and raised her up high.

n

"Higher, higher!”

nAs if he was playing with a little child, he kept spinning Caitlin.

nAt Thunderdoom Fortress, Felicia had screamed to be put down, but Caitlin was different. At first, she was panicked, but then she started to enjoy it. If she was to speak, she would say how amazing it was.

n

"Well, this is still fun. So adorable.”

nThe word truly fit Caitlin who had red cheeks and sparkling eyes.

nAfter greeting Felicia and Caitlin, the sword duke turned toward In-gong. In-gong regained his composure and spoke calmly,

n“I greet the sword duke.”

n

"I greet you as well. 5th Prince and 7th Prince too, it is a pleasure.”

n“Greetings.”

n“G-greetings.”

nChris and Silvan greeted him as well. Chris was a little wary of the sword duke, while Silvan seemed eager to talk to him.

nHowever, the first one to say something wasn’t a prince or princess.

n“Look, what happened all of a sudden?”

nIt was Carack who asked.

nSilvan was astonished while Chris flinched.

nCarack had just casually asked the sword duke a question.

nHowever, Felicia had already adapted to Carack, while Delia, Seira and Sepira just admired Carack’s boldness.

nThe sword duke just laughed pleasantly like he had at Thunderdoom Fortress and said to In-gong,

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"I came to ask 9th Prince something. There is a story I would like to share, but I also have a request.”

n

"A request?”

n

"Yes. I can only ask Prince.

"

nThe sword duke said with a laugh. There was mischief in his eyes, similar to when he played with Felicia and Caitlin.

n

"Can Prince invite me to your mansion? I want to see that person.”

n&

n

"Ya, ya! Stay away! Don’t tease me! Why the hell did you bring this brat? I decided we’re to keep it a secret! This is a breach of contract!”

n