I Reject the villain’s ending.

Episode 77.

The Imperial Hunting Competition
It’s been a week since I made my public confession to Iros.

I’ve been overwhelmed with emotion since I regained my memory, and congratulatory letters and gifts have been flying into the mansion.

I was invited to Kareena’s tea party, and I even found an ally to back me up and fight the anti-human hordes.

Everything was going so well it was almost frightening.

That’s what I call divine assistance, I don’t know why they don’t do it more often, the world would be peaceful.

And this morning, a very unexpected gift arrived.

The crown prince had sent me a bundle of presents to congratulate Iros and me on becoming lovers.

I pointed my finger at the things that filled the living room and asked nervously.

‘Hmm. Sir Leo, what is all this?’

‘Land documents. A retreat, that is. I think it’s a land document for an island with an imperial villa. These are jewelry, and I think that’s a chest of gold coins. There’s also a letter here.’

‘A letter?’

I ripped open the luxurious red stationery, reading the bold, strong cursive.

I could tell who it was from just by the handwriting.

[‘I’m sending you a gift because I’m sorry I didn’t say congratulations that day, then I got drunk and didn’t send it the next day, then I got caught up on paperwork, and now I’m sending it.’]

‘You don’t have to give me a gift, I’m not in a position to receive such things from the crown prince.’

‘But please look at it. Your majesty, he may be a bit of a scamp, but he’s not a bad man.’

‘If he’s not a bad guy, why is he spiking the wine?’

‘Mmmm, mmmm.’

‘Or did you poison the wine because you’re not good enough?’

Leo, who had unnecessarily sided with the crown prince and made him look even more hateful, rummaged through his jewelry box.

[You killed me and I poisoned you. I know I’m not the one to blame, but I sincerely hope you laugh. Tell Sir Iros that if he rings you, I’ll come back. I was sorry].

‘Neat. I thought it would be more slimy.’

‘I saw you confess to Sir Airos before my eyes, so you won’t give up?’

‘I suppose so.’

‘When you love someone so much, you wish them happiness, even if it hurts you. But be careful, because if Lord Iros rings her, go straight for the kill.’

‘Huh?’

‘I’m speaking as Fritzie’s boyhood friend, but that boy, when he’s really upside down, he doesn’t look back.’

‘I’m sure he’s just being bitter. How could he?’

Leo shuddered and rubbed his arm, wondering what he was thinking, then went back to sleep.

A few moments later, Iros, who had overslept, staggered over, his face groggy.

‘Haam. What’s all this?’

‘A gift from the crown prince.’

‘You bastard.’

‘A gift to congratulate us on becoming lovers.’

‘…His Highness. Thank you so much. I don’t need it.’

Iros changed the subject quickly, scratching his raven-haired head in embarrassment.

‘But what was that after the letter?’

‘Huh? What else was behind the letter?’

There was another piece of paper, made of the same material as the letter, that read ‘Invitation to the Imperial Hunting Competition’.

The letter was flipped over and read.

[“When the poisoning attempt occurred in the imperial court, the imperial court made excessive reparations to the shrine, and now the shrine wants to hold a hunting tournament to reconcile the situation.]

‘Did the temple propose a hunting tournament first?’

The imperial court didn’t propose it, the temple did. A hunting tournament at the temple, at this time of year.

‘They must be very hungry.’

I didn’t need to be told the answer to the question of whether they wanted to hunt me or the prey.

I read the words out of the corner of my eye.

[You are shrewd enough to know that the day after your arrival in the capital, the High Commissioner contacted me, the same High Commissioner of whom you speak].

I knew immediately who the letter was from.

Deputy Diego. Someone who is somehow connected to the anti-human-horse forces that want to kill me.

[I couldn’t make it to the meeting that day because I had a drinking problem, but the hunting tournament is being organized and Abama has already accepted, so I can’t bite. I’ve sent out all the invitations. Be careful.]

I twist my lips at the subject-less warning.

‘It’ll be dangerous. I read in a novel that hunting tournaments always result in horses going crazy or being attacked.’

‘I don’t know which novel, but it’s a good reference because it’s something that could happen.’

‘It’s not a novel, it’s an actual manuscript. This is what I’m going to get.’

I’m so mad, I’m jumping up and down. Just when I thought it was going to be peaceful, it’s not.

‘Yeah. You’ve been quiet lately, but this is what you’ve been up to. They want to kill me and end the world.’

‘Why on earth would they want to end the world so badly? They didn’t look like they wanted to die…….’

‘Who?’

‘Oh. Nothing.’

Iros avoided my eyes and unconsciously shoved his hands into his pockets.

‘……?’

I squinted, observing Iros as he did so.

‘What’s in your pocket? Something important, maybe? Why are you touching it now?

He looks like he has something he wants to hide, and my cute pink puppy will hide even more if I pry now.

I stop opening my flounder eyes, trusting that if it’s really important, he’ll take his time and tell me in time.

Iros looked uneasy and said.

‘You shouldn’t go, because without her, whatever shenanigans they come up with at the hunt will be foiled.’

‘I wish I could avoid her that easily, but she’ll come after me again.’

I understand what Iros is trying to say, but this is not something that can be avoided by simply not showing up.

‘High Priest Diego always has two plans, a first plan, and a second plan if that fails.’

‘He always did with the Warlock Slaying, and surely he’d have a plan to raid the manor when we weren’t participating in the hunt, so if we didn’t show up…….’

‘Yeah. They’re coming to kill me one way or another, and we have no choice, and in times like these, a frontal assault is the answer.’

Iros nodded in agreement.

‘The invitation lists a location and a time. It would be nice to scout it out, but there’s too much of a chance we’ll run into an enemy that’s already prepared.’

‘There are two things we can do here.’

I picked up my bow for the first time in a long time, drew an arrow, and hung it over the protest. The taut protest was still tough and springy.

I crossed the wide yard, aimed at a tree, and opened my mouth.

‘Go and ambush them and take out one of them.’

I stared at the taut protest, then let go, holding my breath.

I could feel the arrow speeding through the air, following the sensation in my fingertips.

Bam!

I lowered my bow, looking at the arrow as it landed with a thud in the middle of a wooden post.

‘Or we can figure out their traps ahead of time and come back and prepare for them.’

It’s been a while since I’ve had to play detective or go undercover.

The corners of his mouth curled up.

‘How about we dress in black and date like assassins?’

‘I’ll have to get dressed.’

‘Whoo-hoo-hoo, let’s sneak out and sneak back.’

Let’s go and see what they’re up to.

Iros and Leo woke Leo up, dressed in black, like a great day, and quickly teleported to the location of the hunting tournament.

* * *

At the hunting grounds where the tournament was to be held, several beasts stood amongst the low trees, their eyes fixed on the same spot, trembling with fear.

The forest was breathless, and even the trees quivered in the wind.

And there, a dozen men in black robes gathered, Diego and Moringa at their center.

‘Chief, shall we begin?’

‘Begin.’

‘Everyone disperse and get to work!’

‘Yes!’

Moringa fidgeted with her nails as she watched the robes scatter in unison.

Diego turned to her.

‘Why aren’t you going?’

‘Well, I don’t need to go all the way there, those guys are good enough.’

Moringa’s mind was in a beanstalk, and Diego closed his book and sat down on a rock, his face expressionless.

‘You’re unhappy about something again. Or something is bothering you.’

At his emotionless comment, Moringa sighed, running a hand through his flowing hair.

‘Chief, are you sure you’re going to kill the Saint this time?’

‘We must kill her to rid this world of her, for it is our long-held desire.’

‘Yes, it’s necessary to destroy this unreasonable world and create a new one.’

‘…….’

Thud. Diego closed the book, the corners of the worn, old tome he always carried rustling and cracking.

His golden eyes had suddenly turned a cold red.

‘If you know, why do you ask?’

‘There’s just this kid that’s been bothering me.’

‘Is it Iros Elijah you’re bothered by? You seem to be paying too much attention to him, not in a good way.’

‘I think I’d be the most saddened if a saint died, and I’m weak to children’s tears. Inappropriate. Hoo-hoo.’

Moringa retorted with a smirk.

‘You’re perfectly fine killing humans.’

‘You can kill human children. Our children have been killed so many times, we must repay you in kind. I still can’t forget the warmth of my child’s body.’

Moringa smiled a chilling smile.

‘What about the holy woman running away, anyway? I thought she’d be stuck in the cradle of the temple forever, but it’s hard to keep an eye on her.’

‘That’s why I’m making sure to kill her this time. There’s no time like the present to let her off the hook, so there’s no second chance.’

‘Hmph. Not three times? I killed it, it came back to life, I tried to poison it, it dodged.’

Moringa looked up at the lush forest and moved her red lips.

‘If I fail this time, it’s not luck, it’s fate.’

‘Nonsense. Have you lived so long that you’ve forgotten your wishes, and if so, I’ll kill you.’

‘Whoa. Calm down, Chief. I’m still determined to destroy Middle-earth and create a world for half-man-half-horse.’

Moringa laughed, her colored eyes twinkling.

‘I’m not following you because the world you want is what every half-elf dreams of, but because I love you.’

‘Perhaps it’s because the anniversary of your dead son is approaching.’

Moringa stopped laughing at Diego’s comment, unclasped his arms, and turned away.

‘I’m going to have a quick look around, make sure they’re doing okay.’

Her face was pale as she turned away. For a moment, the air seemed to freeze.