The Returnee Wants Peace

Near the forest close to the capital.

Nobles gathered one by one under a large white tent.

Although they attended because they received invitations sent in the Emperor’s name, not many were dressed for hunting.

The young ladies gathered around the brazier warming themselves were among such people.

“They say they’ve driven nearby monsters into that forest? Oh my, how frightening.”

“Really? It looks like a normal forest from here.”

“I heard it from my brother. He’s a member of the First Imperial Knights Order.”

Everyone nodded at the words of one young lady who spoke proudly.

The status of the Imperial Knights had risen sharply since the trials began. Knights who fight against monsters and protect the capital. Even now, knights skilled in monster extermination were on guard around the forest.

“By the way, what could His Majesty be thinking? Suddenly holding a hunting competition in this season.”

“Perhaps it’s to introduce the knight who resolved the recent trial?”

“Ah, you mean the person who cleared the rift in the northwest of the Empire? I haven’t seen them yet, but I heard they’re an amazing magician. That must be why His Majesty granted them a knighthood, right?”

Except for Lady Roshanak, the Empire’s Guardian Knight, this person was the only one who had received a knighthood for resolving a trial.

Moreover, due to their unclear identity, they had been the talk of the town for days.

“I wonder what kind of person they are. Since this is the first imperial event since becoming a knight, they’ll surely attend, right?”

“I suppose so. What’s certain is… the person I’ve been waiting for has just arrived.”

Following the passionate gaze of one young lady who had fallen in burning love, the eyes of the other ladies naturally turned.

There stood the second prince of the Atica Kingdom.

The man with short gray hair and lemon-colored eyes was properly dressed, perhaps due to the winter.

Even so, he wore a thin outer garment with a crescent-shaped sword fastened with leather straps, his well-trained body still evident at a glance.

Another young lady who couldn’t take her eyes off him as he talked with his subordinates murmured.

“Prince Nardil looks very handsome today as well.”

“He’s the one who resolved the fourth trial alone, right?”

“That’s right. That’s why His Majesty the Emperor said he would give a reward, but he refused. He’s truly amazing.”

Instead of accepting the reward, he had been staying in the capital for a long time, waiting for someone.

The young ladies who were sending admiring glances towards Nardil knew who it was, but didn’t say it out loud. In fact, everyone who attended the welcoming ceremony for the delegation would know.

“…She’s coming over there.”

One young lady muttered with an unfriendly look, pouting her lips.

Roshanak Aper.

She was approaching on horseback with her family, wearing a pastel-toned jacket, pants, and boots.

The young ladies, after briefly examining her appearance, each made a comment.

“I heard she lost contact for a long time after entering the Lycaon Marquisate’s rift, but she’s returned at just the right time.”

“Indeed. She doesn’t seem to be injured at all.”

Opinions about Lady Roshanak were quite divided among the young ladies.

Originally, she was a quiet young lady who didn’t receive much attention, but the prevailing view was that she luckily awakened her ability and reached her current position.

In fact, just obtaining an ability didn’t immediately lead to resolving trials, but the young ladies didn’t know that.

At that moment, Nardil moved.

“Finally, I see your face. I’ve been eagerly waiting for you.”

“Prince? What brings you here?”

“I too received an invitation to the hunting competition and came to participate. And to meet you as well.”

The man approached Rosha, who had nimbly jumped off her horse, and greeted her cheerfully.

However, Rosha hesitated and stepped back when he tried to lightly rub her cheek.

“W-wait a moment.”

“Why?”

Why? Because the stares pouring this way are too harsh.

‘Actually, Nardil does have some attractive aspects in his appearance.’

Unlike the men of the Empire, he had a wild side. Brown skin, dark eyebrows, and a well-toned body that showed no matter what he wore.

However, apart from being glad to see him, she didn’t want to cause any disturbance at this hunting competition if possible.

But when told not to greet her, Nardil deliberately looked around.

“Is it because of Duke Echerzen? But the Duke isn’t here right now.”

“I’m just being cautious. But why are you suddenly mentioning the Duke?”

“Because he seemed to react sensitively to my greeting before.”

That was true. It’s just that Froy wasn’t the only one who had reacted sensitively.

“I can be sensitive too, you know? Want me to show you?”

“Calm down, Cassis.”

After briefly observing her two brothers who were keeping a close eye on Nardil nearby, Rosha fiddled with the platinum ring on her finger.

‘He said we’d meet at the hunting competition… Well, it’s unlikely he’d arrive on time.’

She had hoped because the rings were supposed to allow them to know each other’s location, but now she could only sense that he was far away.

Perhaps it would be different when they’re close.

It was then.

“Kyaa!”

A young lady who had been looking at the edge of the forest let out a short scream.

For good reason, as several dog-like demonic beasts suddenly burst out of the forest.

“Oh!”

“S-stop them!”

Of course, dog-like demonic beasts were the most common type, and the knights surrounding the forest were skilled in monster extermination, so there wasn’t much worry.

However, strangely enough, these demonic beasts were scattering in all directions as if being chased by something.

It was a natural course of events that one demonic beast, having escaped the knights’ encirclement, rushed towards the young ladies who seemed relatively easy targets.

Grrrr!

“P-please save me!”

The fragile young ladies couldn’t even run away, only trembling in place.

Although the monster was still quite far, they couldn’t take a single step due to the fear threatening their lives.

At that moment-

Bang!

A thunderous gunshot was heard.

Rosha, who had quickly drawn Hildor, had planted a bullet between the eyes of the demonic beast about to pounce on the young lady.

‘Good thing I’ve been practicing shooting lately.’

Physical training was difficult to do excessively due to the presence of knights using the training ground. Instead, she had been practicing shooting, which doesn’t consume much energy, in her spare time.

She had been thinking it might be a waste to let the sacred relic she had obtained go unused.

“We should have dealt with it faster… We’re sorry.”

As the monster demonic beast with a thud.

The knights who had belatedly rushed over bowed deeply. A couple of young ladies, their faces pale with shock, expressed their gratitude to Rosha.

Watching this scene, Marian curled up the corners of her mouth and said:

“Well done, child. Lives are precious, so they should be saved.”

She praised Rosha while looking at the young ladies clutching their startled chests with indifferent eyes. As she felt Marian’s hand gently stroking her hair, Rosha glanced up at her.

‘I wonder if Marian… had conflicts with young ladies in the past?’

Maybe she did.

Twenty years ago, when they didn’t even know what trials were, a woman holding a sword without getting married would have been an element of rejection.

However, Marian, who soon smiled as if not dwelling on such things, looked very strong.

It was around that time.

“The Sun of the Empire is approaching. Please be quiet, everyone.”

Hearing those words, Marian’s expression sank.

Her face, which changed coldly as her smile disappeared as if she were a different person, even looked eerie. After briefly observing her hardened face, Rosha turned around.

The Emperor, riding a large white horse, was approaching the tent under the iron-clad protection of the knights.