The Returnee Wants Peace

“The atmosphere is quite poor.”

The Emperor, with his beautiful appearance in his early thirties and cold blue eyes, scans the crowd.

After assessing the situation from the monster’s corpse, he found Rosha and smiled faintly as if pleased she had come. Then, after briefly glancing at Marian beside her, he continued speaking.

“It seems there was a small mishap just before I arrived. If anyone was frightened, I apologize on behalf of those responsible.”

“An apology? That’s not necessary, Your Majesty.”

The young ladies gracefully curtsied, holding their dress hems as if they had never been scared.

Regardless, the Emperor called over the nearby Knight Commander and instructed him loud enough for those around to hear.

“It seems the skills of the knights I love have grown rusty.”

“Yes, Your Majesty. We will pay more attention to training.”

The Knight Commander, who bowed his head to the Emperor, glared fiercely at the knights. Naturally, the knights’ complexions darkened like gloomy clouds.

‘…He seems quite competent.’

Showing no great hesitation in apologizing and immediately promising to prevent recurrence.

Rosha could see where the public’s evaluation of the Emperor’s competence comes from.

However, there was still an uncomfortable aspect even in this situation. It was Marian’s chilling gaze that had been fixed on the Emperor and the Knight Commander since earlier.

‘What’s going on?’

Though she didn’t know for sure, it seemed that something had happened when Marian was the Captain of the Imperial Knights.

However, the Knight Commander receiving her gaze didn’t even look this way. He only occasionally nodded to the Imperial Knights he made eye contact with.

“Recently, the intervals between trials have been getting shorter. Although we’ve been lucky to overcome crises so far, if this continues, there will come a time when powerless people will lose their lives en masse to demonic beasts. Therefore, I have organized this hunting competition with the intention of igniting our fighting spirit against monsters.”

While the Emperor was speaking, Rosha looked at those behind him.

She could see Count Nigel, the Emperor’s closest aide, winking and greeting her in a friendly manner.

‘Ugh, what’s that about.’

Rosha, who didn’t like that man at all, quickly moved her gaze to someone else. As if on cue, there was an unfamiliar person standing next to Count Nigel.

‘Is that the person who cleared the fifth trial and received a knighthood from the Emperor?’

Strangely, their face was completely covered by an iron mask.

However, they said he was a considerable magician, and at a glance, he seemed to possess a substantial amount of magical power. It seemed he might have reached at least the 6th stage.

But…

‘Somehow, it seems like various energies are mixed into his magical power?’

It was the opposite of Rosha’s magical quality, which was so pure that it accumulated at a glacial pace.

Moreover… there was a vague feeling that a familiar energy was mixed into his magical power.

‘What is it? If I look a little closer, I think I might be able to figure it out…’

Analyzing someone else’s magical power wasn’t an easy task, but she was a magician entering her 19th year. Although her total magical power was less than before, her control had become much more refined.

However, at that moment-

“Let’s end the introduction here, and as this is a hunting competition, there should be a prize for the winner. Count Nigel, bring it here.”

People gasped at whatever was brought out.

Rosha, her concentration broken, turned her head to look at the box the Count had lifted.

Inside was a sphere with a lustrous radiance as if hundreds of diamonds had been combined…

Huh?

* * *

That sphere, which looked as if it contained a shining soul inside, was an item that could grant abilities to people without them.

Of course, it was a gamble and could result in bizarre abilities, but in the previous world, even that was considered good and sold at very high prices.

The problem was that this was an item that only occasionally appeared in the secret shops of later trials.

‘That’s why players with leftover passes would buy these and take them outside to make a lot of money.’

She didn’t know why it appeared at this point, but anyway, the reaction of people who heard about the item’s use was predictable.

“It gives you an ability? Then I can’t miss this chance.”

“I’ve been uneasy relying only on my sword skills, this is perfect timing.”

“I should give it to my daughter who doesn’t have an ability.”

Swordsmanship and magic required a long time of effort to build skills, but abilities were powers that could be gained overnight. In a world where demonic beasts roamed, it was right to have an ability if possible.

That’s why Cassis said this:

“Wouldn’t Cedric like it if we gave it to him? Cedric doesn’t have an ability.”

Cassis, who was thinking of Cedric waiting in the tent, belatedly looked at Marian beside him and asked.

“Come to think of it, what about you, Master?”

“I’ll pass. If I win, give it to the Young Count.”

Marian was resolute. She seemed like she didn’t want to receive anything from the Emperor.

Rosha thought the item itself wasn’t at fault, but she felt uneasy about the Emperor as well.

‘It feels like he’s strangely encouraging demon hunting.’

Isn’t it obvious that things will heat up if such a prize is offered for a dangerous hunting competition?

Even now, she could hear people rushing around here and there in the snow-covered forest.

At this rate, they’ll soon be attacked by demonic beasts, what on earth is the Emperor thinking?

At that moment, Nardil, who had been following Rosha, quietly spoke up.

“If you’re thinking of winning the hunting competition, it would be better to split up the group at this point.”

“Huh? Why split up?”

“There are too many people now, so the demonic beasts are all running away before they even approach.”

He had been quiet, but it seems he had been sensing the monsters’ presence all along.

Nardil was right. If you count the Atica’s warriors he brought along with Cassis, Marian, and the family knights, there were close to fifteen people.

After a brief discussion, they decided to split up.

Rosha and Nardil, Cassis and Marian.

“Hey, I’m going to win, so don’t overdo it. Seriously.”

Cassis patted Rosha’s shoulder and quickly moved away. Marian also left after telling her to be careful, following her disciple.

Rosha waved at their retreating figures and then walked in the opposite direction with Nardil.

“Are you also aiming for victory?”

“Yes, I should. If I win the prize, I have a use for it.”

It’s true that if you absorb that sphere, even an ordinary person can gain an ability.

But its essence is the power of awakening.

‘If used on a sacred relic, it can readjust its grade.’

Although it’s only possible for items with hidden power like Hildor, isn’t it great to be able to retake the sacred relic’s test?

If Cedric wants to use it, she’d give it to him, but if not, she should use it on a sacred relic.

Rosha gripped Hildor tightly and made up her mind.

At that moment, Nardil flinched slightly and asked her:

“Did you hear that scream just now?”

“No, I didn’t.”

Whatever his physical abilities were, he could hear something that clearly wasn’t audible to her.

The Emperor said he had stationed knights throughout the forest, but since a scream was heard, it seemed best to check it out.

After hesitating a bit, Nardil finally spoke.

“I’ll go take a quick look at the situation.”

“Then I’ll stay here.”

It’s better not to follow since she wouldn’t be of any help in terms of mobility.

Eventually, Nardil and his warriors moved away.

Without even a moment to enjoy the charm of the snow-covered forest, as if they had been waiting for her to be alone, the presence of demonic beasts was felt.

‘I knew this would happen.’

Demonic beasts, while not as intelligent as humans, were quite smart, so being alone was the most dangerous.

Of course, Rosha, who had anticipated this, decided to use this opportunity to practice live-fire shooting with Hildor.

At that moment.

“Huh?”

The platinum ring that had been just ordinary suddenly started to heat up. It wasn’t hot enough to burn her hand, but the heat was definitely noticeable.

As she flinched at this, the demonic beasts, not missing the opportunity, quickly rushed in.

‘Oh no.’

It seems they’ve gotten a bit smarter, but the difference in power is still too great.

Rosha, who had taken down a couple of nearby monsters with Hildor, quickly drew up her magical power. She was planning to use fire magic.

It was then.

Whoosh!

The demonic beasts rushing towards her were all suddenly pinned in mid-air.

Roughly brushing back her hair that was flying wildly in the strong wind, Rosha felt a strong arm wrap around her waist.

At this point, she could guess who it was.

“You should be careful.”

The man who mercilessly dealt with the demonic beasts that had approached right in front of her muttered in a low voice.

…This situation feels like something she has experienced somewhere before.