Ch. 169
“Then why… did you gather so many wet branches?”
“It doesn’t matter. I’ll just have Undine dry them out.”
“Ah.”
“Hehe, that’s called ‘using your talent efficiently’.”
That’s how you show off properly. I lifted a damp branch and waved it, and Ash laughed softly as if he actually found it amusing.
“You’re right. Water spirits are surprisingly versatile.”
“You’re only realizing that now? Water spirits are the best of all! They can’t grow trees, sure, but drying them? Easy.”
“What else can they do?”
“Let’s see. Attack, defend… even fly! Though I mostly use them for showers or baths. No need for towels when you’ve got one of those.”
And just like that, Ash’s “face explosion” disease returned. His face turned as red as if someone had thrown paint at him. His pupils darted around, completely lost.
“You okay?”
“Uh, um…! I think that’s enough firewood for now!”
“What? Why are you yelling?”
“Let’s… let’s go back to camp!”
Ash snatched the bundle of wood from my arms and bolted. He looked back once or twice to check if I was following, then sped up even more, as if terrified to stay in my sight.
How cute.
“How long do you think he’ll keep that up, Rai?”
[…]
“Rai?”
[You’ve got Ador instead!]
Oh, right. I turned Rai into a horseshoe.
No wonder it was so quiet. I picked up a fallen twig and followed Ash with light, brisk steps.
A perfectly peaceful night.
—
Whenever Chad cooked, he always complained about Gale being away. And sure enough, Gale proved every bit the skilled hunter he was rumored to be.
He’d caught two plump birds in barely thirty minutes—using both spear and bow in pitch darkness.
Impressive, right?
Though if they could hunt in this kind of dark, I couldn’t help but wonder just how much Ash had seen earlier.
“Eat up, Geenie.”
“This… is for me?”
Ash casually handed me the drumsticks—the rarest parts, only two per bird.
Oh my. I was getting a little emotional here.
“Yes. Lox doesn’t like drumsticks, and I prefer seeing you eat.”
“Huh, guess Lox has at least one redeeming trait.”
“I can hear you!”
“I’ll enjoy it.”
I said it loud enough for him to hear on purpose.
“Excuse me.”
We weren’t the only ones at the campfire.
While Ash and I had been out gathering wood, a group of travelers had arrived—judging by their wagons and goods, they were merchants.
“If you don’t mind, could we share your fire?”
The man who spoke looked like their leader, middle-aged and polite.
Ash nodded and offered them a spot beside us.
“Of course.”
“Thank you kindly!”
Camps like this had designated fire circles—stones arranged in a ring with sand around them to prevent wildfires.
Lighting another fire elsewhere would take ages, so it was normal for travelers to share one.
“We’ll just heat up some soup.”
“Go ahead.”
“Much obliged! Such kind young folks.”
Since I was in a great mood thanks to those drumsticks, I didn’t care that strangers sat beside me. I just focused on the food.
Ash sat on my right, the merchant on his other side.
“Six of you, right?”
“Yes.”
The merchant looked around our group—and maybe it was just me, but his eyes lingered on me.
What are you staring at! Even dogs know better than to bother someone eating meat!
“Headed to Femmington, I presume?”
“Correct. We’re catching a ship to Heidrike.”
“What? To ‘there’? Have you bought your tickets already?”
Everyone stopped eating and looked to Lox, our de facto treasurer. Annoying as he was, he handled that sort of thing well.
“Yes, we bought them in Daniz. Five tickets originally—had to scramble for a sixth.”
“Well done! Very smart!”
“We heard they sell out fast this time of year. Why, is something happening there?”
“We just came from there, and it’s chaos!”
Now that was interesting. The merchant began telling us a story none of us expected.
“The port’s packed to bursting! Tickets sold out everywhere. It’s been like that for days!”
“I know there’s a festival, but…”
“It’s not the festival! It’s something ‘bigger’! You’ll be shocked when you hear this… want to know?”
Gale quietly handed him one of the bird wings.
Ah, rumors don’t come free.
“Heh, ever heard of Rovenin Fedri? All the youngsters know that name…”
“Geenie?”
“What’s wrong with her?”
“Calm down, Geenie! Why are you suddenly radiating killing intent?!”
Die, Rovenin!
I growled before I realized it, and Ash grabbed my shoulder to calm me, then froze when he saw my face. Too late.
The merchant had gone pale with terror.
See? That’s what happens when you mention Rovenin without warning!
“Holy—! Thought a monster showed up!”
“She ‘is’ the monster. Look at that killing aura.”
“Geenie? Calm down. Easy now. Here, have a wing.”
“…Fine.”
I bit into the offered wing while grinding my teeth.
Delicious. Even if I hated Rovenin, I was still a rational human being.
I took a breath and let the rage fade.
“Sorry about that. What were you saying about Fedri?”
“Oh… word is, he’s in Heidrike right now. Planning to challenge the Sword Master he lost to—the Count of Trenpe.”
“That foul-tempered general? The one who nearly killed him last time?”
“A rematch, huh…”
“Trying to redeem himself? Brave of him.”
“Seems that way.”
The merchant kept glancing nervously at me while talking.
Our group leaned in, intrigued.
“And what’s that got to do with the port being full?”
“The Count agreed to the rematch on one condition.”
“What condition?”
“Oh?”
Everyone stopped eating and listened intently—except me, pretending not to care while actually hanging on every word.
“The fight will be on the Count’s terms—his time, his place, his rules. And that place happens to be part of Heidrike’s annual festival! The Count said he’d arrange a stage there and make it a ‘public duel’.”
“Oh my god.”
“Yikes…”
“Can you imagine! Everyone wants to see it!”
Ah. So that’s his plan.
He wanted to humiliate Rovenin in front of a crowd.
Having already beaten him once, the Count had nothing to lose—only the pleasure of crushing him again under the world’s gaze.
“Word is, they even cleared out the colosseum for it! You can buy tickets right now—only 1.99 silver! Bargain of the century!”
“No way a duke’s son would agree to something that degrading…”
“He did.”
“Impossible!”
“I’m telling you, tickets are selling fast!”
Enk seemed the most shocked—maybe he was a fan.
“He’s still the same lunatic as ever. Tch.”
I spat out a clean bone and clenched my jaw.
Across the fire, Chad asked, “You know Rovenin Fedri?”
“…Who doesn’t?”
“You sound like you know him personally.”
“I don’t. Just a lunatic.”
Fans and haters are two sides of the same coin—and I was definitely the latter.
Just wait, my enemy.
I swear on my name, I’ll never forgive you!
“That Count’s known for being vicious, but this is low.”
“Turning Rovenin into a spectacle? The Empire won’t like that.”
“Heidrike’s always done whatever it wants. It’s an island nation; they don’t care about the continent. Barely react even when the Empire pressures them.”
“Still, for him to accept those terms… what’s Rovenin thinking?”
“Who knows. If he loses, it’s not just his family’s shame—it’s the Empire’s. Honestly, his odds aren’t great.”
He’s probably not thinking at all.
That idiot lives for battle. He probably begged the Count for another match.
When he wants to fight, nothing stops him. I should know—I’ve experienced it firsthand.
“The Count seems certain he’ll win again.”
“Of course. He wants to defeat the Empire’s pride in front of everyone.”
“This’ll be historic. Sword Master versus Sword Master…”
“Exactly! Seeing that in person is once in a lifetime!”
While the men buzzed with excitement like kids at a treasure vault, I quietly reached over and took a piece of meat from Ash’s bowl.
Breast meat. I’m not heartless.
“I’ve heard Rovenin’s always been uncontrollable.”
“Really?”
“Just look at his recent behavior—wandering like a vagabond! What noble heir does that? He doesn’t even care he’s the duke’s firstborn. That’s why he probably accepted the Count’s challenge.”
“So much for being the Empire’s pride. He’s turning into its headache.”
“He should care more about his family’s reputation. With that fame, he could at least ‘pretend’ to act proper.”
“Completely obsessed with his interests—he’s reckless, even for someone young. Generous interpretation: free-spirited. Honest interpretation: insane.”
Why do I suddenly feel called out? No idea why.
“The Duke’s been struggling with him, rumor says. Might even make the second son the heir.”
Rashamu Fedri—I knew that one.
I remembered when Magi attacked the founding ceremony. Rashamu tried to get me out safely. Brave move, honestly.
“Because of that, the Empire’s number one bachelor switched from Rovenin to his younger brother.”
“What, no princes in the running?”
“Princes don’t count. They’re off the list.”
“Figures. So as long as it’s a ducal heir, anyone will do. What’s the brother’s name again? Is he strong?”
“No clue.”
“You don’t know?”
Poor Rashamu.
Honestly, if not for that one incident, I wouldn’t remember his name either. Rovenin’s shadow really is enormous.
“So… should we go watch?”
“Of course. We have to, right?”
Knew it.
I was wondering when someone would finally say it.