***
The victory of Duke Gray was relayed to everyone.
Initially shocked by the appearance of a low-level monsters, which shouldn’t have been in the youth category, they eventually cheered at the news that the vile creature had been brought down by the mere seven-year-old Enoch Gray’s sword.
“Here he comes!”
Those eagerly awaiting the victor’s return cheered as they saw Enoch walking towards them from afar.
“Enoch Gray!”
“Enoch Gray!”
“Enoch Gray!”
Enoch, still just a child covered in monster’s blood, looked like he was witnessing the beginning of a legend.
Thus, people were ecstatic at the appearance of this unprecedented genius swordsman.
“Congratulations, Duke Gray!”
“A talent that will leave a mark on the history of the Gray Duchy has been born. Congratulations indeed!”
“That child will be the first chapter in the victory history that Gray will now begin to write.”
The nobles gathered to congratulate Duke Jade Gray.
While sincerely congratulating Gray for his sacred victory against Emblem, they were also grateful for the exciting start of the real competition between Emblem and Gray.
Their hearts were no different, so even the Emperor himself personally came to the Gray Duke’s camp to offer his congratulations.
“Oh, Duke Gray! Congratulations indeed. Your grandson is truly astounding. To hunt down a low-level monster at just seven years old! This must be a blessing from the Lutinas Empire.”
Under the Emperor’s command, all nobles envied the honor of the Gray Duchy.
As a result of today’s hunting competition, the Gray Duchy would become the object of admiration for all nobles in the empire for the time being, as well as garnering fervent support from the entire populace.
Analysis and praise of the Gray Duke’s knights swordsmanship would be published in various social circles, leading many to dream of joining the Gray Knights.
It was a great honor and could easily translate into power.
As if to prove it, the Emperor announced to everyone in a cheerful voice.
“In recognition of the Gray Duke’s merit in excellently educating Enoch Gray, who will become the empire’s sword in the future, prepare a gift. What do you want, Duke? Is there something you desire?”
All eyes turned to the Gray Duke at the Emperor’s words.
Everyone wondered what he would ask for in this glorious opportunity.
However,
“……”
At this moment, Jade Gray’s face, who should have been happier than anyone else for Enoch’s victory, was frighteningly stiff.
To an outsider, it seemed as if Emblem, not Gray, was the winner of this competition.
“What I desire is….”
Jade Gray paused, sharpening his wit. Whether fortunate or unfortunate, only the Emperor could hear his words.
“I would like a private audience with Your Majesty.”
“………..!”
Jade Gray’s statement left everyone stunned, with no reaction whatsoever.
The astute among them quickly began to speculate.
“He surely has some political agenda in mind. He must be demanding something that cannot be revealed in front of everyone.”
“Indeed, Duke Gray. You never miss an opportunity.”
As everyone nodded in approval, witnessing the Emperor gladly granting Jade Gray’s request.
There were those who approached the unusually quiet Emblem camp.
“Dame Emblem.”
Among them were the Lady Balmore, accompanied by her young daughter, and two other noblewomen who were friends of Cherrya’s.
They wore complex expressions as they stood before Melsia.
Melsia, who had been anxiously awaiting Cherrya with a worried expression, quickly composed herself and asked,
“What’s the matter?”
“It’s…”
Lady Balmore briefly nibbled on her red lips before bending her knee and deeply bowing her head before Melsia. This was an extremely strict etiquette suitable only for formal occasions before the Emperor. Despite the fact that a duke’s wife outranked a marquess’s, they were ultimately both nobles. Such extreme deference was quite humbling to one’s pride.
“Lady Balmore, please, there’s no need for…”
Surprised, Melsia tried to dissuade her. However, seeing the other noblewomen behind Lady Balmore also following the same protocol by bowing their heads, Melsia froze in her attempt to intervene.
“Benedict…”
Melsia’s troubled gaze desperately sought out her husband, Benedict.
However, Benedict, still fully engrossed in watching for any sign of Cherrya emerging from the Mitro forest, failed to grasp the current situation.
It was Lady Balmore’s young daughter, Olivia, with her tearful eyes fixed on Melsia, who resolved her dilemma.
“I’m sorry, Dame Melsia. It’s because of me that Cherrya…”
“What happen with my Cherrya?”
Melsia reacted instantly at the sudden mention of her daughter’s name.
Melsia’s sudden reaction caused Olivia’s already tense face to crumple into tears. The imposing presence unconsciously emanating from the Emblem Knight Commander was too overwhelming for the seven-year-old Olivia to handle.
“Ugh.”
Seeing the frightened and stuttering child, Melsia quickly composed herself.
Lady Balmore, noticing Olivia’s inability to speak properly, spoke up in her place.
“This naive one sneaked into the Mitro forest with her friends.”
“Into the Mitro forest during the ongoing hunting competition? What in the…”
“I couldn’t believe it at first either. But children, they sometimes do things that defy common sense and leave us flabbergasted.”
Lady Balmore glanced at her daughter and gave a sharp tap on her back.
When Osric, her son, came out holding Olivia and mentioned how the children had entered the Mitro forest while she momentarily looked away, she nearly collapsed at the thought of almost overturning the dishonor of regicide.
However, Lady Balmore standing before Melsia, pressing down on her pride, honor, and shame, was because of what her daughter had revealed about Cherrya.
“Young lady Cherrya saved our children from that vile lesser monster.”
Olivia, tearfully nodding, managed to speak in response to Lady Balmore’s words.
“It’s because of us that Cherrya couldn’t win. She stepped forward to protect us first… I was so scared that I could only cling to Cherrya.”
“…I see.”
Hearing the news that a creature, which shouldn’t have been present in the youth section of the royal hunting competition, was hunted down by Enoch, their first concern was for Cherrya.
Since they were of similar age to Enoch, it was highly probable that Cherrya also encountered the creature.
“Is Cherrya okay?”
“Yes! She seemed to have hurt her palm a bit, but she was brave!”
“That’s a relief.”
Melsia sighed in relief and then gently stroked Olivia’s hair with a tender smile.
“It’s fortunate that the Emblem could protect Balmore. Truly.”
Olivia momentarily stopped breathing at Melsia’s words, her eyes widening.
“Oh my.”
Lady Balmore and the other two noblewomen were similarly embarrassed.
They quickly gathered Olivia and left the scene with flushed faces.
“My heart is racing.”
“Indeed, Lady Balmore.”
“It’s been so long since I’ve felt this.”
The noblewomen glanced back at the Emblem camp they had just passed, then returned to their respective seats, calming their racing hearts.
“…So this is why adults say nothing else matters; Emblem is the best.”
Olivia murmured, as if she had realized something.
