LIGHTNOVELSTORY The Nerd Turned Out To Be The Tyrant
Chapter 127
It was a long-awaited hunting festival, filled with many events, numerous participants, and plenty of chatter.
“It was an event always hosted by His Majesty the Emperor. Seeing that His Highness the Prince is holding it this time, it seems we are right in our thinking, doesn’t it?” “It seems that His Highness Prince Delmar has made up his mind. Since the auction was hosted by Her Majesty Empress Diana, he likely felt that he couldn’t let anyone steal the spotlight during the hunting festival.” “Could it be that he wants to show his determination for the throne? It’s been a long time since His Majesty the Emperor has made an appearance…” “I heard that he’s really busy.” “Well, it seems you’re not very well-informed. From what I’ve heard…” It wasn’t really started with any grand purpose, like the nobles chatter about. It was simply an opportunity to showcase the new arrows to everyone, and the hunting festival happened to come to mind. But Delmar found it quite pleasant to let them interpret it as they wished. After taking a sip of the blessed holy water as part of the ceremony, he tried to maintain a dignified expression, though his lips involuntarily curled up. ‘As expected, the answer comes out when talking to my brother. Did he anticipate this kind of reaction?’ Delmar unconsciously glanced to the side, realizing that Aurelio wasn’t there. He must be with the knights. But still, as a prince of the empire, is it really alright for me to participate in the hunting festival among the knights instead of from this podium? Was his brother really okay? “A quiet life.” However, Delmar remembered his eyes that said he wanted a quiet life. His gaze, desperate and tender in a way that didn’t match his dry and composed face, was fixed on the snow globe’s small village. The emotions that even tore at the hearts of those who saw them were so sinful that it felt like a sin to dare to peek. As Delmar absentmindedly scanned the barracks where the knights were stationed, he turned his gaze and furrowed his brow. In an instant, his already low spirits plunged further at the sight of a face that drove his mood straight into the ground. “I apologize, Your Highness. I am a little late.” Friedrich walked over with a bright smile. He had the attitude of a man who was neither late nor sorry. “There is a big difference between what you say and what you do, Young Lord Friedrich.” “How could I, as a humble servant, possibly interrupt such an intimate conversation with Her Highness the Empress?” His tone was friendly, but it sounded like he was saying, “If you want to argue, go to your mother who sent me late and argue with her.” It seemed like he had no intention of hiding his relationship with the Empress from his son anymore. There had always been mistresses in the imperial palace, and questioning the morality of it seemed pointless at this stage. Rationally speaking, even the Emperor had kept mistresses, so there was no rule forbidding the Empress from doing the same. ‘But why would my mother be with such a swindler…’ Delmar didn’t want to see someone like him running wild in the palace. He smiled like a fox and whispered so that only Delmar could hear, and leisurely observed the prince’s expression. Friedrich leisurely asked the prince, whose face clearly displayed his anger and disbelief. It seemed as if he wanted to provoke Delmar’s feelings even further. “The winner of the hunting festival usually gives the laurel wreath to his lover. Who will Your Highness the Prince share the joy of victory with?” “Are you asking because you really want to know, or are you asking because you want to show off your lover to me?” Delmar sarcastically replied, but Friedrich nonchalantly went on to answer. “Actually, it’s neither of those. The lady who will become the Crown Princess has not yet been determined, and there’s no need to flaunt it since you already know the rightful owner of the laurel wreath I will offer, Your Highness.” “…Do you really expect me to overlook this kind of indulgence, Young Lord?” “Haha, of course not. But I can’t help but feel a bit curious about what might happen if you choose not to overlook it.” What could his son do to him, who was protected by the Empress? Delmar’s hand tightened around the armrest of the chair, and the sound of cracking echoed through the air. In truth, what was truly breaking was his pride. As Friedrich looked down at the cracked armrest with a smile, he turned his gaze toward the holy water. The surrounding nobles, sensing Delmar’s burning glare directed at him, quickly shifted the topic of conversation. “This arrow is something I’ve never seen before, Your Highness.” “Is it a handmade arrow made with magic stones? One magic stone per arrow? It must be very expensive and rare.” “It’s impressive that arrows can be made with magic stones. Given that magic stones are inherently unstable, I wondered if it was even possible… The craftsmanship of the imperial palace’s magic engineers is truly remarkable. Since only you are using them, it seems they were invented at your direct command.” “Can we try it out?” Marquis Lantier approached quietly and made a smug expression. He seemed anxious to tell them that the arrow was made from magic stones produced in the East and that it was relatively inexpensive. Delmar intended to reveal that this was the work of the Eastern Council. It was certainly the right course of action, as it aligned with the original purpose of creating opportunities for the stagnating Eastern Empire. “In that case, the nobles will be rushing toward the Marquis Lantier rather than you.” However, now that he had been insulted by Friedrich, Aurelio’s words rang in his ears. “If you want universal praise, it would be better not to reveal it. If you want eastern praise, then reveal it.” “Which one do you think would be better?” “You decide.” Delmar, who was fiddling with the sharpened blue arrowhead, answered briefly. “Yeah. Since I made it, only I can use it.” The expression of the Marquis of Lantier hardened, but Delmar didn’t look at him. However, it was strange that the nobles’ words of admiration and commotion didn’t make him feel better. His mouth felt rough as if he had swallowed sand. The second horn sounded. Delmar was the first to urge his horse forward. However, the tangled emotions he felt didn’t lag behind; they quickly caught up with him. After the prince left, the nobles followed him and rode their horses into the forest. Excluding those assigned to guard, there were twenty-five knights participating in the hunting festival. However, none of them truly engaged in the event with genuine enthusiasm. “Everyone knows that our knights are just here to play the supporting role, right? Act accordingly. Don’t foolishly try to steal the prey that the esteemed guests have already marked.” The knight commander was suddenly summoned to the Empress’s Palace. Thanks to this, the vice-captain, who was in charge of leading the people, spoke calmly. The knights, wearing armor and helmets whose faces were invisible, nodded. Except for the one standing at the very end. “I won’t tell you much else, just be careful not to get caught up in any accidents. It can be exhausting. Since they’re all important people, even a scratch from bark could end up being our responsibility, so keep your distance. Just follow along and catch a few rabbits, alright?” “Yes, I understand.” “Then go. Let’s go.” The dust left by twenty-five horses rose. The supply officer approached the vice-captain, who was waving his hands in disgust. “Has there ever been a human casualty, vice-captain?” “In the past.” “Has an animal gone on a rampage or something?” He was already annoyed that he was in charge, and he didn’t like the supply officer asking him all sorts of questions. When he glanced over, the supply officer flinched and stepped back. “Ah, I’m sorry. …I was just wondering since there are no records of such incidents in the case studies or hunting festival archives.” “Records change as they please, and my memory is more accurate. Are you doubting my memory right now?” “Of course not, vice-captain. I was just a little curious, and I apologize if it offended you.” The vice-captain said kindly to the supply officer who was apologizing politely. “There are swords and bows, a dark forest, and people, but how can there not be a single casualty?” “What do you mean?” “I’ve had to deal with a few bodies that were shot by arrows.” The surprised supply officer covered his mouth. “Oh my, oh my. So you’re saying that everyone still participates in the hunting festival? Although they might end up as a victim?” “How naive. Why do you think only the victims will go into that forest?” The vice-captain smirked. “Everyone probably sees it as a golden opportunity to get rid of a thorn in their side without getting caught. It’s just a matter of whether or not they actually act on it.” “B, but…In the end, the culprit will be caught.” “How are you going to catch the culprit? Are you going to interrogate the nobles? Compare arrows? It’s much easier to just pin the blame on someone who’s less powerful.” The supply officer kept his mouth shut. It was all impossible. “If each family used different arrows, no one would be killed. It would be obvious who shot the arrow. But look how no one does that. It’s a chance for everyone to show off their wealth, but they all seem to be using the standard arrows provided by the Knights order.” The vice-captain crossed his arms and sneered. “So they’re all accomplices.” The shocked supply officer slowly backed away. The vice-captain shrugged his shoulders as he walked past the visibly frightened officer. “But today is not the Emperor’s event, so what? There’s nothing wrong with that.” The remaining supply officer thought deeply about the meaning of those words and soon turned pale. It seemed that the vice-captain assumed that the culprit was the Emperor. It felt like he had heard a story that he had to keep secret for the rest of his life. The supply officer, who had left as if running away, had momentarily forgotten that there was someone in the normally empty barracks right behind him today. Hello! You can also buy the advanced chapter in Ko-fi now, just click the ko-fi button and look for the title of the novel in shop. Thank you for your support! Next chapter will be updated first on this website. Come back and
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