The Protagonists of Romance Fantasy Novels Have Escaped

11 – Scandal with the Princess (1)

The gun was the culmination of human technologies.

A staff that spews fire.

It bestowed magical abilities that even an ordinary soldier could become a force to be reckoned with.

Of course, compared to knights wielding mana blades, it might be inferior. The mana blade, which could cut through iron with ease and dominate the battlefield, still remained the ultimate weapon.

However, there was a fatal flaw in nurturing an ‘expert’ in handling mana blades—it required a tremendous amount of time and resources. Moreover, since it was a power granted only to a few humans born with innate talent, even the Valteria Empire faced difficulties in large-scale deployment.

So, what about guns?

Marksmanship was much easier to learn than archery.

Once accustomed to aiming at targets and dealing with recoil during firing, one could easily achieve a hundredfold.

Bang!

“Aaah!!”

A fierce gunshot echoed, accompanied by the scream of a child.

Exhaling a sigh, the gun barrel emitting black smoke was lowered.

“You were told to stay in the room.”

“But I’m the mascot of Eden…! How can I stay separate!”

“I understand, so stop pulling on my clothes.”

“I-I’m scared, what do I do!”

The hunting grounds owned by the Valtaria royal family.

Near the hunting grounds was a shooting range for practicing marksmanship.

I want to stretch my body for a moment.

Upon asking Rudmila, she willingly provided access to the shooting range.

Lifting the musket placed in the shooting range, I hit the target located 300 yards away. A bullet mark appeared in the center of the target, indicating a successful hit. Rua, who was observing it through a small telescope, exclaimed with her distinctive voice.

“Once again, a bullseye!”

“300 yards is child’s play.”

In my previous life, I had never been in the military, and here I am in a romance-fantasy world shooting a gun.

It’s not some coincidence, is it?

There’s an inseparable connection between Koreans and guns, or so they say.

Thinking absurd thoughts, I lowered the musket. Since the musket couldn’t be fired continuously, an uncomfortable reloading process involving inserting bullets and gunpowder with a ramrod was necessary.

“Edan is good at shooting, so he must enjoy hunting too, naturally.”

“Not really. I quit because it wasn’t fun.”

“Huh? Wouldn’t it be fun if you’re good at catching animals?”

“I get bored quickly with hitting the target every time I shoot.”

It’s like entering cheat codes in a survival RPG, causing discomfort.

A hit is predetermined.

So, I got tired of it quickly and gave up.

If someone obsessed with marksmanship heard this, they would naturally find it unpleasant. For nobles, hunting was as common a hobby as fencing and horseback riding. If you were inexperienced in any of these, you would be labeled as incompetent, so nobles always put effort into their hobbies.

“I want to shoot too!”

“Not allowed, little one. It’s heavier than a child with a gun barrel.”

“Unfair! I’m not a little kid!”

“Just sitting in a corner, munching on barley sugar.”

Make me do it! Make me do it!

I want to do it too!

Like a child throwing a tantrum in front of an arcade, the barley sugar fairy insisted forcefully.

Ugh.

I want to slap her.

A good smack on the forehead would be refreshing.

With the musket held in both hands, I pondered in dilemma.

“The ongoing gunfire suddenly ceased, and I wondered why… turns out, they were playing with Rue.”

“Your Highness.”

A woman with alluring blonde hair approached with a bright smile.

It was Ludmila.

However, her appearance was different from usual.

A red field coat and white riding pants.

A belt cinching her slender waist, black long boots revealing the curves of her legs.

An outfit perfect for immersing oneself in a hobby.

It seemed she, too, had come to hone her marksmanship.

“I wanted to see your remarkable skill in taking down villains with your excellent marksmanship. If it’s not a bother, may I watch from the side?”

“Of course.”

Tap.

She clicked the musket that had just been loaded.

Then, placing the butt against her shoulder, she aimed at the forefront.

Rue and Ludmila watched silently.

Soon, along with the smell of burning gunpowder, sharp gunfire echoed.

Bang!!

A direct hit.

Pierced right through the center of the target.

After confirming the result, she lowered the musket.

Upon which, Ludmila applauded, showing an impressed reaction.

“Truly marvelous marksmanship! I thought the limit for musket accuracy was 200 yards…”

“You’re too kind.”

The flawless marksmanship was nothing more than mediocre trickery.

Compared to her ability to even penetrate the trajectory of the fired bullet, it was nothing.

Unbelievable.

How was that possible?

Her physical abilities felt dwarfed even by the word “superhuman.” I thought only Maximilian could achieve such feats… Is she really a corner of the Seven Heroes, rivaling the prowess of a knight?

Silently marveling at Ludmila’s visual acuity that traced the trajectory of the bullet, I licked my lips.

“If it’s alright, could you guide me? No matter how much I practice, I never seem to get the hang of shooting.”

“Well, it’s alright, but…”

Is there really a need to learn this?

He’s already a master who can catch bullets barehanded.

A gun is nothing more than a weapon for the commoners.

The weapon wielded by the transcendent on the Seven Peaks was never a firearm.

It was natural for Rudmila, who showed an interest in marksmanship, to feel perplexed. To her, a musket was no better than a pebble on the roadside.

“Hey, stubbornness! You said you wouldn’t do it yourself!”

She ignored the little one’s protest.

Finishing the reload, she handed the musket to Rudmila.

Having grasped the basic stance, as soon as she took the musket with both hands, she raised the barrel.

“You need to straighten your waist more. Fix your gaze and posture… Hold your breath briefly when pulling the trigger.”

Approaching Rudmila, who was aiming at the target as she took steps forward.

He seized her slender waist.

And raised the white wrist supporting the barrel.

Every time the alluring golden hair, tied into a ponytail, swayed, a sweet fragrance wafted. And the boldly exposed nape of her neck had a captivating allure.

Feeling his mind becoming dizzy, he turned his gaze back to the target.

“Got it.”

Before the words fell, the gunshot echoed terrifyingly.

Soon after, the fired bullet hit the target. Unfortunately, hitting dead center was a failure, but for a beginner, it was an excellent result.

“Phew… I’m adept with other weapons, but firearms just don’t seem to become familiar.”

“It’s a completely different kind of weapon.”

Was it because of the unfamiliar accuracy that she succeeded?

Or was it for some other reason?

A significant blush was swirling on Rudmila’s beautiful face.

“I hear that His Majesty Barbarosa enjoys hunting. I would like to join him, but… My sluggish skills are a hindrance. I’m worried that I might be ridiculed by the nobility due to my mediocre skills.”

“Is that so.”

It is a well-known fact that Emperor Barbarosa enjoys hunting, even among children. Considering that he goes hunting even in the midst of war, it could be considered almost fanatical.

It was only natural that revolvers became popular.

After all, trends come down from the top.

And that made Rudmila feel awkward in an amusing way.

“Practice will gradually improve it. You didn’t even hit the target at a hundred yards.”

“That’s thanks to your help. I struggle even at fifty yards alone.”

Rudmila, feeling awkward, glanced at me with a look that said, ‘Would you accompany me on a hunt?’

And I pretended not to notice.

The Emperor was hostile towards the Hohenberg family. An Emperor famous for being a doting father could never let pass the egregious misstep of a family that had displayed reckless behavior. It was evident he would aim for my head more fiercely than for wild animals.

“You’ve assisted in training, so I’d like to treat you to a meal. Would that be acceptable?”

“…Ah, yes. Of course.”

“In that case, we should make a reservation at a famous restaurant.”

A relationship involving a dinner appointment with the princess was forming.

If nobles got wind of it, it would surely spread like wildfire.

The relationship between Rudmila and me was a complex one that couldn’t be explained in a single instance. If the engagement were to proceed as planned, we might have become in-laws.

Should I refuse then?

However, I couldn’t bring myself to reject Rudmila, who was so pleased.

* * *

Rudmila Dragh Valteria was a person who prioritized near perfection.

She couldn’t afford to show any flaws.

She always maintained an air of meticulous self-control.

In other words –

Her scrutiny of men was exceptionally stringent and demanding.

1) Should be of noble lineage.

2) Possess a stern yet compassionate character.

3) Recognized by many nobles and citizens for their abilities and contributions.

4) Unwavering loyalty to the royalty and a person who has long served the Empire.

5) A younger man (Critical)

Nobles and citizens believed that Rudmila, by maintaining her virginity, was fulfilling her duty as a guardian of the Valterian Empire and striving to embody justice and righteousness. However, this was merely a misconception. Her gaze upon men was too shrewd and demanding, leading her to reject all marriage proposals thus far.

Twenty-seven.

Certainly, not a young age.

Considering the usual marriageable age for women is seventeen, she was deemed quite late.

Could this be the year Rudmila, the princess, would finally marry?

The numerous nobles of the Valtaria Empire raised their bets on the betting table.

Naturally, it was a bet that seemed impossible for this year. Moreover, the odds were over 30 times.

For the epitome of an unmarried lady -.

Rumors began to circulate in the capital that a man had appeared.