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“The stars are bright tonight.”

“It’s undoubtedly a beautiful place. But don’t let your guard down. This is the infamous Black Swan, and it’s our first night here.”

“Understood!”

Of course, the knights of the marquis’ household remained vigilant.

Even though half of the Black Swan region had been incorporated into their territory, no one had visited this place in the past ten years.

Would it be called the land of death without reason?

The nights were considered even more dangerous than the days.

“Verdant Vale, listen up!”

At that moment, a booming voice came from the other side, as if aware of the knights’ caution.

“There shouldn’t be any immediate danger at the entrance, but just in case, spread Monsnet (a substance that repels monsters) around! Also, maintain at least a minimum of vigilance on the outskirts all night long!”

“Understood!”

At the sound of Krong’s shout, the captain of the marquis’ knights made a strange expression.

‘They’re trying to reassure us.’

Without hesitation, he approached Krong.

“We’ll take turns standing watch with you.”

“We’d appreciate that, but…… Are you sure it’s all right?”

“Of course. We don’t intend to flaunt our knightly status to non-citizens. Besides, aren’t your people the prince’s subjects?”

Strictly speaking, they were subjects of the Meeke Principality.

‘Then again, you never know. If His Highness gains a title from the Hart Kingdom for his accomplishments…… They might become our citizens too.’

That would be if he also claimed the other half of the territory that had been annexed into the Hart Kingdom.

If that happened, he would become the first lord in history to rule the entire Black Swan region.

‘The chances are high.’

Since as impressive as the prince was, no one had shown interest in this land up until now, either.

From the perspective of those higher ups, isn’t this the perfect territory to show off?

“Then, we’ll leave it in your hands.”

“We’ll coordinate the watch shifts with Verdant Vale.”

“Thank you for your consideration.”

With this arrangement, the tension between the two groups eased slightly.

In truth, there was still considerable awkwardness between them.

How could there not be?

Though it had been a long time ago, one side had been the aggressor in a raid, while the other had been the victim.

“Hm……”

Watching from afar, Marquis Foltaine frowned in dissatisfaction.

“……This won’t do. We haven’t even met the dwarves yet, and the mood’s already so dreary.”

He soon raised his voice.

“You lot! Let’s take this opportunity to have a small get-together!”

“M-Marquis?”

“There’s nothing more annoying than watching men sulk around each other! I’ll allow some moderate drinking, so don’t hold back on the booze you brought!”

At his, a loud cheer erupted immediately.

“Yeeeeaaaahhhh!”

The knights, who had been refraining from drinking due to their mission, were ecstatic. With just a few words, Marquis Foltaine completely changed the atmosphere.

“Consider yourselves lucky.”

As the alcohol flowed, the remaining awkwardness quickly vanished.

“If we had clashed, I would’ve avenged our seniors with these hands.”

“I don’t doubt the skill of the marquis’ knights, but…… We’re no pushovers either.”

Verdant Vale didn’t back down from the knight’s taunt. Despite their current submissive stance due to circumstances, no one here regretted the past.

In fact, they were proud of it. They had always targeted only those who had deserved it, avoiding unnecessary killing as much as possible.

“Even so, you’re still thieves, aren’t you?”

Of course, from the perspective of the marquis’ knights, the situation was bound to rub them the wrong way.

After all, the marquis had lost his heir because of that incident. Indeed, alcohol was a double-edged sword.

“Plenty of people ended up dead for underestimating us.”

“Hmph. It’s a pity we can’t settle it here.”

“Who says we can’t?”

“I’m not suggesting crossing swords, since the commander forbade it…… But how about an arm-wrestling match?”

“Haha, feeling confident in your strength?”

“Why? Are you scared?”

“As if? I’ll crush your pride completely.”

In no time, a makeshift wooden table was set up in the middle of the campsite. The two groups locked hands, testing each other’s strength.

“Rexel! Show them what you’ve got as a former knight!”

“Prove that it’s the prince who’s impressive, not these so-called knights!”

“Don’t act like you’re anything special—you just got backing from the right person!”

As Verdant Vale cheered, the marquis’ knights weren’t about to back down.

“Our’s is an active knight! Mason! If you lose to a bunch of thieves, I’ll kill you myself!”

“Then why don’t you join our prince’s side like we did!?”

A retort quickly followed.

“We already have, haven’t we?”

“Oh wait, they’re right.”

The campsite filled with raucous laughter that only grew louder. Among them, however, were some who took the match very seriously.

“Make sure to win! The first heir didn’t even get a grave due to the marquis’ orders! The poor thing…… For his sake……!”

Tap, tap.

At that moment, one of the marquis’ knights, flushed with alcohol, turned his head sharply.

“What now? I’m trying to focus!”

Then his eyes widened.

“Y-Your Highness?”

He’d finally noticed the person who had tapped his shoulder. He sobered up in an instant.

“I-I’ve committed a grave offense.”

“You haven’t. Just lend me that bottle of alcohol in your hand.”

“Pardon? Alcohol……?”

The flustered knight quickly offered an unopened bottle.

“O-Of course! Here……!”

“No, you cannot.”

At that moment, another figure stepped in between.

“Th-The princess, too……?”

Winley placed her hands on her hips, glaring fiercely.

“Hand over that bottle.”

“Uh……”

Without waiting, she snatched the bottle from the knight’s hand.

“You’ve really gone too far. Want this elder sister to teach you a lesson?”

“Hand it over.”

Flinch.

For a moment, Winley trembled but quickly regained her composure.

“Over my dead body.”

“……Over your dead body?”

Watching the demon who mimicked her words, Winley stiffened. Yet again, her answer remained the same.

“I have to uphold my responsibilities. Besides, drinking at your age? If Jan, Harun, or Kirian did the same thing, would you just let it slide?”

“I’d kill them.”

“Exactly! As their teacher, you need to set an example.”

Ancelot sighed.

“All right, I get it. So give it here. I’m not asking to drink it.”

“No way…… Huh?”

Winley, who had been hiding the bottle behind her, tilted her head in confusion.

“You’re not going to drink it?”

“Nope.”

“Then why?”

“Well……”

Ancelot scratched his head.

“……Never mind. Just follow me with the bottle. I’m too lazy to explain.”

Step, step, step.

Ancelot walked with Winley for quite some time. They were now far from the campsite. In fact, they could no longer hear the ruckus coming from the rest of the group.

‘Wh-Why?’

By now, Winley couldn’t help but feel her heart racing. Moonlight poured down from the sky, illuminating a deserted plain.

And it was just the two of them.

It was as if……

‘Is he planning to beat me up for taking the bottle of alcohol?’

Winley unconsciously began to back away slowly.

Just then—

“This should do.”

“……!”

He stopped abruptly in his tracks. It was a spot marked by a large elephant-shaped rock.

‘D-Does he want to beat me up here, away from the rest of the group?’

As she watched Ancelot walk behind the rock, Winley distanced herself a bit more.

“With something this big, it’ll be easy to spot from far away.”

“……Huh?”

A small voice reached Winley’s ears, and her misunderstanding was quickly cleared up.

“We’re going to make a grave out here in this open plain. It’ll be helpful to have a marker for when we return later.”

“A grave……?”

Winley stared, mouth agape, at Ancelot, who was casually tapping the elephant rock.

His words only confused her further.

“Don’t just stand there—come help.”

“Oh…… Right!”

They began digging and piling up dirt around the area, soon forming a small burial mound.

Then—

Swish!

Before Winley even realized what was happening, Ancelot swiftly drew his sword and sliced off a chunk of the rock.

Swish! Swish! Swish!

In no time, the stone fragments began to take shape, forming a neat rectangular block.

“A tombstone……?”

Creeaak! Creak!

Without hesitation, Ancelot began engraving a name onto the stone.

Winley watched closely, observing his every move.

After a short while—

“……Ah……”

The mood suddenly grew heavy, almost suffocating.

[Demir de Foltaine’s Grave]

“Demir de Foltaine……?”

Winley’s eyes widened as she recognized the name. A nobleman of her own kingdom, and the eldest son of a marquis family, no less.

How could a royal like Winley not know that name?

“He was once the eldest son of the Foltaine family……”

“……You’re doing something unnecessary again.”

“Eek!”

Winley jumped in fright, startled by the sudden appearance of a man who had somehow crept up on them without making a sound.

“M-M-Marquis Foltaine?”

“I apologize, Your Highness. I was worried that he might do something reckless, so I followed in secret.”

“E-Even Marquis Milon……?”

Just as she said, Milon stood nearby, his face showing clear disinterest.

“Well…… You must be pleased, though.”

“Pleased, my foot.”

Marquis Foltaine let out a sigh at Milon’s remark. He slowly walked toward Ancelot.

“That alcohol. If you’re thinking of pouring it on the grave, give it to me instead. I’ll drink it.”

“Oh!”

It was only then that Winley realized—somehow, the bottle of alcohol had completely vanished from her hands.

“It’s mine, though?”

“What kind of foolish custom. Why waste good alcohol by pouring it on a grave?”

Trickle.

Ancelot, with no second thought, poured the entire bottle over the grave.

“……Ugh. This guy never listens to a word.”

“And what kind of person would drink in front of a child?”

Ancelot pointed at Winley.

‘You’re more of a child than me!’

Of course, Winley bristled at the remark.

“Let’s go back and have a drink with me instead.”

But that troublemaking prince made it even worse.

‘I seriously just want to punch him—just once. Really badly.’

All traces of solemnity had now completely vanished from Winley’s mind.

“Hurry back. I’ll be waiting.”

“……Huh……?”

At that moment, Winley caught a glimpse of Marquis Foltaine’s face as he turned away.

‘Is…… Is he being shy?’

But she didn’t get a chance to examine him more closely, as the marquis soon left the scene.

“Enjoy your time together.”

“Huh? T-Time together?”

With a smile, Milon also departed without another word.

“Ah!”

Only then did Winley’s face flush a bright red. She realized how this entire situation could easily be misunderstood.

“N-No, wait! Marquis, it’s not what you think!”

“See? You made a misunderstanding where there didn’t need to be one……”

Veins popped on Winley’s forehead as her temper flared.

“You told me to follow you, you idiot!”

***