Chapter 104 - Chapter 17: Test #3 (2/2)
”You have completed your area selections. Princes and Princesses, five days from today, you will start moving to each area. The information regarding the purple aura enemies will be sent to your homes.”
Thus, the main agenda of the court gathering was over. As usual, there were a few ceremonial events to end the court gathering.
In-gong took a deep breath and looked around. The sword duke was smiling with an unknown expression while the demon king was as expressionless as always.
Gallehed was gazing at Caitlin with worry, while Yecaderina, the nightmares captain, was giving a lovely smile.
As for Richard...
The leader of the draconians and one of the strongest captains aside from Gallehed—
He had been In-gong’s strongest ally when In-gong played Zephyr. However, at this moment, Richard was looking down at In-gong with a ferocious smile. In-gong ignored Richard’s gaze and turned to Zephyr.
At that moment, Zephyr turned his gaze to In-gong as though he had been waiting for it and their gazes met in midair.
&
”I’m tired, tired, tired!”
As soon as they returned to the waiting room, Felicia threw herself onto a large sofa and screamed.
Although it was far from polite, the people in the waiting room were all close to Felicia, so there was no need for politeness.
Felicia waved her arms and legs and kept sighing.
”Ah, the sword duke is a fool. A person like that isn’t good for my heart. He should tell us in advance.”
It had been a few days since the group had arrived at the Demon King’s Palace. It would have been nice if he sent a simple message during that time. Despite that, he still insisted on surprising them today.
“S-sword Duke.”
Silvan sat down next to Felicia and clutched his chest. Felicia felt sorry for Silvan and hugged him tightly.
”My poor Silvan.”
He really wanted to become the sword duke’s disciple.
As Felicia patted Silvan’s back with gentle eyes, Chris turned his gaze to In-gong and said in a lively voice,
”Anyway, his actions were helpful. At today’s court gathering, the sword duke practically announced that he is supporting Shutra. By the way, it is strange. How did you manage to catch the sword duke’s heart? What is the secret? I want to learn how to do it.”
Silvan’s eyes flashed as he also wanted to learn the secret. In-gong just grinned awkwardly and replied,
”I don’t know.”
The sword duke’s favor derived from In-gong’s uniqueness and the demon king’s interest. So, the other princes wouldn’t be able to apply to this.
Felicia, who was still hugging Silvan, asked Chris suddenly,
”Chris, is it okay for Caitlin to not go with you?”
Felicia was also surprised when Caitlin said she would go with In-gong instead of Chris.
Chris replied with a shrug,
”It is bittersweet, but it will be more helpful than if she stays with me. It seems like the performance of the Moonlight Core and Starlight Core is better than expected.”
It had only been about 10 days or so, but In-gong and Caitlin had shown a huge growth in their aura over the last 10 days. The synergy between the Moonlight Core and Starlight Core was truly amazing.
Chris patted Caitlin’s head and asked,
”Caitlin, unlike Spider Forest, this might be a moderately long mission. Is that okay?”
”Yes, it is okay.”
Unlike the time at the lycanthrope house, Caitlin answered with a bright smile. There was no unease at all.
”Really bittersweet.”
Chris complained with slumped shoulders and Felicia laughed. She was still holding onto Silvan when she said,
”Well, today’s work is over. The enemies with the purple aura, the sword duke... There are many things to talk about, but I want to rest for a while. Isn’t that right, Silvan?”
“Hu... Sword Duke.”
Silvan nodded reflexively. At that moment...
”Huh? Did you call me?”
The sword duke’s voice was heard from behind them. Startled, Felicia jumped up from her seat and looked back.
“S-sword Duke?”
It truly was the sword duke. He laughed from the door of the waiting room, then he pinched Felicia’s cheeks.
”This princess is still a baby. Aigoo, so cute.”
Felicia’s face was red while Silvan was stunned. The sword duke laughed and moved on.
“Ohh, 8th Princess. You are much bigger up close. I have to try it once.”
“Huh? Kyak?!”
There was no time to reply. Just like he had done to Felicia at Thunderdoom Fortress, he placed his hands between Caitlin’s arms and raised her up high.
”Higher, higher!”
As if he was playing with a little child, he kept spinning Caitlin.
At Thunderdoom Fortress, Felicia had screamed to be put down, but Caitlin was different. At first, she was panicked, but then she started to enjoy it. If she was to speak, she would say how amazing it was.
”Well, this is still fun. So adorable.”
The word truly fit Caitlin who had red cheeks and sparkling eyes.
After greeting Felicia and Caitlin, the sword duke turned toward In-gong. In-gong regained his composure and spoke calmly,
“I greet the sword duke.”
”I greet you as well. 5th Prince and 7th Prince too, it is a pleasure.”
“Greetings.”
“G-greetings.”
Chris and Silvan greeted him as well. Chris was a little wary of the sword duke, while Silvan seemed eager to talk to him.
However, the first one to say something wasn’t a prince or princess.
“Look, what happened all of a sudden?”
It was Carack who asked.
Silvan was astonished while Chris flinched.
Carack had just casually asked the sword duke a question.
However, Felicia had already adapted to Carack, while Delia, Seira and Sepira just admired Carack’s boldness.
The sword duke just laughed pleasantly like he had at Thunderdoom Fortress and said to In-gong,
”I came to ask 9th Prince something. There is a story I would like to share, but I also have a request.”
”A request?”
”Yes. I can only ask Prince.”
The sword duke said with a laugh. There was mischief in his eyes, similar to when he played with Felicia and Caitlin.
”Can Prince invite me to your mansion? I want to see that person.”
&
”Ya, ya! Stay away! Don’t tease me! Why the hell did you bring this brat? I decided we’re to keep it a secret! This is a breach of contract!”