666 Winter Hun (2/2)
The winter hunt was completely different between the Northlands and the mainland. In the warmer central part of Eich, the winter hunt was an entertainment activity for the nobles to show off their military might. It was also an excellent opportunity to flirt with noblewomen. In the Northlands, on the other hand, the winter hunt was a war, with true battles taking place. It was the duty and responsibility of every royal to participate in the winter hunt.
Why hadn't Glina returned to Sleuweir to organize the winter hunt there, you ask? Actually, since the Northlands countries had been organizing winter hunts every year now, the beast stampedes' scale had already come under control. The winter hunts were no longer as dangerous as before. Just normal preparations would be sufficient now. It was just that East Mist had been weak for far too long, so the beasts here had even surpassed the number of beasts in all other Northlands countries combined. Controlling the beasts here wouldn't be as simple as rounding up and hunting them all.
Glina was quite happy. Not only could she tease her younger sister over the holiday, she could even relax herself through participating in the winter hunt. That was why she adamantly refused to return to Sleuweir. I asked her retainers, and learned that everything in Sleuweir was well and stable, so I didn't forcefully kick her back to Sleuweir.
All along the way, Glina was as hyperactive as a rabbit as she constantly created trouble for our winter hunt squadron. Still, she had a special status, which meant she had to be treated seriously. But for me…
”…Honestly, that Kelly. She even said something like 'If you want to obtain money from the royal coffers, you should carry out the duty of a prince.' I've already participated in so many winter hunts before, which should be more than enough for my duty. It's so cold! I just want to sleep under my warm blankets, drink hot cocoa, and slack off…”
We were currently being blown by cold winds while waiting for our scouts to report in. I simply got off my horse to rub my hands together and stomp my feet in an effort to keep warm. Yet, it still felt really cold. I didn't know what to say as I watched Glina even begin to make a snowman on the side of the road. This all made me feel even more like I wanted to go back and sleep.
”…That brat has so much energy. So physical age can affect mental age to such a degree…?”
However, I soon realized that I had been under a mistaken impression. The snowman, which was more than three meters tall, soon revealed itself to obviously be the form of a new magical puppet. The little girl great engineer then inserted various objects into the snowman and uttered some mysterious words. The snowman then actually stood up and began to move! It started running, while Glina jumped up and down behind it… And then, the snowman actually started to build an even larger snowman!
”Is this the max-level version of how a naughty child builds snowmen…”
Glina, who had now jumped onto the snowman's shoulder, waved at me when she saw how I was looking in her direction. She was indicating that I should come over… But, I was no idiot. I already saw that she placed a large amount of explosives in the snowman! Why would I go over there? I still hadn't finished enjoying the previous explosion from her adamantite puppet, so was I supposed to go over to enjoy yet another explosion already?
Wait a moment? This was the third magical puppet that Glina had brought out here, right? Indeed, Glina wrote a #3 on the forehead of the snowman. In that case, #2, the second adamantite puppet that had been Glina's ride in this procession would obviously have explosives planted in it as well… I reflexively backed away even more from Glina.
”I haven't seen Sister Glina so relaxed for so long.”
Unlike how everyone else was wrapped in warm clothing, Reyne was wearing black form-fitting hunting attire that excellently accentuated her curves. Suddenly, I noticed that she had already become taller than me!Find authorized novels in Webnovel，faster updates, better experience，Please click for visiting.
Although her hydra skin jacket seemed light, it would have incredible defensive power and cold-resistant properties. The hunting bow she carried made her seem even more handsome and heroic. The Princess Knight was becoming ever more mature, but her two concubines kept glaring at me because I was standing too close to Reyne…
Reyne chuckled when she saw how surprised I was at her comment.
”Sister Glina doesn't normally act like this at all. She's the pillar and chief strategist of the entire Mist Alliance. She always acts so confidently and seriously. Only in front of you can she truly relax and not worry about everything so much, so she can show off traits normal for the age she appears to be.”
I felt slightly guilty after hearing this. I had indeed been too selfish back then, abandoning everything and leaving just like that, tossing the responsibilities of the Mist Alliance onto two girls who had just reached puberty back then. Reyne and Glina had to have gone through much hardship to support the entire Mist Alliance by themselves. I really should make it up to them, so I should probably start by giving them extra spending money…
”…Glina, it's fine that you keep pretending to narrate for me as I indeed feel a little guilty, but I truly have no money to give to you two…”
While we joked around, two Aurora Knights appeared in the western sky. Our scouts had returned. In that case, it was now time for serious business.
However, I then heard shouts of astonishment as one of the Aurora Knights actually fainted on his own steed. The other Aurora Knight was also injured.
I wouldn't need to describe just how strong Aurora Knights would be. It would be rare for even a novice knight to be injured like this on a mere recon mission.
I felt incredibly uneasy at seeing this. It would seem that a certain inference of mine from before had been accurate. My luck this time was good as not only was I correct to come here, I even met my target earlier than I'd thought I would.