The Hunting Season (8)
"Then I will side with people I have never met? Of course, I will side with Rahon."
Why do you ask the obvious?
As I was tilting my head in confusion, Rahon suddenly covered his mouth with his hand and turned his head to the side.
Soon, the red energy that started from his neck spread to his handsome forehead.
His face turned red so quickly that I was actually more surprised.
“Rahon?”
"...Huh."
"There is no word..."
"Just thinking about it."
I'm not thinking about it, but I feel like blood is coming out of his face right now.
I couldn't bring myself to say that, so I just blinked.
It's always uncomfortable to pretend not to see something even though you can, but this is when it's most frustrating.
Rahon, who had been looking down at the floor for a while, coughed in vain.
With his cheeks still red.
"Hmm, that's a good idea. It wouId be nice to see the cardinals' faces when you say that."
"If that doesn't work, you can use me."
"How can I use you?"
Rahon chuckled and patted my cheek.
"I'm sorry for making you go alone."
"No."
And as I watched him turn around, I had a strange feeling that he might not come back. I reached out my hand without realizing it.
“Rahon.”
He took my hand with a puzzled look on his face.
"Why?"
"You'll come again...?"
Rahon stared at me intently. Then he kissed the back of my hand.
"Of course."
As I was watching the magnificent back of the person leaving the banquet hall, I felt a presence.
Nadia, who had been sent on an errand home, had returned and was standing there like a shadow.
"Have everyone left?"
"They went a long time ago."
"Let us go to His Highness. Quietly through the back door."
"I will take care of it."
Knock, knock, the regular sound of the cane echoed through the lobby.
It was when I left the back door of the banquet hall with Nadia.
A faint, nostalgic scent wafted from somewhere. Then a blunt voice was heard.
"What are you doing? I almost fell asleep while waiting for you."
"Little brother!"
I was so happy that I couldn't control my body. I jumped and stretched my arms toward where I heard Chevio's voice.
"I'm hurt!"
Chevio hurriedly hugged me. He lifted me up and spun around. His thick arms wrapped tightly around my back.
"Our youngest, why have you become so light-hearted? Didn't they give you food in Eldern?"
Even though I was looking at him with both eyes, I touched Chevio's face with my fingertips. He half-closed his eyes and smiled sadly.
"That can't be true. I was treated so well in Eldern. You wouldn't be the one skipping meals because you're busy, would you?"
"I know you're worried about me, but why are you like that? No matter how busy I am, I always eat my meals."
"How about sleep? I heard you've been working so hard lately that you don't have time to sleep."
"Your brother is strong, so he can survive without sleeping for several days."
Chevio looked absolutely fine.
Even though he worked without leaving work due to the emergency work system, his skin was smooth. He didn't look tired at all...
Come to think of it, Chevio was also physically as good as Ian.
Only then did I feel relieved and smile. I was worried inside, but fortunately, I did not have to worry.
"But why were you waiting here?"
"His Highness the First Prince has ordered us to bring our guardian safely.'
Somehow Kjer sent me away so nonchalantly. He must have known that Vhevio was waiting for me.
I patted the broad shoulder of Chevio, who was still holding me in his arms.
"Please stop."
"Why are you walking like this when no one is watching? Just hug your brother and go."
"I see."
Nadia interjected with a cold face.
Chevio glanced at her and then reluctantly let me down. Nadia smoothed out my wrinkled dress, grumbling.
Chevio and I headed towards the backyard of the palace. It was the same road where we had once met Kalit after our audience with the Emperor.
As I was walking through the garden trees that had changed shape while telling Chevio what had happened in Eldern, I soon found myself in front of Kalit's palace.
Kalit was already at the sponsorship table, looking at the chess board at the outdoor table, just like when we first met.
He raised his head at the sound of footsteps on the grass.
The moment he saw me, his expression, which had been as dry as a mask, bloomed like a flower.
The lips that were once closed straight formed a smooth curve and the long eyes curved into a crescent shape.
The cold silver-gray eyes were shining with an unknown emotion.
'That's...not a fake smile.'
I don't know why that came as a shock. As I unconsciously stopped walking, Chevio tilted his head.
"Youngest?"
"Ah. It seems like there's someone else around here besides us."
"Wow, it's really spooky. His Highness is waiting."
Chevio guided me to Kalit. He had transformed from a disobedient older brother to a knight commander in an instant and greeted Kalit politely.
"I have brought the Guardian. Please speak with her."
"Can we stay together?"
"The fewer people who can hear your conversation, the better. I'll wait nearby."
"Okay, then."
Chevio sat me down on a chair and nodded to Nadia. The two of them stepped back at an appropriate distance.
Kalit arranged the chess pieces.
"Shall we play a game of chess?"
"Great."
A slow game of chess began.
He asked, moving the black pawn.
"How was your day?"
"What is it?"
"I was quiet throughout the meeting today. I was wondering if you were disappointed in me."
Although his expression was still that of a lazy smile, he seemed strangely anxious.
"Kalit, you're not that aggressive when you play chess. It's like you don't care about winning or losing."
"Am I like that?"
"Then, as soon as you discover our opponent's weakness, you dig in hard. Only then will your opponent realize, "Oh, I was just waiting for you to show me your weakness."
"..."
The corners of Kalit's mouth rose slightly. Then he moved the knight.
"g7 knight to d4. Checkmate."
"..."
I frowned as I checked the chessboard.
The black knight was placed between the white King and the white Queen.
If you save the King here, the Queen dies. And without the Queen, there was no chance of winning.
When did this happen? I laughed at the precise fork tactics.
"Just like right now. I lost."
"Isn't it too early to give up?"
"If the odds are against you, why hold on? It would be better to start a new game at that time."
"I wish my brother had followed your example even a little."
As I said this, I handed him a paint bucket while I was organizing my belongings.
"This is Mr. Hugh's sketch. I'm not sure if it's the same since it was done in a hurry."
Kalit pulled out a rolled-up piece of paper from the crater. A picturesque smile appeared on his flowing lips.
"It looks like it was just moved there."
"Will that be enough to clear out Baron Nokron?"
"Enough."
"The problem is Count Gideon and Count Saiga. Since they are official attendees, it would be difficult to change them..."
"I have to win them over to my side."
Kalit's goal was to replace Oslo as supreme commander of the Allied forces.
To do so, consent from two out of the three countries is required.
Usually, they secure votes in their own country first and then try to persuade one of the other two countries.
The problem is that in order to secure their country's votes, the opinions of the attendees must be unanimous, and Count Gideon and Count Saiga are unlikely to side with Kalit.
"You can use me."
Kalit's eyes widened.
"Are you finally getting engaged to me?"
“Nо.”
"...I was hurt because you answered too firmly."
Kalit put his hand on his chest with a hazy expression. In fact, he wasn't even hurt.
Having already become accustomed to his acting, I continued speaking without the slightest hesitation.
"I think it would be okay to create a plausible atmosphere. By making good use of the rumors about Kalit and me."
"I once thought of doing the same. I would absorb Oslo's power by creating a strange atmosphere with 'The First Walker'. Who would give up such an easy strategy?"
Kalit stopped talking and clenched his jaw. After staring at the chess board for a while, he looked up and stared at me.
"But I don't do that anymore."
"Why?"
"If you do that, there will be no difference between me and Oslo to you."
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