I returned to my seat, feeling uneasy, when the military rifle competition began. A neatly dressed officer in uniform came out and introduced the rifles that would be used in the competition.
It was said to be a standard-issue rifle, developed through repeated improvements and innovations in collaboration between the Medea government and domestic firearms companies. After a report on the rifle's use in the military and an explanation of its advantages and functions, the crowd erupted in applause, like the sound of rain. I, far from applauding, was left bewildered.
Although it is advanced compared to other countries that still use single-shot rifles, even to my unsophisticated firearms eye, it looks older than what I saw in the Frogen.
What I saw at the Cynthia Dakanhav Research Institute was already close to modern warfare weapons, so I found it strange that such an old-fashioned gun was being promoted as a new gun.
"Ah..."
I sighed softly, realizing something. They were deliberately concealing the current state of Medea's cutting-edge weapons and spreading false information.
There's also the intention to export and sell the outdated weapons to other countries. Foreign nobles, high-ranking officials, and politicians are also present. This shooting competition will also serve as a promotional exhibition for Medea's firearm exports.
"I guess it's about to begin. I'm looking forward to seeing your skills, Count. My father was so proud of you."
Barbara clapped her hands a few times and sat upright. I looked at Noah, who stood out even from afar. I saw him faintly smile as he found me. I thought he might be uncomfortable in his knight's uniform, but perhaps because the competition was more of a show, the participants were dressed in flashy uniforms and shooting gear.
"The Princess's fiancé candidates are all flocking to this category. They're probably planning to propose to the Princess after winning, offering her the trophy and honor. What can I do? The Count will probably win anyway."
“Uh... Yes.”
Being the center of attention in front of a large audience was incredibly burdensome and made my face flush. I could only clack my thumb and index finger together and laugh awkwardly.
The match began, and the former military personnel were clearly demonstrating exceptional skill. One officer, equally skilled as Noah, stood out. According to Barbara, he was the eldest son of an Army staff officer from a prestigious family and one of Erita's potential fiancées.
Barbara, who was watching his shooting scene through gold opera glasses, said.
“That army officer would have been second. He just missed the mark.”
"Yes."
“Oh my, you are so humble.”
Barbara and Baroness Chelsea, who took my indifferent reaction for humility, laughed pleasantly. Finally, it was Noah's turn, the last in line. He didn't seem nervous at all. His expressionless face seemed a bit insincere. Instead, it was Barbara and Baroness Chelsea who were stamping their feet. Commander Chelsea, too, was watching with wide, gray eyes.
Noah slung the rifle against his shoulder and pulled his chin in. He was in a steady position. I found his concentration somewhat impressive. The dot on the target was as small as a pencil lead, making it almost impossible to see clearly. How on earth did he hit that?
Noah fired nineteen shots, one last left, and as the wind began to blow, he relaxed his stance and lowered his gun. At the same time, the audience began to murmur.
"Wow."
In contrast to my monotonous admiration as I gazed through my opera glasses, Barbara clasped Baroness Chelsea's hand and trembled with excitement. Not only did he accurately pierce the small dot engraved in the center of the target, but he also struck a single, circular target without any hesitation.
"Madam, is that possible? How can he shoot so many shots and still look like he only fired one?"
“I don’t know either.”
“If he just shoots one more shot, he’ll be the winner with the highest score.”
Noah, who had been standing there with his gun down, stared blankly at me. He then turned his head and smirked at the army officer Barbara had predicted would be second in command.
Soon after, the final gunshot rang out. The auditorium, once filled with tension and silence, began to erupt with a different kind of noise. Barbara stood there, her mouth agape.
The expression on the army officer's face as he looked at Noah was low.
“There’s no way that could happen...”
I heard Baroness Chelsea muttering softly. Noah missed his remaining shot, missing the target. My gaze unconsciously turned to Erita, who was biting her lip, and her face was pale.
The clenched jaw clenched and looked like it was grinding its molars.
As a result, the first place in the military rifle division of the shooting competition went to the army officer who was the Princess's fiancée.
After the final round of the military rifle team competition, the competition concluded, and the awards ceremony began. The military band played military songs, and the Minister, Commander-in-Chief of the Medea Army, presented the awards.
The officer who won the individual military rifle competition had a displeased expression, as if he'd chewed sand. Noah approached him and whispered something in his ear, and the officer's green eyes widened. With a look of surprise and admiration on his face, he offered Noah a handshake.
Noah, who was standing there looking at me, raised the corners of his mouth and smiled prettily. Even though he came in second place, that didn't matter. I didn't want to be publicly executed in the first place, and the second-place prize wasn't bad either.
An army officer, holding a golden championship trophy, knelt on one knee toward Erita's seat and offered her a bouquet of lilies. Erita sat frozen, staring in silence. The Queen gently patted her shoulder.
Erita approached with a blank expression and accepted the officer's flowers. Amidst the crowd's applause, Erita's gaze, wooed by his advances, followed her gaze, then turned to Noah, standing across from her.
Only then did she realize that this was being captured on camera by reporters, and with a well-crafted smile, she began to offer words of encouragement to the officer who had bestowed upon her the honor of victory.
"I'm jealous. Proposing in front of so many people? How romantic."
Barbara, who was watching the scene, looked at Vincent and spoke with a hidden intention, but he answered indifferently with his arms crossed.
“I’m jealous too.”
Perhaps it was Noah's influence that made that man quite peculiar. After the awards ceremony, Noah, holding a silver trophy in one hand, approached me and offered me a bouquet of red roses along with the trophy.
“Because you like ordinary things.”
I didn't understand what he was saying for a moment, but then I burst out laughing when I realized what he meant.
“Second place isn’t ordinary. It’s amazing.”
“Below that, I feel like my pride would be hurt.”
I whispered softly into Noah's ear and asked,
“You gave in to the officer so he could propose to Erita?”
Noah smiled broadly, his eyes a bit like a nod of approval. From a distance, I could see the imposing Commander Chelsea approaching with measured steps. He spoke in his still loud, and clear voice.
"Although you narrowly missed out on winning, you're still a source of pride for our club. Everyone was deeply impressed by your skills."
He was the one I had the highest expectations for, but he didn't seem to mind. He added, stroking his neat mustache.
"I just wanted to see that skill again. Indeed, you haven't rusted. And you're even considerate."
“I wasn’t being considerate.”
Noah answered nonchalantly, adjusting his uniform tie. The commander seemed to know that Noah had deliberately missed.
“It’s a shame, because your skills are so good that you could be active in the military.”
"If I join the military, I'll have to start as a second lieutenant, right? I think I'll be treated rudely by the commander and bullied."
“There’s nothing I can do about it, since rank is absolute in the military. But wouldn’t it be possible for you to surpass me through repeated promotions?”
Commander Chelsea, standing upright, smiled heartily.
It's said that around dinnertime, a banquet, akin to a hunting tournament, will be held at Blair Palace, located in the heart of the city. Noah and I arrived at the hotel, paid for by Commander Chelsea, and had to prepare for the banquet without much rest. It's too much trouble, and I don't want to go.
“What if you lie down wearing pretty clothes? They’ll get wrinkled.”
“I lay down without getting wrinkled.”
Lying on the bed, I was expressing my unwillingness to go. I was secretly praying that he would let me just eat and come back. Then, a question suddenly came to mind, and I asked him.
“The guns we saw in Chyntia are classified, right?”
"Yes."
"Why didn't you tell me in advance? What if I tell it somewhere else?"
“I knew you wouldn’t say anything. You’re smart.”
You're overestimating me. Having lived in an earlier era, I can only predict world-historical trends, but I'm just an ordinary person. Fortunately, I know the history: rifles can't beat machine guns, and infantry charging in from bunkers with rapid fire will only serve as cannon fodder.
“You’ll have fewer people bothering you.”
Noah took my hand and spoke softly. I lay there, glancing at his graceful neck.
"Why?"
"The military will try to recruit me. Thanks to the nobles who exploit war to increase their capital, the military's influence has grown stronger. So they won't be able to do anything to you either."
“So you went to the shooting competition?”
“Yeah, I told you I’d do all the annoying stuff.”
“But I still don’t want you to become a soldier.”
“I know. You don’t want that, honey.”
I sat up with a jerk. He seemed unwilling to participate in the shooting competition, and I realized that participating and showing off his skills wasn't going to do him much good.
Perhaps Commander Chelsea's invitation to participate was intended to include him in the military forces based on the results of the competition.
“It’s time. We must go.”
Noah looked at his watch and took my hand to help me up.
Arriving at the Blair Palace banquet hall, I stood there dumbfounded, looking down at Ayla, who was kneeling before Erita. Erita's maid was interrogating Ayla with a fierce expression.
"You dared steal the Princess's necklace. You're out of your league. Someone saw you sneaking into the Princess's room and coming out. Nina, you saw it clearly, didn't you?"
“Yes.”
A woman who appeared to be Ayla's fellow maid answered with a bow. Ayla remained prostrate, saying nothing. Since she was already identified as the culprit, nothing would change. Why would she do such a childish thing?
"Where did you put it? If you tell the truth, you won't be punished too badly. It's not that expensive."
Erita looked down at Ayla and smiled kindly. Then, a maid in a knight's uniform pointed to the area around my neck.
“Princess, is that by any chance the necklace? The one hanging around Countess Rotsilt’s neck?”
I glanced down at my necklace. It was a turquoise grandidierite gemstone necklace that Noah had won at auction. Erita feigned surprise, covering her mouth and widening her eyes.
"Ayla. It seems you stole my things to impress the Countess who helped you. Or maybe you were ordered to do so."
All the eyes of the people around me were turned towards me.
It was said to be a standard-issue rifle, developed through repeated improvements and innovations in collaboration between the Medea government and domestic firearms companies. After a report on the rifle's use in the military and an explanation of its advantages and functions, the crowd erupted in applause, like the sound of rain. I, far from applauding, was left bewildered.
Although it is advanced compared to other countries that still use single-shot rifles, even to my unsophisticated firearms eye, it looks older than what I saw in the Frogen.
What I saw at the Cynthia Dakanhav Research Institute was already close to modern warfare weapons, so I found it strange that such an old-fashioned gun was being promoted as a new gun.
"Ah..."
I sighed softly, realizing something. They were deliberately concealing the current state of Medea's cutting-edge weapons and spreading false information.
There's also the intention to export and sell the outdated weapons to other countries. Foreign nobles, high-ranking officials, and politicians are also present. This shooting competition will also serve as a promotional exhibition for Medea's firearm exports.
"I guess it's about to begin. I'm looking forward to seeing your skills, Count. My father was so proud of you."
Barbara clapped her hands a few times and sat upright. I looked at Noah, who stood out even from afar. I saw him faintly smile as he found me. I thought he might be uncomfortable in his knight's uniform, but perhaps because the competition was more of a show, the participants were dressed in flashy uniforms and shooting gear.
"The Princess's fiancé candidates are all flocking to this category. They're probably planning to propose to the Princess after winning, offering her the trophy and honor. What can I do? The Count will probably win anyway."
“Uh... Yes.”
Being the center of attention in front of a large audience was incredibly burdensome and made my face flush. I could only clack my thumb and index finger together and laugh awkwardly.
The match began, and the former military personnel were clearly demonstrating exceptional skill. One officer, equally skilled as Noah, stood out. According to Barbara, he was the eldest son of an Army staff officer from a prestigious family and one of Erita's potential fiancées.
Barbara, who was watching his shooting scene through gold opera glasses, said.
“That army officer would have been second. He just missed the mark.”
"Yes."
“Oh my, you are so humble.”
Barbara and Baroness Chelsea, who took my indifferent reaction for humility, laughed pleasantly. Finally, it was Noah's turn, the last in line. He didn't seem nervous at all. His expressionless face seemed a bit insincere. Instead, it was Barbara and Baroness Chelsea who were stamping their feet. Commander Chelsea, too, was watching with wide, gray eyes.
Noah slung the rifle against his shoulder and pulled his chin in. He was in a steady position. I found his concentration somewhat impressive. The dot on the target was as small as a pencil lead, making it almost impossible to see clearly. How on earth did he hit that?
Noah fired nineteen shots, one last left, and as the wind began to blow, he relaxed his stance and lowered his gun. At the same time, the audience began to murmur.
"Wow."
In contrast to my monotonous admiration as I gazed through my opera glasses, Barbara clasped Baroness Chelsea's hand and trembled with excitement. Not only did he accurately pierce the small dot engraved in the center of the target, but he also struck a single, circular target without any hesitation.
"Madam, is that possible? How can he shoot so many shots and still look like he only fired one?"
“I don’t know either.”
“If he just shoots one more shot, he’ll be the winner with the highest score.”
Noah, who had been standing there with his gun down, stared blankly at me. He then turned his head and smirked at the army officer Barbara had predicted would be second in command.
Soon after, the final gunshot rang out. The auditorium, once filled with tension and silence, began to erupt with a different kind of noise. Barbara stood there, her mouth agape.
The expression on the army officer's face as he looked at Noah was low.
“There’s no way that could happen...”
I heard Baroness Chelsea muttering softly. Noah missed his remaining shot, missing the target. My gaze unconsciously turned to Erita, who was biting her lip, and her face was pale.
The clenched jaw clenched and looked like it was grinding its molars.
As a result, the first place in the military rifle division of the shooting competition went to the army officer who was the Princess's fiancée.
***
After the final round of the military rifle team competition, the competition concluded, and the awards ceremony began. The military band played military songs, and the Minister, Commander-in-Chief of the Medea Army, presented the awards.
The officer who won the individual military rifle competition had a displeased expression, as if he'd chewed sand. Noah approached him and whispered something in his ear, and the officer's green eyes widened. With a look of surprise and admiration on his face, he offered Noah a handshake.
Noah, who was standing there looking at me, raised the corners of his mouth and smiled prettily. Even though he came in second place, that didn't matter. I didn't want to be publicly executed in the first place, and the second-place prize wasn't bad either.
An army officer, holding a golden championship trophy, knelt on one knee toward Erita's seat and offered her a bouquet of lilies. Erita sat frozen, staring in silence. The Queen gently patted her shoulder.
Erita approached with a blank expression and accepted the officer's flowers. Amidst the crowd's applause, Erita's gaze, wooed by his advances, followed her gaze, then turned to Noah, standing across from her.
Only then did she realize that this was being captured on camera by reporters, and with a well-crafted smile, she began to offer words of encouragement to the officer who had bestowed upon her the honor of victory.
"I'm jealous. Proposing in front of so many people? How romantic."
Barbara, who was watching the scene, looked at Vincent and spoke with a hidden intention, but he answered indifferently with his arms crossed.
“I’m jealous too.”
Perhaps it was Noah's influence that made that man quite peculiar. After the awards ceremony, Noah, holding a silver trophy in one hand, approached me and offered me a bouquet of red roses along with the trophy.
“Because you like ordinary things.”
I didn't understand what he was saying for a moment, but then I burst out laughing when I realized what he meant.
“Second place isn’t ordinary. It’s amazing.”
“Below that, I feel like my pride would be hurt.”
I whispered softly into Noah's ear and asked,
“You gave in to the officer so he could propose to Erita?”
Noah smiled broadly, his eyes a bit like a nod of approval. From a distance, I could see the imposing Commander Chelsea approaching with measured steps. He spoke in his still loud, and clear voice.
"Although you narrowly missed out on winning, you're still a source of pride for our club. Everyone was deeply impressed by your skills."
He was the one I had the highest expectations for, but he didn't seem to mind. He added, stroking his neat mustache.
"I just wanted to see that skill again. Indeed, you haven't rusted. And you're even considerate."
“I wasn’t being considerate.”
Noah answered nonchalantly, adjusting his uniform tie. The commander seemed to know that Noah had deliberately missed.
“It’s a shame, because your skills are so good that you could be active in the military.”
"If I join the military, I'll have to start as a second lieutenant, right? I think I'll be treated rudely by the commander and bullied."
“There’s nothing I can do about it, since rank is absolute in the military. But wouldn’t it be possible for you to surpass me through repeated promotions?”
Commander Chelsea, standing upright, smiled heartily.
It's said that around dinnertime, a banquet, akin to a hunting tournament, will be held at Blair Palace, located in the heart of the city. Noah and I arrived at the hotel, paid for by Commander Chelsea, and had to prepare for the banquet without much rest. It's too much trouble, and I don't want to go.
“What if you lie down wearing pretty clothes? They’ll get wrinkled.”
“I lay down without getting wrinkled.”
Lying on the bed, I was expressing my unwillingness to go. I was secretly praying that he would let me just eat and come back. Then, a question suddenly came to mind, and I asked him.
“The guns we saw in Chyntia are classified, right?”
"Yes."
"Why didn't you tell me in advance? What if I tell it somewhere else?"
“I knew you wouldn’t say anything. You’re smart.”
You're overestimating me. Having lived in an earlier era, I can only predict world-historical trends, but I'm just an ordinary person. Fortunately, I know the history: rifles can't beat machine guns, and infantry charging in from bunkers with rapid fire will only serve as cannon fodder.
“You’ll have fewer people bothering you.”
Noah took my hand and spoke softly. I lay there, glancing at his graceful neck.
"Why?"
"The military will try to recruit me. Thanks to the nobles who exploit war to increase their capital, the military's influence has grown stronger. So they won't be able to do anything to you either."
“So you went to the shooting competition?”
“Yeah, I told you I’d do all the annoying stuff.”
“But I still don’t want you to become a soldier.”
“I know. You don’t want that, honey.”
I sat up with a jerk. He seemed unwilling to participate in the shooting competition, and I realized that participating and showing off his skills wasn't going to do him much good.
Perhaps Commander Chelsea's invitation to participate was intended to include him in the military forces based on the results of the competition.
“It’s time. We must go.”
Noah looked at his watch and took my hand to help me up.
***
Arriving at the Blair Palace banquet hall, I stood there dumbfounded, looking down at Ayla, who was kneeling before Erita. Erita's maid was interrogating Ayla with a fierce expression.
"You dared steal the Princess's necklace. You're out of your league. Someone saw you sneaking into the Princess's room and coming out. Nina, you saw it clearly, didn't you?"
“Yes.”
A woman who appeared to be Ayla's fellow maid answered with a bow. Ayla remained prostrate, saying nothing. Since she was already identified as the culprit, nothing would change. Why would she do such a childish thing?
"Where did you put it? If you tell the truth, you won't be punished too badly. It's not that expensive."
Erita looked down at Ayla and smiled kindly. Then, a maid in a knight's uniform pointed to the area around my neck.
“Princess, is that by any chance the necklace? The one hanging around Countess Rotsilt’s neck?”
I glanced down at my necklace. It was a turquoise grandidierite gemstone necklace that Noah had won at auction. Erita feigned surprise, covering her mouth and widening her eyes.
"Ayla. It seems you stole my things to impress the Countess who helped you. Or maybe you were ordered to do so."
All the eyes of the people around me were turned towards me.
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