IBYDNF 57🔐

Chapter 57 …

What is it, Isitor? Why is he acting like that?

Ikael had only happened to glance his way, but Isitor flinched for no reason.

The group surrounding Isitor immediately resumed their flattery.

“Are all Recruit members really that strong? As strong as you, Sir Isitor?”

“T-That’s right! Every single Recruit member is outstanding! Absolutely!”

“That’s incredible!”

“I’d really love to see Sir Ikael’s skills as well.”

“Though they do say no younger brother can surpass his elder brother. Hahaha!”

If Ikael steps in, he won’t just wipe out a few stray beasts—he’ll slaughter even the beast king’s granddaddy.

Isitor was certain of that.

Yet strangely enough, Ikael didn’t seem particularly interested in hunting magical beasts.

With his ability, taking first place would have been all but guaranteed.

Isitor, on the other hand, felt his competitive spirit flare up.

This is my chance to firmly engrave the name ‘Isitor’ into everyone’s minds!

With Ikael sitting this one out, the opportunity had arrived. Isitor set his sights squarely on first place in the subjugation tournament.

They say the reward for first place is enormous! I don’t know what it is, but if I return to Bronze Castle holding it proudly, Father will surely acknowledge me!

“Die! Die!”

Slash, slice!

With every swing of Isitor’s sword, magical beasts fell in droves.

Each time, applause poured out from the other participants.

Meanwhile, Prince Edgar’s performance was no less impressive.

Whoosh—thwack!

“Another direct hit by His Highness’s arrow!”

“Amazing!”

Fifteen-year-old Prince Edgar merely retrieved his arrow with dignified composure.

He was performing just behind Isitor.

“Your Highness, how are you so skilled with a bow?”

“You must be naturally gifted!”

“……”

But Prince Edgar didn’t even react to ordinary flattery.

Instead, his gaze remained fixed on a single person.

Ikael Fue Recruit.

True strength is quiet.

Prince Edgar believed that the intense impression Ikael had left on him on the first day couldn’t have been mistaken.

Ikael, too, was aware of that gaze.

Bwaaam—

A lively trumpet blast rang out.

At the signal, the subjugation participants gathered in a clearing in the forest.

“It is time for lunch.”

The clearing was filled with every imaginable delicacy. With magical lighting cast among the trees, it felt less like the outdoors and more like a grand banquet hall.

“Wow… this is pretty impressive…!”

For once, even Isitor couldn’t bring himself to criticize the imperial family.

The spread consisted of dishes made from rare ingredients obtainable only in the capital.

Appetizers made from tender new shoots, roasted duck, steak drizzled with precious mushroom oil, edible flowers, and fruits.

It was truly a lavish feast.

Just as the atmosphere around the meal was reaching its peak—

Several imperial knights entered, hauling a massive wagon.

Something long, shrouded in velvet curtains, sat atop it.

Prince Edgar called out.

“There is something I wish to show you all.”

Shak!

The palace butler drew back the velvet curtain.

Inside was something unbelievable.

“Aah!”

“A-Amazing…”

“To think I’d see this in person!”

The participants couldn’t contain their astonishment.

Inside the curtains was a gigantic troll.

Ikael, too, stared with widened eyes.

Though his reason was slightly different.

They dragged something that big all the way here…

The troll was kneeling with its eyes closed, unconscious.

It appeared to be restrained by magic.

With a slightly elated expression, Prince Edgar proclaimed:

“My great father, the Emperor, single-handedly hunted a troll twenty years ago. Thanks to that deed, all the people of the Empire have enjoyed peace.”

Isitor muttered under his breath.

“Peace just because he killed one troll? If he’d killed two, the whole Empire would’ve died of happiness.”

“Quiet, brother,” Ikael reproached softly.

A troll is a foe that requires at least a fourth-rank knight to defeat.

By Recruit standards it might be different, but by ordinary standards, a troll is an extremely powerful opponent.

So it was understandable to show it off like this.

“May you all inherit His Majesty’s lofty will and subjugate the magical beasts. The entire Empire shall praise you.”

“Yes, Your Highness.”

As everyone bowed their heads in respect—

Pfft.

A laugh slipped out.

It was Isitor, unable to hold it in.

All eyes turned toward him. Prince Edgar also lifted his statue-like face.

“Ah, my apologies. I laughed.”

“You laughed?”

Prince Edgar’s eyebrow twitched.

To laugh during a prince’s proud speech—unthinkable.

“I’d just never thought of putting a troll on display.”

“What did you say…?”

“You see, once you’re a fourth-rank knight, anyone can kill a troll. In Recruit, everyone’s taken down at least one.”

Hearing that, Ikael swallowed a groan.

He’s not wrong, but…

Isitor probably just wanted to stand out among his peers, but this was absolutely not the place to say such a thing.

Reckless behavior would only hurt himself.

Prince Edgar addressed Isitor.

“Is that truly so? You can kill a troll?”

“That is correct.”

“Then I shall look forward to your skill. By the end of this subjugation tournament, bring back a troll.”

“Huh?”

“I’ll be expecting it.”

“Th-Then I will! I’ll bring back one even bigger than that!”

Isitor declared boldly.

Ikael wanted nothing more than to close his eyes.

That night, in the annex lodging, Ikael thoroughly dealt with Isitor.

“Kieeeek!”

“…Do you hear something outside?”

“It does sound like a beast crying.”

“Must be a magical beast in the forest.”

No one realized the cries belonged not to a beast, but to Isitor.

“Today is the final day of the subjugation tournament!”

It was the last day of the magical beast hunt.

So far, first place belonged to Isitor.

He had slain an astonishing fifty-one magical beasts.

Second place was Prince Edgar, with forty-three.

Third was Ikael.

Despite swinging his sword without much enthusiasm, Ikael had taken down thirty.

After that, the gap was stark.

Fourth place had only ten kills, and the rest were similar.

“They say the winner gets an incredible reward!”

“I wonder what it could be.”

“What a shame. I promised my grandfather I’d bring back a prize…”

But with two Recruit members present, victory was nothing but a dream.

The participants headed into the forest with greater seriousness than ever.

This was their last chance to overturn the results.

Ikael, too, pushed through the undergrowth.

But he wasn’t hunting.

This is a good opportunity to investigate the imperial family.

He carefully memorized everything he saw in the imperial forest.

What kinds of plants grew there, the shape of the terrain—

And most importantly—

What level of magic the imperial family uses.

They had said magical beasts were summoned into the forest.

The more dangerous the beast, the higher the level of magic required.

That was what Ikael was aiming for.

Edgar is still a young prince. I’m curious how much magic he can borrow.

Knowing that would allow him to infer how much magic the princes above him could wield.

Ikael wasn’t merely suspecting the imperial family—he was narrowing down the scope.

Just then, as he moved deeper into the brush, he sensed someone behind him.

Swish—

The careful footsteps carried the mark of experience.

Without even turning around, Ikael spoke.

“Why are you following me, Prince Edgar?”

In this tournament, Edgar was the only one capable of concealing his presence like this.

Soon, Edgar revealed himself.

“State your business.”

Instead, Edgar abruptly drew the sword at his waist.

Shing!

“I challenge you to a duel!”

What? Out of nowhere?

Ikael stared at him.

Though things had been awkward between them, there was no reason to duel.

“Why would I duel Your Highness?”

“You said you would fight using only the sword. I wish to give you my answer.”

Did the sheltered young master get his feelings hurt?

The courage was admirable.

But Ikael had no time to indulge in a duel.

And challenging him now, when they were alone, was suspicious in itself.

More than anything—

Thwack!

Ikael grabbed Edgar’s arm. Edgar stiffened at the sudden move.

“What are you doing?!”

“Shh.”

Swish—

The wind blowing toward them was ominous.

If Ikael’s guess was right, a considerable number of magical beasts were approaching.

He had anticipated this from the start.

The deeper he went into the forest, the stronger the beasts would be—he had entered prepared for that risk.

But he hadn’t expected the prince to follow him.

“Looks like this hunt will be mine.”

“What?”

Thud!

As he spoke, Ikael dashed forward.

Prince Edgar was still bewildered.

What is—?

At that moment—

Roaaagh!!

Several goblins burst out of the brush.

Grk! Grk!

They exposed their grotesque green skin and licked their lips.

In their hands were axes and bows—enough to split a boy’s body in two.

Papapap!

Arrows flew.

Prince Edgar’s eyes widened.

But in the next instant, he was even more shocked.

Kiiing—thwack!

Not a single arrow struck Ikael.

They shattered effortlessly and fell to the ground.

Before the goblins could nock their next arrows—

Slash!

Ikael’s longsword cut them down.

Th-This is…!

Prince Edgar was left speechless.

Not even moments after the fight began, Ikael had already cut down over a dozen goblins.

At the same time, confusion rose within him.

Why would someone with this level of skill hide it…?!

Ikael had slain thirty beasts and placed third.

But with skill like this, not thirty—he could have killed a hundred with ease.

First place would have been his without question.

Slash, slice!

Ikael’s sword continued its arc.

The place where he stood was completely cleared, the brush reduced to a circular clearing.

He had swung his sword until every blade of grass was cut away.

Prince Edgar burned every one of Ikael’s movements into his eyes.

Even without crossing blades, he could tell.

Ikael is already… far beyond me.

The difference in their abilities was incomparable.

Thud! Thump! Thud!

Goblin heads fell one after another.

Grk! Grrrk!

The goblins finally realized they had chosen the wrong opponent.

Terrified, they scattered in all directions.

More of them died being trampled by one another than by Ikael’s blade.

Whoosh—slash!

Ikael deliberately swung his sword wide, driving them off in fear.

At last, the final goblin disappeared into the brush.

Only then did Ikael turn back to Edgar.

“Are you all right, Your Highness?”

Edgar stared at the hand Ikael offered him.

Then he gave a completely unexpected response.

“Draw your weapon, Ikael!”

“…What?”

“Did you not hear me? Draw your weapon! I challenge you to a duel!”

Prince Edgar’s pale face flushed red.

So childish.

Ikael frowned.

After having his life saved, a petty duel still came first.

But one thing became clear.

I feel like fighting.

He had no intention of holding back any longer.

Shing!

Ikael drew his longsword.

“I’ll oblige.”