TLVGAJ 72

~Chapter 72~

‘Sin-Soo.’

I glanced at the chick sitting on my shoulder.

Yes, Sin-Soo.

If I used Sin-Soo, I might be able to help Albert for sure.

“Hey, Sin-Soo.”

[What?]

“Can you help me with something?”

[……]

Sin-Soo, still sulking, looked at me out of the corner of its eye.

“Today, a wild boar infected with magic will try to attack Albert. Could you go and heal the boar with your power?”

[……]

If the wild boar was attacking because it was infected with magic, then I could use Sin-Soo’s power to heal the magic infection.

That was my idea.

If I did this, Albert would surely be safe from the boar.

[……Hmph.]

Sin-Soo crossed its wings, seemingly annoyed at my request.

[You ignored me earlier, and now you need my help?]

“Yeah, I need help. Just once, please. Okay?”

I gave a friendly smile, asking for help.

I had already received help from it before, so I figured it wouldn’t hurt to ask again.

You don’t know this, but the day we part isn’t far off.

‘Yeah, I should use its help as much as I can before that happens.’

It felt a little like I was tricking it, especially since it believed I was a saint… but what else could I do? I kept saying I’m not a real saint.

“Also, please heal the boar without being seen by others. If you cause a scene like last time, people will know you’re Sin-Soo… and then my situation will get awkward.”

[Ugh, you’re making so many demands for someone who’s asking for help.]

Sin-Soo grumbled, clearly still upset with me.

It shook its head and pointed a wing at me.

[Saint. You know what? You’re the worst saint I’ve ever met.]

“……”

[You tease me like this, play with me, and then ask for more help. You’re so cruel. I’ve never been treated like this by a saint before.]

“Ha ha. Okay, okay. I get it.”

What is it saying…

I laughed at Sin-Soo, which was talking like something out of a soap opera.

Sin-Soo spread its wings and stretched, then continued.

[Anyway, I’ll go find the boar and heal it.]

“Right. That’s all I need.”

[Then I’m off.]

With a proud look, Sin-Soo flew into the air and disappeared.

“Phew.”

I sighed. It wasn’t too late, but still…

Despite everything, I couldn’t help but worry about Albert getting hurt.

As I gazed toward the forest where the hunting tournament was taking place, I suddenly met the gaze of someone sitting in the distance.

Princess Alicia.

She had silver eyes, just like Albert, and was staring at me.

It was just a moment, but she quickly turned her gaze toward the big screen.

What was that? I furrowed my brows. I was sure she had looked at me.

Albert’s Struggle in the Tournament

Clang!

The sound of a sword clashing was heard. Albert swung his sword at the wild boar.

“…Huff.”

His breathing was heavy. He could feel sweat dripping from his temples.

How many times had he swung his sword at the wild boar by now?

Even though he tried to strike at the right moment, the boar’s tough, armor-like skin only got a slight scratch.

Albert was experiencing the frustration of his skills being useless.

No matter how skilled he was with a sword, he couldn’t kill a big wild boar alone.

If someone like Eric, a big and skilled knight, were with him, it might be different.

But seeing such a big boar in the hunting tournament was ridiculous.

The boars used in these tournaments were never this large.

Albert frowned as he saw the boar more closely.

It didn’t have the usual marking for the tournament.

‘Considering there aren’t any wild boars in this forest…’

This boar was definitely released by someone for the purpose of harming him.

“Looks like you’re holding your own. Your sword skills are pretty good, Your Highness,” said Jamie, the Fourth Prince, laughing from afar. Freddie, the quiet Second Prince, stood silently, observing Albert.

Cedric, the First Prince, who had been laughing as well, spoke up.

“Someone else might come soon. Let’s leave.”

“Good idea, brother. And congratulations. You’re going to be the Crown Prince soon,” Jamie said, teasing Cedric with a playful bow.

The three brothers casually walked away, leaving Albert to dodge the charging boar once again.

Fortunately, the bushes and rocks around him helped him avoid the boar for now, but it was strange.

The boar was tracking him, following his every movement.

Normally, wild boars don’t have great vision, so it didn’t make sense for it to be so focused on Albert.

Albert managed to climb onto a large rock, narrowly escaping the boar.

“…Hah.”

As he took a moment to catch his breath on top of the rock, suddenly…

Boom!

A loud vibration shook the ground, and Albert lost his balance.

“…!”

Before he could react, he fell to the ground with a thud. His ankle throbbed painfully. He instinctively reached for it.

Grunt.

“…”

Albert froze. Slowly, he looked up.

The wild boar was staring at him, a wicked smile on its face.

The boar stepped back, preparing to charge toward him.

Damn it.

Albert bit his lip, his heart racing.

He had to dodge it.

But his body wouldn’t listen. With his ankle in pain, he struggled to stand up when suddenly…

[Click, click. Poor human.]

“…”

A voice echoed in his ears. Albert tilted his head, wondering where it came from.

Looking down, he saw the chick standing before him, staring up at him.

[Poor thing. You’re destined to be betrayed by the people you trusted!]

“What…”

The chick was speaking.

Albert wondered if he was hallucinating, thinking it was the end for him.

Just then, the boar began to charge again.

Looking behind the chick, Albert shouted, “Get out of the way…!”

[Hmph. Thank Irene for this. I’m saving you today because of her request.]

The chick proudly turned around, as if it had something to prove.

[My dear little creature, return to where you belong.]

A white light began to shine from the chick’s body.

The light surrounded the boar, trapping it. The boar stopped in its tracks, eyes wide with confusion.

The white light slowly entered the boar’s body.

Albert’s eyes widened.

Even a clueless person would recognize this… It was divine power.

A huge amount of divine power, in fact.

What was happening in front of him?

Once the light was completely absorbed into the boar, it shook its head, now calm, and walked away as if it had never seen Albert.

“…”

Had it gone?

Still in shock, Albert looked down at the spot where the chick had been.

“What…”

There was nothing left. It was as if it had all been a dream.