"Ten days from now, I'll propose the 'Hunt'."
That was Belial's primary objective.
Of course, he didn't just blurt it out. He hesitated for a moment, but unfortunately, I wasn't relaxed enough to wait for a drawn-out discussion. No matter how much the 'load' time increased, it was still only four hours.
However, there was no need for me to rush Belial. Kyle, who had a general understanding of my situation, simply stated that we didn't have much time and urged me to hurry. All I had to do was nod in agreement.
'How convenient,' I thought. 'It's always better to get things done sooner rather than later, as the old saying goes. There's nothing wrong with starting with a clean slate.'
However, there was a problem.
"Excuse me..." I raised a hand and interjected. "What exactly is hunting?"
His expression was utterly bewildered by my question.
Originally, hunting was a group activity for pursuing animals or beasts, but it didn't seem to fit the gravity of the current atmosphere.
Sen and Kyle, understanding that I wasn't born and raised in this world, tried to offer an explanation. Belial, however, stared at me as if I'd asked something incredibly strange.
"You participated in a hunt just last time, didn't you? Don't you know?"
"Yes, well... that's how it happened. Please just consider me a fool and explain it."
Kyle quickly cut into the conversation. "It's a political contest."
"A political contest?"
"Yes."
He explained that it takes place in a deep mountain to the east, about a two-day carriage ride from the Imperial Capital, Hwangseong. No one enters it unless there's a special reason, and no one truly knows what kind of beasts and demons inhabit its depths.
Each team is limited to ten members. Inside, people fight for their lives.
In principle, the team that hunted more demons would win, but it was widely understood that no one truly cared about that.
There was only one way to leave the forest: survive any threat for three days, or kill the leader of the opposing team.
Moreover, any deaths occurring during the hunt were subject to unwritten rules. To be precise, these deaths were officially acknowledged and even promoted. It didn't matter how someone was killed, or even if their body couldn't be found. It would simply be recorded as a mere accident.
When only one person can ascend the throne, and another wishes to challenge that authority, and when the conflict must be resolved through blood and death without any possibility of agreement, the challenger proposes the 'Hunt.'
Listening to Kyle's concise explanation, I began to grasp the brutal reality of the Meinhardt Empire.
"It's not unusual for things to explode at any moment." Sen added, succinctly describing the Emperor's precarious situation.
Belial nodded briefly. "We hastily extinguished the immediate threat by making Baron Chestill a scapegoat, but we all know his death doesn't signal the end of the matter."
"If the instability grows, it won't just spread; it will explode all at once. If you get involved, it's over."
"So, you proposed the Hunt first?" I asked.
"I don't wish to be helplessly purged under various pretexts." Belial, possessing a lower right to the throne, was inevitably more restricted in his actions compared to Lorenz. Rather than being cornered, he preferred to make a decisive move. "It's my last chance."
He implied that at least he could still wield a sword. I understood.
"I see."
This tradition, which seemed considerably barbaric, was apparently quite common in the Empire. While the eldest son typically inherited the throne, it didn't mean the second or third sons were denied a chance.
Yet, when I considered how they were openly willing to kill each other, and the surrounding nobles wouldn't intervene, I asked what they were doing. The three of them looked at me as if I were utterly naive.
'If you make a quick decision, it's easier to walk the tightrope, so just leave it alone…' I realized they believed it was better to sever a rotten rope early than to let the rot spread, even if it meant lives were lost.
It seemed that the Hunt, and everyone participating in it, was truly insane.
As I listened to the story with a sullen expression, Kyle let out a low chuckle. He seemed pleased that I disapproved of such cruel methods.
"You don't seem to like it," he remarked.
"It's strange to be happy when people die. Besides, the method is cruel." I shook my head with a disillusioned expression. "Wherever people gather, it seems to come to this. No matter how harsh the world, there's nothing more terrible than human malice."
"There is only one imperial throne, and many desire it. It cannot be helped," Belial said calmly, his words unsettling me even more.
Everyone who mercilessly trampled on others to achieve what they desired in a difficult life always uttered the same justification: 'I can't help it. I had no choice but to do so.'
In any case, this political struggle would surely have been a plot point in
However, since Kyle had been in crisis, I hadn't paid enough attention to the system and felt I should ask it for the exact details now.
What was important now was that Belial would declare a political battle in ten days. Lorenz would likely accept it eagerly, seeing it as a perfect opportunity to eliminate him cleanly.
Then, what about Kyle, caught in the middle...?
"I hope the Grand Duke will assist me." Belial's tone was exceptionally polite, a stark contrast to his usual arrogant demeanor. He continued in a low voice. "I've heard that quite dangerous beasts live in the deep forests of the East. The ecosystem differs from the North, so there will be some variations, but they should be much easier to handle than powerful demons."
Kyle nodded somberly, indicating for Belial to continue.
"Please lend us your support. I will pay the appropriate price."
There was no way Lorenz wouldn't recognize this unfolding trend. Perhaps, after hearing of the Hunt, Lorenz would make the same offer to Kyle.
Two of the three princes were in conflict, half-siblings at that. Thus, everyone would be keenly observing whom their one and only half-brother, the strongest knight in Meinhardt, would support.
"It's a crossroads," I said casually, and Kyle replied flatly, "Life is a series of choices."
He had been through far worse, so this was nothing to him. "Well, I suppose so."
People always make choices. It must have been the same when he fought with demons. Turn the sword left or charge right. Decisions made in an instant, with life as the cost. There was no way such a choice would make him falter.
Kyle simply stated, "Excellent."
A short silence followed.
In the interim, I checked the system again.
[Kyle Jane Meinhardt: Approximately 170 days until estimated time of death.] [Kyle Jane Meinhardt: Approximately 10 days until estimated time of death.] [Kyle Jane Meinhardt: Approximately 170 days until estimated time of death.] [Kyle Jane Meinhardt: Approximately 10 days until estimated time of death.]
Several windows still filled my vision with blue text.
Kyle had decided to participate in the 'Hunt' ten days later. However, that alone didn't determine his life or death. Belial, whose estimated death time was fixed at around 10 days, and Sen, who no longer becomes Serena, were completely different cases.
Did it depend on what happened during the Hunt itself? Or... since his fate wasn't fixed, did it mean it was easier to change than Belial's or Sen's?
I didn't know. And so, I was even more anxious.
"..."
I lowered my hand under the table and felt a warmth on its back.
It was Kyle's hand.
He didn't break the silence. He wasn't even looking at me. Since the discussions with Belial weren't over, his straight and unwavering gaze remained fixed forward.
However, his hand, gently brushing the back of mine, lightly traced my fingertips with his thumb, then squeezed my hand slightly. It was firm and stable. The tension that had been chilling me slowly began to release.
"However, the Knights of Blake will not move as a unit. This is not territory-wide support. I will move in the name of Kyle Jane Meinhardt."
This meant that the political influence on the territory would be minimized.
Belial nodded. He wouldn't have wanted support from the territory unit either; it would be more difficult to explain. Kyle, who cared deeply for his people, wouldn't put his knights in unnecessary danger.
"But I don't think that changes the fact that it's significant support, regardless of the name."
"..."
"I have no reason to participate in this 'Hunt.' I don't even need it."
Belial nodded again, his face heavy. "Yes. I suppose so."
"Give me a reason to move."
Kyle's cold voice made Belial's green eyes gleam differently. Belial's handsome face broke into a smile. He seemed quite confident, and willing to provide any number of reasons for Kyle to join.
Belial pulled a small object from his pocket and placed it on the table.
The copper medallion was large enough to fit in my palm and looked quite heavy. It was engraved with an hourglass, eyes, and a mainspring, giving it a delicate yet strangely eerie appearance.
"The Wizards of the Lawless Zone are on the move. This means the Crimson Oath has been decided."
"Frost Tower..."
A group that could not be bound by any law. They were the masters of the lawless land, and they were planning to descend upon the North.
An old nemesis, indeed, I thought.
Kyle picked up the medallion, a grave expression on his face, and held it in his hand. He knew that wizards had joined the conflict, but seeing the tangible evidence made the realization fresh and deeply disturbing.
Belial spoke in a low voice. "You have already joined hands with these wizards, Kyle. This fact remains unchanged."
"..."
"Three wizards have been captured. But not long after they were put in the dungeon, they vomited blood and died, just like Baron Chestill. An autopsy showed that all of them had their lower left molars broken."
"They'd hidden poison in their teeth," I stated.
"Yes."
Kyle didn't even bother to laugh. He merely squinted, as if disgusted by their ruthlessness.
While I remained silent in the freezing atmosphere, Belial continued.
"If I lose this battle, the next Emperor will be Brother Lorenz. And they will reward the mages for helping them with the Hunt. What do these wizards really want?"
"..."
"Isn't that reason enough?"
Kyle squeezed the medallion in his hand. His hands trembled with hatred and anger, tendons standing out white. It was a stark contrast to the hand that had just moments ago held mine gently.
"Enough."
And so, Kyle decided to join the fray.