Boxing day. As dawn dawned, we gathered at the forest's edge.
As explained earlier, the rules were simple: Hunt demons in the forest for three days, and the one who defeats more demons and returns alive wins. If the victorious side wants the throne, the defeated side cannot disobey.
"This year's Demon Hunt has some special elements." Lorenz stepped forward with a relaxed attitude. "As you know, all the princes of this generation are quite skilled swordsmen. Who would be a match for ordinary demons? It must be difficult to bring back all the corpses..."
He beckoned, and the man standing beside him like a shadow held out a small stone that had been wrapped in black cloth. "It's proof of a stronger beast. Extract this ore from the demon beast's corpse and bring it back. The one who brings in more will have killed more demons."
It emitted a bright blue light, shining coolly, as if carved from ice that had never melted. Inside, an indescribable skein of white thread seemed to grow like a ghost.
The system quietly came to mind.
[The core of the demon beast, which causes the heart to freeze, and is the source of the "Heart of Winter."]
Ugh. There was a grinding sound of teeth next to him. It was Kyle. He had already seen that many times in the North. It was similar to the ones the lawless wizards sent as 'gifts'.
"Fooling around with these damn wizards..."
Kyle wasn't the only one showing his anger. The knights of the Blake Knights who volunteered to help him also looked bloody.
'You can't think of it as a good thing.'
Their homes were trampled by the strengthened demons, and they lost precious people. Therefore, they had no choice but to be enraged by Lorenz's cruelty, who had joined hands with the wizards in the name of definitively eliminating his political opponent.
"It's not fair." At that moment, Sen stepped forward with a calm face. "We've been preparing our group to match the size of the hunt. Wouldn't it be a problem if it suddenly changed to an enhanced demon beast? His Highness Lorenz must have already known about this, and he must have prepared for it."
Lorenz smiled softly and slyly. "I understand your embarrassment, but it's not unfair."
"I'd like to hear why."
"First. The Demon Beast's core is randomly generated. It means that I can't gain an intellectual upper hand either. You can't tame a demon beast, so it's too dangerous."
"..."
"Second. If you only look at knowledge, you are at a disadvantage, but the situation will be advantageous. Isn't Prince Kyle Blake with you? The people of Blake's estate are quite familiar with these."
Kyle clenched his fists and took a slow breath. "... It is an honor that the Crown Prince sees it that way." It was a suppressed voice. It was as if he had been forced to gag a beast that was about to go on a rampage. If he was expressing his feelings right now, it was probably because he knew it wouldn't help much.
"And third. Isn't it a hunt for your life, regardless of the difficulty of the demon beast? Of course, you must have gathered the best elites and formed a group. Isn't that right?"
The last words were a clear provocation. Even Lorenz's eyes were on Belial, not Sen.
"Excellent." Belial curled his upper lip and laughed. "I didn't know you were such a driven person."
Lorenz replied without losing his composure. "I'm tired of sitting in the back and moving around with my words."
"..."
There was a chilly atmosphere. After all, they were going to fight to the death in a little while, so I didn't know why they were already so tense. I clicked my tongue and stood behind the knights.
Lorenz chose six knights of Duke Klein and three supposedly wizards. Belial then filled his group with Sen, Kyle, myself, two of his closest knights, and two volunteers from the Blake Templars.
Strictly speaking, Sen and I were not useful in battle. As a result, there was a natural opinion that it would be better to take another driver instead of Sen. However, Belial was adamant that he would take Sen with him. He had left her betrothed in the imperial castle because he didn't know when or how she might be assassinated.
"You don't have to do it." Kyle still seemed sorry to go into the forest with the Blake Knights. He could not feel relieved that the people he was responsible for were walking into danger.
However, those of the Blake Knights replied firmly. "This is not a private matter of His Royal Highness. The survival and well-being of our northern Blake estate is at stake."
"Yes. Not only that, but it also touches the grudge of the North. I'm sure those wizards are going to play a trick, but if they go back, are they truly Blake's knights?"
"Your Highness. Please allow us to proceed as planned." They said, their eyes glazing over. "Blake's enemy. It is not enough to give those mages crow's food."
"Even if you go in and tear it apart, I won't question you."
Kyle replied with a deep sigh. "But if I die, I will not forgive you. Did you understand me?"
"Yes, Your Highness!"
"I'll keep it in mind!"
I didn't need any further explanation or guidance. It was perhaps natural. Now, enter the forest. Kill everything in your way. And for three days, survive. Everyone became extremely serious in front of that simple rule.
Hooked!
The sword that had been thrust out like a ray of light came back faster. The blood that had been spilled on the blade could not keep up with the speed and dotted the air.
Demon Beast Core.
It didn't matter where the small stone was. Whether it was an arm, a leg, or a torso, the task was simple: Block attacks, cut off breathing. If it revived, cut it down again. Protect the people behind your back no matter what, and survive to get what you want.
Indomitable will and infinite struggle. It was the perfect phrase to describe Kyle Blake's life.
"... Hmm."
I let go of the bowstring and looked up at the sky in a daze, as if watching a bird fly away. If I interfered now, I would only hinder him, not help.
Kyle leaped into the bright blue sky. With his magic on his toes, he soared three times higher than the average man, flipped lightly in mid-air, and stretched his sword-clasped arm straight forward. From his shoulders to his fingertips, and to the tip of his shining sword, he drew a perfect line.
He stabbed at a ridiculous speed, causing the giant bear to scream and twist. It failed to hit him with its front paws. The beast showed its murderous intent by baring its yellow teeth, but Kyle also lunged at him with his red eyes shining.
Clang!
Sharp, hard things collided with each other, fell apart, and collided again and again. A pale light crackled from the impact.
Eventually, Kyle cut the body of a house-sized beast in half, reached into it, and grabbed the core.
"The first token has been drawn!"
"Alright! Let's stay calm and find our place!"
"Yes!"
After a moment of cheering, the knights formed a line to cover Kyle's surroundings. It was a very serious look. Standing in a safe place, I realized once again what kind of war they had been living in.
"You'd better go a little farther into the forest, Prince."
"Pay close attention to your surroundings and move. There's no way he didn't hide an ambush, considering his personality."
"Yes!"
I decided to ride a horse until the mountains became steep. I quickly got on my horse so I wouldn't fall behind. It wasn't so awkward to hold the reins on the saddle anymore. I knew that if I didn't run at full speed, I wouldn't fall ungracefully.
"I'd rather ride with you." But Kyle didn't seem to think so. As he wiped the blood off his armor and sword, he looked at me nervously. "You don't know what will happen. If you fall, it will lead to injury."
"It's okay because I just have to change."
There is a belief everyone holds. No, actually, apart from that, I didn't want to die and ask them to take care of me in this situation, where danger could strike at any moment. And my prediction was correct.
"Your Highness! Above the head, at seven o'clock, there is a flock of birds. Seeing that it is a strange entity, it seems to be a demon beast."
"Raise your bow!"
I quickly pulled out my bow again and nocked an arrow. The small-looking bird was spinning around in a big circle, but to be honest, it wasn't a distance I could accurately estimate. However, this was not a reason not to do anything.
I pulled the bowstring until my fingers tingled. I exhaled slowly, held it for a moment, and stared at a point in the air without even blinking.
Because he wants Belial to become emperor? Not. That kind of thing has no value to me. He said he would not pursue a policy of repression against North Korea, but he did not fully trust his words.
Because he wants Sen to be happy? There is no reason for this, but it is not the only reason.
"Shu."
I want him to survive.No, I want them to be happy.I want you to be by my side.
So instead of answering, I stared at a black dot and shot my bow without hesitation. Kyle, you don't know. I had pulled the bowstring hundreds or thousands of times for this one shot. Whether it's hard work, luck, or miracles, it's good. Anything is fine...
"Hey! One of them missed its wings and left the ranks!"
"Catch it! Support fire! Catch it before it descends!"
When my arrow grazed the beast's wings and it plunged, I laughed involuntarily.
We'll see.We're going to survive here, and we're going back to the North.
[Quest has arrived!] [Let's watch the community of destiny at the crossroads of life and death.] [Reward: Kyle Blake's survival, the sameness between the two.]