Chapter 258

Entering the arena, I found everything was fully prepared.

As expected, the information about the divided events matched what I had learned beforehand.

Thanks to this, I didn’t panic and could quickly think things through.

After finishing the rules explanation, Arshien snapped her fingers.

“Before the match starts, let’s take a short moment to distribute tokens.”

…What?

I thought it was time to start and was about to draw my bow, but there was some kind of event happening.

“Oh, right…”

[In the Yellow Dragon Martial Arts Tournament, archery events involve receiving tokens from close friends for support. This isn’t just about support, but also…]

…Yeah, there was such a custom.

I hadn’t seen it during the games, but I remembered reading about it in a noble etiquette book I’d thoroughly read.

Putting down my bow, I decided to wait a bit more.

Well, I knew no one would come. No matter how you look at it, Carsein’s reputation isn’t enough to receive a token of encouragement.

If asked if this made me feel lonely, I could confidently say no.

Rather, I was glad that annoying choices weren’t popping up.

‘Who would bring a token of encouragement to Carsein?’

Feeling at ease, I propped up my chin and waited, and someone approached me.

If there was anything notable,

it was that they were quite beautiful.

A woman with striking violet hair and eyes approached.

“I thought no one would come. Oh well, one person is here, though?”

…Yeah, there is.

Someone to cheer for me.

Just like during sports events, I had one good friend.

“Umm, don’t stare so much. Just show your wrist. The token goes on your wrist or arm.”

…Right.

It’s customary for an fiancée to tie a handkerchief around their fiancé’s wrist.

However, something else caught my eye.

“Did you hurt your hand?”

“…”

Harnier, who noticed, hid her hand behind her back and quickly put on a glove to cover it.

“It’s not hurt, you know?”

“Then why the glove?”

“No, it’s not!”

“Take off the glove and show me. That’s the way.”

“…”

See? It is hurt.

“It’s from cooking!”

“Cooking?”

…Isn’t cooking usually done by maids?

-Snap!

“Gah!”

“Really…! Just show your wrist. We’re busy handing out tokens…”

Sigh… Well, what does it matter?

With no further questions, I extended my wrist.

“It’s all set.”

“Thank you.”

“You’re welcome. It’s only natural to do so.”

Harnier smiled prettily and held my hand before returning to the audience.

‘…Four-leaf clover.’

Though it’s not there anymore, the handkerchief had somewhat uneven but clearly effortful embroidery.

So that’s why.

That’s why she hurt her hand.

Sure enough. Despite being sharp, she has a clumsy side in these matters.

I chuckled looking at the handkerchief.

-Thud, thud!

“Hey…”

Huh?

“…”

Unbelievable.

The blonde child was kicking the ground behind me with shoes, holding a handkerchief that didn’t fit.

“Hey…! As a member of the Bargrand ducal house…”

Soon, Flora dug a hole in the ground and threw the handkerchief at me before leaving.

“Why is she doing that?”

Maybe she got lost looking for her sisters?

“Why? Because you spend all your time with your fiancée.”

What’s she doing here?

Right after Flora left, Claire scolded me.

“Anyway, give it to her quickly.”

“You want to throw a handkerchief too?”

“Ugh. Throw what?”

“Ahhh.”

Claire hit my arm.

“I can tell you have no one to cheer for you, so you came to find one, huh?”

“Who, you? You’re cheering for me?”

What a ridiculous thing to say.

Seeing my reaction, Claire’s forehead twitched.

-Pak!

“Ouch!”

“Ugh, stop hitting me! What? Are you going to talk like that to the sister who came to cheer you on?”

“Ouch! Hey! There’s a rule against contestants interfering with each other!”

“I’m not even participating in this event, you brat!”

After getting hit lightly half a dozen times,

Claire took the handkerchief Flora threw and started attaching it to my shoulder as a token.

Claire then fixed her own accessory, leaving her mark of support like the other nobles.

‘Wow. This is almost like seeing the sun rise in the west.’

These guys must have eaten something wrong. Why are they acting like this?

Just as I was bewildered,

Claire, who had become calm, answered my casual question.

“Are you sure your arrow sleeve is on right? If not, you might cut your hand?”

“Come on. You can see that.”

“…Yeah. Okay. But listen.”

I waited, thinking she had more to say, but she sighed and hit me instead.

“Just take care of Flora! Don’t just think about your fiancée!”

Claire turned and returned to the audience.

“…What was that?”

To think all that was just it?

This… feels like I had something else to say but didn’t.

Not only that.

She felt different from the second sister I knew.

There was a strange feeling elsewhere too.

But I shook my head.

“No, I shouldn’t be thinking about that.”

No options appeared.

I was on guard for any unexpected situations, but there was no sign of it.

That’s enough.

I don’t need anything else.

-Ding!

▶The next match is starting.◀

***

The sound of the horn echoed again.

Participants drew their bows, and arrows rained down on the targets endlessly.

The archery event demanded significant concentration, causing varied results.

Some tried too hard and ended up missing due to overcompensation.

The presence of the mana field, which disrupted the flow of mana, was the perfect environment to disturb one’s composure.

Participants whose breathing went awry couldn’t even hit the target, and this happened quite often.

The increased difficulty compared to last year.

The environmental factors causing control issues.

Competitive spirit and fluctuating emotions.

Everyone struggled under these complex conditions.

Yet, amidst this chaos, there was one who maintained his composure until the end.

-Pak!

“Wow…!”

Arrows continuously hit Carsein’s target.

There was no better topic of conversation in the stands.

“Didn’t they say the mana field affects the participants’ minds?”

“Yes. Even though the same mana currents should be present… How can he be so calm?”

“The positions are also quite difficult. That spot is heavily influenced by the mana currents.”

“And there are moving targets as well…”

After showing a low initial score, he hit every shot without a miss.

Some suspected that Carsein’s field was different.

Others questioned fairness and demanded answers.

But these doubts soon faded.

“Indeed, the mana field for this event wasn’t designed by me. I changed the mana density significantly 15 minutes before the game began. It was my older brother who did it.”

The person who changed the mana density was none other than Arshien’s older brother.

To be precise, Albert Shehenian Peselros.

He is the first crown prince of this empire and the heir apparent.

He is also the vanguard who led the great unification of the empire and is known as the Iron-blooded War Hero.

The most upright and fair person.

No one dared to casually question his fairness in front of him, who was considered a candidate for the next emperor.

Returning to the current game.

-Pak!

Carsein finally hit the center of the most challenging target.

Praises and exclamations followed, along with applause.

“That’s it! Exactly like that!”

“Hey, look. It’s in front of the duchess.”

“Doesn’t the grand spectacle matter more than decorum?”

“Hmm.”

Though they said it, the retainers around them shared the same sentiment.

‘Hmm! That’s true. The Bargrand family shouldn’t lose to another clan.’

‘The top noble house, Bargrand, losing miserably doesn’t make sense.’

‘It’s only right to overwhelm and push forward like this!’

Just like at the symposium, the Yellow Dragon Martial Arts Tournament also attracted many noble heirs.

Given the involvement of noble heirs among the participants, there was naturally a subtle tension between families and individuals. When a family’s outstanding successor crushed another’s pride, it naturally boosted morale.

Thus, Carsein’s performance filled the Bargrand retainers with pride.

Isabella smiled and replied.

“Hehe. Enjoy it. I feel the same way.”

“Ahem. Everyone heard that? The duchess herself gave permission—”

*Stand up*

“Sir! Let’s strip everything away!”

“Look at this guy?”

“I wanted to say the same thing!”

“Ha ha ha ha!”

The retainers of the Bargrand ducal house cheered for Carsein with even greater enthusiasm than the others.

But among those watching, one retainer shivered.

‘…Oh my.’

Baron Ptua’s mouth hung open.

He shivered all over.

At first, he couldn’t understand why such a bow was requested. He assumed there must be a reason behind Carsein’s request.

But once he understood the structure of the bow,

and the weight and texture of the arrow,

and the supporting elements combined, he couldn’t help but feel a chill.

‘Sir… planned everything…’

To hit the target, what line should the arrow follow?

How much force should the bow exert, and how much power should be applied to the arrow?

How much energy is lost to wind resistance, and how much the angle and height are adjusted.

Each detail meticulously calculated.

Even the change in mana density and flow 15 minutes ago was checked with just three shots.

This isn’t mere coincidence.

It’s the result of thorough calculation.

Every step leading up to the arrow hitting the target was the product of continuous calculations in his mind.

-Gulp.

‘Really…! My eyes weren’t wrong!’

Baron Ptua clenched his fist and smiled victoriously.

***

The scoring archery event ended with Carsein’s overwhelming dominance.

The subsequent event in a competitive format yielded similar results.

Ultimately, this event was dominated by Carsein.

“…”

Arina drank a sip of water, moistening her dry throat while looking at the rankings.

When there was no equipment in the waiting room, she had criticized fiercely. But now, Carsein was fully equipped.

Yes, he wasn’t lacking in equipment; he had hidden it.

Not showing weakness to others is indeed a given.

I had forgotten this obvious fact.

‘Crap.’

-Squeeze.

The glass of cold water trembled.

During this time,

someone came to visit.

“Princess Arina.”

“…Count Stern.”

“Yes. I have something important to discuss, so I came directly.”

“What is it?”

Count Stern paused before answering.

“Princess, your sponsorship is currently sufficient. While I appreciate the offer, I wish to withdraw.”

“Is that so?”

Indeed, he wouldn’t be much help anyway.

The sponsorship was already sufficient with the other retainers.

Arina respected Count Stern’s wishes, thinking it was fine.

However, Count Stern, sweating profusely, looked around and made a request.

“But… my influence isn’t very broad. Could you connect me to Lord Carsein?”

Those words made Arina’s eyes widen.

-Ding!

▶Arina’s affinity decreased.◀

[Current level: 25%]