Chapter 69

The former crown prince, Zayed.

Cordelia reacted sharply to the name that had something to do with her.

"By 'mopping up after my brother,' you mean... the provider of the emblem devices my brother used was someone from your country, right?"

Leonhardt's eyes gleamed.

Emblem devices are mechanisms powered by magic stones, and their development involves magicians.

It was natural that someone from the Kingdom of Eltria, which has a large population of magicians, would be involved.

"That's right. It seems that one of our country's soldiers was somehow involved in the matter of the former crown prince Zayed. Not only with the emblem devices, but there are also traces of several illicit financial flows. I am trying to corner and capture those collaborators."

"To do that, you need information from us, right? ...Understood. There were still many unclear points regarding my brother's case, so this is a welcome offer. Depending on the other condition, I will consider cooperating."

Leonhardt seems to be open to this deal.

Cordelia has no reason to object, and if it means protecting the secret of the ancestral regression, it would be a favorable arrangement.

"Tell me, what is the other condition you desire?"

As Cordelia watched quietly, Bernhardt promptly provided the answer.

"I want you, Prince Leonhardt, to fight me."

"...Huh?"

Cordelia couldn't help but exclaim.

"Fight...? You mean a mock battle?"

"Exactly. Is there a problem with that?"

Bernhardt tilted his head slightly, pointing to himself.

"I am quite strong, you know? If Prince Leonhardt is someone who has trained in swordsmanship, wouldn't you desire a battle with a strong opponent? It would be a mutually beneficial condition, wouldn't it?"

"A battle with a strong opponent, huh..."

Leonhardt repeated Bernhardt's words.

After a moment of consideration, he seemed to accept it.

"Ah, I see. I agree. I have been wanting to fight you, Lord Bernhardt. I will accept those two conditions."

"Very well."

Bernhardt nodded once,

"I look forward to the match with Prince Leonhardt."

His purple eyes glinted with a fierce, predatory light.

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It seems that we have successfully established a cooperative relationship with Bernhardt and his men.

After seeing them off, Cordelia served tea to Leonhardt.

"Prince Leonhardt, please. You must be tired from the negotiations."

"Ah, thank you. Shall we enjoy it together?"

The aroma rising from the tea gradually relaxed their moods.

For a while, the two of them savored the taste and fragrance of the tea.

Glancing at Leonhardt, she noticed that his lion ears were gone, and he was now completely in human form.

Cordelia sighed in relief and tilted her teacup.

"It's a relief that Lord Bernhardt seems willing to keep the secret."

"Ah, it was fortunate. Lord Bernhardt, though he has his quirks, doesn't seem to be a bad person... Besides, it's a good thing he is from the Kingdom of Eltria."

"...What do you mean by that?"

"...Right, I haven't told you yet."

Putting down his teacup, Leonhardt began to explain.

"Have you heard the legend that the founder of the Kingdom of Eltria was born from the union of a holy deer spirit and a human?"

"Yes, I heard it before. At the time, I thought it was just a legend, but...?"

"It's not a legend, but history. It seems that occasionally, people who regress to their ancestral form as deer are born into the Eltrian royal family, just like me."

"Ancestral regression to a deer..."

It seems that there are others like Leonhardt and Hailoot on this continent.

Even though she had suspected it, it was still a surprising fact.

"Our royal families know that each other's bloodline produces ancestral regressions, and we have a kind of cooperative relationship. Even if our countries are in conflict, we ensure that the secret of the ancestral regression is not revealed. The consequences of the secret being exposed would be significant for both royal families."

"I see... So, if Lord Bernhardt were to leak Prince Leonhardt's secret to his own royal family, he would either be silenced or destroyed, right?"

It's a harsh topic, but the royal family's prestige is at stake.

In a world where prejudice against beastmen is strong, an existence that can switch between human and beast forms is nothing but trouble.

"That's likely. Lord Bernhardt, despite his young age, is called a hero. He has an excellent ability to detect such dangers and, I hope, won't recklessly spread the secret."

"Lord Bernhardt, if I recall correctly, earned the nickname 'Thunder Spear' two years ago for his bravery in the war between the Kingdom of Eltria and its neighbor."

The name 'Thunder Spear' was given to Bernhardt for his skill in magic and his ability to cut through enemy lines like a bolt of lightning.

"Ah, that's right. From what I've seen, he is quick-witted and has no weaknesses in his movements. It's a fitting title for his abilities."

"I see..."

Leonhardt has agreed to a match with a formidable opponent.

Praying that Leonhardt won't get hurt in the mock battle, Cordelia finished her tea.