Chapter 67: The Purge (3)

There were a total of four injured.

Two cavalrymen had fallen from their horses due to collisions during the charge, and two soldiers were injured during the battle.

None of them had serious injuries.

Initially, the number of surviving monsters was small when the cavalry charged, making it an easy fight.

The problem was the Third Prince, who approached without giving them a moment to catch their breath. Kalin quickly moved to the side of the princess.

"Your Highness."

"I know the Third's intentions. Do you have any thoughts on this?"

"Yes."

"Speak quickly. What can we do?"

Kalin whispered in the princess's ear. The princess nodded with a stern face.

Under Emitter's command, the soldiers had reformed their ranks around the monsters.

The Third Prince glared at Kalin and Erendil. He didn't look pleased.

He was unhappy with the result of the successful defense. The princess also stepped forward with Kalin.

"Hey, hey—why are you messing with someone else's prey and causing a commotion?"

"I just came and caught it."

The princess replied indifferently. A brief pause. The Third Prince seized the moment to speak.

"Besides, it seems like you deliberately drove them this way."

"No way. The mages made a mistake. Cid! Didn't I tell you to do a good job?"

"I'm sorry."

The mage who apologized didn't even bow. The Third Prince chuckled, a clear mockery.

"Anyway, I want my prey back."

"Huh, I caught it, so it's mine. Besides, this is my territory."

"Why is it yours? You just crossed over a bit while chasing the prey. You're the one who stole the prey I was driving."

"You have the mind of a thief."

"Tsk, you're still as disrespectful as ever. Not only do you covet others' things, but you can't be fixed. Anyway, blood can't be hidden."

The princess clenched her teeth, knowing the implications of the Third Prince's words about the queen's poisoning and the imperial throne.

Since she had come with a specific purpose, the conversation was meaningless.

"Father didn't set any rules. It means I can take it by force. Hand it over now."

The tension in the air grew thick. A cold north wind blew, and the princess's blonde hair fluttered.

Erendil smirked.

"Try it."

"What?"

"Didn't you hear? I said, try it."

The Third Prince couldn't hide his surprise. He had assumed that a threat would make them back down.

The princess, though cold and aloof, had never beaten the princes before.

Since she hadn't officially declared her intentions, the princes believed she had no desire for the imperial throne.

They thought she would give up if they teased and intimidated her. The Third Prince wanted to see her distorted face.

"I have no interest in the position you desire. It means I have nothing to lose. If the monster hunt fails, it's fine for me. But it won't be fine for you."

"..."

It was a pointed remark. As long as it wasn't a case of kin murder, a power struggle was not a problem.

The emperor would say the loser was foolish.

However, a direct confrontation with equal numbers would result in significant losses, even if there was a difference in strength.

The Third Prince's side was close to being annihilated. For someone aiming for the imperial throne, it was a situation to avoid.

His bravado was just a show of contempt for the princess.

"Even if you particularly dislike me, go back and fight your brothers."

"..."

"I hope this doesn't happen again. Even if I can't become emperor, I can bring someone down."

"You!"

"Didn't you hear? It means I will attack you if you touch me."

The Third Prince's face turned red. A knight standing behind him turned pale.

He was the one who came up with the idea of the drive. Though the Third Prince accepted it, he refused to admit his mistake. He could see the future.

"..."

"You've changed a lot."

The Third Prince glared at Kalin. He had figured out that the idea came from Kalin's whisper.

Kalin didn't avoid the intense gaze. What could he do? Of course, this was just a thought.

"Wait and see. I won't let this slide easily."

Kalin barely suppressed a laugh. It sounded too much like a third-rate villain's line.

"Why not? I clearly said to try it."

The Third Prince glared for a while longer before turning away.

"..."

The prince's formation retreated. Kalin approached the princess.

"Well done."

"Thanks to you."

"No, it was what Your Highness did."

It wasn't a false statement. With little time, Kalin's words were brief.

- Fighting and incurring greater losses is not in our best interest.

The rest was the princess's quick thinking, which was even better than Kalin had imagined.

Erendil's lips curled slightly.

The waiting soldiers sighed in relief as the princess returned.

Though they couldn't hear the conversation, it seemed the prey wasn't taken.

Their gazes then turned to Kalin.

The approaching monsters, mostly predators, made the soldiers' hearts race.

- I'm going to die here.

That was the thought of the soldiers at the front. At that moment, Kalin charged at the monsters with a short spear.

His prowess was remarkable. He single-handedly disrupted the entire formation of monsters, a sight of sheer beauty.

While his skill in finding monsters was already known, this was the first time seeing him in serious combat.

It was a moment that changed the soldiers' perception, who had previously thought he was just a lucky mercenary.

In a way, it was similar to the effect of a swaying bridge. In an unstable situation, overwhelming power provided a sense of security.

They looked at Kalin with admiration.

"You've all done well. Finish them off."

"..."

The response was a half-beat late, but the voices returning to Kalin were twice as loud as usual.

* * *

Spies naturally existed between the princes and the princess. They knew but pretended not to.

It was meaningless anyway.

The First Prince had a clear advantage.

The knights he received were of a different caliber. He had two Sword Master candidates.

Of course, there was an unbridgeable gap between a Sword Master and a 'candidate.' They couldn't be compared.

However, being called a candidate meant they were quite skilled.

Thus, the First Prince was focusing all his efforts on keeping the Second Prince in check.

We had climbed to second place in the meantime. As time passed, the fatigue and losses of the other camps increased.

'Honestly, my contribution is significant.'

Unlike the Third Prince, who charged recklessly, we sought the safest battles.

His losses probably accumulated gradually, like a drizzle soaking a garment.

Moreover, the number of prey had decreased significantly compared to the beginning when they were easy to find.

We had nothing to worry about.

Even if the unfriendly knights did a cursory search, I could find all the monsters.

If there was no qualitative difference in the soldiers, we could even aim for first place.

"Amazing. Beyond what I imagined. I didn't think you could do this much."

The princess, who had heard the report, looked at me in amazement. The others felt the same.

Recently, the way people looked at me had changed.

Emit had been fine from the start, but the attitudes of those who treated me poorly had changed.

After rescuing the queen and this purge, the tone of the soldiers and the knights sent by other nobles had changed.

"I told you, Your Highness. The possibilities are higher than you think."

"That remains to be seen."

Erendil's expression hardened as he looked at me, then he sighed.

"..."

"Still, I've confirmed that your confidence is not baseless."

"Thank you."

I wasn't really grateful, but it was a necessary response. Otherwise, the conversation wouldn't continue.

I couldn't just agree, so I only needed to be honest when sharing opinions.

"By the way, I hear you often mingle with the soldiers."

"Yes, Your Highness."

I had learned some medicine from the duke and took care of the injured soldiers.

With a good reputation and being a commoner and a former mercenary, it was easy to approach them. I was curious about the reason for the question.

"Why do you ask...?"

"I heard some talk. They say a princess's bodyguard should maintain their dignity."

Erendil quickly added.

"It's not my intention. Considering your position, I think it's important to maintain good relations with the other knights as well."

Ah, I got the gist of it.

The knights' disapproving looks at me mingling with the soldiers were noted.

"It's fine. I do it intentionally."

"Intentionally?"

"Yes. While I'm at it, I suggest Your Highness also take care of the soldiers as much as possible."

Erendil's expression became serious, so I spoke calmly.

"A good leader takes care of their subordinates. Knights can gain support from nobles, but soldiers' trust is hard to earn."

"That's true."

"Yes. Considering the characteristics of the soldiers here, the effect will be doubled."

Old soldiers may have disadvantages in battle, but they have wide networks and significant influence.

Returning soldiers will talk about me and the princess. We need to build such good stories.

"If a crisis arises and you're in danger, having these grateful soldiers will be important. Even a small help can make a difference."

For example, giving a heads-up or pretending not to see something. The possibilities are diverse.

It's a form of insurance that can be gained by showing a little kindness. The princess slowly nodded.

"Understood. I'll try."

"You don't need to force it. A simple question about their well-being as you pass by is enough. We'll handle the rest, and they'll consider it your grace."

"..."

"I know that much."

The princess replied curtly. At that moment, someone approached the tent. It was Emit.

He had rushed over and, after catching his breath, spoke with a serious face.

"Your Highness, the Second and Third Princes have met."

Finally, the time has come. Erendil also looked at me.

"Is this the time you mentioned?"

"Yes."

"Are you sure you don't need to go?"

"It's better if I go quietly alone."

With spies around, I needed to move discreetly. I was the best person for the job.

"Go then."

As I retreated with Emit, Erendil suddenly called out to me. Emit looked at me and left first.

"Shurtafen."

"Yes, Your Highness."

"..."

"Are you okay?"

"I don't understand what you mean."

"You said you're eighteen. About the same age as me. I just thought the weight you carry seems heavy."

Hmm, it was a bit unexpected. However, the princess's question wasn't strange.

The tasks I undertake are indeed difficult for an eighteen-year-old.

Maybe it felt a bit odd because someone younger was showing concern.

"It's something I chose to do."

"..."

Erendil's silence suggested he was pondering my words. I realized why it felt odd.

"Perhaps, you're saying this because you told me to take care of the soldiers...?"

"No."

Erendil cut me off. His eyes wavered slightly. It seemed to fit.

"I said no."

"I didn't say anything..."

I bowed quickly under his intense gaze.

"Yes, I understand."

There was no need to argue. It was a thoughtful gesture, and I should be grateful.

Erendil's lips moved slightly before he waved his hand.

"Be careful. Don't get hurt. The First Prince is not an easy opponent."

"I will keep that in mind."