I Became the Male Lead in a Romance Fantasy Novel

017. Hunting Competition (5)

As Owen easily agreed, Kyle’s eyes widened in surprise, then he let out a small laugh.

“You’re less noble-like than I thought.”

He held back the words of anger that other nobles might have expressed if they had heard.

As if to prove this fact, Louis, who had been silently watching from behind, rushed in.

“How dare you say His Lordship is not noble-like! Listen, listen, how dare you be so rude…!”

As Louis ranted, Owen intervened.

“It’s fine. Topju probably didn’t mean it in a bad way.”

“How is that not a bad way! Leaving that rude fellow as is-.”

“I said it’s fine.”

Firmly, Owen cut off Louis who was ranting.

Upon this, Louis quieted down as if he had sealed his lips.

“I thought you’d be angry.”

When Kyle spoke informally, Owen replied with an indifferent expression.

“There’s no reason to be.”

“But that gentleman was angry, right? Saying it was rude.”

“Not everyone thinks the same way.”

“Hmm, still, it’s fascinating.”

With an intrigued expression, Kyle nodded and then asked Owen another question.

“Since we agreed to speak informally, I’ll ask, what’s your name?”

At Kyle’s question, Owen was slightly surprised.

Owen Verdun was a famous man.

He was a prince, and even if not, he was the only duke in the empire.

To not know the name of such a person.

“You don’t know my name?”

When Owen asked in surprise, Kyle chuckled and smiled.

“You’re quite full of yourself. Well, being a duke like Verdun, that’s understandable.”

As if understanding enough, Kyle nodded his head and then spoke again.

“But I’m not interested in nobles or people’s gossip. Even if it’s Verdun Duke passing by, all I’ve heard is people calling him the Verdun Duke.”

Upon hearing Owen’s acknowledgment that he knew Kyle’s title but not his name, Owen nodded in agreement.

“That makes sense.”

And then, he went on to mention his name.

“I’m Owen, that’s my name.”

“Owen. It’s a nice name.”

“And you, Kyle?”

“You know my name?”

“Maybe not anymore.”

When Owen cryptically replied, Kyle shrugged his shoulders.

“Since you’re always referred to as the Verdun Duke, just like I’m always called the Topjoo. There must be many people who don’t know, right?”

“Perhaps.”

As the two conversed amicably like that,

Louis, standing alone behind them, kept silent as he muttered to himself.

‘…What is this.’

For some reason, Owen and Kyle had quickly become friendly, while the haughty Keres Marquis got along quite well with Prince Richard.

Feeling somewhat isolated among the group, Louis narrowed his eyes and let out a nervous sigh quietly.

‘Damn.’

A sense of being alone and isolated brought up an uneasy feeling within him.

Feeling like he might be overwhelmed by emotions, he clenched his lower lip tightly.

‘I should probably tell Father in advance.’

Louis thought he should relay the unbelievable words he had heard from Owen earlier to Duke Edelt.

Since they were lovers anyway, she wouldn’t refuse if he proposed marriage.

It was a matter of no concern to anyone else.

He didn’t want to believe it, but anyway, since it was said that Lucia and Owen were lovers, there would be no reason for them to reject marriage.

Duke Edelt would even consider it a good thing that a relationship could develop between Owen and his daughter-in-law.

And he thought,

‘If Lucia gets married, she won’t carry the Edelt name anymore.’

There was no need to worry anymore.

He no longer needed to fret over the possibility of losing his position as the heir due to his father’s change of heart.

His father, apart from cherishing Lucia, was someone who held the Edelt insignia she possessed in high regard.

Whenever he looked at Louis, he knew the regretful expression he made.

He was well aware of the concerns that Lucia and he alternated while looking at each other.

‘Damn.’

No matter what he was born as.

Thinking of Lucia’s innocent red eyes, Louis gritted his teeth.

Apart from his appearance and the Edelt name, the direct proof of inheritance given to his insignificant sister was a waste.

‘…Once Lucia is no longer an Edelt, everything will be resolved.’

As he pondered this, Louis slowly exhaled.

If Lucia were to abandon the Edelt name, even if she had the direct proof of inheritance, the Marquis would lose interest.

‘The tiresome anxiety is finally over.’

With determination in his brown eyes, Louis adjusted the reins and held them firmly.

***

The journey continued, and the group had already reached the edge of the central part of the forest.

“Krrr….”

Soon, as they approached a region nearing the abyss, demons began to pour out from all directions.

Even at the beginning of the central area, only one or two demons had appeared, but now there were swarms of them.

One could be frightened by the excessive numbers, but Owen nonchalantly drew his sword with an odd calmness.

He briefly eyed the red cord neatly tied around the handle, then leaped forward, landing on the ground.

With his jet-black sword, he began to swiftly cut down the demons one by one.

The rough sound of tearing flesh filled the space.

How many times did he repeat this?

The demons that had filled the field of vision all turned into cold corpses and fell.

“…It’s truly remarkable.”

Richard, who casually witnessed Owen facing an enormous number of demons alone, offered words of praise.

In response, Owen lowered his head as if to deny it.

“No, not really.”

“No, it’s truly amazing. I thought so when I saw your skills with the sword, but this is truly remarkable.”

Despite Owen downplaying Richard’s repeated praise, he couldn’t help but exhale a sigh of relief.

“It seems I managed to give a convincing performance.”

If it appeared impressive enough in the eyes of a knight, especially one as skilled as Richard, then Owen had successfully imitated a swordsman adequately.

Moreover, being praised directly by the Crown Prince, there seemed to be no need to worry about being doubted.

No one would dare to challenge the Crown Prince’s words.

As Owen sighed in relief, the demons began to creep out again.

“…It’s really tiresome.”

Kyle sighed and raised a stream of water from his hand.

He then poured it directly onto the demons.

As the water touched the demons’ skin, Kyle lightly flicked his fingers.

The pouring stream of water instantly froze, and the demons perished on the spot.

Watching Kyle vanquish the demons, Lord Ceres, who had been silently observing, slowly spoke up.

“…Forgive my intrusion, Your Highness. It seems it would be better if our group scattered.”

When Lord Ceres cautiously brought up the topic, Richard, looking puzzled, asked, “Why do you think so?”

Lord Ceres politely nodded his head and replied, “Since each of us used to hunt separately… I believe it might hinder dealing with the demons if we stay together.”

Lord Ceres’ words made sense.

Until now, everyone in the group, except for the Crown Prince, had been hunting individually.

And that was crucial in a hunting competition.

Each of them hunted far more demons than groups of several people together, making it necessary.

“I see.”

Even before the start of the hunting competition, Lord Ceres had vaguely suspected this fact, but he had not dared to refuse the Emperor’s command.

However, now that they were actually hunting this way, the reality was starting to sink in.

‘At this rate, the meaning of the hunting competition will be lost.’

If the transcendents did not each unleash their full potential, they would not be able to hunt even half of what they normally did.

In that case, there would undoubtedly be an increase in disasters caused by demons in the north this year.

“Then let it be so.”

Unlike the Emperor, who was self-centered and thought of himself first, Richard was rational and considerate.

As Richard nodded, Lord Ceres swallowed a sigh of relief inwardly and bowed his head.

“Thank you for understanding, Your Highness.”

“It’s nothing. It’s only natural.”

In response to Lord Ceres’ gratitude, Richard nodded slightly and replied.

To which Lord Ceres protested softly, “It’s not an easy decision. I will be at your service, so-.”

“No, you were also someone who used to hunt alone, were you not?”

“Even so, I cannot leave someone who is new to this hunting competition alone.”

As the ideal master and servant conversation resumed, the rest of the group averted their gaze.

The two individuals, unaware of the reactions of their companions, continued their conversation.

“It’s fine.”

“I was concerned you might get lost.”

In response to Lord Ceres’ firm attitude that he could never leave alone, Richard eventually nodded.

“Do as you wish.”

“Thank you.”

“I should be the one thanking you.”

As the non-argument ended, Lord Ceres turned his gaze towards the group.

“Then it’s best if we scatter from here.”

At Lord Ceres’ decisive tone, everyone nodded their heads.

“Let’s do that.”

“Until we meet again.”

Confirming their positive replies, she turned back with Richard towards the center of the central region.

It seemed she intended to continue hunting, matching Richard’s level.

Watching them closely, Owen turned his gaze away and slowly began to speak.

“Shall we disperse now?”

Louis nodded at Owen’s voice.

“It would be better that way. I’ll head in this direction too.”

“Alright.”

As Louis concealed his presence, only Owen and Kyle remained.

“We should also disperse now-.”

“Is it really necessary?”

Kyle interjected at Owen’s voice.

Owen gave him a puzzled look.

To which Kyle chuckled and continued, “It’s fortunate in this boredom. Show me some action.”

“…What?”

Owen couldn’t help but be taken aback by Kyle’s words.

Action.

He, having read the original work several times, knew what that meant.

But he felt awkward.

He couldn’t do it.

“You saw me fighting earlier.”

As Owen reluctantly spoke, suppressing his bewildered emotions, Kyle shook his head.

“That was just ordinary swordsmanship.”

He continued firmly, “What I want to see is the way you’ve been sweeping away monsters all this time, not just using your swordsmanship.”

“….”

“I mean not just using the sword for combat, but handling it like magic. That’s what I want to see.”

Owen couldn’t easily respond to Kyle’s cheerful voice.

Handling the sword like magic.

Owen knew what that meant.

He knew, but… that was all.

‘There’s no way I could do that.’