Chapter 72: Southern Hunting Tournament (11)

 

Alphonse and Elena stood gazing at the forest, seemingly lost in its depths. Inside the room, several people were restless, wanting a glimpse of them, but the two appeared only interested in Damian’s return.

 

Louis, who had been standing in the same spot, felt quite at ease. After all, she had a favor to fulfill for Damian from the day before. If the two wanted to keep things private, she was determined to maintain that atmosphere.

 

‘That means eliminating any disturbances.’

 

She didn’t have to think too deeply about what those disturbances could be. The countless glances from the crowd behind her said enough.

 

Normally, Louis wouldn’t intervene in such situations, but this time was different. As a knight, she felt obligated to carry out her lord’s commands. And this command from her lord was the first of its kind since she began her service. Louis was committed to following through.

 

She briefly recalled her meeting with Damian the previous night.

 

Damian, whom she hadn’t seen in a while, looked more relaxed than before. He wasn’t inherently a cold or sharp person, but he used to be like an unsheathed sword. Now, he seemed more like a blade wrapped securely in cloth.

 

“Sir Louis,” Damian began, “I heard that you will not be participating in the hunting competition tomorrow due to your academic preparations. So would you grant me a small favor?”

 

“It’s a knight’s duty to obey the lord.”

 

“You’re not yet a knight, are you?”

 

“All cadets from the Knights department are considered apprentice knights. And after graduation, I plan to join the Black Dragon Knight...”

 

“Understood. You don’t need to say more.”

 

A favor.

 

Louis had known Damian for quite a long time, but this was the first time she had ever heard such a request from him. Damian was always a man who handled everything on his own. It wasn’t that he lacked people around him, so hearing a request from him was rare.

 

Many people saw Louis as a bit old-fashioned, but she had her own dreams and ideals. Nothing too special, just the fulfillment of a knight’s duties to her lord. Yet her lord, as mentioned, had never once made even the smallest request of her until now.

 

Although time usually resolved such matters, she was not one to handle anticipation well, perhaps due to her young age. Upon hearing Damian’s words this time, she looked at him with an enthusiasm uncharacteristic of her usual demeanor. To most, there might not have been any discernible change in her expression, but for her, it was a significant shift.

 

“Do you remember I have a younger sibling? In the upcoming tournament, he’ll be attending alongside my fiancée.”

 

“You’re talking about Young Lord Alphonse and Lady Edelweiss, aren’t you?”

 

“Yes. What I’d like to ask of you... just think of it as a simple escort mission.”

 

“An escort? Do you anticipate some trouble at the venue tomorrow?”

 

“It’s nothing major. I just have certain reservations. You know I will be participating in the hunt tomorrow? And my father has to oversee the event, meaning he won’t be available. Leaving the two of them alone at such an event makes me a bit uneasy.”

 

Damian scratched his cheek as if he was a little embarrassed. It was natural for a brother to worry about his younger brother or for a man to be concerned about his lady. Louis, with her burning passion evident in her gaze, listened intently to every word.

 

“Alphonse is a smart child, but he hasn’t had much experience in public. The sudden attention from many might startle him. I’d like you to be there to assist.”

 

“Understood.”

 

“And as for Elena...”

 

Damian hesitated for a moment, as if finding the words hard to say. Seeing Louis staring intently, Damian hurriedly continued, seemingly unable to frame his thoughts coherently.

 

“Elena is... beautiful. No, maybe ‘cute’ is more fitting.”

 

“...Suddenly boasting about her here?”

 

Taken aback by his unexpected comment, Louis widened her eyes in surprise.

 

“No.. no.. I meant! There might be some with ill intentions towards Elena. Just make sure anyone approaching them gets sorted out appropriately.”

 

Witnessing Damian’s flustered reaction, Louis nodded with a satisfied look. Their relationship must be truly special. Seeing their bond brought a warm feeling to her heart, and she playfully inquired,

 

“If you’re so concerned, wouldn’t it be best if you stayed with them? Isn’t the tournament not of prime importance to you?”

 

She knew well that Damian wasn’t overly concerned about the outcomes of such events. Considering his evident worry, it might be better for him to stay with them. If it was just about the tournament, he could easily excuse himself citing health reasons or the like.

 

Paused by Louis’s question, Damian softly chuckled and replied,

 

“... True. If this were the past, I would have done that. However, for this tournament, I don’t intend to be as nonchalant as before.”

 

“...”

 

“I have to impress, after all,” he briefly remarked and took his leave.

 

It was at this moment that Lois felt certain about the victor of this tournament.

 

Until now, more radiant than ever before, Damian stood out to Louis. The sheer brilliance assured Louis that Damian was going to showcase his true skills at the tournament without any reservations.

 

***

 

Louis said she would fetch some food for both of them, leaving the balcony momentarily.

 

It was evident that neither of them intended to leave before Damian returned. But sitting in a quiet place, merely staring at the woods felt a bit awkward. So it was a story she brought up because she felt like she had to do something. Of course, this was just an excuse for her to come out.

 

As she emerged outside, all eyes seemed to converge in one direction, curiously. Being the only outsider who had spent significant time with Elena, they seemed to have no intention of hiding their feelings in front of Louis, unlike when they met Elena herself.

 

Immediately after exiting the balcony, she drew the curtain, ensuring that Alphonse and Elena remained out of sight. Then, she scanned the audience in front of her.

 

As Louis held the gaze of the onlookers, a peculiar standoff between her and the dozens present commenced. Some from the crowd approached her, unable to contain their curiosity.

 

“Excuse me, Sir Louis. What was discussed inside...”

 

The man who approached her suddenly stopped speaking. One by one, those behind him began to fall silent. The reason for this abrupt shift didn’t remain a mystery for long.

 

She was once hailed as the best martial artist in the southern region.

 

The aura she emanated was not one an ordinary person could handle. A few attempted to stand their ground, but when she turned her head towards them, they promptly averted their gaze and retreated.

 

The once-bustling hall instantly hushed.

 

Despite its vast size, designed to accommodate many, no one in the hall could ignore the intense energy Louis exuded. Everyone subtly shifted their focus, trying to be as distant from the balcony as possible.

 

While many addressed her as ‘Sir’ and treated her like a knight, Louis was still a student at the academy, yet to receive her official knighthood. What distinguished her was that she had been the second in the knight department at the prestigious Estelia Academy for three consecutive years.

 

Considering her status as a mere academy student, her recent action might seem overly assertive.

 

Surprisingly, no one criticized or reprimanded her for her behavior. The entire atmosphere was one of acceptance, even though one would expect at least a few to show some resistance.

 

Certainly, anyone who had established a foothold in this southern region would be a fool not to know who stands behind Louis.

 

In the Imperial Path, just as the emperor embodied the law, in the south, Kraus was the law. Although they belonged to the same empire, in the south, Kraus’ status was no less than that of the royal family. Those gathered here were of that ilk. Though they belonged to the empire, their true allegiance lay with Kraus, not the emperor.

 

It was long rumored that the eldest daughter of the House of Graham was under Kraus’ protection.

 

Such was the reclusiveness of the Kraus family that rumors swirled of their communication with her. And what was once just a rumor was confirmed today.

 

For the first time, the second son of the Count Kraus, who had never before shown himself, revealed his presence through Louis, and even the fiancé of the heir of the family did not leave her side. That alone was reason enough for them to bow before Louis.

 

While one might think that the dominance she displayed was merely like a fox acting as lord of a mountain without tigers, they knew that Louis’ actions had a deeper meaning.

 

Not much was known about the person Louis Graham. She didn’t earn the title of the ‘Best Martial Artist of the South’ for nothing. It was proof of the remarkable feats she showed to the public.

 

The character and skills of Louis were so well-known that everyone in the South was familiar with her. They all knew she wouldn’t threaten them without reason.

 

Hence, they realized that Louis’ actions weren’t just simple threats, but warnings from someone higher. So, they all silently lowered their gaze.

 

As Louis began to move, everyone made way for her. Although an awkward atmosphere enveloped the hall, Louis seemed unfazed. On the contrary, she seemed to find the situation quite invigorating.

 

‘Mission accomplished!’

 

Right now, all that occupied Louis’ mind was that she had carried out the task entrusted to her by Damian. Though her intimidation was minimal, it was enough to instill fear. Unless they wished to risk their lives, no one would dare move recklessly.

 

Damian probably hadn’t expected Louis to act so decisively, but regardless, she had faithfully executed his orders.

 

The hall momentarily fell silent, but it wasn’t long before they resumed their individual conversations, treating Louis as if she were invisible. Needless to say, no one dared approach her. The hall seemed distinctly divided into two groups: Louis and everyone else.

 

Satisfied with the lack of attention and noise directed at her, Louis moved to a table where food was laid out.

 

Perhaps it was something she had heard before.

 

She took a plate and mostly chose sweet delicacies.

 

Given the variety of treats available, selecting just one of each type was enough to fill her plate. Anticipating the possibility of needing a palate cleanser, she didn’t forget to grab a light beverage.

 

Once her selections were complete, she walked towards the balcony with a contented expression. Her face might have seemed unchanged, but there was a subtle shift in her aura. Hence, before stepping onto the balcony, Louis turned around once more to gaze at the attendees.

 

This time, unlike when she exited the balcony, not a single person met her gaze. They were all engrossed in their own conversations. Observing this, she gave a slight nod as if to say, ‘Keep it that way,’ and disappeared behind the curtain.

 

Only after Louis was out of sight did the guests allow themselves a silent sigh of relief.

--- END OF CHAPTER ---

 

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