Chapter 21

Book 2

"I think I might be a genius when it comes to hunting."

Viretta confessed softly.

"I had a vague idea, you know. I suspected I had a special talent for hunting ever since I caught that wolf at a young age. But back then, I was too focused on my dreams and neglected it. But to think that in only my second hunt, I managed to bring down a horned beast! It seems that true talent always shines through, no matter how you try to hide it."

"Have you already forgotten that time you were chased around by wild dogs and flocks of migratory birds?"

"That was, let’s say, a practice in the art of nonviolence. I love all living things, after all."

Lanken cast a glance at the dried meat Viretta was chewing on. Nonviolence, my foot.

"It was just a stroke of luck that we happened to bring down one horned beast."

"If you think it’s all luck, how about we go back and catch another? Shall we try again?"

"You’re a genius! Absolutely remarkable!" Lanken flipped his opinion like a piece of paper, quick to shower Viretta with praise. Going back to hunt another horned beast sounded worse than giving her some flattery.

He laid on the compliments thickly, feeding Viretta’s growing pride as her nose turned up in satisfaction.

"How could you even think of hunting a horned beast with only three people, no traps, and no bow? Truly incredible."

"Because it’s me, of course."

"No sane person would take on such a challenge! They say geniuses are mad—looks like you’ve lost it completely!"

"My kind of genius transcends ordinary logic."

"Exactly. You’re exceptionally… well, let’s say, unique."

"Ohoho, Lanken, you don’t have to overdo it. I’m well aware of my uniqueness, thank you very much."

"...Truly… a madwoman…" Lanken murmured, no longer trying to disguise his words in praise. The reality of being stuck on this hunt, unable to return to the estate, weighed heavily on him.

Of course, there had been a thrill when they caught the horned beast. He hadn’t expected them to succeed under such chaotic circumstances, so he’d even ended up dancing with Viretta in celebration. Iola had asked if it was some sort of "ritual to express joy in the hunt," but Lanken had danced all the same.

Our Viretta actually took down a horned beast! How impressive!

But the joy had stopped there. Viretta’s confidence had grown exponentially after their success, landing them in a tight spot.

"I guess dragons won’t stand a chance against a genius like me."

Which meant…

Lanken clenched his teeth, fully aware that he was now stuck with her dragon-hunting ambitions. Praise her, and she’d want to hunt a dragon; don’t praise her, and she’d want to hunt another horned beast. Either choice led to despair.

"I should’ve accepted the princess’s request to be her knight! But back then, I had much grander dreams."

Since Lanken, her only source of restraint, had fallen silent, Viretta chattered on excitedly. Listening intently, Iola seized the moment to ask a question.

"What kind of dreams did you have?"

"I wanted to be a princess."

Viretta reminisced about her childhood dreams with a wistful sigh.

Thinking back on those shining aspirations filled her with warmth, but her eyes lowered, weighted by the bittersweet end to that dream.

"But Father didn’t have any ambitions for the throne."

"Ah, you meant that kind of princess."

Iola, who had been full of curiosity, let out a breath of admiration. He hadn’t anticipated that her childhood dreams involved "her father’s attempt to seize the throne."

"A coup for the throne… that’s certainly more ambitious than becoming a knight."

"I understood Father’s concerns, but his lack of ambition was disappointing. I didn’t want to be a disobedient daughter, so I gave up on the throne."

"I see that even as a child, you were someone who defied conventional thinking. Still, I’m glad you didn’t pursue that dream. Otherwise, I wouldn’t have had the pleasure of meeting you, Viretta."

Had she succeeded, there would have been a considerable gap in their social status; had she failed, her entire family would’ve likely faced execution.

Yet Iola maintained his gentle smile as he mentioned this grim reality.

"Meeting you brings me great joy."

"Iola, your words never fail to make me happy."

"It moves me deeply that we can work together, sharing a common goal."

"Your kindness in reminding me of that shared goal… it leaves me speechless!"

Common goal = Breaking off the engagement.

Iola’s sincere affection lifted Viretta to great heights, only to toss her over the edge again.

"How is he always so consistent…"

There was genuinely no trace of malice or ulterior motives in his words, which somehow made it even sadder.

"To return to the main point, I also believe you have a natural talent for hunting, Viretta."

"Of course, right?"

But one word of praise, and Viretta blossomed once more.

"You didn’t have any weapons, there were only three of us, and it certainly wasn’t a task for the sane. Either it was a plan devised by a fool with more confidence than sense, who knew nothing of the risks of hunting a horned beast…"

At this point, both Viretta and Lanken quickly averted their eyes from Iola.

"…or it was a calculated plan from an experienced hunter who understood their prey and could assess the situation accurately. They say that genius and madness look alike; it certainly seems true."

Viretta, who had come close to being labeled a fool, quickly kicked aside her embarrassment and laughed.

"Haha! That’s right! Naturally, I’m the latter! I’m not just a hunting genius… I am hunting!"

"Haha, hahaha… Is he messing with us?"

"He’s not. Look at those innocent eyes, that face full of trust, and that upright posture showing his confidence."

"The posture has nothing to do with it."

"Of course it does. It makes him look trustworthy."

"You just mean you find him charming."

"There are certain looks, like your face or Iola’s stance, that naturally inspire trust."

Though embarrassed by the praise, Lanken stopped grumbling and turned his head. Even to him, Iola didn’t look like someone who would lie, so he reluctantly accepted it.

"Now that I understand Viretta’s skills, I plan to trust her fully when it comes to hunting."

Iola spoke once Viretta and Lanken’s conversation had wound down. As Lanken half-raised his hand, Iola pointed at him.

"Please, go ahead."

"You’re saying you’ll leave the planning to an amateur like Viretta? Don’t you have a plan? You’re the one who knows a lot about dragons and had been thinking of seeing one."

"A perceptive question."

But he didn’t answer. Lanken raised his hand again.

"Go ahead."

"You’re the one who should be talking! Have you thought about how we’re actually going to do this?"

"Oh, you need further explanation."

With his usual cheerful expression, Iola added an explanation, completely unbothered.

"I don’t have one."

He had absolutely no plan.

"And what are you relying on, going in so unprepared?!"

"I’m relying on Viretta."

"Hehehe."

"Don’t blush over that!"

Lanken shot a glare at Viretta, who was beaming shyly as she fiddled with her hair.

"Unfortunately, despite my knowledge, I lack practical skills. People have different aptitudes, and I seem to be lacking in that area."

"In simpler terms?"

"I’m not very creative. I knew how the horned beasts would behave and that they had a keen sense of smell, but I didn’t think of using it to make a quick, effective decision like Viretta did."

"So what can you do?"

Lanken asked the question with a hint of sarcasm, ready to pack up and leave if Iola turned out to be useless.

Iola straightened, adopting an apologetic tone as he began to answer.

"I possess modest skills at a level equivalent to that of a commander—swordsmanship, spearmanship, a bit of archery."

"Very mercenary-like."

"I also have a bachelor’s-level understanding of magic, mercenary tactics, chariot handling, horsemanship, explosives manufacturing, logistics, fluency in three languages, knowledge in zoology, botany, accounting, social culture, architecture, domestic law for Sahar and Fillian, and…"

"Th-that’s enough."

Lanken’s plan had backfired entirely.

"Yes, these modest skills probably aren’t particularly useful."

Iola’s calm tone suggested he’d misinterpreted Lanken’s reaction, and he concluded with a humble demeanor.

For Viretta and Lanken, neither of whom possessed any of Iola’s so-called "modest" skills, the realization was a bit overwhelming, though Viretta quickly recovered.

With stars practically shining in her eyes, she gazed at Iola.

"To think such a capable and wonderful man is my fiancé…"

"Though soon to be an ex-fiancé…"