Disclaimer: This is the second chapter of the double release, so if you havenât read
Anyway, here is the chapter, I hope youâll like it!
ăâââYeah, I just canât imagine the crime happening in the royal castle. For now, letâs go outside to search for the scene of the crime based on what we know of her highnessâ memories.âă
Although Kurats intended to go investigate by himself, Lunaria was not of the same mind.
With a cheerful luster in her eyes, she took Kuratsâ hand and declared.
ăâYes, if youâre going to escort me, Iâll be able to walk at ease for sure!âă
Even Bernst, with his high intellect, had not been able to perceive that Lunaria had intended to personally go to the scene of the crime that was committed on her. He had completely failed to realize exactly how tomboyish this princess was.
Lunaria had a bewitching smile on her face, but Kurats could not answer right away due to his mouth being still wide open from amazement.
ăâWhatâs the matter? You told his majesty the king that you need my cooperation, right?âă
ăâI guess thatâs right but⌠Your highness, youâre actually enjoying yourself right now, arenât you?âă
Lunaria unapologetically stuck her tongue out, as if admitting that she had been exposed.
She still had the dignified behavior of royalty, but the sweetness of a young lady had added itself to that, which made Kuratsâ facial expression loosen up without him noticing.
Needless to say that Rosberg was even more affected.
The princess had quite the devilish charm to her.
ăâY-your highness! Your cannot expose yourself to such risks!âă
ăâI am but a sad princess whose life is being targeted in the shadows. How could I be punished for wanting enjoy myself just a little bit?âă
ăâYour highness, you always say these kind of things to stealthily go out of the castle, but I will not be tricked anymore!âă
ăâThis is unbelievable. Youâve already put Kuratsâ abilities to the test, and yet you still cannot put your faith in him?âă
ăâThatâs⌠Itâs not that I donât have faith in himâŚâă
Although they had both concealed their trump cards, they still both recognized each otherâs abilities.
And Rosberg knew that when Kurats fought seriously, even a whole troop of the kingdomâs knights would not be able to lay a single finger on him.
ăâIf my lifeâs being targeted anyway, I might as well enjoy it!âă
Lunariaâs heartily spoken line rendered Kurats unable to suppress his laughter.
The carefree girlâs brightness was quite amusing to him.
ăâOh? Looks like Kurats can also make this kind of face, huh.âă
Noticing the laughing expression that spontaneously appeared on Kuratsâ face, Lunaria felt like he looked younger than his age. It was hard to imagine that this was the same man who had fought with his life at stake against Rosberg.
ăâSo, is it okay if I rely on you?âă
As he saw Lunariaâs cute gaze that did not leave any room for objections, Kurats raised both of his hands like he was surrendering.
ăâYeah, donât worry, Iâll protect you with my life.âă
Without delay, Lunaria and Kurats left together towards the outskirts of the castle.
Although the displeased facial expression on Rosbergâs face still did not change up to the very end, he still ended up being driven away against his will by the explanations of Lunaria, who kept claiming that it was all for the sake of the investigation.
Kurats sincerely sympathized with Rosbergâs anxiety.
ăâBe it when I was training in the royal castle, or when I was being taught by my teachers, I used to stealthily slip out of the castle whenever I could find an opportunity, save for when I had to take care of my official duties.âă
ăâStealthily, huh.âă
Although the princess was wearing knight training clothes so as no to stand out, she could not hide her noble dignity and her beautiful face that made everyoneâs heads turn.
So, while she did sincerely intend to hide herself, any onlooker could immediately tell that she was the princess.
Lunariaâs popularity among the nationâs people certainly had to do with the fact that, whenever she hiddenly went out of the castle, they could tell it was her.
ăâBy the way, do you have any coins on you, Kurats?âă
Lunariaâs big eyes were filled with curiosity and shining with anticipation as she gazed at Kurats.
ăâI donât think I have enough money to be able to satisfy you, your highness.âă
Lunaria had never carried money on herself.
As the princess, all she had to do was ask and what she wanted would be bought for her, but it was actually the ministry of economy that would take care of paying.
So, when she traveled incognito, it was impossible for her to do any shopping, however, that was a whole other story now that Kurats was here. Lunariaâs heart was throbbing with excitement.
Failing to meet such expectations would have been quite uncouth of Kurats.
As Lunaria cutely glared at him with inflated cheeks, Kurats showed a wry smile and corrected his earlier statement.
ăâAlright, let me treat you, your higness Luna, but only a little bit, okay?âă
(How could I not notice such blatant killing intent?)
As soon as Kurats and Lunaria left the castle, multiple sources of killing intent surrounded them.
Even if he did not use magic, Kurats was a hunter by nature. Although the other side did not know they were being hunted, for Kurats, they were nothing more than easy prey.
By now, he had already made the spontaneous decision to look for a chance to crush them all together.
ăâŚâŚ Most of them are small fry, but there a few fellows stronger than the rest.ă
(Theyâre mages, arenât they? They might be thinking theyâre hiding pretty well, but I can tellâŚ)
Bernst was surprised that Kurats had managed to notice the presence of the mages without having to use any kind of magic.
ăIs that a concealing technique from this world? It certainly does have the effect to isolate the userâs presence and yet, whyâŚă
(Oh, what are you talking about? Is there really such an unnatural hiding skill out there?)
By the age of ten, Kurats was already hunting the wild beasts and monsters which lurked in the mountains of Gaura.
In some cases, wild animals could hide their presence even better than mages.
From Kuratsâ perspective, compared to the mountainâs beasts which he fought against with his life on the line, the mages, who could move around with peace of mind thanks to the trust they placed in their concealing techniques, only seemed like they were hiding their heads without noticing that their backs were completely exposed.
ăHumph, this savage kid is just too much!ă
Bernst believed Kurats was quite dependable for having the talent to detect his enemies without fail, but on the other hand, he was dissatisfied with the fact that the source of this ability was not magic but merely a sixth sense developed through the accumulation of years of experience.
Bernst believed such methods were too unrefined and inelegant for the alter ego of the magic king.
Without a single clue about the conflict that was going on within Bernstâs mind, Lunaria took Kuratsâ hand and started running.
ăâA maid said there is a famous fortune teller in the plaza over there!âă
ăâItâs perfectly fine to be in high spirits, but please just try not to stand out too much.âă
Despite being close to reaching a marriageable age, Lunaria was taking a manâs hand without a single worry or care. Kurats could not help himself from smiling wryly at that.
Lunariaâs feet came to a stop in a street that was lined with stalls, in order to buy some succades which she proceeded to quickly toss into her mouth, like some small animal striking at bait.
ăâOoh! This kind of food can taste great, too!âă
While it was different from the refined deserts that she ate in the royal palace, this junk foodâs unhealthy sweetness was quite refreshing for Lunaria.
ăâLooks like youâre really enjoying those sweets, miss. You have to try some of this !âă
After seeing the rice cake that was strongly recommended by the pushy square-faced shopkeeper, Lunaria turned a glance full of anticipation towards Kurats.
Of course, there was no way Kurats could resist that look.
That was because Lunaria had a disposition that made older men want to protect her.
It was likely due to this enchanting disposition of hers that she was able to ensnare Rosberg and the others.
ăâMmm! This one has a refined but quite peculiar sweetness!âă
The cake contained a sugar substitute made by boiling down a type of ivy plant called sweet kudzu, which had a flavor beloved by the masses since ancient times. Depending on how it was boiled, it could be as sweet as honey or ever sweeter, and there was also a refreshing acidity to it.
This was not inferior to the pastries made by the royal palaceâs workers.
After eating the kuzumochi cake with gusto, Lunaria once again headed towards the fortuneteller she had heard about: Zawari.
Kurzts felt a wriggling sensation as the air around him became denser.
There was a presence that both Kuratsâ sixth sense and Bernstâs magic had failed to perceive earlier.
Had this been an assassin, even Kurats would have inevitably struggled against him.
Or at least, the presence in front of him was mighty enough to make him think so.
ăâOooh! Over there! Weâre lucky, it seems like there is nobody else there.âă
âThat probably has nothing to do with luck, I feel like it was done completely on purposeâ Thought Kurats, but he was aware that saying it out loud in front of the fortuneteller would have been tactless of him.
In the first place, he did not even know whether this presence was hostile or not.
ăâââ May I ask you to read my fortune?âă
As she sat in front of the fortuneteller whose facial features were hidden by a hood, Lunaria grinned to herself with excitement.
It was a lovable and contagious grin.
Even the fortuneteller, who was female judging by the blonde hair peeking through her hood, let a corner of her blood-like lips curve into a smile.
ăâOh, you were born under a very mighty star, young lady.âă
ăâReally? I donât know about that.âă
ăâYes, I can see the sparkle of the star that protects you. Such a sparkle would never accompany an ordinary person.âă
Lunaria was at a loss for words.
As the countryâs princess, she certainly was destined to be protected by many followers and retainers.
But the fact that this fortuneteller had been able to to feel this in a mere moment showed that she was far from being simple; the only other explanation would be that she already knew about Lunaria being the princess.
ăâââ You shouldnât make that kind of expression, young lady, youâll spoil your pretty face. Now then, what do you want to ask me about today?âă
ăâW, well⌠I am just a young girl at the start of her youth but⌠Still, I want to know about love!âă
Although she was acting evasively at first, Lunaria pulled herself together and made her request to the fortuneteller with a firm nod.
ăâBut, isnât the man behind you your lover?âă
Lunaria let a ridiculous shriek escape her mouth despite herself.
ăâThatâs not how it is! Kurats and IâŚ. donât have that kind of relationship.âă
Judging by the delay it took for Lunaria to finish her sentence, the fortune teller understood the unclear feelings in the girlâs heart.
She could tell that Lunaria had yet to notice who the contender for her love was, or to even notice her own awakening love at all.
ăâThen, as you wish, I will predict the direction that your love life is going to take. Let us take a look at your future.âă
Translatorâs note: And this is the end of todayâs release, that was pretty tiring but still worth it, Iâll see you next week to see whatâs the deal with the fortune teller and the people that Kuratsâ instincts spotted đ