Chapter 111. Qualifications of the Mind (16)

Chapter 111. Qualifications of the Mind (16)

The greatest consideration I could offer for that sad remark was a flat refusal.

Prince, Im not good at using my brain, so I cant be burdened with the position of an empress.

What? You seem to have a knack for tricks.

Even if I have talent, I dont want to use it. I have a theory that my head suffers when I use it too much.

I said with a deep sigh.

Im going to retire a large number of brain cells after this. Ive been overdoing it lately.

If youre worried that youre going to have to scheme for the empress

But most of all.

And I pointed out the most important fact.

As you know, I dont like you. I want to marry someone I like.

Well, you cant try?

No, I cant.

Even if I dont suit Miss Annabelles ideal type, not everyone gets married, so somehow

But I cant. My ideal type isnt important.

Then whats important?

I cant because my mind is somewhere else.

I answered relentlessly.

Anyway, lets wrap this up here, and lets finish our discussion.

Youre really convinced? Well, theres no room for negotiation.

Its all for you, Prince. You know that. Its the worst thing to negotiate for this kind of cause.

Robert sighed but seemed to have nothing more to say.

What could I do?

In addition, things to come in the future were too important to push me further on this matter.

Anyway, Ill have to call Ian on the coast of Banafarim.

Robert said as he prepared to write a note to the pigeon.

No. Banafarim and Smaho Forest are close. Can we meet there?

He mumbled, frowning.

Theres a reason why. The swordsmanship contest is too close I didnt mean to ruin Ian and Annabelles last sword fight.

Robert counted the days by pointing his finger.

Isnt that too short? We have to start right now, somehow

Oh, no.

I interrupted his words.

Thats why I asked for a warp ring.

Huh? You want to use warp now? I dont know if Carlon will follow or not, and what if you dont come back to the capital by the day of the swordsmanship competition

It was alright.

Everything changed when you knew that I didnt want to participate in the swordsmanship competition.

The sword contest is Im only going to let Ian participate. Ian cant go into the Smaho Forest anyway.

I laughed bitterly and Robert stuttered in surprise.

Oh, oh, Miss Annabelle Do you mean youre going to give up your last swordsmanship competition now?

Yes, we should get rid of the origin of black magic during the swordsmanship contest.

Why the day of the swordsmanship competition?

To be exact, its the day after the award ceremony Theres a lot of people in the capital that day. I have to work then to make sure that Crown Prince Carlon is sent away.

If the origin of the third black magic I guessed was right, I could tell everyone in the capital about the atrocities of Carlon.

This was because the characteristics of the origin of the black magic were related to notifying the unspecified majority.

I know there are several versions of that fairy tale In the end, I think there was a story with an ending that was never destroyed. Perhaps that story has passed.

Robert spoke incredibly while I was lost in thought for a moment.

Miss Annabelle, but Miss Annabelle has been

My familys safety is more important than the final of the swordsmanship competition. I have to finish this quickly so that my mother can get back to work But theres no reason for Ian to be absent

Looking at Roberts shocked face, I slowly continued.

Id like to stop by the coast of Banafarim on our way to the Sumaho Forest and send Ian to the capital with the warp ring on the day of the swordsmanship competition.

Welleven if we call him to the capital right now, there could be variables such as a road being cut off, so a warp ring is a sure way to get him to participate in the swordsmanship competition unconditionally. But its hard to believe.

Robert murmured with a stunned face.

I cant believe youre not going to play your final match against Ian

Ill lose anyway.

You dont know that, so until now, the truthNo, you didnt make that fuss, did you?

Thank you so much for the correct evaluation regardless of the feelings I have. If you are so objective, you will become a saint.

Robert and I made a few more plans that day, and I tore up a painting in the hallway and got a warp ring.

And he promised to start at the right time to arrive at the coast of Banafarim just in time for the swordsmanship competition.

~*~

(3rd person pov)

The coast of Banafarim was quiet.

The calm waves scattered on the sand. A cold sea breeze blew on the already sunken shore.

Even if its a little cold, night fishing is quite nice. The stars are pretty.

The retired former High Priest was leisurely fishing at night while sweeping his beard.

I apologize for what I said last time you came to protect me for nothing.

And he suddenly said to Ian, who was holding a fishing rod together next to him.

Bellinock is missing. Huh

A few days ago, Ian suddenly appeared in front of him, who was going fishing as usual.

Pls read only at pink muffin tl.

The Little Duke Ian Wade? What is going on here?

Im here to escort you in case of danger.

Me? Im an old guy in the back who doesnt have any influence anymore The atheists dont even touch me anymore. Dont worry.

Anyway, Ill be your escort for the time being. Theres a reason I cant tell you.

It sounds like a lie, but Since youre here, just take a good rest.

Thats why he and Ian have been together for days.

For the former High Priest who lived alone, being with Ian was not a bad routine.

Recognizing that Ian was unexpectedly very good at housekeeping, he often advised him to stay for a long time.

While fishing with Ian without any tension, he was surprised by the news from the capital.

Bellinock, the current High Priest, was missing without a trace.

There must be something very scary going on with the temple.

He murmured seriously.

When I see a great power like a Little Duke attached to me as a former High Priest.

It was not particularly the subject of the temple, but Ian did not bother to answer.

If you have to pack, please tell me in advance. I want to let my grandson in the capital know.

His son and wife died in a carriage accident, leaving only one grandson.

Pack?

Ians reply was answered with a blink of an eye.

There will be a swordsmanship competition soon. Of course, youll participate, so you cant escort me, can you? Of course Ill follow you.

But I cant afford to leave now.

Ian looked back at the distant sea with a thoughtful face. The day became dark, so even the horizon was hard to see.

Another day went by like this.

It was not that he was not conscious of the schedule of the upcoming swordsmanship competition day by day, but there was no contact from the capital. Despite the news that Bellinock was missing.

Roberts communication ring was silent and no pigeons flew in.

Of course, he could just throw it all away and go up to the capital.

As the former High Priest said, he should have started early to participate in the swordsmanship competition.

But there was no contact, so he was just waiting.

This whole plan was conceived by Annabelle. Therefore, he wanted to obey her will unconditionally.

Even if he was stranded off the coast of Banafarim like this and wouldnt be able to participate in the swordsmanship contest.

Even if all this was Annabelles plan to win the swordsmanship competition, it didnt matter.

Huh, its a matter of security.

He smiled broadly beside Ian, who remained silent.

If the Little Duke is next to me, I will be safe. Thats enough for me.

If Bellinocks disappearance really meant his death, then the former High Priest would actually be safe now.

This was because there was no one who could now transfer the divine power to the devil.

Of course, they could have brought in the grandson and threatened to ask him directly.

But Carlon wasnt a man of such moves.

It was because the former High Priest would refuse or lie to the end.

But why the hell didnt you contact me

His thoughts kept spreading to the bad side.

When he left the capital at the end, people were all talking about the union of Robert and Annabelle.

The hardest thing for him was not to leave the capital without a promise with the swordsmanship competition just around the corner.

The thought of Robert and Annabelle being together in the capital now seemed to burn him with jealousy.

I really Im so impatient.

In his head, he knew that even if the person he likes didnt like him, he would have to pray for the other persons happiness, but his heart had yet to accept that.

Maybe it was all my misunderstanding.

Ian began to reflect on the thoughts he had pondered over and over again.

When they were training alone, their gazes and tension were often crossed. The trembling, excitement, that air and atmosphere that surrounded them when their lips met.

He thought maybe she might like him too

Then can I ask you something a little lighter? Will you inherit the duke title after this last swordsmanship contest is over?

Perhaps.

I guess you will then have to turn your eyes to something other than the sword. For example, marriage.

Im sure the Duke and Duchess of Wade wouldnt put any pressure on the opponents.

Well, I suppose so.

In response to Ians indifferent answer, the former High Priest asked, with bright eyes.

Then what would be the ideal type of the Little Duke?

Ian, who was thinking about whether Annabelle had gone to bed by now and what the atmosphere of the capital would be, coughed for a while.

My ideal type.

It seemed to be worth thinking about, even to clear the thoughts about Annabelle.

Of course, I think youd want a nice, decent woman

The former High Priest mumbled as Ian thought seriously.

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