“I knew it would come to this. You always put on airs of being noble and selfless while boasting of your loyalty. Look, Leon. In the end, even you throw away your allegiance to the imperial family like a worn-out shoe for the sake of one woman. So what choice do I have? Rather than entrusting my life to your cheap loyalty, I’d rather trample on you first.”

Nigel, now with a satisfied expression, continued.

“So I’ll bestow another award. From now on, the empire will actively support the young lady’s magical tool business. We’ll lift all sorts of related regulations and even reduce taxes. How about it? Will you accept the position I proposed if I do this?”

“My goodness… To receive such benefits just for singing one song well at a picnic.”

“His Highness the Crown Prince is indeed merciful.”

Eyes sharpened with jealousy and envy stabbed at Kasha.

“Surely she won’t refuse even that proposal, right?”

“Of course not. If she does… It would be like ignoring His Highness’s goodwill.”

Nigel, who was resting his chin on his hand and flicking his fingers while listening to the murmurs around him, seemed genuinely pleased. As if appreciating a small insect struggling in his grasp.

However, Kasha’s expression remained unchanged as she slowly blinked. She whispered to herself.

‘Nigel, I knew you would come at me like this.’

On the day of the imperial family’s picnic, Nigel’s intentions were thwarted by Leon’s strong opposition, and he warned of repercussions to come.

He will try to get his hands on Kasha by any means necessary. Now that he is personally experiencing how terrible the curse of the magical stone is, he will be even more unwilling to give her up.

Kasha bowed her head, feigning awe.

“His Highness the Crown Prince’s grace and consideration are an honor to our family. However… The magical tool business is being conducted solely for the advancement of myself and my family, and we are not worthy of receiving such special treatment from the empire. I believe it would be… discourteous to the other respected noble families who have faithfully paid taxes and complied with regulations for the sake of the nation. I am grateful for Your Highness’s boundless… consideration, but please withdraw your order.”

The nobles, who were listening to Kasha’s words pouring out without hesitation, nodded their heads in agreement, somewhat surprised but without resistance.

“She’s right. That would indeed be… unfair.”

“But Lady Kasha, didn’t you used to stutter? Has she always been this well-spoken?”

In an instant, the atmosphere turned in favor of Kasha’s opinion. However, the Crown Prince, as if he had been waiting for her refusal, raised both corners of his mouth in a large smile and immediately asked.

“Is that so? You’re refusing out of consideration for other noble families? Is that really it?”

Even in the face of his question with inscrutable intent, Kasha’s calm expression did not waver.

“Of course. Your Highness.”

“Hmm. It’s not because you’re too busy mass-producing magical tools to supply to the Holy Knights for free?”

At his clearly deliberate question, the hall suddenly became noisy.

“Oh my, so that story was true? That she donated magical tools to the Holy Knights without receiving a single penny?”

“But why… unless there’s another ulterior motive.”

“Wait a minute. Didn’t Lady Kasha declare that she would refrain from mass production when she first introduced offensive magical tools at the hunting competition?”

“She definitely did. But it turns out she’s been secretly mass-producing offensive magical tools all this time?”

In an instant, the atmosphere surrounding Kasha changed. As if she had impure intentions in mass-producing magical tools.

Just like before the regression, a circular formation was created around Kasha. People’s hostility pressed against her from all sides. They openly raised their voices in criticism.

“She acted as if she was refraining from mass-producing offensive magical tools for a righteous cause, but she had a sinister motive behind it!”

“I told you, people don’t change easily. There’s always a reason for becoming an outcast.”

Daril’s face turned red with absurdity as he became angry. He looked ready to grab someone by the collar at any moment.

“What nonsense are you all spouting! Is it something to be criticized for donating magical tools for a righteous cause without taking a single penny? My sister even lost sleep to help the Holy Knights effectively fight off the magical beasts!”

However, people’s criticisms did not easily subside. Because they read clear encouragement for their actions in the gaze of Crown Prince Nigel. Their voices became even louder and bolder.

“No, but there must have been prior consultation with the Holy Knights regarding the magical tools, right? The Holy Knights are also greatly at fault. To carry out such an important matter in secret.”

“Wait a minute. If they become armed with magical tools, won’t the military power of the Holy Knights become too strong? This is not something to be overlooked….”

“I believe it’s a big problem that such an important matter was not reported to the imperial family in advance.”

In an instant, an atmosphere was created as if the Holy Knights had also collaborated with Kasha for some purpose.

The thick eyebrows of Aleks, the leader of the Holy Knights, twitched. However, despite his boiling inner thoughts, he could not easily step forward. It was because he, too, was under the influence of Nigel.

It was then. Leon, who had been silent all this time, walked towards Kasha, who was standing alone.

Although there was no force or exaggeration, his heavy steps had the power to focus people’s attention.

People were blankly captivated by his dazzling platinum blonde hair and white uniform illuminated by the light of the crystal chandelier. Before they knew it, the heated atmosphere had subsided a little.

Finally, the gaze of Leon, who stood in front of Kasha, was endlessly affectionate.

As if even this threatening atmosphere, where the empire’s nobles were grouping them together, could not inflict the slightest damage on him.

Although his cheeks were stiff with anger, the moment he saw Kasha standing in front of him, even that softened in an instant.

Kasha, who met his gaze, was also surprisingly calm.

The fact that there is someone who sees you as you are in any situation gives an amazing sense of stability.

The sight of the two looking at each other with perfect trust was so beautiful that it was impossible to even be jealous. Some romantic nobles were so envious that they forgot the situation and let out exclamations of admiration while covering their mouths.

After a moment, Leon silently looked around at the surrounding nobles. Unlike when he looked at Kasha, it was a gaze filled with cold contempt.

“Your tongues are always loose. Truly consistent, I must say.”

Hearing such words from a hero who had defeated magical beasts, a knight with a large physique and beauty, people suddenly blushed with shame as if they had come to their senses.

Of course, not everyone was like that.

“Are you denying His Highness the Crown Prince’s point, Sir Leon?”

Marquis Angmari, a close aide to the Crown Prince, raised his voice intensely while shaking his fat body.

Leon silently looked down at him for a moment. Without affirming or denying.

As the tension surrounding everyone heightened, the Crown Prince leisurely rested his chin and urged him to answer.

“So, Sir. Are you saying I’m wrong now?”

Only then did Leon turn his head towards the Crown Prince.

“That’s correct. Your Highness.”

“…!”

Nigel’s arm twitched and his resting chin slipped and wobbled. The relaxed smile disappeared from his face.

At the same time, people’s murmurs grew louder. Is he committing lèse-majesté right here in the imperial palace? Sir Leon, what is he trying to do with such reckless behavior….

“That’s why, as someone who has closely served Your Highness for a lifetime, I have a question. Unless something has blinded Your Highness’s eyes, there is no reason for Your Highness not to see this situation correctly.”

“…What does that mean? Don’t beat around the bush and speak, Leon.”

“Your Highness. We had to face thousands of magical beasts with only a few hundred knights. Lady Kasha’s magical tools were the only help given to us in that disadvantageous situation. In fact, victory would have been impossible without her magical tools.”

“Even so−.”

“Of course, I understand. Among the towering noble families who are now raising their voices against us, I’m sure each and every one of them had their own reasons for not being able to provide even the slightest assistance to this expedition.”

“That, well.”

“Anyway, we won, didn’t we! That’s why we’re even holding this victory celebration. How could our troops have helped with the extermination of magical beasts in the first place.”

Amidst the nobles muttering lame excuses, Marquis Angmari suddenly shouted, puffing his cheeks.

“The Imperial Knights also went on the expedition! It’s unpleasant to hear you praising yourself as if it’s all the Holy Knights’ credit.”

“Ah, you mean the twenty Imperial Knights His Highness personally dispatched.”

Leon, as if he had been waiting, responded meaningfully to the marquis’s words.

“Since it has come up, I must ask His Highness the Crown Prince. During our battles in the territory of Count Lyuschino and on our return, the twenty Imperial Knights Your Highness provided did not show their faces at all. Has something happened to them?”

“What? They didn’t show their faces at all?”

“That can’t be.”

“No, isn’t that dereliction of duty?”

Faced with an unexpected turn of events, the nobles looked at each other with confused faces.

Meanwhile, Leon and Nigel exchanged fierce glances the entire time. As Nigel’s expression turned sour, Marquis Angmari, who had brought up the Imperial Knights, shrank his neck.

After a long time, Nigel spoke with a reluctant face.

“…Many of the Imperial Knights contracted a local disease and died during the expedition.”

“Ah, I see. From a local disease. How truly unfortunate.”

Although it sounded like a polite expression of condolences, it was a blatant mockery to those who knew the truth. A red tint gradually spread around Nigel’s eyes.

Leon calmly looked at that not at all unfamiliar sight with a noble face. That calmness irritated Nigel even more.

The corners of Nigel’s mouth twisted crookedly.

Seeing the combination of reddened eyes and a bizarre expression, many people gathered in the hall felt an inexplicable fear and took a step back. Nigel spoke again. His tone sounded as if he was gritting his teeth.

“Come to think of it, Leon. There’s a part of your report on the expedition that bothers me.”

“What is it, Your Highness.”

“That very Manticore you say you let escape. We must catch and kill that beast.”