“This should be enough for the hunt.”

As Felic spoke, the knights briskly moved to load the accumulated animal carcasses. Delina also sheathed the sword she had been holding into its scabbard.

“Did you catch all these, miss?”

“Yeah.”

Even the ones caught by the Duke at the Grand Manor were substantial, but among them, Delina’s catches stood out, especially.

“Well done, miss. It’s your first hunt, and you’ve done exceptionally well.”

“Really? But, it was indeed challenging in real combat. I almost missed a few times.”

“Still, your hard training has paid off. Now you handle the sword well, not to mention the gun.”

Delina could certainly feel the results of her training. In the distance, animals caught by the Duke’s party were also visible. Although the Duke’s catches were numerous and diverse, they fell slightly short compared to those from the Grand Manor.

“It seems like we lost the hunting bet.”

“Well, there’s nothing we can do. We have to admit defeat to us, the handsome ones.”

Edwin, who appeared to have won the bet despite losing, smiled confidently. However, Bellion gave a fierce glare to Edwin and Noah, who were smiling with satisfaction.

“Delina.”

“Oh, Calix. Are you done too?”

Having finished hunting, Calix approached Delina with a slight smile.

“You caught quite a lot. Oh, wait. Did you also hunt wild boars?”

“Yeah. But…”

“Yeah?”

“Do I really come off as cold?”

In response to Delina’s words, Calix swiftly replied.

“Not at all. As I’ve said before, being composed in appearance has nothing to do with having a cold heart. That’s just a joke the Duke made, don’t worry about it.”

Delina had similar conversations with Bellion several times. After much effort and tears, Bellion had somewhat calmed down. Now it was Calix’s turn.

“Even if your face or mine might look a bit aloof at first glance, but… still, I don’t see you as cold.”

“…”

“Instead, warmth comes to mind when I look at you.”

“Warmth?”

“Like freshly baked bread.”

Perhaps from sharing desserts together, Delina thought of warm and sweet desserts whenever she saw Calix. At Delina’s words, Calix’s mouth curled into a slight smile.

“I’ll make some for you when we get back.”

“Sounds great. I’m starving after using my body so much.”

In the rare sight of Calix’s smile, Delina also raised the corners of her mouth and laughed. However, at that moment, they began to sense someone’s gaze from a distance.

“…”

“Shall we go? It seems like all the animals are loaded.”

Delina deliberately turned away from Noah, who was looking at her. Calix followed Delina, and Noah also turned away without saying a word.

“What about the knights who haven’t returned yet?”

“There should be a resting place a little further.”
“Ah, now that I think about it, that’s correct. So, will you go there and wait?”

It was a forest covered with trees and bushes, but the place they were in was near an area with a vast plain. The hunters often referred to that place as a resting area, where they would regroup or take a break.

“Let’s go.”

The Grand Duke and Grand Marquis also moved to that place for a break. As Bellion said, when they moved a bit, a spacious plain unfolded.

“Did a place like this really exist?”

“Yes, since it’s a place without trees or bushes, animals don’t come here often. So, it’s quite useful as a resting place.”

Many people who seemed to have finished hunting were already gathered. Soon, Delina spotted the flag of the Elpisha Marquis.

“Did we end up like that again, experimenting?”

“Yeah.”

Estelle was lying among the knights, still asleep. That sight of Estelle didn’t seem unfamiliar to Edwin and Bellion, as they showed no particular reaction.

“Vincent!”

Vincent was also near Estelle. Delina approached him.

“Have you been here all along? The experiment?”

“I did it nearby since my sister didn’t wake up.”

Numerous corpses behind Vincent were revealing the results of the experiment. While the two were talking, Estelle showed no signs of waking up.

“…Is the Duke waking up today?”

“He adjusted the amount to sleep for a few hours, so he should wake up soon.”

“If that’s the case, it’s fortunate, but the Duke would be quite disappointed when he wakes up. He missed the experiment.”

Estelle’s experimental spirit was no less than Vincent’s. However, Vincent responded as if it was nothing special.

“It doesn’t matter. Since it’s not an experiment to be done once and finished. We can do it somewhere else again.”

“With the Duke?”

“Yeah.”
While talking with Delina, Vansent busily adjusted the instruments he had used. Then, he made a suggestion to Delina.

“You can join too.”

“Really?”

Delina, with a pleased expression, seemed to realize something and smiled.

“Is it because I’m the experimental subject? You want to experiment on me?”

“……”

“I hope it’s not a situation where my life is in danger if I agree.”

“There’s nothing like that.”

“Really? Then, I’ll go too.”

Vansent knew well that he wouldn’t conduct an experiment that would threaten his life, but Delina jokingly threw a remark.

“Eeek!”