TOPWL 103

“I haven’t even said anything yet.”

“You were going to say you want to join the monster hunt. I said no.”

“I don’t mean I want to be among the knights. I’ll stay with the civilians.”

“Then you’d be better off with the knights. What are you trying to do, get stabbed by someone’s blade in the crowd?”

“I saw the poster. It said even women are welcome. That just means you’re short on people, doesn’t it?”

“We’ll bring in more from the capital or wherever. You don’t need to concern yourself.”

Yudit frowned at Khalid’s unyielding tone. The hunt was right around the corner—he couldn’t understand why Khalid was being so stubborn. The most important part of a monster hunt wasn’t killing the monsters, but destroying their nests. Taking out ten monsters was far less effective than demolishing a single lair. Without a place to stay, the monsters wouldn’t survive the winter. But destroying lairs required more than knights—it needed civilians. Absolutely.

Khalid had brought two hundred knights. A hundred were to take part in the hunt; the other hundred had been stationed in the village to prevent monsters from descending. It wasn’t that Khalid only commanded two hundred. But bringing more than two hundred soldiers near the capital involved a complicated procedure, a restriction put in place after a rebellion a generation ago. To gain approval, every document had to be filed and reviewed, and even then it took over a month. By the time everything was processed, spring would arrive, and the monsters would survive even without shelter.

The original plan was to hire mercenaries, but a civil war in Kiari had made that difficult. A hundred knights were enough for the hunt itself, but destroying the nests required far more people. They had to comb the entire mountain range. For every team of five knights, at least ten civilians were needed. But the villagers were reluctant to join. That was because of what the mercenaries had done before—they’d kidnapped women, the elderly, and even children to use as monster bait. That stain hadn’t been forgotten.

Hess, too, had once treated Yudit coldly when she thought he was approaching Kennan for that purpose. And the people from the slums were too busy repairing their homes to consider joining the hunt. With construction already delayed by roadwork, Yudit hadn’t the heart to ask them to take part. He believed the only way to show that things were different now was to participate himself.

“How can I not care? This is my district.”

“One you’re temporarily managing. And this is my territory.”

“Why are you being so stubborn?”

“You’re the one being stubborn.”

The joy Yudit had felt seeing him again melted like snow. And Khalid must have noticed it, because he gently traced the shape of Yudit’s eye with his finger.

“Your eyes are getting sharp again.”

If he let his emotions run wild, nothing would work out. Yudit rubbed the corner of his eye with the soft heel of his palm and spoke.

“I’m not trying to do anything reckless. Shane and Huyan will be with me—and sometimes Wadiram, depending. I’ve even been learning self-defense lately.”

“Self-defense? I doubt someone who was brought half-dead to the ducal house just a month ago for failing to handle a single poison goblin has improved much.”

“Can’t you at least see once before deciding?”

“Allowing it once means having to allow it again.”

That was the final straw. Yudit snapped, voice sharp.

“I have no obligation to obey the duke’s command just because I’m a prince.”

“If that’s how a prince shows respect to a duke who had to bow to the emperor just to bring two hundred men, then by all means, continue.”

“Then isn’t that exactly why I’m pleading like this!”

Yudit stood up, raising his voice. The noisy inn went instantly quiet. He bit his lip. Khalid, unmoved by the attention, replied coolly.

“That’s quite the respectful way to plead. Doesn’t make me want to grant your request in the slightest.”

Yudit resisted the urge to slap him across the face. He picked up his tray and walked it over to the return station. Meals were included in the room price, so there was no need to pay. He glanced at the flustered Hess and forced out a polite, “Thank you for the food,” before leaving the dining area. Huyan followed after him.

“Teach me self-defense, Huyan.”

“You’re far too upset right now. Let’s wait a bit. Besides, training right after eating isn’t ideal.”

Yudit took a deep, shaky breath. The anger was still simmering, but venting it on someone else wasn’t acceptable. He inhaled deeply again, forcing himself to calm down. Huyan watched him in silence, then spoke quietly.

“You’re… very honest with the Duke.”

“I was just angry, that’s all.”

“Is that really all it is?”

The question made Yudit uncomfortable. This was the difference between Shane and Huyan. Shane never touched on things that might make Yudit uneasy. Unless it was a matter of safety, he kept his thoughts to himself. But Huyan… sometimes he dug too deep.

“…What else would there be?”

Yudit’s discomfort was clear, and Huyan seemed to realize it too. He fell silent. The cold wind helped clear Yudit’s head a bit. Huyan, watching him in profile, said again,

“I, too, am against you joining the hunt.”

“So women are allowed, but I can’t go? If they want to encourage participation, it’d be better to have me out there instead of just lowering the age limit or including women. Everyone knows that.”

“You must consider your value.”

Huyan said it bluntly—he didn’t know how to soften things. That made Yudit start to grow angry at him as well. He knew how much Yudit hated hearing that. And yet, he still said it.

“You’re the only one who could’ve created that kind of scene, Your Highness. No one else in this village could’ve made it happen.”

“The Duke is here too. That wasn’t something I made alone.”

“The common folk aren’t fools. They know it only came to be because you wanted it.”

“……”

“They won’t welcome your participation—not because your life is especially precious, but because it’s a life meant to do what no one else can.”

As Huyan spoke, Yudit slowly began to understand. It stung a little, but he nodded.

“…I get it. Thank you.”

Huyan smiled as he looked at Yudit’s still-sullen expression.

“It’s rare to see someone willing to accept a subordinate’s counsel. Treasure your life, if only for the sake of hearing us out.”

“…I will.”

As the air grew chillier, Yudit rose to his feet. Looking down at Huyan with clear eyes, he said,

“One day, I want to be someone who can protect them with strength as well.”

“I’ll be at your side to help with everything I have.”

Huyan answered with a warm smile.

***

Yudit awoke at dawn to the soft rustling of gear. When he opened his eyes, it was still dark outside—maybe around five in the morning. Khalid was donning his equipment. As Yudit pushed himself upright, his body screamed in protest from the self-defense training the day before. Every day came with new pains. As he struggled to sit up, Khalid walked over and pressed a finger to the center of Yudit’s forehead. All effort wasted, Yudit flopped back onto the bed.

“Wh—…”

“Sleep more. It’s still early.”

Yudit looked up at Khalid with a sulky expression. Khalid, standing over him, gave a faint smile. After the argument last night, Yudit had expected Khalid to sleep in a separate room. But here he was, having come into Yudit’s room like it was the most natural thing—and even kicked Huyan out. Yudit had thought of quietly crawling out his arms during the night and sleeping on the floor instead, but he’d passed out cold from exhaustion before he could do anything. Now, tucked under the covers, Yudit watched Khalid preparing for the hunt with a look of envy.

“What’re you staring at like that? You’re envying the wrong person.”

“Then who should I be envying?”

“Poor Khalid, who has to sleep on damp ground for a week straight.”

The way Khalid said it with the most pitiful expression made Yudit bite his lip to keep from laughing.

“I want to touch your face.”

Khalid sat on the edge of the bed before putting on his gloves. The weight of his armor made the bed sink more than usual, and Yudit tilted slightly toward him.

“Why…?”

“It’s dark. I can’t see your face clearly.”

“You could just turn up the light.”

“Let me picture you a little longer instead.”