Chapter 57

“…….”

A heavy silence fell over the banquet hall. Everyone stared, mouths agape, at the game Freyer had brought back. Even Ivailo clenched his fist tightly at the sight of Freyer’s prey.

“Hahaha. I didn’t expect you to bring back something like this.”

The Emperor’s laughter shattered the silence. The nobles, who had been speechless, began voicing their shock one by one.

“…Don’t tell me that orc is the monster that appeared in the forest yesterday?”

“So the reason we didn’t hear any monster cries last night was because His Highness the Second Prince had already taken it down…?”

Some nobles scrutinized the orc, doubtful. But the wounds carved into its body were clearly sword cuts.

“Are you serious? The Second Prince actually killed a monster?”

“Don’t be ridiculous. How could he have swordsmanship equal to the Crown Prince? If he did, it would’ve been known by now.”

“Maybe he just brought back a monster that was already dead?”

The Emperor paid no mind to the noisy hall and proclaimed loudly, “I shall now announce the winner of the Hunting Festival.”

Silence fell once more.

“The male winner of this Hunting Festival is Freyer Lundberg, the Second Prince—”

“Do you truly believe that thing is worthy, Your Majesty?”

Before the Emperor could finish, the Empress pointed at the monster and shouted. Her sharp voice rang through the hall.

“The Second Prince’s catch goes against the very purpose of this Hunt. And how can he win when he brought back a monster, not an animal?”

The Emperor frowned and asked her, “If an orc isn’t worthy, then what prey does the Empress consider worthy?”

“Obviously the black bear and black panther hunted by the Crown Prince.”

At her words, the young ladies seated behind began whispering.

“The Crown Prince’s black bear and panther are impressive, but… they don’t beat an Orc Lord, do they?”

“The Hunting Festival is about hunting animals, so the Empress has a point.”

“But it’s not like the Crown Prince could kill an Orc Lord.”

“That’s true…”

Their voices echoed louder than intended. Ivailo’s expression stiffened, and the Empress—and many nobles—glared at the girls.

“Gasp.”

“We might’ve said that too loudly.”

Feeling the Empress’s sharp gaze, the girls held their breath.

“Then let us ask the Crown Prince, who brought the prey the Empress deems worthy.”

At the Emperor’s call, Ivailo stepped forward with tightly pressed lips.

“The Empress seems to believe the orc has no value. I’m curious what the Crown Prince thinks.”

Ivailo’s expression twisted subtly. Freyer watched him, curious.

‘What will he say?’

If Ivailo claimed the Orc Lord had no value, then he was admitting that the northern subjugation had been difficult because of a worthless monster—tarnishing his own reputation. When he failed to answer, the Emperor pressed him again.

“Depending on the Crown Prince’s answer, I may change the winner. Tell me which prey holds more worth.”

“Your Majesty!”

The Empress’s voice cracked. The Emperor usually respected her opinions; his current attitude was unlike him, and it startled her.

“Crown Prince. Answer.”

The nobles looked uneasy at the Empress showing her emotions openly. Then Ivailo finally opened his heavy mouth.

“The Orc Lord is not without value. To be precise, it is so valuable that it cannot even be compared to what I hunted.”

“Crown Prince!”

The Empress shouted in shock.

“Your Majesty the Empress. Isn’t the Second Prince’s growth in swordsmanship truly remarkable?”

Ivailo’s lips trembled as he looked at Freyer. He was a master at hiding emotions, but acknowledging Freyer in public clearly pained him.

“My brother’s progress is… admirable.”

“So even the Crown Prince acknowledges its worth. Empress.”

A vein popped on the Empress’s forehead.

“Then I shall announce the winner once more. Freyer Lundberg, step forward.”

Freyer stepped out. The Emperor raised his voice:

“You, who have hunted the Orc Lord, are the male winner of this year’s Hunting Festival.”

“Thank you.”

Freyer bowed. Applause thundered through the banquet hall. The Emperor spoke again.

“Diara Alstein, step forward.”

Diara took her place before him. Since none of the other ladies had surpassed her deer, her victory was expected.

“You are the female winner of this Hunting Festival.”

“It is an honor, Your Majesty.”

The Emperor looked down at the two winners as he spoke: “I promised a wish bearing my name to the male winner, and imperial jewels to the female winner as you remember.”

“Yes.”

“Empress, present the imperial jewels to Lady Diara Alstein.”

“…Yes, Your Majesty.”

Her lips trembling, the Empress handed over the box.

“…Congratulations, Lady Diara.”

“It is all thanks to Your Majesty the Empress.”

“And now, Second Prince—state your wish. Whatever it is, if it is within my power, I shall grant it.”

Both the Empress and Ivailo stared at Freyer with trembling eyes. The young ladies whispered excitedly: “What if he uses the Emperor’s wish to ask for the Crown Prince’s position? Wouldn’t that put the Crown Prince at risk?”

“No way. The Emperor wouldn’t grant that.”

“You never know…”

Everyone focused on Freyer. Kneeling on one knee before the Emperor, he looked up.

“My wish is to obtain authority over the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.”

The Empress, the Crown Prince, and the nobles widened their eyes in disbelief.

“He’s asking for the ministerial position?”

“Yes.”

Currently, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs operated under the Crown Prince’s delegated authority. Asking for it was practically a direct challenge to his position. The Empress snapped at him: “Your Majesty! That authority belongs to the Crown Prince! Even if you promised to grant any wish, this is excessive. Choose another—”

The Emperor cut her off and asked Freyer:

“I want to know why you want that authority.”

“The Empire’s relationship with the Kingdom of Oneren is strained. You are aware we’ve long struggled with the consequences.”

“Yes.”

The Kingdom of Oneren was small, located in the southwest—yet crucial due to its place on the continent’s main trade routes.

“I have the means to establish friendly relations with Oneren. If granted authority over foreign affairs, I wish to contribute to the Empire.”

Freyer had his reasons. Ricardo, the Guildmaster, had strong ties with Oneren’s king. Freyer needed a legitimate reason to summon Ricardo and his operatives to the capital.

‘I need every ally at my side.’

Currently, only Silvertone, Derek, and Martin were in the capital. Information was ample, but manpower was lacking. With the Crown Prince stirring, he had to move quickly.

The nobles whispered again: “Oneren’s royal palace? Even the Crown Prince’s diplomacy failed there.”

“I heard they drew their swords at the imperial envoys.”

“The envoys came back severely injured.”

The Emperor had once commanded Ivailo to establish diplomacy with Oneren. Despite boasting boldly, Ivailo had failed—costing the Empire heavily. Trade was cut, resources dwindled.

“So you claim you can succeed where the Crown Prince failed. Are you confident?”

“Yes.”

With no hesitation at all. The Emperor burst into laughter.

“Hahaha! With confidence like that, you’re worth trusting. From this day forward, authority over the Ministry of Foreign Affairs is transferred from the Crown Prince to the Second Prince.”

“Your Majesty!”

The Empress shouted, but the Emperor ignored her entirely as he rose.

“Let the banquet begin.”

The royal musicians sounded their horns, drowning out the Empress’s voice.