After the conversation with Albireo at the mansion, time flew by quickly.
During that period, I devoted myself to training every single day without fail.
To reach a higher level and protect my people, I needed to master the powers I possessed more perfectly.
And after my morning training each day, I diligently attended to other matters.
In the afternoons, I handled family and territory affairs with Vanessa.
After dinner, I checked on how my subordinates were doing.
And before going to sleep, I had a video call with Justia using the communication magic crystal.
I was really, really busy.
So much so that a month felt incredibly short.
“Today is already the day of the Sword and Magic Festival. Time really flies.”
As usual, I arrived at the training ground early in the morning.
By now, I was enjoying the warm breeze and taking in the scenery transitioning from spring to summer.
The trees, once vibrant with spring colors, were now turning a deep green.
Looking up at the sky, white clouds drifted lazily against a bright blue backdrop.
A peaceful everyday scene.
Despite Albireo figuring out that I was the one who disrupted his plans after that day’s chess game,
he had taken no action against me or Justia for over a month.
At first glance, one might think he had given up on his plans.
But I knew this was the calm before the storm.
His lack of action meant he was biding his time, waiting to strike from behind.
‘…What a creepy bastard.’
Of course, knowing that he was plotting to stab me in the back, I wasn’t just sitting idly by.
To ensure that no harm would come to the heroines, like what happened with Liliana, I had thoroughly prepared with my subordinates.
“Alright, let’s warm up a bit.”
I was here to train briefly before heading to the Sword and Magic Festival venue.
I walked past the swords planted in the ground in a circular pattern and stood in the center.
From above, it would look like I was standing at the center of a circle.
In that position, I slowly focused my mind.
[Activating Authority.]
[Freely manipulating distant objects.]
Swoosh.
Mana spread out in all directions under the influence of the Authority.
Responding to the mana, the swords embedded in the ground were pulled out one by one.
Soon, ten swords were floating in the air.
I crossed my arms and looked at the swords surrounding me.
‘Hmm, good.’
I smirked slightly as I watched the swords floating around me, as if protecting me.
During this time, I had not only trained to improve my Aura proficiency but also practiced using my Authority freely.
In particular, this was something I had wanted to do ever since I gained the Authority.
The Flying Sword Technique.
A technique often used by demonic figures in martial arts novels, allowing one to attack or defend freely without holding a sword, making it incredibly useful.
‘Plus, it looks cool.’
Overwhelming enemies with flying swords and crossing mountains and rivers with sword flight.
This was the true romance of a man.
Anyway, driven by my desire to master it, I had persistently trained in the Flying Sword Technique.
Recently, I had reached a level where I could control it quite freely.
“Haha…”
A rare, final boss-like laugh escaped my slightly parted lips.
While practicing the Flying Sword Technique, I heard familiar footsteps and turned to see Liliana standing at the entrance.
“Ah, am I interrupting?”
“It’s fine. I was just taking a short break anyway.”
“Hehe, that’s a relief.”
Liliana, with her green hair, twirled the ends of her hair and smiled brightly.
Beneath her angelic face, the beautiful valley of her cleavage was visible.
‘Hmm… This is definitely that, right?’
It had already been a month since Liliana came to the mansion.
I had noticed some signs before.
Lately, whenever we were alone, she would subtly press her chest against my back or lean forward to show off her cleavage.
I’m not a eunuch.
At this point, I couldn’t help but understand her feelings.
‘What a sinful man.’
Thinking that I should ask her out on a date later, I took a step forward, and Liliana followed beside me.
“Are you learning well as an assistant?”
“Yes! Lucy has been teaching me well, so I’m learning a lot.”
“That’s good. When we return to the northern territory, there will be even more work, so make sure to learn diligently now.”
“Ah, can I go to the north with you too?”
“Of course. I can’t let a talented assistant go.”
“R-really? Hehe.”
Liliana smiled shyly.
I found her expression quite cute and smiled back.
Lately, whenever I worked in the office, she would pamper me, which felt really nice.
As they say, if you receive something, you should return the favor.
So, I’ve been complimenting her a lot recently.
‘But thinking about it, isn’t this a waste of talent?’
Using a genius, praised as a once-in-a-century talent in elven history, as a personal assistant in the mansion.
A faint sense of guilt crept up.
‘Well… Once we return to the north, she’ll have many opportunities to shine. Let her unleash her talents then.’
After entering the mansion with Liliana, I finished preparing to go out with the help of the maids and found Lucy waiting at the entrance.
I approached her, who had her hands clasped respectfully, and said, “You already know, but I’ll be away today. Make sure nothing happens.”
“Understood.”
“By the way, you smell nice. It suits you.”
“…Thank you, Master.”
Lucy spoke in a monotone voice.
But her cheeks were slightly flushed.
Since our relationship a month ago, we have maintained a strange distance.
We weren’t lovers, but there was a mutual attraction.
I wanted to take things further, but with Liliana staying in a nearby room, I had to be cautious.
Lucy, who was mine yet not quite mine, gently touched my coat.
“Please return safely.”
“I will.”
At first glance, it seemed like a casual farewell.
But perhaps because she knew there might be a clash with Albireo at the Sword and Magic Festival, Lucy’s voice trembled slightly.
Realizing that she was worried about me, I felt quite good and gently stroked her silver hair.
“It’s okay. Nothing will happen.”
“But…”
“Don’t worry. I’m here to make sure nothing happens.”
My soothing tone made Lucy’s expression relax.
‘I’ll be back, Lucy.’
Leaving Lucy, who looked like a wife seeing off her husband, I left the mansion.
***
The Sword and Magic Festival.
A historic event where strong individuals from across the empire gather in the capital to compete in a tournament.
Winning here would grant the honor of receiving an award directly from the emperor.
For this festival of swords and magic, the academy selects representatives from each grade to participate.
According to Justia, Luke was selected as the first-year representative for the knight department, and Justia was chosen for the magic department.
In the original story, Liliana had skipped the selection and wasn’t chosen as a representative, so the story’s flow remained largely unchanged.
I suddenly wondered. How was Luke doing?
While passing through the bustling festival streets in a carriage, I thought of the boy with stars.
Well… He was probably peacefully focusing on his training.
Originally, the families under my command would have tormented Justia and Luke at the academy, but now they were cooperating with them.
Come to think of it, I heard that some of the children from the subordinate families had been selected as representatives this time.
‘Let’s check.’
[Opening Character List.]
[Displaying characters loyal to you.]
[Dustin Redfield – ★★★☆☆
Marcia Flesh – ★★★☆☆
.
.
.]
A translucent window appeared in my mind as I recalled the character list.
Dustin Redfield, the third-year representative for the knight department.
And Marcia Flesh, the second-year representative for the magic department.
The troublemakers who would have caused havoc at the academy and the festival were now, under my orders, helping Luke and Justia.
Thanks to that, Justia’s face during our calls had become much brighter, so I should properly reward them after the festival.
They probably arrived in the capital by now and might be enjoying the festival together.
‘Speaking of the festival… I want to enjoy it too.’
Leaning my chin on my hand, I looked out the window at the bustling scenery.
As with any major event, the Sword and Magic Festival was a golden opportunity for merchants.
The road from the residential area to the festival grounds passed through the commercial district, where merchants eagerly called out to passersby, and street food vendors caught my eye.
‘…Should I go take a look?’
A mask lying in the corner of the carriage seat caught my eye.
If I wore that, it would be fine for a little while, right?
The commercial district during the Sword and Magic Festival was a must-see for a fan of the original like me.
Even though I had to be busy this time,
I wanted to immerse myself in the festival atmosphere, even if just for a moment.
After some deliberation, I decided and spoke to the coachman.
“Hey, stop the carriage.”
“Yes, my lord.”
The coachman slowed down without asking questions.
Soon, the carriage came to a complete stop.
I put on the mask and said,
“Go ahead to the venue. I’ll go separately, so don’t worry about me.”
“Yes, understood.”
The carriage departed with the sound of hooves,
and I blended into the crowd of pedestrians, wearing the mask.
“Come on! Fresh potatoes directly imported from the north! Cheap and fresh!”
“Sturdy leather clothes made from greenskin leather!”
“Check out the crafts made by dwarven artisans!”
The lively calls of merchants filled the air.
The festive atmosphere made my heart light.
But as I was about to smile, a merchant’s call caught my ear.
“Try the chicken skewers made from southern specialty ostrich meat!”
Wait.
Chicken skewers made from ostrich meat?
Is that even chicken skewers?
‘I can’t resist this.’
It’s only natural to enjoy food at a festival.
As I confidently stepped forward, someone lightly bumped into my shoulder.
Thud.
“Ah! I’m sorry! I was too focused on eating and didn’t notice…!”
A black-haired woman apologized sincerely, whether it was an accident or not.
I raised my hand slightly to indicate it was okay.
‘It wasn’t a hard bump anyway.’
If it had been a burly mercenary, I would have dodged.
Right now, the ostrich meat chicken skewers were more important.
Checking if anything had spilled on my clothes, I was about to continue when I froze upon seeing the woman’s face.
The black hair and black eyes characteristic of the northern people.
Contrasting with her snow-white skin.
A fierce yet restrained aura, like facing a wild beast.
Elda Perenka, a professor at the academy’s knight department.
One of the original heroines was apologizing to me with a sorry expression, her ample chest swaying.