Chapter 66: Change

The work at the hunting competition was completed. All the tents except the central barrack were burned down. Fortunately, everyone counted their burned tents as the price for their lives, and decided to move on with the matter. My reputation also seemed to still be good, seeing as people sent gifts to say thank you. 

After the incident, it seemed some scholars would be sent out along with the subjugation squad to investigate the dead land. The capital had not been attacked by any monsters in a very long time, so the information they had was irrelevant to the current situation. 

There is the saying that humans would only become serious only when the problem affects them. This was why only now were people taking measures against the monsters. It was not an exaggeration to say that in all of the capital, only Arrendt had any interest in monsters. Well, after this incident, most likely everyone’s attitude has changed. 

In summary, according to Abel’s opinion,

“What heavy asses they have, they only start moving a bit when something is only right in front of their faces.”

“But it will change now.”

“Well..,”

If someone was to look closely at Abel’s face, they would see a rather pessimistic Abel. 

I lightly shrugged. 

After using so much power in the hunting competition, I collapsed. Even after waking up, I stayed in bed for a few extra days to recover. Now, Abel came by to provide me with an update on the aftermath of the monsters’ incident.

“How’s your body?”

“It’s okay now.”

“Rest as much as you can.” Abel glanced at the invitations piled on my desk and continued. “Because I don’t think there will be many more  days like this in the future.”

“Ha, ha…”

The socializing season has truly begun for me. Perhaps it was because of the story about the bet spread by Duke Ernest, or maybe it was because of my work in the hunting contest, but many people became interested in me,  resulting in the pile of invitations on the desk, all addressed to me. 

“I’m honestly not confident in socializing..” I muttered with a troubled face. 

“Well, you just have to be careful with the ladies on the empress’ side.”

The Empress was the mother of the crown prince. Of course, she has no choice but to closely pay attention to the side that supported Sigren. 

I grinned. “I wish it was that easy.”

This time, even Abel looked slightly troubled. “It’s hard for me to get involved in the ladies’ social world.”

“I know. I’m also not a kid, I can do it on my own, right?”

Abel looked at me with a funny face. “You don’t seem confident. You were so excited during the hunting competition and even burned down almost the entire headquarters. Do you lose your confidence in weird situations sometimes? I’ve been with you for years, but sometimes there are things about you that I still don’t understand,”

“This and that are a little different.”

The social world was a battle of words. If I didn’t like someone, I can’t just burn my opponent like I did with the monster? If I were to do that, that would be a completely psycho move. 

Moreover, it seems the previous agreement with Livya had turned into a sheet of blank paper since the hunting competition was stopped in the middle. I was finally really standing alone, wasn’t I?

“Come to think of it, what will happen to my bet with Duke Ernest?”

“Well, if I had to pick one option, it would be that the bet was invalidated.” Abel chuckled. “But that person’s pride must have been quite hurt. He crossed the control line to beat a girl, then lost his subordinates, and even injured himself. By now, I’m sure he must be ashamed of himself, and don’t know what to do. Ah, I’ll have to laugh at his face later.”

“….”

Somehow I knew why Abel and Duke Ernest had a bad relationship. First of all, both sides were not mature. 

“You’re not kid anymore, you will be forty soon, be polite.”

Abel was now in his late thirties. He, of course, looked like he was in his early thirties just by his outward appearance. However, looking younger did not mean he should also act younger than his actual age. 

“I’m decent. He’s the one who is acting like a bastard.”

Yeah, using that kind of name in private was also decent.

Abel grinned as he noticed a sign that I would nag him, then he patted my head. “Well, anyway, roll around a little more. There are only a few days left to do that.”

“Honestly, isn’t the Duke the one who contributed a lot to my busy schedule?”

It was. The reason I was busy was that I was the heir of the Heilon family!

But Abel pretended not to understand my grumbling. “Anyway, I’ll have to go.”

“….”

I looked at Abel’s back in dissatisfaction as he left.