Robert nodded once and said to the knights who followed us.

"Stand guard. If anything happens inside, and the monsters take any sudden action, take care of them immediately."

Finally we entered the forest.

The interior of the forest, which had not been touched by human footsteps for a long time, was densely dark.

"I know that the inside of the forest is not very wide."

Robert explained calmly.

"It won't take long to look around."

"Yes. We can probably find it easily."

I answered confidently.

Except for the sound of the wind breaking through the leaves, the forest was very quiet.

Instead of the animals living in the forest, fearsome-looking monsters wandered.

The monsters were clearly conscious of us, but they didn't attack us.

Perhaps it was because I was traveling with Robert, who had royal blood.

'Is this what a blood cutlery is...?'

I was taken away as soon as I was born, but I was proud that I was born with a silver spoon in my mouth, although I couldn't win this.

Even Ian, who was born with a gold spoon, would be attacked by monsters immediately in this forest.

"Actually, the Imperial Family doesn't care if the authority of the commoners rises a little."

Robert spoke quietly, as if he had read my thoughts.

"After all, the bloodline of the blessed imperial family is the only one."

Indeed, the Imperial Family received absolute loyalty from the magic tower. So the magic items were almost occupied by the Imperial family.

In addition, there were places all over the Empire where the bloodline of the Imperial Family was sacred.

Perhaps it would not be easy for the Imperial Family with superhuman bloodline to decline.

"The problem is with the nobles."

Robert's words continued.

"It doesn't matter to families with history, power, and wealth like the Wades. However, those who have nothing but status are more rampant in raising the ranks of commoners."

The commoner Rainfield family had more money than some middle-class aristocrats.

Except for my status, I lived a lot richer than most noble girls.

High-end meals, fancy attire, and service workers.

"Your Majesty sees the improvement of the rights of the commoners as an opportunity to suppress the power of the nobles. The same goes for me."

Robert said in a voice that was dripping with regret.

"So if I ever married a symbolic commoner..."

"The contract marriage for the throne is really good, but I want you to give up on the other part."

I cut him off once again.

"Anyway, today the Prince will take the place of the Crown Prince."

Loudly, I looked around.

All kinds of plants were growing in groups in the Smaho forest.

The demons moved silently, and not a single bug or bird flew.

It was eerily quiet except for the sound of the wind and our footsteps.

Whoosh-

It was once again when the long wind ruffled our hair.

After walking hard, I finally found something and stopped.

And when I saw the scene unfolding under the low cliff where we were standing, I exclaimed.

"Found it."

"...Annabelle? Did you say you found it now?"

"Yes."

I answered confidently.

"I finally found it. I think I was right."

It was then.

A sword sneaked up behind Robert's neck.

"Oh!"

Robert took a deep breath and was suppressed. It was Lagian who pointed a sword at Robert.

Soon after, Carlon slowly walked out behind him.

So they must have quietly followed us until we found the third origin of black magic.

The forest was not wide, and not only humans but also animals did not come, so it would have been easy to follow our footsteps.

Besides, Lagian was an excellent swordsman who could find out our presence with skill.

Perhaps the two of them moved from the warp ring and were hiding there after they said they were chasing us in the capital.

A warp ring was also placed on Carlon's hand, which I glanced at.

"Ah."

Carlon's green eyes, staring at me, gleamed eerily. He said calmly in a low voice.

"If you want to save Robert, tell me what it is."

I couldn't see the gentlemanly smile nor the polite voice I heard at the banquet.

We knew each other best that there were only the four of us in this forest.

So he didn't feel the need to hide anything here.

"Well."

I rolled my eyes and answered.

"Prince, if I tell you, will you spare Prince Robert? I feel like you're going to kill him no matter what."

"Still cheeky I see."

Carlon said, raising his chin up.

"It seems like something has happened since you were recognized for using a sword on a vulgar and stupid commoner's subject."

"No, I'm just Annabelle Rainfield."

I shrugged and added.

"I'm not stupid. You killed High Priest Bellinok at once, who had been using black magic on the same side for a long time. But wouldn't it be more foolish to believe that you would save us, who are on the other side?"

"Then, shall I risk something else in place of Robert's life?"

Carlon said slowly.

"How is the life of your parents in the capital? Don't think you'll be able to hide like a rat under the Wades for the rest of your life."

"You keep risking the lives of those around me, isn't that something you have to negotiate only when I've already lost?"

I responded bluntly, then pulled out my sword at once and struck down Lagian's sword.

From the beginning, Robert and I had been close, so no major movements were needed.

However, the speed was so fast that Lagian was not even aware of it.

I quickly pulled Robert behind me and hid him as if to protect him, and I smiled as I looked at Lagian who had a puzzled expression on his face.

He probably never thought that I could move so quickly.

"I think the fight has just begun."

Me and Lagian confronted each other, with Robert and Carlon from behind.

Lagian seemed surprised for a moment by my swift movement, but quickly captured his expression.

Robert asked from behind me, looking at Carlon.

"Slavery and human trafficking... The origins of the two dark magics that were bringing the world to chaos, were you still behind the scenes?"

Rage was intertwined in Robert's voice as he asked calmly.

"And you came after us to find the origin of the last black magic, right?"

Carlon grinned at Robert's question. Then he replied coldly.

"I haven't liked you since you were born."

His cold voice echoed through the quiet forest.

"Especially like this, when you're retelling the mutually obvious fact that you know everything, I really, really, really wanted to get rid of that."

I swallowed dry saliva.

Having entered the palace alone the other day, I asked Robert for two additional things besides the warp ring.

"Prince, and I would like to ask you two things. First of all, don't ask me anything."

"What?"

"First of all... Are you chasing illegal drugs for a swordsmanship contest?"

"How does Miss Annabelle know that? It's one of thirty-two things I'm personally investigating."

"Well, that kind of thing happens at every swordsmanship contest... In any case, keep an eye on the Empress's surroundings when tracking it down. Maybe something will come out."

"Empress?"

"Yes. And even if you figure something out, don't reveal it until just before the swordsmanship contest. Just quietly give me the distribution channel tracking report, and I'll have Aaron fix it."

"Hmm, okay."

"And secondly..."

After Carlon's answer, there was silence for a moment.

Whoosh-

The wind blew once more through the forest.

In fact, the wind blew whenever we talked.

There was no way I could not have noticed the presence of Lagian and Carlon, who had been following us for a long time.

But until we found the third origin of black magic, we pretended not to notice and waited.

"If you run into Caron in the Smaho forest, please point out all his mistakes and recite them. If the origins of the third black magic match my expectations, I think everything will be settled at once."

Whoosh-

The wind direction was none other than the capital.

And it was the bamboo forest that was located under the low cliff where we were standing.

~*~

It was just past noon as the sun was hanging over the clock tower. The 912th Swordsmanship Competition Awards Ceremony was being held in the capital city.

Of course, everyone was in a state of panic a little amidst the bustling festival atmosphere.

It was not Ian, nor Annabelle, but Aaron Rainfield, who didn't even register as a contestant, won.

Everyone was thinking about Ian Wade's third win, and it felt like they were being hit in the head while trying to watch the showdown of the last century in an exciting way.

Amidst the buzzing crowd, the host shouted in an amplified voice using a magic item.

"Wow, huh. Now, let's begin the award ceremony of the 912th Swordsmanship Competition."

In addition, the seats of the Imperial Family in charge of the awards were somewhat empty.

For once, Crown Prince Carlon was absent, and Ian's best friend, Robert, was also absent.

"First, I will start with the opening remarks of His Majesty the Emperor."

At the guidance of the moderator, the Emperor slowly stood up.

"Before the full-scale presentation, I would like to say a word."

Of course, the Emperor was not one to miss this opportunity.

It was a good opportunity to publicize that the Imperial Family was taking the lead for the well-being of the people of the Empire.

"As you may know, Carlon and Robert are not in the capital to trace the origins of black magic. First of all, I would like to take this opportunity to express my gratitude to the two men who are working to keep the peace of the Empire."

There was thunderous applause from the audience.

When it was time for the Emperor to say the next thing.

Whoosh-

A wind blew from far away.