Chapter 68: Don’t Stab the Lizard!

As soon as Lydia arrived at the Hunting Competition grounds, she and Ephraim headed toward the main field.

The vast grounds were already bustling with activity, with nobles and their attendants gathering around the rows of tents set up near the forest.

Most Guides had arrived with their Sentinels, while many Sentinels preferred to hunt in groups. However, some high-ranking Sentinels preferred to work alone.

Since there was still about an hour before the competition began, Lydia decided to take a walk around the nobles’ tents. After parting ways with Ephraim, she went to check on the participants.

Lydia had barely gone far when she noticed several noble ladies surrounding a familiar woman.

"Oh, why do I have to meet this pathetic F-Rank Guide again this year? What an eyesore."

Lady Lagart stood among the group of Sentinels with a smug smile as she scanned Lydia up and down.

Beside her, a blonde noblewoman rested her hand on a spear.

"One should know better than to misbehave when she has the Crown Prince as her fiancé," the blonde woman remarked. "I wonder what kind of dirty tricks Lady Valendorf pulled on His Highness."

She laughed with Lady Lagart before swinging her spear over her shoulder.

"Let’s get going before she goes crazy, Agnes."

Agnes laughed and focused her Resonance to summon her Spirit Animal beside her.

The yellow horned lizard’s rough scales glistened as it opened its jaw, revealing poisonous blobs gathering in its mouth.

"Don’t tempt me to give you a good bath with my poisonous blob, Lady Valendorf."

This bitch sure needs a good stab or two, it seems. It takes two to tango!

Lydia tapped in her mental power and let her antlers and tail manifest. She was really close to charged at Agnes when someone put his hands on her shoulders.

"Come with me, my deerling~"

Before Lydia could protest, Zachary took her by her shoulder and gently guided her away from the noblewomen.

"Zachary! I wasn’t finished with them! Someone got to teach them a lesson about attitude and—"

"Using your antlers? Well, challenging an A-Rank Sentinel isn’t the best course of action for a Guide, Lydia. Let’s not let Lady Lagart melt your head."

Zachary smiled as he continued leading her toward the central hunting field.

"This year’s competition is attended by VIPs from several friendly nations, so the hunt will be more intense than usual. There are also lots of high-ranked monsters we brought in from Luanna. Try to save your energy for the hunt."

Once they were far enough from the other nobles, Zachary finally let out a sigh.

"Ephraim was right. He sent me to fetch you before you started another fight with House Lagart or House Gaspard."

Lydia clicked her tongue.

"They’re the ones who started it!"

"You can tell me about it later," Zachary chuckled. "Now, put back your antlers before it gets all stabby stabby at me. Let’s start the hunt without any unwanted commotion."

Lydia huffed but decided to do as Zachary asked and let the matter go.

For now.

As they approached the main field, she noticed Ephraim was standing beside Emperor Regulus.

As expected of the Crown Prince, he was already attending to his royal duties even before the competition began.

Unfortunately, he was also glaring at her.

Lydia recognized that expression immediately. His crimson eyes practically screamed, You’d better behave yourself in front of the nobles!

When Lydia scanned over the whole ground, she noticed someone was missing.

"Where’s Her Majesty the Empress?" Lydia asked. "I haven’t seen her today."

Queen Renata had always been physically frail, especially after giving birth to Ephraim.

However, Lydia remembered that, in her previous life, the Empress had been in much better health around this time.

"I hope Her Majesty will grace us with her presence tonight, just as she did in last year’s Hunting Competition."

Zachary followed her gaze toward the imperial platform.

"I hope so too, deerling. My father recently sent some Eastern medicine to help with her mental power. Hopefully, it’ll improve her condition further."

"They’ve raised the flags already. Let’s head to the field. The competition should be starting soon."

The crowd gradually went quieter as Emperor Regulus began his opening speech about the Empire’s strength and warned everyone to stay cautious against Dimensional Rifts.

After the opening address concluded, Lydia approached the imperial platform, with Zachary beside her.

She lowered her head in a graceful curtsy at her father-in-laws.

"Greetings to the sun and future sun of Adelstein Empire, Your Majesty Regulus Aslan Adelstein and Your Highness Ephraim Rion Adelstein."

"Raise your head, my daughter." Emperor Regulus smiled warmly at her. "I am glad to see you in good health."

"The pleasure is mine, Your Majesty." Lydia straightened and offered him a polite smile. "I hope Her Majesty the Empress is also in good health."

"Thank you for your concern. Renata has been resting, but she was eager to join us for tonight’s celebration. I hope she will be able to make it."

The Emperor then turned his attention to Zachary.

"And I must thank House Ludenberg for the medicine you sent. Your family’s assistance is greatly appreciated."

"It is our honor to be of service to the Imperial Family, Your Majesty," Zachary replied with a respectful bow. "As always."

Regulus nodded approvingly before gesturing toward the hunting grounds.

"Now, go and enjoy the hunt. I look forward to seeing what our young Sentinels and Guides can accomplish this year."

After offering their farewells, Lydia and Zachary made their way toward the forest perimeter, where their horses were waiting.

The air was filled with the sounds of restless animals, excited participants, and attendants making their final preparations.

"The Golden Boy told me that he will join us after he is done."

"Let’s wait for Ephraim then."

Lydia just mounted her horse and adjusted her reins when the Crown Prince finally approached them on horseback.

"It’s rare to see you carrying Braveheart, Ephraim." Lydia studied the sword with curiosity.

The weapon’s hilt was intricately carved into the shape of a golden lion. Just like Ephraim’s Spirit Animal.

"Does that mean you won’t be relying on your Resonance for the hunt today?"

"Unfortunately, I won’t be participating in the hunt as planned."

Lydia blinked. "What? Why?"

Ephraim’s expression grew serious. He glanced toward the distant mountains before turning his attention to Zachary.

"I have something urgent to attend to. The Duke Valendorf and Lord Sylvain will be accompanying me to the mountain area."

Lydia’s grip on the reins tightened slightly. She remembered Sir Owen’s warning about the unusually high miasma levels in that region.

"Is something wrong with the mountains?"

"Some patrols told me that they had seen an intruder," Ephraim’s gaze returned to Lydia. "Take care of yourself. Try to not get hurt, okay?"

Then he looked at Zachary and gave him a firm nod.

"Senior, please take care of Lydia for me."

"You don’t even have to ask. Rest assured!"

Ephraim nodded at the answer and gave Lydia one last look before turning his horse around and galloping toward the mountain road.

Lydia watched Ephraim disappear into the distance.

An intruder at the hunt.

The competition had barely begun, but things were not going well already.