Chapter 276 : Chapter 276

Chapter 276. Two Brothers Before the Campfire

'He won't come over easily.'

Radel moved his hands busily.

CHOP CHOP!

Salt and pepper were sprinkled onto the stone plate.

How much had he trained at grilling meat thanks to the Griffin's increasingly picky palate? Moreover, the Griffin, being a large monster, ate an unimaginable amount at every meal.

Radel had grilled and grilled meat until the creature was satisfied. By now, he could flip it with his eyes closed.

SWOOSH!

This was a technique that had even won over the great Griffin. Although he had failed to break down Professor Beven of Enhancement Magic...

Back then, it made sense that the professor's rationality hadn't wavered. It was an environment where he could eat meat anytime.

Even Professor Beven had crumbled before Sleeping Dragon. That was when Radel realized that to tempt someone, you had to make it impossible for them to escape.

SIZZLE.

As Radel performed a dazzling display of skill on the grill, he felt someone hiding behind a tree flinch. However, they did not reveal themselves.

'You're holding on well. But can you endure this?'

Radel took out a frying pan and began grilling the chicken he had pre-seasoned. He also quickly sliced and added onions.

SIZZLE.

This was his secret weapon, obtained through the Secret Friend Operation of steadily observing Leon. He had confirmed that although Leon left other foods uneaten at the academy cafeteria, he never left the chicken steak.

'Now I pour the special sauce on top.'

SPLASH!

As Radel poured the sauce over the meat, an irrepressible sound came from behind the tree.

GRUMBLE.

To think he was suffering while smelling this aroma. Radel could feel Leon's agony, unable to escape this space despite not being confined.

Radel sensed the time had come. He transferred the chicken steak onto a prepared plate and let out a loud sigh.

"Phew, I made it myself, but an incredibly delicious dish came out, didn't it?"

And then he spoke directly toward where the rumbling sound had come from.

"If someone were to tell me the essence of magic, I might be willing to share it though...?"

It was the moment Leon's eyes wavered.

* * *

Meanwhile, Leon's followers had also entered the Dungeon. They were grateful for at least being given the opportunity to clear it together with Leon, and were in the middle of preparing camp.

"I hope we can defeat the mid-boss soon and meet His Highness."

"Yeah. I didn't think we'd actually have to sleep here!"

"There's no way Professor Lilian would explain things properly."

"Still, it's fortunate that she let us in with His Highness."

They had thought that given Professor Lilian's usual personality, she would definitely group people who didn't get along. They couldn't express how fortunate they were to be with like-minded comrades.

"Shall we prepare now?"

"Yeah. Let's have a quick bite and get some rest. We'll need to rest properly to be of help to His Highness."

Leon's followers took out the items they had each prepared to clear the Dungeon and felt their eyes grow moist. It was because they were all things for serving His Highness.

"Sniff! Seeing this top-quality mink blanket reminds me of His Highness!"

"What about this pillow made from the finest red goose feathers!"

"Wait?! Don't tell me you brought those precious Ishak 10-year tea leaves?"

"What about you...? Jam made from Reliaju grapes that can only be harvested once every three years...?"

The two acknowledged each other's devotion and wiped under their noses.

"Shouldn't we have at least this much to offer His Highness?"

"I share your thoughts. Though even this is far from adequate compared to Prince Leon's dignity."

"You do know something. I think the same."

However, Leon, who would receive their devotion, was not here. He had even recently threatened his followers not to come near him.

They had resolved to wait until His Highness's mood improved, but as the period lengthened, they were growing increasingly anxious. Moreover, His Highness was currently in a Dungeon with the 8th Prince.

It was only natural that the emotions of the two conversing were heightening.

"Sniff, Your Highness! I hope you're doing well in this harsh environment!"

"Of all people, to have entered with the 8th Prince...!"

"Exactly. What if that damned 8th Prince harms His Highness...!"

"...Well, I don't think he'd go that far."

At one follower's words, the other follower's brow twitched.

"What did you say?"

He glared at his comrade whose ideology was in question.

"What do you mean by that? Are you defending the 8th Prince?"

"What are you talking about? What did I defend?"

"You just did! Don't even think about making excuses. The 8th Prince is someone who harms His Highness just by breathing. Yet you have such a lukewarm attitude!"

At his words, the other follower also bristled.

"His Highness is staying still, so what good would come from us stepping forward? And did you forget the 8th Prince is currently the first-year representative? Either way, His Highness's school life is more comfortable when they get along decently!"

"You've completely become a traitor. If Duke Silvert knew about this, he wouldn't stay silent."

"Why are you bringing up the Duke here? I follow Prince Leon, not support Duke Silvert. You're the one who needs to watch your mouth."

The atmosphere was deteriorating to the worst.

In fact, this was bound to happen eventually. It had been a topic with divided opinions among Leon's followers recently.

The reason was obvious—it was the 8th Prince.

Was it since Leon failed to kill Radel? Or was it from when Radel approached Leon undeterred by the followers' interference?

What was certain was that an invisible crack had begun. When Leon, their focal point, was present, it wasn't a problem, but now that Leon was keeping his distance from his followers, that crack could not help but show.

The followers divided into two groups felt they could not communicate with the other side.

"To His Highness, Duke Silvert is an absolute existence. Such a disrespectful attitude..."

"The one we should truly follow is Prince Leon. You're the one who forgot that fact."

"I don't think I can communicate with you anymore."

"Same here."

A cold air flowed through the Dungeon, as if their earlier excited chatter had been a lie.

* * *

'Despicable bastard.'

Leon's eyes glared coldly at Radel. However, his hands were gripping the plate tightly.

"Leon. No one's going to steal it, so relax and eat."

"...Shut up."

Leon pointed his fork at Radel. Then, clutching his plate, he moved locations.

"Come close and I'll kill you."

Sitting as far from Radel as possible, he cast a spell on his plate with utmost vigilance.

"Remove."

It was detoxification magic.

Though it looked simple, it was difficult magic that scanned the ingredients and removed only poison without altering the food's taste. As far as Radel knew, among the first-years, only a few people including Armandy could use detoxification magic.

'I really want that.'

If he learned that magic, he could reduce the share of detoxification potions in his Space Expansion Pouch even a little. Then it would be possible to put other materials in that space.

'This was quite profitable again.'

Radel smiled slightly, recalling the byproducts in his pouch.

Just by following Leon, he obtained a bunch of new byproducts. It was thanks to Leon, who only defeated magical beasts without interest in the corpses. A well-off mage might pass them by without concern, but Radel was not.

'Leon doesn't know how precious those things are.'

In Dungeons, magical beast corpses disappear after time passes.

It can't be helped. He had no choice but to make good use of them himself.

'Why is he smiling?'

When Radel smiled, Leon felt uneasy.

Seeing no reaction even after using detoxification magic, it seemed he hadn't put in poison... But wasn't it too suspicious to look this way while smiling like that?

Sensing Leon's dubious stare, Radel opened his palm to reassure him.

"Look, there's nothing. You can eat without worry."

However, that action made Leon even more irritated. That bastard was talking to him as if to a baby magical beast.

Leon frowned at the cringe-inducing tone he'd only heard in Cryptozoology class.

"Cut the disgusting talk and get lost."

Then Radel shamelessly made a hurt expression.

"Don't tell me you don't trust me? I really didn't do anything. I only made it delicious."

"...I said get lost."

DING.

[The skill Superhuman Intuition activates.]

[Leon Silvert Cretian's killing intent is detected.]

Radel distanced himself far away for Leon, who was emitting killing intent before his eyes.

Absolutely not because he was scared. Wouldn't anyone get angry if disturbed while eating?

He shouldn't even talk to him until he finished eating. Radel quietly resolved and shut his mouth.

Seeing Radel distance himself, Leon cast magic on his plate again.

"Purify."

But seeing Leon cast even purification magic on top of detoxification magic made Radel's mouth itch.

"Leon! I washed my hands before making it, so it's not dirty. Don't worry!"

...Should I really kill him?

Leon suffered because of Radel, who wouldn't listen no matter how many times he told him to shut up or get lost...

* * *

Leon looked at the campfire with a defeated face.

'To think I... would succumb to hunger.'

Hunger. It was suffering he had never experienced even once.

For him, born as an imperial prince of the Empire, meals were things naturally given. He had grown up surrounded by attendants since childhood.

In the Imperial Capital, from meal preparation to bath water preparation, attire preparation, even down to a single shoe—he had never put them on with his own hands. Moreover, he was an outstanding mage with Dragon's Blessing. Even without attendants, he could easily solve most things with magic.

But coming to the academy was different from the start. As a result of the worst entrance exam, he had to pitch a tent and sleep outside.

Had he not been caught up with Radel, he would have proudly claimed the top rank.

'That time was also because of that bastard.'

Leon bit down hard on his molars as he looked at Radel's profile sitting before the campfire.

...Though he hated to admit it, it was a face that resembled his own.

Radel, unaware Leon was watching, was focused on something.

SWOOSH, SWOOSH.

Looking closer, wasn't he sharpening a dagger on tough leather? Leon found himself watching him, drawn to Radel's quite skillful movements.

'Why is he so practiced at that?'

No matter how neglected, royalty was still royalty. Yet those hand movements belonged to a seasoned hunter.

It was when Leon first had a serious question about Radel. The dagger he was sharpening caught Leon's eye.

'...That is?'

No matter how he looked at it, the magic power flowing from the dagger was unusual. Leon approached Radel as if entranced.

It was definitely a dragon's scale. Moreover, this aura was not something felt from an ordinary dragon's scale.

Radel discovered Leon, who had approached his vicinity at some point, and was slightly surprised.

"What's wrong, Leon?"

"That... could it be a dragon's reverse scale?"