The Holy Lady, The Curse - Chapter 8 Part 10

“In any case, all participants have returned safely, so that’s good. You are the last participant to return, Sir. Ah, your hunting must have been hindered?”

Geril’s eyebrows twitched as he was still gritting his teeth, unable to shake off his uneasiness. It was a reasonable point.

“Has no one brought back a kurkroll yet?”

As the Emperor turned to his subordinate and asked, he quickly bowed his head and answered.

“Yes, there was no kurkroll among the collected game.”

The Emperor’s gaze then flicked back to Seiden.

“Of course, you couldn’t catch one either while rescuing the Saintess, right?”

The Emperor asked, quite displeased. Seiden calmly reported while taking out a pouch full of magic stones from his pocket.

“I caught one.”

When Seiden answered that he had caught a kurkroll, surprised voices were heard here and there. Not only Hestina, who wandered all day looking for monsters to catch a kurkroll, but even Geril forgot to manage his expression and looked at the heavy pouch in Seiden’s hand.

“Huh. You caught a kurkroll in that time? Very impressive, very impressive indeed. Examine Sir Seiden’s magic stones.”

The waiting subordinates rushed forward to receive the pouch Seiden held out at the Emperor’s command. As Seiden’s magic stone pouch hung heavily, Geril’s face became anxious.

“Good. Now that everyone has returned, it’s time to determine the winner.”

As the Emperor solemnly addressed the participants, Geril and Seiden’s gazes met in mid-air. The two stared fiercely at each other without averting their eyes even slightly.

* * *

The judging, which was the last order of the hunting festival and essentially its highlight, took place in the judging hall inside the castle. The vast judging hall was structured so that anyone could observe the judging results at a glance, with long chairs arranged in tiers around the central judging platform.

Usually, even without going through the judging, the outline of the winner was roughly determined the moment the hunt ended, so not many people bothered to attend the judging. However, this time it was impossible to gauge the winner, so the spacious judging hall was packed full of those who wanted to confirm it with their own eyes.

“It must be Duke Lylester, for sure. He returned long before the deadline.”

“But Sir Seiden caught a kurkroll, right? If other high-level monsters are added to that, who knows?”

“I’ll bet my gold on Sir Seiden too. Come on, anyone else want to bet on Sir Seiden?”

While everyone was eagerly anticipating who would be the final winner of this hunting festival, the judging began. For fairness, one person each from the Imperial Palace, the Grand Temple, and the Magic Tower was mobilized for the judging. The representative from the temple was Cardinal Loubert.

As soon as she entered the judging hall, Bellota sensed from Loubert’s urgent gaze seeking her that the rumor of the Saintess and the Holy Knight Commander returning together had spread quickly. By tomorrow, everyone would know about the commotion at the hunting festival.

“Now, let’s begin the judging.”

At the Emperor’s command, the examination of the magic stones brought by the participants began. Each participant was given a total of twenty magic stones, and among them, only those that had gained weight and color after use contained captured monsters.

The role of the judges was to receive these, check the weight of the magic stones, examine the types and grades of monsters captured inside, and produce results.

After a while, the long-awaited announcement finally began.

“Hans Bobesco, a total of six catches including one medium-level monster, mamen, and five low-level monsters.”

However, most participants had caught less than ten monsters even including low-level ones, and no one paid attention to their judging results. Everyone was focused on certain participants.

“Hestina Lylester.”

Finally, when it was Hestina’s turn, who had declared she would catch a kurkroll, the eyes of those bored by the long judging suddenly lit up. Even Hestina, who had been glancing at Seiden during the judging, straightened her back when her name was called.

“A total of nine catches including one medium-level monster, rilbird, one tyranan, and seven low-level monsters.”

It wasn’t a bad result. To catch two medium-level monsters that even most men couldn’t catch. The imperial princess had truly proven her skills. Polite applause poured out from here and there. But even so, Hestina didn’t look happy at all.

She hadn’t caught a kurkroll, so her chance for an official outing with Seiden had vanished. Moreover, Seiden was just staring at the judging platform with a face that showed no interest in her results at all. Hestina kept glancing at Seiden regretfully, but he didn’t give her even a slight glance until the applause ended.

Next was Geril’s turn.

“Geril Lylester.”

This time, a heavy and solemn tension filled the hall. Geril, too, clenched his fist tightly in tension, but tried not to show it, deliberately putting on a relaxed face as he looked at the judges. Soon, Geril’s results were announced.

“One high-level monster, pecoria, one keluck, one rening, and one custer.”

Already four high-level monsters. With this, Geril, who had clearly taken the lead, immediately became haughty and turned to look at Seiden arrogantly and leisurely.

Seiden was staring at Geril’s magic stones spread out on the table with a face so expressionless that it was impossible to guess what he was thinking. He must have sensed his own defeat and was surely feeling frustrated.

Geril narrowed his eyes and twisted his lips. It was still infuriating that he had returned with Bellota, but it was obvious that he hadn’t been able to finish the hunt properly because he was busy taking care of Bellota. If so, even if he caught a kurkroll, the victory would be his.

“Including fourteen medium-level monsters, a total of twenty catches.”

Excited exclamations burst out here and there at the amazing result.

“My goodness, all twenty?”

“The Duke won the last hunting festival too! It’s amazing, really.”

“Perfect.”

It was then, as Geril was fully enjoying the praise pouring behind him and raising the corners of his mouth…

“But there’s no kurkroll. If Sir Seiden really caught a kurkroll, wouldn’t that change things?”

As someone’s quiet whisper hit his ear precisely, Geril’s expression instantly hardened. And as if to confirm that, Seiden’s turn followed.

“Seiden Blackwood.”

When Seiden’s name was called, Bellota’s face, which had been calm throughout, tensed for a moment. She hadn’t been able to ask how many monsters Seiden had caught on the way back, as they had been discussing the curse. The special gift would be his since he caught a kurkroll, but…

Bellota glanced at Seiden anxiously, but he was just waiting for his results with an unwavering face.

Soon, Cardinal Loubert opened his mouth.

“One high-level monster, kurkroll.”

As the name of the kurkroll finally appeared, the onlookers let out exclamations.

Hestina, though quite regretful, couldn’t hide her admiration for Seiden and smiled. If she couldn’t catch it herself, it was better that Seiden did. And perhaps, just perhaps, the reason Seiden caught the kurkroll might have something to do with her.

“And one idar, one shulak, one riviastun…”

The number of high-level monsters was already tied with Geril’s. Everyone held their breath and pricked up their ears.

“…including fourteen medium-level monsters, for a total of twenty catches.”

Gasps. Sounds of people swallowing in surprise were heard here and there. Even Geril, who had been holding his breath until that moment, barely managed to lower his chest and grit his teeth. To think he had finished hunting in that time.

But it wasn’t the worst-case scenario. Although he had caught the kurkroll, in terms of absolute points, they were tied. It meant a joint victory.

“After tallying the scores, it’s a joint victory for Duke Geril Lylester and Sir Seiden Blackwood.”

It was quite unpleasant, but a joint first place was still first place. With this, he had fulfilled the condition to make a wish to Bellota. Geril tried to be satisfied with that for now. That was the original purpose, after all.

But Seiden, who suddenly stood up, shattered Geril’s vain dream mercilessly.

“I have an objection.”

At Seiden’s words, not only Geril but also the Emperor, Hestina, and everyone in the hall, including Bellota, looked at him in surprise.

“An objection?”

As the Emperor frowned and asked back, Seiden turned to him and answered.

“The examination wasn’t properly conducted.”

At this, murmurs were heard from here and there. The Emperor looked at Seiden in bewilderment, then raised his voice in anger.

“What are you saying, Sir? The examination wasn’t properly conducted! Didn’t you just witness the examination process with your own eyes?”

Then Seiden’s gaze turned to Geril, who was sitting next to the Emperor.

“I’m saying we can’t ignore the possibility that the magic stones were switched before the examination.”

Color drained from Geril’s face, which had been glaring at Seiden with an irritated expression.

“Switched the magic stones…? Sir, do you realize what you’re saying?”

“I do.”

“Ha! You’re insulting this sacred and holy hunting festival! Can you take responsibility for that statement?”

To the Emperor’s enraged question, Seiden answered without blinking an eye.

“I will take responsibility.”

Bellota’s hands turned cold at those words. She was anxious, unable to guess what Seiden was trying to do. This hunting festival was under the jurisdiction of the imperial family. If Seiden’s words were wrong, it was clear that the Emperor would hold him greatly responsible.