Rachel, dressed more casually than usual, came down the stairs and found Erika stomping her feet impatiently.

“I want to go to the hunting competition too.”

Erika threw a tantrum while speaking to Count and Countess Pluret.

“I already told you no. It’s still too dangerous for you.”

Count Pluret tried to console the disappointed Erika. Nevertheless, Erika remained unconvinced.

“I can stay in a safe place, can’t I? Or I’ll stay near my sister. Is that not allowed either? My sister is strong, so she can protect me!”

Erika dragged Rachel into the conversation. The Pluret couple briefly looked at Rachel before shaking their heads.

“Erika, didn’t we tell you that Rachel has an important role in this hunting competition? Stop throwing tantrums.”

Countess Pluret spoke firmly as she tried to dissuade Erika.

After a few more attempts at pleading, Erika finally gave up when she realized the Pluret couple had no intention of giving in.

“…Fine.”

“Good. So just rest today. We’ll be back soon after it’s over.”

“…Yes.”

Though she answered, her pouting lips showed she was quite upset, but there was nothing more the Pluret couple could do.

Rachel also belatedly approached Erika, tucking her side hair behind her ear and spoke in a soft voice.

“I’ll be back soon. So please be patient just for today.”

“Alright. But you have to come back really quickly.”

Erika demanded confirmation. Rachel nodded in response.

“Yes. I promise.”

Only after receiving this confirmation did Erika step aside with a relieved expression.

“Then sister, mom, and dad, please return safely.”

Erika said to her family. The Pluret couple and Rachel bid farewell to Erika one last time before boarding the carriage heading to Mount Rodoman where the hunting competition would be held.

Once all three had boarded, the carriage slowly began to move forward.

Count Pluret, visibly worried about leaving Erika alone, repeatedly checked through the carriage window toward the Pluret mansion where Erika would be.

“You’re worried, aren’t you? Let’s finish quickly and return.”

“Yes, let’s do that.”

Only then did Count Pluret smile and respond to Rachel’s words.

Mount Rodoman was the first entrance to a large mountain range.

Located in the north of the Empire, it stood as a sturdy mountain that protected the Empire’s rear.

Usually, hunting competitions involved releasing monsters and animals on Mount Rodoman. This time was no different.

The Pluret family’s carriage arrived at the entrance of Mount Rodoman where the hunting competition was taking place.

Many people had already gathered at the mountain entrance to attend the hunting competition.

Count Pluret, the Countess, and Rachel got out of the carriage and began heading toward the waiting area.

They could see seats marked with the Pluret family flag not far away.

The three sat down. However, they soon had to stand up again.

This was because other nobles who had participated in the hunting competition were gathering in small groups and engaging in lively conversation.

“Wait here.”

“Yes, enjoy yourselves.”

Rachel smiled and answered, and soon Count and Countess Pluret left their seats.

Left alone, Rachel leisurely looked around. Several familiar faces were visible nearby.

Viola and Edward were with the Hestein couple, and Tervan was seated in the Sanchez ducal family’s area.

Unlike Viola and Edward who noticed Rachel and raised their hands in friendly greeting, Tervan just stared intently at Rachel with a heavy atmosphere.

Rachel first acknowledged Viola and Edward’s greetings, then ignored Tervan while checking when the hunting competition would start.

As the empty seats filled up, a loud fanfare began to sound.

Those who had been chatting in groups returned to their original seats.

Rachel smiled lightly as she confirmed her parents taking their seats.

Meanwhile, the Emperor appeared on a distant podium.

“His Imperial Majesty has arrived!”

A servant announced in a loud voice. The nobles simultaneously rose from their seats and paid their respects to the Emperor.

“I am grateful that you have all graced this occasion despite the sudden proposal of a hunting competition.”

The Emperor spoke with a satisfied expression as he looked at the nobles.

“The reason I arranged this gathering is because there is someone I wish to introduce to you all. I believe you already know about this person. The one who showed brilliant achievements in the monster subjugation team just a month ago.”

The Emperor extended his introduction, preparing to mention Rachel.

Count and Countess Pluret looked at Rachel with proud expressions.

“It is Lady Rachel Pluret.”

Rachel stood up when she was called. A lady-in-waiting was already approaching to guide her.

Rachel stood on the podium with the Emperor following the lady-in-waiting’s guidance. Then she respectfully greeted the Emperor.

The Emperor received Rachel’s greeting with satisfaction.

“This Rachel Pluret has chosen to become an Imperial Mage for the prosperity of our Imperial family, and I would like you all to celebrate this occasion.”

Rachel bowed her head to the people with perfect timing. Applause began to ring out from various places.

“This hunting competition is also an opportunity to showcase the skills of Rachel Pluret, who has become an Imperial Mage. As always, there will be a reward for whoever catches the largest and heaviest game, so I hope you will all demonstrate your abilities in this hunting competition.”

More applause followed the Emperor’s words.

Rachel lightly greeted the people and then tried to return to her seat. But she couldn’t.

This was because Ryan, who had been waiting below the podium, approached Rachel.

“Rachel!”

Ryan called Rachel’s name cheerfully.

The nobles around them looked back and forth between Ryan and Rachel with surprised expressions.

They couldn’t fail to understand what calling someone by their first name meant.

It was surprising that the only person Ryan called by first name was Rachel Pluret, who had become the talk of the town.

What’s more, Ryan’s gaze toward Rachel conveyed deep affection and trust. It was obvious even to others.

People wondered how the two could have built such a close relationship so quickly, but not many could directly ask the two.

These were people who already knew why the Emperor favored Rachel.

Perhaps the long-vacant position of Crown Princess might soon have an owner.

Rachel was well aware of how people were looking at her, but she felt no need to explain or make excuses to them.

After all, Rachel would never become the Crown Princess.

Regardless of Rachel’s feelings for Ryan, she had no plans to promise a future with him.

“How are you feeling?”

Ryan asked Rachel. Rachel looked at him and nodded.

“Not bad.”

“That’s good. When the competition starts, may I accompany you?”

Ryan was watching her closely, seemingly worried that Rachel might refuse.

Rachel noticed Ryan’s gaze and smiled slightly.

“That would be fine.”

“Excellent. Since Rachel will be watching, I must hunt more diligently. I’ll show you that I can catch the biggest and heaviest game.”

Ryan spoke enthusiastically. Rachel smiled lightly at him.

“I look forward to seeing how big your catch will be.”

At Rachel’s words, Ryan took a deep breath and then exhaled. Then he turned to look at his attendant.

The attendant, anticipating his glance, brought two horses.

Rachel jumped lightly onto her horse. Ryan, who had intended to take her hand, awkwardly withdrew it and quickly mounted his horse like Rachel.

There was bustling movement elsewhere as well.

This was because of the short shouts of determination and the sound of reins from those participating in this hunting competition.

Among them were Tervan and Duke Bermund.

Rachel quietly examined those two before turning her gaze to Ryan.

“Are you ready?”

Ryan asked Rachel.

“Of course. There wasn’t much for me to prepare anyway.”

“Good. Shall we start moving then?”

Ryan suggested to Rachel.

Rachel nodded lightly.

“Let’s go.”

Ryan slowly began to move his horse. This was to match Rachel’s pace as they ascended the mountain.

Rachel glanced at Ryan once before spurring her horse past the mountain entrance.