Chapter 2.1 – Summer

Lorus Hunting Competition!

If one were to choose the greatest hunting competition in the Empire of Yegahen, everyone, without exception, would point to the Emperor’s Cup Lorus Hunting Competition. That’s how prestigious the Lorus Hunting Competition is among all the hunting events in the Empire of Yegahen.

Lorus is a flying magical beast, far larger than an eagle, with powerful claws capable of easily snatching up a child. Loruses live in groups and damage forests and land with their toxic excrement. Thus, the imperial family began hosting the hunting competition as a way to raise awareness of the harmfulness and dangers of the Lorus.

The unique aspect of the Lorus Hunting Competition, held annually near the habitat of the Lorus during summer, is that participation is strictly in pairs. This is due to the hunting method required for Loruses. With bat-like wings that can be used as arms, Loruses are highly intelligent and covered from head to toe in feathers as tough as armor, making them difficult to hunt. The method for hunting Loruses is as follows:  

1. Pierce their wings, their weak spot, with an arrow to bring them down to the ground.  

2. Decapitate the Lorus before it regains its senses upon falling to the ground.  

Although it sounds simple, Loruses, even when grounded, still possess free-moving legs, wings that can be used like human arms, and a powerful beak capable of easily crushing skulls. Many who attempt to hunt them alone end up losing their lives. Thus, the two-person rule was established several years ago.

The purpose of hunting must always benefit humanity!

According to the hunting ethos of Yegahen, which dictates that hunting should only serve to fill bellies or eliminate harmful beasts, the purpose of the Lorus Hunting Competition is also tied to charity.  

The winning pair of the Emperor’s Cup Lorus Hunting Competition receives a trophy engraved with their names, and the proceeds from the sale of Lorus parts, along with participants’ donations, are donated under the winners’ names to the “Lorus Damage Relief Agency.” The amount is so substantial that the winners often become overnight stars.  

Naturally, this is the most coveted hunting competition for all nobles who value honor, and the question of who will emerge victorious each year is a matter of great interest.  

This summer, new figures have captured public attention.

***

“Is it true that the Duke of Adantie is participating?”  

“Heavens. Then who’s the archer?”  

“Do you remember the youngest of the Lievo family, who came in second at the Ayarn Quail Hunting Competition in the spring?”  

“Oh, the young lady who defeated that bear?”  

“Yes, it seems that very young lady asked the Duke to be her partner.”  

“I’ve heard from those who participated in the hunting competition that she’s an excellent archer.”  

“Well, of course, she’s from the Lievo family. Aren’t they renowned as master archers?”  

“That’s right. My second cousin, who works in the Imperial Music Band, is acquainted with the eldest son of the Lievo family. Even that quiet eldest son is said to be a perfect marksman with a bow.”  

“Wait, is that eldest son, Ian Lievo, a real person? I’ve never seen him, so I thought he was just a rumor.”  

“Oh, stop joking. Anyway, my cousin heard from Ian Lievo himself that the youngest is the best archer in the family. Even the second son, who’s in the First Knight Order, admits the youngest surpasses him with a bow.”  

“That’s astonishing. But this is the Lorus Hunting Competition, isn’t it? No matter how skilled she is, she’s a woman. Will she manage? Strength is surely needed.”  

“That’s something we’ll only know by seeing. Besides, the Duke will likely handle the decapitation. In any case, this competition is shaping up to be incredibly exciting. It’s the Duke’s first time personally participating in a hunting competition, which makes it even more thrilling!”  

“Indeed. I think I’ll bet on the Duke’s team this time.”  

***

Thanks to this, the two brothers of the Lievo family, who worked in the imperial court, were suffering.

“Ian! Ian! Is it true that your youngest sister is entering the Lorus Hunting Competition with the Duke of Adantie?”  

Ian Lievo, the eldest son and third child of the Lievo family, resembled his father in being timid and fragile. He found the attention directed at him unbearable. This was the thirty-eighth time he’d been asked the same question today, and while holding back tears, he nodded.  

“I heard your sister is an exceptional archer. Is that true? You’re no slouch with a bow yourself.”  

“…Greta… is better….”  

“What? Your sister is much better than you with a bow? And she’s the best in the family? If she had joined the Knight Order’s archery unit, she might have earned the nickname ‘Reincarnation of the Divine Archer’! That’s astonishing!”  

While Ian’s colleague, accustomed to his speaking style, exaggerated his words, the door suddenly opened.  

“Oh, Ian! Is it true that your youngest sister and the Duke of Adantie…!”  

“Ple-please… stop…!”  

Seeing yet another colleague rushing in with a contrabass to ask the thirty-ninth question, Ian finally fled, clutching his beloved violin, his eyes brimming with tears.

***

Meanwhile, Richard was suffering in a different way.

“Richard. I heard your sister is better than you with a bow.”  

“Well, that’s true, but—”  

“I also heard your younger sister surpasses you in archery.”  

“She’s better than me, but—”  

“Richard! People say you’re the worst archer in your family. Is that true?”  

“That’s not true!”  

“Richard! I heard you’ve never hit a target in your life!”  

“Where are you hearing this nonsense?!”  

“I heard you’re the worst shot in the capital, Richard!”  

“Who’s spreading such ridiculous lies?!”  

“Our First Knight Order cannot tolerate being outdone by civilians! Starting today, you’re ordered to shoot 300 arrows daily as additional training!”  

“Deputy Commander! That’s absurd! I’m a good archer! I even ranked first in the First Knight Order recently!”  

“No more excuses! Get to it!”

***

The rumors about the Duke of Adantie and the young lady of the Lievo family participating in the Lorus Hunting Competition naturally reached high society. In the social circles, the story was being romanticized as something along the lines of “The Tragic Hero and the Beauty.”

“What an unexpected pairing! The young lady of Lievo and the Duke of Adantie!”  

“Could it be? Could it possibly be that?”  

“What do you mean by ‘that’?”  

“You know, the young lady of Lievo defeated a bear last spring, didn’t she? Perhaps the Duke of Adantie fell in love with her at first sight while watching her fight the bear! And that’s why he suggested entering the Lorus Hunting Competition together!”  

“Oh my! But isn’t it more likely the other way around? No matter how you look at it, the Duke seems more capable of defeating a bear than the young lady of Lievo.”  

“Poor bear. The Duke looks scarier than any bear.”  

“But the young lady of Lievo is said to be a divine archer! Maybe she defeated the bear by swiftly and precisely shooting its vital points! After all, she’s a Lievo!”  

“That’s true. A divine archer! My younger sibling returned from the spring hunting competition wanting to learn archery from the young lady of Lievo!”  

“Then it’s possible. Could there really be something between the two?”  

“Kyaaah!”  

“Kyaaah! This is the scandal of the century! A tragic beast—no, a hero—and a young maiden!”  

“A maiden who compensates for the hero’s lost arm by shooting arrows with divine precision!”  

“The young lady of Lievo must have shot the Duke’s heart with her unmatched skills!”  

“Oh, I wish the young lady of Lievo attended social gatherings more often! I must invite her to the next tea party.”  

“If the young lady of Lievo attends, please invite me as well!”

The group let their imaginations run wild since there was no one present who could verify the truth of the conversation.  

Some time later, a tea party invitation indeed arrived at the Lievo Count’s residence. However, Greta, who was still not accustomed to social gatherings, politely declined the invitation. This, too, became part of the scandal.  

“Goodness! Everyone, did you hear? Lady Lievo has begun special training for the Lorus Hunting Competition. That’s why she can’t attend the party!”  

“Oh my! She’s training to ensure the Duke wins! How romantic!”  

“Kyaaah! I absolutely must go watch this year’s Lorus Hunting Competition!”  

“Me too, me too!”