Peace Hunter

The next day.

Today marked the second day of the fourth exam held at Duke San Lucia’s residence. For this second day, we were required to withstand attacks from the knights we were paired against. The duration required to hold out against the knights varies each year; for this fourth exam in our fourth year, we had to withstand their attacks for fifteen minutes. The other students were already aware that the duration would be longer than in previous years, so they showed no surprise at all.

After Mr. Alan explained the requirements for the second day, he immediately announced the start of the exam. As usual, I was the first student to take the test.

Fifteen minutes later, I was declared successful, having managed to withstand the knight's attacks for the full duration.

-

The next day.

Today was the third and final day of the fourth exam at Duke San Lucia’s residence. This portion of the exam followed the same format as in previous years: a medal-collection challenge in the wilderness. Like the fourth-year exam from the previous year, each student was required to collect twenty-five medals from the many scattered throughout the wild terrain near the estate. This wilderness consisted of low mountains and hills, forests, rivers, and a former meadow now blanketed in snow. Once Mr. Alan finished explaining the objectives for this final day, he immediately declared the start of the exam.

A few hours later, I had finally collected the twenty-five medals. I then returned to Duke San Lucia’s residence to submit them as proof of completion. Upon handing over the medals, I was officially declared to have passed the third day of the fourth exam.

-

The next day.

Today was a day off for us after completing three days of exams. Since it was a day off, Charles, the others, and I decided to explore the San Lucia city.

Upon our arrival, the local residents and merchants would immediately hurry over to greet me whenever they spotted me. My popularity in the city had soared; not only was I the boyfriend of Irene—daughter of the Duke who governed San Lucia—but I had also healed Duchess Arlet and awakened her from her long sleep. Once news of this spread, the townspeople and merchants would always approach to say hello whenever they saw me walking through the streets. Some even offered me goods for free, meaning I often left the city with my hands full. It wasn't just the civilians and merchants, either; the Duke’s knights on guard or patrol duty would also come over to greet me whenever they saw me. Everyone in San Lucia was incredibly friendly toward me, and the same held true for the people at the Duke’s residence.

Meanwhile, I found myself surrounded by locals who had gathered around me. I didn't mind them approaching me, but I felt bad for my friends who were left waiting while I was occupied by the townspeople of San Lucia. Fortunately, Irene always came to my aid by asking the locals not to crowd around me constantly. She explained that we were enjoying our time off in San Lucia and asked them not to disturb me. The locals understood her point and stopped crowding me. After they left, I overheard some of them saying that Irene had lied; they claimed the real reason she asked them to back off was jealousy over the attention I was receiving. They said this jokingly, without any malicious intent toward Irene. She seemed to hear their teasing but chose to remain silent.

"Thanks for helping me out, Irene," I said.

"You're welcome, Rid," she replied.

After that, Irene, Charles, and the rest of us resumed our tour of San Lucia. This time, we could explore the town in peace, as no more locals came over to approach me.

-

The next morning, approaching midday.

After packing up our belongings at the inn, we headed straight for the Duke San Lucia’s residence. We went there to bid him farewell, as we were returning to the academy that day.

Upon our arrival, Duke Louis and Duchess Arlet were there to welcome us. Commander Asier was not with them, as he had already returned to his post. Afterward, Mr. Alan and the other instructors began to take their leave of Duke Louis and Duchess Arlet.

About fifteen minutes later, once Mr. Alan and the instructors had said their goodbyes to Duke Louis and Duchess Arlet, the couple walked straight over to Irene and me.

"I’ve only just seen you, yet you’re already heading back to the academy. Take good care of yourself, Irene. If you miss me, you can come back here anytime," Duchess Arlet said.

"There’s no need for that, Mother. Besides, I’ll be graduating soon and coming back here anyway," Irene replied.

"I see. Well, just take care of yourself, Irene. And you too, take care, Rid," Duchess Arlet said.

"I will, Aunt Arlet," I said.

I had decided to call Duchess Arlet "Aunt Arlet" because she had gotten angry with me when I addressed her as "Miss Duchess." This happened the day after she woke from her long sleep—the same day Queen Kayana visited the Duke San Lucia estate. I had run into Duchess Arlet by chance and greeted her as "Lady Duchess," but she disliked the title. She pointed out that since I called Duke Louis "Uncle Louis," there was no reason to address her so formally. She asked me not to use formal titles with her, so I started calling her "Aunt Arlet."

"Don't cause too much trouble for Rid, Irene," Duchess Arlet said.

"I won't, Mother. I won't cause any trouble at all," Irene replied.

"That’s good to hear," Duchess Arlet said.

"As my wife said, take care of yourselves, Rid, Irene," Duke Louis said.

"Yes, Father," Irene said.

"I will, Uncle Louis," I said.

"And Rid, please protect Irene while she is at the academy," said Duke Louis.

"Understood, Uncle. I will continue to protect Irene," I replied.

After bidding farewell to Duke Louis and Duchess Arlet, the two of us immediately joined the other students. Once gathered, we boarded the carriage that had been prepared for us. We then departed from the Duke San Lucia residence in the carriage, heading back to San Fulgen Academy.

As the carriage we were riding in made its way through the streets of San Lucia, I heard many people calling out my name. I immediately looked out the window upon hearing the voices. Outside, I saw a crowd—citizens, merchants, and knights alike—seeing me off as I left the city. They kept calling my name and shouting farewells.

"Goodbye, Rid."

"Goodbye! Don't forget to come back to this city," the citizens called out.

The voices were so numerous and loud that I wasn't the only one who heard them; my friends heard them too.

"You’re truly well-liked and loved by the people here, Rid. They’re even seeing you off and inviting you back. Well, it’s only natural, considering you succeeded in waking Miss Duchess Arlet from her long sleep. The citizens who know about that naturally took a liking to you right away," Charles said.

"Yeah, that’s why people would always approach me whenever I walked through the city. Still, I never found them bothersome at all," I replied.

Then, the carriage slowly began to leave San Lucia behind.

"We’ve finished the fourth exam of our fourth year. Now, all that’s left are the tournament and the academy festival, and then we’ll graduate," Charles said.

"Yeah, it’s hard to believe we’ll be graduating from San Fulgen Academiya so soon," I said.

The carriage continued on, carrying us back toward San Fulgen Academiya.

-

Meanwhile, at the Duke San Quentine residence.

In an underground room within the estate, Duke Remy was seen speaking with a number of people gathered there.

"Do you truly promise to reinstate the system of slavery if you become the leader of this kingdom, Lord Duke?" asked one of the people present in the room.

"Yes, I promise. I will allow slavery to be re-established once I become the leader of this kingdom. I will not forbid the people of this kingdom from owning slaves, nor will I stop slave traders from selling their slaves here."

"Therefore, I ask all of you—those who have suffered losses due to the abolition of slavery in this kingdom—to assist me in carrying out this grand plan," said Duke Remy.

"If you promise such a thing, then of course I will help you, Lord Remy."

"I will certainly help as well."

"Count me in, too," said the others present in the room.

It was clear that everyone present had agreed to assist Duke Remy.

"It is good that you have agreed to help me,"

"For now, I ask for a little more patience, as the plan will commence before long. In less than a month, I shall set the plan in motion. Once it is underway, a massive rebellion will erupt in this kingdom. It is amidst that uprising that I will assassinate Her Majesty the Queen and the entire San Lucia family using my demonic pawns." said Duke Remy.

-To be continued

Visit and read more novel to help us update chapter quickly. Thank you so much!