The mansion of Baron Olston smelled of cheap wine and cold sweat. The owner of the house paced back and forth across the study, striking the floor with the heels of his boots. His face was red with rage and fear.
"That brat should be dead! I paid a fortune for that assassin and it was completely useless!"
On the leather sofa sat his two subordinates. The first was a man thin to the bone, with greenish-blond hair that reached his shoulders and deep bags under his eyes. Baron Samuel Gordon. He looked sick, but his cold eyes missed nothing.
The second was the complete opposite: muscular, with a square jaw, short blond hair combed back, and a stone-like expression. Baron Sergei Belgrado. He had his arms crossed and had not moved a muscle for several minutes.
"There is currently a possible war between the palace and the Phantom Troop," Gordon said in a hoarse voice. "They can no longer keep it a secret."
Belgrado nodded once.
"The Phantom Troop is asking how the expansion of the medicine they gave you is going."
Olston stopped and ran a hand over his face.
"I do that every two days, as instructed. But that doesn't matter now! We must finish off that brat. They've already revealed their existence. It's only a matter of time before they come for me."
A calm, mocking voice echoed from the corner of the room.
"You don't need to fear anything. We plan to solve the problem quickly."
The three men turned sharply.
In an armchair, letting the light of the lamps highlight every detail of his attire, drinking tea with an expression of disgust, sat a man with a square face and black hair. He set the cup down on the side table.
He wore an elegant military-style uniform in a deep dark purple, adorned with golden embroidery and buttons that gleamed with every movement.
A short black cape rested over his shoulders, swaying slightly as he turned. Beneath the jacket, a pristine white shirt and a neatly tied black necktie could be seen.
On both arms he wore finely crafted silver armor gauntlets that contrasted with the richness of the fabric.
At his hip rested a long sword with a golden hilt, just as ornate as the rest of his clothing. Everything about him screamed nobility, confidence, and a deliberate touch of arrogance.
"This tea is horrible."
"Who are you?!" Olston shouted. "Guards!"
The man stood up calmly.
"I left them unconscious. I came on my boss's orders."
Baron Gordon narrowed his eyes.
"…I recognize you. You're Duffy Ramslet. The former commander of the knights."
Belgrado growled.
"You should be in prison for corruption and extortion."
The black-haired man grew furious. He drew his sword and pointed it at them.
"That's over!"
He pulled a small transparent slime from his inner pocket and pressed it against his face. The slime bubbled and melted, completely changing his features. When it finished, he had a young, handsome face with golden-blond hair and an arrogant gaze.
"This is one of Skull's inventions. Now I have a new name."
He smiled sideways, confident and dangerous.
"The tenth member of the Thirteen Night Blades. Jackpot of the Wandering Sword."
Suddenly he heard a faint noise. He approached the door, opened it, and looked down the hallway. There was no one. He closed it again.
"Forget my previous name. Let's go talk in another room."
The four men left.
Behind a large cabinet in the study, Leonora released the breath she had been holding. Beside her, the maid they had taken hostage trembled in silence. Leonora signaled for her to stay quiet and whispered to herself:
"The baron has ties to the Phantom Troop… and one of their executives is here. But they went to another room. I can't hear any more."
She slipped toward the window and disappeared into the night.
◇
The day finally arrived.
I opened my eyes and the first thing I felt was weight. On both sides.
Sharon was deeply asleep to my right, her hair spread across the pillow. To my left, Liddy had half her face buried in my chest and one leg over mine. Both of them, wearing nightgowns, were pressing their enormous breasts against my body.
I sighed.
"It's time to get ready. You can hear the music from outside."
Sharon opened one eye.
"I'll do it… after Liddy-san does."
Liddy, still half-asleep, moved and crushed my face with her breasts.
"Sharon-san says you want this…"
"It's a pleasant sensation," I admitted, "but I have to get ready."
I carefully pushed them away. At that moment the door slammed open and Leila burst in like a projectile, jumping on top of me.
"It's the chosen day, Master!"
"Leila… let me go to the bathroom in peace."
◇◇◇
At the main gate of the castle, Queen Rosemary was seeing Razel and Leila off. Princesses Alicia and Lillie, along with Iris, stood at her side.
"I can't show favoritism, but I can only wish you luck," the queen expressed her feelings.
"We won't be able to go, but we'll support you from here," the princesses said.
"Be careful," Iris said quietly.
Before they could say anything more, footsteps echoed behind them.
"What's going on here?"
Everyone turned around.
Prince Karlheinz advanced with an annoyed expression. He had light blond hair combed back, sharp features, and that arrogant gaze that seemed to look down on everyone. He was Iris's former fiancé, the one who left her for another woman.
"What's going on here?" he repeated, louder.
The queen looked at him coldly.
"Speak to me with respect. To me, to my daughters, and to our guests."
Karlheinz clicked his tongue, but made a slight bow of reluctant compliance.
The princesses confronted him.
"We're seeing them off."
"Besides, what are you doing here if you're under house arrest?"
The prince made a vague expression in front of them.
"I'm just stretching my legs. This stupid punishment keeps me from seeing Muriel."
Karlheinz looked at Iris, who lowered her gaze, clearly uncomfortable. Razel stepped forward.
"If you're done, get lost."
The prince turned red with fury and raised his hand as if to strike him. Razel said nothing. He only released a minimal amount of magical power. The air grew heavy for a second.
Karlheinz turned pale and fainted on the spot.
Razel looked at him with contempt.
"You act like a man when you're actually a scared little kitten. The best thing you ever did for Iris was freeing her from your stupidity."
He turned toward her.
"I'll win for you."
Then he left with Leila without looking back.
Iris smiled softly… until she remembered something and shouted:
"Razel! Did you check what the rules said?!"
But they had already gone too far.
Karlheinz got up unsteadily, trembling with rage.
"I won't forget this humiliation…"
The queen sighed.
"I hope nothing bad happens."
Sharon approached.
"Leonora has already returned, Your Majesty."
"I'll go to work then."
Alicia and Lillie pouted.
"Aren't you going to watch the festival, Mom?"
"I will… but work is more important."
The two princesses stared at her with faces of displeasure as she walked away.
◇
I arrived at the rear exit of the palace and my mouth fell open.
There were so many people. Horses, stalls, flags, and a festival atmosphere I hadn't expected. The place was full of participants checking their mounts.
Gilbert approached with a sour face.
"Are you ready?"
"Yes," I answered.
"Did you read the regulations or what the trials are about?"
I broke out in a cold sweat.
"Regulations…?"
"…Then I probably shouldn't explain anything to you."
"Wait! I have no idea what to do!"
Gilbert sighed and spoke quickly.
"The festival lasts one week. The first event is a race across the desert to the next city. The journey on horseback takes two days. Then one day of rest. After that the next event for two more days, another rest, and on the final day the last trial."
I nodded, trying to memorize it.
"And there's an important rule," he added while taking the reins of his horse. "You must not kill anyone."
I looked around.
"And mine?"
"You were supposed to look for it days ago. Only the extras are left."
At that moment I saw Leila grabbing a horse from behind, almost forcing herself onto it.
(How the hell do you even ride one of these…?)
From a hot-air balloon, a small pale-skinned guy with a huge afro shouted with a magically amplified voice:
"The event of the Festival of the Three Heroes is about to begin! Countdown to take your positions!"
I hurried to put on the saddle. I strapped it on… and fell off the other side.
"If you fall off the horse or are not on top of it at the start, you will be disqualified!" Pepe shouted from the balloon. "Attacking is allowed, but killing is not!"
The countdown was already on the final numbers. I kept falling. Desperate, I tied a rope around the horse's belly and held on as best I could.
"Three… two… one…!"
Everyone took off. Leila and I were left in last place.
"Leila, don't get down!"
She was about to jump. When she heard me, she clung tightly to the animal, digging her nails into it. Her horse shot forward.
Mine didn't move.
"Come on, steed! Go!"
Nothing.
From the balloon, Pepe shouted:
"Razel Bartlet will be disqualified in five seconds for not advancing!"
"I'll turn you into dried meat after this!" I yelled at the horse and slapped its rear.
The animal finally took off like a bat out of hell.
The race had begun… and I was in last place.
While the landscape flew by at full speed and I tried not to fall, Zack and Gilbert slowed down until they were level with me.
"It's chaos up ahead," Zack said. "There are one hundred thirteen participants. It's normal for them to kill each other over first place."
"They're crazy," I replied.
"If you want to earn points you have to finish among the top," Gilbert explained. "Surviving while coming in last is useless. You'll still be disqualified."
I clenched my teeth and nodded.
We continued forward. Ahead we could hear screams, collisions, and people falling off their horses.
Zack looked toward the horizon.
"Do you think this plan will work… even though it's been leaked?"
I didn't answer. I just held onto the reins more tightly while Leila rode ahead of me. Unlike her, who looked happy, I was clinging to the horse's rear as if my life depended on it.
"Hey, little horse," I said quietly to mine. "Don't do anything crazy."
The animal neighed as if it were laughing at me.
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The fanservice is for Iris because, sadly, she won't be appearing in this volume.
https://danbooru.donmai.us/posts/11895974
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Download the PDF with illustration here: https://mega.nz/file/GgwHlJbS#VUuJk0yv7awdhoNcwjjfcoCpMtWHZLfg7zx4EDa6NwI