Chapter 32

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Translator: Harry Potta

Chapter Title: The Princess Only Deals in the Real Thing 39

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Even Emma, who had lived through all sorts of hardships, was saying that much...

What on earth could it be? How bizarre did it have to be?

"That guy's got mana?"

Huh?

All the tension drained out of me. I asked with a smile.

"Isn't that possible? I've heard there are people who have mana even if they're not mages."

There were occasional people born with mana in this world.

However, not all of them could wield magic like Emma.

'Not everyone with a great palate can become a chef.'

To use magic, one had to study, train, surpass the threshold, and awaken.

But even those who couldn't cast spells often excelled in other areas if they had a lot of mana.

'Even if they can't be chefs, they could become food critics, bartenders, or sommeliers.'

They were people with many talents.

Our thug knight just happened to have a talent for self-harm extortion.

"You're right. It's possible to have mana without being a mage."

But while I brushed it off casually, Emma's expression was grave.

"However, wouldn't it be a problem if a holy knight has mana?"

"What?! A holy knight?"

"That guy's a holy knight. I can sense holy power from him—strong holy power. That's why the mana tool didn't work."

It was true that people with mana were talented.

But there was one occupation they could never have.

'Priests, and holy knights.'

Occupations that drew power from holy force.

I swallowed hard and asked.

"Is that possible? Mana and holy power clash with each other."

"Exactly. I don't know how it's possible, but one thing's for sure."

Emma stated firmly.

"That guy's a real nasty piece of work. So don't get involved with him."

After Elisha left.

Emma paused in her cleaning and pressed her forehead.

"I thought there were all kinds of people in the world, but a holy knight with mana..."

She clicked her tongue.

"And now there's that guy I can't read anything from wandering the streets... What a mess the country's in. Tsk tsk."

Thinking of the huge, dark-skinned man, she glanced out the window, and her ears perked up.

Ding-a-ling-a-ling.

This sound?

"Has the contact finally come?!"

Emma brightened and hurried to her desk.

A magic circle floated up gently. Judging by the incantation, it was one of her three friends.

A letter dropped plop under the sparkling magic circle.

"Finally, news on that mage Elisha's been desperately searching for!"

Excited, Emma tore open the letter and scanned the contents.

It said they'd pinpointed the region where the mage who used that incantation had been staying.

Now that they had the region, finding them was only a matter of time.

"What kind of guy is he? That lucky mage who stole Elisha's heart!"

Or unlucky?

He was about to get his hair yanked out by Michele.

Emma giggled, but her mouth fell open at the next part.

By the way, Emma, that mage you're looking for.

"Our Elisha..."

Emma placed a hand on her chest.

She's a girl?

"I see. Sorry, sis didn't know. Sis supports your love."

Emma squeezed her eyes shut and began reflecting on her own prejudices.

Catarina's room.

Unable to contain his rage, Crodil Marquis smashed the furniture, breathing heavily.

"You think I won't find the pendant?"

His niece Catarina glared at him, lips pressed tight.

Looking down at her, Crodil Marquis muttered coldly.

"You think you can hide it forever? No, I'll find it. I'll find it and personally strangle you with that pendant."

"It's not yours. It's mine. It's the legacy my mother left me."

"Sure, cling to that comfort if you want..."

Crodil Marquis chuckled sinisterly.

"That your sister didn't resent you."

Catarina flinched.

Her body trembled at those words.

"You want to believe my sister didn't die because of you!"

Tears instantly welled up in her green eyes.

"But do you really think so? My sister, who wouldn't even meet you until the moment she died?"

"Ugh..."

"Why do you think even your father, the Emperor, left on that long holy pilgrimage?"

Crodil Marquis's eyes gleamed.

"That daughter born gnawing away at her frail wife's life! So useless, he can't bear to look at her and won't return!"

As he spat his venomous words, Crodil Marquis thought.

Yes, that resolute look last time was just a final spasm.

But seeing Catarina's face, Crodil Marquis faltered.

The weak girl who sobbed at any mention of his sister. But...

'What?'

The tears just pooled, not spilling.

Her green eyes, misty, shone even clearer.

Eyes like his sister's. It twisted his guts.

"Let him in."

Moments later, the door opened, and Catarina's eyes widened at the entrant.

"You know who this is. Sir Ayrun, Captain of the Imperial Holy Knights."

Arms crossed, Crodil Marquis spoke in feigned gentleness.

Like a kind uncle explaining patiently to a dim-witted niece.

Ayrun had always interfered with his plans, but that was in the past.

'As long as I control the knights, Ayrun has no choice but to obey.'

The honor of his many subordinates was at stake.

'Should've done this sooner.'

Principle-driven types were easy to handle.

Just change their principles!

And that wasn't all.

'If he refuses this time too, I have another card. One to ruin Ayrun!'

Eyes closed, Crodil Marquis said leisurely.

"Sir Ayrun himself is searching for your 'lost' pendant, so it'll be back soon. No need to worry."

"...What?"

"Isn't that right, Sir Ayrun? You're faithfully following my orders?"

Ayrun opened his mouth with his usual expressionless face.

"I am searching Ashen Street."

"Good, that's how it should be. This Regent King's command."

Basking in satisfaction, Crodil Marquis missed Catarina's paling face at 'Ashen Street'.

"The permits expire after today anyway, so those places will shut down one by one. Do it half-heartedly, just half-heartedly."

He patted Ayrun's shoulder perfunctorily and jerked his chin.

"Just search this room again to be sure."

As he turned to leave, he whispered theatrically.

"Oh, our Rina joked about swallowing it whole... Don't take it literally and swing your sword."

Cackling, Crodil Marquis left, and the door closed.

"Hah, hah..."

Catarina clutched her chest.

After panting for a while, she asked urgently.

"No, Sir Ayrun? You're not following your uncle's orders, right? You're the Captain who swore to serve the Imperial Family..."

But Ayrun gave no reply.

Looking at his still-expressionless face, Catarina slumped down.

Of all people, Captain Ayrun himself. Finding the pendant was only a matter of time.

In despair, a low voice spoke.

"Yes. As you said, I am the Holy Knight Captain who swore to devote everything to the Empire."

Ah.

With the Emperor, her father, away, he had no choice but to obey the Regent King Crodil.

But Ayrun's words didn't end there.

"I swore to protect Pressripe."

Pressripe.

Catarina looked down at the name engraved on her ring: 'Catarina Pressripe'.

"Rest, Your Highness."

Ayrun emphasized 'Highness' and turned to leave.

Left alone, Catarina blankly mulled over his words.

Ayrun hadn't searched the room as Crodil ordered. Was he not on Crodil's side?

'But...'

Ayrun was a knight. He had to obey superiors.

He would eventually find the pawnshop.

Besides, the street was closing down.

"See you later."

What would happen to that woman with the violet eyes?

'Hand the pendant to Ayrun, or...'

The image flashed of the woman collapsing helplessly before Ayrun's raised sword.

As Catarina bit her lip and fiddled with her ring, she turned her head.

Her eyes caught a pitch-black robe.

'I need to send an urgent wire to William. Doesn't matter how much extra it costs—just do it fast.'

Back at the pawnshop, I sent the wire while glancing outside.

'Knights are already swarming...'

White-clad knights lounged about.

It was unspoken pressure: refuse or cause a fuss, and they'd drag you off immediately.

'No manpower to spare, my ass. Got plenty when it suits them.'

Gritting my teeth, I sent the wire first.

'Night auction tonight too. Gotta move fast.'

After firing off several wires and catching my breath.

"Oh, you're back already?"

"Already?"

Alter, at the doorway, frowned and walked over.