A Fortune-telling Princess - Chapter 291

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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“Could you print this one for me?”
Meari’s eyes sparkled as she gazed at the photograph.
Camilla looked magnificent striding ahead after rescuing me from the bakery owner’s grasp, but the photograph of her holding flowers was equally breathtaking.
“Sure! Just take this one. I can always print another.”
“Thank you so much!”
“We’re getting together this week to share photos with everyone else. Want to come?”
“Yes!”
Laila smiled brightly as she watched Meari, unable to tear her eyes from the photograph.
With Elingsha and Jewela, a new comrade had just joined our circle.
* * *
“A newcomer getting all absorbed like this.”
Ravi hurled sharp glares at Arsian without restraint.
“How long have you even been here and you’re already taking a vacation! You’re probably the first newcomer to submit a leave request since the Magic Tower was founded.”
And that was precisely because Arsian, despite being a newcomer, had submitted a vacation request to the Magic Tower.
It wasn’t that newcomers couldn’t request leave, but such a thing had never happened before.
A newcomer who hadn’t even received their completion certificate taking a vacation? When the seniors don’t rest, the junior takes time off? How does that make sense?
“You should focus on learning something more by following the seniors around.”
“Ugh, you’re such a fossil.”
“What did you say!”
“And what’s there to learn anyway? You just had me doing chores. Is your dream job to be a janitor? Or did you say I’m just a laborer!”
“That’s what all newcomers do…!”
“Besides, the Tower Master already approved it. Why are you making such a fuss, big brother?”
“So the Tower Master approves and that’s it? What about the senior mages’ feelings?”
“So what? Should I go alone?”
“Go alone? Are you insane?”
…What was I supposed to do?
I stared at Ravi with exasperation. But the problem was that Duke Sorpel’s reaction wasn’t much different either.
Ever since learning that Arsian would be accompanying me on this visit to the Gracia Empire, he’d been like this constantly.
He’d pick fights with Arsian for no reason, but the moment I said I’d go to the Gracia Empire alone, he’d get angry all over again. What was I supposed to do?
“Don’t cause any trouble while you’re there.”
“If anyone hears that, they’ll think I’m someone who causes accidents everywhere… Fine, fine. I’ll behave myself and come back.”
As Ravi and Duke Sorpel’s expressions turned fierce in an instant, I hurriedly nodded in agreement.
“Don’t you dare take off the bracelet I gave you.”
“Contact me immediately if anything happens.”
That was the beginning. Ravi and Duke Sorpel’s warnings continued endlessly, and I could only nod earnestly.
Pat.
“…?”
Just as the two of them wouldn’t stop their nagging, Ludvil, who had been quiet all along, approached and gently patted my shoulder.
“Take care of yourself out there.”
“I will.”
That was the end of it. After patting Camilla’s shoulder a few more times gently, Ludvil approached Arsian, who stood to the side. And with a single parting word.
“Guard her well.”
A nod.
Seeing Arsian nod silently, Ludvil stepped back as if he had nothing more to say.
Wow… what a clean farewell that was.
“You understand? Contact me at least once a day, without fail.”
In contrast, this man…
“Don’t you dare get involved in anything unnecessary… What’s with that look in your eyes?”
“What about my eyes?”
“For some reason, I don’t like it.”
…As expected from a sharp-witted fox. Time to slip away.
“Then we’ll be going.”
Camilla immediately led Arsian onto the teleportation circle. It was a magic circle that would transport them to the Border Region adjacent to the Gracia Empire.
No maidservant, no attendant… not even a single knight accompanied her. Her only companion was Arsian.
Duke Escra had said to come alone. So I decided to come with just myself.
Whoosh!
Brilliant light poured down, engulfing Camilla and Arsian in its radiance. The moment the light vanished, the two of them disappeared as well.
“…Will it be alright?”
“It should be fine. Arsian went with her. And there…”
…Duke Escra is there.
I tried to brush away my worries…
“Sigh.”
“Sigh.”
But Ravi and Duke Sorpel couldn’t help but let out sighs.
Chapter 5. The Recital
Whoosh.
“Ugh…”
Arriving at the border through the teleportation circle, Camilla felt dizzy and swayed slightly. Arsian quickly steadied her.
“Are you alright?”
“I just can’t get used to it.”
Even though I used teleportation circles more frequently than others for business purposes, my stomach still felt uncomfortable every time.
Back when I lived in Issia, I never got carsick even after traveling all day by carriage.
“Let’s travel by carriage next time.”
“Why bother? That’s a waste of time.”
This much dizziness was bearable if I just endured it a little.
After resting briefly, Camilla and Arsian completed the simple identity verification procedure and passed through the checkpoint.
“Sister!”
As we stepped outside, I saw a familiar figure rushing toward us.
“Daive?”
It was my younger brother, Daive. I had sent word that I’d be arriving today, but I never expected him to come all the way to the border to meet me.
“Welcome! Big sis!”
Whoosh!
Daive rushed over and embraced me, and I returned his hug with a bright smile.
“You’ve arrived.”
Count Alton, Duke Escra’s aide who had come with Daive, greeted me warmly.
“It’s been a while.”
“Yes, welcome indeed. The Duke intended to come as well, but an Imperial Court meeting was suddenly scheduled. So I came in his stead.”
After exchanging brief pleasantries with Count Alton, I turned my attention back to Daive.
“You’ve grown taller since I last saw you?”
Children do grow by leaps and bounds. He seemed a full head taller than when I’d last seen him.
“Big sis, why have you lost so much weight? Is someone giving you a hard time?”
Daive, gripping my hand tightly, glanced back over his shoulder.
Arsian stood there quietly, apart from our conversation. Daive’s gaze upon him grew increasingly fierce.
‘That guy is big sis’s boyfriend?’
I’d received a message a few days ago. From Ravi.
-Kid, in a few days Camilla and some bad guy are coming.
‘A bad guy?’
-Camilla’s boyfriend.
‘…So he’s a bad guy.’
-Right. So keep a close eye on him.
‘Got it!’
There was nothing more to hear. A scoundrel hovering around big sis. I didn’t like the look of him from the start. Black hair, black eyes… probably a black heart too.
“Big sis, who is that guy?”
“What? Haven’t you seen him before? Rio.”
“I don’t know. I don’t remember. Why did you bring him along?”
“Big sis’s boyfri—”
“Oh! How is Rio doing?”
“Huh? Rio? Of course he’s doing well. He asked me to send his regards since I’m coming here. He misses you a lot. He said he’d come along next time.”
“I want to video call later!”
“Sure. And this one is Arsi—”
“Big sis! There’s a carriage over there. Let’s go quickly. Jainer really wanted to come too, but something urgent came up. He asked me to apologize on his behalf.”
“…Alright.”
…Huh? What’s this? Wasn’t my sentence just cut off again?
I moved forward as Daive pulled my hand, tilting my head in confusion repeatedly.
“….”
Arsian, watching the two of us, wore a peculiar expression.
‘One more added to the list.’
Observing Daive’s relentless fierce gaze directed at me without Camilla’s knowledge, Arsian too began walking slowly.
* * *
“What about the demonic beasts?”
“So far, there have been no major movements.”
“However, we cannot afford to lower our guard. We are currently preparing to deploy our maximum forces to Armis Mountain. Should Your Majesty grant permission….”
The Imperial Palace Council Chamber of the Gracia Empire.
An emergency meeting had been convened since early morning.
With the winter’s curse finally lifted, the Empire faced tremendous upheaval in a short span of time.
Economic activity flourished several times over compared to before, and support for agriculture—something the people had scarcely dared dream of—expanded dramatically.
Of course, not everything was favorable. As the magical beasts trapped within the ice began to stir, casualties and damages of varying scales erupted across the realm.
Naturally, large-scale extermination campaigns were underway, and hiring mercenaries from other nations had become commonplace.
Among the regions drawing the Imperial Court’s particular attention due to their higher concentration of magical beasts was Armis Mountain.
As the ice melted in this place teeming with countless magical beasts, creatures frequently descended from the mountain toward its base.
Yet until now, there had been no catastrophic losses….
Last evening, a report arrived that a high-ranking magical beast had descended from the mountain, forcing an emergency convocation.
While they had managed to dispose of the single beast, if this were merely the beginning? Devastating casualties could follow.
“….”
Throughout the Imperial Court’s proceedings, one figure sat with an expression far colder than usual—Duke Escra.

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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