If I Were Reborn, I Wouldn’t Marry You - Chapter 145

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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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Chapter 145
“The prey is escaping!”
“Hey! I told you to drive it this way!”
“My apologies. It charged at me so suddenly, I was startled.”
As the silver fox slipped away because of the beater’s mistake, the middle-aged man bowed repeatedly in apology.
“I’ve lost count of how many times this has happened.”
Rudrick, who had been hunting alongside Leonhardt, complained while gauging his reaction.
And for good reason—every time they managed to spot prey, the beaters would take turns making mistakes and letting it escape. It had happened more than five times already.
At first, I had assumed they were genuine accidents, but by now it was unmistakably intentional.
What’s more, emboldened by not being caught, their attempts to obstruct my hunt grew increasingly brazen.
I chuckled softly and waved off Rudrick’s complaint.
“They say it’s a mistake, and after all, my older brother has prepared this hunt with such care. I should be gracious about it.”
As I emphasized the word “older brother,” the beaters visibly flinched.
Then they kept watching nervously to see if I had noticed they were deliberately sabotaging the hunt.
When I turned my gaze away with a soft laugh, the beaters relaxed visibly.
If an accident occurred at a hunt I had organized, it would only complicate matters for Prince. So they were merely engaging in this childish mischief.
Unlike foreign countries where hunts involved releasing animals on low mountains to be caught, the Empire’s winter hunts were closer to military operations—culling wild animals that descended into villages to reduce damage.
As a result, injuries occurred at every hunt, and deaths happened once every few years.
It was a rather convenient opportunity to eliminate a political rival discreetly.
‘He’d probably prefer to tamper with my horse to cause a fall, or send assassins. Compared to that, it’s better to play along with this petty sabotage. That way he’ll be satisfied and won’t think of doing anything worse.’
Had Prince been even slightly more desperate—or less so—he would certainly have acted more troublesomely.
I twisted my lips into a smile.
After all, catching a single wolf was worth far more points than catching dozens of rabbits or deer.
Even with this interference, I was confident in my victory.
As I appeared to graciously overlook their actions, the beaters exchanged meaningful glances with one another.
Word would reach Prince through some channel or other.
He would be pleased, thinking he was successfully preventing my victory.
I cast a contemptuous smile toward the Prince, whose expression would soon crumble.
Then I led the group deeper into the forest.
On the periphery were mostly small carnivores and herbivores pushed to the margins of the ecosystem, but deeper within roamed true beasts like bears and wolves.
Naturally, the chances of catching rare prey increased as well.
“S-sir, if you venture this deep, it becomes dangerous.”
The leader of the beaters spoke cautiously.
I answered as though it were of no consequence.
“Me?”
No one present was unaware of the martial prowess of the Empire’s youngest Sword Master.
With my abilities, I could even annihilate dozens of wolves in a single strike.
Knowing this, the beater leader had nothing left to say.
“You may return.”
I met the eyes of each beater in turn, a faint smile playing at my lips.
In truth, Leonhardt didn’t mind in the slightest if the beaters simply dispersed and left him.
He actually found hunting alone far more comfortable.
As he infused his gaze with subtle pressure, the beaters who felt the weight of it began trembling visibly.
Eventually, the most timid among them found himself speaking without thinking.
“If that would be more comfortable for you, shall we withdraw…?”
Even as he spoke, his eyes kept darting toward his companions.
Remaining in Leonhardt’s presence had become too burdensome for them.
The other beaters felt the same oppressive weight.
Regardless of what Prince had promised them in return, these audacious fools who dared interfere with Prince Leonhardt’s hunt bowed their heads one by one and departed.
The moment they distanced themselves from Leonhardt, their pace quickened to nearly a run.
“Finally got rid of them.”
Rudrick watched the retreating beaters with evident satisfaction.
It seemed he had been inwardly irritated by their presence.
Leonhardt turned to address Rudrick and the others as well.
“Those of you who need to leave, go now. I’m heading into the deepest reaches of this forest.”
Miela had expressed her desire for the golden laurel crown.
If that were the case, Leonhardt had no choice but to secure victory.
‘But Lester and Duke Roderick are participating today as well.’
Both possessed formidable competitive spirits and exceptional martial prowess, making them formidable contenders for the championship.
Even in a fair contest, they were concerning opponents, and now Prince was actively hindering him.
Since Prince’s objective was to obstruct Leonhardt’s victory specifically, he likely wouldn’t employ sabotage against Lester or Duke Roderick.
Pushing other contenders forward would be more advantageous, since it was nearly impossible for him to win under any circumstances with Prince’s interference.
To surpass two men who were hunting smoothly, he needed an overwhelmingly impressive catch.
‘I’ll have to bring down a bear.’
The most notorious beast in this forest was undoubtedly the Butcher Bear.
While bears were generally omnivorous and herbivorous, the Butcher Bear actively hunted humans.
Over eighty percent of fatalities and severe injuries in hunting competitions were caused by this Butcher Bear.
It possessed a massive frame exceeding three meters when standing, coupled with a cautious nature that kept it away from crowds.
Because it only targeted those separated from groups and wandering alone, it had evaded capture for twenty years.
If he brought down this bear, victory would be his regardless of what Lester or Duke Roderick managed to catch.
Those accompanying him recognized what prey Leonhardt was targeting, their eyes shifting nervously.
As his retainers, it would be proper for them to follow, but they understood that doing so would only prove a hindrance.
The hesitant group exchanged glances, their eyes settling on the youngest among them—Rudrick.
Unable to resist their silent coercion, Rudrick finally spoke with an embarrassed tone.
“Since sunset isn’t far off, wouldn’t it be best if we withdrew quickly?”
Watching Rudrick laugh awkwardly, Leonhardt let out an amused chuckle.
Thanks to his greatly improved social skills, he refrained from stating directly that they would be a hindrance, though such things needn’t always be spoken aloud.
Reading affirmation in Leonhardt’s expression, the group bowed with dejected faces and departed one by one.
“Then we shall meet you after sunset, along with the Butcher Bear.”
“Actually, I’ve heard the Butcher Bear frequents the northwestern direction from here….”
At the prolonged farewell, Leonhardt raised one eyebrow slightly.
“Ha.”
The embarrassed attendants noticed Leonhardt’s impatience and exchanged subtle smiles among themselves.
Even for someone who could never dream of victory, a first hunting competition was something special.
Many secretly fantasized about being fortunate enough to easily capture a rare beast and claim the championship.
But Leonhardt was a capable man who could aim for victory through pure skill alone.
Moreover, his beloved had even told him to win before everyone—his spirits were undoubtedly soaring.
The attendants quickly withdrew to avoid disturbing the romantic moment between the young lovers.
Leonhardt watched until his companions safely departed, then urged his horse forward once more.
It was the moment we arrived near the Valley, said to be the habitat of the Butcher Flame Bear, after passing through a Forest so dense the sky was invisible.
Following traces like footprints and claw marks on trees, Leonhardt soon discovered the Butcher Flame Bear with ease.
The only problem was that Lester was there too.

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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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