The Baby Raising A Devil - Chapter 262

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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Chapter 262

Come to think of it, the mock battle registration period had suddenly been extended back then too.

Duke Amitie, who had no intention of participating, couldn’t refuse the Emperor’s request and applied for the mock battle, which was five days before the mock battle opening.

‘Why?’

Back then, Engelot wasn’t even offered as a prize. There was no one with bloodshot eyes wanting to get Engelot in the first place.

‘If I had known this would happen, I would have pressed for the reason even if the Duke disliked it.’

Duke Amitie didn’t want to tell me stories involving power struggles. I didn’t dare ask because I didn’t want to be hated by him.

I groaned and regretted it. But despite my regret, I learned the reason the next day.

The next day, Johan returned after completing his mock battle registration. Father, myself, and my three older brothers sat around to discuss future plans.

Henri said.

“First, the urgent matter would be creating the list of participating soldiers and training. Other families completed their registration three months ago and have been preparing for the mock battle, so we need to hurry too.”

Isaac sat crookedly with his chin resting on the armrest.

“What’s the point when deploying just Iri would finish it in three hours. Who’s going out as commander, Father? I’ll go out and sweep them all—”

That’s when it happened.

“Your Excellency!”

“Guild Master!”

North and Seria came running breathlessly.

“Excuse me, Your Excellency. There’s an urgent matter—”

“I apologize, Little One. There’s something I must urgently tell you—”

North and Seria, standing at the simultaneously opened door, looked at each other with wide eyes.

“Don’t tell me you’re here about that story too?”

“Did you hear about it?”

What on earth could make both of them so urgent? Father immediately allowed them to enter. North, who had turned pale, and Seria, who looked grim, spoke.

“Your Excellency, the Nadan Plains that His Imperial Majesty offered as the mock battle victory prize before Engelot—”

“Yes, Little One. On that abandoned land that was only purified last year—”

The two people who had been talking back and forth shouted simultaneously.

“Elza tree sprouts have grown!”

“Large quantities of mana stones were buried there!”

And the two looked at each other with bewildered expressions.

“No, definitely Elza tree sprouts… could it be?”

“No, large quantities of mana stones… perhaps?”

My jaw dropped. Elza tree sprouts had grown and large quantities of mana stones were discovered too?

Suddenly, I heard clicking, clicking, ding—! sounds in my head as a festival of all kinds of balls unfolded.

There had never been such a jackpot.

The Elza tree was a sacred tree that could grant slight divine power just by being near it, its leaves could be ground for medicine, its bark served as material for long-distance teleportation circles, and Maria grass grew at its base… literally a gift from God with nothing to waste.

Then what about mana stones? Blue Spinel could make divine power magic tools, and mana stones could make mana magic tools. Unlike Blue Spinel which needed to be charged with divine power, mana stones had pure mana sleeping within them. Moreover, they were treasures of mages that could self-charge even slightly from nature.

I bolted upright.

‘Ah, that’s it. That’s why!’

That was the reason why all 5 ducal houses participated in the mock battle. If those vast, expansive plains containing both were the prize, it was enough to make everyone’s eyes roll back.

‘Duke Amitie probably participated at the Emperor’s request.’

Even if the Emperor felt regretful about his reputation, he couldn’t change the prize. Moreover, the Emperor was already being pointed at as a miser. So he called in the ungreedy Duke Amitie to let him win, then have him voluntarily return the prize to the Imperial Palace.

‘No wonder it was strange that Amitie won instead of Dubbled!’

House Amitie also possessed many excellent soldiers, but they couldn’t compare to Dubbled.

The Emperor, who decided the format of the mock battle, must have chosen the battlefield and method that Duke Amitie was most confident in to make Amitie win.

Isaac clicked his tongue.

“There’s going to be quite an uproar.”

He wasn’t wrong. The Empire was truly in turmoil. All sorts of families submitted applications to participate in the mock battle without exception, and the Emperor hastily summoned Duke Amitie from his territory to the Imperial Capital.

With 2 weeks left before the mock battle, most families were burning with enthusiasm.

* * *

Our family sat around the table and began preparing for the mock battle.

“Excluding Grimoar, all 3 ducal houses applied to participate, right?”

“That’s correct. The excellent military forces of Schuheil, Marquis Beril, Wiltro, Dimonte, and even Grand Duke Rocar have completed their participation applications.”

Even the Grand Duke, who was Godmother’s son? Well, the Nadan Plains were a prize that even the Grand Duchess would covet.

North briefly explained the rules of the mock battle.

“In the 7-family mock battle, the commander is usually the family’s heir. It’s not unheard of for the Family Head to step forward directly, but it’s considered dishonorable. Only families without heirs have their Family Head participate directly.”

House Amitie had the Duke participate directly. He had no children, only two adopted daughters who were both Children of Fate.

If he had Mina participate, the shrine would have jumped up in protest, and I was completely branded as fake, practically no different from a commoner. It wasn’t strange for him to go out personally.

“Johan will go out for us?”

“That’s correct.”

“Mm, continue the explanation.”

“Unlike the mock battle for those 17 and under, there’s no age limit for soldiers. However, participants are limited to 40 people. And substitutions are possible during the match.”

‘If not for the personnel limit, it would be just like real war.’

Thinking that, I raised my hand high.

“Teacher, I have a question!”

“Please speak.”

“If substitutions are possible, how does the mock battle end?”

“Good question.”

North poked me with the tip of his baton and spoke with enthusiastic eyes.

Watching us film what looked like a play, the family chuckled.

“All participating soldiers wear marking ribbons on their shoulders. If 1 person’s ribbon is cut, the soldier count drops to 39, and soldier substitutions are only possible within those 39.”

“I see.”

“A family loses if all 40 soldiers’ ribbons are cut, or if their family crest is stolen.”

“The last remaining family wins?”

“What a smart student.”

North was extremely pleased, so I arrogantly lifted my chin for him. We immediately began selecting the participating soldiers.

And as time passed, two weeks later. The mock battle began.

* * *

The heads of each family, nobles who had not applied to participate, and dignitaries from neighboring countries gathered one by one at the Imperial Palace. This was because it was possible to watch the mock battle through a giant magic mirror, just like the previous mock battle.

Hong Hae, who walked in with light steps, looked around.

“Juliet! You were invited to the Empire too?”

Juliet, who was holding a champagne glass with an expression that said she was annoyed to death, nodded.

“The king of my homeland finds even an unwanted princess very useful for occasions like this. My father is over there with the Emperor of the Empire.”

“I came with the Prime Minister.”

“You and I are both suffering.”

“Jin also came representing the Atar tribe. East and West too.”

Jin, who had just spotted the two, approached leading East and West.

“Have you all been well? You’re getting along well today too. Those Majesties over there are in the middle of a power struggle. Right, East, West?”

East nodded, and West glanced at his brother before hanging his head dejectedly. These twin princes had completely grown apart due to the previous incident.

It was then. Duke Marche and Duke Dubbled entered the room, and all eyes in the hall turned to them.

“Oh, Duke Dubbled.”

Theodore, who had been walking with an expressionless face, glanced back at Duke Marche who was greeting him warmly.

Duke Marche said.

“You still look in excellent health. It seems nothing has troubled you. Well, considering how proudly you’ve been showing off your power lately, there’s no reason for any troubles.”

“You seem to have grown younger, Duke. It would be better if you acted your age.”

“Haha, you still make pleasantries so amusingly.”

“It’s not a pleasantry. And certainly not a compliment.”

The two men conversed in a very refined manner, but the atmosphere around them grew cold. It was at that moment.

“Duke Amitie has arrived.”

“Why is he in the viewing hall instead of the mock battle area?”

“Didn’t you know? The one defending Amitie’s banner in this mock battle is the Second Child of Fate.”

“Really? Good heavens… What on earth did the shrine do to make that rigid man hand over his family’s banner to someone else?”

Duke Amitie, who appeared amid the murmuring sounds, gave a light bow to Duke Marche.

“It’s been a while.”

“You’ve come out to see the Imperial Capital after a long time.”

Duke Amitie, who finished his brief greeting with Duke Marche, turned his gaze to Theodore.

“Have you been well?”

“Until I saw you.”

“It seems you still can’t learn manners even as you age.”

“How could I compare to you, who has consistently made people feel terrible from childhood until now.”

Duke Marche laughed heartily and settled the atmosphere.

“The mock battle hasn’t even started yet, so should the fathers wage war first? It seems His Majesty has given us quite a gift this time. Where else could you find such entertainment?”

His voice was cheerful, but his eyes were utterly cold. Of course, the gazes of Duke Dubbled and Duke Amitie were also unkind. The Greedy Emperor, receiving the fierce glares of his retainers, looked uncomfortable and quickly turned his head away.

And not long after, an image appeared in the magic mirror. It was the start of the mock battle.

There was someone who clearly stood out in the magic mirror. Johan, wearing a red robe with Dubbled’s emblem, and…

“Is that girl the Second Child of Fate?”

“That’s correct.”

“The second Young Lady is more than I expected…”

Though she trailed off, everyone understood the Noble Lady’s words. The girl who came from the Other World was beautiful. Fine black hair, large sparkling eyes like a deer’s, a straight nose bridge, and graceful lips positioned perfectly.

Moreover, she had an indescribable mysterious atmosphere, and her bright, cheerful smile made those who saw it feel good.

Mina in the magic mirror tied up her long hair tightly with a “Heave!” sound.

[Then let’s have a fair and square showdown!]

Something glinted between the collar of Mina’s clothes as she raised both arms toward her opponent.

“Etoile!”

Someone let out a scream-like shout. The Temple Treasure, and a Divine Gift bestowed by God for the chosen one.

It was that Etoile. The Etoile that even the First One couldn’t receive was in the hands of the Second? The hall stirred greatly.

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