Battle Race in the Fantasy World

Battle Race in the Fantasy World – 93

EP.93 Oh, Jonathan! Hero of the Empire!

Woong! Woong!-

A sword, enveloped in a translucent aura, tore through the air.

Whatever stood in its path would be sliced in two with just a graze.

“I heard the news. You’re going to the commendation ceremony on behalf of the Imperial family.”

The Crown Prince said this as he looked at his youngest sister, the Fifth Princess Yurika.

She exuded an incredible aura befitting her title as one of the Empire’s Top Ten.

The tension of the royal knights standing nearby was palpable.

He, too, had put in a lot of effort to be a Crown Prince the Empire could be proud of.

Not just being revered, but genuinely earning the respect of the knights.

As a result, he could produce a faint sword aura and fight multiple knights.

However, in front of his youngest sister, all his efforts felt like child’s play.

Just looking at the aura emanating from her sword was enough.

None of the royal knights, not even the captain of the royal knights, could do that.

It meant that those who were supposed to protect the Imperial family with their martial prowess and swords were weaker than this princess.

‘She’s been exceptional since she was young.’

Most of the other Top Ten were in their late thirties to forties, some even in their fifties.

Even the youngest of the Top Ten, Priscilla Franz, was well over thirty.

Becoming a warrior of the Top Ten’s caliber required immense effort.

Yet Yurika was only in her twenties. She was not just young, but still quite youthful.

Despite that, she proudly stood as a formidable member of the Top Ten.

It was impossible to predict how much stronger she would become.

Wooong!!-

After finishing a series of basic moves, Yurika took a deep breath.

A knight, who had been waiting nearby, approached and took her sword.

“It’s surprising. I didn’t expect you to attend such an event.”

“I have a reason. That’s why I’m going.”

Yurika only spoke formally to the Emperor and the Crown Prince.

There was no special reason; it was simply because they were the current and future Emperors.

“A reason, huh. Are you sure you mean that in a good way?”

His tone was slightly provocative, but it was natural for the Crown Prince to be this way.

Looking at Yurika’s track record, she had sparred with strong opponents, often forcibly.

In the process, there were various injuries, but they were always on the opponent’s side, not Yurika’s.

From the opponent’s perspective, when a princess of the Imperial family said, “Let’s spar,” refusal was not an option.

Could they win if they fought properly? No, they couldn’t.

She was one of the Empire’s Top Ten, a supreme warrior among a world full of strong individuals.

If the spar ended without injuries, that would be the surprising part.

“His Majesty told me not to nag, but I can’t help it. Especially since the ones receiving the medals are from the Jonathan Barony. Yurika, do not act recklessly at the commendation ceremony.”

“I have never acted recklessly.”

“What I mean is, think before you act. If you rush into a spar at such an event, it will be a loss for everyone. For His Majesty, for you, and for the entire Empire.”

It was the first commendation ceremony in nearly 30 years, with a member of the Imperial family attending.

If that Imperial family member caused an incident, it would be incredibly embarrassing.

In fact, it would be fortunate if it ended as just an incident. It could turn the entire area into a battleground.

“And there’s one more piece of news to share.”

“What is it?”

“There were originally three recipients of the medals, but two of them decided not to attend. Leo Jonathan and Lea Jonathan. They said they urgently needed to return home, and His Majesty agreed, saying family matters couldn’t be helped.”

“I see.”

“…Are you okay with that?”

The Crown Prince asked in a subtle tone, just in case.

It was a commendation ceremony he was personally attending, but two of the recipients would be absent.

No matter what reasons they gave, it looked like they were avoiding Yurika.

It could be seen as a slight, implying there was no problem considering it an insult.

“I’m fine.”

“Are you really?”

“Yes. Of course, it would be a lie to say I’m not disappointed, but it’s fine.”

She had hoped to spar with Leo Jonathan again after the commendation ceremony.

She had become stronger than before. While victory might still be out of reach, she believed she could hold her own.

But hearing that Leo was returning home with his sister was indeed disappointing.

However, it was still okay. At least this time, it truly was.

Something more important than a spar with a strong opponent lay ahead of her.

“After all, Kyle Jonathan is coming, isn’t he?”

“That’s right.”

“Then it’s fine. That’s enough.”

At Yurika’s words, the Crown Prince narrowed his eyes and looked at his sister.

The slightly upturned corners of her mouth, the faint blush on her cheeks, the curved eyes.

Seeing his sister’s expression, the Crown Prince blinked, thinking, ‘Could it be? No way??’

Yet he also tilted his head, feeling, ‘Does that even make sense?’

“…Well, it’s your responsibility now, so I won’t interfere. Do your best, Yurika.”

With the Emperor’s approval already given, it was right not to meddle further in the commendation ceremony.

With a final word of encouragement to his youngest sister, the Crown Prince left with his entourage.

Left alone in the training hall, Yurika fell into deep thought.

‘It’s disappointing, really disappointing. I was curious about Leo and Lea Jonathan too.’

It was truly a shame. She had hoped to spar with them again.

It was maddeningly disappointing, but there was nothing she could do about it.

Moreover, this time, Yurika herself was more interested in something other than sparring.

‘Kyle Jonathan.’

Through the recent conflict with the alliance and the battle with the Three Heroes, she had come to a clear realization.

She had to make that man her husband. If she couldn’t make him hers,

she would rather become his possession and establish a marital relationship.

He was strong. Strong yet gentle. Gentle yet firm.

He was a strong person completely different from herself. Yurika was clinging to that.

She felt certain that Kyle could fill her shortcomings.

She wanted to be with him and have children together.

‘I can now fully focus on him. That’s enough.’

Maybe Leo and Lea knew this and returned home for that reason?

It’s possible. It’s not out of the question. Didn’t I say it when I went to Jonathan last time?

That I wanted Kyle as my husband. That I wanted to be his wife.

Honestly, someone like me is more than qualified to be a daughter-in-law of Jonathan. I’m enough.

At first, I was just curious about the child that would be born between us. I wanted to be the mother of that child.

But hearing stories about Kyle and observing him sparked another interest.

His demeanor, so different from other strong individuals, was fascinating.

He was intriguing, drew her interest, made her want to keep watching, and she wanted to be like that too.

So she wanted him even more. If she couldn’t have him, she would rather be possessed by him.

‘Ah, again….’

Thinking of Kyle’s intense and powerful presence, her legs twisted again.

At this rate, she felt she might lose control and act rudely towards Kyle on the day of the commendation ceremony.

The Emperor and the Crown Prince had asked her not to cause any trouble, so she shouldn’t.

But if things continued like this, she would surely lose control and challenge him to a duel.

‘I can’t let that happen. I need to exhaust myself completely before the ceremony.’

Even the Top Ten feel fatigue. If they don’t rest, they get tired.

Yurika decided to use that very point to exhaust herself completely.

“…So, why me, of all people?”

“Because you’re the closest.”

“There are other Top Ten members! I’m tired too!”

Logan Stefan, one of the Empire’s Top Ten, had to scream as he was dragged back to the palace.

He had just barely escaped the nightmare of Jonathan and was looking forward to some rest.

But suddenly, Yurika had dragged him along, insisting they spar until the day before the commendation ceremony.

“Don’t worry. I called Srode too.”

…Honestly, if she weren’t a princess, he would have ignored her and run away.

Why did this crazy woman have to be the Emperor’s daughter, causing him such trouble!

Even as he thought this, Logan had no other options.

“Argh!! Seriously! I should just quit!”

In the end, he had to spar with Yurika all night long.

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***

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“You said you wanted to attend the commendation ceremony?”

Cardinal Paul questioned, and the Saintess nodded.

“Yes, Your Eminence. I want to go and thank Brother Kyle in the name of the Church.”

“Well, I understand your intention, but such a thing is unprecedented, so it’s a bit concerning.”

“He didn’t take a single life. He turned a war that could have resulted in massive bloodshed into one where everyone from both the Empire and the alliance returned home alive. It was Brother Kyle who did that. His courage and compassion for his opponents are not easily found.”

Cardinal Paul had to nod at the Saintess’s passionate speech.

The Sword Brotherhood Knights, led by Grand Duke Schrelitz, and the Imperial Legion had set out.

The alliance had mobilized the Three Heroes and their highest-level forces.

In that situation, the fact that not a single life was lost was thanks to Jonathan.

“Brother Kyle is someone who values every life and doesn’t take it lightly. I believe he demonstrated the true spirit of a holy war as preached by the Church.”

“Hmmm….”

“I believe it is right for the Church to personally convey its gratitude for such a noble deed. What do you think, Your Eminence?”

Persuaded by the Saintess, Cardinal Paul eventually nodded.

In a battle significant enough to involve the Three Heroes, it was indeed remarkable that no lives were lost.

For that reason alone, the Church should step forward and applaud such a noble act.

And for some reason, a faint desire was subtly visible on the Saintess’s face as she expressed her wish to attend the commendation ceremony.

It didn’t seem like she would give up her intention even if he tried to dissuade her.

In that case, it would be better to let her follow her will rather than hold her back.

“I think so too.”

“Then….”

“Go ahead. Tell Brother Kyle that he did well and that God holds him dear.”