Battle Race in the Fantasy World

Battle Race in the Fantasy World – 97

EP.97 The Game of Wits Begins

“Lady Elga, I apologize for the inconvenience, but could we go to a café outside the academy for our tea time today?”

“It’s just that the Saintess asked if you could join her at the café today.”

“Since you’re going, maybe it would be nice to greet the Saintess as well.”

This was the very suggestion that Tisha had subtly made to her yesterday.

The Saintess had asked Tisha to go to the café with her. Together, with a mere commoner.

‘There must be something going on.’

She knew that the Saintess was kind-hearted and gentle, unlike herself.

Regardless of whether someone was a noble or a commoner, they were all deserving of love as children of God.

She had once heard a speech in the square on this very topic.

Some nobles, steeped in their sense of superiority, showed displeasure at the Saintess’s words.

Are you saying that nobles and commoners are the same? That’s what they wanted to say.

Of course, those who showed such displeasure were promptly met with a metaphorical mace to the head.

It was the royal family that maintained a good relationship with the church.

And while the royal family remained silent, how dare any noble blabber about their likes and dislikes.

Even the great noble houses kept quiet, so on what basis did they speak?

Moreover, the church was not just a group of fools seeking God.

They knew exactly what politics was, having dealt with the empire.

It wasn’t that nobles and commoners were the same, but that they all deserved God’s love.

They said it smoothly, as if a snake sliding over a wall.

It was merely a form of evangelism, calling everyone to believe in God and invoke His name.

Anyway, while the Saintess was kind-hearted, she wouldn’t be seen with a commoner for that reason alone.

The personnel guarding the Saintess would have dissuaded her by any means necessary.

Yet, if the outing with Tisha had been arranged, there must be some common ground.

“Alright. Then let’s meet at the café today.”

So, today’s tea time was decided to be at a café outside the academy, not in the garden within.

Elga, whose lecture had ended early, entered the café without being late and was looking for a suitable seat.

However, in that café, there was a guest Elga had not expected at all.

“Lady of Littorio.”

At first, she wondered who dared to call her so casually.

But when she turned her head toward the source of the voice, she immediately understood.

The one who had called her was none other than the ‘Princess.’

‘The Fifth Princess? What is she doing here!?’

A visit from a member of the royal family, especially the Emperor’s legitimate daughter, was a significant event.

The guards would have immediately mobilized, and the academy staff would have rushed out in a frenzy.

Yet, despite being at the academy, she had heard nothing about it.

“Come sit here for a moment.”

Princess Yurika tapped a chair and gestured for her to sit.

Elga took exactly three seconds to decide before moving.

No matter how prestigious the Littorio Ducal House was, one of the top three noble families in the Empire,

it was still incomparable to the royal family.

Especially when it was a direct descendant, not a collateral branch, the difference was even more pronounced.

Click-clack-.

Approaching Yurika, Elga bowed her head before sitting down.

“Elga Bless de Littorio greets the esteemed Princess of the Empire, the Empire’s most radiant sword.”

“Enough with the formalities. I didn’t call you here to be treated.”

I don’t want to do this either. But you’re someone who can’t be treated casually.

She wasn’t just the Emperor’s legitimate daughter; she was also one of the Empire’s top ten.

In an empire filled with strong individuals, she was among the top ten elite.

If someone could treat her casually knowing that, they were either insane or even stronger.

Elga cautiously sat across from the Princess and slowly began to speak.

“I didn’t expect to see you here, Your Highness.”

“I came quietly so no one would know. Besides, if I made a fuss, Kyle would dislike it.”

Gasp-.

Elga’s body momentarily shook as she was about to order a cup of tea.

Kyle? Did she say Kyle? Why is his name coming up here?

Elga subtly lifted her head to observe Yurika.

According to rumors, she was a beautiful woman with a cold demeanor, rarely showing her emotions.

But the Fifth Princess, Yurika, now appeared to be waiting for someone, enduring boredom.

“Kyle Jonathan… are you referring to him?”

She cautiously broached the subject, just in case.

If it was just a passing comment, the Princess would likely change the topic herself.

“Yes, Kyle Jonathan. He earnestly asked me to stay put.”

“….”

“So I’m trying to stay put, but it’s so boring. I’m glad you came.”

No matter how strong he was, Jonathan was merely a baron.

Kyle wasn’t even the head or heir of that baron’s house. He was just a member.

And yet, when Kyle asked her to stay put, the Princess actually complied?

The Fifth Princess Yurika, known for her headstrong nature, really did that?

‘What on earth is going on?’

Elga’s mind was racing.

First the Saintess, and now the Princess. Moreover, there seemed to be no clear connection between Kyle and the Princess.

The only interaction they had was when the Princess pinned a medal on Kyle during the recent award ceremony. That was it.

But seeing the Princess talk now, it felt like she was very close to Kyle.

It wasn’t a misunderstanding. It was a certainty. Her intuition as a woman told her so.

There was definitely something between Kyle and the Princess that she didn’t know about.

“Oh, right. I heard that Kyle reconciled with Littorio and is close to your side too.”

Whether she knew Elga’s thoughts or not, Yurika continued to speak.

“What do you think? Don’t you find Kyle quite attractive?”

The moment those words left Yurika’s mouth, Elga was certain.

The woman before her wasn’t just curious about another strong person as a fellow strong individual.

Though she might not realize it herself, this was the beginning of seeing someone of the opposite sex as a potential partner.

As soon as that thought crossed her mind, Elga screamed internally.

‘Kyle, what on earth have you been up to?!’

First, it seemed like he was shaking up the Lady herself, then the Saintess, and now even the Princess.

No, this wasn’t just a mere shaking; from Elga’s perspective, the Princess had completely fallen for him.

The fact that she was incessantly talking about Kyle was clear evidence.

“I knew he was strong when we fought before, but he really is a strong man. So cool. It gets me excited. And yet, he doesn’t boast about his strength or try to gain confidence from it. He’s quiet, gentle, how can he have such power and still be like that?”

“Um, Your Highness.”

“Hmm?”

“You’ve been talking about Kyle this whole time.”

It’s not a problem to talk about matters of affection.

But when the speaker is someone of very high status, it becomes slightly different.

Every word they say can become a significant topic and potentially embarrass many people.

Therefore, unless they are committed to a future together, those in high positions tend to be reserved in their speech.

“I’m going to be his, you know?”

However, the next words from the Princess were impossible to ignore.

“…Eh? Uh, um… Your Highness, what did you just say?”

“I’m going to be Kyle’s. His possession…”

“Wait, just a moment, please. Just a moment.”

Elga rudely cuts off the Princess, waving her hand.

It was a mistake the original Elga would never make, but now she had no choice.

The fact was too significant to simply let it pass.

“Your Highness. I’m really sorry, but did I hear that wrong? That’s it, right?”

“What did you hear?”

“That you would become Kyle’s possession…”

“You heard right.”

So what on earth does that mean?! That’s what Elga wanted to scream out loud.

She would become Kyle’s possession? Why? How? The Princess, why on earth?

But before that. Does Kyle know about this? Surely he doesn’t, right?

Could he possibly know and still remain silent without any reaction? Yes, he must be unaware.

…But what if, by some chance, Kyle already knew? If he was already aware of the Princess’s feelings?

What would happen then? This was the royal family, the Emperor’s legitimate daughter. She was not someone Elga could contend with.

Dealing with just the Saintess was already challenging, and now the Princess too? How could this be happening?!

A whirlwind of thoughts rushed through her mind, leaving it in disarray.

She was shocked, but why did she suddenly feel a surge of resentment?

For a moment, Elga even felt tears welling up in her eyes.

Ding-dong-.

“Wow! I knew it! You’re number one! Sister, you’re amazing!”

“Thank you, Saintess. What would you like to have today?”

“The usual. The one Brother Kyle strongly recommended.”

“A wise choice. Let’s see. Lady Elga is… Ah! Over there… huh?”

Tisha, who had just entered the café, saw Elga’s back and started to approach her.

But she stopped in her tracks when she saw another woman sitting across from Elga.

She thought she might be mistaken, but the woman sitting across from Elga looked exactly like someone well-known.

The eyes reminiscent of red blood, the hair mixed with silver and black.

Most importantly, she looked just like the ‘Fifth Princess’ depicted in the ‘glorious award ceremony’ illustration in the newspaper!

“Huh? Your Highness?”

The one who splendidly confirmed Tisha’s suspicions was none other than the Saintess, who was smiling brightly and awaiting the blessing of ice cream.

“What? Why is the Saintess here?”

“Why are you here, Your Highness?”

“Well, um. Sit down first. I’ll explain.”

“Oh, yes. Sister Tisha? Let’s go over there.”

“Huh? Sa-Saintess? Wha-wha-what?”

The Saintess took Tisha’s hand and led her to the table where Yurika and Elga were sitting.

Then she sat down next to Yurika, causing Tisha to naturally sit next to Elga.

“How have you been?”

“Nothing much happened. How about you, Saintess?”

“By the blessings of God, I’ve been well too.”

The Saintess and the Princess sat across from each other, exchanging pleasantries.

Watching them, Tisha had to scream internally countless times.

‘What on earth is happening all of a sudden?!’

Next to her was the Lady, across from her was the Saintess, and beside the Saintess was the Princess.

Each one of them was someone she had to be extremely careful with in terms of speech and behavior.

And it wasn’t just one or two, but three of them!

The Lady, the Saintess, the Princess, and even the Witch.

It was a historic moment where the four of them were gathered in one place.