Next Life – Chapter 160

The temporary Gladiatorial Festival concluded with Catherine’s victory.

“This is no good,” mumbled August III. Despite his daughter Catherine winning and two others among the remaining three reaching the semifinals, he appeared displeased. After the awards ceremony, the four Boltner individuals were summoned by the King. They proceeded to an exceptionally luxurious room within the lodgings assigned to Boltner. Catherine simply looked perplexed, but the other three young men were enveloped in a light tension. For them, as Ordinary People, royalty was akin to celestial beings. Moreover, having achieved such considerable success in a tournament that promised promotions based on performance had understandably raised their expectations. Princess Catherine’s optimistic demeanor also contributed to this. The young princess believed she wouldn’t be reprimanded, though she wasn’t sure if she’d be praised. However, blaming Catherine would be unfair. After all, only August III knew his intention was to reprimand all four participants.

“You’ve arrived,” August III said, his stern gaze sweeping over the assembled four. It was then that Catherine felt a pang of surprise. As his daughter, she keenly sensed her father’s displeasure. The other three also realized that something more than just congratulations was in store and straightened their backs.

“First, Catherine. What was that fighting style?”

“Ah…” Catherine found herself unable to respond immediately.

“Why did you take each of their attacks before counterattacking?”

“Well, I was considering the opponent’s perspective…” She stammered a defense when pressed further. Had she fought seriously, the opponents she faced before the finals would likely have collapsed without being able to do anything. There would have been no opportunity for her to test her skills. She had restrained herself, thinking this.

“Don’t get conceited!” the King roared. Catherine merely flinched, but the other three felt a tremor reach their very souls. Such was his imposing presence.

“Didn’t I teach you to exert your full power to defeat your enemy?”

“I apologize.” The Princess offered no excuses, lowering his eyes in apology.

“Do not separate attack and defense. Didn’t I tell you that unified offense and defense is the fundamental principle?”

“Yes. I apologize.” The other three listened in stunned silence to the parental exchange. If the Princess, who had won with overwhelming strength, was being reprimanded, what would they be told? A chill ran down their spines. They bore no dissatisfaction with being scolded despite their excellent performance. Their mental makeup was not built that way. Marius might have been astonished, thinking, “Are they perverts obsessed with brute force to the bone marrow?” After finishing his reprimand of Catherine, the King’s gaze shifted to another. Swallowing, they straightened their backs even further.

“You all worked hard. Those who wish to can be enlisted as regular soldiers.”

For a moment, the three were stunned, unable to comprehend what they had heard. After a few seconds, joy slowly began to well up within them. The question of why only Catherine was scolded vanished in an instant.

“Those who wish to should report to Marquis Moruto. You are dismissed.” The three hastily bowed and left the room, their joy and excitement radiating. Once the door closed, August III turned back to his daughter.

“You have the potential to surpass me. That is precisely why I want you to continue striving without becoming complacent.”

“Father…” Catherine was touched by her Father King’s words, filled with affection, and her eyes welled up. August III coughed awkwardly several times.

“Use my admonition that holding back out of consideration for opponents like those in this tournament is the beginning of arrogance,”

“Yes, Father.” Catherine bowed with a bright expression. For her part, being reprimanded repeatedly despite her victory wasn’t particularly enjoyable. She finally understood that it stemmed from tremendous expectations and affection.

“By the way, Catherine, this is a change of subject, but…” Seeing her usually straightforward and boisterous father falter, the Princess’s eyes widened.

“Father, what is it?”

“No, I am curious. Is it fun to trade blows with Auraniess?”

Hearing her father’s question, Catherine replied with a smile.

“Father, if Auraniess punched you, you’d die instantly.”

“Is that so… Yes, it is. I understood that, but…” August III nodded with an expression that suggested both understanding and incomprehension, then asked his daughter.

“If I were to propose a sparring match, how would Auraniess react?”

This left Catherine in a bind.

“Um, Auraniess apparently ignores challenges from those they deem weak. I’m not sure what kind of presence Father is to them…” Her daughter replied with an apologetic look.

The Father King said, “Hmm. Then perhaps I should ask directly.” He stood up.

“Huh? Father, could it be?” Leaving Catherine surprised, August III exited the room and headed towards the room where Marius and Auraniess were. Without knocking, he flung the door open and shouted, “I challenge you! I propose a duel with Auraniess!” Inside the room were Marius, his wives, and Auraniess. They were in the midst of enjoying the fruit served by Filat. Auraniess, having been singled out, swallowed a peach and spoke.

“I refuse. Come back when you’re stronger.” Then, he began to eat another peach. Silence descended upon the room, and Marius felt uncomfortable. Lovisa and Barra appeared similarly uneasy. Meanwhile, August III persisted, undeterred.

“I hear she’s been training my daughter. Could I not receive some training as well?” Marius wasn’t the only one thinking, “Doesn’t he have a King’s duties?” Auraniess opened his mouth again.

“I refuse. You do not have the same potential for growth as Catherine.”

“How do you know?” August III did not give up. Auraniess clicked his tongue. It wasn’t that he easily forgot, but rather that it was not widely known. He wasn’t patient at all.

“I can tell. It’s annoying, so go home.” A clear refusal was conveyed in his gruff words. The atmosphere grew tense. Marius panicked. An incident where Auraniess harmed a foreign King would be far more than just problematic.

“Hey, Auraniess.” Auraniess, who once again clicked his tongue at Marius’s voice, glared at August III.

“For Marius’s sake, I’ll let it slide. Now, scram.” Although there was no killing intent, it was apparently sufficient to pressure August III psychologically. The Boltner King, who had engaged in a reckless act, retreated, his face pale and sweat beading on his forehead.

“He didn’t let it slide for my sake at all…” Marius felt compelled to protest. While he understood the annoyance of someone persistently pestering after being refused, he couldn’t help but feel that way.

“Consider it a concession that I didn’t knock you out and carry you out,” Auraniess said, not with any remorse, but puffing out his chest proudly. Marius hesitated whether to thank him or scold him, but after ten seconds, he offered his thanks.

“Ah, thank you. It would be helpful if you could consider things a little more, if possible.”

“Hmph. I don’t want to hear that from someone who avoids fighting me with excuses.” Auraniess turned away, saying this. It wasn’t sarcasm; his expression and tone indicated he was sulking.

(He wasn’t fooling me at all…) Marius felt awkward. He scratched his cheek and offered a vague smile, but the situation didn’t change at all.

“Alright, alright, I’ll be careful. You be careful too.” Making this concession, Auraniess suddenly turned around and grinned.

“I have your word, right?”

“……” Marius felt as though he had been trapped.