Chapter 288

Chapter 288

An awkward silence flowed between Dusk Bringar and me.

Unable to bear it, I asked again.

"What are you doing here? Its already late. Why havent you gone to your lodging?"

Just then, a stereotypical sound of hunger, a rumble, emanated from Dusk Bringars stomach.

"..."

"..."

...What the hell! Why are you making such a pitiful face! Youre not some Little Match Girl! Youre a freaking Duchess!

"If you go into town, there are restaurants open late and decent inns. Go, have a look."

"...I have none."

"What?"

"I have no money..."

Dusk Bringars petite shoulders slumped.

I clenched the back of my neck as my blood pressure shot up. What a dramatic Duchess you are!

"Come on, even if youre in retreat, youre still a Duchess of a Duchy. How can you not have money?"

"I used all my assets and even looted items to fund the military! Of course, I have no personal wealth left!"

Ah, well, considering they were pretty much decimated in the war, it makes sense that the national treasury would be empty.

"What about that shiny crown youre wearing? Selling that could buy you at least one mansion."

"This symbolizes the rule of the Duchy! Obviously, I cant sell it!"

I laughed dismally. What a farce. Talk about a fools paradise...

"I did manage to escape the siege and left the Duchy, but all my subordinates were injured. So, I gave them all the money I had and told them to heal and follow later. I came ahead to scout if the southern front was actually safe..."

"So you arrived and found you had no money left?"

"Exactly! Thats why I participated in the tournament! I thought Id get some prize money if I won first place! Never thought Id get... this..."

Dusk Bringar took out the first-place trophy and squawked.

"How could I possibly imagine that theyd give me something I couldnt even exchange for a meal, like a knightly honor-!"

"Its an honorable position, you brat-!"

As we yelled at each other, I felt eyes on my back. Turning around, my party members were watching us, sweating bullets.

"Ah..."

I let out a long sigh and gestured towards the interior of the mansion.

"Come in. Ill give you something to eat and drink."

"Really?!"

"Its a festival, and were not so stingy as to starve a guest. Hurry in."

With a brightened face, Dusk Bringar bounded into the mansion like a hamster.

I called Aider and instructed him to serve a meal to Dusk Bringar. I also made a guest room available.

Its as good as me inviting her anyway...

But it was a mistake.

Dusk Bringar began devouring my kitchens supplies as if she was a dragon. What the heck is going on?

The chef, summoned in the middle of the night, cooked non-stop, sweating blood and tears. But Dusk Bringar continued to eat voraciously.

Sharp teeth, like a sharks, tore through the dishes like a saw blade.

"I usually dont get this hungry."

Dusk Bringar mumbled an excuse, puffing out her small cheeks as she continued to munch away.

"But I exerted myself too much during the martial arts tournament... I was starving to death, you know. Ah, pass me some of that piled-up meat. And take out the bell peppers; I cant eat those."

"...How about carrots?"

"Oh, how did you know? I hate carrots too! Take them out!"

Are you a child or what? What are you doing with your age?

I sighed and shook my head. The high-output, low-efficiency traits of a dragon were manifesting in full force.

An adult human was devouring an amount of food enough for dozens. Was this much necessary to maintain that level of output?

I knew dragons ate a lot, but this is crossing a line...

If I were to take in Dusk Bringar as my vassal, the first thing to reconsider would be the food budget.

Evangeline and Lucas, who were watching this spectacle, slightly opened their mouths.

"I thought I was the strongest among female food fighters, but... turns out I was only thinking in human terms, huh?"

"I lost in the martial arts tournament, and now Im losing in the amount of food I can eat... What can I possibly win at? Waaah..."

"...Dont feel defeated. Its just a different race."

By the way, Damien and Junior were diligently picking out the bell peppers and carrots beside Dusk Bringar.

Dont pick them out! Let her eat everything!

While observing this miserable scene, Aider sneakily approached and whispered in my ear.

A storm of events will descend upon the Empire in the future.

I plan to sidestep that storm, unconnected to the Empire, and walk my own path.

The war with the monsters.

Towards the Clear, the True Ending.

"As long as you cooperate with me, youll have ample opportunity to rebuild here," I assured her.

"...So this cooperation involves fighting monsters, is that it?"

"Yes."

"I truly cant understand why..."

Dusk Bringar sighed. She gazed down at the square below where people danced in rhythm with the music and murmured softly to herself.

"To think that its worth bringing someone in, even if it means destroying such a beautiful landscape... I wonder if theres any value in such Rebels."

"It is."

To be honest, you and your knights were something like a bonus in the unfolding circumstances.

"Theyre worth it."

It was true that Dusk Bringar and her knights held tremendous power.

If I could recruit them under my banner, they would play a major role in the upcoming wars against monsters.

"..."

Dusk Bringar toyed with the snack in her hand, lost in deep thought. Just as I was about to say a few more words to her, I was interrupted.

"Stop spacing out, senior!"

My main party members rushed toward me and grabbed my arms and legs. What the heck?!

"Stop just watching with that paternal smile, dance with us, senior!"

"This opportunity comes but once a year, my Lord!"

"Its way more fun than you think! Dance, Your Highness!"

"Come on, no escaping! Your Highness, come this way!"

"Argh! Wait a sec! I was about to have a serious conversation for once!"

But there was no stopping the relentless push from my party members. Before I knew it, I was swept into the whirlpool of dance.

As I joined in, the crowd somehow noticed me and cheered loudly.

A sudden open space appeared in the crowded square, and there I was, thrust into the center. Whats going on?!

"My Lord! My Lord! Our Lord!"

"Weve been waiting just for today! Weve been really looking forward to this!"

The citizens surrounding me shouted in cheers. Wait, what were they looking forward to?!

"Dance! Dance! Dance!"

"Prince Dance! Prince Dance!"

"Show us the legendary dance that turned the Imperial Capital upside down!"

Within moments, the atmosphere became such that I had to dance. I covered my face and yelled.

"Damn it, if this was Imperial Capital New Terra, youd all be executed for blasphemy!"

"But this isnt New Terra, is it?! Where are we?"

"Crossroad!"

Sigh. What can I do? I saw this coming when I signed up for this.

After glancing at my party members and the crowd, all smiling at me, I raised my hands and snapped my fingers.

"Then lets get the music started, you rascals!"

Watch closely; I used to show off this expensive dance only when I got donations in the hundreds during my streaming days...!

As I started my improvised dance, my party members doubled over in laughter, and the crowd screamed in both cheer and astonishment.

I willingly made a fool of myself.

Because, after all, its a festival.

***

"...Ha. I may not know much, but I do know one thing."

Watching Ashs antics wide-eyed, Dusk Bringar finally revealed a sharp-toothed smile.

"You are a prince adored by your subjects, Ash."

A piercing light tinged the smile that spread across the Dragon Ladys lips.

"The love of the subjects the Rebels will never be able to regain..."

Closing her large, pumpkin-colored eyes briefly, she pulled her hood low over her face and slowly turned away from the square.

"...I think thats enough scouting for now."

She began to walk slowly towards the west gate.

"It was a joyful festival, Crossroad."

And then she disappeared into the dimming twilight.