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After finishing breakfast, the four stepped out into the villa’s garden.
Participants in the hunting tournament were gathering, forming small clusters here and there across the wide garden as they chatted. When they caught sight of the four, voices of admiration rose. Smiles plastered on each and every one.

Most of those participating in today’s hunt were also invited to the welcoming banquet. Naturally so, since from among the banquet guests they were narrowed down to a slightly younger age group—those with whom Mikhail would likely enjoy hunting.
The excitement from the banquet had not yet faded for them. And seen again under the sunlight, the four were strikingly beautiful men and women as a group. Unlike at the banquet, today they were dressed for hunting—Aleksei and Mikhail in dignified hunting attire, Ekaterina and Flora in simple dresses suited for movement—but that only accentuated their youth and gave them a fresh impression.
There was nothing but admiration and goodwill in the participants’ expressions.

That said, they did not dare to approach—perhaps because of the majestic hunting hounds of Jurnova, who appeared as they were led by their handler Igor.

The first to approach the four is the leader dog, Regina. After rubbing her head against Aleksei’s hand, she nuzzled Ekaterina as well, then looked up at Aleksei. It was as if she was conveying that she remembered being told to protect his sister.

The other hunting dogs gathered around Mikhail and Flora, wagging their tails.
The two of them were introduced to the hounds yesterday. The hunting dogs, who have a nature of submitting to humans with strong magical power, obeyed at once when the two activated just a little of their magic. Flora in particular was extremely popular with them.

Among them, the one utterly smitten was an especially large male with dark, almost black fur. He was apparently second in rank after Queen Regina, the sub-leader. After persistently frolicking around Flora, he ended up rolling onto his back and exposing his belly. When a handsome hunting dog goes belly-up, it becomes almost indecently unguarded.
“You’re basically a sheepskin rug with such a wide belly exposed,” Ekaterina had thought, even as she crouched down with Flora and ended up thoroughly enjoying the fluffy belly fur.

The black male, Rex, is said to be Regina’s mate.
After receiving ample belly rubs from the two beautiful girls while lying belly-up, Rex was knocked over by Regina.

Despite that sequence of events, Rex was keeping position beside Flora again today. He must have an incorrigible personality… though it was also said that darker fur indicates a stronger manifestation of magical beast blood.
According to the Demon Dragon King Vladforen, the holy magic that Flora possesses circulates and softens magical power. It may be that Rex finds that pleasant.

Even so, Rex was not as lovestruck today as he was yesterday. The hunting tournament was their true profession as hunting hounds—their grand stage, so to speak. All the hounds seemed to understand that it was their moment; their eyes were visibly shining.

Watching this scene, the eyes of the hunting participants held further admiration—and a sense of awe. These beautiful youths possess magical power strong enough to easily command the hounds of Jurnova.

At that moment, someone steps forward toward the four.

“Good day, Count Novak. And Sir Kail. I look forward to today.”

Mikhail addressed them first, and Novak and the head of the mines Aaron bowed.
Aaron, of course, also greeted Mikhail at the welcoming banquet. But considering the number of people Mikhail exchanged greetings with, the fact that he remembered face, name, and even status is impressive. Aaron’s family, the House of Count Kail, is wealthy and influential. And as the head of the mines, he holds an important post. Perhaps like what he did for Novak, Mikhail might have learned it in advance—but even so, such thorough preparation is hard to believe for a sixteen-year-old boy.

“What excellent weather for hunting. It is most fortunate.”
“I heard the villagers serving as beaters say that there are many signs of game today. Expectations are high.”

Novak and Aaron, speaking thus, were also dressed in hunting attire. They were participants in the tournament. Both usually wear the clothing of civil officials, so their impressions were different. Aaron in particular gives an indoor image with his scholar-like appearance—but the crisp hunting attire suits him unexpectedly well.

“Young Lady, Miss Czerny. The valley where the ladies will spend their time is in full bloom with wildflowers. Please enjoy your stroll.”

While the men enjoy the hunt, the women will spend time in a valley located some distance from the hunting grounds. Amid lush greenery stands a beautiful waterfall. In an open clearing with a view of it, tents are pitched, with tables and chairs arranged. There they will enjoy tea and sweets while admiring the scenery and engaging in conversation.

It’s like a picnic, or perhaps like the luxurious camping that was popular in my previous life—glamping? I never actually went glamping, though.

“Thank you, Sir Aaron. It is quite unexpected that you are also skilled in hunting.”
“When accompanying Professor Isaac on fieldwork, we often procure food on site. I participate in hunts like this as practice.”

Calling the hunting tournament, with the Prince as guest of honor, as “practice”… Well, I understand he means participating in large-scale hunts like this is practice, not the tournament itself.
Though he is the fifth son of a count’s house, so for him to procure food on site is a bit… I guess catching rabbits and feeding them to Great-Uncle is part of an assistant’s duties? As ever, Aaron’s devotion to Great-Uncle Isaac runs deep.

“Ekaterina, I see you’re close to Sir Kail.”

Hearing her call him “Sir Aaron,” Mikhail made this observation. Incidentally, in the Empire, “Sir” is an honorific for lower-ranking nobles or the sons of nobles. Depending on the situation, it may be attached to either the family name or the given name.

“It seems that ever since I called him Aaron, she began calling him by name as well.”

Aleksei supplemented this, sounding faintly pleased.

“Come to think of it, the reason I call Aaron and the others by their given names is because Grandfather Sergei did so. Unexpected connections exist, don’t they, Ekaterina?”

At her brother’s words, Ekaterina is briefly surprised, then nods in understanding. Indeed, among the regular executives in the office, Aleksei calls the younger members such as Aaron and Khalil by name. Though “younger,” they are far older than Aleksei, and he is not the type to casually address subordinates by their given names, so in hindsight it is curious. If it originated from their grandfather, it makes sense.

“I see. That is a lovely story.”

Mikhail smiled.

“My grandfather, His Former Majesty the Emperor, often enjoyed hunting with Duke Sergei too. I would like for us to do the same from now on. Let’s enjoy today.”