I’m Trapped in a Bloody Reverse Harem Game - Chapter 67

When I heard about the hunting festival, I imagined it would involve releasing deer onto a wide plain and chasing after them.

‘This is a colosseum.’

Seeing the crowd filling the circular structure, I blinked blankly. Surely they wouldn’t release lions or anything, right?

Watching the venue nervously, I dismissed the thought. If the goal wasn’t to kill the participants, such creatures wouldn’t be released.

“How does someone who couldn’t even ride a horse end up participating in the hunting festival?”

“I practiced.”

Tricia, standing beside me and looking at the arena, asked with evident skepticism. It was a reasonable question for anyone who had seen me trembling in fear while learning horseback riding from Dietrich. Just a few days ago, I had been clinging to the horse, trembling like a leaf, and now I was participating in the hunting festival with a sword at my waist. Suspicion was inevitable.

Thanks to the lowered sensitivity levels, practice went smoothly. When my sensitivity was normal, I had been terrified of mounting a horse alone. But with the lowered settings, all fear of falling vanished.

Actually, I had fallen off the horse four times during practice. However, since I felt no fear and Dietrich caught me before I hit the ground, I wasn’t injured. Each time I remounted the horse, Dietrich looked at me like I was insane. Oh, and his suspicion level increased too.

“Weren’t you scared at first?”

“I guess I got used to it.”

“But this is the first time you’ve ridden since that day you were so frightened.”

Dietrich’s suspicion level climbed to 85%. After seeing me leap over obstacles and swing a sword from horseback within just four days, Dietrich’s expression turned into one of certainty.

“You could ride all along, couldn’t you?”

“No.”

“You’re so good at it, it’s no fun teaching you anymore.”

He muttered, fiddling regretfully with the riding crop. His demeanor became indifferent as he continued teaching me, occasionally poking my thigh with the crop, as though hoping to elicit the reactions I had shown on the first day. It seemed he found my calmness dull.

As I reminisced, Tricia asked, “Can you even wield that sword?”

“Of course. I can cut through a prey’s neck just fine.”

I replied while gripping the sword’s hilt. Tricia’s face contorted, and she gripped her spear tightly, glaring at me.

“I’ll take care of everything, so there won’t be any game left for you to catch.”

“I’ve heard that you’ve won the hunting festival for the past three years. I’m looking forward to seeing your performance this time as well.”

Unlike me, who only carried a single sword, Tricia had a spear strapped to her arm and a sword at her waist. I had wanted to use a spear too, but Dietrich had adamantly opposed it.

“A spear is dangerous. Without enough strength to support it, you might fall backward while trying to thrust at your prey.”

“Wouldn’t it be easier than using a sword?”

“No, it wouldn’t. If you insist on using a spear and end up falling and getting trampled by someone else’s horse, I won’t stop you. But remember, during the hunting festival, there won’t be anyone to save you if you fall.”

“Alright, I’ll give up the spear.”

“That’s a wise decision. And even though you’re using a sword, don’t expect to actually hunt anything. If a prey approaches, just let it go.”

“Yes.”

After a light debate, I reluctantly agreed to use the sword. He also advised me to refrain from swinging it unless absolutely necessary.

Though I participated in the hunting festival, my goal wasn’t to win or catch any game. Since it was a hunting festival, I carried the sword merely for appearances. There was no need to explain this to Tricia.

Smiling at Tricia’s attempts to provoke me, I waved to Dahlia, who was anxiously watching us from the audience. Behind her, I spotted Lucius and Adrian. From their elevated seats, they overlooked the hunting grounds. My gaze briefly met theirs.

Adrian squinted at me, and Lucius gestured toward Adrian, whispering something to him. As Adrian turned to glance in my direction and nodded, he stood and began descending. Watching his movements, I exhaled steadily and turned my focus forward.

Though curious about what they had discussed, my priority right now was the hunting festival.

***

All items used in the hunting festival were provided by the imperial palace to ensure fairness in the event. Swords, spears, armor, horses, and even the horseshoes nailed to the hooves—all had to be equipment supplied by the imperial palace.

However, given the scale of preparations involved in the hunting festival, there was always a possibility of unwelcome interference during the process. Especially on days like today, when there were particularly special participants, such interference seemed even more likely.

“Sir Adrian, what brings you here?”

“I’m here to inspect the participants for the hunting festival.”

“Ah, I see. If you need guidance, I can accompany you to the waiting room.”

“No need. I can handle it myself.”

“Understood.”

The hunting festival manager, upon noticing Adrian’s arrival, hurriedly approached him with utmost courtesy. Seeing that Adrian declined assistance, the manager quickly gave a respectful reply and left.

“Check the sword the Saintess is holding.”

Particularly on days when special participants like the Saintess were involved, the possibility of interference grew more apparent.

Carrying out Lucius’s orders, Adrian descended to the waiting room and began looking for the Saintess. His gaze finally landed on her as she conversed with Tricia, who was standing closely beside her. The Saintess, noticing Adrian’s presence, blinked in apparent curiosity.

“Sir Adrian.”

“Good day.”

Tricia, who had been glaring at the Saintess for addressing him in such a soft tone, quickly moved to a different spot. Watching Tricia’s retreating back, the Saintess nimbly dismounted her horse.

“I thought you’d be beside Sir Lucius. Are you also participating in the hunting festival?”

“No, I’m here for a brief inspection.”

As Adrian watched the Saintess dismount effortlessly, his gaze naturally shifted to the sword strapped to her waist.

“Is that the sword issued to you, Saintess?”

“Yes.”

“And the decoration attached to the scabbard?”

“It was already there when I received it.”

Adrian scrutinized the golden decorative bead hanging from her scabbard, which emitted a clear sound with her every movement.

‘This sound…’

The crisp tone grated on his ears. The sound emanating from the decoration was akin to the noise hunters used to draw the attention of wild beasts.

Listening intently, Adrian noted that other scabbards in the vicinity also had decorations. However, none of them produced a sound quite like the one attached to the Saintess’s sword.

“If you find the sound bothersome, should I remove the decoration?”

“No need.”

Adrian’s downcast gaze made the Saintess ask cautiously. He finally shifted his focus to meet her eyes. Lucius’s directive had been to inspect the Saintess’s sword—nothing more. Since he wasn’t instructed to address any potential issues, whatever trouble arose during the hunting festival would be the responsibility of the Saintess, who had voluntarily chosen to participate.

Lifting his indifferent gaze, Adrian’s eyes met hers, a striking shade of blue. His brows furrowed immediately.

‘How troublesome.’

Merely looking at that blue color muddled his judgment, a habit he couldn’t seem to shake. Sighing deeply, Adrian thought back to the pair of blue eyes etched in his distant memories.

***

While talking to Lucius, why did he come down? Was it to check on me?

Adrian, who suddenly appeared, stood quietly in front of me, staring at my sword. He was so still that even his breathing was imperceptible.

The decorations attached to the swords held by the participants were making noises here and there. Though the sound was clear and pleasant, the cumulative noise became rather loud.

Was it because of the noise?

Knowing that Adrian’s hearing was unusually sensitive, I asked him.

“If you find the sound bothersome, should I remove the decoration?”

“No need.”

Adrian cleanly denied my suggestion. Shaking his head lightly, he met my eyes. The moment our eyes locked, Adrian squinted slightly.

He exhaled deeply and said, “Actually, since there’s no rule requiring the decoration to remain, it might be better to remove it.”

His tone felt more like advice than a command. Following his words, I reached for the decoration on the scabbard.

“It’s not coming off easily…”

I struggled to remove the securely fastened decoration. While I wrestled with it, the sound of celebratory fireworks marking the start of the hunting festival echoed through the air. Startled, I looked up. At some point, everyone around had left, leaving only Adrian and me in the waiting area.

Abandoning my efforts to remove the decoration, I spoke to Adrian, “It seems I’ll have to go with it still attached.”

“Saintess…”

Adrian, watching me hastily mount my horse, slightly parted his lips. Uncharacteristically for him, he seemed to hesitate.

“Sir Adrian, is there something you wish to say?”

The sound of the second firework calling participants echoed. Impatient, I urged Adrian to speak up if he had something to say.

Hearing my hurried tone, Adrian softly muttered, “Saintess, about the question earlier…”

“What question? Oh, is the sound truly bothersome? Sorry, but as I get farther away, it should become less noticeable.”

“The sound from the decoration doesn’t bother me. Why do you assume it would?”

“I’m fine with it, but you have sharp hearing. Even pleasant sounds can be irritating when heard all at once.”

I replied casually. Adrian nodded slightly, as though agreeing.

“How did you know I have sharp hearing?”

“Dion told me.”

“Ah, he must have mentioned it when you visited the office…”

Adrian finally seemed to accept the explanation and relaxed his expression.

“Yes, of course…”

“What do you mean?”

“It’s nothing.”

Returning to his usual stoic demeanor, Adrian muttered in a deflated tone. Tilting my head, I asked, but he gave a curt response and turned away. His cold back seemed to signal he had no further business with me. Watching him walk away, I voiced my dissatisfaction.

“Sir Adrian, when you start saying something, you should finish it. How can you leave me curious like this?”

“It wasn’t something meant for you. When the third firework goes off, the hunting festival will begin. You should hurry.”

“I know.”

Adrian replied coldly. Staring at his indifferent back, a sudden thought came to me, and I blurted it out.

“It would be nice if I could read thoughts without needing words…”

At my murmured words, Adrian stopped in his tracks and turned to look at me.

Smiling as if I had been waiting for that moment, I added, “But I don’t have such an ability.”

“That’s obvious…”

Adrian replied icily, as if dismissing nonsense. Ignoring his tone, I continued speaking.

“If I had the ability to read thoughts or hover in the air like some mystical power… wouldn’t that be amazing? What do you think, sir?”

Finishing my words with a smile, I spurred my horse forward just before the final firework sounded. My comment had been a mix of things Adrian had said to me when he was unwell during a past event.

Being an intelligent character, he might be able to deduce who I was with that hint.

If he still remembered what happened back then.

Though I didn’t hear Adrian’s response, his twisted expression was enough for me.

<Adrian is now observing Player ‘Haniel.’>

<Adrian’s affection level is in the negative.>

<Adrian Capture Event (Special): ‘Reunion’>

• Entry condition not fulfilled.
• Event is on hold.

<Adrian Capture Event (Special): ‘Suspicion’ has been generated.>

Ignoring the system windows, I galloped toward the arena. Reaching the empty space beside Tricia just as the final firework exploded, the hunting festival began.