The Extra Wants To Live

The way each knight serves his lord is different. Catherine's method may seem foolish, but it is by no means wrong.

"Carl may be in danger. Are you still going to stay like that?"

At Nero's words, Catherine took out a pocket watch from her jacket and checked the time. Then, she replied calmly,

"There is still time left until the time Carl mentioned. When the time comes, we will move to find him."

"..."

Nero's eyes became dizzy from Carl's manipulations.

Carl had created a safety device by even telling her to come find him if it was too late.

It was not a safety device for life or death, but a safety device as the last bastion to avoid being treated as a child without an answer.

For some reason, Carl said he was obedient and compliant!

"Find Carl. Hurry!"

Nero urgently ran into the forest.

He knew for a fact that Carl probably never really went into the forest to hunt.

He guessed Carl did it because he had something in mind. But even if the squire followed, how could he know what would happen in a forest like this and commit such a dangerous act?

Despite the sudden commotion and the inopportune time, Nero headed into the forest first, and everyone grasped the situation and moved hurriedly.

Inside, Adrian was sitting calmly, watching with sun-like eyes beyond the forest where Carl had disappeared.

'So, what should I do?'

Adrian smiled and slowly got up, then hopped on his horse like the others.

'Is it okay to think that the opportunity has come?'

***

"Do you think this is okay?"

"That... Yeah, kinda like that."

Not long after entering the forest, Bilford hesitated and answered Carl's words.

"Is that because you don't have the confidence to protect me?"

"No, not that," Bilford spoke confidently, in response to Carl's laughing voice.

To be honest, with Bilford's skills, even if the opponent was a mana knight, it was worth a try if he was good at martial arts.

"Then, is it because of my position?"

"...yes. I know that Lord Carl is a great person, and I don't like it when others speak poorly of him."

Maybe it was because Catherine wasn't there. Bilford honestly revealed his true feelings to Carl.

"Is that so? That is something to be thankful for." Carl laughed softly. He felt pretty good.

"But don't worry. I have nothing to lose from this, and it won't ruin my reputation."

"I don't think it's a very good thing..."

"Do you think this will have any negative impact on my evaluation?"

"That..."

Bilford said this and that, but when he thought about it carefully, it would not have any bad influence.

Because the image was already so finely ground and shattered, it seemed like Carl's evaluation could not get any worse.

"It's a well-known fact that I am shallow and ignorant. But this will at least show that I have the courage and competitive spirit to act boldly."

An ignorant brave man would seem more plausible than an ignorant coward.

Ignorance is like a fog, which eventually disappears when the sun of intelligence rises.

Since it can't get worse, even if you do something bad, you can only pick out the things that increase your evaluation and take advantage of it.

"His Majesty asked me what I would do next, and I answered that I would stay away from politics and gain military skills. And this is a senseless and courageous act that befits that answer."

"Yes? Did you say something like that?"

"Even if we didn't do it directly, we did have a conversation."

Bilford blinked, not understanding what it meant. Carl giggled again.

"Anyway, that's why I'd like to catch a deer if possible."

"I will definitely find it."

Bilford spoke resolutely and looked around with all his concentration.

However, it is difficult for Bilford, who has little hunting experience, and Carl, who hunted for the first time today, to spot a sensitive animal like a deer without a hunting dog.

Squirrels and rabbits have already been caught, so even if you see them, just pass by. Other than that, small animals were also ignored.

Even if it wasn't a bear, they had to catch something decent. That was Carl's goal as he played 'Carl'.

"Is there anything that's okay even if it's a little smaller?"

After walking for a long time without shooting a single arrow, Carl quickly got tired of this worthless act. So, he was planning to grab a decent animal and go back.

"Badgers and martens are also pretty good game. But when it comes to hunting, there is nothing better than the fox."

Even though the marten's fur is good, the nobles who live in Himmeln and hunt as a hobby do not target the marten because they do not have money.

In that respect, the fox is an animal that is quite good as prey due to its wonderful fur, appropriate size, attractive appearance, and sensitive personality.

"How do you find a fox?"

"It would be difficult without a hunting dog..."

"I wonder if I really need to catch a bear like this."

"Well, let's aim for the wild boar," Bilford said, smiling awkwardly.

Of course, wild boars are not easy prey.

This is because they are tough and have strong aggressiveness, so they attack first. It wouldn't be dangerous since Bilford was there.

"So, do you have a family?" Carl asked Bilford out of boredom.

As he walked leisurely alone with his young and trustworthy Bilford in a quiet forest without anyone else, his heart softened.

"I was sold when I was young and I don't remember my family."

"..."

Carl paused at Bilford's words. But Bilford seemed really unconcerned.

"This is common among poor commoners. Because you can reduce your household expenses and earn money. Still, I think I was lucky. I was lucky enough to have a talent for martial arts, and I was lucky enough to work in a place related to martial arts, so I was very lucky. Thanks to that, I was able to serve Lord Carl like this."

When Bilford spoke with a smile, Carl felt like he was out of breath.

Bilford was only 15 years old.

However, even if he look at both Lucas's life and Carl's life, he will never have experienced greater ups and downs than the ups and downs in life that Bilford has gone through.

Carl hesitated for a moment, then burst out laughing as if something had come to his mind.

The smile seemed a little strange because it was not from 16-year-old Carl, but from Lucas, who was in his late 20s.

"Did you think of something interesting?"

Carl asked that out of curiosity as he had just told the story of being sold for a few pennies and going through hardships.

It was an attitude that could be shown because one could sincerely affirm one's situation.

"Haha... No, looking at it this way, your situation and mine are quite similar."

"Yes? Lord Carl... Ugh..."

Bilford trailed off awkwardly, unable to bring himself to say,

'Even though my mother is dead, my father, His Majesty the Emperor, is still alive.'

"Diana is my biological mother... I don't even remember, and His Majesty the Emperor exists as the Supreme Highness of the Empire, so I don't have a biological mother or father."

"..."

A startled Bilford opened his mouth and hurriedly looked around.

Words that were too scary to say!

"But you have Lady Catherine, who leads you with all her heart even though we are not related by blood, and I have Lilly, who is like a mother to me even though we are not related by blood. It's quite similar, isn't it?"

"...Yes, I think so." Bilford's lips twitched, then he smiled and nodded like a child his age.

The two talked a lot.

The conversation with Bilford, who was pure and clear without any dark shadows in his mind, was a good rest for Carl, who was tired from acting and dealing with nobles.

"So when will I be able to handle mana?"

"I don't know about that. Even if you are a master, you cannot know this. Master Carl can also manipulate mana..."

Bilford was so distraught that he grunted and complained.

"I just have a unique situation."

"You have outstanding talent. Really."

"Haha. You too will soon be able to control mana. I guarantee you, you will become a master within five years."

"Yes? You mean Master?"

Bilford looked at Carl in bewilderment and asked.

"Yes, Master."

Carl walked leisurely and looked up at the autumn sky.

Bilford was very burdened by the solid faith that Carl had in him, but at the same time, he was very proud.

To say that it is impossible right here and now is so tacky.

"I will definitely do it."

"You're not going to make it, it's going to happen."

"Yes, Lord Carl."

Carl, who was enjoying the gentle atmosphere, realized that quite a bit of time had passed, so he took out his pocket watch and checked the time.

"Uhm... Lady Catherine, the appointed time has passed. I guess I'll have to go back empty-handed."

"Oh my, that's a shame..."

Both Carl and Bilford left their regrets behind and returned the way they came.

It would be a bit embarrassing if they came back like this. However, since he had a low-ranking position, there was nothing to lose.

"I wanted to give Lilly something worthwhile as a gift."

"Isn't it more important to catch the first hunt rather than a good hunt?"

"Well, it would only be troublesome to give him an animal corpse as a gift right away."

"Ha ha ha ha ha"

Bilford burst into laughter at Carl's words. For a moment, he even forgot that Carl was a prince.

There was also a part of him that thought Carl's words were not sincere but a joke.