A Stuffed Cheonma in my Head - Chapter 108



Only Noblemtl

Episode 108. Christmas

* * *

There was nothing special about the operation.

All I need to know is that I am last in line.

He said his goal was to win the match without having to participate.

I guess he thinks that since his image isn’t good, it’s better for him not to be exposed to the public if possible.

It’s like a last resort, a trump card, so to speak.

“I see.”

I nodded.

It was an understandable response.

But life doesn’t always go as planned.

I didn’t know I would fall off the foggy cliff.

I had no idea that the stuffed Cheonma in my head would come back to life.

This is also the same.

Contrary to the Black Prince’s expectations, the participants on this side may suffer defeat after defeat.

I guess I’ll be able to compete.

What I have to do is simple.

All you have to do is become the last contestant standing and wipe out the rest of them.

Walpole explained the brackets, giving dozens of possible scenarios and corresponding countermeasures, but I just memorized what I needed to know.

Even complex plans can be easily transformed depending on your determination.

“So, you’re saying that if something happens, I can just wipe out all the rest of them?”

Walpole nodded with a sheepish expression.

“Uh… … Yes. In summary, that would be it.”

I looked at Walpole, who was muttering to himself that he had explained things at length for no reason, with a vain expression on his face, and then checked my watch.

The time when the sun has not set yet.

The final match is tomorrow morning.

It means there is still a lot of time left.

I am a man with a wanderlust.

My older sister often told me that there was a strong sense of urgency in my life.

In Maya, I would complete the quest and wander around here and there, then slowly return.

The captain said that I looked like a stray dog.

My body was aching so much I couldn’t stand it.

I felt like taking a walk somewhere.

If you’re going to do it, why not try seeing an unfamiliar neighborhood or the capital of another country?

“Ahem.”

I got up from my seat, walked naturally to the window, and looked outside.

There were a lot of people crowded on the unfamiliar street.

There was also a procession of people dancing to the sound of loud music, and several stalls selling delicious-looking food.

[It’s like a festival.]

It was a festival scene, just like the horse of heaven.

“oh…….”

Walpole, who had come up to me without me noticing, said:

“It’s Christmas.”

“… … Christmas?”

“Yes. It’s a festival to celebrate the birth of a new king. Since the current king has been in power for a long time, it seems like the festival is held for the first time in a long time, so the scale is particularly large. I’ve only heard about it, but this is my first time seeing the Christmas festival in person.”

I tilted my head.

The fight for the throne is extremely ruthless.

If one side wins, the other side is bound to lose.

The winner takes it all, the loser loses it all.

But a festival?

Does this mean the winner gets the right to enjoy the festival?

When asked about this, Walpole scratched his head.

“I don’t know much about it, but there is a ritual where the current king hands over the crown to the next king immediately after the final battle to decide the winner and loser. The coronation ceremony is held right after the battle for the throne ends.”

“Right? You’re giving up the throne like that? Isn’t that too hasty?”

“I heard it’s just a formality. The official succession to the throne will happen later.”

“hmm…….”

It’s sweeter for the winner, and crueler for the loser.

All eyes are on the winner.

This is no event for the miserable losers. It is a festival only for the winners.

It seemed like everyone was watching the final battle intently, cheering and chanting the new king’s name, naturally acknowledging his rise to power.

People will just get caught up in the atmosphere and chant the new king’s name.

It was a succession ceremony that took the heated atmosphere created by the fierce battle and made it look like everyone was accepting it.

I wonder if this isn’t a clever way to establish royal power by taking advantage of crowd psychology.

Do people even know what kind of person the king they are electing is?

It doesn’t matter. Commoners don’t have the right to choose a king.

‘… … Useless thoughts.’

I closed my eyes tightly, unable to continue thinking.

‘It’s none of my business.’

I just have to beat up the knights of the 1st prince and then use the teleportation magic circle.

I’ve found the owner of the Demon Sword. Hans’ family will be safe too.

There is nothing more to see here.

“Wow… … .”

Looking to the side, Shushuruta and Linda had also come to the window and were looking out the window with sparkling eyes.

The only one who was keeping his seat was Bok-sil, who was completely absorbed in the breakfast.

“hmm.”

There was nothing to worry about.

Because I’m the type of guy who does whatever he wants.

Because he’s a man as fickle as the wind.

I opened the window wide and placed one foot on the windowsill.

“Hey! What are you doing!”

Walpole caught me immediately.

“Didn’t the Black Prince tell you to be quiet!”

I stared blankly at Lord Walpole, who was holding my side.

“Lord Walpole, you have a naive side. Do you think I will listen to him?”

“If you wander outside now, you might be discovered! The First Prince might notice and send assassins.”

“Good. I guess I’ll just relax.”

When communication failed, Walpole called for help.

“What are you doing! Without holding on?”

Shushuruta and Linda, who had been watching blankly from the side, caught me off guard at Walpole’s urging.

But the grip was so loose that it didn’t seem like he really wanted to hold on.

“A festival… I’ve never seen one before… … .”

“Devil, can I come with you?”

Walpole muttered incredulously.

“No, these people… … .”

At that moment, I thought I heard some muttering and several clattering footsteps outside the door, and then the door opened wide.

I just turned my head and looked toward the door.

I’m currently half-leaning out the window with one foot on the windowsill.

My eyes met with the Black Prince’s as he rudely burst through the door without even knocking.

“… … .”

“… … .”

We looked at each other for a while in silence.

The Black Prince broke the silence and said.

“Where are you going?”

“I was just going to take a quick look around.”

“I thought I told you to be quiet. And you said you knew.”

“It’s different when it comes to festivals.”

“… … .”

The Black Prince’s eyes became sharp.

“Is now a good time to look around?”

“So what? I have nothing to do.”

“Speak sense.”

The Black Prince, with a tired expression and a sweep of his hair, began to grumble.

“Make no mistake. This is the battleground. This is the hotbed of all slander. Does this look like a festival to you? To me, it looks like beasts waiting to devour the corpse of the loser.”

I clicked my tongue.

“You’re having delusions about persecution.”

The Black Prince continued speaking without paying any attention.

“It looks like the mouth of a devil to me. The moment you jump in there, a blade hidden in the crowd will pop out and stab you.”

“Oh, I’ll just go out for a bit.”

“You never know what you might get into. You might get attacked unexpectedly somewhere. Stay still.”

This guy’s words were always orders, and I was starting to get agitated.

“I think you’re mistaken. I’m not your subject. I’m not a knight. Do you think I’ll tell you not to go out?”

“… …I told you to be quiet.”

“I said no.”

We glared at each other, growling like wild beasts.

At this time the count mediated between us.

“Then how about going out with Commander Ashley?”

Ashley, who had been quietly standing next to him, asked in surprise.

“Yes? Me?”

The earl, ignoring Ashley’s words, asked the Black Prince.

“What do you think? No matter how much we try to persuade him, Lord Ashvan will probably do as he wishes.”

“Hoooo… … .”

The Black Prince sighed. It was a deep sigh. As deep as the shadows in his eyes.

Again, I say this is not my business.

“… … Yes. Then Sir Ashley, let the devil accompany you. Don’t go too far, and Sir Ashley will also restrain you from doing anything foolish.”

“Yes? Yes?”

“By the way, if you go out like that, people will recognize you. You should at least disguise yourself. Otherwise, there will be chaos. That’s not what you want either, Devil.”

I nodded.

“Don’t worry. Just cover your eyes. Just give me a black belt.”

“Well, that may be true, but… … . Are you going to cover your eyes and look at the streets?”

“What are you complaining about? It’s my mind, kid. Just look at it with your heart’s eye.”

“… … .”

The Black Prince shook his head.

I looked around at the crowd that had entered the room and asked.

“What happened that made you come all this way? Did you expect me to run off and seek my freedom?”

“No way.”

The Black Prince glanced at Linda next to me.

“Because we need a poison expert.”

“aha.”

I guessed why it was needed.

This is probably because they have to test the food to see if it’s poisonous or not.

Or, on the contrary, poison the other side’s food.

I looked at Linda.

“Linda.”

“huh?”

“Go and help me. Listen carefully.”

Linda whined like a little baby.

“I’m going with the devil… … .”

I glanced at Shushuruta and then asked Linda.

“Is this your first time at a festival too?”

“Yeah.”

Come to think of it, it seemed like only people who were attending the festival for the first time were gathered here.

Of course, it was my first time coming to Walpole, and neither Shushuruta nor Linda had ever seen a festival before.

They say they stick together. It seems like they’re just a bunch of people who find life boring.

I stared blankly at Linda’s bright green crown, her head bowed sullenly.

‘What kind of life has this guy lived?’

When I look at Linda, I get the feeling that I am facing the purest form of evil.

It’s like watching a child laugh and squash an ant to death.

Of course, it was outrageous to kidnap innocent people and torture them to death with poison, but I was curious as to how they came to do such a thing.

How did I become a madman? Why did I wander around looking for a friend who could withstand poison?

I had a feeling that this guy’s past would be just as eventful as mine and Shushuruta’s.

Is there a villain in the world without a story?

I have my own story too.

In the first place, who am I to scold?

If we’re going to judge by sin, I would have killed a lot more people.

I just thought about that for a moment.

“next time.”

“huh?”

Linda looked up at me with wide eyes.

“Not today. Let’s go next time.”

“really?”

I looked at the Black Prince.

“Does the festival end with a final battle?”

The Black Prince gave a sarcastic answer in a sarcastic tone.

“No, it won’t. We’ll need time to gnaw on the loser’s corpse.”

I looked at Linda.

“Did you hear? The festival continues even after it’s over. If you listen well, I’ll let you go together then.”

“Wow!”

Linda jumped for joy.

“instead.”

“instead?

“If you poison our food or don’t listen to me, I know there will be no next time. Do you understand?”

“Ugh… … .”

As soon as I let go of the blanket, Linda, who had become exhausted, answered me while timidly grabbing the hem of my clothes and shaking them.

“Okay, devil. Don’t be angry.”

Shushuruta teased Linda like that.

“Ahahaha! Good luck. I’ll go and enjoy the festival with Ashvan.”

“you also.”

“huh?”

“You too, watch over Linda so she doesn’t do anything stupid.”

“What, what?”

Shushuruta glared at him as if he had been betrayed by an ally he had trusted.

“Besides, what if the assassins come? Since you have good ears, stay.”

With Sir Curtis out of the picture, Linda’s care naturally fell to Shushuruta.

Because the only person who could control Linda at the moment was Shushuruta.

The thieving cat rebelled.

“Why me! I want to watch the festival with you too!”

“Swoop.”

“Me too festival-”

“Swoop.”

“… … .”

As we sent the obedient puppy and the disobedient cat towards the Black Prince, this time Walpole, who was standing next to us, spoke.

“Then I will take you two and go.”

Walpole was taken by the Earl.

“Kyung-eun, look at me. I have something I need you to do.”

“Yes? Me?”

“Then. That’s something only you can do.”

“No, how could that happen… … .”

The earl winked at me as he led Lord Walpole away.

Before I knew it, only the Knight Commander was left by my side, looking around with a puzzled expression.

‘… … Like that matchmaker count.’

This gentleman is still like that even after coming all the way here.

Cheonma laughed quietly.

[Your expression is worth seeing.]

The Black Prince tore the black robe he was wearing and threw it at me, sorting out the situation.

“Okay, I understand. You guys follow me.”

“Ashvan… … .”

“Swoop.”

“… … .”

So the people followed the Black Prince out of the room, and the only ones left were Sir Ashley and I, who were just repeating “Yes? Yes?” with bewildered faces.

Oh, there was Bok-shil who was still obsessed with breakfast.

The guy was completely absorbed in his own world, regardless of who was around or what people were talking about.

I looked at Bok-sil, who was absorbed in the breakfast, and said with a black band around her eyes.

“Okay then. Shall we go?”

“yes?”

I placed one foot on the wide open window with my eyes closed.

“Let’s go see the festival.”

“No, why are you going through the window instead of the perfectly good door… .”

“It’s my heart.”

“yes?”

“This is romance.”

“… … No, that aside. It looks like you can’t see right now. It’s dangerous-”

“That’s a lot to say.”

Before she could say anything, I grabbed Sir Ashley’s arm and leaned out the window.

“Huh? Huh!”

As soon as we crossed the window sill, we lost our center of gravity and fell headlong out the window.

“Hahahaha!”

A refreshing breeze blew my hair wildly.

I was falling on my back into the wind pouring out the window while pulling her, and her face, naturally swept up in her fluttering blonde hair, came into view.

“Ugh, euaaaah!”

As Cheonma said, the expression on his face was quite something to see.