I Became a Mythical-Tier Tamer Due To A System Error

Chapter 23

Creak, creak.

An old gentleman pushed a serving cart as he walked down the luxurious corridor.

Every support of the cart gleamed golden.

The dishes on the shelves were covered with half-round iron food covers, making it impossible to know what food was inside.

Screech.

He stopped only when he reached the room.

Two soldiers blocked the door on either side.

The old gentleman opened his mouth toward the door.

“Here is the food ordered by Your Highness.”

“Bring it in.”

The moment a voice came from inside the room, the soldiers stepped aside.

The old gentleman pushed the cart inside.

In the splendid room where everything was decorated with luxury, the Princess Arlhardt sat waiting in a chair.

The old gentleman placed the requested meal on the table.

“Here is the food you ordered.”

“You’ve worked hard.”

The old gentleman bowed, then left while pulling the cart.

The Princess immediately locked the door and drew the curtains.

Whoosh!

Inside her room, the only source of light was the softly glowing candle.

She lifted the cover from the food that the old gentleman had delivered.

‘Quite a lot.’

Inside the dish were not food, but thick bundles of paper.

The Princess spread them across her desk and began reading them all.

At the top of the paper was written: ‘House of Count Dedenkman.’

‘So, it was hidden so carefully because of how important it is.’

Information about nobles was always considered top-class intel, but especially so for the Four Great Houses.

The Princess Arlhardt had skipped the duel spectating and was secretly investigating.

She had entrusted the task to her most reliable subordinates.

The information they gathered was always accurate and swift.

If there was even the smallest phrase related to the House of Dedenkman, they tracked it down without fail.

Currently, the Four Great Noble Houses of the Astrid Empire were as follows.

The House of Duke Finjer, the House of Duke Kuman, the House of Duke Forton, and the House of Count Dedenkman.

Among the Four Great Houses, only the Dedenkman Family held the title of Count, but they were also the only house playing a crucial role in the central political stage.

Their rank appeared lower, but the territory they governed was none other than the ‘Dedenkman Territory.’

At the southernmost tip of the Astrid Empire, it was a peninsula surrounded on three sides by the sea.

‘The Dedenkman Territory is the optimal route connecting one continent to another.’

By leveraging its geographical advantage, they held dominance over intercontinental trade.

Through that, they had devoured dozens of major merchant guilds, including the Maritime Trade Guild.

With the immense wealth they accumulated, they built military power rivaling that of the House of Duke Finjer.

‘On top of that, they maintained long-standing ties with the Royal Family, the House of Duke Kuman, and even the highest educational institution, Yggdrasil.’

Wealth, capability, connections.

Though only two steps lower in rank compared to a Duke, their faction was perfect in every way.

They were the only Count’s House capable of raising their voice as loudly as a Duke’s House.

‘Moreover, above all else, they were a family that valued ability.’

The old records revealed as much.

For ability alone, they had even gone as far as appointing an adopted son—who was not of their blood—as heir.

They were the only family to pass down power not by order of birth, but by excellence in ability.

‘In such a family that values ability, why would someone willingly present themselves as weak…?’

The second son of Dedenkman, Villed, had deliberately lost to Ren.

Villed had both the skill and the chance to display his strength.

He could have reached far higher positions than now.

Perhaps even the position of Dedenkman’s successor.

But he cast aside such sweetness and deliberately hid his ability?

‘…It makes sense that he would hide it.’

The Princess Arlhardt let out a short sigh.

She could understand Villed, as she too was in a similar position.

It was not difficult to find the answer.

There was only one reason.

‘To avoid purging.’

Swaaa.

Outside the glass, trees rustled in the wind.

The Princess listened to the sound, lost in thought.

Memories of nearly being assassinated.

Memories of being betrayed by a trusted friend.

Memories of receiving curses and resentment from the sister she had been closest to.

As those past events she wished to forget swept through her mind, the Princess Arlhardt slowly opened her eyes.

‘So that was the reason.’

Since ancient times, those who were exceptionally outstanding had often met an early end.

At the hands of those consumed by jealousy and envy.

The Princess Arlhardt picked up her pen and calmly organized her thoughts.

‘The second son Villed is hated by the eldest son Toledo.’

If one had ability, the second son could surpass the first son.

That was why he looked at his younger brother with resentment.

There was proof.

There was a secret record that Toledo had opposed Villed’s admission to Yggdrasil.

‘To protect his position, he must have been terrified of his younger brother’s growth.’

He even cut off all support simply because Villed had fallen out of favor with the Princess.

That, too, had been decided after Toledo persuaded the family head.

‘Not just the dormitory, but even the basics like tuition fees.’

Of course, if he failed to pay next semester’s tuition, he would be expelled.

It was nothing but a scheme to drive Villed out of school.

‘That was why he deliberately acted that way.’

Rather than revealing his strength and being purged, he chose to suffer humiliation before everyone and abandon the family’s support.

‘He tried to erase his own presence.’

That was the reason why he had deliberately lost to Ren.

There were a few bothersome points, but there was no answer other than this.

‘There are no problems in livestock shed management either, they say.’

Of course, she had also investigated the data regarding Villed.

‘Without raising any objection, he accepted the task of tending the shed as if it were natural.’

From what was heard, he was carrying out the work without issue, obediently.

If it had been another high-ranking noble, they would have rejected it in outrage or withdrawn from the academy.

It was puzzling that he obediently followed the punishment, contrary to the eccentric personality he had shown at the beginning of admission.

And that was not all.

Now he did not bully other cadets, and even when insulted, he behaved as meek as a lamb.

‘The same one who had once caused all sorts of trouble?’

Could it be that he had actually wished for this outcome?

‘Still a person wrapped in veils.’

The Princess now knew the reason why Villed hid his ability.

But regarding his reversed conduct, only questions remained.

‘I want to know more about him.’

Her curiosity had now turned into genuine interest.

“Hello.”

When I opened my eyes, what greeted me was not the unfamiliar ceiling but Lapin first.

‘Since when had she been here by my side?’

I wondered why this eccentric girl had been nursing me.

But seeing that the lamb was not in her arms, I could roughly guess.

‘So she was waiting for me to wake up to ask permission to bring the lamb?’

What other answer could there be?

I almost laughed in exasperation.

‘Anyway, it seems everything ended safely.’

Soft sensations pressed against my bedside and behind my back.

Just by looking around, it was obvious that this was a patient room in the medical center.

I had been moved here after losing consciousness from Ren’s strike.

I slowly raised my upper body and leaned back.

‘Dizzy.’

I still had not fully recovered.

My vision blurred for a moment as if struck by anemia.

Placing my hand on my forehead, I spoke.

“…How many days have I been lying here?”

“One day.”

One day, huh.

That much was a relief.

“Hey.”

My vision was gradually returning.

Removing my hand from my forehead, I met Lapin’s eyes.

“Can you bring me some boiled eggs?”

“Yes.”

She might have wondered why I was suddenly asking for eggs.

But Lapin only nodded obediently without question and left the room.

Once I saw that, I accessed the Animal Farm.

Popong.

Kkiik!

The ones looking at me through the screen.

I had not shown my face for a whole day.

Were they perhaps worried about their master?

Fwoooosh.

Judging from the flames shooting out on the screen, they were not worried at all but simply hungry.

‘So you’ve been starving for a whole day, huh, you little ones.’

I’ll feed you soon, so wait.

Thinking that, I lifted my head toward the ceiling.

‘When someone you always looked down on suddenly grows stronger than you, what must that feel like?’

It must have been a huge shock to the cadets.

The insignificant Ren, who had only used one attribute, had wielded the Light Attribute.

Now no one would be able to ignore Ren anymore.

‘But as for me, all I can do is grit my teeth and endure.’

From the start, Villed was just a disposable character who received no attention.

It was only natural.

‘…But where’s my weapon?’

I had already searched all over my side, but the Heart of Ilawne was nowhere to be found.

‘Did I lose it?’

So easily?

Could it have slipped away when I was carried here?

But that worry disappeared only when Lapin returned.

“Here.”

She handed me four boiled eggs and the Heart of Ilawne.

She had been keeping the weapon safe for me.

Only after putting the weapon back against my side could I breathe in relief.

‘…But what’s that?’

Beside the pillow lay an apple.

Just one.

“Did someone come here?”

“Um…”

Lapin stared at the ceiling deep in thought, then answered.

“A person with scary eyes came and left right away.”

So that’s what she called a fellow cadet.

At the very least, remember their name.

But I understood well enough who it was.

‘Who else but Nixie?’

I tossed the eggs into the Animal Farm and took a bite of the apple.

‘In the original story, this was supposed to go to Ren.’

After the duel ended, Nixie handed an apple to Ren, who was receiving treatment.

It was an apology for ignoring his resolve to become the greatest swordsman back at the beginning of enrollment.

‘Though the story had shifted a little.’

Only after recalling all the episodes could I feel relieved.

This single fruit was not something that would later serve as foreshadowing or carry great meaning.

‘I don’t know why she gave it, but eating it myself shouldn’t matter.’

Nixie must have witnessed with her own eyes that Ren had grown stronger.

Because of that, the episode would still remain intact.

Lapin watched me for a while, then finally opened her mouth.

“I saw the fight.”

It was a little unexpected.

This girl who had always preferred playing with the lamb instead of spectating had watched my duel?

“You said you don’t like watching fights.”

“A necessary fight.”

At those words, I paused briefly.

“I saw what it was.”

“What did it seem like?”

I casually bit into the apple again as I answered.

But Lapin’s eyes were serious.

“It was a fight to protect.”

“……”

I silently bit into the apple.

I did not press her by asking what exactly she thought I had protected.

“You gave it your all.”

Before I knew it, Lapin was standing.

Just like when she patted the animals in the livestock shed, her hand touched my head.

For a brief moment, time seemed to stop.

It was only a little, but a strange emotion stirred inside me.

‘As expected of a four-dimensional girl, unpredictable to the end.’

As I thought that, Lapin spoke again.

I wondered what else she might say.

“Then can I bring out the lamb now?”

I knew she was going to say that.

I spent one more day in the patient room.

The first-year duels, which had lasted for three days, had come to an end, and my body had completely recovered.

‘So, I’m free for now.’

I felt somewhat relieved.

There was quite some downtime until the next episode began.

‘Episode 4 isn’t even something I need to worry about.’

It was a sort of resting story.

It would be the tale that rewarded Ren, who had been fighting with all his life on the line.

‘If it’s him, he deserves the reward.’

Thanks to Ren’s greatly elevated status, all sorts of new people would get involved with him.

Regardless of gender, seniors and peers alike would start showing interest in Ren.

Because of that, the Princess’s jealousy and affection would both grow.

Numerous sponsors would attempt to sign contracts in order to support Ren.

Even Professor Ruber would show such interest that he would consider making Ren his direct disciple.

It would be a story where Ren would finally build the connections he had always lacked.

‘Yes, you go and enjoy meeting people.

As for me, I’ll just rest while tending the livestock shed.’

Now that I had experienced it myself, I understood.

Compared to being dragged into the duel episode and suffering all kinds of hardships, maybe the livestock shed work was better.

‘There won’t be anything as busy as the duel episode from now on.’

Yes, this time was just an exception.

I sincerely hoped so.

‘Perhaps it’s fortunate that I became Villed, who escaped the story early on.’

Anyway, from now on, I would spend my time in my own way.

After finishing the simple livestock shed tasks, I lay down on the hammock with a refreshed heart.

The weather was peaceful and pleasant, so I thought I might as well take a nap.

Ddan ddan dararan!

My eyes shot open at the sudden sound.

I hadn’t even accessed the Animal Farm, yet a voice came through.

Now it was even turning on by itself?

‘This damn bug never ends.’

I wondered if it was another error, so I opened a screen in the air.

And there I found something unexpected.

A gift has arrived at the Animal Farm!

Quickly check your gift box!

‘…A gift?’

On the screen was a pink gift box.

A sparkle lit up in my blinking eyes.

The so-called reward for effort,

It seemed I would be receiving one too.