"Lord David, Videns, as a hunter who fell into darkness, already exceeded the guild's tolerance limits. We've investigated his hostile actions toward you. You killing him is perfectly justified."
Before David could say anything, McKinley continued explaining: "I must clarify something for you. What Videns did doesn't represent the hunters' guild's attitude. You should know, Videns came from the imperial capital's Church, and the Church side has long been very dissatisfied with your father's position..."
David raised an eyebrow, thinking sure enough...
Hunter Videns targeting David Frank—the fundamental reason lay with the Viscount. As a border noble, Viscount Hein Frank had always wavered between the Empire's two factions.
The Church and imperial capital forces as conservatives, versus the radicals represented by a large number of border nobles with real power, had always been at odds on various issues.
Especially now that the Goliath Empire's Emperor was getting on in years, the struggle for imperial power had intensified among several princes. The conflict between the two factions had been pulled into another dimension by the princes.
Against this backdrop, as part of the border nobility and controlling significant military forces, Viscount Hein Frank still hadn't chosen his position. This would undoubtedly anger certain figures in the power vortex.
McKinley had clearly pointed out that Videns was sent by the capital side to deal with Viscount Frank and his heir. But in David's view, it was completely the opposite.
Killing the Viscount's only son would just push the enraged Viscount toward the enemy's formation. Those nobles in the capital would never do something so stupid...
McKinley had originally thought that by dumping the blame on the conservatives, David would immediately fly into a rage and point his spear at the capital. But in fact, it took him only one second to figure out the truth.
Fourth Prince Roland, the highest representative of the radicals, whose fief was also in the southern border and who had extremely high prestige among border nobles and the hunters' guild.
He was the biggest suspect for making moves against David Frank.
"I heard that Prince Roland has recently been courting border nobles in Green City. Shame my father didn't accept His Highness's invitation." David said with a smile.
McKinley's expression changed slightly. He'd been trying not to bring His Highness into the conversation, but the other party had pulled him out with a single pointed remark...
"Indeed... very unfortunate." The old man didn't quite know how to respond.
But David suddenly changed tack and started kissing up to the Fourth Prince instead.
"In my view, His Highness is indeed someone we border nobles should support. My father must have gone senile to refuse the olive branch His Highness extended. But me, I'm very much looking forward to meeting His Highness..."
"Uh, this..." McKinley's mouth twitched.
"I'll show His Highness my sincerity. Prince Roland will definitely seek justice for me. The hunters' guild will also continue to protect my Frank family, right?"
Protect you? You need protection?
The old hunter took a slow breath and nodded. "I'll convey that for you... Don't worry, Lord David. That kind of thing won't happen again."
In fact, the reason they'd dragged it out for a year before finding David was because they discovered that Videns's assassination hadn't caused any change in Hein Frank's position.
His Highness had given the old hunter two choices—either quietly kill David and completely inflame the conflict.
But McKinley found he simply couldn't do it, so he chose the other way: ease the conflict between both sides.
Prince Roland was about to return to the capital. He didn't want to leave a hidden danger with an unclear attitude at the border.
But now the situation seemed to have changed. David Frank was being surprisingly cooperative. He even wanted to make contact with the prince on his own initiative. Did this mean...
McKinley thought his trip hadn't been in vain. He ended the fairly pleasant conversation with David and left the small chapel.
"Three days from now is your coming-of-age ceremony. I offer my congratulations in advance. May you meet the person you wish to see at the banquet."
David put on his hat, satisfied as he watched the old hunter leave.
In three days, he'd be an adult. He'd been in this world for a year without realizing it. This year tortured by the evil spirits' curse had been incredibly agonizing.
But after a year of growth and preparation, he finally had the confidence to step out of Viscount Frank's territory and stride boldly into this world...
...
Under the dusk, a grand banquet was being held in Frank Castle to celebrate Young Master David officially coming of age.
David had returned to the castle the day before. After his father, Viscount Hein Frank, received him in the study, he told him in a cold tone that he had to choose a fiancée he liked at tomorrow's banquet...
This wasn't asking his opinion. This was just a notification.
Clearly, His Lordship the Viscount just treated David Frank, this "hopeless" son, as a tool for continuing the family line.
If Hein Frank hadn't lost his fertility in combat injuries years ago, he definitely wouldn't have only one son in David.
David had no opinion on this and didn't take it to heart at all.
On the day of his coming-of-age ceremony, though his uncontrollable gaze kept lingering on various young ladies, the person he really cared about was only one.
The Fourth Prince, His Highness Roland.
Sure enough, he appeared at the Viscount's castle.
Hein Frank still received Prince Roland with a lukewarm attitude, but Roland's etiquette toward the Viscount was impeccable.
Honestly, Roland was a prince with excellent personal charisma. The royal family's signature golden hair, deep blue eyes, slender build, handsome face, gentle temperament—like a white prince from a fairy tale. He maintained a courteous smile with everyone, without any royal airs.
Even when a clumsy servant knocked over a wine glass in front of him, he showed no anger. Excellent temper.
This gave David a very good first impression of him... if he wasn't faking it.
When the Earl's daughter whom his father had practically designated as David's fiancée—Shirley Gustaf—found David, he gently pushed this young lady with her reserved smile aside without even looking at her once.
David walked toward the Fourth Prince standing at the garden entrance under Shirley's astonished gaze. The other seemed to have been waiting for him already, showing him a warm smile.
"Could it be... that legendary scoundrel David Frank who likes bullying men and women doesn't like women?"
Shirley hadn't recognized the low-key prince in the dim environment. She just saw David ignoring her, a young and beautiful girl, to walk toward a man instead.
"This is really... kind of explosive..." Miss Shirley's gossip soul suddenly blazed. "No wonder this guy's been messing around for so many years without any rumors of illegitimate children..."
She wanted to follow the two men entering the garden but was suddenly stopped by others and pulled into a social circle of other girls. When she looked back at the garden, David's figure was already gone.
...
"David Frank, you've impressed me."
"Prince Roland, your courage, your character, commands my respect."
David and Prince Roland walked one after another, hands behind their backs, pacing through the garden maze. It was quiet and private all around, just the two of them.
David stared at the prince's completely unguarded nape, thinking that even if he made a move to take him out right here, probably no one could stop him.
That's why he admired Roland's courage. Knowing he was an extraordinary supernatural being, he still dared to meet him alone. Either he was genuinely stupid, or he was incredibly confident...
This posture, was it even tempting him to make a move?
He heard the prince walking ahead say: "In the rumors, David Frank is an absolute scumbag. Even if he died inexplicably one day, no one would shed a tear for him..."
David's expression didn't change. Anyway, that wasn't talking about him.
Roland turned around and saw his indifferent expression, nodding slightly. "Now it seems that's not quite the case... What changed you?"
"The threat from Your Highness, and the invasion of darkness." David replied with a smile.
Roland smiled too. Compared to David's gloomy smile with dark circles, the prince's smile was more refreshing.
"Looks like you know..."
"Yes, but that doesn't mean anything. I choose to join."
"Your father still hasn't made up his mind..."
"But I'm joining."
Both their thought processes seemed very jumpy. The conversation sounded inexplicable to outsiders, but right now both sides already understood each other's meaning.
At this, the prince showed a very curious smile.
"Actually, ever since Videns failed, I've been observing you this whole year..."