**Chapter 116: Aftermath of the Festival**
Due to the tragedy that unfolded during the Royal Academy’s event—the Magic Hunt Festival—the academy has temporarily closed its doors. This year, an unprecedented number of casualties emerged among the students, and even faculty members and Student Council members who attempted to rescue them suffered losses. Although the first-year students had hardly any participants, some still mourned the loss of relatives and seniors with whom they had connections. Classes at the academy will not resume for at least a month, and the upcoming final exams have been canceled.
“Goodness, what a disaster this has turned into… I never imagined it would get this bad,” Viola lamented.
“Truly… I’m just relieved that Rest-sama wasn’t injured,” Primula added, her expression mirroring Viola’s concern.
In the townhouse of the House of Marquis Rosemary located in the royal capital, Viola and Primula sat on the sofa in the parlor, their faces clouded with worry.
“Indeed… I’m glad both of you are safe,” Rest agreed, seated between the two.
During the Magic Hunt Festival, Rest had been on the front lines as part of the rescue team, while the Rosemary Sisters handled logistical tasks at the rear. It was later revealed that when the stampede of monsters triggered by the Subnock occurred, the two had attempted to charge into the plains to find Rest, who had not returned. Had it not been for Celestine Crocus, the daughter of Duke Crocus, and Rest’s father, Albert Rosemary, stopping them, they would have surely faced grave danger.
“Please, don’t do anything so reckless again!” Viola pleaded.
“Exactly! Rest-sama is the fiancé of the House of Marquis Rosemary!” Primula chimed in.
“Yes… I’ll be more careful,” Rest replied, his spirits dampened by their scolding.
After reporting that he had fought and defeated the Lord of the Demon Territory, the Subnock, he had been met with both astonishment and a stern lecture. Facing a monster capable of annihilating entire armies alone was nothing short of suicidal. He had been scolded, berated, and even struck, leaving him in tears. There was nothing he could do but reflect on his actions, enduring the sisters’ reprimands and repeatedly apologizing.
“Hmm… If it was such an exciting event, I should have participated too!” a fourth voice chimed in.
The voice belonged to Yuri Cattleya, a friend from the same class, who expressed her regret.
“Ah… don’t misunderstand. I’m not saying that the loss of life was ‘exciting.’ I merely meant that there might have been something I could have done to help!” Yuri clarified.
“I know that… but if you had been there, the captain of the knights might have gone mad,” Rest replied.
Yuri was the daughter of Iljas Cattleya, the captain of the knights. Being the only daughter among many brothers, she was said to be excessively doted upon. To escape her father’s obsessive love, Yuri had run away and enrolled in the academy. During the closure, she was staying at the House of Marquis Rosemary, as her student dormitory had been temporarily shut down due to the incident.
“I didn’t participate because I heard my father would be attending as a guest, but I never expected such a commotion to occur. Rest, you fought the Lord of the Demon Territory, right? You must have been strong,” Yuri said.
“Unbelievably so… Honestly, I think it was a miracle that I won,” Rest admitted.
As expected of the Lord of the Demon Territory. Even the Subnock’s minions, the Corruption Beasts, were formidable, and without Lyubase’s assistance, things could have turned dire. The joy of achieving what no one had accomplished since the founding of the kingdom was overshadowed by the relief of having survived.
“If word spreads that Rest defeated the Lord of the Demon Territory, you’ll become a hero overnight. As your fiancée, I couldn’t be prouder,” Viola said with a smile.
“I’d love to say that’s true, but please, do refrain from such reckless actions in the future,” Primula added.
“I understand… I’m sorry,” Rest replied, lowering his head once more.
“Interesting, interesting… By the way, will there be any rewards from the royal family for defeating the Subnock?” Yuri inquired, her finger resting thoughtfully on her lips.
“You achieved a feat that no one else could. Surely, medals or monetary rewards wouldn’t suffice, but hasn’t the royal family said anything?” she pressed.
“About that…” Rest began to respond when a knock echoed from the parlor door.
“My lady, the daughter of Duke Crocus has arrived,” a maid announced.
“Let her in,” Viola instructed.
“Understood,” the maid replied, stepping back to usher in a new guest.
“Good day. It seems everyone is gathered here,” Celestine Crocus, the daughter of the Duke and the Prime Minister, entered the parlor.
With a graceful curtsey, her skirt elegantly lifted, Celestine smiled warmly at the group.
“As I mentioned in my earlier message… I have come today to convey something to Rest-sama regarding the rewards for defeating the Subnock.”