Demon Prince 50.1

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Chapter 50.1. There Was Nothing, Probably

We are currently moving to the southern forest of Felmira to capture the Invisible Bird.

Traveling from the royal capital of Felmira to a southern town.

Since it is further away, Shanze-sama prepared a high-speed carriage.

The high-speed carriage uses not regular horses but three summoned, contract-bound Sleipnirs, horse-shaped magical beasts.

Sleipnirs have six legs each, and with three pulling, they are quite fast.

A distance that would take a day with a regular carriage is covered in about six hours.

"What an amazing carriage. Despite this speed, there’s almost no shaking."

"Indeed. Even people prone to motion sickness might be fine."

"Hehe, impressive, right? This carriage itself is a collection of expensive magical tools."

Upon further inquiry, it seems to be equipped with vibration suppression, air conditioning, soundproofing, anti-theft, and more.

Certainly, I can barely hear outside noises.

"Cornelia, what kind of place is the southern forest?"

"Yes, the southern forest is vast. The northern half belongs to Felmira’s territory, and the southern half to the magical nation of Grimmoir. However, there isn't a clearly visible boundary line, so hunting in the forest is freely allowed with a few exceptions."

"What are those exceptions?"

"Hunting unicorns and treants is prohibited. Unicorn horns are used for curse-dispelling medicines, but once a horn is taken, it never regrows, essentially leading to the unicorn’s death. Furthermore, unicorns are considered sacred by elves. If someone harms a unicorn, the elves will not remain silent. Treants are magical beasts but are also close to the fairy race, and their fruits serve as food for magical beasts. Reducing their numbers might drive magical beasts out of the forest. So hunting unicorns and treants is forbidden; both pose no harm."

So, there are unicorns in this forest.

I’d love to meet one.

"By the way, Shanze-sama, would you kindly stop now?"

"Oh, and why is that?"

"I don’t have a particular fondness for having my thighs played with."

For some reason, Shanze-sama has joined us.

Is her work okay?

"Then, where would you prefer I touch you?"

"Is not touching at all not an option? Also, what about your work? Coming with us... Plus, having knights as escorts makes this look quite significant."

A high-speed carriage drawn by Sleipnirs accompanied by ten knights on Sleipnirs.

If citizens saw, they’d surely wonder what was happening.

"Not touching isn’t an option~. I keep hoping Jun would visit since he can teleport anytime, but he never comes. Besides, even if we stand out now, it’ll quickly be forgotten as long as nothing happens after."

Is that how it works?

Perhaps they’re used to such things.

"Still, Jun, you’ve grown tall. You were already tall for your age when we first met, but you’ll be a handsome, tall adult at this rate. I’m looking forward to it~."

"Shanze-sama, my brother is already handsome."

"He’s bound to stay adorable, even as a tall, handsome man."

"Ah, true."

"""Hehehe."""

In my past life, I surpassed 180cm in high school, stopping around 183cm.

Currently, I’m growing similarly, so I’ll likely reach that height again.

As for being handsome... who knows~.

Even when I did reach that height, people would sometimes ask, “Are you an actress?” or “Are you a model?”

Though I trained to appear more masculine, my body wasn’t great at building muscle, so I only got comments like, “You’ve got a great figure.”

I want to be more manly!

"Anything else about the forest?"

"Well, strong magical beasts mainly inhabit the eastern part. But that doesn’t mean other regions are entirely free of them, so stay alert. If you have no reason to go, avoid the east."

"Additionally, help anyone in need or lost in the forest. Though it’s vast, elves don’t get lost there."

Elves from Grimmoir...

I might meet Sylvie’s acquaintances.

"It’s coming into view. That’s the forest."

"That’s it."

Compared to modern Earth, this would be the Colombia-Panama border.

But here, North and South America connect via a massive forest rather than something like the Panama Canal.

"It looks... ordinary, aside from its size."

"Indeed, I had a similar image as you, Jun."

"So did I."

"What kind of image?"

One would imagine a vast forest as a jungle.

Steamy, with creatures like anacondas and thick vines.

But this forest resembles something out of European folklore.

With an aura where a forest sprite might emerge by a spring.

Actually, this isn’t an ordinary forest.

"Let’s start searching."

"What does the Invisible Bird look like?"

"Yes, time for Yuuppedia."

"Yuuppedia? Well, okay."

In simple terms, the Invisible Bird resembles a white crow.

While crows are intelligent, the Invisible Bird is also a wise creature.

"How will you capture it?"

"I crafted this magic for it."

It’s a magical net that spreads out like a casting net.

It flies farther and spreads wider than an actual casting net.

I hope it works.

"I’ll combine it with flight magic."

"Creating original magic... impressive as always."

"It’s more of a technique using magical power than true magic."

It’s merely shaping released magical energy into a net.

Not much effort, really.

"Still, it’s remarkable. Let’s search."

We move carefully, ensuring no one gets separated in the forest.

"Such a beautiful forest."

"Yeah. A unicorn’s home... wouldn’t suit a jungle."

""Indeed.""

"A jungle?"

"Don’t mind me."

A unicorn wandering through a jungle doesn’t seem right.

Unicorns belong in a peaceful forest like this.

Though “peaceful” is relative, given the magical beasts here.

"Jun, over there—a white bird."

Lily is the first to spot the Invisible Bird.

Sharp eyes, as expected of a hunter.

"Alright, let’s give it a shot."

I fly higher than the Invisible Bird, releasing the magic net.

Yet, it evades the moment it leaves my hand.

"Ah, no good."

"It’s quick to escape. So wary."

Indeed.

Catching it won’t be easy.

After hours of attempts, our efforts are fruitless, just as feared.

"It’s getting dark. Let’s head back to the carriage and return via teleportation."

"Good idea. We still have time; let’s not push it today."

We return to the carriage and teleport back.

Starting tomorrow, we can directly teleport here, giving us more hunting time.

"For tonight, stay over. Lala, please prepare the rooms."

"As you wish."

Lala, Shanze-sama’s head maid, is a demon with tanned skin and silver hair, reminiscent of Noella.

"Everyone must be tired. Eat well and regain your strength."

"Thank you, Shanze-sama."

A welcoming party awaits us at Felmira’s castle.

It’s a standing buffet with former trainees invited too.

"Can Lily really join? Even lending her a dress?"

"Of course. Lily-dono is also our guest. Enjoy yourself."

Sebast, Noella, and Lily are attending.

Sebast remains in his usual butler attire, while Noella and Lily are in borrowed dresses.

It’s my first time seeing them in such outfits.

"You look great, Lily."

"Th-thank you, Jun."

She truly does, especially with that emphasis...

"You look lovely too, Noella."

"Thank you. But I’m not used to this outfit, so it feels a bit embarrassing."