Chapter 29: Bragging

News of Prince His Highness's triumphant return spread through the town in an instant.

All morning, the townspeople had been gossiping about the gruesome murder case that had occurred in the village.

When they heard that the Prince had actually believed the words of that drunkard, they thought at the time that the Prince might truly have gone mad.

How could there be a rat that stood upright? And not only did it steal things, but it had also killed a person and kidnapped a child.

The townspeople had chatted about it all morning, convinced that someone must be disguising themselves.

They were even waiting to see the Prince make a fool of himself.

As it turned out, in less than half a day, the party had returned, bringing news of victory.

So many people had seen that massive rat head and the captive white rat; this time, they had no choice but to believe it.

After all, the town was small, and most of its residents were the families of knights and soldiers.

Since Karna had not stopped them from recounting their experiences, the soldiers and the few hunters began to boast as soon as they returned to the town.

In an era with almost no entertainment, the experience of following the Prince today was enough for them to brag about for a lifetime.

"Haha, you should have seen it! The forest was pitch black, and there were traps everywhere.

His Highness took an interest in me immediately and sent me to scout. As soon as I entered the forest, I caught that rat.

You know, I used to hunt in that forest all the time; going back there is like going home."

George was boasting to the townspeople in the small square.

An old hunter who had accompanied them walked past, glanced at George, and remarked snidely, "You almost fell into a trap at your own home?"

The townspeople instantly understood the situation.

"Hahaha, so little George's house has prey!"

"Maybe I should set a trap in front of George's door tomorrow; maybe I'll get a bite of meat out of it."

"And then what? Did you step in it?"

George, who was in the middle of boasting, gave the hunter a helpless look. It was one thing to interrupt his bragging, but to expose his secret was another.

"Alright, alright, I did almost step into a trap, but I was acting in good faith; I was just trying to scout. Who knew those rats were so clever?

Can you imagine? Those rats dig traps, and they dig them very covertly—the traps are extremely vicious.

It was by a hair's breadth, otherwise, you might be calling me Limping George or Dead Man George from now on."

To be honest, even thinking back on it now, George felt a lingering fear.

A young child looked at George and said in confusion, "But you weren't injured, and you don't have the armor like those knights."

"Hmph." George suddenly looked a bit smug.

"That's because His Highness saved me! He knew there were traps in that forest long ago, and he knew how to avoid them.

He deliberately let that last remaining rat go so that we could follow it. That way, we could avoid the traps—after all, those rats wouldn't step into their own traps, would they?"

Since his attempt to boast about himself had failed, he would boast about the Prince instead. If he could follow the Prince, didn't that mean he was also quite capable?

George couldn't help but think this way.

"So clever! As expected of a Prince."

George continued his boasting: "And His Highness's archery is incredible. It's the first time I've seen someone with such skill; he's even better than I am.

In the forest, about twenty or thirty meters away, there was a rat that big, moving fast and scurrying everywhere.

His Highness took the bow from my hands, took a shot, and actually pierced right through the rat's head!

He used this bow—my bow!"

As he spoke, George brandished the bow on his back boastfully.

A few children crowded around wanting to touch it, but George chased them away. This was a treasure; he couldn't let these kids break it. He had to find a way to treat this bow as a sacred object.

He had even secretly pulled out the arrow that had pierced the rat's head and preserved it carefully.

Some of the soldiers who had fought alongside them also crowded around to boast, and many people began chatting there.

They spoke of how the Prince was wise and heroic, how he was unpretentious and easy to get along with, and how he was extremely learned.

"To be honest, this is a bit different from what I imagined," Lian said, looking at the crowd gathering in the square from a distance.

Beside him, Kecha nodded in agreement, while Blake stood there somewhat dazed, lost in thought.

"I thought the Fourth Prince was just an ordinary noble. I didn't expect him to be so formidable."

The three of them had been ordered by the Count to follow the Prince to ensure his safety and to keep an eye on him, lest he behave excessively in the town.

The three had only occasionally heard rumors about the Princes in the Royal Capital; they didn't have much of an impression of Karna.

Upon hearing the Count's command, they had assumed the Prince was some kind of noble playboy—they had seen plenty of those, even within Count territories.

But today's battle against the rats in the forest had completely changed their perception of the Fourth Prince.

They felt he was a true noble who had been carefully cultivated.

...

In Karna's resting courtyard.

"Auntie Sheena, please tidy up that empty room on the right for Miss Popot to stay in."

The woman addressed as Auntie Sheena was currently very nervous. Her eyes darted around, occasionally glancing at Popot by Karna's leg.

Even if a large white rat standing upright didn't look hideous, it was still far too stimulating for a woman who lived only in a small town.

"Don't be nervous, she is a civilized Ratfolk."

Popot also gave a slight bow: "Good day, Madam."

"You... you too, Miss," Auntie Sheena said stammery.

She hurriedly excused herself to go tidy the room.

Popot let out a helpless sigh.

Karna walked into the hall, found a chair, sat down, and rubbed his temples.

Aliris sat down beside him as well.

Karna looked at Popot. "Now, can we have a proper talk?"

Popot nodded and spoke directly: "Before I was captured, I was traveling on a merchant ship, recording the customs and history of various places.

The last merchant ship I was on was passing through a kingdom called Savro—your country.

However, it seems your country is somewhat... well, cautious. Foreign merchants are not allowed to leave port cities at will, let alone those of us who are clearly non-human races. We aren't even allowed to land at the ports; we can only stay on the ships."

It was evident that Popot felt some resentment while saying this.

Having traveled through many regions and countries, this was the first time she had encountered such an exclusionary nation.