After finishing the barbecue, Betty's companions returned to the camp, so she said her goodbyes to Ron and Nora.
Ron glanced in the direction of her friends and noticed that Soren wasn't among them.
Who knew where that guy had run off to again—
Probably off "fighting" somewhere in the wilderness.
"Your Highness Ron," a soldier approached the tent and saluted. "The First Prince is hosting a bonfire party in the clearing beside the camp and has invited you to attend."
Looking in the direction the soldier had come from, Ron could indeed see flickering firelight through the camp, along with the faint sound of music.
"Got it. I'll head over shortly."
As Ron led Nora in that direction, she tilted her head curiously. "Boss, what's a bonfire party?"
Having grown up wandering, Nora clearly found the idea of a "bonfire + party" a bit strange.
"It's basically dancing around a fire," Ron explained casually. "Kind of like the Winter Food Festival banquet, just more relaxed."
If the daytime hunt was an opportunity for nobles to get to know the Spring Martial Tournament participants, then the evening bonfire party was when relationships were solidified.
It was no different from courting.
The daytime hunt was like a date, and the evening bonfire was like a confession—more or less the same idea.
The two left the camp, passed through a patch of shrubs, and arrived at an open clearing.
It was already packed with people.
At the center stood a bonfire as tall as a person, blazing brightly.
The warm yellow and fiery red glow illuminated every face, creating an intense atmosphere unique to outdoor bonfires.
Some nobles skilled with instruments played lively dance music, and the crowd cheered as people invited nearby ladies to dance around the fire.
As one of the few forms of entertainment available to human armies before the founding of the empire, bonfire gatherings had a long history.
Though less frequent after the empire was established, they remained an essential part of the spring hunt.
Even those who didn't dance clapped and cheered from the sidelines.
Of course, recruitment efforts were also happening at the same time.
If the target happened to be of the opposite sex, inviting them to dance was an easy way to show friendliness and win people over.
Ron had no such intentions. He simply danced with Nora by the fire and, after enjoying themselves, moved to the outskirts to eat more barbecue.
As the night went on, nearly everyone from the temporary camp gathered there.
Naturally, some sparks flew—leading a few people to sneak off into the woods together.
Partway through, someone approached Ron and said the First Prince wished to speak with him privately.
Ron asked Nora to stay with Betty and the others, then followed the man to a large rock not far from the clearing.
There, the First Prince Eil, Wardson, and several of the most prominent nobles at the spring hunt sat together casually, drinking and chatting.
This was the elite circle among the nobility.
In the past, Ron wouldn't have had the qualifications to join them—
Even as the Seventh Prince.
But things were different now.
As the Chosen One of the Goddess of Harvest — Hervesta, he held influence through the church.
Through his flower shop and its unique plants, he had formed benefit ties with various factions—and notably, he controlled the supply.
That gave him the standing to enter this circle.
Even if he personally didn't care much about it.
"Ron, have a seat," Eil beckoned, personally pouring him a drink. "We were just talking about you with Wardson."
Eil was already in his thirties—older than everyone present—and as the First Prince, he naturally led the conversation.
Ron didn't feel any pressure. He had nothing to ask of these people. Taking the cup, he sat cross-legged and replied casually, "Talking about what?"
"This, of course." Wardson pointed to a metal box in front of him, inside which lay a deck of Element Cards. "Your Highness Ron, as of now, I hold the highest points in the Silver-tier competitive matches."
Hearing this, Ron immediately perked up.
Ignoring the others' gazes, he took out his own deck and gestured. "Want a game?"
Eil smiled lightly, unbothered. "I've heard of Element Cards in the Royal Capital recently, but this is my first time seeing them played up close."
So Ron and Wardson began a match with no suspense whatsoever.
With Wardson deliberately going easy, Ron cleanly secured a defeat.
After losing two games in a row, Ron put away his cards and shamelessly said, "Let's make it best of five. We'll play the remaining three later."
Everyone chuckled, and the atmosphere immediately lightened.
"Ron, I hear you've opened a magic battle arena specifically for this kind of magic dueling?" Eil asked casually after taking a sip of wine.
"Just a small project. I thought it was interesting, so I did it," Ron replied with a shrug.
As if hinting at something, Eil continued, "I've heard magic dueling is quite popular among both nobles and commoners. Some people are even offering dozens of gold coins just to buy a limited-edition card?"
Ron paused, wondering if this was about the Elementia Special Edition.
He hadn't expected people to actually pay such high prices.
"It's naturally a good thing that Element Cards are well received," Ron replied simply.
"And I hear you're planning to host a large-scale tournament?" Eil pressed.
"More or less." Since he would be pushing it forward soon anyway, Ron didn't bother hiding it. "Gathering people with a shared interest for competition—it's quite enjoyable, isn't it?"
"It is," Eil said. Then his tone shifted slightly. "So building a private experimental area outside the City of Chaos… was that also for enjoyment?"
The atmosphere subtly stiffened.
Ron had expected this topic to surface. His expression didn't change as he nodded. "Enjoyment is only part of it."
"A mage I'm close with wanted to establish a lab for research. His project is quite interesting, so I invested."
Eil chuckled softly and didn't press further, smoothly changing the subject.
But that brief exchange made Ron realize something.
Watching the First Prince's calm and composed demeanor as he chatted with the others, Ron fell into thought.
Even after the bonfire ended and he lay in the tent holding Nora as they slept, he kept pondering the deeper meaning behind Eil's words.
Then, at noon the next day, more bad news arrived from the Royal Capital Magic Academy.
"Your Eminence Ron, that Professor Melken gave a school-wide speech this morning and spent a significant portion criticizing your Element Card magic dueling."
"He claimed that magic dueling corrupts students' thinking, takes up their study time, and harms their prospects."
"The matter has now spread throughout the academy, and even the Royal Capital First Military Academy next door has been affected."
"It's also beginning to spread into other circles within the Royal Capital, with many people already responding."
"This may hurt you."
As Sylvie delivered the report through the puppet, Ron immediately recalled his conversation with the First Prince the night before.
Could this have been Eil subtly warning him from behind the scenes?
Or had Eil heard something in advance and used that conversation to caution him?
Rubbing his forehead, Ron couldn't help but think how much simpler things would be if people were just more straightforward.
"Help me contact the Dean of Studies at the Royal Capital Magic Academy. Arrange a meeting this afternoon."
"This afternoon?" Sylvie hesitated. "Your Eminence, wouldn't it be somewhat inappropriate to meet him using a puppet body?"
"Of course not," Ron smiled. "I'll be back by this afternoon."