【Dimiret】A wild prince's courtship in nine steps

Although Gargul Mach was their base of operations, it was not uncommon for Beret and his Leo students to leave the monastery to deal with local problems: from hunting down bandits to dealing with warcraft.The Empire isn't the only source of trouble.

When they need to travel long distances, they will camp in the wild.It's kind of nostalgic: people automatically split into groups and do their jobs, like back in the days of cadet school.

Sylvain and Felix will search for firewood and be on the lookout for enemies that may be hiding in the shadows.Ingrid will do some scouting from the sky, overlooking the camp from her pegasus.Janet and Mercedes tended to the wounded, or laid bedding for sleeping.While Du Du was collecting ingredients and herbs, Ash started to light a fire and cook.Beret is usually in charge of hunting, bringing his prey back to the camp, skinning it and handing it over to Ash.

Fresh food is often helpful for morale, but there is always something that makes them hard to swallow.But having something to eat is better than nothing, and now is not the time to pick and choose.Even better, Beret is an excellent hunter.

Dimitri stood aside, still vigilantly examining the camp and its surrounding areas.His body was often covered with wounds and blood from the battle—sometimes his own blood, sometimes that of the enemy.Du Du, Beret and Yaxiu would sometimes boldly offer him some food, but he reluctantly accepted it, swallowing it in three mouthfuls.

But today is not right.When everyone was about to set up camp, Dimitri disappeared.Du Du quickly realized that he planned to go to his lord, but Beret put a hand on his shoulder and signaled him not to go.

"He'll be back," Beret said firmly.The Lord's Shield chose to trust the teacher's judgment and nodded.However, if his Highness still did not return after nightfall, he would still look for him.The teacher understands this too and will likely go with it.

Beret was about to go hunting, but a branch suddenly snapped nearby caught his attention.His eyes moved from the bow and arrow in hand to the depths of the forest: something was approaching, perhaps a dangerous giant.He pressed his sword.

The leaves were divided to the sides, revealing the figure of Dimitri.He was carrying something as if he was nothing, and there were no obvious wounds on his body.In just five steps he walked through the forest to the camp and stood before his teacher.On his shoulder was a wild boar with a broken neck, apparently just killed.

"For you."

The wild boar landed at Beret's feet, making a loud noise, and the ground seemed to shake.Beret reckoned that this wild boar weighed at least a hundred kilograms, more than enough to fill everyone's stomachs, and seemed to be able to save some for tomorrow's rations.

The camp was silent and no one moved. "Thank you," Barrett finally replied curtly.

Dimitri nodded, and then retreated to the edge of the camp as usual, a position that was close or far from everyone.He was looking at Beret, or maybe he was looking at the wild boar he brought?Beret put down his bow and arrow, picked up a hunting knife, and seized the time to start skinning.

There were whispers behind him."What the hell is going on here?" Sylvan yelled, while Yanette and Mercedes talked in low voices.

Dimitri brought back a wild boar, miraculous but true.In the past, their princely highness was always more keen on the battlefield than camping.While that's not bad, his willingness to help everyone now is a step up.

Beret had no time to think about it, he knew that Dimitri would break free from that darkness.As long as he needs it, Beret will reach out to him without hesitation and lead him to the light.

But he was a little happy to see Dimitri start trying to do something for everyone.

It was Beret who brought the food to Dimitri that night.It was a stew full of fragrance, and the cooked pork melted in the mouth.Dimitri took it without saying a word.

Beret looked at Dimitri, speculated on his thoughts, and then sat beside him.Dimitri froze, and it took him a while to relax a little.Berrett took it as a license, and began to eat his share.This is no different from their previous way of getting along, just staying side by side in silence.But Barrett could sense that something was changing.

The next day, Dimitri brought back elk.

When everyone decided to camp, His Royal Highness disappeared again.This time everyone noticed it and had their own thoughts about it: he might be hunting again.

"Can't even the battlefield satisfy that boar?" Felix commented.

is that so?Beret thought about it, and then remembered Dimitri's words yesterday - "for you".It was a sentence that did not imply any killing or bloodthirsty, and was merely intended to help, which was obviously a good thing.

Nearly an hour later, Dimitri returned unscathed with an elk on his shoulders.The way he tracked, hunted and brought back this prey on his own is admirable.The deer was small for his herd, young perhaps, but more than necessary for everyone.

Beret couldn't bear to tell Dimitri that the boar meat yesterday was enough to support them back to the monastery.Dimitri isn't smiling (he doesn't smile much now), but there's something like a sparkle in his eye, kind of like... pride?

Just like yesterday, Dimitri walked up to Beret with his prey again.Beret held the hunting knife still in the scabbard—it was better not to draw the weapon in front of Dimitri.

"For you." Just like the wild boar, the elk landed on the ground with a loud noise.

"Thank you." Beret replied again.

The rest of the Blue Lions class were already chatting excitedly in low tones.