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n“Just in case something goes wrong, some of the royal guards and the 1st Knights must remain. However… ”

n“You mean that all the 2nd Knights and my knights must be dispatched.”

n“Yes. In addition, I plan to send all the knights of my family, too.”

n“I see. Then, you are probably the only one to stay here, Arkint.”

n“Well, the emperor would have wanted a loyal guy like you instead of someone like me who is recalcitrant. But you know there are other nobles watching the emperor’s action. Sorry, Kairan. I’m thinking of sending my son instead.”

nAccording to my father and Duke Lars, part of the 1st Imperial Knight, all of the 2nd Imperial Knights as well as all the private knights of the Duke Lars family and my family were mobilized. And my father and Duke Lars had to lead them.

nI was afraid that I might not be able to see my father for years in the worst case. What should I do if my father never returns? My anxiety grew more and more when I recalled my father from the past that he never returned despite his saying that he would return soon.

n‘Let’s not think about it, Aristia.’

nI shook my head slightly. I heard that unfortunate things would happen when I thought about ominous things. ‘But now is different from the past. Daddy will come back safely.’

n“Got it. I’m sorry to say this, but Arkint, please take care of my daughter while I’m not here. ”

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n“Your daughter?”

n“Yes. As she is smart, I think she can manage well, but she is still too young, as you know.

nSo, I hope you can come here and check if she needs any help.”

n“Not a problem,”

nMy father expressed thanks to Duke Lars by nodding and said, “Thank you. Can I ask you one more favor?”

n“Sure, go ahead.”

n“My daughter is learning fencing from me these days. She has just learned the basics, so she needs to keep practicing steadily. However, if all the knights here leave, there is no one to coach her. It will be difficult, but can you coach her sometimes? ”

n“Hmm, I don’t know if I can give her personal coaching. Well, how about asking my second child for that?”

n“You mean that child of yours who is called a genius of swordsmanship?”

n“I’m embarrassed to say so. Anyway, let me have him coach her, and sometimes let me coach together. How about it? My son has had more training than your daughter, so he can help your daughter in one way or another.”

nA genius of swordsmanship and Duke Lars’s second son: when I combined the two, one thing came to my mind. I remembered a man like him. He was a genius who had no rival when it came to swordsmanship. Unlike Allendis who is a genius in many respects, he only stood out in fencing. His name was Karsane de Lars.

nHe was the youngest knight ever in the empire who achieved an unprecedented fencing record. Men had their coming-of-age ceremony at 18, and a women at 16. He was officiated as a knight at the age of 18 when he came of age. I recalled there was some strong opinion that the successor of Duke Lars should be his second son Karsane instead of his eldest son, Sir Lars.

n‘Who eventually became his successor?’ I traced my memory, but I couldn’t recall.

n“Okay, then. Let’s do that.”

n“Good. Then, when are you leaving? ”

n“As it’s very urgent, I’m leaving as soon as I’m ready. I think I can leave tomorrow afternoon if I finish organizing the knights.”

n“I see. I might not see you off. Be careful! Do not worry about your daughter.”

n“Thank you. Then I think I should stop by the Imperial Palace. ”

n“Okay. Keiran, I have something to tell you for a moment. ”

n“Let me leave now, sir,” I said and quickly got up.

nSir Lars who came out of the office with me turned and greeted me.

n“It’s been a while, Tia.”

n“Yeah, we haven’t seen each other for a long time, Sir Lars. ”

n“By the way, I hear you are learning fencing?”

n“Yes, but I’m only a beginner now.”

n“I see. You must have a lot of hard training.”

nI smiled slightly at his remarks. I only started it recently, and I would not have told my father to teach me if I had thought it was too tough for me.

nI said goodbye to him and turned, but something suddenly came to my mind.

nI looked back at him and said, “By the way, Sir Lars.”

n“Yes, go ahead.”

n“Can you tell me about your brother?”

n“… ”

nSir Lars didn’t reply. Did I make a mistake by asking about his brother? I felt he was estranged from his brother as they competed over who should succeed his father. Discovering I made a mistake, I hurriedly tried to apologize, but Sir Lars opened his mouth first, “Well, to be honest with you, he is not a bad guy once you get to know him.”

n“… If you know, you are not a bad guy. Ah, sir. ”

nI tilted my head, watching him greeting my father. Did he say his brother was not a bad guy when I got to know him? I felt uncomfortable, but I couldn’t hold him as he had to help my father.

n“Then, please take care until I see you again.”

n“Thank you. I hope that you will return safely after completing the mission. Take care, daddy.”

n“Sure. I think I’m going to be a little late today, so go to bed first. Sir Lars, let’s go.”

nHaving said that, my father turned right away. Maybe he won’t come back today because it will take a long time for him to determine the number and list of the knights to send to each estate.

nAfter saying goodbye to him, I changed into a training outfit and headed to the training field.

nIn order not to disturb the training of other knights as much as possible, I looked for a place with few knights. I noticed shiny green hair in one corner of the training field.

n“Allendis?”

nI wanted to call him again, but didn’t. His tight lips, serious eyes and his disciplined posture. I’ve never seen him focusing on training like that over the past two years.

nWhile I was debating whether or not to bother his training, something flashed through my mind.

nWho is going to coach his fencing? My father asked the duke to coach me only, but he didn’t mention anything about Allendis.

n“Aristia? When did you come?”

n“Oh, I just got here.” I think I was lost in thought. I didn’t know Allendis had finished training and looked at me.

n“What happened? You don’t come here around this time. ”

n“Well, I came back because I had something to tell you. ”

n“Really?

n“I hear Duke Lars stopped by here. You already heard something from him, right?”

nWhen I saw Allendis, who smiled bitterly, I guess what he was going to say.

n“Are you leaving, too?”

n“Yes, that’s what I heard.”

n“I see.”

n“Maybe your father is leaving, too?”

n“Yes, with the knights here,” Allendis said with a worried expression.

n“Then, you will be left alone here. Are you going to be okay, Aristia? ”

n“I’m alright. As one of the nobles of the empire, I have to do what I’m supposed to.”

n“Nonetheless…”

n“I’m really okay. Hummm… would you like to go for dinner? If we part today, you won’t see me for a while. ”

n“Sure, I do. Thanks for inviting me.”

n‘Did you notice my intention to change the topic?’ Allendis gladly accepted my invitation.

n“Is this the first time we have had a meal together? You always have meals with your father.”

n“Oh, you’re right.”

n“Is he busy?”

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n“Yes, he said he had to leave as soon as possible. He said he was going to organize the formation of the knights today.”

n“I see. If that’s the case, I have to leave even without greeting him.”

nI nodded slightly and replied, “Let me convey your message to him.”

n“Thanks, Aristia. Ah, this is delicious. I feel it every time, but your family chef is really skillful.”

n“Really? He would love it very much. Let me convey your praise to him.”

n“Great. It looks like I am not popular in your family. I need to score brownie points.”

nI wanted to deny it, but I couldn’t when I recalled what Sir League told me the other day.

nAfter he smiled awkwardly, he said, “Okay. All I want is that you don’t like me. That’s it.”

n“Oh, of course I won’t.”

n“I’m glad to hear that. By the way, Aristia, why don’t you ask me where I’m going?”

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