Istaltin
Istaltin was a nation of scholars and saint law practitioners. After the Star Knight Istradim Seta founded the Setra Church in Solemnute, she ventured south to share her knowledge with the wider world, and her disciples established the kingdom in her wake. As a result, they acknowledged Solemnute's Setra Church and recognized their roots there. However, the nation leaned heavily toward academia and saint law to an extreme degree. The indigenous people who originally inhabited the region despised war, setting it apart from knightly Solemnute—earning it the title of the land of saint law users. The Istaltin royals bore the surname Seta because Istradim had become a foster mother to the disciples she gathered in the south. Thus, the people of Istaltin were amicable toward Solemnute, particularly the Setra Church, exchanging visits annually for academic research.
In any case, Ludenberg Lavante and Ashytara Solenute could only stare in bewilderment at the sudden arrival of Istaltin's royals. They had no idea how to handle foreign nobility who had appeared so abruptly.
"A pleasure to meet Istaltin's royals. I'm Ashytara Solenute. And this is Ludenberg Lavante."
But Ashytara quickly composed herself, introducing herself to the two and gesturing to Ludenberg beside her.
"Ah!"
The girl who had named herself Denetim Setta's eyes lit up.
"A pleasure to meet Solemnute's imperial family! I saw you in Solemnute Adem uniforms and figured you might know Bishop Nah Tes, but I never dreamed you'd be royalty! And Lavante! I've heard so much about Lavante—the bulwark guarding Solemnute!"
Her lively tone made her seem exceedingly cheerful.
"Ahaha, thank you..."
"Denetim."
"What, Tradiaan?"
"Don't be so forward. You're making them uncomfortable."
"Am I?"
Rebuked by Tradiaan, Denetim glanced up at Ashytara with a hint of unease.
"Oh, no, we're fine. But you're looking for Professor Nah?"
Ashytara shook her head slightly to signal it was okay, then turned the question back on them.
"Yes. We have something to discuss regarding academic research."
"Ah, right. Come to think of it, it's about time for the Setra Church's academic conference."
"Exactly! So, where is Professor Nah right now?"
"Well, probably in the faculty dorms. I heard her schedule's light today."
At Ludenberg's response, Denetim and Tradiaan's faces brightened instantly.
"If it wouldn't be too much trouble, could you perhaps guide us?"
Ashytara and Ludenberg exchanged a glance at Tradiaan's polite request, then nodded.
Finding Professor Nah Tes wasn't difficult. Ludenberg and Ashytara already had a good guess where she'd be. After all, aside from her personal training sessions, Nah stuck to her assigned space like glue. Even back at Solemnute Adem, she spent her days holed up in her research lab. And their hunch proved spot on.
Arriving at the faculty dorms—specifically Nah's combined research lab and quarters—the four of them easily heard her voice from within.
"Pardon the intrusion. Professor Nah, it's Ashytara."
"Come in!"
A clatter of noise echoed out. No need to see it; she was clearly tidying her chaotic room.
Ashytara opened the door without hesitation.
With a click, the door swung open. And there it was, as expected: papers and documents scattered everywhere. It hadn't even been that long since she'd moved in, yet the place was already a disaster. Just like her lab back at Solemnute Adem.
"Uh... um. Still the same as ever."
Tradiaan let out a hollow chuckle at the sight. Denetim shot her a knowing look, while Nah...
"...Huh?"
Professor Nah stared blankly at the sudden intrusion of Tradiaan and Denetim.
"Long time no see, Tradiaan, Denetim."
Nah addressed the two casually, suggesting a deep familiarity.
"Yeah. First time since last year's academic conference."
"Academic conference... yeah, it's that time again. You two prepping for it?"
"Of course."
"Oh ho. Something to look forward to, then?"
"You bet."
Tradiaan carried himself with quiet confidence.
"Good timing. The archbishop's coming this year too."
"You mean Archbishop Atan...?"
"Yep. All the Star Pilgrims are attending this time. Remember that ruin we found last time? We've uncovered a ton on it, so we're presenting at the conference."
"Ah, the one tied to the Starting Knight... You succeeded in investigating it? Wow... And with all the Star Pilgrims there, it'll be an incredibly rich academic event."
"Yeah. We had some unexpected help."
Nah smiled subtly at Tradiaan's admiration, while Ludenberg averted his gaze. He had a feeling things would get messy if she spilled the details. Once Tradiaan's story wrapped up, Denetim chimed in with her greeting.
"So happy to see you after so long, Bishop Nah!"
Denetim beamed innocently at Nah, who returned a warm smile.
"Me too. So, you here for the exchange tournament?"
"Yes! Aiming for the friendly match too!"
"Ah, the friendly match. Might be tough this year."
"Even that... Dalia person again?"
"Yep. Seia's teaming up with her."
"..."
Denetim's face fell flat in an instant. With those two, victory was a long shot.
"Have you two competed in the friendly match before?"
"Yeah. Last year was just out of curiosity. Seeing Solemnute take the win gave us chills."
Ludenberg and Ashytara nodded at Tradiaan's words. It was understandable—the prowess Dalia and Seia had shown was formidable.
"Not sure how it'll go this time, though."
"Huh? Why?"
"Abaran's here too. Their holy knight candidates are strong, and their priests... plenty capable. Hard to call a winner."
Nah answered Denetim's question, and at the mention of Abaran, Tradiaan and Denetim scowled in unison.
"Speaking of Abaran, that woman's here too. Eve Arcadia."
Denetim's innocent demeanor turned icy cold.
"...Yeah."
Nah sighed. She knew of the bad blood between Eve and the siblings.
"She loves tormenting people. Who knows how vicious she'll be in the friendly match... but we won't go down easy."
Tradiaan declared, and Denetim nodded firmly. As Ludenberg and Ashytara exchanged surprised glances at the unexpected venom toward Eve, a voice called from outside.
"Sis! It's me!"
It was Nadan Tes.
"Come in!"
With Nah's permission, Nadan entered. His massive build and bald head were as striking as ever, and his eyes widened at the four inside Nah's quarters.
"Huh? What're you two doing here?"
He addressed Tradiaan and Denetim directly.
"Nadan! Long time!"
The heavy mood lifted in a flash. Denetim especially lit up at the sight of him.
"Oh. Denetim, been good?"
His tone was surprisingly gentle—not the boisterous one he used with Ludenberg.
"Long time, Nadan."
Even Tradiaan was warmly familiar. They clearly had history.
"Man, what a racket. Came to talk to Sis about the academic conference."
"What're you presenting this time?"
"Paper on erosion beasts. Was my research material too... but I finished thanks to a certain brilliant friend."
"Brilliant friend?"
"Yup."
"Who? Erosion beast studies are tough—samples are scarce."
"Right there. That ashy pile of a guy. Knows erosion beasts inside out. Great friend. Best kind—the type who helps with research."
"Ah... wow. Erosion beasts aren't easy to study. Impressive!"
"Th-thanks."
"But Nadan, what's with 'ashy pile'? He's just handsome."
"Guy's got that burnt-ash vibe, all dull. Gotta be lively like me, Denetim. Not all stiff and taciturn."
"You're the hyper one, Nadan."
"Hey now."
"Enough fooling around. Anyway, Ludenberg, Ashytara—thanks for escorting them. These two are hopeless with directions; they'd be lost without help."
Nah began sorting the cluttered room as she watched them banter.
"We're not lost types!"
Denetim pouted, earning a half-mocking grin from Nah.
"Lost ones always deny it."
"Ugh!"
"Haha, kidding, kidding. Anyway, we need to talk conference stuff privately. Mind stepping out?"
"Sure. We'll head off then."
"Thanks for the guide! Tradiaan! Say thanks too!"
"Appreciate the escort."
"See you later."
Smiling at the pair, Ashytara led Ludenberg out of Nah's quarters.
"Whew, that was hectic."
"Yeah. I knew Setra Church and Istaltin were close, but not this close."
"True. And the academic conference... events just keep piling up."
"Academic conference—the one led by Setra Church and Istaltin?"
"Yeah. Not sure on details, but I hear Solemnute Adem sends students to observe when it's time. Lots of intriguing topics."
Ashytara nodded at Ludenberg's question.
"Got it."
"Anyway, we've burned time... shall we head back and train?"
"Sounds good."
As the two turned to go—
"Finally found you. Long time no see, Princess Ashytara."
A voice Ashytara didn't want to hear rang in her ears. Her neck creaked as she turned. And there, in her vision, stood the one person she absolutely didn't want to face.
Eve Arcadia.
She gazed at Ashytara and Ludenberg with an innocent smile playing on her lips.