Founding Day Draws Near
Founding Day continued to approach relentlessly. Nothing out of the ordinary had happened in the meantime. Ludenberg simply repeated his daily spars with Ashytara or the imperial knights, meticulously checking his own skills.
Reinforcing the prowess he had already set on its path was, above all, the most crucial task.
He recalled his father's words from before Leonard had come to Solemnute.
'Just because the path has opened doesn't mean you should charge ahead blindly. It's important to look back on the road you've walked and confirm you're heading in the right direction.'
'...Is that so?'
'Yes. So don't stop reflecting on yourself. If you only stare ahead, you might not realize when you've gone wrong... and the path could close off entirely.'
'I'll keep that in mind, Father.'
'I trust you'll handle it well. Don't slack on your training even in the capital.'
'Yes. If possible, I plan to spar with the imperial knights. And Tarra too.'
'Good. I'll have my own duties in the capital, so prepare for the Festival of Glory on your own. You handle things well by yourself anyway.'
'Yes.'
Finishing the recollection, Ludenberg turned his gaze to the opponent before him. The spar had just concluded. He looked at Sir Tir Avent, who was panting heavily right in front of him.
"You've worked hard."
"This... you've become a complete monster. It's incomparable to last time."
"Thank you."
"What on earth did you do? It's astonishing, Young Duke Lavante."
Ludenberg was visiting the imperial palace not merely as a student, but as the young duke of Lavante.
"I just did as I always have."
Sir Tir Avent, seeing Ludenberg's skills after so long, was stunned by how utterly transformed they were.
'He's far superior to when he fought Sir Martin before. How did he improve so much in such a short time...?'
The other imperial knights watching from the sidelines felt the same. From Carmen onward, Maha, Sir Martin—all of them could only let out disbelieving laughs.
"Ha..."
"Young Duke Lavante. You're still a first-year, right? Honestly, you seem stronger than us."
"Carmen's right. He might even be on my level."
"...Does that make sense?"
"Why not? He's Duke Leonard's son. At that age, His Grace showed ridiculous skill too."
"True. It was practically legendary."
"Yeah. But do you know what's even more surprising?"
"What?"
"The young duke's current skill surpasses Duke Leonard at that age. Back then, His Grace could only handle high-grade erosion beasts."
"...He's amazing in every way."
"That's why I'm a bit disappointed. If the young duke had been granted divine power... well, history might have changed."
"I've thought that myself a few times."
Maha, watching intently, voiced the same sentiment.
"The Festival of Glory... barring any upsets, the young duke will probably win."
"I think so too. He's far stronger than the third-years at Solemnute Adem right now..."
"Even Dalia, the top third-year, lost to Ludenberg."
"Then this festival might be more boring than expected. It's like we already know the winner..."
"Even if the outcome's decided... there'll still be students who put up unexpected fights. We should watch for them this time."
"Well, watching the young duke will be entertaining in its own way."
"True enough."
While the imperial knights chatted, Ludenberg received a water flask from Ashytara.
"Good work."
"Ah, thanks. I'll drink up."
"Training done for today?"
"Yeah. Time to rest now."
"Wanna stroll around the city with me then?"
"Hm. Not a bad idea."
"Get ready and let's go."
"Sure."
Dalia gazed at Solemnute, which she was visiting after a long time, and couldn't help feeling nostalgic.
"It's really been ages since Solemnute..."
Unlike her last visit, many things had changed. Setting aside the few buildings that had been damaged and rebuilt, the city brimmed with even more vitality than before.
Perhaps people were trying to forget the raid on Solemnute a few months back.
With that thought, Dalia set off. She had come for the Festival of Glory, but also to meet someone.
Everywhere, people bustled preparing for Founding Day—the grandest event of any denomination.
She wove through the busy crowds.
"Ah. There it is. The Garden of Repose."
Solemnute's premier restaurant, the Garden of Repose. She headed straight there.
Upon entering, she verified her identity and went to her waiting companions.
"Welcome."
The short-haired blonde woman greeting Dalia with a hearty laugh looked her over.
"...Long time no see, senpai. Cut your hair short?"
There weren't many Dalia would call senpai. As Solemnute Adem's top senior, only two in school truly earned her sincere respect.
And the one before her now was Claire Klaus—the former student council president who had taught her the axe-spear and given unwavering advice until graduation.
"Long time, and you're already so cold, Dalia?"
"You dumped all that work on me and left, so it's only fair."
"...Still that much?"
"Of course."
Dalia glared at Claire with a sullen expression.
"Things got better with some reliable juniors, but early in the year, I thought I'd die."
"Ahaha, sorry. I meant to help, but I had so much backlog... Sorry for saddling you. Anyway, seems you're doing well."
"Surviving, yeah."
"Grades?"
"Still student council president. Probably next semester too."
For reference, Dalia hadn't relinquished her third-year top spot.
"Good job. And I heard about Ortara."
"Ah, the friendly match..."
"Yeah. Gloriously lost to a first-year?"
"Yes. What could I do? He was too strong."
"...That strong?"
"You probably couldn't beat him either, senpai. It was total domination. No room to do anything."
"Really?"
"He's a diligent junior, but even accounting for that, it stings."
"Hmm. Intriguing. I'd love to spar sometime."
"You versus Ludenberg... not sure on the outcome, but it wouldn't be easy."
"Gotta see it to know."
"True."
"Too bad. If not for work, I'd wait for the festival..."
"Speaking of, how've you been?"
"Same as always. Wandering countries on personal missions. Perfect timing with Founding Day, and Yurike needs to head to Istallin soon, so I stopped by nearby Solemnute."
"Istallin?"
"Yeah. Yurike wants to join the academic conference after the festival."
"Yurike-senpai? Ah... she was a Setra priestess."
"Yep. I haven't been to Istallin much either, so I wanted to go. Worked out well."
"Ah."
"Anyway, you joining the Festival of Glory? Heard they introduced a new system for first-years."
"I'm in. First-years have rankings now—if you're high enough, you qualify. Can opt out, of course."
"Sounds fun."
"It will be. Especially with this strong first-year class."
"That strong?"
"Yeah. Seriously. A few first-years outmatch most second- and third-years."
"Whoa. Wish I could see it..."
"Come watch? Festival's not that long."
"I'd like to, but I have to move with Yurike. Istallin's a long trip."
"Use sky paths? Istallin must have them."
"Yeah, but it's a mission for me. Same for Yurike. She wants to visit Istradim's holy sites too."
"Makes sense. For non-Star Pilgrim Setra priests, Istradim's sites are must-visit pilgrimages."
"Anyway, let's eat... then find Yurike."
"Sure."
Claire and Dalia elegantly enjoyed the appetizing spread before setting out to find Yurike.
While the two searched for Yurike, she ran into a familiar face at the Setra temple.
"Oh my god. Bishop Nah! Long time no see!"
"...Yurike? What brings you here?"
With Founding Day, bishops and higher from each order had to attend, so Professor Nah was in Solemnute. She widened her eyes at Yurike.
Why would her busy student suddenly visit?
"Heading to Istallin. Thought I'd stop by Istradim's holy sites."
"Ah. For the academic conference?"
"Yes! I've prepped a lot. It'll be fascinating, I bet."
"See you there then. I'm swamped lately..."
"Right, all the bigwigs have to attend. You too, Professor."
"Yeah. No time for leisurely research."
"That's a shame."
"We'll meet at the conference anyway. Wait a bit—I'll drop some mind-blowing research."
"Looking forward to it, Bishop."
"Good. Where's Claire? Feels weird without your usual tag-alongs."
"Ah, she's meeting Dalia. Told her to grab lunch since I made her skip it. Should be here soon?"
Sure enough, moments later, Claire with her short blonde hair fluttering and Dalia with her red hair neatly tied appeared.
"Long time, Dalia."
"Long time, Yurike-senpai. And Bishop Nah here too."
"Setra temple. Alright, all gathered. Shall we chat somewhere?"
"Didn't you say no time?"
"Got time for tea. Let's talk conference... and holy sites."
"Sure."
The four headed to the small garden inside the Setra temple and began sharing stories.