On the Way to the Cafeteria
On the way to the cafeteria, Ashytara said to Ludenberg,
"Oh, right. Nah Professor and... that guy—what was his name? Some kinda unique dude came to see you. A bald first-year theology student, apparently her late-born little brother. He's the same age as us, from what I heard."
"Nadan?"
"Yeah. He was a bit of an oddball... Anyway, they said to let you know when you woke up. Something they need to talk to you about privately?"
Previous events? Something about the ruins? That was the only thing he could guess at. And there was a high chance it was related. He'd said he'd talk to the church about the ruins and Liberra, after all.
"Oh, right. Guess I'll eat first and then go see them."
"When did you get so close to Nah Professor? She was really worried about you."
Ashytara eyed Ludenberg with a hint of suspicion.
"Close? Nah, nothing like that. I just asked her some questions a while back. And that led to crossing paths with Nadan."
Ludenberg brushed it off vaguely. He didn't want to blurt out anything about the Starting Knight carelessly. In truth, he wanted to tell Ashytara about Raha and the Starting Knight, but he couldn't. Even if Raha was favorable toward him, there was no guarantee she'd feel the same about Ashytara.
Ludenberg already saw Raha as a transcendent being akin to a god. If such an entity took a dislike to Ashytara, her life could be in danger. Sure, Raha might not go that far, but it was always best to assume the worst.
"Questions? What about?"
Unaware of his inner thoughts, Ashytara pressed him relentlessly. It was a far cry from how she'd bottled up her burning questions about him back when he'd fought Jepita.
Ashytara couldn't help it. The one showing interest in Ludenberg just happened to be Nah Professor.
Nah was quite popular among Solemnute Adem's knight faculty students. She handled the dull subject of history with surprising diligence, and the same went for Setra theology. Plus, she didn't assign homework often, so students couldn't help but like her.
On top of that, Nah had shimmering silver hair, sharp eyes, and deep purple irises that gave off a decadent yet dizzyingly alluring vibe. Just that alone was enough to make plenty of male students—despite the twelve-year age gap—harbor a crush on her.
That's why Ashytara couldn't drop her guard around Nah. She'd worked so hard to slowly mend her relationship with Ludenberg, and the last thing she wanted was someone else cozying up to him.
"Early in history class, I wasn't doing great. So I went to see her, and that's when I met Nadan too. Nothing special."
Noticing Ashytara's mood sour suddenly, Ludenberg quickly spun an excuse.
"Hmmm..."
Still, Ashytara didn't shake off her displeased expression.
Ludenberg couldn't help but feel puzzled. What's with her all of a sudden? He had no idea why she'd react like that. Why would she be annoyed about Nah wanting to see him?
"Fine, got it. Let's just go eat."
Ashytara spoke to Ludenberg in a subdued voice that sounded almost eerie. Her previously bubbly, upbeat tone had sunk, making the atmosphere even heavier. Ludenberg simply kept quiet.
Only six days had passed since the incident, but the Imperial Knights' quarters buzzed with energy. Yet it felt a bit forced, like people pretending to be okay.
Well, after something like that, it'd be weirder if things felt normal.
Ludenberg accepted the unnatural vibe as he headed to the cafeteria with Ashytara.
"Hey, isn't that Ludenberg?"
"Oh, he's up."
The moment they arrived, all eyes—filled with goodwill—turned to him. It was especially intense from the students who'd moved with him; they'd wave occasionally, saying things like "Glad you're okay" or "Thanks for saving us."
With no direct friendship, that seemed to be their way of showing gratitude. Ludenberg could only nod in bewilderment at the drastic change.
Public opinion had warmed toward him lately, sure, but plenty still kept their distance. Now, though, the eyes thanking him brimmed with clear favor.
"So many kids are grateful to you. Especially the ones who stuck with us."
Once the wave of thanks passed, Ashytara said to him.
"Honestly, I don't know what face to make. I've only ever gotten hate until now. It's unfamiliar, awkward... but not a bad feeling."
He'd once dismissed such attention as unnecessary. But after this crisis, something had shifted inside him. Seeing students pour everything into protecting others showed they wouldn't shirk their duty, at least.
Ludenberg knew tough times revealed true colors, so their resolve hit him positively.
"You don't have to be nice to everyone. But... no need to make enemies either. Smile and say 'got it' now and then. That alone will change things around you, Lud."
"Yeah."
"But don't go smiling all the time."
"Huh?"
"Smile in moderation. Moderation."
Ashytara pouted and grumbled. Ludenberg blinked in confusion before replying.
"I don't know what 'moderation' means exactly... but you're saying not to smile too much? No plans for that. I don't like forcing smiles anyway."
"Good, then."
Ashytara said it seriously. To her, it was a big deal. If Ludenberg smiled often, more people—especially girls—would like him. Not something she'd welcome.
Like with the Nah thing earlier.
"Haa."
Ashytara let out a complicated sigh.
"Oh, there you are. Sis! Over here!"
A low, heavy yet excitable voice. Familiar to Ludenberg.
He turned to see a bald head and rugged face popping up behind him, as expected.
"Long time, ash-for-brains."
"Yeah. Been a while, big lug."
"Heard you were a beast this time. Your name's everywhere."
"Shut it."
"Man, you're always so cold to me."
"You wanna act buddy-buddy with another guy?"
"Nah, not really."
"See?"
As Ludenberg and Nadan bantered pointlessly, Ashytara smiled awkwardly beside them. Then Nah's voice cut in.
"Long time no see, Ludenberg."
"Long time, Professor Nah."
"Hello, Professor Nah."
"Hey. Oh, drop the formalities? You're on dispatch nominally anyway, and we met last time."
"Sure, that's fine."
"Ludenberg, got time? Need to talk briefly."
Ashytara eyed Nah warily. Nah brushed off the guarded look like it was from a cute critter and spoke to Ludenberg.
He glanced at Ashytara. She looked displeased but nodded.
"Yeah, I'm good."
"Great. We'll step away a sec. Nadan, you too."
As Nah stood, Ludenberg and Nadan followed.
"Oh, Ashytara, won't take long. Bear with us."
"Ah, uh, sure. Got it."
She smiled at Ashytara as she rose, who replied stiffly.
"I thought she was all straight-laced and rigid, but our second princess has some cute sides too."
Ludenberg turned at Nah's mumble.
"Pardon?"
"Nothing. Anyway, you probably guess why I called you."
"My sword and the ruins?"
"Spot on. Didn't have time to tell you before, but the Setra Church recognizes your ownership of the sword and the info from the ruins."
"Pardon?"
This was unexpected. Liberra made sense, but ownership of the ruin records too?
"Wait, Professor Nah. I don't need ownership of the info from the ruins..."
"You explored it entirely on your own merit. We weren't gonna give info rights at first, but Archbishop Atan Ishnaha insisted. So... we're paying you usage fees."
"To me? The archbishop?"
"Yeah. To you personally, not the Lavante family."
"Got it."
Ludenberg didn't refuse. In the Solemnute Empire, ruin rights went to the one with the biggest contribution in excavation, so Nah wasn't wrong.
"Anyway, we'll pay after the joint funeral and when Solemnute Adem reopens. It's a hefty sum—handy for emergencies."
"Thank you."
"We should thank you. That info gave us tons of old-era knowledge. Oh, and... about the Starting Knight."
"The Starting Knight?"
"Yeah. We planned to share his info with Solemnute Adem... but decided against it."
"Pardon?"
Ludenberg looked puzzled.
"Seems you're tied to him by fate. Archbishop Atan chose to restrict that info. No good letting it spread—for your sake."
"Fate... you say."
"Yes. He added to support you fully."
"Why?"
"We're Star Pilgrims. Not well-known, but... we walk with those who bear fate. The archbishop is convinced you do."
"Tough talk."
Fate, fate. Complicated mess. Ludenberg barely knew what his own "evil fate" that Raha mentioned even was.
"Yeah. Ununderstandable things will happen, and you'll push through them. We'll help, at least."
"...Thank you."
"That covers it. We'll head out—you rest easy."
"Yes, Professor."
With that, Nah dragged Nadan away.