Long Time No See, Your Highness
“Long time no see, Your Highness. And Ludenberg.”
“It's been a while, Duke. I hope you've been well.”
“We're back, Father.”
“Oh, I've been fine as always. I heard there was quite a big incident in Solemnute—glad you're both safe.”
“Thank you for your concern, Duke. By the way, were there any Salvation Cult attacks on the Lavante side?”
“Haha. With me here, you think they'd dare come?”
“……No.”
Ashytara shook her head at Leonard's words.
“Well, that doesn't mean there were no attacks at all.”
“Pardon?”
“I heard the Salvation Cult raided cities around Lavante, so I cleaned that up. That's why I couldn't head to Solemnute.”
“Ah……”
“Anyway, we have so much to catch up on. How Ludenberg’s been doing at Solemnute Adem, what happened during the Salvation Cult attack……”
“Father. Could we unpack first and talk details later?”
Sensing the conversation dragging on, Ludenberg cut in. Leonard seemed to realize it too, giving them a slightly sheepish look.
“Right. Go ahead. I'll be in the drawing room.”
“Yes.”
“Come on. I'll show you to your room for now.”
“Okay.”
Ludenberg led Ashytara to scout a room for her stay. But it was pointless. She insisted on the one next to his.
“I like this one.”
“……Really? It's not in a great spot. Doesn't get much sun.”
“Doesn't matter.”
“If you're fine with it, then this room it is.”
The maid nodded at Ludenberg's instruction, and they set down their luggage.
“Feels like we won't be heading straight to the training grounds, huh?”
Ashytara asked, a hint of relief in her voice.
“Probably not. He seemed really curious about how I've been at Solemnute Adem.”
“Phew, good. But he'll probably grill me too. How much should I tell him?”
“Just the truth. No point in lying anyway.”
“Got it.”
“Unpack first. The maids will tidy up soon.”
“Okay.”
After unpacking without dawdling, they headed straight to the drawing room. Sure enough, Duke Leonard was waiting, seated.
“There you are.”
As Ashytara nodded, Leonard dove right in, probing about Ludenberg's life at Solemnute Adem.
Honestly, he couldn't help it. The son he'd seen before leaving for Solemnute Adem would've caused at least one major incident by now. Like nearly killing someone.
“Has Ludenberg been behaving at Solemnute Adem? No accidents, I hope.”
“Uh…… accidents?”
“Yes.”
“Well, nothing like that. Some students picked fights first, though……”
“Did you win?”
“Yes. They got pretty beat up. But since Ludenberg’s usually so diligent, the professors didn't make a fuss.”
Leonard let out a sigh of relief. Ludenberg's expression turned subtle watching it.
This makes me sound like some delinquent who causes trouble everywhere.
He felt wronged. He'd been diligent in school, hadn't gone around starting fights. The incidents were started by those who provoked him.
“I've been attending school just fine, Father.”
“Is that so?”
“Yes. Nothing for you to worry about.”
“Alright, got it. Oh, Your Highness, give me a moment to talk with Ludenberg alone. Come with me, Ludenberg.”
“Ah, yes.”
“Understood.”
Leonard took Ludenberg outside briefly.
“What is it?”
“Just wanted to say I'm glad.”
“Pardon?”
“About Her Highness.”
“Ah.”
“It's obvious she's been through a lot because of you. Right?”
“……Yes.”
“I can picture it. You stubbornly refused her kindness, so she tried all sorts of ways to convince you. Eventually, you gave in.”
“Spot on. How'd you know?”
“I've watched you two together for four years. I don't even need to see it.”
“Fair enough.”
“Did you thank Her Highness?”
“Of course. You think I'd be that ungrateful?”
“Good. Keep treating her well. Understood?”
“I’d do that even without you saying.”
Leonard nodded at Ludenberg's firm tone.
“Then let's head back in.”
“Yes.”
Back in the drawing room, when Ashytara asked what they'd talked about, they brushed it off as father-son matters and resumed.
From the new ranking system at Solemnute Adem, to clashes with other students. Then, after adapting, the dispatch mission: facing a sudden erosion outbreak, pushing through to the Terra Church, and stopping the invading erosion beasts and Salvation Cult members. Even Leonard was stunned.
“I knew something happened at the Terra Church, but not the details…… Quite the story, Ludenberg. Is this true?”
“……Yes.”
“You took down three high-grade erosion beasts and severed a Salvation Cult knight's left arm?”
“That's right.”
“Hard to believe.”
“I got lucky.”
“What was that knight's name? Might be someone I know.”
“Jepita, he said.”
“Jepita? Jepita…… Wait, not that guy?”
Leonard seemed to suspect something.
“Have you met him? He was oddly fixated on me. Probably a comrade of those you took out……”
“Ludenberg. You beat him?”
“Was he that strong, for you to remember?”
“Yes. Last I saw him was eight years ago—he'd only gotten stronger since. Even then, he killed plenty of imperial knights. Right after I wiped his comrades, he was the first to flee. Probably held a grudge. And you beat him?”
“……Yes. I don't know why, but when death loomed, a strange power surged from me. Whether he let his guard down after or what, I luckily severed his left arm. Though their priests reattached it later.”
“Luck wouldn't beat him…… A strange power? What did it feel like?”
“The world I saw shifted in an instant, vitality flooded my body. His sword path was crystal clear, the way forward obvious…… Not now, of course.”
“Some people experience that. Transcending limits in near-death moments. Sounds like what you went through. You did well. No training today—rest. You too, Your Highness.”
“Yes.”
They left the drawing room with sighs of relief.
“No training today, at least. Good thing. I wanted to rest today, even if tomorrow's hell.”
“Yeah. Though tomorrow we'll be rolling in the dirt.”
“Tomorrow's me can worry about that. When else do we get personal guidance from the empire's greatest knight, Duke Leonard?”
“Anyway, it'll be grueling nonstop. We've improved, so expect him to push harder. Brace yourself.”
“I know.”
“See you later. Need a break now.”
“Sure.”
They returned to their rooms to rest. Preparing for the harsh training ahead.
The next day, Ludenberg confirmed his fears, grimacing.
“Knew it!”
“What was that?”
“Nothing!”
Ludenberg snarled, parrying Duke Leonard's sword.
A highest-grade erosion beast? Not even comparable. His father could cleave one with a single stroke.
Even after his trials and growth…… Father was still stronger. At least his sword no longer shattered on impact like before.
“You've improved nicely.”
Even his casual swings carried terrifying pressure. Inevitably, Ludenberg's sword shattered against the strike. Leonard's kick followed, sending him flying.
“For just a month, that's impressive growth. But you're still far. Prove yourself—get stronger.”
“……I know.”
“Good. At your age, that's beyond normal anyway. Well done.”
“Thank you!”
“Next, Your Highness. Show me your progress.”
“Yes!”
Ashytara stepped up eagerly. As sparring began, she channeled divine power into her greatsword.
The technique Ludenberg had refined days ago. But……
“Still quite lacking.”
Leonard extended his unenhanced sword, effortlessly pushing hers back. She tried accelerating with the rebound, but every attempt was blocked. She lost her grip pathetically.
“Definite improvement. But I didn't create that greatsword style for mediocrity. Basics and direction are solid—no complaints there.”
“Yes……!”
“Training gets tougher. Stay sharp, Your Highness.”
“Understood!”
“Short break. Resume later.”
They collapsed, exhausted. Worse, training had barely hit an hour. Leonard's average? At least six.
Dizziness set in.