Chapter 46
Chapter 46
After the duel with Bumblebee, peace returned to Bellark.
Not that Bellark itself had been in chaos.
It was just the squires who finally got a break.
At first, Sera had wondered if Bentley would refuse to accept the result.
“Guhh…!”
“…!”
But that worry turned out to be unnecessary.
“I, I can’t believe it…! One spear throw…! How could I lose to such a monster…!”
He was sitting in a corner of the pond, muttering like a tragic protagonist who couldn’t accept reality.
Still, it looked like he had acknowledged the gap in strength.
From his point of view, it must have felt like a one-sided defeat.
In truth, it had been a bit of a trick mixed with overwhelming physical strength, but he would never realize that.
The timing difference, the speed of the throw—there was no way he could have seen it coming.
Still, hearing him call her a “monster” felt strangely satisfying.
“So she’s not even a girl… she’s like an ogre or a half-gorilla…!”
“Hey, that bastard…”
Sera twitched.
Anyway, the duel had been carried out under the Master’s order.
Bentley’s opinion didn’t matter anymore.
“Someday… someday I’ll…”
He was still burning with determination, but at least the crisis of his tyranny was over.
The squires could now enjoy light training and, after that, actual free time.
They even had leisure moments by the pond like this.
In two weeks, when the Master returned, everything would go back to strict training.
So this was basically their last vacation.
Except for Bentley, who was grinding his teeth in frustration.
“Se-ra! That was amazing! So cool!”
Anna hugged her tightly from behind.
Sera didn’t resist.
Being praised by a pretty girl felt just as good as being recognized for strength.
“How did you do it? My brother is dumb, but he’s strong, right?”
“He probably just got careless because of the size difference.”
“Hmm… but does he usually get careless like that? And you didn’t get hurt at all…”
“Well… maybe I just got lucky? Not sure how it would go next time.”
“Hmm…”
Anna tilted her head, unconvinced.
“Anyway, I like Sera, so I won’t ask anymore. You’ve been training a lot on your own, right? I guess this is the result!”
“Thanks…”
Sera felt relieved.
Anna really was kind.
Sometimes she even seemed more mature than her own brother.
Then Anna leaned in closer and lowered her voice.
“Oh right, Sera.”
“Hmm?”
“Your monthly cycle… hasn’t started yet?”
“Eh?”
Sera froze.
What kind of sudden question was that?
“You don’t need to panic. I just thought I should ask in case you’re confused when it starts.”
“I’m already confused…”
Girls just asked that kind of thing casually?
Sera had no idea.
“I’ll ask the maid later…”
“No! You have to tell me first!”
“Why?”
“Because I want to take care of you!”
Then Anna started talking about syncing cycles and other strange things Sera had never heard of.
Sera seriously questioned reality for a moment.
But Anna wasn’t done yet.
“You’ve been avoiding baths with me lately too! And you always sneak off alone!”
“Because… it’s more comfortable alone…”
“And what about the cheek kisses when we were kids? You never let me do them anymore!”
“That’s… different now…”
Sera was slowly losing the argument.
Anna’s red eyes, once cute like rubies, now felt strangely intense.
Sera wondered if refusing would lead to something worse.
“…I’ll think about it.”
“Promise! This month!”
“Yeah, yeah…”
Meanwhile, across the pond—
“Grrr…!”
Bentley was still seething, swinging his wooden sword at the air.
“Damn it…!”
The frustration wouldn’t leave him.
Sera glanced at him and sighed.
“Just shut up over there, it’s noisy.”
“…Tch.”
He started hitting trees instead.
“Hey, Bentley.”
“What.”
“Get out of the pond.”
“…Why?”
“As acting deputy commander, that’s an order. Get out, you bastard.”
“…”
“Conrad, Pan. You two don’t follow him either. Stop babying him.”
“…”
“…Are you deaf? Want another spear through the face?”
“…I’ll stay quiet.”
“…What?”
“I said I will remain quiet.”
What was wrong with him?
“Just don’t make trouble.”
“I will remain quiet. Absolutely.”
“…That’s not reassuring.”
Eventually, he fell silent—barely.
Sera exhaled.
At least the noise was gone.
Then—
“Sera.”
A deep voice interrupted her thoughts.
It was Conrad.
“So… are you becoming the deputy commander now? And eventually the commander of the Black Lion Order?”
“Eh?”
“If you beat Bentley, doesn’t that mean the position goes to you?”
“…Huh?”
Sera blinked.
Wait.
Does it…?