The Hero Returns to the Training Grounds
Elena, the countess, murmured softly, her voice trembling with disbelief as she gazed at her own body. The color had returned to her cheeks, and a renewed vitality surged through her frame. The Holy Sword had been drawn, yet the flush on her face refused to fade. She was truly healed.
I offered her a gentle smile, attempting to mask my own shock. “Congratulations.”
“Ah… oh…”
She rose unsteadily from her chair. I urged her to stay seated, but she refused with unyielding determination. Standing before me now, the countess folded her hands neatly and bowed her head.
“Thank you from the bottom of my heart, Hero. I cannot even begin to repay such a miracle.”
“I did not do this expecting anything in return. There is no debt to be paid.”
It had simply been the right thing to do. The countess’s voice wavered as she expressed her gratitude, and though I could not claim to fully understand the depth of her emotion, I knew what it felt like to be rid of a lifetime of suffering.
After accepting her thanks, I turned to Elfride. “I’ll be leaving now. I should head to Celine’s to have her take a look at… something.”
“…Ah, yes. Go on. Hurry, before the scar remains.”
“Understood.”
I gave the countess another nod and stepped toward the door, only to be halted by Elfride’s voice from behind.
“Abel.”
“Hm?”
“…No, I’ll see you tomorrow. I’ll guide you the same way I did today before the banquet. Just come to the training grounds.”
“…Yes, I’ll be there.”
…Was that what she intended to say? It felt different somehow.
Deciding she would explain later, I left the room with the countess.
“Big sister. My body feels… much too good.”
“Really? It suits you.”
Elena was practically vibrating with excitement. Tears of joy shimmered in her bright blue eyes—not of sorrow, but of pure, overwhelming happiness. This moment was so surreal she could barely believe it.
“…Elena, about the conversation I had with Father…”
“Ah, we should discuss that properly.”
“Eh?”
Elena spoke as if it were the most natural thing in the world. “I accepted his proposal because my body was so fragile, but now that I’m healed… why would I go to the Roberk Marquisate?”
Elfride blinked in surprise at her bold declaration. Elena laughed brightly, clearly delighted by her sister’s stunned reaction.
“Don’t worry, big sister. Once Father realizes I’m fully recovered, he’ll change his plans. He’s the kind of man who values practicality above everything.”
“…That’s true.”
The reason the duke had chosen to send his daughter to the Roberk Marquisate was simple: it was the only noble house among those willing to take in a sick girl who showed any promise. But now that Elena was healthy, her value had skyrocketed far beyond that of a mere potential bride.
The calculating duke Bathory would never have missed that realization.
“But if you’re healthy, he’ll simply send you to an even grander house.”
“So I should run away?”
“What?”
“I’ll go to university. Then Father won’t be able to force me. A daughter who spent her whole life sick suddenly decides she wants to study? He couldn’t stop her, could he? Especially when she’s this well now.”
“He probably couldn’t.”
Elfride watched her sister with a strange mixture of disbelief and affection. She had rarely seen Elena smile so freely—only when her body pained her had she ever forced a cheerful expression. To witness such genuine joy from her little sister was both heartwarming and slightly bewildering.
“…I owe the Hero a lifetime of gratitude.”
“I never imagined the Hero could do something like this. How do I even repay—”
Elena trailed off, muttering to herself. “Should I just give him my body?”
“What?! Don’t say something like that, Elena!”
“Why not? The Hero is going to marry one day, isn’t he? And a Bathory countess makes for a rather suitable bride, doesn’t she?”
“No! Abel already has a lover!”
“Eh?”
Elena looked at Elfride with wide eyes of genuine surprise before her gaze drifted to Abel’s face. She nodded slowly, understanding dawning.
“Ah, that makes sense. He’s so handsome and kind… it’s odd there isn’t already someone.”
“…The saints he travels with.”
“Ahaha… wait, saints? Plural?”
Elena tilted her head, clearly confused. Elfride, however, was speaking directly to her sister. “Yes. Already two of them. So don’t get any ideas, Elena. Just because you’re grateful doesn’t mean you should fall for the Hero. He’s a good person as a man, but—”
“…Hmm.”
Elena’s expression turned awkward. Elfride nodded faintly, sensing the same thought. Her own sister clearly shared the opinion that the Hero was far too overwhelming.
Yet the next words from Elena shattered that fragile hope.
“There are just too many rivals, though.”
“…What?”
“Huh?”
“I didn’t hear you correctly?”
“No, what do you mean?”
“Isn’t it fine? After all, polygamy is legal in both his kingdom and ours. Even my own brother married a commoner girl…”
Elfride’s voice rose in alarm.
“Oh no! Absolutely not!”
“Why?”
“You’re a Bathory countess! You can’t just become someone’s mistress!”
“…But what if he makes me his wife? There are still social ranks to consider.”
“Abel isn’t the type to decide based on status. There’s probably… someone else he already considers his wife.”
“Ugh.”
Elena clicked her tongue in disappointment. Elfride continued in a softer voice, “I said no, Elena. You deserve to find true love and live happily. You’ve only just recovered—don’t throw your life away on this.”
“…Big sister… am I imagining things?”
“What are you talking about?”
“You’ve been watching me differently lately… it feels like you’re more competitive than concerned.”
“What…?”
Elfride was so stunned her words failed her. The sister who looked so much like her tilted her head with a sly smile.
“Big sister, do you have feelings for the Hero?”
“…N-no! We’re just friends! I swear there’s nothing more!”
“You don’t have to be so embarrassed.”
“Even if I do!”
“Okay, okay.”
Elena dropped the subject, but inside she was certain: her big sister had finally found a man she liked.
Back in my room, Celine was already standing up. The moment she spotted me, her face lit up—until she saw the wound on my arm. Her eyes widened in shock.
“What?! Where did you get hurt?!”
“It was me who caused it.”
“Eh?!”
Celine stared at me, stunned, before muttering to herself. “There are stories of heroes who cut themselves after battle from guilt, but… you already… I should have comforted you better…”
“It’s not like that.”
Don’t turn me into a PTSD case.
“Then why did you slice your own arm?”
“To heal Lady Elena.”
“Eh?”
I pointed to the Holy Sword of Order resting on my back. “I’ve finally mastered the basics of the Sword’s power. That’s why I’m on my way to heal her strange illness.”
“…What…?”
Celine looked utterly lost. I explained everything I had heard from Cardinal Antonio. When I finished, she stared at the Holy Sword with renewed respect.
“…So the Holy Sword of Order is unique after all.”
“Unique?”
“The ability to restore order was supposed to be the blessing of the Holy Sword of Harmony. Yet the Holy Sword of Order can do something similar too?”
So there was such a sword as the Holy Sword of Harmony.
“But you said it was an illness? Was Lady Elena really sick?”
“Something rare, apparently. Were you unaware?”
“Of course I was. I’m not even nobility.”
That made sense.
“Then you healed Elfride’s sister?”
“Yes.”
“…Elfride must have been overjoyed.”
“She was. She was crying… she clearly dotes on her little sister a lot.”
“Hmm.”
Celine let out a scoff that sounded suspiciously displeased. “Why do I feel like you’re not happy about it?”
“Why?”
“You can’t just heal people however you want.”
“No, you did wonderfully. Healing people is the Hero’s duty.”
“But your expression says otherwise.”
“…Because of this, Elfride will pay even more attention to you. And I don’t like that one bit.”
“What? Is that your worry?”
“That’s adorable.”
“Celine, are you jealous?”
“Of course I am. When someone keeps eyeing my man, I get jealous.”
“Even jealous Celine is cute.”
“…Cut er than the Saint Estelle?”
…Why does Estelle keep coming up? Looking at it now, both she and Celine seem to be fighting for the same spot in my heart.
I chose my words carefully, avoiding any apology to Estelle while keeping Celine from growing upset. “You’re cuter than Estelle.”
“…You’re unfairly impartial.”
“Hm?”
Impartial? What’s wrong with being fair? It’s a good thing.
Celine released my arm and added, “Treatment complete.”
“Thank you.”
“Hero.”
She took my hand, her gaze far more serious than usual. “Don’t let Elfride seduce you.”
“…I won’t.”
That’s absurd.
The next morning, I headed to the training grounds early, accompanied by Celine.
“Is training helping?”
“Elfride is extremely thorough. It turns out I was gripping the sword wrong too.”
“…You still fought that way?”
“Exactly.”
So the blessing was a cheat code after all?
Celine stared at me for a moment before letting out a soft laugh. “I wonder if the Holy Sword of Order chose you for a reason.”
“Eh?”
“A Hero who couldn’t even manage the basics showing such prowess… that proves your talent for battle.”
“…I guess so.”
It almost felt like a blessing. We walked and chatted until the training grounds came into view.
“Huh?”
“Ah, Elena. No matter how I think about it, this is ridiculous!”
“Shh, they’re coming. Stop hiding, big sister. Hello, Hero?”
I blinked. I had no choice. Something about this felt off.
“Wh-what…?”
The way Celine reacted made it clear I wasn’t imagining it.
“…What are you two doing?”
“I was trying to think of a way to repay you, so I came up with this.”
“Repay…?”
“Yes. Do you not like it?”
No, I do. I do.
Elena pointed at Elfride. “My sister really suits you, doesn’t she?”
“……”
Should I praise it? This is edging into harassment!
“Come on, big sister. The Hero is here. You should greet him properly.”
“…Ah, right.”
Elfride and Elena, sisters that they were, lifted the hems of their frilly skirts in a theatrical curtsy. The black-and-white color scheme felt strangely familiar.
“Welcome.”
“Please come in.”
Two strikingly similar women smiled as they greeted us. One offered an awkward smile, the other a mischievous one. Yet at the exact same moment, the same words slipped from both their lips.
“Master~”
The reason Celine and I had been so shocked was simple: Elfride and Lady Elena were both wearing maid outfits.
…It really seems like all the women in this world have gone a little crazy somewhere.