Chapter 32
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 32
Chapter Title: Not a Single Day of Peace (5)
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There wasn't even one day of rest.
"Professor, I'm planning to visit a smithy over the holiday. Could you recommend a good one if you know any?"
"I do know a decent place, but for something like that, wouldn't it be better to ask the headmaster for a new one?"
"The sword I've been using is quite precious to me..."
"In that case, there's nothing to be done. It's hard to explain in words, so I'll draw you a map."
"I'd appreciate that."
Soon enough, I received the map from Shabel, and at the same time, I naturally realized something. God had granted her talent in swordsmanship, but clearly not in drawing.
The crooked lines looked just like Elena's childhood scribbles.
Of course, even so, I had no complaints. It was still better than nothing.
"Thank you, Professor."
"It's nothing."
Did she think she'd drawn it well? Shabel smiled contentedly.
Her first impression had been that of a stern swordsmanship instructor, but the more I looked, the softer she seemed. People really do reveal their true selves over time.
"Just so you know, the blacksmith there is a bit eccentric, so be careful."
"What do you mean by eccentric...?"
"His skills are top-notch, but his personality is a little off."
"Understood. I'll keep that in mind."
I wondered just what kind of personality warranted calling him eccentric.
With those thoughts in mind, time passed, and the holiday arrived—the day I'd promised to go out with Elena.
As always, I woke at dawn and slipped out of the dormitory for some physical training.
The sun was just stretching awake, illuminating the world, so the night's chill still lingered.
I was about to start a light jog, thinking how pleasant it felt, when...
Evi Douglas, who had also come out of the dormitory, approached me while stretching.
"Good morning, Luke."
"Good morning."
"Shall we get started then?"
"Yes, let's go."
I began running along the outskirts of the academy grounds.
Evi Douglas ran alongside me.
She had once asked me about my training methods. Ever since that day, we'd been doing it together, to the point where it had become routine.
At first, it had felt awkward, but now I was used to it. If anything, it kept things from feeling lonely.
We were running diligently side by side when...
"What are you up to this afternoon?"
"I'm thinking of going to a smithy with the Grand Duchess."
"Oh, right, you mentioned your sword broke. If it's not too much trouble, could I join you? I'm curious about the smithy."
"That's not for me to decide."
Even if she tagged along, the final say rested with Elena. I was merely her attendant.
The same went for Evi. It would only be possible if Elena allowed it.
'Her stamina's improved lately...'
She used to struggle just to keep up at first, but now she had the spare breath to chat. I was happy for her growth, but a part of me felt annoyed.
"W-Wait, you're speeding up...!"
"Don't fall behind."
The basics of training were to push yourself. If she had leeway, it was time to increase the intensity.
By the time we finished the run, Evi collapsed onto the ground.
"We still have strength training left."
"J-Just a moment to rest..."
"Get up."
What kind of knight did she think she could become with such a weak mind and body...!
After that, I channeled my inner drill sergeant and put Evi through the wringer.
"Mind on the way down, control on the way up."
"M-Mind...! Control...!"
"Louder!"
"But what's this even supposed to do...?"
"...It strengthens your combat power."
In the end, the most important thing in battle was the will to win. A spirit honed relentlessly was a knight's greatest weapon.
...Probably.
I'd only been taught that; I didn't know if it was true.
I felt a little bad for Evi, but it should be fine. It wasn't entirely useless.
After finishing our boisterous morning training, I returned to the dormitory to freshen up.
I couldn't meet my lady looking disheveled in training clothes, and besides, I was soaked in sweat anyway.
I met Elena a bit later, just before the sun reached its zenith.
"Did you have a pleasant night, Your Ladyship?"
"Yes, good morning."
It was a bit late for "morning," but no need to fuss. It was just the usual greeting.
"By the way, isn't that Miss Evi over there?"
"...Yes, it is."
"Why is she hiding like that...?"
Elena's gaze was fixed behind me, precisely about ten paces away at a large tree.
Peeking out from behind it was none other than Evi Douglas.
'I told her just to come and ask...'
When she'd asked if she could join, I'd said it wasn't up to me.
After that, I'd told her to ask Elena directly, but...
— It's a bit scary to ask the lady directly.
And this was the result.
Elena was awkward with peers, but Evi wasn't much different.
Border nobles were all like this, it seemed.
Well, I wasn't much different myself.
"This morning, Miss Evi asked if she could accompany us to the smithy."
"This morning?"
"Yes, we trained together."
"I see..."
Elena narrowed her eyes with a meaningful expression.
Had I done something wrong...?
As that worry began to creep in, she smiled again.
"Could you call Miss Evi over here?"
"Of course."
I turned and headed straight for Evi.
She spotted me from behind the tree and her eyes widened.
"W-What is it...?"
"The Grand Duchess is calling for you."
"I-I think this distance is just right...!"
Yeah, I figured as much.
I grabbed Evi and hoisted her up.
She flailed in panic at first, then went limp like a cat caught by a human.
Daring to refuse when Elena had summoned her? As her attendant, I couldn't allow it.
Soon, I delivered her right in front of Elena.
Evi glanced around cautiously before slowly bowing her head.
"G-Good morning."
"Yes, good morning. I heard you want to come along to the smithy?"
"That's right, but if it's inconvenient, I can follow from out of sight."
"Of course not. You're welcome to join us."
Elena smiled.
But for some reason, that smile felt utterly terrifying.
The mystery was soon resolved.
...Though I wouldn't call it pleasant.
"By the way, you two seem awfully close. Physical contact comes so naturally."
"I'm sorry, Your Ladyship. That wasn't my intention."
I apologized without hesitation. In an era that valued a woman's chastity, physical contact was never to be taken lightly.
Even if it was innocent—treating her like a little sister—it didn't erase the fault.
Besides, this was Elena, who used to freak out at the mere idea of romance in the sacred academy. I couldn't do anything to cause misunderstandings.
"It's fine. Comrades who cross swords and sweat together might develop that kind of camaraderie."
"Thank you for understanding."
"Shall we get going then?"
Elena smiled as if nothing had happened and started walking.
I followed a step behind, while Evi stood dazed for a moment before hurrying after us.
"Sh-She's still scary..."
That hurts my feelings.
How much effort had I put into softening her edges?
Morning and night, gaslighting bordering on brainwashing.
Once we reached the streets, the first place Elena headed to was...
"Hello, sir."
"Oh, thank you for coming."
...a street vendor selling the academy's famous specialty.
Just the smell made my mouth water—it lived up to its reputation.
Elena turned to Evi.
"Miss Evi, have you ever tried the food here?"
"No, I haven't."
"To come to the academy and miss out on its specialty? You've been at a loss all this time. I'll treat you specially, so give it a try."
Elena puffed out her chest and reached for her waist pouch.
Seeing that, I sighed inwardly.
'Always so careless...'
I pulled out a handkerchief from my pocket and gently wiped the drool from the corner of her mouth.
How badly did she want it that she didn't even notice?
After that, we amicably munched on our skewers.
Well, Elena had two from the start.
Not amicable at all.
"Th-This is..."
"Delicious, right? Amazing, isn't it?"
"Yes, it's the best meat dish I've ever had."
"If you want more, feel free."
"Th-Then, if you insist, one more..."
The academy's specialty seemed to suit Evi's taste just fine.
With our stomachs filled, we headed to our original destination: the smithy.
Following Shabel's crooked map for a while, we arrived at a place thick with the scent of iron.
For all its flaws, Shabel's map had gotten us there perfectly.
That said, she'd mentioned the blacksmith had an eccentric personality...
"Get out right now. I have no intention of forging swords for knights who came to the academy to fool around with romance."
...It seemed there'd been a massive misunderstanding.
A huge one.
As if I'd ever date the Grand Duchess?