Chapter 459
Chapter 459
Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 459
Chapter Title: Banquet Invitations
A week had passed since the end of the Heretic Subjugation Campaign.
Over the past week, Raniel had been run off her feet. Letters poured in from every direction, and she had to compile reports on the campaign's progress and casualties while preparing for what came next. It was only natural, really.
They had crossed the towering mountain that was the Heretic, but the war was far from over. If anything, having surmounted that peak meant they needed to stay even more vigilant. To keep the knights from growing complacent. To prevent discipline from slipping.
"Hoo..."
Raniel let out a long sigh as she worked her way through the mountain of letters. A headache had cropped up. As she heaved one heavy sigh after another, her aide—Raniel's haggard-eyed subordinate sorting documents—finally spoke up.
"Why the grim face since earlier? Something wrong, Senior?"
Late nights... no, Kalt, the superhuman swordsman.
He poured fresh coffee into her empty cup and shot Raniel a sidelong glance. What was the issue this time?
"What else?"
Raniel jabbed a finger at the towering stack of letters.
"These are all invitations, that's the problem."
"Invitations... you say?"
"Yeah. They're all begging me to finally show up this time to the grand banquets celebrating the subjugation of the Calamity. Dozens of them."
Do I really need to go?
They can chatter and enjoy themselves without me.
Kalt gave a wry smile as Raniel muttered under her breath. Her senior had always hated banquets. She'd argue that she'd rather wring one more monster's neck on the battlefield than attend one.
"Let me see..."
Kalt picked up one of the fancy envelopes and read aloud.
"If you refuse attendance this time, we plan to come to the front lines in person, pay our respects, and beg on our knees, so we sincerely hope for a positive reply..."
"That's the problem. They're not joking around."
"Well, can you blame them?"
Kalt shrugged.
"In the years you've served as a hero, you never once showed your face at events like these."
"I was busy back then."
"True, everyone knew how swamped you were, so they didn't push too hard... but they probably figure they can't let this one slide."
This was the subjugation of a Calamity, after all.
The Heretic, Gletus—one of the disasters that had stained human history black—had finally fallen. This was the perfect moment for a celebration, or so they thought.
"Besides,"
Kalt glanced at the envelopes.
"plenty of people want to express their gratitude to you. Take a look at these."
"What's that?"
"Letters from the petty states and federations near the kingdom. The paper's top-quality—clearly from high-ranking folks."
"...Why from them?"
"Why do you think?"
Kalt pointed to the map on one side of the tent.
"The lands you've reclaimed, expanded, and purified over the past few years. Some of them used to be their territory. Thanks to you, they've reclaimed lost history. Of course they'd want to thank you."
"Well... true enough."
"So here's the thing."
Kalt eyed Raniel cautiously before continuing.
"Why not take this chance to drop by?"
Raniel's brows furrowed sharply. Sweating under her piercing gaze, Kalt hurriedly added,
"It's been ages since you've visited the capital. With the Heretic defeated, the Demon King's army is on the back foot..."
Raniel pressed her furrowed brows and sighed, chin in hand.
"You're right. No good excuse to skip the banquet, and popping into the capital wouldn't hurt..."
"And...?"
"But those events come with endless hassles."
Raniel groaned.
It wasn't like rallying knights with a speech. She hated the phony atmosphere of banquets, where everyone was too busy watching each other to speak freely.
"If you could grace our house with a visit."
"Perhaps you've heard that House Trias and House Litton have long maintained amicable relations..."
"My daughter has exceptional magical talent. If you could visit and take a look, we'd be eternally grateful..."
Remembering the banquet right after the Black Dragon subjugation—the one she'd attended with Kyle—Raniel sighed as if the ground might swallow her.
"Just thinking about it turns my stomach."
"If you're thinking of that post-Black Dragon banquet, this one's different."
Kalt had been there too, surrounded by nobles while Raniel scowled. He smiled wryly at the memory.
"No one's bold enough to proposition you or make advances now. They'd get an earful from every corner."
Today's Raniel—no, Lania van Trias—was a hero etched into human history. Sure, some might try to ride her fame, but pulling stunts in public? They'd be buried six feet under.
"And also..."
"Fine, I get it."
After Kalt's desperate persuasion, Raniel threw up her hands. She tapped the table and muttered,
"Alright... attending once should shut them up later. Plus, people to meet in the capital."
Raniel sighed, pulling out stationery. Seeing her inscribe letters with mana, Kalt clenched his fist inwardly.
...Just as planned!
Why had Kalt pushed so hard?
To snag vacation time. While Raniel was away, he'd rest under the guise of holding the front.
The backlog needs her anyway. If she heads to the capital, I can take extended leave...!
Kalt smirked inwardly, dreaming of six hours' sleep. Then Raniel paused mid-inscription.
"Ah."
"Kalt, you're free, right?"
"...Pardon?"
"This work needs me. If I leave, you're out of a job."
So, Raniel said flatly,
"Come with me."
"...I must have misheard."
"You heard right. Come along."
"I need to hold the front..."
"Hold what? The forces here could crush five Skevals. And you said it yourself—the Demon King's army is reeling, front's quiet."
Hoisted by his own petard. Kalt sweated as his own words trapped him. He scrambled for excuses, but superhuman swordsman or not, he couldn't match a superhuman mage's calculations.
One second, two, three.
Time up.
Raniel lifted her hand from the stationery.
"Wrote that you're attending with me."
She snapped her fingers.
The finished letter crumbled to dust and vanished. Kalt stared blankly at the drifting particles.
"What? Why the long face?"
"Nothing... at all..."
Kalt swallowed bitter tears.
2.
After wrapping up minor front-line tasks, Raniel headed to the capital with Kalt. Two days early, before the banquet.
"...Where to?"
"Place I need to hit."
"What about the people waiting outside? The royals sent a decent crowd..."
"Handle 'em."
"......"
Dumping all visitors on Kalt, Raniel leaped out the window. Not toward the capital's heart, but the outskirts. Aphria Academy.
"Kelrhalhm."
"Ah, you're here."
The forest near Aphria.
Kelrhalhm looked up from his book on a stump. He'd arrived days earlier. Seeing him free at last, Raniel smiled.
"Procedures all done?"
"You mean confirming I'm free of madness? Thanks to your letter, they rubber-stamped it."
He shrugged.
Normally a hassle, but with Raniel's note, knights and inspectors treated him like royalty. Skipped the full exam, straight to the seal.
"Now I can live comfortably in the capital. My thanks."
"No big deal. Just what I should do."
Raniel glanced around, muttering.
The forest near Aphria.
Thinking back, it was here too. When Kelrhalhm first came to Aphria, they'd talked right here. Just a few years ago, but it felt ancient now.
The world's full of surprises.
Never imagined things turning out like this.
Pointing to Aphria, Raniel said,
"Shall we?"
Out of the forest, to Aphria Academy.
Her old workplace, his new one. As they walked, Raniel chuckled suddenly.
"Man, it's been ages here too."
Winter fading, spring blooming.
She strolled the avenue lined with trees budding leaves and flowers. Term hadn't started, so few lingered on campus.
"Uh..."
"Is that...?"
But not none.
Raniel gave a light smile to the wide-eyed stares. Weaving past those gasping like they'd faint, she entered Aphria proper. A greeter awaited.
"It's been too long, Lania van Trias."
Aphria's Grand Chancellor, Aaron van Tailunt.
"And Kelrhalhm bell Artia."
He smiled warmly.
"Welcome to Aphria Academy."
3.
Grand Chancellor's office.
"I've read the letter you sent. And Lania's recommendation."
Aaron set down the paper and nodded. Thinner hair than years ago, but his kindly smile unchanged.
"We'll have a position ready for next term. I'm delighted."
"No hitches? Didn't expect it this smooth."
Aaron smiled wryly at Kelrhalhm's question.
"You're a veteran educator compared to me. Aphria drew inspiration from old Academy City Artia anyway. We'd be fools not to welcome Artia's former Grand Chancellor."
"Above all," Aaron added,
"we're short on professors for Mana Trading Theory. Too much for Rosel alone."
"I did raise the bar a bit."
"Can't argue that, so no laughing it off."
As Raniel shrugged, Kelrhalhm fiddled with his teacup. Something bugged him.
"Grateful, sure. But Aaron, Grand Chancellor, what worries me is..."
He spoke slowly.
"This is a top academy. Talented kids, noble heirs. If the once-madman takes a post here..."
Surely, he said,
"won't there be noise?"
"On that front."
Aaron glanced at Raniel.
She shrugged.
"I wrote the recommendation. Said you're fully freed from madness, no risks."
No more procedures or suspicion, Raniel declared. Questioning Kelrhalhm's skills or safety challenged Lania van Trias's authority.
"Fame, honor, clout—gotta use 'em sometime."
"...My thanks."
Kelrhalhm's expression softened. Raniel smirked at him.
"You've slaved on the front enough. Retire easy. Issues? Letter me. I'll write as many recs as needed."
After more talk, Raniel rose. Seen the Chancellor, campus sights. Time to rescue suffering Kalt.
Exiting the office, strolling Aphria, Raniel paused.
"......"
Her gaze drifted to a shop.
Half-open door. Rich coffee aroma wafted out. Unmatchable, even after brewing countless cups on the front.
Raniel checked the clock.
One second, two, three.
After deep thought, she decided. Toward the open shop.
Sorry, Kalt.
I'll grab yours too.
"Long time no see, Allen!"