Chapter 59
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 59
Chapter Title: She Only Waits for Quitting Time
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She was just waiting to get off work.
I stared intently at Chloe as she approached me with hesitant, shuffling steps.
She averted her eyes downward but headed straight for the chair where I was sitting.
The other cadets on night watch duty all turned their gazes toward Chloe, wondering what she was up to.
I spoke first to her as she stood before me, fidgeting with her lips.
"There must be a good reason for a cadet to leave her post and move around, right?"
"S-Sorry. It's just that..."
Chloe's blue eyes darted around, clearly bothered by the stares from the other cadets watching us.
Woooong—
Noise cancellation—a basic skill essential as a lifeline for adventurers and mercenaries alike.
It had been since I became an instructor and went to the café with Rike to buy the memory cookies that I'd last used it.
Chloe, having experienced this flow of mana several times before, finally grasped the situation and opened her mouth.
"There's something I want to ask you, Instructor."
"Speak."
She glanced toward the empty instructor's tent as if searching for someone, then looked back at me.
"...I'd like to know where the knight is who taught our class."
"Did something happen with him?"
Clutching the hem of her shirt in both hands and twisting it nervously, Chloe forced out her words one by one.
"I think I got too worked up... and said something rude. I want to apologize to him..."
Had I ramped up the emotions too intensely when sending her off?
From my perspective, it had been a straightforward and refreshing exchange, but considering Chloe's personality, she might have found it too abrupt and relentless.
"Unfortunately, he's an incredibly busy man, so he's already left. Besides, nothing you said was really a problem, so no need to worry... He actually seemed to enjoy it."
Even so, she didn't seem reassured and cautiously inquired about the knight's identity. Only after I sternly warned her that it was absolutely off-limits did she finally back off a step.
"Anything else you want to ask?"
I looked up at Chloe, who stood there unmoving, as if her feet were glued to the spot with sticky tack.
She fidgeted with her hands, then suddenly bowed deeply at the waist like a formal greeting and slowly raised her head.
Her ash-gray hair cascaded down with it, then settled back into place.
"I... I felt I absolutely had to thank you, Instructor..."
"Ah—because of the aura? Aura is the result of the cadet's own efforts, not the instructor's doing. If anything, I should be the one thanking you—from an instructor's standpoint, having an outstanding cadet emerge means I've achieved results."
Chloe knew full well that the cadets couldn't see, but it was in my line of sight.
"That's not—!"
"But listen. Keep this in mind."
I cut off Chloe just as she was about to protest negatively.
"Huh?"
"Information about your own realm—unless it's someone you can truly trust, keep it hidden for now. Unless it's already out or there's no avoiding it."
"..."
Chloe's face grew deeply uneasy as she listened to me.
Before her rippling lips could form a retort, I released the mana that had been serving as a sound barrier.
"If you understand, return to your post. If the campfire goes out because of this, I'll hold the cadet responsible."
The moment Eclair left the cadet encampment, she released her armor and headed straight back to the capital.
Two hours' walk for the cadets.
For her moving freely alone, it was hardly any distance at all.
She arrived at the capital in what felt like an instant.
Even at this late hour after sunset, she passed through the VIP entrance just by slightly lifting the hood of her robe.
Returning to the now-familiar mansion, she waved off the servants who rushed toward her and headed to her study, free from any interruptions.
Creak—
"..."
She sat down in the rigid chair, pressing her hips all the way back, and closed her eyes.
Too much had happened in such a short time; she needed a moment to sort through the thoughts she hadn't processed.
(Sister, you don't even know her properly...!)
(The real hardship wasn't for those around her—it must have been the most painful for Sister, charging ahead alone...)
Chloe's thunderous roar, laced with fury, still echoed in her ears like rolling thunder.
It had shattered all the anxieties Eclair had harbored, point by point.
That quiet Chloe of all people.
"Hehe..."
An uncontrollable laugh slipped through her lips.
Had there ever been such immense comfort in her life?
Just knowing that someone recognized how hard it had been for her was an unparalleled balm for the soul.
And if that person was someone more precious than her own life, the consolation felt like an ark bearing down upon her.
Fondling the black brooch in her hand, Eclair replayed once more that dreamlike spar with Chloe.
Chloe's swordsmanship, honed through diligent, unwavering practice, was solid, infused with an upright spirit unswayed by deviation.
'I wonder if I'll ever be able to properly repay this debt...'
In the end, since she hadn't revealed her identity, Eclair had been able to hear Chloe's unfiltered thoughts about her.
It wasn't just that single factor—a confluence of various interventions, coincidences, and alignments had created this situation.
That's why it felt like some grand twist of fate.
If she hesitated here again with unfounded worries, she'd have no face to show Chloe—or the one who'd helped her.
-
Though Eclair spent the entire night awake in her study without sleeping,
by early dawn, as she washed and prepared for work, her condition was better than it had ever been.
The empire rose early, so as she left the mansion, the damp, dew-laden air greeted her.
"You're here."
"Mm."
The coachman who had alighted from the carriage removed his hat in greeting.
It was routine to close her eyes and rest briefly during the ride in the carriage that had been waiting even earlier than her.
But today, her eyes sparkled wide open as she took in the capital's scenery visible from the carriage.
'By the time I finish work and return, Chloe should be home too. It'd be nice if our evening times overlapped...'
It was concerning that nobles were gathered in such an open outdoor space, but it also put her mind at ease in a way.
If even Platinum-rank hands couldn't resolve it, there'd be no safe place left in the empire.
Unlike Urus's party, these were Platinum adventurers friendly to the imperial family, precise and swift in their dealings.
'Friends... with that Roman.'
Her grip tightened involuntarily at the awkward word, and her red gaze lifted to the sky.
For her, relationships with others were either above or below.
That was it.
Did "friends" mean on the same level—neither above nor below?
Having rolled only on battlefields every day, she had no clear answer for such things.
She wondered what face to make when they met next...
Knock-knock.
The coachman knocked on the carriage wall from the front.
She hadn't even noticed the carriage had stopped, lost in thought.
-
Even holding the title of captain in one of the many knight orders under the imperial family, she spent most of her working hours in the office.
However, she didn't head straight to the office upon arrival.
Even if just formally, she made sure to show her face to the knights.
She acknowledged each one who snapped to attention with crisp salutes upon eye contact, then proceeded to the office.
"Captain! Did you rest well?"
She nodded to the man waiting in front of the office.
"...Leo Floyd. Any unusual matters while I was away?"
"None!"
"Then what's the reason for loitering in front of the office? The knights are already out on the training grounds."
"There's something I'd like to discuss."
"..."
As Eclair fell silent, Leo took it as assent, spread his legs slightly, and puffed out his chest in parade rest.
"I want to know why you don't take me along on external duties."
"...Do I really need to explain that?"
It had been just a few months since Leo unnecessarily provoked Roman, shattering his nasal bone.
He seemed oblivious to how pitch-black her vision had gone while watching it unfold in real time right before her eyes.
"With adventurers... I'll never let something like that happen again. Please give me one more chance!"
"Do you intend to apologize if you meet that adventurer?"
"..."
Evidently not, as Leo clamped his mouth shut.
Knightly pride ran high.
Doubly so for knights from prestigious families bearing the imperial banner.
With the mighty Floyd name on his back, he would never bow to an adventurer, no matter their Platinum rank.
"I... will apologize."
The unexpected response surprised even her a little.
But Leo ground his teeth, seething with anger at the mere thought.
Eclair closed her eyes briefly, unsurprised by the transparent fury radiating from him.
"If it's not a proper apology, I won't accept it."
"I'll keep that in mind..."
As Eclair moved past Leo toward the office, he grabbed at her once more.
"C-Captain!"
"...What now?"
"If you're done with work today—"
Something about the atmosphere at a new wine bar.
Reservations were needed, but his name would get them right in.
'I need to call the vice-captain and have a talk...'
This was a serious discipline issue.
Even if she was the youngest female captain in the order, this level of insolence toward the captain was outrageous.
Remembering how Leo had dragged her to dinner under the pretense of work consultation only to ramble about hobbies and trips, Eclair sighed.
"Not interested. Focus on your duties properly first."
Despite being much older than her, his blind faith in his family name made him look like nothing but a cocky brat.
Bang—!
The office door slammed shut as if it might break.
Right now, for Eclair, there was nothing more important than talking with Chloe after getting off work.