Chapter 69
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 69
Chapter Title: Preparations to Depart
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Even departure requires preparation.
Death was more frightening than anything.
The cause of the insomnia plaguing the emperor with his wrinkled face.
The source of the information that stimulated the trauma harbored by the empire's legitimate ruler—where had it come from?
The intel on the rebels hiding in Rimno had been obtained by a noble from the aristocratic faction, seeking to prove his loyalty as he tried to join the emperor's side.
Betraying the group he belonged to and begging to be accepted demanded proof and impact worthy of such a move.
It was the massive pillar of the old aristocratic faction.
The information on the one who had nearly assassinated the emperor held that much value.
'If I called this guy a bat, the bats would shed bloody tears.'
The fact that the target was in Rimno wasn't intel uncovered in a short time.
It had been verified as truth only recently, at the cost of many informants' lives.
Capturing a rebel on the run for over a decade would likely see the noble informant fully accepted into the emperor's faction.
Though, having betrayed his way in, he wouldn't earn complete trust and would end up as an outsider in the emperor's group.
Still, abandoning the aristocratic faction now was a bold decision that seemed to foresee the future.
Having spent so long meticulously preparing to stab them in the back, neither the aristocratic faction nor the rebel group in Rimno could have anticipated this.
To ensure perfection, they couldn't show any hasty movements.
After joining the Imperial Knight Order, Eclair Dreitna handled the handover to the deputy vice-captain of the Silver Wings under the pretext of her first long-term leave.
Additionally, before departing for Rimno, she coordinated the schedule for Asen Premiller—the empire's top force and a supporter of the imperial family—to visit the capital naturally under the guise of an event.
From the sidelines, it might look like pointless procedures, but knowing even this was being rushed as much as possible, I focused on my tasks until contact came.
-
'Damn, I'm busy as hell.'
I grumbled while restocking consumables in my inventory by visiting the church and the general store.
My steps, unable to enjoy any leisure, now headed toward the alley near the slums.
Peep—! Pip! Peep!
One of the stacked cages. Inside it, a small bird's nest.
A tiny bird hopping about received a note in its rice-grain-sized beak from me.
Slide—
A memo smaller than gum paper, which I gently unfolded with my fingernail.
After checking the circle on it, I had the bird in the cage take the paper back in its beak.
'Good... Robert and Isaac. Both returned to their territories.'
The most important issue before heading to Rimno was matters related to Rike Skadi's safety.
Thus, confirming whether Robert and Isaac had returned to their territories after the graduation ceremony was crucial.
From the end of Lofty Academy's first semester, the moment those two gathered...
I saw it as perfect timing to open the second dimension at any moment.
According to the latest reports from the information guild's observations...
Both had left for their territories.
This should give me at least a month—being generous—before the academy's second semester started.
And the second issue, though in a new form...
'If I was just gonna work myself to death, I would've quit from the start...'
I'm not living my life solely to monopolize hidden pieces and become the continent's strongest.
Even what I've hogged so far is giving me indigestion.
If you start charging forward, the speeding momentum makes it hard to stop.
And I know from my past life that it leads nowhere good.
In the end, taking commissions is all about eating well and living well—gotta keep that in mind.
With about a week away from my spot...
I didn't put off daily life with Rike, now free after the graduation ceremony.
I did my best to catch both rabbits.
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"How is it?"
"Hmm~ I can't tell if the line's drifting with the current or if a fish is nibbling."
I'd come to a reservoir in the mountains with Rike, who wanted to try fishing after reading about it in some book.
On a flat rock warmed by the sunlight.
Rike sat in my lap, wiggling the fishing rod this way and that.
Over two hours without a single catch, but chatting or just staring blankly at the flowing water was fun enough.
Sitting amid nature, listening to the clear water sounds—it felt unreal that I'd soon head to the pleasure city of Rimno.
"Ah~"
When Rike opened her mouth while gripping the rod with both hands, I fed her some snacks I'd brought.
I popped one in my mouth too while I was at it.
Seeing the lunch she'd prepared since dawn showed how much she'd been looking forward to this.
As I gently stroked the tip of her hair, Rike nuzzled her head into my chest, asking for more.
"When did you plan to meet Seria tomorrow?"
"Dinner's the appointment, but... going empty-handed feels rude, so I think I'll meet Seria in the afternoon for some shopping!"
Even amid her busy preparations, Eclair hadn't forgotten Rike's wish to meet once and had invited her to the mansion, roping in Seria too.
It was just a casual mention, but I appreciated how she'd handled it.
"I'll come back from the commission as fast as I can, so hang out with Seria or Chloe often. Got it?"
"Yeah... just don't get hurt. I'll prep dinner ahead before you leave tomorrow."
I'd planned to grab a quick meal at a tavern or restaurant and was surprised enough to ask back.
"Isn't cooking a hassle? I'm fine eating out."
"Not at all—it's for you, bro. Even if you're tough, junk food'll wreck your body."
Worry filled Rike's eyes, knowing how I lived alone.
It felt oddly amusing that she, who'd barely eaten due to anorexia early in the semester, was now nagging me about my diet.
"And sorry for leaving you alone tomorrow when we head out the day after... I'll be back quick, not too late."
"Psh, no big deal. Don't worry about me—have fun. Tell me stories when you get back."
Inviting Chloe's friends to the mansion for dinner.
Even Eclair didn't see this as work or duty.
But she'd memoed and planned it so she wouldn't forget amid busier times or delays.
With preparations for Rimno complete right on schedule, she could spare the evening.
Like ripping off a band-aid, she told Chloe to invite the two.
Thrilled at having friends over.
Chloe came to the study beaming, announcing their arrival.
I flipped over the papers that could wait, checked my appearance in the mirror, and left the study.
"I-It's an h-honor to meet the esteemed knight of the empire!! S-Seria Electra!!"
"It's an honor to be called thus. I'm Rike."
I'd heard from Chloe that she disliked being called 'Lady Skadi,' but this was a unique case.
Had she been influenced by some trait of Roman's?
Even as Chloe's friends—one from a marquess family, one from a baron's.
They tried basic etiquette, but as mere cadets, I accepted their request to be casual.
"Have a seat first."
It was a combination that would pique anyone's curiosity about how they'd gathered.
The Dreitna sisters, Seria, and Rike to boot.
Seria, rigid as a rock from tension upon entering the mansion, relaxed at the unexpectedly soft atmosphere and started talking more.
After dinner, they brought out desserts the guests had brought and settled into a separate room.
"Knight, have you ever met a platinum adventurer like Urus?"
At Seria's question, Eclair unwittingly glanced at Rike.
Rike smiled lightly, as if mentioning Roman meant nothing.
"I met Urus over a year and a few months ago. His party's the type that doesn't come back often once they head out."
"Ooh...! D-Does he really ride a dragon over three meters tall that breathes fire?"
Eclair was a bit flustered by the question sparkling in those green eyes.
She was taking the bards' exaggerated tales at face value with such an innocent expression.
"He's tall, but... around two meters, I think. Not a dragon—he rides a fine warhorse."
"R-Really! Have you never seen the dragon magic he carries in his necklace?!"
"...I don't recall Urus wearing a necklace."
Like a kid learning Santa's her parents, Seria's face wilted rapidly.
"Just as sis said, bards are... I see..."
As the red critter whimpered at harsh reality, Chloe felt the need to change the subject.
"S-Sis, platinum means you know our instructor too, right?"
"Ah— Ro... man, you mean."
Eclair, still unused to her friend's name on her tongue, lightly covered her mouth with her hand.
"You know our practical instructor!"
Whoa! You do know him!
Seria's eyes lit up again at the adventurer talk, regaining her vigor.
With the man in question's lover right there, was it okay to say she knew him well?
Eclair hesitated long before answering.
"I know him a little... from work."
"Any adventure tales about the instructor?"
"M-Me too, I'm curious..."
Rike watched Eclair panic with twitching eyes, ignoring Seria's excitement and Chloe's agreement.
As a last resort, Eclair sent the two out, saying she'd brew strong tea herself and share a simple story.
Chloe and Seria left the room without a shred of doubt, overjoyed.
""...""
The silence descended quickly once the chatty pair vanished.
Eclair looked at Rike, who held her teacup with noble grace.
Though Roman had recently reined in her speech, Eclair wasn't one to hold back first.
"I heard you wanted to meet me once."
"Yes. Lately, you and bro seem to cross paths often."
'B-Bro?'
Was that word for Roman? Considering the age gap, it was natural, but...
To Eclair's ears, the sentence sounded like the woman was warding off approaches to Roman.
"I understand the misunderstanding. It's all business—no ulterior motives. I'd appreciate if you knew that."
Lady Skadi pursed her lips slightly, sensing the misalignment in her words.
Then, as if realizing at last, she set down her teacup with a small 'ah.'
"Ah—! Not that kind of talk. I must've started poorly in my haste."
"Not that?"
"Ha... Seria and Chloe will be back soon, so... may I ask a sensitive question directly?"
Saying it like that only piqued curiosity.
"...Go ahead."
"Do you have a man in your heart right now?"
"No. Were you hoping for some frivolous romance chat with me? Sadly, I've no experience to entertain you."
Never ashamed, she could say it boldly.
There was even a saying among knights that chastity meant steel-like conviction and unshakable emotions.
"I see!"
"You seem oddly pleased..."
Eclair couldn't fathom why this lady was sitting with her or what she wanted to say.
"You called it frivolous, knight, but love is never frivolous. It's the most precious emotion in life."
...Spouting such embarrassing words unfiltered—must be Roman's influence.
Had calling romance frivolous offended her?
"...I'll take the advice to heart. But I doubt I'll ever feel that. Not so far, nor in the future."
As if understanding even that remark, Rike nodded lightly.
She lifted her teacup again, moistening her lips, then asked Eclair softly.
"Knight... can you dodge the blowing wind or sudden downpours?"
"Dodge the wind? No one can."
"Exactly."
"...I'm lost. What are you getting at?"
This was the first conversation that felt like wandering a maze without direction.
"Even if special feelings arise for bro, it's as natural as facing the wind. No need to worry or find it strange."
She stated the obvious so purely.
As if preaching an immutable truth, Eclair strained to grasp the dialogue watching Rike.
"...Special feelings?"
"That's where I can help. Like, telling him when you're going makes him happy? Things like that."
"Going? You mean destinations?"
Same language, yet the talk sank deeper into a labyrinth.
Rike compressed her words at the footsteps approaching from outside.
"Just... if you ever need to talk to me, come by anytime."
"???"
They'd exchanged a fair amount, yet Eclair's mind filled only with questions.
Creak—!
No chance to resolve her doubts.
The door opened, and Seria and Chloe returned, teacups in both hands.