Chapter 43: What Is a Festival?

The dawn was dim, the sun yet to rise.

Alessia stepped out of her room.

As she left the dark mansion shrouded in silence, she felt a faint sense of liberation.

A refreshing breeze swept in, carrying the scent of the forest.

It alerted her to a faint presence nearby.

The Training Ground and Rehearsal Hall.

There was a man, shirtless from this early hour, engrossed in running through the morning mist.

“You must be exhausted from the journey; can’t you sleep?”

“And the Saintess, contrary to her bold claims, seems to have slept quite soundly?”

Luke spoke teasingly as he came to a stop near her.

“I was told not to handle business while drunk. An older sister I know said that if you spend your first night like that, you’ll regret it deeply later.”

And then.

“No matter how crazy I am about finding a man, do you think I’d pounce on a kid who’s crying?”

“Crying? You mean Luel?”

“That’s how it looked to me.”

It wasn’t simply because he wore a gloomy, depressed, or dark expression.

“Originally, the work of a Saintess is more about relief and salvation than combat or combat support.”

“And?”

“…It seemed like he hadn’t slept properly for a while, so I put him to sleep quietly before coming out. When one’s psychological state is unstable, it’s impossible to sleep soundly.”

“Then aren’t you tired? Luel and I at least rode horses to move, but you walked or ran with our kids the whole way.”

“I did that as training. In that regard, I’m confident in my stamina. I have to be prepared. After collapsing a few times because I lacked energy when I actually needed it, I realized this is unavoidable.”

Though she spoke lightly, the content felt like something difficult to delve into deeply.

…Well, unless she chose to reveal her inner thoughts, Luke had no reason to pry.

“Still, you must really like him. Seeing how you’re clinging to him like that.”

“Hmm, it might sound strange, but just being close to him makes me feel… divine.”

“…What on earth is that supposed to mean?”

“His face is exactly my type, and he looks fragile, like someone I need to protect and cherish, yet his will is firm, his skills are outstanding, and his nature isn’t bad.”

Only.

“Seeing how he feels so obedient, I suspect the atmosphere of his household was something like that.”

“Isn’t that the case for all children of nobles? If their parents have high expectations for them.”

“It would have been nice if he were a child who could handle it. And… as you’ve noticed, Luel often looks at things that aren’t there. Why do you think that is?”

“Isn’t it just because he’s spacing out or thinking deeply?”

“No. It’s because he sees something. And you can guess, without me explaining, how a child who sees things others cannot is treated, right? So he must have suffered in silence all this time, overwhelmed by anxiety and doubt that he was abnormal.”

Alessia shook her head as if the thought left a bitter taste in her mouth, then…

“Ah.”

“What is it?”

“…Hangover.”

She clutched her head.

“I told you to stop drinking so much.”

“I paid for it, didn’t I? When else does the establishment get such a windfall?”

“That’s for the tavern owner to think about. And the Festival is coming up; why bother worrying about that? I could have just said I wanted to drink my fill.”

“Did I get caught?”

The conversation seemed to be heading somewhere, but ultimately returned to trivial banter.

“Anyway, I have a feeling.”

“What feeling?”

“About Luel.”

She was incredibly concerned about him.

No, it wasn’t just that.

“I think I might be falling for him, and also… if I leave him alone, he seems so precarious that it makes me anxious.”

“Isn’t that pity or maternal instinct rather than falling for him?”

“I’ve never even had a child, stop talking nonsense. And I guarantee that once he grows a bit more, Luel will be a far more handsome man than you.”

“He’ll still be smaller than you or me, though. Are you sure about that?”

“…You really know how to shut a Saintess up. Besides, being bulky isn’t exactly something to brag about, is it?”

“Unfortunately, it is something to brag about. For a man, at least.”

Luke was quite large by general standards, but at a point where his physique was similar to that of the woman, Alessia, he felt that said it all.

“Still. Luel is the only one who has never looked at me with those tactless eyes like you guys do.”

“What kind of looks were we giving you?”

“’She’s big. Really big. A real amazon. She’s practically a man.’ Things like that. ‘I’d be knocked out in one hit if I fought her. I better not challenge her.’”

“Then how does Luel look at you?”

Alessia paused for a moment.

“…’Pretty’?”

“Have you lost your mind? Or are you just blinded by love…?”

“I’m serious! I mean, if you just look at my face, I’m quite beautiful, aren’t I?”

“…….”

Luke suddenly felt sad that it was hard to deny.

This was a total foul.

“And I’ve put so much effort into my body! I worked hard so my arms wouldn’t get too thick! My legs… were unavoidable, but… sigh.”

Just thinking about it made his heart ache.

In times like this, the only option was to just let it be.

“Anyway! He treats me like a proper woman; how could I not fall for him!”

“…Isn’t it just that Luel’s looks are your type, so you’re rationalizing it in a positive way?”

“That too, sadly, is hard to deny.”

Trivial chatter.

Still, through these conversations, the two gradually got to know each other.

And getting to know a member of the lord’s family in this way meant…

…It was synonymous with gauging the overall atmosphere of the lord.

For Luke, the fact that he could build a friendship with the Saintess was good in itself.

Of course.

It wasn’t as if Luke or Alessia had intended their conversations and meetings with such calculations.

Luke gave a half-hearted cheer.

“Good luck with that for the short time you have. If things go well, I’ll give you my blessing too.”

====

Certainly.

“…….”

He woke up just before the nightmare began.

Seeing the brightness outside the window, it felt strange.

‘I only closed and opened my eyes.’

He woke up just before Lueld would have burst through the door.

Still, unlike before, he felt as though he had slept deeply.

Because of this, his relatively strained nerves had relaxed somewhat.

Amidst the silence, with the distant sound of birds singing.

Kariel took a calm deep breath and cleared his mind.

For him, since mana manipulation and breathing techniques were meaningless, it was difficult to quickly assess and lead his physical condition in that manner.

Therefore, all he could do was use his consciousness and will.

By heightening his focus, he observed his inner self and checked his body’s condition…

It was not an easy process, but once he grasped the knack of it, he was able to roughly assess his state, even if not perfectly.

“…….”

When he was exhausted, even this part was a mess, but seeing it completely cleared up, it seemed he had slept well.

As he left the room, a passing servant guided him to a place to wash and informed him of when breakfast would begin.

Leaving the mansion and walking down a bit, he found a well.

There was a small fountain in front of the mansion and this well here; although it seemed a bit far, the sound of flowing water was clearly audible, suggesting the surrounding area had abundant water resources.

He had learned at the Academy that villages, and especially large cities, are established in places with abundant water, but it hadn’t really resonated with him at the time.

‘It was perfectly obvious, yet I’m only realizing it now that I’m actually here.’

He thought about how there are so many things in the world one doesn’t know.

While wetting his hair after washing his face, the length of his hair began to bother him.

‘Should I tie it?’

It was a bit too short to tie.

But it was bothersome to leave it as is.

…Should I just cut it all off?

The robe that doubled as a cloak given by Elhermina was exceptionally convenient.

The fact that it maintained a reasonable level of freshness even without bathing was a huge benefit, and it had miraculously not torn even when a wolf demonic beast bit him last time.

‘The sword is the same.’

Even though it had sliced through skin and severed muscle and bone.

It had miraculously not bent.

The two-handed sword he originally used was awkward to use without repair.

He had it, but he might as well dispose of it if necessary.

…He wasn’t attached to it, so it didn’t matter.

Let’s head back to the mansion.

“You’re awake?”

It was Alessia, dressed lightly, but in a much tidier outfit than yesterday.

A priest’s robe of pale white with some gold threads.

…The dissonance was immense.

Moreover, perhaps because the size didn’t fit her perfectly, the dissonance was even greater.

In particular, the chest area was blatantly bulging, evoking a strange impression.

And as if that weren’t enough, it looked like she was wearing a separate shirt and pants under the white robe.

…It was a bit, shall we say, comical.

Furthermore, that wasn’t a priestess’s robe or a female priest’s garment, was it?

“I know it looks weird. But they said this was the only thing that fit my body.”

Ah, I told you we shouldn’t have stopped by the church.

Alessia grumbled.

In her red eyes, frustration and reluctance seemed to be mixed in a jumble.

“They say clothes make the man, but in the end, the wings cannot replace the body, can they? I think Alessia is coolest just as she is.”

“…….”

She suddenly went quiet.

“You speak so beautifully. If you had just phrased ‘cool’ differently, I might have fallen for you all over again.”

What a terrifying thing to say.

After chatting briefly with her for a while.

Following the servant’s guidance that mealtime would start slightly early, he was immediately moved to the place that served as both a living room and a dining area.

At the place where a rectangular table was set, half the seats were already filled.

“Indeed! A presence befitting the renowned Saintess of Protection!”

Those were the words shouted by a middle-aged man with a moderate brown bob and a thick nose and chin beard, who sprang up from his seat.

Even though his attire wasn’t intended for welcoming guests, the clothes—a reddish-brown base with well-tied purple dyed knots—gave a stable yet luxurious impression.

Alessia responded with a forced smile.

“…Baron. I know you mean well, but despite how I look, I am, first and foremost, a woman.”

“Hahaha! What does it matter if you’re a woman or a man! I wonder if any knight could compare to Lady Alessia.”

“…I am not a formal Holy Knight, so I believe even that is excessive praise.”

“To have inherited the will and conviction of a knight within the body of a Saintess! My knowledge may be lacking, but I know this much. You should rightfully be proud, Saintess!”

“No, I mean….”

Why isn’t he listening!

Her face looked as if she wanted to argue.

“Father. Please calm down.”

“Calm down indeed! I’m just so glad to meet a knight among knights! So glad!”

His voice was loud.

The one who had just restrained the middle-aged man had a sturdy build, though he had gained some weight.

His beard was less prominent, but like the Baron, he had neatly trimmed, unremarkable brown hair, making his appearance relatively decent.

His attire was also similar to the Baron’s.

Only Luke was dressed simply.

“Look at my absent-mindedness. Let me introduce myself again. I am Roia Baronen, the current master in charge of the Baronens Territory. And these are my children.”

The Baron looked back and forth between the Saintess and Kariel.

Eventually, after he gave a signal, the plump man began his introduction in a slightly awkward tone.

“I am Rudhi Baronen. I handle the various affairs of Baronens, however inadequately, on my father’s behalf.”

“I suppose my introduction can be skipped?”

As Luke waved his hand awkwardly, the Baron grew angry.

“You rascal! How impolite!”

“Ah, please stop doing that. We’ve known each other’s names for a long time now, why the sudden formality?”

“Even if you two know each other well, what about the guest from the Edenlevan Regiment? Is he just for decoration?”

Then.

“Ah, you don’t need to worry about me. I’ve already exchanged greetings just before arriving.”

When praising someone’s skin, people often conventionally or customarily say it’s snow-white or like white jade.

But this was twice as severe.

It was as if one wondered if the color of bone could be like that.

Perhaps it was whiter than marble.

Since even the hair color was snow-white, it evoked a great sense of alienation.

“Now that my person in charge has arrived, I can finally get to work, can’t I?”

His red eyes glittered with enthusiasm.

Between his slightly parted lips, sharp molars flashed.

His attire, with long red embroidery amidst overall dark colors, had a sophisticated quality rarely seen even in socialite halls.

Perhaps because the red rose occupying the chest pocket drew particular attention.

The instinctive repulsion toward his appearance was neutralized relatively quickly.

“In that sense, our great Saintess Alessia, the pride of the Church of Irenis! I hope the 4th rank, who bears the epithet of Protection, will take good care of me.”

“I’ll do it even if you don’t ask.”

Alessia snorted.

“As long as you do your job properly.”

“All of that is for the artistic soul that soothes innocence.”

He said with a smile.

“The Blood-Sharing Family Well-being Association of the Edenlevan Regiment! As always, we shall contribute to the stability and prosperity of humanity and the continent. Ah, my introduction is late. You may call me Philbar Asubnara. The details are here….”

Rising from his seat and approaching Kariel and Alessia.

He handed over something rectangular.

“Please take my business card.”

Alessia took the tiny piece of black paper with a familiarity that felt almost habitual.

“…….”

“For you as well.”

Kariel, who had glanced at Alessia, also received one.

“It is a token. Whenever you meet a branch, building, or official of the Edenlevan Regiment and present this! You will receive kind assistance! For connections are indeed precious!”

He was sly, but not light or vulgar.

He showed clown-like gestures, but never seemed frivolous.

Maintaining that line cannot be an easy task.

Yet he was calmly fulfilling that role.

“Now, finally… how about an introduction for the boy next to the Saintess? Ah, you may omit it if it’s uncomfortable… but the Baron will be the one to decide that, right?”

“…….”

Kariel paused, looked at the Baron, and responded lightly.

“I am called Luel. It is a pseudonym, but as I am in the midst of knightly training, I would be grateful if you could take that into consideration.”

Left hand behind, right hand above the shoulder.

Bowing the waist generally, but not bending the head.

The left leg slightly pulled back.

“Glad to meet you. Your status is not important here, so do not feel burdened. The fact that my children and the Saintess hold you in high regard means you have proven your ability and nature to that extent, does it not? Even if not, there is of course no reason to treat you poorly, so put those worries aside.”

“Thank you. Also, you may speak comfortably.”

“Good. Then I shall!”

Having settled the matter, the Baron said.

“Now! Since we’re peckish, let’s fill our stomachs first. Philbar, you….”

“I will drink what has been prepared in advance, so please eat comfortably without worry.”

Then, a pale-skinned boy who looked like the man’s personal servant approached and opened a glass bottle.

He then poured a bright red liquid into a glass on the table.

“Is that enough?”

“Beyond sufficient!”

The pale man gazed sweetly at the half-filled red liquid, as if it were the finest delicacy.

“I’m becoming impatient. I long to personally witness the achievement that Saint Kariel has accomplished! Now, everyone, eat quickly! Hurry! Hurry!”

He looked truly joyful.

The Edenlevan Regiment.

During the Demon King Invasion, they were the traitors who first broke away from the Demon King as members of the Demon Race and stood on the side of the Human Alliance and the continent.

However, the grace and achievements they bestowed were comparable to those of the Dragon House.

Kariel unconsciously looked up into the air.

And Alessia, sitting next to him, also noticed this.

“The food is here! Now, eat up! Only when the stomach is full can the soul be enriched!”

Bread and cheese, boiled eggs.

Other than that, various types of meat were brought out whole.

It was a menu that might be burdensome on the stomach for breakfast, but it seemed only Kariel perceived it that way.

Eventually, following Baron Roia’s encouragement and watching the attendants tear the meat and divide it into each plate, Kariel and Alessia also naturally immersed themselves in the meal.