With only one week left of Summer Vacation (Estarm), the end was looming over me like a death sentence.
Even in the original story, Noblesse Oblige, this was supposed to be a relatively peaceful lull. I’d managed to take down those repulsive slave traders, and my proficiency with my Magic Eye and Flight Magic had reached a point where I didn't look like a total amateur anymore. After slogging through all those exams at the Academy, I was actually starting to feel—dare I say it—ready for the real deal: the confrontation with the Demon Race.
But of course, I wasn't allowed to just lounge around the mansion. Why? Because a certain tomboy princess had "requested" my presence.
I climbed down from the carriage, my head still spinning from being tossed around like a sack of potatoes during the ride. There they were: the towering walls of the Kingdom of Carlos. Talk about a trip down memory lane.
Right by the gate, the ground was still gouged and scarred—a lovely souvenir from our little dance with the Demon Race. It was a stark reminder that danger could jump out and bite you at any second.
"Master Weiss, it looks like we can enter the country immediately!"
"Thank you, Lilith."
Lilith was the only one by my side acting as my attendant. I’d spent about a week with Cynthia, but she’d already set sail to study at the bleeding edge of medical science. I wasn't too worried about her safety, though. She had Teacher Milk and Coco acting as her bodyguards.
Apparently, this trip was also doubling as research for the future curriculum at Nobless Academy. She wanted to eventually teach Healing Magic to talented kids.
Wait, that definitely wasn't in the original story.
This was almost certainly Cynthia’s doing. Without her, we wouldn't have stood a chance against the Demon Race. Honestly, I’m constantly humbled by her—her sheer diligence is rewriting the world while I’m just trying to keep my head above water.
Just then, a pair of familiar voices drifted over from another carriage.
"It’s been so long! I’m actually getting a little nervous!"
"True. But I feel the tension only serves to steel one's resolve."
One was a bright, airy voice, and the other was a low, steady feminine tone. I turned my head, and there they were.
"Oh! It's Weiss-kun!"
"Well, if it isn't Master Weiss. To think we would run into you during the Summer Vacation (Estarm) period."
Lilith gave a polite bow, but my brain was already spinning at a hundred miles an hour.
"I'm guessing I'm here for the same reason you two are. She roped you into this too, didn't she? Olynn, Tura."
"Eh? Oh! Does that mean Weiss-kun is coming with us? Thank goodness. That’s a huge relief."
"Umu. How heartening!"
The two of them beamed at me with pure, happy smiles.
Inwardly, I kind of felt the same way. I see. So that’s her game. They were perfect for this mission. Sophia, you crafty little... she really had this all planned out, didn't she?
Look, even a guy like me wants to spend the last few days of break being a complete sloth. Let’s just kill this Dragon as fast as humanly possible so I can go back to doing absolutely nothing.