In the spring duel, Sera had suffered a crushing defeat at Licia’s hands. It remained a truly bitter memory.
From that day forward, Sera had devoted herself to training more intensely than ever, driven by the goal of eventually besting her rival.
And yet, that very same Licia was now the one suffering constant defeats.
What was more, it was at the hands of a boy their own age.
Sera was still reeling from the revelation, but her heart was also beginning to race with excitement.
"I’m shocked to hear there’s a boy stronger than you, Licia. But I’m going to work hard with Vane, and we’ll prove that we can become stronger than both of you."
"You mean the boy who saved you, Sera?"
At those words, Sera’s cheeks flushed a light pink. Noticing her embarrassment, Licia realized that Sera harbored no small amount of affection for this boy.
It wasn't hard to understand. Having had a similar experience herself, Licia was quick to catch on.
"I’m looking forward to the day we all meet at the Academy. With me and Vane, plus you and this boy who’s even stronger... it’s bound to be a lot of fun."
"The two of us and the Academy...? What are you talking about?"
"What do you mean, 'what'? I’m talking about the Imperial Academy, obviously."
Sera laughed, looking slightly taken aback.
"You’re planning to enroll, aren't you? Even the entrance exam for the Special Merit Class shouldn't be much of a challenge for someone like you."
To Sera, it was only natural that Licia would attend the Imperial Academy. It was a given. Her tone made it clear that she considered it a foregone conclusion.
Licia, however, had not yet decided if she would actually go.
"So, you haven't made up your mind yet," Sera noted.
Licia nodded. "Yes. I understand the value of attending the Academy, but I don't believe it’s the only path."
"I know that. Even among the high-ranking nobility, there are people who feel the same way. It’s not as if every minister in the empire is a graduate of the Academy, after all."
"Exactly. That’s why I—"
"But Licia, you really should aim for it."
"—Sera?"
Sera’s voice was suddenly powerful, carrying a weight that brooked no argument.
Seeing Licia tilt her head in confusion, Sera leaned in closer. She gave Baron Lezard a quick wink and lowered her voice to a whisper.
But then, it happened.
Just as Sera was about to speak, a massive stir swept through the ballroom.
"I wonder what’s going on," Licia murmured.
Lezard and Sera followed her gaze, looking toward the source of the commotion.
The three of them stared at the entrance to the hall, and the reason for the stir became immediately apparent. Sera’s face twitched as she recognized the great noble standing there.
The man who had just entered the ballroom was none other than the "Strong-Armed" Ulysses Ignat.
Accompanied by a young girl who was the very personification of grace and beauty—a girl who could easily rival Licia—he walked slowly into the room. He exchanged brief words with several nobles, offering them polite, practiced smiles.
He soon spotted Licia’s group and, with a fresh smile, began making his way toward them.
"Well now, it is a pleasure to meet you—the two of House Clausel."
Marquis Ignat—or rather, Ulysses—spoke with a refreshing grin on his face, which exuded a rugged, masculine charm.
"Oh? And who do we have here? If I’m not mistaken, you are of House Riohalde..."
"I-I am Sera... it is an honor..."
"Ah! Of course, I know who you are! I’ve seen you at several parties before. Now, I apologize for the interruption, but might I have a word with these two as well?"
At that moment, Sera’s entire body was rigid with tension.
The sheer pressure radiating from Ulysses was relentless. Just as she felt her breathing start to falter, she truly grasped the man's power. She realized that this was the terrifying aura of the "Strong-Armed" that so many other nobles feared.
Ulysses had asked if he could speak with the Clausels, and although she knew she needed to respond, the words were caught in her throat.
"Dear me. It seems I’ve made her quite nervous."
Ulysses gave a small shrug and turned to the beautiful girl standing a step behind him—Fiona.
"This is your fault, Father. Please reflect on your behavior."
Fiona stepped forward to take her father’s place and offered Sera a gentle smile.
She was so lovely that Sera, despite being a girl herself, found herself staring in awe. Her tension momentarily vanished, and she whispered a soft, "So beautiful..."
With both Licia and Fiona standing together, the scene felt like something out of a fairy tale. Their combined radiance made the space feel almost otherworldly.
"I’m sorry for interrupting your conversation. Would it be alright if we spoke with the Baron and his daughter for a moment?"
Fiona repeated her father’s question, bowing her head slightly with an apologetic air.
At that point, Lezard stepped in to rescue Sera from the awkward situation.
"Lady Riohalde, thank you for speaking with us tonight. I would be delighted if you and Licia continued your friendship in the future."
"Y-Yes... of course..."
His words were a subtle way of telling her that he would handle things from here and that it was okay for her to leave.
Sera caught the hint and excused herself. She would never discover the real reason Ulysses had come to find them.
"Now then," Ulysses said, turning back to Lezard. "Shall we move to the terrace?"
"Are you sure that’s wise? People might think we’re engaged in some sort of secret plot."
"Haha! Not at all! To those watching us right now, I’m merely the villain who has come to interrogate Baron Clausel!"
He was likely referring to the recent winter incident. People would assume he was there to reprimand the Baron, whose territory contained the Baldur Mountains where the trouble had started.
Indeed, the surrounding nobles were already whispering, completely misunderstanding the situation.
As suggested, the group moved out onto the terrace. There wasn't another soul in sight. The fact that no one even dared to follow them was a testament to the influence Ulysses wielded.
They walked through the terrace and into a secluded corner of the manor’s garden. Once they reached the cover of a tall hedge, Ulysses stopped.
"I’ve finally managed to meet you properly, Baron Clausel. I have mountains of things I want to discuss... but first, I must give you my thanks."
It was sudden.
Ulysses stopped and bowed his head deeply toward Lezard and Licia. Fiona followed suit, giving an equally deep and respectful bow.
Lezard, horrified that a Marquis was bowing to a Baron, hurriedly tried to stop them.
"P-Please, Excellency, stop!"
"No, I will not. Baron Clausel, you are the benefactor of both myself and my daughter. You have no idea how long I have waited for the chance to show my gratitude like this."
While the two of them were bowing, Lezard and Licia were incredibly uncomfortable. It was a massive relief when Ulysses and Fiona finally straightened up.
"Thank you so very much," Fiona said. "The fact that I am standing here alive today is entirely thanks to your cooperation, Baron Clausel."
"...Lady Ignat, please. Everything was due to Ren’s hard work."
"I am well aware of that. But it was you who provided the Thief Wolfen materials to save me, Baron. There is no mistaking that."
Fiona spoke with firm conviction and bowed once more.
When she raised her head again, her eyes met Licia’s.
In that moment, both girls thought the exact same thing—the same thought they'd had back in the ballroom.
I’ve never seen anyone so beautiful.
Neither let the thought show on their faces or in their voices.
A night breeze drifted through the garden. As it ruffled the platinum feather hair ornament in Licia’s hair, it also swayed the unpolished Star Agate necklace at Fiona’s throat. Unlike a typical Star Agate, this one was tinged with a deep, ruby red.
""Um—!""
The two of them spoke at exactly the same time, but their voices were cut off by Ulysses.
"Regarding the incident the other day—whoops, sorry to interrupt. Please, continue."
"M-My apologies. I’m fine, please go ahead, Marquis..."
"I’m sorry! I don’t mind either... please, Father!"
"Is that so? Then I’ll take you up on that."
Ulysses brought up the events in the Baldur Mountains, mentioning how Ren had once again come to Fiona’s rescue.
"I heard everything from my daughter. She was saved by Ren Ashton, and she was able to thank him in person."
"I can only offer my deepest apologies for that. I have no excuse for allowing such a disturbance to occur within my own borders."
"Enough of that. That incident was beyond anyone's control."
"But..."
"If you want to play the blame game, then I’m the one who lacked foresight. If I had been more careful, Fiona would never have been caught up in such a mess."
"However, if even a man of your stature could not have known, then surely the same is true for anyone else."
"You think so? Then it seems to me that Baron Clausel isn't to blame either, is he?"
Caught by the quick logic, Lezard could only manage a wry smile and remain silent. To deny it further would be to contradict Ulysses directly. He maintained a humble silence instead.
"But please, don't be so modest. I’m well aware of how capable you are, Baron. At this rate, the Clausel territory is going to rise significantly in status within the next few years."
"I’m not sure I follow you. To what are you referring?"
"Did you think I wouldn't notice? There are rumors that you've recently begun to win over the merchants in all the surrounding territories. Well, the rumors are only in my own head for now, but still."
"It’s true that merchant traffic has increased lately, but I haven't done anything out of the ordinary."
"Really? Then what about the road improvements through the Baldur Mountains? The ones that have been a headache for merchants for decades?"
"That was simply because I thought it would eventually make it easier to travel to other territories."
"And you’re cutting a path through an entire mountain just for that?"
Lezard said nothing, maintaining a perfectly calm expression. Even standing before the "Strong-Armed" Ulysses Ignat, he showed no signs of intimidation. He stood there as he always did.
"That mountain you’re clearing... once the path is finished, it will be a simple matter to travel between the lands beyond and the former Viscount Given’s territory. Merchants will inevitably use it as a shortcut. It won't just be those two territories; every land reachable by magic ship from there will be affected."
"It is as you say. Which is likely why so many nobles have been contacting me lately."
"Haha! Your real target wasn't the trade itself, was it? It was the influence."
Ulysses gave a knowing smirk.
"You’re a shrewd man, Baron Clausel. I suspect you've already made several arrangements with those nobles, haven't you? Perhaps... tax concessions in exchange for guaranteed safe passage through your new road?"
"...I’m not at liberty to say."
"Good grief. I’ll say it again: you really are a formidable man. To think that, as a mere Baron, you’ve managed to secure such agreements with high-ranking nobles all on your own."
Licia was hearing all of this for the first time.
She listened in shock to the scale of her father’s work, unable to stop herself from looking up at him in surprise.
"Forgive me, Licia. It was a massive undertaking, and I didn't want to worry you unnecessarily."
"...Father."
"Well, that’s how it is. I can't keep letting Ren do all the heavy lifting, after all."
Even Ulysses was praising his work.
Though she was stunned by when he had found the time to do all this, Licia felt a surge of pride in her father. He was acting as a true noble, working to expand their family’s influence and bring prosperity to their land.
The conversation continued for some time.
Inside the ballroom, everyone believed Lezard was being reprimanded. But here in the garden, Ulysses thanked him repeatedly, bowing his head alongside Fiona time and time again.
Eventually, the topic shifted to the matter of Asval’s horn.
"Asval’s horn, you say? How fascinating."
"However, I’m at a loss as to how to handle it. I thought it would be disrespectful to your Excellency if I made a decision on my own."
"Disrespectful? Not in the least. But I appreciate the thought."
Ulysses crossed his arms, looking thoughtful.
"Who holds the rights to the horn?"
"Our house is currently holding it, but I believe the ownership belongs to Ren. Of course, that might change if it’s determined it must be offered as a tribute."
"Then there is absolutely nothing to worry about. That horn belongs to Ren Ashton."
If Ulysses, the head of the Imperial Faction, said so, then there were no lingering issues to concern them. If even Lezard, the master of Ren’s house, acknowledged it, then Ulysses saw no reason for anyone to object.
All that remained was what to do with it.
"The rest is up to Ren Ashton. I’ll think of a few suggestions for its use. For example, it might be possible to use it to forge equipment for him."
"I understand. Then I shall leave the matter in your hands, Marquis."
"Leave it to me! I may not look it, but I have a wide circle of acquaintances!"
Lezard and Licia could only offer wry smiles at that, though they didn't say a word.
"Still, it’s a strange coincidence. For the horn to wash up near the Ashton village of all places... it’s hard to believe it’s just luck."
"...Indeed. I am inclined to agree."
For a split second, Lezard’s eyebrow twitched.
However, he said nothing about the legends of the Ashton family ancestor. No matter how much he respected Ulysses, he had no intention of revealing Ren’s secrets without permission.
But Ulysses didn't miss that fleeting reaction.
The only reason he didn't press for more information was simply because the man standing before him was a savior and a friend.