Ren was plagued by a lingering sense of unease.
He had no desire to defy the kindness shown by Ulysses and the others, nor was he foolish enough to crave unnecessary conflict. He understood that forcing his way into their affairs would likely make him a nuisance, so he had no intention of acting recklessly.
Yet, despite his logic, his heart remained heavy.
Two weeks passed, and even as June drew to a close, that feeling remained unchanged.
This was not a case of negative hesitation. It was about his desire to fulfill his duty. If Ulysses and the rest were working toward some goal, then Ren would protect the manor. If his priority was safeguarding Licia, then staying put was undoubtedly the best course of action. So why did he still feel so unsettled?
As he swung his sword at the Lion Sanctum, Ren searched for the source of his wavering resolve.
"Guh... i-impossible!?"
A Lion Sanctum Knight was suddenly overwhelmed by Ren’s Strong Sword.
The man was effortlessly driven to his knees, and another knight immediately stepped forward to take his place. Or rather, they were the ones "facing" him now. Only six months ago, these men had been the ones teaching Ren the essence of the Strong Sword. Now, every one of them found themselves forced to their knees.
"Haa... haa... Master Ren has become even more formidable lately."
"What on earth is happening? He looks like a man possessed."
"Indeed. It is as if he is striving to become a true Lion... Since winter, Master Ren has been swinging his sword with seemingly infinite stamina, as if trying to drain a well that never runs dry..."
As he continued his relentless practice, Ren’s mind focused on a single thought.
More, he thought.
He was drenched in sweat, gasping for breath. As long as his body could still move, he pushed himself to the absolute limit. The exceptionally dense mana he enshrouded around his body was invisible to the naked eye, yet the Strong Sword Users felt it clearly.
The boy was evolving again—forcefully and with singular intent.
Feeling as though they were witnessing a historic transformation, the knights held their breath. It was then that an old gentleman appeared.
"Edgar-san?"
"Yes. It has been quite a while."
Ren hadn't seen the man's face in some time. Edgar, appearing without warning, tossed aside his jacket and picked up two training swords, weighing one in each hand.
"I found myself with a bit of spare time, so I felt compelled to see you."
"...Spare time, is it?"
Ren suspected that this "spare time" was a deliberate pretense. The man had likely come specifically to check on him.
"I’ve had so many things I’ve wanted to ask," Ren admitted.
"I am not sure what you mean, but there are things I can answer and things I cannot," Edgar replied.
"Then I won't ask. You probably wouldn't tell me anyway, and I don't want to cause you trouble."
At that moment, Edgar realized the truth. Ren had already seen through the secrets Ulysses was keeping and had spent a great deal of time reflecting on them. He likely understood the reasons behind the secrecy as well. Ren knew this was Ulysses's way of protecting him, a gesture of kindness meant to keep him out of harm's way.
Because he understood this, Edgar knew exactly what Ren was thinking.
"If you would like, shall we cross blades for the first time in a while?"
The offer was sudden. While the two had sparred during training sessions, those matches had always been instructional. They hadn't truly crossed swords like this since last summer.
Ren took his stance, recognizing the value of the opportunity. Edgar followed suit.
Then, without warning, Edgar took the initiative.
Just like that day last summer, he closed the distance with explosive speed and physical strength, appearing before Ren like a sudden gale. He swung the swords in both hands, unleashing a rapid-fire sequence of strikes.
"You likely have no resistance to being protected, Master Ren!"
The clash of steel rang out, a sound sharp enough to split the ears. Ren caught the consecutive strikes without flinching and stared Edgar down.
"Until today, you have only ever been the one protecting others! That is why you are shaken—because you have realized that, this time, you are the one being shielded!"
"Perhaps... I am!" Ren shouted back.
This time, Ren countered with a surge of strength. Unlike their duel in the summer, his resistance was powerful enough to press even a Sword Saint like Edgar.
Sweat formed on Edgar's palms. Faced with a level of strength that couldn't be compared to Ren's former self, he naturally poured more power into his grip.
"I do not mind if you think an old man is overstepping his bounds. Please, tell me what is in your heart!"
The words were exchanged between the ring of blades. Ren searched for the reason his heart felt so clouded. He had known for a while that Ulysses and Radius were hiding something to keep him safe, but what was the root of his dissatisfaction?
It’s not that I’m craving a battle, he reminded himself.
He had no need to throw himself into a pointless fight. He had weighed this many times and knew it to be true. And yet, just by crossing swords with Edgar, the answer was finally coming into focus.
Could it be... that I...
The thought made him want to laugh at his own audacity. How could he feel this way when his opponents were so much more powerful than him? He mocked himself, yet a genuine, carefree smile broke across his face.
I really am a softhearted fool...!
Of course, he was referring to himself. Because of the bonds he had formed, he found himself worrying about things far beyond his responsibility. Perhaps he was worried about the game's original scenario—but it was more than that. It was a pure sense of devotion. Or perhaps the Strong Bravery he possessed simply wouldn't allow him to ignore the people he cared for.
"I’m afraid of something dangerous happening near the people I should be protecting while I’m stuck somewhere else, knowing nothing about it!" Ren roared.
His sword was imbued with more physical strength than ever before.
"If that is the case, one could argue that you should simply stay by their side!"
"That's true! But, Edgar-san, you're misunderstanding something!"
Ren finally understood. No wonder I was feeling so lost, he thought with a laugh. He mocked his own presumptuousness, but his hesitation had vanished.
"A misunderstanding...?"
Ren’s body felt light—lighter than it had ever felt in his life.
"I’m worried about Lord Ulysses and the others too! That’s why I wanted to at least hear the story!"
A particularly powerful swing crashed against Edgar’s defense. Taking the hit head-on, Edgar was stunned by the power of the Strong Sword, but he was even more shocked by Ren's declaration.
Edgar was speechless. His master, Ulysses Ignat, was a man of immense intellect and power known as "Strong-Armed," a world-class figure of influence. To hear that this boy was worried about such a man left him at a loss for words. It didn't matter that Ren had technically protected Ulysses in the past.
Eventually, Edgar's expression softened into a wide grin.
"Ha... ha-ha-ha-ha!"
He stepped back and let out a booming laugh. It was a genuine, belly-deep laugh of pure amusement. Hearing it, Ren relaxed his posture and lowered his sword.
"I... I thought you'd laugh at me...!"
"My apologies. It is just... heh heh heh! To think that Master Ren would feel that way even toward my master!"
In the end, it came down to simple worry. Ren was deeply concerned about Ulysses, who was preparing to confront the Demon King Cult. He felt the same about Radius. Even though they weren't the ones on the front lines of the fighting, the uncertainty was eating at him. He wanted to know the truth. Knowing that Erendil was likely tied to Ulysses and Radius's plans, he felt even more strongly that he should be informed.
"...Even I have to laugh, now that I realize I was just worried."
"Not at all! I was struck by how noble and kind those words were. I hope you never lose that heart of yours."
Edgar readjusted the training swords in his hands. Ren followed suit.
"You must already realize it. My master has sent a letter to Baron Clausel to inform him of the situation. Furthermore, the Baron met with my master today to speak with him directly."
Ren listened intently.
"Has Baron Clausel not told you anything yet?"
"There's no way he would. If Lord Ulysses or Radius asked him to stay quiet, he'd follow their lead. That's why I didn't bother asking."
"Hmm... You are quite right. My apologies."
Ren laughed, seeing Edgar’s wry smile. Now that he understood his own feelings, his entire body felt refreshed, as if a cool breeze had swept through his soul.
"Shall we make a wager?" Edgar proposed. "If you can withstand my special attack, I shall take you to my master’s side. If you cannot, I would ask that you give up this pursuit."
"This attack is different from the ones you've used so far?"
"Yes. It is a technique intended for someone I have recognized as truly strong. There is a risk of injury, so I will not force you to accept."
Ren’s answer was instantaneous. He still had no intention of interfering with their plans, but he wanted to hear the truth so he could decide for himself how to act at the Erendil Manor.
"I would be honored to accept."
The watching knights felt their blood pump with excitement. They were eager to see what Ren could do against a man like Edgar. Some wondered how many exchanges the boy could survive.
However, they soon realized their expectations had been far too low. To wonder what kind of sword he would show was an underestimation; to wonder how many rounds he would last was an insult.
Having cleared the blockage in his heart, Ren revealed his true nature. Deep within his soul was the source of a remarkably immense power. If the Unconquerable Lion were there, he would have recognized it instantly.
"I shall grant you the first move. Let that be the signal to begin," Edgar said.
"Yes. Here I come!"
That Strong Bravery was Ren's true essence. Only by understanding his purpose could the path to his evolution truly open. Ren was about to let that power bloom.
No more holding back. I’m going all out.
Ren lunged forward.
"Tch—this is..."
Edgar was forced backward by the sheer weight of Ren's strike. The boy's speed was faster than a Thief Wolfen; his physical strength, while not yet at the level of the dragon Asval, far surpassed the cultists he had fought before.
"I'm not finished!"
A flurry of attacks rained down on Edgar. Each stroke was incredibly heavy, a Strong Sword that drained the strength from the defender's very bones. The blade moved with such precision that the afterimages looked like physical swords. This wasn't just a sudden growth; it was a fundamental transformation of his being.
"Haaaaaaaaah!"
"...To think he would evolve this quickly!"
Ren executed an upward swing followed by a horizontal sweep. Edgar had seen every style of swordsmanship imaginable, yet everything about Ren's style was original. Even a simple horizontal sweep felt like a master-level technique when he wielded it.
Still, Edgar was a Sword Saint. He was still holding back his full strength, and he knew that if he were truly ordered to defeat Ren, he could do so in an instant. The gap in their years of experience was simply too wide.
And yet, a cold shiver ran down Edgar's spine. There was no way he should lose, yet an inexplicable dread told him otherwise.
At the same time, he felt a strange sense of joy. The wager he had proposed had been made with a specific purpose in mind. As the match progressed, Edgar felt his expression soften, realizing that his goal might actually be achieved—and that he might actually lose his own wager.
"Heh... I remember the day I guided you here last summer as if it were yesterday!"
Edgar shifted to the offensive. He used his training sword to slice halfway through Ren's own wooden blade.
"...Haha, this is ridiculous, Edgar-san!"
"Ridiculous? Hah! I wonder which of us is truly the ridiculous one!"
Edgar threw both of his swords at Ren. Ren parried them with his broken hilt and retreated, but an intense chill suddenly filled the air. Edgar manifested Ice Blades in the air, intending to pin Ren to the ground. He planned to point his blade at the boy and offer his praise.
"Let me show you the Strong Sword of a magic wielder!"
Each Ice Blade was imbued with the power of a master's Enshroud technique. Defending against them should have been impossible. The wager should have ended in Edgar's victory.
"Don't look down on me, Sword Saint."
Ren had survived countless death matches. He had spent every day pushing his lungs until they felt like a parched desert and pushing his muscles until they burned. He was the proof of a talent that would one day be hailed as the Lion Sanctum's Greatest Masterpiece.
He was Ren Ashton, and he was still growing.
The knights of the Lion Sanctum were left in stunned silence. The battle had ended in a matter of seconds, leaving them breathless.
"I am proud of my master for inviting you here," Edgar said. He paused, then added, "And I am proud to be your instructor, Master Ren."
He turned his back to Ren, picked up his discarded jacket, and began to walk away.
"Edgar-san!" Ren called out. The old man didn't stop. "Won't you get in trouble for making a promise like that? I wasn't trying to force you into anything!"
"Do not worry. Besides, I was never explicitly ordered not to tell you the truth."
"...Even so, you're going to get reprimanded."
"Hmm... if this constitutes disloyalty to my master... then perhaps I will be." Edgar stopped and turned back with a gentle smile. "In that case, it will simply be the first act of disloyalty I have ever committed. Follow the feelings in your heart, Master Ren."
"...Is that really okay?"
"As you said, it should start with a conversation. You have no intention of interfering—and for a certain reason, it may actually be better if you know."
Ren nodded silently. He was about to ask what that "certain reason" was, but a voice interrupted him.
"Good grief... I knew this would happen."
Ulysses was standing on the balcony above the atrium. He was looking down at them with a resigned, amused smile. The moment Ren saw him, he broke into a run to meet the Marquis.