July arrived quickly.
Since there were so many tasks to complete, the days passed in a blur.
On the evening of the day the Imperial Academy's second exam concluded, Ren returned to the Clausel manor with Licia. As the hours ticked by, his expression grew increasingly tense. Licia, noticing this, let out a deep sigh.
However, she said nothing.
Though there were mountains of things she wanted to say, the words refused to form.
"...I wonder if I could have gone with you if I weren't a noble," Licia murmured as she sat on the sofa in the hall.
Ren looked at her. "Is something the matter?"
"I've simply realized my own lack of strength," Licia replied, bringing her cup to her lips. It contained tea that Ren had brewed only moments ago. The warm liquid helped calm her nerves, if only slightly.
"Oh, come to think of it."
"What is it?"
"We didn't run into any of your friends during the exam, did we, Young Lady?"
"..."
Licia sat frozen, stunned by the nostalgic way he addressed her.
She sat right beside him, blinking repeatedly as she searched his face. Seeing Ren tilt his head in confusion, her expression finally softened into a smile.
"I’m sure my friend applied early. She was likely taking the exam in a different classroom."
Ren nodded in understanding.
"...I simply felt like calling you that again, like I used to."
"Hehe. It was a bit refreshing. But seeing that even you get nervous makes me happy... though, I suppose something similar has happened before?"
"N-Nervous?"
"Yes. You are nervous, aren't you?"
Even so, Licia refrained from speaking of the mission directly. She kept her concerns locked in her heart, loath to let her words weigh him down.
Several dozen minutes later, two guests arrived at the Clausel manor.
The attendant, visibly trembling with nerves, led Fiona Ignat into the hall. Edgar followed closely behind, standing by to attend her.
"Lady Fiona, it has been a long time."
"Indeed it has. I am so happy to see you again," Fiona replied, exchanging greetings with Licia.
Fiona had come to the manor for her own protection. Even though the Great Clock Tower—the stage for the coming battle—was nearby, there was a specific reason why this manor was the safest place for her.
Because Ren was joining the battle, a powerful individual was providing support from the shadows.
Ren suspected that Ulysses and Lezard had already discussed the matter in depth.
Licia found herself nearly entranced by Fiona’s smile, just as she had been in the past. She quickly shook her head and lightly slapped her own cheeks to snap out of it, much to Ren’s surprise. Fiona, on the other hand, gave a small, wry smile.
"...Whoops."
Ren checked the clock on the wall and then glanced out the window.
After a quick greeting to Fiona, he spoke.
"My apologies. I have to step away for a moment."
His voice was slightly stiffer than usual. He stood up and left the hall, catching Edgar’s eye and signaling the older man to follow.
Left behind, Fiona and Licia sat on the sofas facing each other.
"The summer uniform suits you perfectly."
Fiona was still dressed in her school attire today. The summer uniform was so becoming on her that she looked truly radiant.
However, Fiona shook her head at the praise. "N-No! I think it would look much better on you, Lady Licia!" Her words were sincere, devoid of any empty flattery.
In truth, the uniform would undoubtedly suit Licia just as well. When the Saint eventually donned the academy’s colors, she was certain to captivate everyone just as Fiona did.
But that didn't matter right now.
After their brief exchange of idle chatter, a heavy, sorrowful silence fell between them.
"...I never realized that being forced to stay behind could be this painful," Fiona whispered.
"I feel the same," Licia agreed. "I’ve admired him for so long and worked so hard to become like him... and yet, it's frustrating that I still can't stand beside him."
Both girls were fully aware of what was to happen tonight.
In truth, Fiona hadn't heard the specifics of the Great Clock Tower operation from her father. Ulysses had merely told her to go and "play" today under the pretext of an invitation from Lezard.
It was all so sudden that she had been confused at first.
But she had realized the truth just before arriving at the manor, at the same time Licia had. Tonight, Ren would accompany the operation planned by Ulysses and the others. Neither of the two brilliant girls could fail to notice the signs.
The fact that Ulysses had been unusually vague suggested he intended to explain everything once the danger had passed.
They couldn't interfere.
While it was true that both girls were far stronger than their peers, the operation already had sufficient combat power. There was nothing they could do; they were simply the ones meant to be protected.
A few minutes later, Ren and Edgar returned to the hall.
Ren’s appearance had completely changed. He was fully equipped, looking every bit the warrior prepared for imminent battle.
"Sorry! Master Edgar gave me some information about a unique monster, so I’m going to go hunt it now!"
It was a lie so transparent it was almost laughable.
Ren had clearly tried his best to come up with a cover story, but he was far too careless. It was oddly similar to the clumsy way Ulysses had handled Fiona’s departure. Perhaps the two were more alike than Ren realized.
"...Honestly."
"Oh, Ren..."
Ren had this side to him. He was sharp when it mattered most, yet he would fumble a simple deception. It was very like him, and his underlying kindness was unmistakable.
The two beautiful maidens, having no choice but to laugh, did not call out his lie. They chose to be "deceived" by his gentle, clumsy attempt at protection.
"—Well then."
Ren spoke as he prepared to leave the manor.
"Wait!" Licia and Fiona called out in unison.
"U-Um..." Licia started, looking as if she wanted to say more but held back.
"...Please," Fiona added.
Ren stopped and looked at them, wondering what was wrong. But the two girls had already decided on the words they needed to say.
"Take care. If you come back with an injury, I won't forgive you."
"Please be careful. If you do anything reckless, I’ll be angry too."
They weren't sending him off lightly. They had wrestled with their own doubts and hesitations for a long while before settling on those simple parting words.
But they believed in him.
To them, Ren was their savior. They trusted his strength and his word more than anyone else in the world.
"I will! Well, I’ll be off for a bit!"
Sent off by their lovely smiles, Ren departed the manor alone.
Licia and Fiona rushed to the window, watching until Ren was no longer in sight. Once he vanished, they both exhaled a long, heavy breath. At that exact moment, they both prayed for his safety.
Edgar stepped away for a few minutes. When he returned to the hall, the two were still lost in thought. He carried something with him, drawing their attention.
"Edgar? What is that?"
"As you can see, they are reference books."
Edgar held several thick volumes in one hand. It was impressive how he walked with a perfectly steady core despite the weight. He placed the stack on the table. There were reference books for Licia’s exam studies and the materials Fiona needed for her upcoming midterms.
"The Master Ren I know is a man who never ceases his efforts. If he cannot swing a blade, he performs whatever training he can. If even that is impossible, he is a man who swings his sword even within his imagination."
Edgar was telling them that wallowing in frustration was useless.
The two girls immediately grasped his intent. They looked at each other and nodded in reflection, their expressions turning serious.
However, a concern still lingered.
"Um... Edgar?"
"Yes... well..."
"Is something wrong?"
"Licia and I understand what you’re saying. We know we should use our time effectively."
"But is it really okay for us to just be studying while Ren is out there fighting...?"
In other words, while Ren was risking his life against the Demon King Cult, they would be safely tucked away with their books. It felt as if they were dumping the entire burden on his shoulders.
"Please, do not let that trouble you," Edgar replied. "We have allocated sufficient personnel not only to the site but also to the duties that must be performed here. Therefore, I have these words for you."
Edgar explained that their parents had sent a message. Since both of them had vital exams ahead, focusing on their studies was their current duty. Doing so would allow Ren to fight without worrying about them.
Doing what they could—that was the priority.
"...Lady Fiona."
"...Lady Licia."
The two girls looked at each other once again. After sharing a wry smile, they moved to the table. They sat in the wooden chairs, opening their books.
Even so, they couldn't help but glance toward the window every few minutes. It was simply out of their control.
Ulysses was not in Erendil.
He was currently in the Imperial Capital, acting separately so he could make a major move should the situation demand it.
After leaving the manor, Ren headed for a ruined house on the outskirts of town.
This was the location Edgar had instructed him to find. Inside, it was pitch black. Despite its appearance, the air didn't feel dusty.
Deep within the ruin, a path to a secret basement was hidden. As soon as Ren touched the old floorboards, a section of the wood vanished like mist, revealing a stone staircase.
(I hear voices.)
The muffled sounds of men speaking drifted up from below.
Ren descended the stairs. When he pushed open the wooden door at the bottom, he found several familiar faces gathered inside.
"—Master Ren?"
The speaker was a massive man Ren had sparred with many times at the Lion Sanctum. Beside him stood other Strong Sword Users he recognized. None of them were in their usual knightly attire; they were all dressed in gear that made them look like veteran adventurers.
"W-Why is Master Ren here?"
"Ah... how is this possible?"
The Strong Sword Users voiced their confusion, but the room fell silent almost instantly. They were knights of high caliber, sharp in both mind and body. They immediately deduced the meaning of Ren's arrival and turned their gaze toward Radius, who sat in a chair at the far end of the room.
"I summoned him," Radius declared. "Tonight, Ren shall be my comrade-in-arms, the one who watches my back."
The knights were stunned, but they accepted the news quickly. Having experienced Ren's strength firsthand, they had no reason to doubt his ability. Even if his swordsmanship lacked the sheer experience of someone like Edgar, the power residing in his heart was unmistakably that of a lion.
"If Master Ren is here, it is most reassuring."
"Indeed. No matter how many men we have, one can never have too many strong allies."
"It is as if we have gained a thousand knights. Truly joyous."
The knights welcomed Ren's arrival, throwing words of encouragement his way as he passed them to reach Radius. Ren responded with a nod to each of them.
"Radius," Ren said as he stopped beside the prince.
the Lion Sanctum knights' eyes widened at Ren’s casual address, but when Radius responded with a simple "What is it?", they realized the depth of their bond.
"Are the people here the entire force for tonight?"
"They are. Surely you aren't dissatisfied?"
"Not at all. I was just surprised. But it feels right. Knowing that the force being deployed is made up entirely of Strong Sword Users, I actually feel a little sorry for the enemy."
Ren was growing at a monstrous speed, but the Lion Sanctum knights were also among the elite. Every man there was a genius or a scholar of the blade who had trained since childhood. On average, their individual strength surpassed even that of the Imperial Guards.
There was no need to describe the sheer power they possessed when fighting as a unit.
(—It really is a grand sight.)
The Strong Sword Users, who had been nothing but enemies in the game, were now gathered here as his allies. The fact that so many powerful warriors who had once caused him so much trouble were now on his side made Ren shiver with excitement.
Ren spent the next twenty minutes confirming the details of the operation and coordinating with the knights.
Outside, the world was bathed in darkness as the curtain of night fell.
Radius checked his wristwatch and stood up. Ren stood by his side, drawing the eyes of every knight in the room.
"Gentlemen, it is time."
The sound of everyone snapping to attention echoed through the basement. Their eyes sharpened, burning with intensity. Ren caught his breath at the sight of their perfect discipline.
So this is how the Lion Sanctum knights look when they go to war, he thought.
The knights cleared a path for Ren and Radius. They drew their blades and held them vertically before their chests in a formal salute.
As Radius walked down the path with Ren, he questioned them.
"I ask you. What shall you achieve tonight?"
"The Lion King's Judgment!" the knights roared in unison.
"I ask you. What shall you achieve tonight?"
"The Strong Sword's Judgment!"
"Then trample them. With your bestowed blades, manifest the wrath of the National Founder, the Lion King."
This was the special force of Leomel, a power not even the Seven Great Archduke Families possessed. The Lion Sanctum knights occasionally undertook special missions at the behest of the Imperial Family, and at those times, they demonstrated their overwhelming power.
After the synchronized exchange, they exited the basement and stood outside the ruined house. Just before the operation officially began, they all came to a halt.
"Ren."
Radius turned to him.
"I shall ask you as well. What shall you achieve tonight?"
Ren took a few seconds to respond. He hesitated for a moment, wondering if it was appropriate to say such a thing before the Lion Sanctum knights and the descendant of the Lion King.
But he decided to follow his heart. His passion for this mission was overflowing, fueled by a resolve to see it through to the end.
Ren looked up at the night sky and addressed Radius and the knights.
"—I'll become a lion that crushes every single enemy."
To some, it might have sounded arrogant.
But no one dismissed his words. Rather than arrogance, the knights were overwhelmed by the sheer majesty radiating from the boy’s silhouette and the power in his voice.