It was well past midnight by the time the aftermath of the operation was settled and Ren finally returned to the manor.
Though Radius had urged him to go home several times during the night, Ren had insisted on staying until the very end, feeling it was his duty as someone who had participated in the day's events.
The scale of the commotion had startled many in the city.
Because Ulysses had been working simultaneously, the fallout was kept to a minimum, but there were still countless tasks that required attention on the ground.
(I'm exhausted...)
The thought came from the very depths of his soul.
Turning back, he saw the hands of the Great Clock Tower pointing to three in the morning.
Upon reaching the Clausel Manor, Ren exchanged a few words with the knight standing guard before the iron gate.
"Welcome back."
That was all the man said.
The Clausel knight looked at Ren’s haggard expression and, recalling the ripples of the disturbance that had reached even here, he seemed to understand everything.
"The others are still awake."
"At this hour?"
"Of course. There was a tremendous uproar in town today for some reason, and as a result, the Head of the Family has been buried in work."
"...Was it nobles from the Imperial Capital, or other visitors?"
"Many messengers from the nobility have been coming and going. Likely, they were inquiring about tonight’s events."
However, it seemed no one had dared to force their way into the manor. That was likely due to whatever measures Ulysses had taken behind the scenes.
Knowing that much was enough for Ren.
Politics and PR weren't his concern. If Ulysses was handling it, there was nothing left for him to say.
In truth, he was so drained that he barely had the mental capacity to think at all.
"I..."
Ren wondered what he should even say as he entered.
As he struggled to make his sluggish brain function, the gatekeeper offered a small smile.
"Please, just rest for tonight. That is all you need to do, Master Ren."
Ren blinked, taken aback by the knight's words, before returning the smile. It was a weak, tired expression—far more vulnerable than his usual look.
He passed through the iron gate and crossed the manicured lawn of the garden. He walked along the cobblestone path leading straight from the gate and stood before the manor's main door, failing to notice a shadow he normally would have caught instantly.
That shadow belonged to a carriage parked in a corner of the garden.
Paying it no mind, Ren stepped inside. An attendant waiting at the door greeted him with a gentle "Welcome back" and opened the way for him.
(A bath first... then maybe a small bite to eat...)
He estimated he’d be able to get to sleep in about an hour. No, he had to report to Lezard first, so maybe two hours.
He wanted to collapse right then and there, but duty was duty.
A wry smile crossed his face when he realized it would be nearly dawn by the time he finally closed his eyes.
"The Head of the Family suggested you use the large communal bath if you wish," the attendant said.
"...Thank you. I'll take him up on that."
Ren headed straight for the bath.
After washing up, however, a wave of regret hit him. He should have asked for dinner before he went in. Since it was so late, he figured he would just find something light and go to bed.
But as he emerged from the bath, the attendant spoke to him again.
"We have prepared a meal for you. Please proceed to the Great Hall."
"...Huh?"
"My, why do you look so surprised?"
"But I didn't say a word about wanting food..."
"Oh, please. Do you really think we attendants wouldn't notice? It’s already prepared, so if it pleases you, Master Ren, please do eat."
At that exact moment, Ren's stomach gave an audible, long growl.
Embarrassed, he scratched his cheek and offered a quiet thanks. Following the attendant, he entered the Great Hall.
Inside, Edgar greeted him.
"Welcome back, Master Ren."
"Edgar-san? Why are you still up?"
"Regardless of the circumstances, Lady Fiona is here, so naturally, I am as well. But more importantly, I intended to wait for your return tonight."
Edgar wore a calm, knowing smile.
"May I assume you were a hero once again tonight?"
"I don't know about that. I just did everything I could. Though in the end, I was completely overwhelmed by the Sword King's power."
"Haha—I see. Understood."
After their brief exchange, Ren followed Edgar further into the hall. A meal was set on the table, steam still rising from the dishes.
"I'm surprised Lady Fiona is still in Erendil," Ren remarked. He had assumed she would have left for the capital as soon as the mission ended.
But thinking about it properly, that was impossible. There was no way that girl would have returned home without waiting for him.
As for where she was...
"Both of them were awake and waiting for you until just before you arrived, Master Ren."
Fiona and Licia were huddled on a sofa. They were sharing a single lap blanket, with several reference books resting on their knees.
The two had fallen into a peaceful sleep, leaning against one another.
"Why are they like that?" Ren whispered.
"Lady Fiona was helping Lady Clausel with her studies a few hours ago. It seems they both reached their limits and fell asleep in the middle of it."
It appeared they had spent the hours sitting side-by-side so Fiona could tutor Licia.
"Lady Fiona has been staying up late to study for her own exams, and I hear Lady Clausel has been similarly sleep-deprived lately."
And so, they had drifted off.
For the two of them, this was likely a significant oversight. They had worked through their own busy days and tried to wait up for Ren while he was out fighting, only to lose consciousness at the very end.
Looking at the two girls who had stayed awake until their absolute limits, Ren couldn't help but let his lips curl into a smile.
"No wonder you were here, Edgar-san."
"As I said, I would have been here regardless."
Exchanging a final nod, Ren took his seat.
He ate the food while it was still warm, taking care not to disturb the girls. He had considered taking the tray to his room, but since it was mostly light finger food, he decided to stay.
"By the way, I met the daughter of the Riohalde family," Ren noted.
"I have received the report. My Master is already working on the Riohalde situation, so there is no need for concern."
"That’s a relief. He really is fast."
"Indeed. My Master does not often dedicate himself to the 'backstage' work, but when he does, he is incomparable."
"...There’s no existence more terrifying than a Lord Ulysses who is actually trying to be subtle. Honestly."
Ulysses' strength when he was dedicated to a goal was beyond question. It was likely the primary reason Radius had been able to move as freely as he had tonight.
Ren focused on his meal, letting the day's events wash over him.
"...I'll have to see Lord Lezard after this."
"That won't be necessary tonight. Baron Clausel left for the capital about two hours ago to meet with my Master. He left a message for you: 'Please rest to your heart's content today.'"
That news made Ren’s heart feel a little lighter.
The realization that he truly had nothing left to do but sleep made his entire body feel weightless. It wasn't that he didn't value reporting to Lezard; he was simply, helplessly exhausted.
"Master Swordsman."
Edgar's voice was sudden and sharp.
"Through tonight’s battle, have you found a new goal to strive for?"
Ren went silent.
He had long held a specific ambition, one he had been working toward for years. While it felt a bit early to be reflecting on his path so soon after the fighting stopped, he didn't think Edgar had asked the question without a reason.
Edgar was testing him. He had chosen this moment—while the memory of the Sword King's power was still fresh and overwhelming—to see if Ren's spirit was broken or emboldened.
Even tired, Ren’s mind caught the subtext.
It was significant that Edgar had addressed him as 'Master Swordsman.'
"I’ve just reconfirmed the same presumptuous goal I’ve always had," Ren replied.
Edgar smiled with deep satisfaction.
"There are very few who can look up at the summit and truly grasp the distance. Fewer still who, after seeing it, decide they will walk toward it anyway."
"I feel like I'm just a fool for trying."
"Whatever those who cannot distinguish between a hero's epic and a common comedy might say, it is nothing more than idle chatter."
As the meal concluded, Ren looked at the old butler.
"I was shown reality tonight, and it left me in awe. But I won't change. Just as I decided when I first came to this manor, I will polish my blade until I become a powerhouse like the Sword King."
The inquiry had been Edgar's way of checking his resolve. If Ren had been discouraged by the gap in power, Edgar would have offered encouragement. But it wasn't necessary. Ren was as determined as ever.
"The Director of the Lion Sanctum will return to the capital next spring. It will be an excellent opportunity for you to learn, Master Ren."
"..."
"Master Ren?"
"No, it's nothing. I just spaced out for a second."
In truth, he was simply processing his memories of the game's lore.
'It sounds like things will get lively again come spring,' Ren thought, stretching his back.
Just then, there was a light knock on the Great Hall door. An attendant appeared and called for Edgar in a low voice.
"My apologies. It seems there is a message from my Master."
"I understand. I'll stay here for a bit."
"I appreciate the consideration. Please, wait a moment."
Edgar stepped out.
Left alone, Ren slowly stood up and approached the sofa. Approaching the sleeping girls might have been poor etiquette, but he was too tired to care. The wooden chair was too hard, and the plush sofa looked like heaven.
As he sat down, the soft, firm cushions made his eyelids feel like lead.
Just for a minute, he told himself. Until Edgar comes back.
The battle against gravity was lost instantly. His breathing deepened, and within seconds, Ren was dead to the world.
A minute later, the quiet of the hall was broken only by the sound of rhythmic breathing.
On the opposite sofa, Licia’s eyes snapped open.
A few seconds later, Fiona also woke up. The two girls looked at each other, realizing with a start that they had fallen asleep while waiting. They were both mentally berating themselves for their lapse when they noticed the figure sitting across from them.
"Wait... Ren?" Licia whispered.
"Ren-kun...?" Fiona's voice was barely a breath.
They stood up and moved to sit on either side of the sleeping boy. Looking at his exhausted face, they both wore gentle, pained smiles. They didn't voice their regret at missing his return; for now, they simply wanted to acknowledge his hard work.
"...Lady Licia. We should probably take him to his room," Fiona whispered.
"Y-yes... but if we try to carry him, we might wake him up..."
They hesitated. In their sleep-deprived state, they completely forgot that they could just call for Edgar or a knight. They were so focused on Ren that their world had shrunk to the size of the sofa.
As they were trying to figure out how to carry him together, Edgar returned.
"My. What exactly are you two doing?"
The question was so grounded in common sense that both girls blushed, realizing how silly they were being. Their hands, which had been reaching for Ren, froze in mid-air.
Edgar gave a soft, amused laugh.
Sensing the movement around him, Ren’s eyes flickered open. The short nap hadn't been nearly enough, but he quickly realized he was sandwiched between Licia and Fiona.
"I... I'm sorry. I don't understand what's happening," he confessed.
"W-well, I just thought that since you were so tired, you'd be more comfortable in a bed!" Licia stammered.
"Me too! We were just trying to figure out how to carry you!" Fiona added quickly.
Ren felt a wave of warmth watching them fluster. Now that he was awake, he realized the absurdity of his position, but he found he didn't mind all that much.
"Hey," Licia said, her voice turning soft. "Is it okay to ask about today now?"
"We won't force you if you're too tired," Fiona added. "Tomorrow is fine..."
"No, I want to talk," Ren said. The short nap had cleared his head surprisingly well. More importantly, he had fought tonight while telling them a clumsy lie about 'monster hunting,' and he didn't want to go to sleep without giving them the truth.
But where to start?
He glanced at Edgar, who gave a nearly imperceptible nod of approval.
"It’s a long story, but..."
He decided to lead with the biggest revelation.
"I was at the Great Clock Tower. I was fighting the Demon King Cult alongside Prince Radius."
The silence that followed was heavy. No matter how much the two girls stared at him in disbelief, it was a simple fact.
"Really?" Licia finally breathed.
"Is that... actually the truth?" Fiona asked.
They had likely guessed he was up to something big, but neither had imagined he was out fighting alongside the Third Prince. Without them knowing, Ren had been doing something world-shaping.
Yet, as the shock faded, they both realized that it was exactly the sort of thing Ren would do. They both began to giggle at the same time.
"Honestly, Ren. You finally tell us, and it’s something like that?" Licia teased.
"Fufu. You said you were going to fight monsters, but you were out being a hero with His Highness instead," Fiona added.
"You two are laughing, but I’m serious!"
"We know. We're not doubting you," Licia said, wiping a tear from her eye. "We’re just a little surprised."
"Yes," Fiona agreed. "But it's just so... you."
All traces of sleepiness were gone. To make up for sneaking out without a word, Ren sat with them until the sun began to peek over the horizon, telling them the story of the night's battle. And as he spoke, Licia and Fiona simply watched him, smiling at his profile.
Two weeks later, a messenger from Radius arrived for Ren.
The messenger informed him that a meal had been arranged, and so, one evening, Ren found himself back at the steakhouse on the main street where he and Radius had eaten once before.
"Is it really okay to talk in a place like this?" Ren asked as they sat down.
"Calling it 'a place like this' is a bit much. I’m quite fond of the food here," Radius replied.
"I'm not talking about the food. I mean because we're going to be talking about... you know, that."
"Do not worry. The patrons at the surrounding tables are all Strong Sword Users."
"...What?"
"Their reservations 'accidentally' happened to coincide with ours."
"That is a total lie. Fine, I get it. You've got the place secured."
The food arrived. The waiter was the same man from their last visit, though he seemed significantly less terrified this time. Having advance notice clearly made a world of difference for the staff.
"I'll thank you again. You were a tremendous help," Radius said.
"It's fine. I should thank you for letting me tag along."
They ate their steaks and drank fruit water for a while. After a few minutes, Radius brought up the situation with Renidas.
"We interrogated the cultists, starting with Renidas. But they are wasting away day by day. It doesn't matter if we give them food or potions."
"Are they trying to starve themselves?"
"It doesn't appear to be intentional. The markings on their bodies—the stigmata—seem to be draining their life force."
Radius explained that despite all their precautions to prevent suicide—guards, magic tools, and healing potions—the prisoners were still failing. It was like pouring water into a cracked cup; any vitality they were given drained away almost instantly.
"However, we did learn something." Radius took a long drink of fruit water. "Six months ago, they had a conflict with the Holy Land."
"The Holy Land?"
"Yes. They attacked a temple to steal a specific Holy Relic. We couldn't get the details from the stigmata alone, obviously, but the interrogation was fruitful. There were traces of holy water influence on Renidas's markings; the power sealed within him was damaged during that fight. I’ve confirmed the traces, so the story about the Holy Land is definitely true."
Ren followed Radius’s lead, taking a drink as he listened.
"The relic," Radius continued, "is apparently called the 'Tears of Elfen.'"
According to legend, it was a liquid with the power to purify anything. Ren couldn't fathom why the Demon King Cult would want it. For them, it should be the ultimate poison.
"Is it gone? Did they get it?"
"According to Renidas, yes. They attacked the temple alongside the man they call their 'Cult Leader.' Both sides took heavy casualties, but they managed to seize it."
"I don't see the point. What could they possibly do with something that only purifies things?"
"I don't know either. I’m working with Ulysses to put all the temples in Leomel on alert, starting with the Grand Temple in the capital."
The meal ended, and they were served iced sweets as a palate cleanser.
"Ren," Radius said, his voice dropping to a serious tone. "When the time comes, will you fight by my side again?"
"I can't just say yes on my own," Ren replied carefully. "But if that fight is for the sake of the people I want to protect, then I’d gladly stake my life on it."
"That’s enough. I couldn't ask for a better answer."
Radius paused for a moment. "By the way, as a reward for the clock tower incident, I have a gift for the Clausel family. The details are in this letter. Tell Lezard to come to the castle on the appointed day. Being late is not an option."
"Uh... so Lord Lezard just needs to go to the castle? Okay."
"And finally, I want to thank you personally. Is there anything you want?"
Ren was caught off guard, but a thought occurred to him.
"If you ever become the Crown Prince, could you look for a specific book for me in the Forbidden Archives?"
"The Forbidden Archives? I can't promise that easily, but what kind of book are we talking about?"
Ren didn't know if the information even existed, but he wanted anything he could find regarding his own heritage.
"Anything about the Ashton family. A family tree, history—whatever is there. If there’s any record of my family’s past, I want to see it."
"Hmm... that much should be fine, though I doubt that kind of material would be in the Forbidden Archives."
Radius found the request odd, but because it came from Ren, he intended to honor it if he could. Of course, that meant he had to secure his position first.
"You’ve given me quite the incentive to become Crown Prince."
"Well, just if you remember when the time comes."
"I will. Old noble records do sometimes end up in the Forbidden Archives for various reasons. There might be something for you there after all."
Radius stood up.
"Next time, let's just walk through the city together. Not as allies in a war, but as friends."
"Are you serious? You're the Third Prince."
"Do you think it's impossible? A simple disguise will suffice. Compared to the clock tower, it’s a trivial task."
"I suppose so..."
"And when we do... you can show me a shop that serves good fruit water. You seem to know your way around the capital’s establishments."
"Fruit water? Not wine?"
"I’m old enough that no one would stop me, but I have no interest in alcohol."
Radius turned his back and began to walk away, showing a side of himself that Ren had never seen in the game's narrative.
"Fruit water is excellent. There are high-end varieties that are as complex as any wine, and for the most part, it’s healthier. I prefer it."
"I see. So the genius Third Prince has a sweet tooth."
Radius stopped in his tracks. He turned his head just enough to look back at Ren.
"Indeed. I love sweets. It’s a secret from my subjects, though."
With a youthful, genuine smile, he left the restaurant.
Around the room, the 'other patrons' began to stand as well. The Strong Sword Users were departing. Ren watched them go, then finished the last of his fruit water.
Inside the carriage, Radius was greeted by his aide, Mirei.
"It looks like you had a fulfilling time, nya."
"I did. I never realized how good it felt to simply talk with a friend."
The wheels rattled over the cobblestones as the city's nightlife hummed outside. Radius turned away from the window to look at Mirei. He wanted to talk about what he had seen in Ren at the tower.
"Ren is an extraordinary man. I find myself wondering what lies at the root of that bottomless strength."
He was still smiling, the warmth of the dinner clearly still with him.
"Is it like the Sword King, nya?"
"No. She is powerful, certainly... but this is different. It’s hard to put into words. If only I had a better metaphor for that unfathomable core of his."
Radius paused, searching his memory.
"His strength," he said finally, his voice heavy with significance. "It reminds me of the girl in the story."
"The story, nya?"
"You must have heard it, Mirei. It’s an old, old folk tale the Emperor tells to the children of the Imperial Family."
"Oh! That story, nya!"
Radius nodded, his smile widening.
"The Eclipsing Princess. Ren’s strength is just like hers."
And so, Radius began to recount the tale he had heard from his father when he was just a boy.