A knight of the Lion Sanctum responded to Estelle’s inquiry.
"Sir! We are scheduled to depart as local reinforcements!"
That was the very reason they had coordinated this mid-air rendezvous. Those moving between the vessels were currently focused on sharing various pieces of intelligence.
"And how was the Lion Sanctum during my absence? I trust everyone has been honing their skills without succumbing to idleness?"
One of the knights stepped forward as a representative. He was a man of massive, powerful build who had frequently sparred with Ren during the boy's visits to the Sanctum. Even this veteran felt his body stiffen with a long-forgotten tension as he stood before Estelle.
"Of course, Commander. Recently, there have been circumstances requiring us to train with even more desperate intensity than before."
"I trust... you haven't committed some indignity before the Imperial Family?"
The aura surrounding Estelle shifted. While all knights of the Lion Sanctum were profoundly loyal to the throne, Estelle’s devotion was on another level. Fearing her subordinates might have failed in their duties, her voice took on a sharp, intimidating edge.
Though the knight swallowed hard under her pressure, he answered truthfully. There was no reason to hide the facts.
"Nothing of the sort, Commander. We have simply been forced to recognize our own inadequacies in the face of a new talent."
"...A new talent?"
The knight spoke of Ren Ashton and Licia Clausel, who had begun frequenting the Lion Sanctum through an introduction from Ulysses Ignat. Since he knew them personally, he was able to provide a detailed account.
Hearing the report, Estelle found herself intrigued by Ren as much as Licia.
"I am familiar with the White Saint, but you claim this boy possesses even more raw talent than her?"
"Yes, Excellency. I believe you will understand the moment you see him for yourself."
Another knight spoke up to supplement the report.
"Ren-dono has already reached the Master Swordsman Class. Last summer, he fought at Prince Radius’s side and performed with remarkable distinction during the Great Clock Tower Incident. The day he reaches the rank of Sword Saint may not be far off."
"The boy who became Prince Radius’s friend... I have heard the rumors, but—"
Estelle gazed toward the heart of the Leomel Empire while contemplating Ren Ashton's existence. However, deciding that judgment should wait until she could see him with her own eyes, she exhaled slowly.
She placed a firm hand on the shoulder of the subordinate who would lead the mission to the Martel Continent in her stead.
"You have given me much to think about. I leave the rest in your hands."
"Understood!"
With a sharp word of encouragement, Estelle set off on the final leg of her journey home.
Estelle arrived back in her homeland the following evening.
Returning after several years brought a flood of emotions. Looking down at the landscape from the window of the Magic Ship, her heart burned with a quiet, unstoppable passion.
The military vessel landed at a secure dock on the outskirts of the Imperial Capital. From there, she boarded a Magic Train that ran along dedicated tracks toward the station near the Lion Sanctum. Upon disembarking, she bypassed the Sanctum and headed straight for the Imperial Castle.
She reached the castle as the sky turned the bruised color of twilight and immediately sought an audience with the Emperor.
After receiving his formal gratitude for her service, Estelle inquired about the disturbances in Erendil from the previous summer. The Emperor, however, instructed her to speak with Radius instead. He noted that it would be more convenient, given the true nature of the long-term expedition she had just completed.
When Estelle stepped out of the Audience Chamber, she found Radius leaning against the wall, waiting for her.
"Prince Radius! It has been far too long!"
His silhouette stood out sharply against the black marble corridor, which mirrored the interior aesthetic of the Lion Sanctum. Hearing her voice, Radius pushed off the wall and walked toward her.
Estelle hurriedly moved to drop to one knee, but Radius stopped her, telling her to make herself comfortable. She straightened her posture immediately.
"I did tell you to relax," Radius noted.
"This is the most comfortable posture for me, Your Highness. Pray, forgive me."
"Good grief... You haven't changed a bit."
"Naturally. I haven't changed one bit since the day you were born."
Radius placed a hand on her shoulder. Looking at him, Estelle felt a surge of joy so profound it made her tremble.
"It is reassuring beyond words to hear you say that. You have done a great service for the Empire. For someone who loves Leomel as much as you do, such a prolonged absence must have been difficult."
"Not at all. There is no greater honor than carrying out the secret mission entrusted to me by His Majesty and Your Highness."
"...My apologies for the burden. However, I hear your efforts have yielded a significant harvest."
"Yes. I have already submitted a written report to His Majesty, and I intended to do the same for you."
As if by silent agreement, the two began to walk. The madder-red light of sunset fading through the windows grew darker with every step.
"—It was the spring of two years ago when Your Highness first consulted me, was it not?"
"Yes. In the wake of the incident in the Baldur Mountains, I considered many possibilities. The central question was whether the Demon King Cult had bared its fangs solely against our nation, or if their reach was broader."
"And at that precise moment, a request for reinforcements arrived from the Holy Land."
Radius nodded, reflecting on that time.
"It allowed us to place them in our debt and serve as a subtle display of force."
"But the true objective was elsewhere."
Estelle’s immediate follow-up touched upon the very reason a knight of her caliber had been away for nearly two years. It was a secret known only to a select few.
"His Majesty and Your Highness gave me a secret mission for a specific purpose. Under the guise of leading reinforcements, I have spent my time abroad investigating a great many things."
Officially, she had led a unit of Lion Sanctum knights to provide humanitarian aid in conflict zones. However, she hadn't stayed away for two years just for that. Estelle had a far more critical task: to determine if the Demon King Cult was fueling those conflicts and to gather any intelligence possible regarding their organization.
To achieve this, she had often traveled the Martel Continent alone. This was the primary reason for her long absence.
Ordinarily, it was preferred to keep the Empire's strongest assets close to home to protect the Imperial Family. Both the Emperor and Radius had hesitated to send Estelle away for so long. Yet, precisely because the task was so vital, it had to be her.
As if to validate their decision, she spoke with conviction.
"During my investigations on the Martel Continent, I obtained information on individuals believed to be high-ranking executives of the Demon King Cult."
This was the proof that the mission had been worth the risk. It was a clear sign that Leomel did not underestimate the threat of the Cult.
"...Impressive as always, Estelle. I have read your periodic reports, but I cannot tell you how much I’ve looked forward to hearing this in person."
"Sir! Those words alone make the risks I took worthwhile."
They already knew from the interrogation of Renidas, who had attacked the Great Clock Tower of Erendil, that the Cult had stolen a Holy Relic—the Tears of Elfen—from a certain temple. Renidas had claimed they were led by someone called the Cult Leader. This information had been shared with Estelle while she was still abroad.
"Read this."
Estelle pulled a sheet of parchment from her uniform. Radius scanned the document as she continued.
"How did you arrive at this man’s name?"
"It is the culmination of all the data gathered from the Cultists I encountered."
"You fought them, then?"
"Yes. They were operating in the shadows of the conflict zones. I crossed paths with them several times during my investigation. Naturally, they were no match for my blade."
Estelle had clashed with the Cult multiple times and emerged from every encounter without so much as a scratch. By interrogating survivors and piecing together fragments of information found among their possessions over two years, she had identified a specific individual.
"I believe this man is the Cult Leader."
"...According to legend, he was one of those who served as the Demon King's Aide. You are saying he is still alive?"
"There are no definitive records of his death. Only that he vanished the moment the Demon King was slain."
Radius murmured, "That is true," as he stared intently at the parchment. Walking half a step behind him, Estelle continued.
"Your Highness, do you recall the temple that was raided?"
"I do. What of it?"
"I met an adventurer who was present during the attack. According to his testimony, there were two high-ranking aides standing beside the man believed to be the Cult Leader."
"We didn't get that even from Renidas. Do we have any description of their appearance?"
"I’m afraid not. Everyone at the Holy Land said the Leader and his two aides were completely concealed by robes and masks."
When Estelle spoke with an apologetic tone, Radius waved it off.
"Knowing the Leader’s name and race is more than enough."
Previously, Ren had attempted to share what he knew about the Cult, but his knowledge of their current movements was limited. Most of what he knew had already been relayed to Ulysses.
"...Once this information is compiled, I must inform Ren and Ulysses."
Ren knew of the Cult Leader's existence from his knowledge of the original game, where the figure appeared in the final stages of The Legend of the Seven Heroes II. That was why he had been so concerned during the previous summer's incident. However, the game version had also been shrouded in mystery, so the specific name, race, and the existence of the Two Great Executives would be new information even for him.
"Estelle, I have arranged for delicacies from your home in Drake and fruits from Mount Osroes to be sent to your manor. Please enjoy them with your husband."
"Truly? You are too kind!"
"I have other rewards in mind as well, but that is for later. For now, walk with me a little longer. I wish to hear the rest over tea."
As they walked, Radius suddenly spoke in a low voice.
"...Things are about to get very busy."
Once their conversation concluded, Radius returned to his room to review the formal reports. Estelle, meanwhile, was intercepted by an Imperial Guard and summoned back to the Audience Chamber.
There, the Emperor gave her a new set of orders, accompanied by a strict command: the nature of this mission was to remain absolute secret. No one was to know—not even Radius, nor the Imperial Consort.
Though she found the request unusual, Estelle gave her word.
"—He certainly has a knack for assigning the strange ones," she whispered to herself as she left the chamber.
The night deepened. Estelle looked up at the star-studded sky before finally setting off on the long-overdue journey to her own home.
Shortly after dawn the next morning, the sky was still a pale, dim grey.
"Good morning. Back for more training before class?" the knight guarding the entrance to the Lion Sanctum asked as Ren approached.
"Good morning. Yes, I'm back to trouble you all again."
"Haha, it’s no trouble. Having you here keeps us all on our toes, Ren-dono. Is the Saint not with you today?"
"Lady Licia has administrative duties for the Clausel family. She’ll be in class later, but she couldn't make it for the morning session."
Ren gave a polite nod and headed inside.
He threw himself into his routine, honing his skills against the Jet-black Knights for several hours. Even after a grueling series of consecutive matches, Ren continued to swing his sword, his breath ragged but his form steady.
Eventually, the adult knights began to reach their limits.
"Hah... hah..."
"I... I yield...!"
Several men stepped off the central stage and sank to the floor in exhaustion. No one would call them weak; they were elite knights, yet the boy before them was growing at a pace that was fundamentally inhuman.
"Ren-dono has even more fire in him than usual..."
"I heard it's because of the Lion King Grand Festival. He won't have as much time after school soon, so he’s making up for it in the early hours."
"Is that it? Remarkable..."
In the center of their gaze, Ren remained focused solely on his blade.
(More...)
He would continue until he collapsed. Just as he was lost in the rhythm of his strikes, his power boiling over in a shower of sweat, a sudden change washed over the room.
"C-Could it be...!?"
"When did she return!?"
The knights gasped, and those resting on the floor scrambled to their feet. At the top of the opening that overlooked the underground training hall, a figure had appeared. Every man present straightened his back and fell into a disciplined silence.
Ren’s current sparring partner stopped mid-motion, looking up. Thinking his opponent was signaling an end to the round, Ren spoke up with spirit.
"Please, keep going! I can still fight!"
(I have to work harder if I want to become a Sword Saint.)
He swung his sword without pause, refining his Enshroud as he sought to unlock new Arts. Then, a woman's voice drifted down from far above.
"The Elfen Church teaches that indomitability is one of the greatest virtues of the spirit. And when it is paired with such raw power, men call it 'Strong Bravery'."
The sheer pressure behind the voice made Ren look up instinctively.
"—My, what a spirited little cub we have in my Lion Sanctum."
There she was.
Looking down at him from the heights was the Incarnation of Fierceness herself.
Ren’s eyes widened, and he caught his breath.