"My house is involved in a project that has caught the eye of a foreign merchant company," Ulysses explained. "They’ve reached out to ask if they can increase their investment. As it happens, the project is the one led by Viscount Clausel."
"Oh, I see... Wait. Then shouldn't you have spoken to Lord Lezard first?"
"Normally, that would be the correct approach. However, in this case, the respondent stated that they wish to meet with you personally. Regardless of your answer, I still plan to discuss this with the Viscount."
"...Me?"
"I had an opportunity to speak with the chairman of a major international company in Eupeheim the other day. It turns out he knows of you."
"But... how?"
Ren blinked in surprise, his voice trailing off in sheer bewilderment. However, as Ulysses continued, the pieces began to fall into place.
"Returning to the project the Viscount is leading—this merchant company is actually a partner in the venture. The chairman visited Clausel once to inspect the town personally."
"I think I see where this is going. He heard rumors about me while he was there, didn't he?"
"It seems so. Unfortunately, he missed Viscount Clausel since he's currently here in Erendil, but the chairman was intrigued by what he heard. And that wasn't all."
Ulysses then brought up the escort mission Ren had taken for a merchant back in the winter, before he had even started at the academy.
"You mean when you arranged for me to travel partway by magic ship because I was heading to the Clausel territory?"
"Exactly. As it turns out, you guarded one of the chairman’s subordinates during that trip."
"So that was the connection... I understand how he heard of me now, but what exactly about me caught his interest?"
"The starting point was your flight through the forest during the incident with Viscount Given."
The sight of Ren and Licia returning to the town had stayed with many of the local people. When the chairman heard that tale of heroism, he was reportedly moved.
"He is a rare breed—a merchant who started his career as a knight. After hearing about your exploits, he said he simply had to meet you. I’ll be bringing this up with the Viscount soon."
"Just to be certain... you’ll be there as well, Lord Ulysses?"
"Of course. He’s also eager to hear how you protected Fiona in the Baldur Mountains. If the Viscount is available, I’d like him to join us as well."
The chairman was unaware that the Red Dragon Asval had been resurrected. Knowledge of that event was strictly controlled, so the secret was safe. However, the fact that Ren had rescued Fiona and brought her down the mountain was public knowledge—an undeniable truth that couldn't be hidden.
"I apologize for keeping this from you until today. There were arrangements to finalize on my end."
Ulysses had wanted to avoid cluttering Ren’s schedule with sudden appointments. To that end, he had already reached out to Lezard separately to request some of his time during the upcoming Lion King Grand Festival.
"Hahaha! Ren, you’ve certainly made an impression!" Radius laughed. "Take the opportunity! Go and regale them with your heroic tales!"
"Give me a break. Do I look like the type of guy who enjoys bragging about himself?"
"Heh... no, definitely not. You’re more likely to try and downplay the whole thing."
"If you know that, why are you telling me to go and boast? I’m starting to think I’ve misjudged my best friend’s personality."
"I say it because we are best friends," Radius replied, his tone growing warmer. "Seeing your reputation grow makes me as happy as if it were my own success. Besides—"
He turned back to Ulysses.
"Ulysses, this company you mentioned... it’s quite a prominent one, isn't it?"
"Your intuition is as sharp as ever, Your Highness. It is one of the most famous merchant houses on the Sky Continent, renowned for its trade in monster materials."
"I see. Then this is a brilliant opportunity for Ren."
"How so?"
Ordinarily, Ren would have figured it out instantly, but the suddenness of the news had rattled his usual composure.
"Establishing a connection with a major foreign merchant house is a boon for the Clausel family. If that house is from the Sky Continent, it's the best possible outcome."
"Oh... right. I see what you mean."
With that realization, Ren’s hesitation vanished.
"—Lord Ulysses, please tell me more about this person."
"I’d be happy to."
Lezard would undoubtedly agree. There was no question that this would be for the good of House Clausel.
Beyond the main thoroughfare, near the heart of the city, stood the Imperial Library—the pride of the capital.
Inside, the architecture was majestic, with a multi-layered atrium and walls lined with an unfathomable number of bookshelves. As one of the oldest structures in the capital, it was a constant draw for tourists from all over the world.
However, because the library housed countless precious volumes, the areas accessible to the general public were strictly limited. The Forbidden Archives in the basement were a place apart—guarded by a sophisticated security system rare even in the capital and protected by knights armed with magic tools and strong swords, it was a sanctuary that had never known an intruder.
By this hour, the library held only staff and guards.
The young director sat in the Imperial Library Director's Office deep within the building, beginning to pack up his things for the night.
Then, a sudden interruption forced him to stop.
"D-Director!"
A knight burst into the office without knocking. Sensing the panic in the experienced, capable guard, the director frowned.
"Calm yourself. What has happened?"
"Hah... yes! A visitor has just arrived...!"
"A visitor? I have no appointments scheduled for this hour."
"I know! But this person insisted that they could only search properly after the building was closed to the public—!"
The director tilted his head, sighing at the knight’s fragmented explanation.
"I said, calm down."
He tried to steady the man, but the knight remained visibly shaken, sweat beading on his forehead as he struggled to breathe. His eyes were wide with a frantic tension.
This was no ordinary visitor. The director’s expression hardened.
The knight swallowed hard, his throat dry with nerves, but he forced the words out.
"Tell me, who is it?"
Before the director could finish the question, the sound of approaching footsteps echoed through the hall.
Given the knight’s reaction, the visitor was clearly of high status, but the director couldn't fathom who could cause such a stir.
He peered at the silhouette emerging from the shadows.
"The... the Sword King is here—!"
The director froze as a woman of ethereal beauty appeared before him.
She wore clerical robes of deep indigo trimmed with gold thread, her silver hair—smoother than the finest silk—trailing behind her as she walked. When he caught sight of eyes as blue as the azure of her robes, the director felt the air leave his lungs. It was his first time seeing a Sword King from so close, and the combination of her raw power and beauty was overwhelming.
Lutreche, the White Dragon Princess and the Fifth-ranked Sword King.
One of the strongest beings in the Leomel Empire approached them, the rhythm of her boots clicking against the floor.
"I apologize for the sudden intrusion," she said.
Her voice was like the clear ringing of a bell, as exquisite as her features.
"I am here to look for a book."
The director’s throat felt as parched as the knight’s, but he knew better than to be disrespectful. Driven by a sheer instinct for self-preservation, he managed to speak.
"...What sort of book are you looking for, my lady?"
"My apologies. I don’t know specifically, which is why I require access to the restricted areas to search."
"I... beg your pardon?"
It didn't sound like she was speaking in riddles. Lutreche clearly had a goal in mind and was convinced the library held the key to achieving it.
Confused and trembling, the director tried again.
"Do you mean... the areas where the rare collections are kept?"
"Yes. I have permission from His Majesty. Please, look at this."
The light of the office finally fell upon Lutreche’s face. She produced a piece of parchment bearing a message written in the Emperor’s own hand, granting her permission to search any collection she desired, save for the Forbidden Archives.
The Imperial Seal was clear. When the director checked it through his spectacle-type magic tool, he confirmed the ink was the unique blend used for royal decrees. It was authentic.
"U-Understood! In that case... which collection would you like to see first?"
"There are several sections that concern me. Please, lead the way."
Lutreche turned and began to walk.
The director glanced at the dazed knight and told him to stay put before hurrying after her.
He followed her in silence, descending several flights of stairs. As they moved through a series of long, vaulted corridors, they drew closer to the innermost sanctum of the library.
This was where the most precious volumes were stored, each room requiring special clearance. For Lutreche, those doors swung open.
"With this document, I am permitted to enter these rooms alone, correct?"
"Y-Yes! The ink used for that seal is special; the permit should function as a key for several days!"
"I see. Then I shall begin my search. Thank you for your assistance despite the late hour."
She gave a small, graceful bow.
Startled to have a Sword King bow to him, the director nearly stumbled. "Please, raise your head!" he stammered.
Lutreche straightened, gave a polite nod, and unlocked the door to the room.
"Wh... what in the world is going on?"
The director’s whispered question went unanswered. He remained in the hallway, stunned.
Inside the room, Lutreche began her search among the ancient, priceless volumes. Using only the faint moonlight streaming through the windows, she moved through the stacks for hours. She moved from one room to another, her eyes scanning title after title.
By the time she realized it, dawn had arrived.
The morning sun illuminated the room, and Lutreche let out a long, weary sigh as she closed a book—she had lost track of how many she had examined.
"They've wiped everything clean, haven't they?" she murmured to the empty room.
She walked toward the window.
"That man, Given... he served as the Assistant to the Minister of Justice. I was certain that if he had taken an interest in the Ashton name, he must have discovered something here... but..."
She touched a fingertip to her lip, lost in thought. Standing there in the morning light, she looked less like a warrior and more like a high-born lady of the court, a scholar enamored with her books.
"...Is it in the Forbidden Archives, then?"
The Emperor had granted her access to the rare collections, but the Forbidden Archives were another matter. She was neither a Leomelian nor a government official, and she held no military rank that granted her entry to that final sanctuary.
The information she sought remained elusive, but Lutreche was now certain that the answers were buried deep within the archives. That realization alone was progress.
Her motives remained hidden, but as she pressed her fingers against the glass of the window, she whispered a single question.
"—Mother. What should I do?"
Then, she lapsed into a long silence, her gaze fixed on the world outside.