Once Ren had composed himself, he steered the conversation back to the matter at hand.
"I’ll ask for your help with the introductions later, then."
"Very well. Let us leave it at that for today. It would be a shame to keep those two waiting any longer."
Radius was referring to Licia and Fiona.
As Ren stood, Radius followed suit, and the two opened the door to the hallway. Students were already filtering out of the building to head home.
"Regardless, the incident with the Time Cage was a boon," Radius remarked as they walked. "Even from a third-party perspective, there was ample evidence that a powerful monster had been sealed within. It makes it much easier for us to maneuver."
"If we hadn't had that, I would have been forced to explain everything about Licia and me."
"Something I wanted to avoid at all costs. If word got out, people would inevitably try to use the two of you as pawns in political power plays, and we likely would have faced a headache with the Elfen Church. It is always better to settle these matters quietly when possible."
"So, it worked out for the best?"
"Undoubtedly. You two achieved a great feat, but the nature of the Time Cage is bound to draw unwanted curiosity. Fortunately, the Academy Principal is on our side. She has promised to lend her strength should anything arise."
For now, the events of Roses Kaitas were concluded. It was agreed that Radius would contact Ren immediately if the situation shifted.
"Now, about my family..."
"Has something else happened regarding the Ashtons?"
"Near the end of the fight, the Sword Demon kept saying the name 'Ashton,'" Ren said, his words ending in a weary sigh.
Radius gave Ren a sharp poke in the ribs, a look of mild irritation crossing the Third Prince’s face.
"You should have mentioned that when we were discussing the Divine Child."
"Sorry. I had a lot on my mind and it just slipped out."
"Good grief... and? Did the Sword Demon say why he was calling out that name?"
"I have no idea. That’s why I sighed. It would have been a real problem if they’d acted like old friends, but we were definitely trying to kill each other."
Ren nodded, recalling the intensity of the battle. The overwhelming pressure and the murderous intent the Sword Demon had radiated were no mistake.
"He was definitely trying to end me while he said it."
"Then I suppose it is fine. Well, not 'fine' to be attacked, but... it is curious. Why would a General of the Demon King's Army know the name Ashton?"
"Like I said, I don't know. That’s why I asked you to help me look into my family tree."
"Hm. True enough."
"Also, it seems my ancestors were incredibly powerful. Before my family home burned down, there were records... apparently, one of them fought Asval while the dragon was in its prime."
This time, Radius poked Ren even harder, fueled by the momentum of his shock.
"Tell me these things sooner!"
"I'm sorry! I’d only ever mentioned it to Lord Lezard and the others."
"Unbelievable. If that is true, then you come from a monstrous lineage. To fight Asval and be loathed by the Demon King's generals? Just what did your ancestors do, Ren?"
Radius walked with his arms crossed, staring up at the sky in thought. No, it couldn't be, he mused. The image of the Sword King Lutreche flickered in his mind, and he wondered once again why she had intervened during the Great Clock Tower Incident.
"Does she know something—?"
"What was that? Did you say something?"
"...No, nothing. I will let you know if my investigation turns up anything."
"Thanks. I’m counting on you."
As they neared the school gates, they still saw no sign of Licia or Fiona. Radius decided to return to his carriage, and Ren walked him to the curb.
"By the way," Radius added, as if it had just occurred to him.
"Yeah? What?"
"When did you stop using honorifics with Licia Clausel? I know you aren't the type to simply forget your manners."
"Well... a lot happened inside Roses Kaitas."
Ren thought back to the promise they had made before encountering the Sword Demon. Their time within the seal had been brief but incredibly intense.
"I am glad to see the two of you are so close."
Radius chuckled softly, glancing at Ren’s profile with a knowing look.
When they reached the carriage, Estelle was waiting outside. Radius quickly stepped into the carriage, leaving Ren with one final remark: "Estelle mentioned she had something to discuss with you."
After a long, heavy silence, Estelle finally spoke.
"Ren, there is something I must apologize for."
"I'm not sure I follow..."
"I was monitoring you in secret. It was a direct order from the Emperor."
Ren’s expression tightened. Hearing that the Emperor himself had ordered surveillance made his mind flash to the "Ren Ashton" of the Legend of the Seven Heroes. However, the fact that Estelle was admitting this was proof enough that he wasn't currently considered an enemy.
"The two times we met in Erendil, I was there on duty. His Majesty was unable to judge you. He wanted to know exactly what kind of existence you are."
"Because I'm friends with Radius?"
"That was part of it, but it was also because of the Sword King."
"The Sword King?"
"Yes. Last summer, while I was on the Martel Continent, the Sword King agreed to help during the Great Clock Tower Incident on the condition that you were allowed to join the battle."
Ren remembered that well. It was a mystery that still bothered him.
"A Sword King's movements carry immense weight. Far beyond simple political factions, her involvement could have forced the entire nation of Leomel to mobilize."
"I understand that, but... haven't you asked her why she did it?"
"His Majesty asked her several times. She claimed she was merely curious about the 'rumored Strong Sword user.'"
Ren had been active in several high-profile incidents and was a regular at the Lion Sanctum, so the explanation wasn't entirely far-fetched. Furthermore, his proximity to Radius—the man many believed to be the next Emperor—only added to the scrutiny.
"Therefore, His Majesty commanded me to 'assess Ren Ashton.'"
Estelle had struggled with how to define him, but after observing him closely, she had come to understand his character. Viewing him as a threat was absurd. She was now certain he was a friend Radius truly needed.
"Truthfully, I felt there was no issue from the moment we first spoke."
"That’s... an honor. But didn't Radius realize I was being watched?"
"Ha! You catch on quick. Yes, Prince Radius saw through it almost immediately. In truth, trying to investigate you in places where his influence is so strong, like the Imperial Capital or Erendil, was an impossible task from the start."
"I imagine so."
"Naturally, His Majesty anticipated that. It seems the Emperor was actually more curious about how Radius would react, and he was investigating the Prince's movements personally."
Radius had understood his father's logic, but he hadn't been able to accept it. While he was usually composed during their audiences, he had reportedly become so emotional when defending Ren that the Imperial Guards were left in shock.
Estelle bowed deeply, her figure hidden in the carriage's shadow away from prying eyes.
"Regardless of my orders, it must have been an unpleasant experience for you. You have my sincere apologies."
"Please, Estelle! It's fine! It was a perfectly natural precaution."
If he hadn't been by Radius’s side, things might have been different, but Ren found the scrutiny understandable. Dealing with the royal family of the world's greatest military power meant such things were to be expected. In a way, it would have been more worrying if the Emperor had ignored him entirely.
Lezard returned to the manor that evening. Ren caught him in the hallway, where the Baron leaned back against the wall to listen.
"To Eupeheim, then?"
"That’s the plan. I’m not sure exactly when, but I want to go as soon as I can."
"I see. We can discuss the specifics later. Once you have a date, I’ll send word to Marquis Ignat myself."
Lezard gave a small laugh. "After all, you do have that special invitation."
The Baron paused, looking at Ren with a sudden realization.
"My word... are we nearly eye-to-eye now?"
"It seems so. I used to have to look up quite a bit more."
The change was especially striking compared to when Ren first arrived in Erendil. The boy who had inherited his mother’s soft, elegant features had grown significantly. Lezard felt a swell of pride and nostalgia.
Licia appeared from around the corner, her face lighting up with a smile that was reserved only for Ren.
"Ren! I’ve been looking everywhere for you!"
She ran up to them with a light step. "Oh, I’m sorry. You were talking with Father."
"Don't worry about it. We’re just finishing up," Lezard said.
"Really? Then, Ren, do you want to head into town? I need to pick up the next volume of that book I was reading. Want to come with?"
The sky was still bright at the horizon. Since they often stayed late at the Lion Sanctum anyway, the time wasn't an issue.
"Sure, I'd love to," Ren agreed.
"Great! Can we go right now?"
"Yeah, I'm ready—wait, Licia!?"
"Hurry, hurry! We have to go before it gets dark!"
Licia grabbed Ren’s hand and started jogging toward the entrance.
Weiss walked up to join Lezard as they watched the pair leave. "You seem to be in an exceptionally good mood, my lord," the old knight remarked.
"I am. I feel quite excellent, in fact."
Weiss didn't press for a reason; it would have been unnecessary.
The two made their way into town, secured the book at the shop, and began a leisurely walk through the cooling twilight. The streets were more crowded than usual; following the incident at Roses Kaitas, patrols had been increased, and many pilgrims from the Elfen Church had arrived now that the seal was gone.
"...It wasn't a dream, was it?"
Licia looked back toward the mountains. She spoke only after ensuring no one was close enough to overhear.
"It feels like a lie that we actually fought a General of the Demon King's Army."
"It was no lie, and it certainly wasn't a dream."
Ren answered instantly, and Licia looked up at him.
"See? This is the proof."
Ren tapped the Mithril Magic Sword at his waist. It was housed in a custom sheath Verrich had made to match its size, so the blade was hidden, but the hilt was visibly different from his old iron sword. The scabbard swayed gently with every step.
"Everything we experienced was real."
"Fufu... even the way you address me now makes it feel real."
"Could you... maybe give me a break? It's embarrassing when you bring it up like that."
"Is it? I don't think I'll ever forget the way you called my name to wake me up."
Ren scratched his cheek and looked away, his usual tell for when he was flustered. Walking together like this made Licia so happy she couldn't stop herself from smiling. Even the silence between them was comfortable.
"We need to get even stronger," Ren said eventually, "just in case something like that happens again."
"I agree. I’m almost a Swordmaster myself. I suppose that makes you a future Sword Saint, Ren?"
Ren shook his head, his gaze fixed on the distant horizon.
"I’ve stopped aiming to be a Sword Saint."
Licia faltered. "You haven't... given up on the sword, have you?"
"Of course not."
"Then what are you aiming for?"
Ren hadn't told her his new goal yet. In the past, he had acted as if he had a ceiling, modestly suggesting it would be nice to reach a certain level. But now, his admiration had solidified into a concrete ambition.
"—I've decided to become a Sword King."
He stopped and looked her directly in the eye. He spoke with a newfound clarity and a dignity that was impossible to ignore. Licia didn't laugh; she was simply captivated by the intensity in his gaze.
"So, I’d be honored if you'd keep polishing your skills with me."
"...Geez. If you say it like that, I guess I have to aim for Sword King, too."
"Wait, you too, Licia!?"
"Don't look so shocked! It's because I—"
She knew how difficult that path would be. She wasn't saying it lightly. She simply had no intention of letting anyone else take the spot by his side.
"Because you what?"
"Nothing. It's a secret for now."
As the last light faded from the sky, the two walked through the bustling streets of Erendil. They enjoyed the lights of the city as they began the walk home, promising to work hard again starting tomorrow.
When Ren eventually reaches the pinnacle of the Sword King, he might not be alone at the top. Perhaps there will be two.
The answer lies somewhere ahead, in the future of this story.