On a different day after school, Ren stood among the bustle of the main boulevard. Several stations lined the street, and he stepped off the train at one of them.
As he emerged from a stationery shop and began his walk, he spotted a group of familiar faces. It was the group from the Heroic Archduke families, still dressed in their school uniforms.
"Hey, Ren!"
There were three of them: Kaito, who had called out first, along with Vane and Charlotte. They all seemed to have been making a few stops on their way home.
The trio made their way over to him.
"Are you all heading home, Upperclassman Kaito?" Ren asked.
"Yeah. We all happened to run into each other, so we were just talking about grabbing a bite to eat."
"Why don't you join us, Ren?" Vane suggested.
Ren hesitated for a moment, but he quickly nodded. He figured he could get back before it got too late, so he decided this much was fine.
"Hey, Ren," Vane said shortly after they started walking. "If you're free, why don't you come with us to Upperclassman Kaito’s place during winter break?"
"Wait, weren't you supposed to have a Hero Faction party or something?"
"Right, right... Aside from the faction gathering, I just thought it would be nice to enjoy the break together."
It wasn't just Vane who seemed to struggle with the invitation; the other two also appeared to have something on their minds. Most likely, they felt a lingering sense of guilt over the incident with Viscount Given. Even if that had been nothing more than the Viscount’s personal madness, Kaito and Charlotte felt they couldn't ignore it, given their families were at the head of the Hero Faction.
Ren shrugged, his expression neutral. "I'll probably be busy studying or swinging my sword. I might be going out on another hunt with Lady Estelle, too."
"I think I’ve heard of her, Upperclassman Kaito," Vane remarked.
"Yeah. She’s the Director of the Lion Sanctum—the strongest knight in all of Leomel. My parents once tested themselves against her in a match, but they said they couldn't even stay on their feet for more than a dozen seconds."
It was a name everyone in the Empire knew. Kaito, curious about the rejection of his invitation, chimed in.
"Guh! Ashton is still trying to get even stronger?! Vane! We can't let him leave us in the dust!"
Since discovering his ancestor’s shield, Kaito’s drive to become stronger had reached a fever pitch. He wasn't the only one; all the descendants of the Seven Heroes had been inspired by the find, striving to grow at an unprecedented pace.
Looking at Vane, Ren felt that the boy’s features had grown more robust as well. Ren gave him a gentle smile. "I’m rooting for you, Vane."
"Thanks. I’ll do my best."
Then, Ren abruptly offered a piece of advice. "Also, keep your guard up regarding the Demon King Cult."
He planned to offer a more formal warning through Estelle and the others later. He didn't know if the same battles from the original game would break out in this timeline, but he had judged that he should at least sound the alarm where he could. The event to obtain the Hero Equipment was technically just a sub-event, but he felt he had to do something.
"Haha! We know, we know!" Kaito laughed.
"We’ll be fine, Ashton," Vane added. "The military power of our Archduke families will be gathered there, and all the heads of the houses will be present."
"Well... I understand that, but..." Ren gave a strained smile, choosing to stay silent.
Perhaps it was because he knew that even if a battle occurred, it was manageable. Met with Ren's gaze, Vane suddenly looked down at his own hands and fell silent.
"Vane?"
After a few seconds, Vane looked up and laughed sheepishly. "Sorry. It’s just... lately, I feel like I’m right on the verge of grasping something. When I wake up, or before I go to sleep... or even just now, suddenly... I don't really understand it, but I feel like I can become much stronger than I am now."
"Hahaha! What’s that about?!" Kaito teased.
"It’s no wonder you're laughing at me, Upperclassman... but it really does feel that way."
"It’s mean to laugh, Kaito," Charlotte interjected. "There, there, Vane-kun. Your kind and beautiful Upperclassman Sharo will give you a head pat."
"I told you! Stop being so sudden, Upperclassman Sharo!"
Ren smiled again at the group's camaraderie. He felt certain that Vane’s transformation was proof that he was nearing his awakening as the successor to Hero Ruin's power.
Ulysses was no longer an enemy, and Asval could never be resurrected. Ren didn't know exactly what would trigger the awakening in this new timeline, but he was certain it would happen. Even if the scenario changed, some things remained immutable.
The descendants of the Seven Heroes were the natural counterparts to the Demon King Cult. Now that one of the pieces of Hero Equipment had been recovered, they were bound to follow the path of their ancestors. Ren silently wished them success.
After parting with Vane’s group, Ren visited Verrich’s Workshop to discuss the Dragon Vein Furnace.
"Yes!" Verrich shouted, throwing a fist into the air the moment Ren finished his explanation. "That’s more than enough! Once I get the materials we talked about, I can finally get a trial run going. We’re just a hair's breadth away from restarting the Lemuria!"
"Then I’ll leave this in your care, Mr. Verrich."
"You bet! Just sit tight and wait as if you're already on the deck of a massive ship!"
Estelle happened to be at the workshop that day as well, having her sword, Kuroi, sharpened. She was seated in the chair next to Ren.
"The Lemuria, was it? I heard it was a legendary vessel."
"Damn straight, Big Sis!" Verrich boasted. "I put so much work into it that you couldn't build a better magic ship if you tried!"
Estelle picked up a massive mug from the table and drained it in a single long draught. She downed the liquor as easily as if it were water. Immediately, she poured a second glass from a barrel at her feet and finished that just as effortlessly.
"Are you... drinking alcohol?" Ren asked.
"Indeed. It’s from my home in the Drake Region."
"Big Sis is incredible," Verrich added. "We dwarves are sturdy drinkers, but gulping down Drake Region booze like that would normally scorch a man’s throat."
"I’ve been drinking it since before I can remember. It’s the mark of a Drakian."
"I wonder how that stands in the eyes of Imperial Law?" Ren muttered.
Even as they spoke, Estelle poured another glass. She seemed to be glancing at Ren’s face with a bit more hesitation than before, but she still downed the third glass and started pouring a fourth. Ren decided that pointing it out further would be a losing battle.
She lowered her voice slightly. "...That was a story from my childhood. Let's just say the statute of limitations has passed."
Without showing the slightest sign of intoxication, Estelle cleared her throat. "Anyway, if it truly is such a masterpiece, the Empire should just build a magic ship dock in Clausel."
"No, no, no, that would cost a fortune," Ren said.
"Well, it certainly is expensive to build from scratch. Knowing Viscount Clausel’s reputation, he would likely decline even if the Ignat family offered to foot the bill."
"That actually already happened," Ren admitted.
"Hmm... what a waste. It’s a magnificent piece of work."
Troubled, Estelle drained another glass. Ren couldn't help but wonder how she fit that much liquid into her slender frame.
"The mystery of a Sword Saint..." he whispered.
"Hm? What about a Sword Saint?"
"I just suddenly realized how amazing they are."
"Hmph. You'll be one yourself before long, Ren. No need for such awe," she laughed, gulping down her fifth glass. There was no sign of her stopping. "I don't know about other styles, but it’s said that a Strong Sword user needs a specific catalyst to reach the rank of Sword Saint. I believe I told you this before."
Ren remembered her story. Estelle had been pushed to her absolute limit while protecting her subordinates. In her desperate struggle to bring them home alive, she had transcended her limits and become a Sword Saint at the final moment.
"In my estimation, your skill is already at the Sword Saint Class," Estelle continued. "All you're lacking are the Arts and the... well, the elements that lead to official recognition. Once you cross that line, you'll undergo another transformation."
"Doesn't that make me really half-baked right now?"
"Indeed! You're quite the half-baked one. Hahahaha!"
It wasn't a laughing matter to Ren, but her bluntness was refreshing. Her laughter died down, and her expression turned serious.
"Let me give you one piece of advice, Ren."
Those words would lead Ren toward a significant turning point, though he had no way of knowing it then.
"I've said it before, but our essence is 'Star-Cleaver, Looking Up at the Black.' There is profound meaning in the words the Lion King sang on the battlefield. Even the stars, which were once thought to be magic, will leave only a dark sky if they are all cleaved away. That blackness is the metaphor for the ultimate essence of the Strong Sword."
"So, continuing to fight is the shortcut to growth?"
"Yes. That’s why you must keep swinging your sword."
The Lion King had described the stars in the night sky as magic, and by crushing everything on the battlefield, he had proven his dominance. Scholars interpreted the darkness of a sky stripped of its stars as the ultimate proof of victory.
"But you know..." Ren said thoughtfully. "If I’m going to look up at the sky, I think I'd much rather see it full of stars."
Estelle stared blankly at him for a moment before letting out a boisterous laugh and draining her mug. "Ah—hahahaha! Well, you’ve got a point there!"
"Whoa! Don't just suddenly throw your arm around me like that!"
"Don't be so stiff! To think you could say those words to the Director of the Lion Sanctum herself! Very well! Winter break is nearly here, isn't it? This winter, I shall personally look after you and Licia!"
As Ren stood there, stunned, Estelle immediately began outlining her plan.
"Training. Or perhaps a trip far away on a magic ship, like before."
"Does that mean... you'll be giving us lessons every day?"
"Not every day. You have assignments to complete, don't you?"
"...You're surprisingly responsible about that part."
"Of course! Swinging a sword while neglecting your duties won't help your future. You'll struggle later in life if you rely on nothing but physical strength."
Verrich crossed his arms and looked over at them. He thought for a moment before speaking up. "Big Sis, doesn't the story change if Ren is aiming to become a Sword King?"
"Hm, you've got a point."
"I'm sorry, but please keep those things separate," Ren sighed, putting a stop to the escalating conversation. "On a different note, Lady Estelle, do you know anything about the Hero Faction parties?"
"Naturally. There’s to be a gathering of nobles after the festivities led by the Elfen Church."
"Is the Empire doing anything officially for that?"
"You mean the Imperial Family celebrating the discovery of the Hero Equipment?"
"Something like that. For example, declaring a special holiday or..."
"Nothing of the sort. I hear dignitaries are arriving from abroad, but since those are tasks for the Heroic Archduke families, Leomel doesn't plan to get involved as a nation. The Second Prince will simply visit the Leonard family to deliver a formal congratulation."
The Imperial Family couldn't avoid participating entirely, but this was a celebratory occasion that transcended the squabbles between the Hero, Imperial, and Neutral Factions. Since it concerned the Seven Heroes who had saved the world, the Empire was avoiding political headaches.
"The power of the Seven Heroes seems like it would be a major hindrance to the resurrection of the Demon King," Ren noted.
"They must be dying to destroy it. We’ve anticipated that much. Since the Second Prince will be visiting as the Emperor’s representative, the Lion Sanctum is dispatching many knights. There will be several escort ships for the journey as well."
Ren knew the strength of the Strong Sword users well—many of whom had been enemies in the game's timeline. In this world, they provided a level of stability that didn't exist in the game. He even suspected that monsters meant to be driven off might actually be slain this time. Still, he didn't take the threat lightly.
"The Leonard Archduke Territory is rich in water sources, isn't it? If the Demon King Cult were to unleash monsters, I suspect they would use aquatic types."
Ren spoke with a bit of a lecturing tone, and Estelle laughed.
"As you say, that land has abundant water. It’s less than two weeks by horse from the City of Water, Eupeheim, and the water flowing from the mountains enriches the entire region. Aquatic monsters would be very easy for them to employ."
She assured him that the countermeasures were perfect and that the safety of the Leonard territory was secured. Two weeks by horse was only slightly further than the trip from the Ashton village to Clausel. The main highway between a major city and an Archduke’s seat was exceptionally well-guarded. Estelle even mentioned specific regions they were watching. At this point, Ren realized there was nothing more he could say.
It seems I don't even need to be on guard, he thought.
From identifying the threat to predicting their movements, the Empire had already taken every precaution. All Ren could do was watch events unfold.
"Polluting the water source is another concern," Estelle continued. "Both the Archduke’s house and our knights are on high alert."
If they were prepared to that extent, it should be fine. Estelle listed several monsters they were expecting, and one of them was exactly the creature Ren remembered from the game's event battle.
"So if we move, it will be to strike first. Many people share your concerns, Ren. The Archduke’s family and their allies are planning to launch a preemptive strike. We’ve been in communication, but the Archduke territory is a headache to manage."
Ren realized that in the original Legend of the Seven Heroes, the Demon King Cult hadn't been public knowledge at this point in the story, which was why those options hadn't existed in the game.
"Prince Radius is preparing particularly thoroughly. He’s been consulting with Ulysses Ignat to ensure that any Cultists who show their faces are captured. The Lion Sanctum is also moving in secret—though that’s just between us."
"Ah... so that’s happening too."
Unlike in the game, the cooperation between those two powerful figures changed everything.
"The Archduke’s family will have a massive escort. There’s no need to worry."
The more Ren heard, the more he realized how perfect the Empire’s preparations were. Everyone was far more prepared than he had ever imagined.
The next morning, Ren stood with Fiona outside the Lion Sanctum.
"It’s rare to see you here, Lady Fiona."
"I woke up early. I thought... it would make me happy if we could go to the Academy together, if you were still here, Ren-kun."
"I see. But I'm sorry, this is the complete opposite direction for you, isn't it?"
"N-No! If I can walk with you like this, I could do it every day..." the Marquis’s Daughter murmured wistfully, clearly savoring the moment.
"Winter break is almost here," Fiona said, watching the softly falling snow. "Um... Ren-kun, how do you plan to spend your break?"
She clearly wanted to ask him to spend time with her, but Ren’s answer made her hesitate.
"Lady Estelle invited me, so it looks like I’ll be spending my days in constant training."
"I-I see! Hehe, that’s just like you."
Fiona was starting to look discouraged, but Ren’s next words made her heart leap.
"But I’m worried about the exams afterward. If you're free, I was hoping you could help me with my studies during the break..."
"Leave it to me!" Fiona blurted out, her voice slightly frantic. Her cheeks were flushed, and it clearly wasn't from the cold. She placed a hand over her chest and gave him a bright smile. "I’ll spend as many hours as you need with you. Whenever you want."
"Is your work in Eupeheim alright?"
"Um—I’ll be going home for a few days, but any other time is fine!"
As they talked, Ren was reminded of their time in Eupeheim. "By the way, did the water vein issues there ever get resolved?"
"The problems inside the city were fixed. But I heard my father and the others are still investigating because the water veins outside the city seem a bit strange."
They chatted for a few more minutes until Licia emerged from the Lion Sanctum.
Winter break was set to begin that afternoon, so the morning was spent in homeroom. Afterward, the entire student body gathered in the Great Auditorium for an assembly. The final speaker was, as always, the Academy Principal, Chronoa.
"Everyone, keep your promises and have a wonderful winter break!"
Chronoa never liked long speeches. Just looking at the restless students made her want to finish quickly so they could get to their holiday. Sensing her mood, the students erupted in cheers the moment she declared the assembly over.
Many of the Academy’s facilities remained open during the break. Though the hours were shorter, many students still visited the library. Ren and Fiona had first reunited in a library after the Baldur Mountains incident, and now, the former Executive Committee members were gathered in a small study room at the back.
"I’m so sleepy..." Radius muttered, being the first to speak.
He had deep circles under his eyes and was letting out frequent yawns, something he rarely did. Licia and Fiona were stunned by his unguarded state, but Ren, who had seen him like this before, asked the obvious.
"Is it that busy job again?"
"Yeah. I’ll be leaving on a magic ship in two hours."
"Oh? Going somewhere?"
"I’m meeting family members who don't live in the Imperial Capital. They all have troublesome personalities, but there are things that must be discussed."
Ren suspected there was a deeper meaning to his words, but the conversation stopped there.
"Nyan-haha!" laughed Radius’s aide, Mirei Archayse. As a girl with Cait Sith blood and a member of a Count’s family, she was always by Radius’s side. "His Highness’s winter break schedule is packed tight, nya~!"
"Miss Mirei, does that mean he’s busy every single day?"
"Mhm. Some days are scheduled down to the minute, nya."
"...Radius, are you going to be okay?" Ren asked.
"If you're asking if I'm okay, the answer is obviously no. But it must be done, so I will give it my all. To that end, I shall happily gulp down more potions today."
Radius stood up, gave another massive yawn, and left the room with Mirei.
Before they disappeared, Ren called out, "Lady Estelle is going to be training us. Aren't you coming, Radius?"
"Estelle has a backlog of unused vacation time. I’ve told her to use it all now while she has the chance. —Well then, I hope the three of you have a fulfilling break."
Watching the exhausted man leave, Ren could only give a wry smile. The remaining three looked at one another.
"What should we do?" Licia asked.
Fiona looked at them and made a suggestion. "If you don't have plans for the afternoon, why don't we stay here and get a head start on our winter break assignments?"
There was no reason to refuse.