Another hour passed.
"Muu...!"
It was Licia.
She had arrived at the Marquis Ignat Manor, though she was supposed to have already departed for Clausel. She was here now because she had received an emergency report the previous day.
News of the attack had reached the Imperial Capital and Erendil as well, causing most magic ships to suspend their operations immediately. Licia was caught in this disruption, and the work she had intended to complete upon returning home had been postponed.
"Why does this always happen only when I'm not around...!"
She wasn't actually complaining; it was simply a manifestation of how much she had been worrying about Ren.
In a guest room of the Marquis Ignat Manor, Licia was fussing over Ren with intense concern, asking things like, "Are you hurt?" and "Is anything painful?"
"No, well... even I don't really understand how things ended up like this," Ren replied.
He behaved with his usual nonchalance, and seeing him so unaffected caused the tension to finally leave Licia's body.
"...Geez. And on top of everything, you became a Sword Saint?"
"Yes. That was quite sudden for me as well."
"There you go, making it sound so simple again... Though, I suppose that’s just like you, Ren."
As long as he was safe, that was more than enough for her.
Fiona, who stood by her side, felt exactly the same way. She nodded along in fervent agreement with everything Licia said.
Outside the window, fluffy snow danced in the air—a sight they hadn't seen much of lately.
With a relieved sigh, Licia stepped away from Ren.
"I’m going to go pay my respects to Marquis Ignat."
The reason for her sudden visit was, of course, the recent chaos. Under normal circumstances, Viscount Clausel would have wanted to come and speak in person, but as the lord of his own territory, he had duties that prevented him from leaving.
Licia needed to speak with Ulysses to handle those administrative communications and other matters.
"Licia."
"What is it?"
"Thank you for worrying about me."
"—No. As long as you’re safe, Ren, that’s all I need."
She looked happy—truly joyful. The Saint’s smile sparkled with a brilliant light.
"You have to tell me everything later, alright?"
"Yes, of course."
The two of them were capable of such effortless back-and-forth for as long as time allowed. Ren’s way of speaking, while still maintaining his polite honorifics, was noticeably more relaxed when he was with Licia.
Once Licia had stepped out of the room, Fiona spoke up.
"I'm certain my father is preparing a letter for Viscount Clausel. He knows how worried the Viscount must be about you after this incident..."
"I understand. I'll make sure to speak with him as well."
Even so, Ren couldn't help but think.
"It feels like winter break is going to be over in the blink of an eye."
"Hehe, I feel the same. After everything that’s happened, I expect things will get quite busy. I imagine you’ll have a lot to deal with too, Ren-kun."
"Eh? Me?"
"Oh? You weren't aware?"
"I'm sorry. I really don't know anything. What do you mean?"
"Well, if I remember correctly, regarding Strong Sword Arts, once you become a Sword Saint—"
Ren hadn't heard a word of this.
As he blinked in confusion at her explanation, Fiona, standing beside him, narrowed her eyes with a gentle expression.
I'll think about that later, Ren decided.
He stretched his back in front of the window.
The previous day, he had defeated one Apostle of the Giant God, Wadatsumi, by himself, and then worked with Estelle to slay a second one. The results of the battle had already been shared among various factions. The reality was that a significant number of people now knew of his involvement.
He didn't know yet how those facts would be handled in the future. At the moment, he was too exhausted from yesterday’s exertions to even want to think about it.
"You seem very busy yourself, Lady Fiona."
"That’s not true at all! Compared to what you accomplished, Ren-kun, this is nothing!"
"Are you sure? But you haven't slept a wink since yesterday."
She had been completely occupied with the post-incident management. Ren had offered to help, but neither Fiona nor Ulysses would have ever permitted it.
Another ten minutes passed.
Licia would likely be returning soon. Ren looked at the clock on the wall as they chatted idly, and Fiona stood up from her seat.
"Lady Licia should be back shortly, so I'll go have some tea and sweets prepared for us."
"No, wait! You must be exhausted too, Lady Fiona, so you don't really need to—!"
He called out to her as she walked away—but only a few seconds later.
Clatter!
A sudden gust of the blizzard slammed against the window. Startled by the noise, Fiona spun around abruptly. Seeing Ren standing right behind her, she flinched in surprise.
She tried to scramble back to give him space but lost her balance. Seeing her stumble, Ren reached out to catch her.
He managed to support her so she wouldn't hit the floor, but the momentum sent them both tumbling onto the nearby sofa.
"—!?"
Perhaps because she was overtired, Fiona couldn't find the strength to steady herself. She ended up draped directly over Ren...
"Lady Fiona, are you oka—"
"——"
Something brushed against his cheek.
It lasted only a fraction of a second, and because her lustrous hair had fanned out between them, Ren couldn't see exactly what had happened. However, he felt a distinct touch on his skin.
Panicked, Fiona scrambled off him and sat back down on the adjacent sofa. She sat there with her head bowed, her face turning a deep crimson as she nervously rubbed her thighs.
"Um... are you alright?"
"—! Y-y-y-yes! I'm fine!"
"That’s good... but why are you so flustered?"
"I-It’s nothing! I’m perfectly normal!"
When she finally looked up, her eyes were so moist it seemed she might burst into tears at any moment. She was trying her hardest to maintain her composure despite her burning red cheeks, but Ren remained utterly confused.
"No, no, no! You're definitely not acting normal!"
"No! I really am fine!"
"What do you mean, you're fine!?"
Fiona stood up, Ren's words echoing in her mind. She wasn't calm in the slightest, but his question lingered, repeating over and over again.
What do you mean?
"Just wait a moment! I'll be right back...!"
Leaving those words behind, she practically fled the room.
Even though he had been the one to stop her fall, she needed a moment to settle her racing heart. She thought only of Ren and his stunned expression, find the frantic pounding in her chest to be strangely comforting.
Click.
She closed the door behind her and leaned her back against it.
"Ren-kun... you see..."
She closed her eyes, surrendering herself to the overwhelming tension. There was only one answer to his question.
What do you mean, you're fine!?
The one feeling she couldn't hide was the proof. There was a reason she could say she was fine even after something like that.
"—Because, that’s just what it is."
Ever since the day they first met, it had always been that way.
This was a story from a time long, long ago.
"Hey, you. Where are we?"
"Won't you please call me by my name eventually?"
"No. It’s too embarrassing."
"...It’s just one word. You just have to say 'Cecil.'"
"I still can't."
She spoke bluntly, but her shyness was obvious. Knowing that was enough for him.
"So, where is this?"
"It’s a town that grew out of a nearby metropolis. A New City."
The two of them walked through a town that was still in the middle of development. However, because of its proximity to the capital, it was growing at an unprecedented rate, and many nobles were said to already live there.
The pair walking the streets wore deep robes. To a casual observer, they looked like mere travelers, so the knights did not stop them to verify their identities.
"If a knight questions us, shall we run?"
"They won't ask us anything. What would they even want to know?"
"Perhaps about how I took you away by force?"
"How? How could you tell a knight about me when even my very existence was hidden from the world?"
"Well, putting that aside, I could at least make the two of us wanted criminals."
"...Ah, I suppose that’s true."
Having said that, the girl walked ahead of Cecil. Her steps were light and rhythmic, causing the hem of her robe to sway.
"But take back one thing, will you?"
"And what might that be?"
"The part about you taking me away by force. I followed you of my own free will, so don't get the wrong idea."
The girl spoke bluntly again, hiding her bashfulness.
The place they were heading for was a building located on the outskirts of the city.
"Is your friend here?"
"Yes. He’s the person in charge of this orphanage."
"...Jeno Orphanage?"
She read the letters painted on the sign.
"Let's go through the back. The children are likely asleep, and I don't want to wake them."
"...Alright."
They walked to the rear of the building and knocked on a wooden door. It opened, and a staff member appeared. Cecil spoke with them with practiced familiarity and entered the quiet interior. Not a sound could be heard, as it was the hour when the children were deep in sleep.
Cecil and the girl walked to the room at the very back of the building. After the staff member bowed and departed, Cecil spoke.
"There's one thing I must apologize for."
"I want to forgive anything you do, but tell me anyway."
"It’s regarding what I’m about to do next. It might be better for you to see it for yourself rather than have me explain."
They entered the innermost room. As soon as she saw the man named Jeno waiting there, the girl—the Blighted Princess—nearly lost control of her power.
However, Cecil’s promise protected her, and because he held her hand, everything remained stable. During the tension, a single Mithril Coin, corroded by her power, fell from the pocket of her robe.
Eventually, after hearing the explanation, the Blighted Princess regained her composure. She hid behind Cecil, intently watching Jeno.
Seeing this, Jeno gave a wry smile.
"I see you're getting along well with my sister. That is enough for me."
"That’s alrea—"
"What’s with this sudden attempt to act like a brother? You treated me as if I didn't exist all those years."
"...That isn't true. You're being unfair to Jeno," Cecil interjected.
He explained that Jeno had devoted himself to her. In places she had never seen, he had been researching tirelessly to find a way to seal her power. Even today, before the two of them left the world of men behind, Jeno had wanted to confirm how much her power could be suppressed.
The Blighted Princess felt herself calming even further.
"Jeno performed an Analysis on the items your power corroded, researching ways to restrain it. I heard he even went to the trouble of retrieving the pens you used for that very purpose."
"Is... that so..."
"I won't ask you to believe me. But... well, that’s simply how it is."
Jeno spoke with a touch of sadness and let out a sigh. Then, he invited them both outside.
They walked to the playground equipment outside the orphanage, where Jeno stood before a prepared canvas.
"Let me paint while we talk."
"Why?"
"What do you mean 'why,' Cecil? Painting is my only hobby. Surely you can let me paint one portrait before I see my sister off?"
Cecil and the Blighted Princess exchanged looks and nodded, agreeing that much was fine. As the two spent a peaceful moment together, Jeno’s brush moved across the small canvas. They continued to talk as he worked.
"Cecil, do you truly intend to never return to the public eye?"
"Of course. I plan to live in a quiet place with her."
"...Are you certain? For someone of your caliber to—"
"Jeno, no more of that."
"...My apologies."
The Blighted Princess tilted her head at their heavy conversation. Sensing an atmosphere she shouldn't disturb, she sat on a swing and watched them.
"But if we're talking about that, the same applies to you, Jeno."
"Me?"
"Yes. In an era like this, there is great meaning in saving children at an orphanage. But Jeno, you aren't the kind of person who should really be staying here either."
Their conversation reached a natural end. They shared a quiet breath, and from then on, the heavy topics were set aside in favor of enjoying the tranquil moment.
Before long, the painting was finished.
"Is it done?"
"Don't be foolish. It’s not finished yet. I still have to paint in the background and the rest of the scenery."
With that, they returned to Jeno’s room inside the orphanage. Standing before an Altar and walls covered in paintings, Jeno looked at Cecil and his sister.
"Have you held a ceremony?"
"A—A ceremony?"
"Wha—!?"
"By the look of it, you haven't. And I suspect you have no plans to do so."
The two were caught off guard. As the Blighted Princess’s face turned bright red, Cecil spoke up.
"...Considering our situation and what lies ahead, it just wasn't possible."
"I thought as much. That’s why I’m glad for this opportunity. I shall offer the two of you my blessing."
The ceremony held there was a modest affair, seen by no one. It was a secret ritual that would never be recorded in the annals of history. But for them, it was enough.
"I ask of you, Cecil Ashton. For this marriage ceremony—"
The ceremony proceeded without a hitch, and eventually, the pair departed the city. Jeno didn't ask where they were going or what they planned to do next. He felt that was for the best.
A few days later, he looked at the canvas in a corner of the garden. Now that the painting was truly complete, he spoke to the empty air.
"I’ve painted a fine picture."
He looked up at the vast, blue sky.
This was an event from a distant past—occurring long, long before Ren would eventually discover that very painting.