One afternoon, several knights from the outlying villages returned simultaneously to the city of Clausel, far removed from the small village where Ren lived.
They headed straight for the Baron’s manor and were ushered immediately into the office where he awaited them.
There, the knight returning from the village of House Ashton reported that the unidentified monster had indeed been a Thief Wolfen. When the Baron and Weiss heard that Ren had slain the beast single-handedly, they were struck speechless with awe.
"Weiss! I’d heard rumors of Ren Ashton, but is he truly such a powerhouse!?"
"H-he was certainly a rare talent! But to think he could take down a Thief Wolfen alone..."
Still reeling from the shock, the two men continued to listen to the report.
According to the knights, they had left a few men behind in each village as a precaution before making the journey back. Once the briefing concluded, the Baron dismissed everyone except Weiss to speak in private.
"...Regardless of the circumstances, we must prepare a reward for House Ashton."
"Exempting them from this year’s taxes would be appropriate, I believe. It might also be wise for you to personally visit and offer your encouragement when your schedule allows, my Lord."
"Then we shall settle on that. Good grief. Still, we must continue to keep a close eye on the other nobles. Too many questions remain unanswered."
"Indeed. A monster of the Thief Wolfen’s caliber shouldn't have appeared in that region under normal circumstances."
The Baron slammed his hand against the desk as he looked at the nodding Weiss.
"Hmph! This is undoubtedly the work of either the Hero Faction or the Imperial Faction!"
The Baron stood and threw open the window with a violent jerk, glaring down at the town below. He said little else regarding those two groups, but his face was tight with irritation. A grim shadow also crossed the face of the veteran knight standing beside him.
"We cannot afford to be negligent. For the time being, the knights remaining in the villages will stay stationed there," the Baron declared in a stern voice.
"Understood! I shall send word that at least two or three men are to remain at each post."
"See to it. However, it seems best if you return to the Ashton village yourself in the near future, Weiss."
"As you wish. I assume you want me to ask Roy if there were any other strange occurrences in the area?"
"Yes. I want to entrust this task to the man I trust above all others."
"Understood."
Weiss bowed and left the room shortly thereafter.
A short distance down the corridor, he spotted Lithia leaning against the wall. She stood with an elegant grace befitting a Saintess. As he approached, she looked up and spoke.
"Is it true?"
"To what are you referring, my Lady?"
"You know exactly what. The story about a child my age subjugating a D-rank monster—a Thief Wolfen, no less."
Lithia had likely cornered the returning knights before they could even leave the building. Her curiosity had clearly been piqued.
"It appears to be the truth. He is an exceptional talent—enough to make even me believe such a feat was possible for him."
"Then, is he actually stronger than me?"
Weiss answered without a second thought.
"Undoubtedly."
"Then let us have a match."
Lithia stepped forward, speaking without a moment's hesitation.
"As the 'White Saintess,' I refuse to lose to someone my own age."
"Sigh... My Lady, you must realize you are being unreasonable."
"I am perfectly aware that I am being unreasonable."
"If you are aware, then take my answer as it stands: it is impossible. It takes a significant amount of time to reach the Ashton estate, and with the recent Thief Wolfen incident, the situation is far too volatile to be careless."
"..."
"Of course, as you know, there would be no safety concerns if we provided a full escort. However, we cannot authorize such a journey simply because you wish to have a duel."
"I see... Is that how it is?"
For a fleeting second, Weiss thought she had given up. Lithia lowered her head and clasped her hands as if in prayer, radiating an air of fragile disappointment.
But then she looked up. The expression she showed Weiss was adorable, yet it carried the weight of a triumphant smirk.
"I know how Father works. The reward for House Ashton is a tax exemption and words of encouragement from the Lord, isn't it? But Father is so busy... don't you think it would be better if I went as his proxy?"
Weiss cursed his own lack of caution. He had been completely seen through.
He remembered then that Lithia was a genius—not just with a sword, but in her studies as well, possessing a sharp mind sharpened by tireless effort. He let out a long sigh and pressed a hand to his forehead.
"Hehe. I simply must go see Father."
Lithia pushed off from the wall and began walking away, her back turned to Weiss. He had no choice but to follow.
"I beg of you, please do not try to outmaneuver the Lord today."
"What a terrible thing to say. I don't 'outmaneuver' Father. I simply engage him in a consultation."
She glanced back over her shoulder, her elegant posture complemented by a perfectly innocent, lovely smile.
◇ ◇ ◇ ◇
Several more days passed.
Nearly two months had flown by since the battle with the Thief Wolfen, and the season was turning toward autumn.
Around the time the Clausel Barony began its winter preparations, Ren climbed to the summit of Sword Rock alone, carrying a simple hemp bag.
Lured by the warm, pouring sunlight, he had inadvertently drifted into a deep sleep, sprawled out atop the rock and bathing in a wind that had begun to carry the chill of the coming season.
"...I drifted off."
Waking up as the memory of his task returned, Ren covered his mouth as a yawn escaped.
As he did, the Magic Sword Summoning Bracelet on his arm caught his eye. He looked at the crystal embedded in the metal with bleary eyes, and the interface projected the strength he had gained through his ordeal with the Thief Wolfen.