At the end of May, Ren and Lithia sat for their primary entrance exams.
When all was said and done, the experience felt surprisingly anticlimactic. As the two of them left the testing center, they strolled through the Imperial Capital with their usual relaxed air.
The next phase of the examinations would take place in July, followed by further rounds in September and November. The final exam loomed in January of the following year.
"Since the exam is over, why don't we head to the Lion Holy Chancel this afternoon?" Ren suggested. "I haven't had much of a chance to move my body lately."
"I’m in!" Lithia chirped.
While she looked forward to the change of pace, she was mostly delighted that Ren had been the one to invite her.
Lithia was a young woman of exceptional talent, and the Knights of the Lion Holy Chancel had welcomed her warmly. At this point, they had visited the training grounds so many times they had lost count. Ever the diligent student, Lithia continued to grow at a pace that defied common sense, refusing to let Ren pull too far ahead.
Lately, she had progressed to the point where she was nearly capable of using Shroud on her hands, just as Ren had done not so long ago.
With a heavy thud, a man’s greatsword struck the ground. He was the massive knight who had sparred with Ren on the very day the boy first mastered Shroud.
"Just what... what is your body made of?" the man wheezed, sitting heavily on the dirt. He was drenched in sweat, his breath coming in ragged gasps.
"Even if you ask me that... it's just as you see," Ren replied, offering a hand to help him up.
The man firmly declined, preferring to remain seated while he recovered his strength.
"Your dedication borders on the pathological. How can you move like that?" the knight asked. "I never imagined back in the winter that I would be the one to gas out first."
"If I don't give it my all, I feel like Lady Lithia will overtake me in an instant," Ren said, glancing toward the clearing where Lithia was currently practicing her swings.
◇ ◇ ◇ ◇
The following week, the Imperial Capital was blanketed in gray clouds, and a light rain began to fall.
Ren had just finished a series of administrative procedures at the Imperial Military Academy. He stepped outside, opened his umbrella, and had only walked a few paces before a voice called out to him.
"Ren-kun. Good work on your application for the secondary exam."
It was Fiona, dressed in the summer uniform of the academy.
The rain-slicked capital lacked its usual dazzling sunlight, but Fiona seemed to radiate her own light in its place. Her short-sleeved shirt fit snugly over her developing figure, and the droplets of rain clinging to her porcelain skin lent her an air of unintended sensuality that contrasted with her refined poise.
"I have a letter from my father," she said. "I’m sorry... it seems Edgar is quite busy today, so I’ve come in his stead."
"Please, don't worry about it. Is that for Lord Lezard?"
"Yes, that’s what he told me."
"Understood. I’ll make sure it reaches him safely. Well then, shall we go?"
"Go? Go where?" Fiona asked, tilting her head.
"To the girls' dormitory, of course. I’m walking you back."
"Oh, honestly... you’re making extra work for yourself, Ren-kun."
"Not at all. Think nothing of it."
The two talked as they walked. Though Ren had intended to bring up the letter, they hadn't had many opportunities to speak lately, so the conversation naturally turned to Ren's performance in the primary exams. Ren had passed as a matter of course—a fact Fiona had already surmised, given that he was currently filing his application for the next round.
"How did you feel about the first exam?" she asked.
"Well, somehow, both Lady Lithia and I managed perfect scores."
"That’s incredible! I knew you would both pass, but perfect scores...? Then the secondary exam—no, even the final exam should be no trouble at all!"
"I hope so. By the way, how did your primary exam go, Lady Fiona?"
Ren immediately regretted the question, worrying it might have been impolite. But before he could clumsily withdraw it, Fiona gave him a shy smile and admitted she had also received a perfect score.
"Ahaha... since my body was always so weak, I didn't have much to do except study," she said with a touch of self-deprecation.
Ren found it a difficult sentiment to answer directly, so he simply said, "That is a testament to your hard work, Lady Fiona."
Clearly pleased by the praise, Fiona smiled bashfully, her silk-like black hair swaying with her movement.
"Actually, it seems Lord Ulysses has been extremely busy lately," Ren noted.
"My father? He certainly does seem to be."
"I wonder if that’s why we haven't heard anything since that incident a while back..."
Beside him, Fiona stole a glance at Ren’s profile. Noticing how much more mature he looked than just a few months ago, her cheeks flushed a soft pink. She raised a hand to hide her face, and Ren, realizing he had fallen silent, spoke up.
"Ah, sorry. I went quiet there."
Their eyes met as he spoke.
"I—I wasn't looking!" Fiona blurted out.
"Pardon?"
"N-No! It’s nothing! I just... misinterpreted something on my own!"
Ren wanted to know why Ulysses and Radius were being so tight-lipped, but he merely tilted his head at Fiona’s frantic excuse. He put it out of his mind for the moment.
(He dodged the question in his last letter, too...)
Ren had written to Ulysses asking about the aftermath of the thief ring investigation. The reply had been little more than, "No need to worry!" mixed with idle small talk and excessive doting on Fiona.
"But Ren-kun, why are you so concerned about my father?"
"Well, Lady Fiona, have you heard the talk about the Demon King Cult potentially being behind the thieves?"
Fiona nodded.
"That’s what’s been on my mind. I heard Lord Ulysses was working with Radius to look into it, but there’s been a total media blackout."
"...I’m sorry. That name just now—did you mean His Imperial Highness the Third Prince?"
"That’s him."
"Wait, you address him without his title?!"
"Radius told me to call him that, so I decided to stop being formal."
Ren was calling the Third Prince by his first name, and the Prince had personally sanctioned it. This was a concept Fiona’s mind struggled to process.
"If that’s the case, I should be allowed to use his name too... and change my tone..." she muttered under her breath, recalling her own interactions with Ren in the Baldur Mountains. She felt a twinge of competitive frustration toward the Prince.
"Oh, that reminds me, Ren-kun." Fiona suddenly recalled something. "I heard that the items stolen from the workshops were primarily documentation."
She shared what she knew of the meeting between Ulysses and Radius in Eupeheim. The thieves had targeted specific documents regarding magic tools commissioned by various merchant guilds and artisans. It seemed they were specifically interested in the magic tools installed throughout the capital.
"Are they looking for gaps in the security?" Ren asked, echoing the very conclusion Radius had reached.
Fiona shook her head. "I don't think it’s just that. This is the Demon King Cult we’re talking about. I can't believe the people who orchestrated the crisis in the Baldur Mountains would stop at simply looking for security flaws."
The two of them fell into thoughtful silence for a while. It was likely that the stolen information was being kept strictly classified, especially whatever had been extracted from the Uncurse User Ulysses had captured. Only a tiny inner circle knew the truth.
(What exactly are they after?)
On his way home, Ren remained lost in thought as the Magic Train rumbled beneath him.
◇ ◇ ◇ ◇
Inside a discreet carriage parked somewhere in the Imperial Capital, Radius and Ulysses were exchanging views on the spring's thief incident.
"Lady Chronoa returns in October," Radius noted. "The idea that they want to move before then is logical."
"But I still don't understand," Ulysses countered. "Have they forgotten that the Sword King remains in the castle?"
"They might assume she will never leave His Majesty's side. Or perhaps they believe that even a brief window of chaos would be enough to serve their ends."
"...Hmm. That isn't outside the realm of possibility. The Sword King rarely ventures beyond the castle walls unless the situation is truly extraordinary."
"Then the question remains: at what stage do we strike?"
Unlike the common thieves they had dealt with, the Demon King Cult had yet to leave a trail. If they couldn't uncover their plan before the summer—the likely window for the cult’s next move—they would have to change their strategy.
"Ulysses, you remember our previous conversation," Radius said.
"Of course. This time, we take the initiative."
"Precisely. In this situation, we have no choice but to bait the trap and wait for them to bite."
The two men continued their grim deliberation.
◇ ◇ ◇ ◇
It was an unusually hot day, and the streets of the capital were crowded with people seeking out iced treats from vendors.
On this sweltering afternoon, Lithia visited Ren’s room while cradling a dazed Kukuru against her chest. The Ratatosk had a vacant, far-off look in her eyes.
"What’s with the sudden visit?" Ren asked.
"Bath time," Lithia declared.
"A bath, huh?" Ren assumed she meant she was going to take one herself, but Lithia gave a wry laugh at his expression.
"Don't look at me like that! It’s not for me."
"So, it’s for Kukuru?"
"Bingo."
"Kyū?! Kyū-kyū?!" Kukuru’s body jerked in Lithia’s arms.
Kukuru had always harbored a profound hatred for baths. However, because she loved playing in the Clausel gardens, she often ended up with dirt and mud trapped in her fur. Both Ren and Lithia were determined to get her clean.
"Kyū! Kyū-kyū!" The spirit beast flailed, looking toward Ren with pleading eyes, hoping for a rescue.
But Ren wasn't going to budge. While he found it adorable when she played outside, she needed a proper wash once in a while. Seeing Ren nod in agreement, Kukuru slumped her shoulders in defeat.
"Hah..."
"Oh, don't look so miserable!" Lithia said. "I know calling you a young lady doesn't mean much to a spirit beast, but you have to stay clean!"
Ren suppressed a smile at the Ratatosk’s pout.
The sky was a brilliant, cloudless blue. The lush green of the garden provided a dazzling backdrop that made Lithia look even more radiant. Wearing a summer-appropriate sleeveless shirt, she seemed more mature than she had just a few months ago.
A large wooden tub sat on the emerald grass, filled with lukewarm water and specialized soap for fur.
"Ah, Ren, there you are."
Lezard walked out of the mansion, having shed his jacket in the heat.
"I need you to deliver a letter to the knights' station... Oh, were you in the middle of something with Kukuru?"
Ren hesitated, not wanting to refuse his lord, but Lithia waved him off.
"It’s fine. Yuno is helping me, so you go ahead and deliver that letter, Ren."
"Understood. I’ll be back shortly."
"Sorry to trouble you. It’s an urgent matter," Lezard said.
As Ren departed, Lezard gave Lithia an apologetic smile before returning to his study. Yuno arrived shortly after and began whisking soap into the water. Bubbles began to drift lazily on the warm breeze.
A few soap bubbles even reached the front gate. There, a young noblewoman arrived, accompanied by Edgar.
It was Fiona Ignat. Having finished her errands at the academy, she had traveled to Erendil in her summer uniform. As the gatekeepers let her in, she heard a high-pitched cry from the garden.
"Kyū!"
"Hey! Stop squirming!"
Fiona recognized Lithia’s voice. She exchanged a look with Edgar, then excused herself from the knight who was meant to lead her to the mansion and headed toward the commotion.
In a garden filled with drifting bubbles, she found Lithia locked in a struggle with a very wet spirit beast.
"Lady Lithia?"
Lithia looked up and gave a sheepish smile. "Ah... ahaha. Good morning, Lady Fiona."
"Good morning. I’m sorry to drop in, but my father asked me to deliver a letter to Baron Clausel right away." Fiona walked toward the tub, her eyes widening as they landed on the resigned Ratatosk sitting in the water.
"She’s... she’s so cute!" Fiona breathed, a wide smile breaking across her face.
Kukuru, soaked to the skin, looked up at Fiona and let out a mournful "Kyū."
"My father told me about her. This is the famous Kukuru-chan, isn't it?"
Lithia nodded. "She absolutely hates baths. I’m just trying to scrub the mud off her."
"Oh dear... I see." Fiona knelt by the tub.
While no one was looking, Edgar had already engaged Yuno in conversation.
"My lady, I shall escort Lord Edgar to see the Master," Yuno announced.
"I understand. Then Lady Fiona... if you have a moment, would you like to stay with Kukuru?"
"Is that really all right?! But the letter—"
"Leave that to me, Lady Fiona," Edgar interjected. "It would be a shame to decline such a kind offer from the House of Clausel."
Yuno discreetly ensured that no men would approach the area, leaving the two young women alone in the garden. Lithia was already a bit worn out from the struggle, while Fiona was practically glowing with delight at Kukuru's cuteness.
"May I help?" Fiona asked, her eyes sparkling. She looked like she was about to burst if she couldn't pet the creature.
Lithia had no reason to refuse. "She likes it if you do this," she said, showing Fiona how to scrub.
"Wow... she looks like she’s enjoying that!"
As Fiona began to stroke her fur, Kukuru let out a contented sound. "Kyū..."
Fiona was instantly smitten. "You hate the bath, but you like the massage? There, there, Kukuru-chan."
"Kyū, kyū..."
"Such a good girl. Fufu."
Seeing the young lady of the Ignat family acting so much like a normal girl her age made Lithia smile despite herself, even though they were technically rivals for Ren's affection.
"I guess she only hates the beginning of the bath," Fiona observed.
"It would be easy if she stayed this calm, but getting her into the water takes forever," Lithia replied.
"I see. Maybe she just dislikes having her fur get wet?"
But once the initial shock passed and the bubble massage began, Kukuru was in heaven. She surrendered herself to the soap-filled water with a happy expression.
"Kyū!"
Suddenly, overwhelmed with excitement, Kukuru shifted her posture and gave herself a vigorous shake. Water and soap suds exploded in every direction, drenching both girls.
"Kyā?!" they cried in unison.
"Honestly! Kukuru!"
"Tahaha! That’s cold!"
Lithia was dressed casually for the heat, and Fiona was in her summer shirt. Both found their clothes clinging to their skin as they shared a laugh under the brilliant sun.
"Sorry I’m late! I—oh, Lady Fiona?"
Ren’s voice reached them as he returned. He took one look at the two girls covered in bubbles and water and immediately averted his eyes.
"I see. Kukuru got you."
"Ren? Why are you looking away?"
"Um... did something happen?"
Their skirts were clinging to their thighs, and their wet shirts were beginning to turn translucent. Ren carefully ignored this and went to grab the large spare towels Lithia had prepared.
He draped the towels over their shoulders, which provided enough coverage for them to feel decent again. While it had been a healthy, summery moment, Ren found it difficult to look at them directly.
◇ ◇ ◇ ◇
The two girls sat in one of the guest rooms. Their cheeks were still a bit flushed as they waited for their clothes to dry, likely still embarrassed by the earlier incident.
Ren entered cautiously. "Excuse me."
The girls had regained their composure and welcomed him with somewhat strained smiles. If they let their guard down, they both felt they might dive into the sofa cushions to hide their lingering embarrassment.
"Kukuru fell asleep looking very satisfied once I dried her off," Ren reported.
"I—I see. That’s good!" Lithia said.
"Yes! I’m glad she had a good time!" Fiona added, her voice a bit too high-pitched.
Ren didn't comment on their forced tone and sat down in a nearby chair. "Lord Lezard left for the capital as soon as he read the letter," he said. "It seems he’s going to meet with Lord Ulysses."
"My father is meeting the Marquis? Lady Fiona, did you know about this?" Lithia asked.
"No, I hadn't heard anything. I didn't even know my father was in the capital today."
The two girls looked at each other, then turned their collective gaze toward Ren.
"It has to be the thief ring incident," Ren guessed.
"Probably," Lithia agreed. "The same matter they’ve been keeping from us."
"But based on this, it seems Baron Clausel is being kept in the loop by my father," Fiona noted.
"Lately, the volume of letters between them has increased significantly. It seems they’re consulting each other on something without telling us."
Today’s letter was proof of that—Lezard had dropped everything to head to the capital.
"I don't believe that commotion was just about security flaws either," Lithia said. She had heard most of the details from Ren.
Fiona nodded slowly. "My father and the others might be using the information they gathered as a starting point for something bigger."
"Exactly. The problem is, we don't know what that 'something' is."
"Has the Marquis told you anything, Ren?" Lithia asked.
"He dodged the question in his last letter. I think he’s trying to keep us out of it for our own safety. He seems to be keeping Lady Fiona in the dark, too."
"Yes... he can be kind like that," Fiona said softly.
Ren and Lithia both recognized that Ulysses’s brand of kindness could be quite overbearing at times, but they appreciated the sentiment regardless.
"However," Fiona continued, "Lady Chronoa returns in October. If the enemy is going to move, they’ll likely do it before then."
"That makes sense. She is one of the world's most powerful mages," Lithia said. "But Leomel also has the Sword King, doesn't it?"
"The Sword King won't move," Fiona said definitively. "My father said so himself."
The Sword King was not a sworn servant of Leomel; she remained in the country for her own reasons. Not even the Emperor could command her, and no one dared risk offending her by trying. In the world's greatest military power, she was an absolute, independent entity.
"I’ve heard she is quite detached from worldly affairs," Fiona added. "Even if the Demon King Cult shows its face, she might not consider it her concern."
The Demon King Cult was planning something. That was the core of the issue.
(Wait...)
A thought flickered through Ren’s mind as he recalled the list of stolen items. A certain major maintenance project was scheduled for Erendil.
"Lady Lithia, tell me about that magic stone that’s being replaced this summer," he said.
Lithia and Fiona both looked at him, startled as they realized what he was suggesting.
"I told you before, right?" Lithia said. "The Great Clock Tower isn't a weapon, but it generates a field that keeps powerful monsters away from the city. It was built by Mirim Altia, one of the Seven Heroes."
Fiona also knew the tower's true purpose.
"You think they’re targeting the Great Clock Tower," she whispered.
"Checking the security gaps in the spring... was it all preparation for that day?" Ren mused. "I don't have proof, but it fits."
In the capital, Ulysses, Lezard, and Radius were likely already discussing how to handle the inevitable strike.
"I suppose we should pretend we haven't noticed," Lithia said, voicing the thought they were all sharing.
That night, Lithia sat on the edge of Ren's bed, swinging her legs. "It feels... annoying, being left out of the loop like this."
Ren sat in his chair and watched her. "What Lord Lezard and the others are doing is a bit vague right now."
"Vague how?"
"I don't think they’ve finalized a plan yet. They’re probably still in the brainstorming phase, trying to figure out how the enemy will move."
"About the cult’s objective?"
"Yeah. Because if the Great Clock Tower is the target, there’s no way they can keep us out of it forever."
Lithia hugged Ren’s pillow and swung her legs again—a habit she had when she was deep in thought. "Maybe they planned to settle it all outside the city walls. They might think they can handle it without us ever knowing."
"If that were the case, there would have been no reason to summon Lord Lezard."
"Because of the possibility of the tower being targeted?"
"Exactly. If they thought they could settle it far from Erendil, Lord Ulysses wouldn't have bothered involving Lord Lezard. That’s just the kind of man he is."
"...You have a point."
They couldn't escape the feeling that Erendil was destined to be at the center of the coming storm. Ulysses and Radius likely realized that if they didn't involve Lezard now, it would lead to catastrophic confusion later.
◇ ◇ ◇ ◇
In his private chambers at the Imperial Castle, Radius let out a long breath.
Things were developing in unexpected ways. Just as Ren and Lithia had surmised, Erendil was central to the plan, but there was a major hurdle. Secrecy was paramount; they needed to lure the enemy into a controlled environment where they held the advantage.
To guarantee success, they needed an absolute military force.
The Sword King. The greatest warrior in Leomel. Radius knew she was the best option, but he also knew she would never take orders from the state.
"What to do..."
Radius left his room, intending to ask the Emperor to intercede. But as he walked down the wide corridor, he saw her standing there.
As if she had known he was coming, the Sword King stood alone. Starlight from the tall windows illuminated Radius, while she remained partially in the shadows.
"I didn't expect to see you here," Radius said, surprised.
"I have heard what you and Ulysses are planning," the Sword King said without preamble. "You intend to strike at the Demon King Cult."
"Then I shall be blunt. Lend us your strength for this operation."
"I have no obligation to do so," she replied coldly.
Even a request from the Third Prince—the boy many believed would be the next Emperor—was dismissed instantly. But Radius noted that she hadn't simply left. She was waiting for something.
"However," she continued, "I find myself curious to see him in action."
"Him? Who do you mean?"
"Ren Ashton. If he participates in the operation, I shall watch over the battlefield."
The statement stunned Radius. He couldn't begin to guess how she knew Ren, or why his presence was her sole condition for helping. The Sword King offered no further explanation.
◇ ◇ ◇ ◇
"Guh... i-impossible!"
A Knight of the Lion Holy Chancel was driven back by Ren's Strong Sword. Another knight stepped forward to take his place—not to test Ren, but to challenge him.
By now, the roles had reversed. It was the veterans who had spent the last six months teaching Ren the fundamentals of the Strong Sword who were now struggling to keep up with him.
"Hah... hah... Ren-dono is even more terrifying than usual today."
"What’s happened to him? He looks possessed."
"Umu... he’s trying to become a True Lion. Since the winter, he’s been swinging that sword as if his stamina is truly bottomless."
Ren ignored the whispers and kept moving.
(More. I need more.)
Drenched in sweat and gasping for air, he pushed his body to its limit. The invisible, dense mana surrounding him was palpable to the other Strong Sword Users. They could feel him evolving, forcing a breakthrough through sheer willpower.
An elderly gentleman appeared at the edge of the training grounds.
"Edgar-san?"
Edgar stepped forward, shed his jacket, and picked up two training swords. "I found myself with a bit of free time, so I thought I’d pay you a visit. That was some magnificent swordplay."
"Thank you. I’ve felt particularly motivated lately."
"Hmm. A change in heart, perhaps?"
"You could say that." Ren saw no point in hiding it. "After the spring, I realized I need to be ready for anything. I’m just sharpening my skills."
The words were simple, but they carried a subtext: he knew the adults were planning something.
"...As always, you are a difficult young man to read," Edgar murmured. He straightened his posture. "Well then, how about it? It’s been a while since we crossed swords."
"I’d be honored, but it’s a bit sudden, isn't it?"
"Haha. As I said, I simply have the time."
"...Is that the only reason?" Ren wiped the sweat from his face and looked Edgar in the eye. His voice was steady and knowing.
"Never mind. If the Sword Saint is offering to spar, I’d be a fool to refuse."
"...Hmm."
Edgar saw that Ren had seen through the pretense. "I look forward to seeing how much your blade has improved since last summer!"
Edgar moved first. Just as he had that summer, he closed the distance with staggering speed and power, appearing before Ren like a sudden gale. He unleashed a flurry of strikes, left and right.
The clashing of their blades rang out like thunder. Ren parried every blow without blinking, meeting Edgar’s confident gaze.
"I see hesitation in your sword, Master Ren!"
"Well, that’s only natural, isn't it?"
Their blades danced in a blur of motion. Every strike Ren made was infused with the razor-sharp precision of the Strong Sword.
"With everything that happened in the spring, and Lord Ulysses and the others clearly planning something... I’ve got plenty to be hesitant about!"
Edgar smiled, but the pressure he applied with his dual blades was anything but gentle. Ren gritted his teeth, feeling the sheer weight of a true master’s technique.
"Until today, you have always been the one being protected! Now that you realize you are also one of the protectors, you are shaken!"
"Maybe... so!"
Ren launched a counterattack. Unlike last summer, his movements were now sharp enough to put Edgar on the defensive. Sweat appeared on Edgar’s palms. The boy’s growth was staggering.
(He really is such a good person...)
Ren was fighting for them.
"But more than that," Ren shouted, "I’m afraid of something dangerous happening where I can't see it—next to the people I’m supposed to protect!"
He poured everything into his next strike. The power and precision were light-years beyond what he had shown at the start of the match. Edgar’s smile wavered, replaced by a flicker of genuine pressure.
"Even with the Master as your ally, you still feel this anxiety?"
"That’s not it! You’ve got it all wrong, Edgar-san!"
"Wrong?"
Ren felt a strange lightness in his limbs. In the heat of battle against a Sword Saint, a new level of talent was beginning to bloom.
"I’m worried about Lord Ulysses and the others too! That’s why I can't just stand back and be protected!"
Ren unleashed a massive strike. Edgar caught it head-on, his eyes widening at the raw power behind the blow—and at the sentiment Ren had just voiced.
"..."
Edgar was speechless. Ulysses Ignat was a man known as 'Iron-Fisted,' a political and martial titan. To hear a boy say he was 'worried' about such a man...
"Hah—hahaha!" Edgar broke into a loud, genuine laugh. He clutched his stomach, laughing with pure delight.
"I... I knew you’d laugh," Ren muttered.
"Forgive me. It’s just... kukuku! To think you were even worried about the Master!"
"...Of course I am. If we’re up against the cult, I can't help but wonder if Lord Ulysses is going to be okay."
"Magnificent. Truly, your kindness is noble enough to touch the heart." Edgar repositioned his swords. Ren followed suit.
"The truth is, I came here today with a request for you."
"So it wasn't just a sudden whim."
"I apologize. I needed to see your heart for myself."
Edgar’s aura shifted. He now radiated the overwhelming presence of a legendary monster.
"But before the request, shall we settle this match?"
"I’d like that," Ren said. "It was just getting interesting."
"Indeed. It’s been a long time since a duel has made my heart race like this."
Edgar’s style changed. He wasn't just using Shroud anymore; he was incorporating the Strong Sword techniques of a magic-user.
"If you can withstand my next attack, I’ll call it your victory. Let’s keep it simple."
"This one’s different, then?"
"Yes. It is a technique reserved for those I recognize as true warriors. There is a risk of injury, so I won't force you to accept."
Ren didn't hesitate. "Bring it on."
The watching knights held their breath, eager to see how Ren would stand against the Sword Saint. Some wondered how many exchanges he could survive.
But they were all wrong. Their expectations were far too low.
Ren, having shed his doubts and found his center, finally revealed his true nature. Deep within him, at the very core of his soul, his true power stirred. He looked every bit the part of an undefeated lion.
"I shall give you the first move," Edgar said. "Let that be the signal."
"Then... here I come!"
Ren’s explosive charge was his trademark. Now that he understood his own motivation, the path to a new evolution lay open before him. He let it all out.
(Don't hold back. Just push through!)
"This... this is...!" Edgar found himself being driven back by the sheer force of Ren’s strike.
Ren was faster than a Thief Wolfen. While he hadn't reached the raw physical power of Asval, he had already surpassed the cultists he’d fought.
"I’m just getting started!"
Ren unleashed a relentless barrage. Every strike was infused with a weight that seemed to drain the strength from Edgar’s very core. His sword-trails were so vivid they looked like physical blades.
"To transform so much in such a short time...!" Edgar gasped.
Ren’s movements were a whirlwind of original techniques. Even a simple side-sweep became a lethal maneuver in his hands.
Edgar was still the superior warrior, of course. He still had reserves of power, and if ordered to win at any cost, he knew he could still neutralize the boy. But the gap in experience was being narrowed at an impossible speed.
For the first time, a shiver ran down Edgar’s spine—a nameless sense of dread, but also a deep, burgeoning pride.
"Fufu... I remember the day I first brought you here as if it were yesterday!"
Edgar went on the offensive. His training swords hummed with power, actually biting into Ren’s blade and half-severing it.
"That’s cheating, Edgar-san!" Ren laughed.
"Cheating? Hah! I wonder which of us is the real cheat here!"
Edgar threw his dual swords at Ren. Ren parried them with his broken hilt and stepped back, only to find the air around him plunging into a deep chill.
Multiple blades of ice materialized in the air, aimed at Ren’s limbs. Edgar intended to pin him down and end the match.
"Behold! The Strong Sword of a magic-user!"
Every ice blade carried the power of a master’s sword. There was no conventional way to defend against them.
Or so Edgar thought.
"This is the sword I show a Sword Saint," Ren said, his voice calm. "I’m not holding back either."
He had survived countless life-and-death struggles. He had pushed his body until his lungs burned like a desert and his muscles screamed in agony. He was the greatest masterpiece of the Lion Holy Chancel, and he was still growing.
◇ ◇ ◇ ◇
The knights stood in stunned silence long after the match had ended.
"I am proud of the master for bringing you here," Edgar said, sheathing his broken blades. "And I am proud to be your instructor."
He turned away, picked up his jacket, and began to dust it off.
"So, what was that request?" Ren asked.
"I can answer that," a voice called out from above.
Ulysses was standing at the edge of the atrium. Ren immediately ran up the stairs to meet him.
"Lord Ulysses!"
The Marquis gave him a warm smile. "I’ve had to rely on you many times, and now I find myself needing your help again. Would you at least hear me out?"
"What kind of question is that?" Ren sighed. "Of course I’ll help."
"Truly reliable," Ulysses murmured.
The sound of their footsteps echoed through the halls as they left the training area.
"I heard you were worried about me," Ulysses teased.
"Oh... so you heard that."
"I did. It made me feel quite youthful again. My heart is positively glowing."
Ren felt like they understood each other better than ever before.
"I assume you want me to help with the cult incident?"
"Mostly. We’ve made extensive preparations to handle the cult ourselves, but your help would lead to a 'better situation.'"
They reached the mansion’s entrance, where Ulysses’s black carriage was waiting. Edgar took the driver's seat.
"Let’s talk details at the inn," Ulysses said.
The carriage took them to the Arnea, a luxury inn owned by the Arnevelde Merchant Guild. Inside a private room, Radius and Lezard were already waiting.
"It’s been a while, Ren," Radius said.
Lezard looked surprised to see the two of them speaking so familiarly.
"Is the request from Radius?" Ren asked.
"From both of us," Radius replied. "Let’s get straight to it. Ren, do you have a theory about what we’re doing?"
"Lady Lithia, Lady Fiona, and I were talking. We think they’re targeting the Great Clock Tower because the magic stone is being replaced this summer."
Radius nodded. "When the stone is swapped, the tower’s defense field completely shuts down for a window of time."
"And they want to use that window to strike the capital," Ren finished.
"Precisely. They intend to sabotage the tower—a masterpiece by Mirim Altia—to open a path into the city. That’s why they were stealing information on the city's magic tools."
Ulysses spoke up. "Sabotaging the city's defenses is their primary goal. If they could subvert the tower to lure monsters in, they would, but surpassing Mirim Altia's technology is a tall order."
The conversation turned toward the Demon King Cult’s mysterious fixation on Leomel. While their ultimate goal was likely the resurrection of the Demon King, their specific reasons for targeting the empire remained unclear.
"Let’s get back to the plan," Radius said, clearing his throat. "Using my authority, I’ve officially postponed the stone's replacement. On the scheduled day, we’re going to swap in a fake stone instead."
"So it’s a trap."
"Exactly. But we can only involve a few people; we can't risk a leak. Ulysses and I were planning to handle it with a small team."
Radius explained that they wanted to intercept the cultists before they ever reached Erendil, but given how the cult operated like a mist, they had to be prepared for them to slip through.
"We’ll be waiting for them at the tower," Radius continued. "We’re turning it into a battlefield where we hold every advantage."
"But what if they come in force?" Ren asked.
"I have scouts everywhere. If the situation escalates, I’ll mobilize the army. Erendil is close to the capital; the response will be swift. I won't let the citizens come to harm."
"Why not just have the army there from the start?"
"Because if we did that, the cult would just change their plans," Radius said with a flash of intensity. "Leomel’s military is the strongest in the world; they won't pick a fair fight. We want them to move exactly where we expect them to."
He added that they didn't just want to stop the cult; they wanted to capture them and extract information about their markings and their higher-ups.
(I see. A normal person would call this a gamble, but with these two, it’s a calculation.)
The alliance between Ulysses and Radius was a formidable force that changed the very flow of history Ren knew.
"I’ve already explained this to Baron Lezard," Ulysses said. "His Highness and I will mobilize the best small-unit fighters we have. And just in case... Ren, I should mention that Radius is going to the tower personally."
"Wait, you’re going yourself?" Ren asked.
"Of course."
"That’s... incredibly reckless."
"Perhaps. but I have a reason. One I haven't told you yet."
Radius revealed a secret that had never appeared in the game lore: he possessed a unique skill called Analysis. By touching an object, he could perceive its fundamental structure and information.
"I need to analyze the cult’s markings personally. I need to understand what they are so we can track them in the future."
"But you could just wait for us to bring a captive to you."
"And risk the captive dying or the mark vanishing before I can see it? Like that thief you caught? I won't lose this chance. I am a descendant of the Lion King; I won't stand by while my people are threatened."
Ren looked toward Lezard. "And you’re okay with this plan, my lord?"
"I am," Lezard said. "I’ve reviewed the details thoroughly. It is a solid plan."
"Understood," Ren said. "Then what do you need me to do? Guard the mansion?"
"Actually..." Radius hesitated. "Ulysses, what did you tell him?"
"That his presence would lead to a 'better situation,'" Ulysses replied.
Radius took a breath. "Ren, there’s one more thing. I’ve spoken to His Majesty about this operation, and he’s given us his blessing to handle it secretly. But there was another condition. One involving... her."
Ren knew immediately who he meant.
"The Sword King," Radius continued. "She has never taken an interest in state affairs. But this time, she made a condition. She said that if Ren Ashton is on the battlefield, she will watch over the operation."
"I don't understand," Ren said. "Why me?"
"I don't know either," Radius admitted. "None of us do. But with her backing us, even from a distance, the success of this mission is guaranteed."
Ren turned back to Lezard. "My lord, I’d like to fight by Radius’s side."
Lezard hesitated, clearly torn about sending Ren into danger again, but the political stakes were enormous.
"If I do this," Ren added, "could I ask for a reward? I’d like you to pay my academy tuition."
It was the first time Ren had ever asked for a formal reward. Everyone in the room knew he was doing it to give Lezard a graceful way to accept his help.
"Consider it done," Lezard said, his voice thick with emotion. "Ren, please... lend your strength to the Empire."
"Leave it to me," Ren replied instantly.
Radius turned to Lezard. "Lezard, this operation might make people think you’ve joined the Imperial Faction. I know you value your neutrality."
"I desire political standing, Your Highness," Lezard said firmly. "I’ve learned that without power, one is simply at the mercy of others. I will remain neutral, but I must be a neutral force that cannot be ignored."
Radius smiled fearlessly. "You body the very ideal of what a noble should be. Tell me, do you have any interest in officially joining my faction?"
Lezard paused. "With all due respect... I must decline for now. I have enough on my plate simply managing my own territory."
Radius laughed. "Spoken like a true loyalist. I take no offense. In fact, I’m honored to know a man of such integrity."
Radius reached out a hand to Lezard. "Continue to serve Leomel well."
"I shall!" Lezard said, and the two men shook hands firmly—a rare and significant gesture from a member of the Imperial Family.
Then Radius turned to Ren. "Originally, Edgar was going to be my shadow. but I think it’s better if he stays to guard House Clausel. That will put your mind at ease, won't it?"
"Yeah. Thank you. Then I’ll be your bodyguard?"
Radius gave a sharp, confident smile. "I don't want a bodyguard, Ren. I want a comrade-in-arms."
Ren thought for a moment. To be the comrade of the Third Prince was a heavy title, but after everything they’d been through, it felt right.
He reached out and clasped Radius’s hand.