“Anyway, it’s really been a while, Professor Rania.”
“I’m not a professor anymore.”
“I’m more used to calling you professor, you know.”
While pouring coffee, Allen tilted his head slightly.
“Or should I call you Hero?”
“Just call me whatever you like. It doesn’t matter either way.”
How I’ve missed this coffee.
Muttering to herself, Rania took a deep breath. As the rich aroma of coffee filled the café, she looked blissful.
“You’re still the same, Professor.”
While glancing at Rania, Allen smiled bitterly.
Who exactly is sitting in my shop right now?
In the world outside, she’s revered as a savior of humanity and a mage who has reached the divine. Perhaps calling her divine isn’t quite right, as she has indeed achieved feats worthy of such a title.
Hero, Rania van Trias.
They say some have taken it as their lifelong dream just to have a conversation with her. Even though he was serving coffee to someone with such authority… Allen felt at ease as if meeting an old friend.
‘No matter how they’re called outside…’
Recalling Rania’s eccentric behavior in Apuria, Allen chuckled. No matter how she was called in society, Allen knew Rania was not a rigid person.
“Hiya.”
Taking a sip of her coffee, Rania began to speak.
“I’ve brewed coffee on the battlefield a lot, but I could never get this aroma. What’s the secret, Allen?”
“How about trying alchemy, Professor? If you excel in alchemy, you’d brew coffee well too.”
“Uh… I don’t think so.”
Rania frowned, recalling a certain old elite elf alchemist. Seeing Cardi trying to pass off a green, gooey drink as a ‘health tonic’, he certainly wouldn’t brew coffee well.
“Here’s the menu you asked for. A snack set, coffee loaded with stamina boosters, and…”
“Oh, thank you, Allen.”
“But are you feeling tired lately? The stamina booster concentration seems too high.”
Recalling the amount of stamina booster Rania requested, Allen tilted his head. Running a shop in Apuria, he often met the undead who came seeking a night shift. The amount they usually requested was considerable, but compared to what Rania mentioned, it was nothing.
“Are you commanding undead too?”
Allen jokingly tossed the line into the air.
It was clearly just a joke, but Rania flinched slightly and shivered.
“Uh… No?”
“…That’s not true, right?”
“I’m alive.”
Alive, she is.
Allen’s expression turned quite peculiar. However, he decided not to dig deeper, as usual.
*
“So.”
“Yes. My senior who dumped work on me and went off to play.”
“…You gave me coffee. Chill out.”
“The coffee is delicious. It’s good enough to let it slide.”
Sucking on the coffee, Kalt sighed.
Heard it was brewed by a top-tier alchemist? The taste was indeed on another level. The rich aroma instantly wiped away his fatigue, feeling quite refreshing.
‘Did they mix stamina boosters into the coffee?’
For a moment, he thought that to himself, concluding even if it was his senior, she wouldn’t do that. With that thought, Kalt poured more coffee into his mouth.
“Anyway, what’s up with all those gifts?”
Rania pointed to the piles of gift packages filling the room.
“They’re gifts sent from the royal family.”
“No, I can tell from the patterns. What’s inside them?”
“I’m not sure. I was told you would know when you open them. Apparently, Princess Ayla… No, now she’s a queen. She sent them personally.”
…Ayla?
Rania tilted her head.
“All of this?”
“Yes, all of that.”
An ominous feeling settled over her.
With a reluctant expression, Rania reached for the gift packages. As she carefully opened a box, she froze in place.
“What is this? What’s inside…?”
As Rania stood frozen, Kalt approached her. Sneaking a glance at the contents of the box in front of her, Kalt clicked his tongue.
“Ow.”
“………”
“No need to worry about clothing.”
Inside the box were luxurious-looking dresses. Pointing at a rather revealing dress, Kalt exclaimed in amazement.
“Are you going to wear that?”
“Are you crazy?”
“Well… there seem to be plenty of options.”
Kalt picked up a note that had been inside the box.
“I didn’t know what you’d like, so I prepared one of each kind. It says so.”
“Well, then.”
Rania turned her gaze to the heaps of gift boxes in the room. Her eyes flickered as she looked at the boxes.
“Are all those… dresses?”
“It seems that way.”
With a clap, Rania slapped her forehead.
The clear sound echoed in the room.
2.
An event celebrating the vanquishing of Gletus.
A banquet held under the pretense of wishing for humanity’s peace after the subjugation of the traitor. This event was unprecedented in scale, and as soon as Rania van Trias announced her attendance, all related matters were to be managed directly by the royal castle.
That’s only to be expected.
This gathering is attended not only by the nobles of the kingdom but also by individuals from various nations. Given that this is related to the status of the Kingdom of Cartedia, preparations must be immaculate. They poured everything into setting up the banquet hall.
In a grand hall, the banquet kicks off.
Countless people flock to the banquet hall.
Renowned nobility, retainers of the royal family, royalty from other nations, and those who serve them. Additionally, the pinnacle of various fields and distinguished individuals—all gather in one place.
They share light conversations and clink their glasses, adding excitement to the banquet as they await the arrival of the main guest.
Under normal circumstances, those gathered here would not be the kind of people ‘worth waiting for’. Anyone attending such an occasion would easily be the star of the show and possess the ability and authority to command the stage. However, this banquet is different.
Whether a noble or a royal figure from another country… all become mere supporting roles at this banquet. They themselves are well aware of this fact.
‘Well, it can’t be helped.’
For the one attending this banquet is humanity’s hero.
The main character of the subjugation of the traitor, the protector of humanity who shoulders the battlefield alone. Anyone would be foolish to assert their authority in the presence of such a being; if one could reach a position like this, they surely wouldn’t be so foolish.
Thus, they await silently for the arrival of their star.
How long has it passed?
Just as the atmosphere of the banquet ripened sufficiently, a figure emerged from the crowd, parting the sea of people. Clop—the sound of footsteps resonated through the banquet hall. Everyone halted their conversations, turning towards the source of the sound.
Clop.
A young man, with neatly swept hair, stepped into the banquet hall. Though he wore a formal banquet jacket, he couldn’t hide his muscular build. His sharp gaze and the aura of a person active on the battlefield stood out.
Every time he took a step, the sound of metal echoed, causing attendees to glance towards his waist.
There, a sword was fastened.
Normally, one would not be permitted to carry a weapon to a banquet, yet this individual carried his sword with confidence. No one dared to stop him. Nor did anyone question that fact.
That single sword was a symbol of that man.
– The Sword Saint, Kalt…
– It’s him…
– The superhuman of swords, continuing Galatrik’s legacy…
Sword Saint, Kalt.
He held the title of Sword Saint and served as Rania van Trias’ aide. When they retook Kirmelt Canyon, he would be the one to claim it. The appearance of such a proud superhuman stirred up the banquet hall.
– Even in person, he’s impressive…
– That sharp impression.
Dressed impeccably, Kalt was a handsome man.
As noble ladies whispered to each other, stealing glances at Kalt, he stood in the center of the parted crowd. He then stepped back a bit and turned his head.
As Kalt shifted his gaze, so did those of the crowd.
The appearance of the Hero’s aide, Kalt, signified her arrival as well… Sure enough, amidst the parted crowd, footsteps echoed.
Clack.
The sound of high heels rang out.
In the silence, with everyone’s gaze fixed upon her, she stepped into the banquet hall. A woman dressed in azure glided forward. With each step she took, her ashen hair flowed like waves.
The Hero, Rania van Trias.
The main character of the banquet made her entrance.
“………”
In silence, she advanced.
Her pace mirrored the speed at which the crowd’s gaze followed her. A person equipped with authority, beauty, and achievement in every right.
Clack.
Though it was known that her beauty was remarkable, standing before her, one couldn’t help but catch their breath at her stunning appearance. Gliding past those who stared at her in awe, Rania made her way to the heart of the banquet hall, with Kalt gently bowing his head and following her.
The center of the banquet, a special seat was prepared for her.
That was her designated spot.
Before sitting down, Rania glanced around the area. Still with a blank expression but a hint of a smile, she spoke to those who were looking at her.
“Nice to meet you.”
She smiled.
“It’s an honor to be invited to such a banquet. I’m not used to such occasions, so please take care of me.”
She did not disclose her name.
There was no need to.
Immediately following her words, the nobles began to speak, breaking the silence. Those gathered at the banquet started to arrange themselves around Rania.
The curtain of the banquet rose, and the star took the stage.
Amidst the crowd pouring their attention towards Rania, Kalt took a step back, keeping vigilant at her side, observing her quietly. This allowed him to catch slight, fleeting changes in her expression.
A look of utter annoyance.
…Please just bear with it.
Kalt sighed quietly, lightly placing his hand on the hilt of his sword. He doubted there would be any lunatic making a commotion at such an event, but if there was even a slight chance…
‘Before my senior flips the banquet upside down…’
I have to stop it.
I must stop it. At the very least, I can’t allow anyone to make a fool of themselves at a banquet like this. With that resolute mindset, Kalt narrowed his eyes.
“It’s truly an honor! I’ve wanted to meet you like this. Ah, and this is… Hah!”
The young lady who had been conversing with Rania turned rigid upon making eye contact with Kalt. Panting, she slowly began to back away, as if she might burst into tears at any moment.
‘Oh no.’
Kalt sighed inwardly, trying to soften his expression.
“…I’ve heard of your family. A martial family that has produced several knights, yes? I remember crossing paths a few times on the battlefield.”
“E-e-e-excuse me…”
…Not easy.
After exchanging a few words with the trembling young lady, Kalt wiped the cold sweat from his brow. Just as Kalt was handling his little task, he felt a shiver run through him.
Kalt’s gaze shifted slowly towards the second floor of the banquet hall. There, he sensed the presence of a strong individual. Following his superhuman instinct, he directed his gaze to where a woman stood, overlooking the banquet hall. She was also looking down at Kalt.
The woman’s face looked familiar. Just as he recognized her and was about to bow in greeting…
Shh, she placed her finger to her lips. As if waiting to make her entrance.
