Chapter 1: Life at Clausel
That spring, Baron Clausel’s domain faced an unprecedented crisis.
Viscount Given, who governed the neighboring territory on behalf of the Emperor, had targeted Baron Clausel as part of a factional struggle.
The greatest damage was suffered by a village overseen by the Ashton family, located on the frontier.
At the time, Baron Clausel’s only daughter, the saintess Lishia, happened to be in that village.
As part of Viscount Given’s scheme, Lishia was kidnapped.
Her condition worsened due to her illness, and she came dangerously close to losing her life.
──However, against all odds, she survived.
All thanks to the efforts of a boy named Ren Ashton.
Thinking quickly and wielding his magic sword, Ren protected Lishia single-handedly.
However, he paid a heavy price, sustaining serious injuries in the process.
In gratitude for saving his daughter, Baron Clausel promised Ren a place to rest and recover at his manor.
Thanks to that, Ren’s body had finally made a full recovery.
With the help of potions and healing artifacts, muscle deterioration had been kept to a minimum, and it had taken less than a few months for him to regain the ability to walk on his own.
Two months had passed since that incident.
One day—
“I think I’m all healed now.”
Sitting on the bed in the guest room of the manor, Ren murmured to himself.
His dark brown hair, streaked with lighter shades, swayed in the breeze from the window.
A smile spread across his androgynous, well-defined face.
Satisfied, he rose from the bed and walked over to the window.
Looking outside, he spotted Lishia diligently practicing her morning training.
(I need to keep my promise.)
During their time on the run after the spring attack, Ren had promised Lishia that they would cross swords again.
Even though June had already arrived, and his birthday had passed without notice, a promise was a promise.
After finishing dressing, Ren left the guest room and made his way down the now-familiar corridor.
Unlike his old home, the floors here were soft underfoot—likely due to the thick carpets covering them.
“Hmm? Boy?”
A voice called out from behind him.
Turning, Ren saw Wiess walking toward him from the other end of the corridor.
As the captain of the Clausel family’s knights, Wiess had a busy schedule, yet he had always made time to assist with Ren’s rehabilitation.
“Have you had breakfast yet?” Wiess asked.
“As usual, I ate in my room. I was just about to go outside for some exercise.”
“Exercise, you say…?”
“If I stay out of shape, I might embarrass myself.”
Wiess raised an eyebrow in curiosity but soon noticed Ren glancing out the window and realized what he meant.
“You’re going to spar with the young lady, I take it? Don’t push yourself too hard. That’s what the master said as well.”
“I’ll be fine. I’m doing this because I want to, and I don’t want to keep Lady Lishia waiting any longer.”
Ren had watched Lishia train every morning.
From his guest room window, he had a clear view of the practice yard where she went through her daily training regimen.
Each day, their eyes would meet, and they would wave to each other.
“We made a promise—once we returned safely, we’d have another match.”
And today was no different.
As soon as Lishia noticed him, she beamed and waved at him from the training yard.
When Ren stepped outside and approached the yard, Lishia broke into a light run toward him.
The white training outfit she wore fluttered slightly in the breeze.
That outfit was one she had left behind in the Ashton household, but by some miracle, it had survived the fire.
When Ren’s parents had visited Clausel recently, they had returned it to her.
Dressed in that very outfit, Lishia was now rushing toward Ren—──Only to stop abruptly, hesitating.
Puzzled, Ren watched as she backed away slightly and grabbed a towel from a nearby bench.
She then proceeded to wipe away her sweat.
It was an endearing sight, and the knights who had been training with her exchanged amused smiles.
(She doesn’t need to be so self-conscious.)
Ren let out a small chuckle and took a deep breath of the fresh outdoor air.
The manor’s garden was lush and green, and simply taking a deep breath was refreshing.
“Ren!”
Lishia finished wiping her sweat and jogged over.
Her hair, shimmering like pure silver interwoven with amethyst, had regained its silky luster—so different from when they were on the run.
The delicate features of her face now carried a hint of maturity, shaped by her past experiences.
Bathed in the morning sunlight, she smiled at Ren with an angelic radiance.
"Are you sure you're okay? You're not overexerting yourself?"
"I'm fine. You've seen me running around these past few days, haven't you?"
"Y-yeah, but still…!"
Pouting slightly, Lishia pursed her lips in protest.
"I was just worried about you, that's all! So, what brings you outside? Going for a walk?"
"Not quite. I was thinking of getting some exercise."
"Exercise? Like what?"
"Well, I figured I should get back into handling a sword if I want to spar with you again."
Ren stepped past the dumbfounded Lishia and made his way across the training grounds.
In one corner of the garden stood a rack holding several practice swords.
After scanning them, Ren selected one that best matched his physique.
"Wait, you really mean it!? You're actually going to spar with me!?"
"Of course. I made a promise, didn't I? But I need to get my bearings first. Otherwise, I'll probably lose too easily."
"Hmm… I think you're already plenty capable, though."
"You're not rushing me into it, are you?"
"Of course not. I was just stating the obvious."
Hearing Lishia's words, the nearby knights exchanged bewildered glances.
...Did the young lady just say that without a hint of frustration!?
...Even Weiss acknowledged his skill, didn’t he? Now I’m really curious.
Like Lishia, the knights were also eager to see Ren wield a sword.
They wanted to witness firsthand just how skilled the rumored Ren Ashton truly was.
As they whispered among themselves, Ren firmly gripped the practice sword for the first time in a while.
Something felt… off.
The sensation in his hands wasn’t quite the same as when he wielded a wooden magic sword or an iron magic sword.
Well, I guess that’s to be expected.
Deciding not to dwell on it, Ren rolled up the sleeves of his shirt.
On his exposed arm rested the familiar bracelet used to summon his magic sword.
"Wait… how do you still have that bracelet?"
"My parents got me a similar one."
"Hmm… I see."
Of course, that was a lie.
But if he didn’t say something like that, he wouldn’t be able to wear it openly.
As for the dagger Lishia had promised to give him, it turned out that nothing resembling it had been found in the mansion’s storage.
So now, she was determined to find another one and present it to him soon.
Alright, just a little bit.
Ren put some distance between himself and Lishia before giving the practice sword a few test swings.
The grip still felt slightly foreign, but his movements themselves hadn’t changed much.
Looks like I really have recovered.
He took a stance, imagining an opponent in front of him.
Visualizing a Sheefulfen, he added some footwork and skillfully moved his sword through the air.
A sharp slicing sound cut through the training grounds.
The vibrant green grass beneath his feet swayed from the gusts stirred by his swings.
"Hmm… impressive," Weiss murmured in admiration.
The knights, realizing that Ren was even more formidable than expected, fell silent as they watched him intently.
Lishia, meanwhile, clasped her hands behind her back and observed with an amused smile.
I haven't dulled as much as I thought.
While many stood astonished, Ren gradually increased the speed of his swings.
His strikes grew sharper, radiating a pressure that the others could feel on their skin.
"Ren, how are you feeling?"
Once he had finished his warm-up, Lishia called out to him.
"Not much different from before I collapsed. I’m not at my peak yet, but I can move just fine."
"That’s good. Maybe my Holy Magic helped a little, then?"
While Ren was bedridden, Lishia had frequently visited his room, earnestly using Holy Magic on him.
Combined with potions and other treatments, it had significantly sped up his recovery.
(And there’s also the [Physical Enhancement (Small)] effect helping me.)
Satisfied with how well his body responded, Ren turned to Lishia and asked,
"If you don’t mind keeping it light, would you like to have a match?"
"...Huh?"
"Oh, but please go easy on me. I’m still not fully back to my usual self."
While Lishia stood speechless, Weiss intervened.
"Boy! Isn’t it too soon for that!?"
"I’ll be fine. I promise to take it easy."
Ren reassured him and prepared to face Lishia.
Half-excited, half-surprised, she let out a small chuckle.
"Are you sure you're up for this?"
"Yes," Ren answered without hesitation.
"Alright, then. But let’s call it a light exercise, not a proper match. Got it?"
Lishia’s unexpectedly calm response made Ren scratch his cheek awkwardly.
"Got it. I’ll be in your care."
Lishia watched as Ren took his stance with the practice sword—only to realize something.
His presence now carried a pressure far greater than before.
He had grown stronger.
"…I think I should be the one saying, ‘go easy on me.’"
Feeling the overwhelming aura he exuded, Lishia couldn’t help but smile.
◇ ◇ ◇ ◇
That evening, several people gathered in the mansion’s hall to discuss the sparring match from earlier in the day.
"That was incredible. I never expected him to be that strong."
"It makes sense when you think about it. He’s not only defeated a Sheefulfen but also a Mana Eater."
The knights praised Ren’s skill.
"But let’s not forget Lord Ren’s character."
"And did you see it? The young lady may have been frustrated after her loss, but more than that, she looked at him with pride. We shouldn’t overlook how well they complement each other."
The servants continued speaking.
As mentioned in the conversation, Lishia had been swiftly defeated by Ren.
Though she had grown stronger after spending a winter in training, Ren had also become much stronger after his battle with Yelquq.
“That being the case, Lord Weiss,” one of the knights, speaking on behalf of everyone, said to Weiss.
“We would like Ren-dono to remain in this mansion.”
“Lord Weiss, all of us servants feel the same way.”
“Hm... I understand how you feel, but the boy has said he intends to return to the village. As much as it’s a shame to let such a promising talent leave the mansion, as the head of the household, Lord Ashton's wishes align with the boy’s decision.”
The knights and servants let out a collective sigh. Since Lazard, who despised arbitrary authority, had made this decision, everyone felt that no matter how much they pleaded, he would not relent—everyone thought the same.
◇ ◇ ◇ ◇
Meanwhile, in the guest room that Ren had been borrowing.
Ren, who had been engrossed in a book at his desk, closed the book and turned his gaze to the azure orb sitting at the corner of his desk.
The azure orb, one of the treasures amassed by the Sheefulfen, was the Azure Jewel of Serakia. Ren recalled the description of the Azure Jewel of Serakia from his days in the game.
『It seems that this is an egg. The surface, resembling a shell, is so hard that even the finest sword cannot scratch it. If you touch it, you will feel an overwhelming force. If you offer vast amounts of magical power and the horn of a great dragon, it might hatch. Once born, it will swear absolute loyalty to its master.』
The Azure Jewel of Serakia was the rarest item dropped by the Sheefulfen, with an extremely low drop rate. It was said to contain a creature that had troubled the Demon King with its absolute powers of ice and darkness.
The description of the item spurred many players to try and discover its use, but no one had ever figured it out. It was widely believed to be a mere item for selling.
However, to Ren, it was no longer just a sellable item. Occasionally, the Azure Jewel of Serakia would show strange reactions.
For instance, when Ren was living in the Ashton's village, it seemed to tremble ever so slightly when he touched it. Even when Ren's parents visited the mansion after the spring turmoil and left the Azure Jewel of Serakia behind, it reacted similarly.
Whenever Ren touched the Azure Jewel of Serakia, blue lightning, the same color as the swirling blue mist within, would burst forth with even greater intensity.
"Could it be that it's growing by absorbing my magical power?"
If the description of the Azure Jewel of Serakia from the game was correct, there was a possibility that some kind of monster was about to hatch from it.
If it truly swore absolute loyalty, Ren wasn’t particularly afraid, but...
"So, who is this great dragon?"
Not only did Ren have no idea, but the real problem was how to obtain such a dragon's horn.
If it could be hatched, it would undoubtedly give Ren a power that only he could possess in this world. But in reality, the identity of the great dragon was unclear, making the situation difficult. Besides, the idea of taking a horn from such a dragon was unthinkable.
As Ren was speaking to the Azure Jewel of Serakia, saying, "Stay still,"
Suddenly, he heard a knock and Lishia’s voice from outside the room.
"Ren, it’s me."
Ren released his hand from the Azure Jewel of Serakia and replied, "Yes?"
"I came to talk for a bit before bed... Ah, you're looking at that strange jewel again, aren’t you?"
Lishia, opening the door, peeked inside.
Some time ago, when Ren had forgotten to put the Azure Jewel of Serakia away and left it on his desk, Lishia had found it and asked, "What’s this?"
Ren had simply answered, "It’s something dropped by Sheefulfen," and Lishia had nodded, saying, "I see."
Since the Azure Jewel of Serakia had a blue mist moving inside it, one might not think of it as a gem. But in this world, there were magic stones, and some of them displayed swirling magic power inside. Because of that, Lishia had mistakenly thought the Azure Jewel of Serakia was some kind of magic stone or a gem.
Lishia approached Ren and asked, "Sorry for coming so late. Were you about to go to bed?"
"No, it’s fine," Ren replied.
"Then—"
"Yes, if you don’t mind, I’d be happy to keep you company."
Hearing that, Lishia smiled happily and whispered, "Yay." She walked over to Ren’s bed and sat down on the edge.
After talking about the usual trivial matters, Lishia suddenly asked, "Hey, hey, Ren, how long will you stay in Clausel?"
(Does this mean she wants me to leave soon...? I don’t think so.)
Ren interpreted her words as asking how many more times they could practice together.
"I was thinking of practicing with you a few more times, Lady Lishia... How many would you like?"
"One thousand."
"Excuse me?"
"One thousand will do for now."
Even if they practiced once a day, that would be almost three years.
In reality, daily practice would be impossible, so Ren had to be prepared for many more times than that.
Lishia looked up at Ren with a somewhat nervous expression.
Ren, gazing into her captivating eyes, almost nodded without thinking.
"W-well, you see, if we were to practice a thousand times, it would be a long-term plan, wouldn't it?"
"You can stay in this room."
"As for work..."
"I think Ren should work as a knight in this mansion, since you’re part of the Ashton family."
"No, technically, I’m not a knight yet, just the son..."
"Th-that's enough! It’s fine!"
Tonight, Lishia was unusually stubborn.
"Alright, right? ...I won’t ask for a thousand times, but can’t you stay a bit longer?"
After having completed one of their promised practice sessions, she was anxious that Ren might leave quickly.
Ren’s heart wavered at her persistent pleading, and he gave in.
"Then, I’ll stay a little longer… I’ll be in your care."
It wasn’t just one session anymore, but more than once—this was something Ren had promised.
To justify it to himself, Ren silently told himself it was to keep his promise.
"R-really!?"
Lishia leaned forward from the bed and looked at Ren, eagerly.
"Though, we’ll need to get permission from Lord Lazard too."
"Don’t worry! Father said you can stay as long as you like!"
"Well then, I’ll take you up on that offer…"
"It’s a promise, okay!? If you lie, I won’t forgive you!"
Immediately, Lishia become cheerful again, taking a pillow and hugging it tightly in joy.
(My pillow... well, it’s not mine, but...)
"Oh, it’s getting late, I should head back to my room."
When they both checked the clock, it was already past midnight.
"Right. Tomorrow, I’m going shopping for the first time in a while. If you’d like, Ren, you can come with me."
"Me? But Lady Lishia has your own personal knight, and Lord Weiss is also here."
"Tomorrow, Lord Weiss will be free and will come along with us. ...No, that’s not what I meant. It’s not like I’m asking you to be a bodyguard or anything...!"
Her voice trailed off toward the end, and it became hard to hear, but it was still an invitation.
"I understand. If you don’t mind, I’d be happy to come with you."
"Yay! Then I’ll make sure not to oversleep, so I have to go to bed now. Goodnight! See you tomorrow!"
Waving her hand, Lishia left the room, of course, after placing the pillow down.
Watching her leave, Ren opened the book he had left on his desk.
It was one of the books he had borrowed from the mansion’s library, "The Holy Relics of the Seven Heroes," which he had been reading during his recovery.
The holy relics mentioned in the title referred to the equipment used by the Seven Heroes. These were items that could actually be found in the Legend of the Seven Heroes’, and equipping them would greatly enhance a character’s combat power. These were rare and precious items known as "Heroic Gear" among players.
For Ren, this was all familiar information. He already knew where these items were hidden. However, the reason the book was interesting to him was because it revealed information that had not been uncovered in the Seven Heroes’ legend.
"───The Sword of Hero Ruin was shattered into several pieces, huh?"
This referred to the Divine Sword, which had been postponed until the third volume of the Seven Heroes' Legend.
Apparently, this Divine Sword no longer existed. After the Demon King was defeated, it was brought back to the homeland of Leomel, only to shatter and return to the earth.
"...Come to think of it, if I find Heroic Gear and sell it, it could fetch quite a bit of money."
Heroic Gear could only be used by those who were descendants of the Seven Heroes. If Ren were to find one, his only option would be to sell it. However, selling it would probably bring trouble from the Hero faction, so it was wise to avoid getting involved.
Suddenly, Ren let out a big yawn before slowly turning his gaze toward the crystal on his bracelet.
Since the battle with Yelquq, and through the experience gained in other battles, there were many areas where he had grown since the time of his escape.
The Magic Sword Summoning Arts had become stronger by one level, and he could now summon two magic swords at once.
Additionally, the next level promised a boost in physical abilities (medium).
There were also things that piqued his curiosity. The experience needed to level up the Magic Sword Summoning Arts hadn't increased by much compared to before.
However, it was clear that it was still more difficult than when he had struggled to accumulate 1,500 experience points before. The difficulty had increased.
"I have a feeling that, sooner or later, the difficulty will spike all at once..."
The way the required experience points for the next level up increased felt like the calm before a storm. If that time came, then so be it. For now, he would just enjoy the fact that the experience needed hadn't increased too much.
Also, the experience gained from the Magic Sword Summoning Arts and the swords themselves felt different from before.
Previously, when defeating monsters, the experience was gained at a 1:1 ratio. However, after the battle with Yelquq, it seemed that more of the experience went to the swords themselves than to the Arts.
"Well, there haven’t been many cases like this so far..."
Ren had previously wondered if the experience gained for the Magic Sword Summoning Arts and the sword itself would be the same after defeating the Sheefulfen. The answer seemed to be that there were cases where it wasn’t the same.
Since the Mana Eater was a monster summoned by Yelquq, it might not have been a regular monster. The unusually low amount of experience gained could be due to that.
Even so,
"That magic sword... There's no doubt it’s related to Lady Lishia’s magic stone."
It was when Yelquq risked his life to break the elf's seal and strengthen the Mana Eater.
With death looming close, Ren collapsed next to Lishia and placed his hand over her chest.
At that moment, the crystal on his bracelet began to glow, and he was able to summon a mysterious magic sword called "??????."
According to Lishia, who told him after the commotion, powerful saintesses are sometimes born with magic stones embedded in their bodies. Just as special magic swords can be created from the magic stones of unique monsters like the Sheefulfen, it seems that some saintesses also possess magic stones with special significance. Ren wryly dismissed this as an overly fantastical theory, even in a world of fantasy.
If possible, he'd like to investigate it further, but he couldn't very well ask Lishia to let him place his hand near the magic stone on her chest or back for the sake of research.
He also had to be cautious about the possibility that drawing power from Lishia's magic stone could put her in danger.
Moreover, Ren could only absorb the power of a magic stone from a monster he had defeated.
So, even though he had carried Lishia on his back during their escape, he realized nothing had happened after all.
"...I’ll just sleep."
In the end, Ren realized he had no way of confirming his suspicions and decided to give up. He closed the book, placed it back on the desk, and turned off the lights in the room.
◇ ◇ ◇ ◇
The next morning, in a clothing store that exuded an air of luxury, from the shop’s exterior to its interior.
"Your conduct that day was truly admirable. It’s already become the talk of the townspeople," said the shop owner. Many of the residents had witnessed Ren and Lishia’s arrival in Clausel after their escape.
Seeing Ren’s embarrassed expression, both Lishia and Weiss, who were accompanying him, smiled.
"By the way, Lady Saintess, what brings you here today?"
"I want some clothes for him. Could you pick out a few for me?"
"Understood. I’ll take his measurements first—"
Without realizing it, the conversation had moved forward, and Ren quickly glanced at Lishia in panic.
"Why me!?"
"Well, most of the clothes from your mansion were burned, weren't they?"
"Yeah, they burned, but... that doesn’t mean—"
"It’s fine. I just want to give them to you."
Lishia turned her head in a huff and began browsing the store.
Ren, looking up at the second floor from the open atrium, saw that the first floor was filled with men's clothing and the second floor had women's clothing. However, Lishia wasn’t heading to the second floor. She was instead looking at the men's items.
Meanwhile, the shop owner began taking Ren’s measurements.
"Lord Weiss, please help. I feel bad about receiving such expensive gifts."
"Don’t worry. It’s probably from the young lady’s own pocket money, so there’s no need to hold back."
The rich, polished wood of the dark brown flooring exuded a sense of luxury. The glass display cases, without a single smudge, held jewelry and leather goods, all clearly high-end items.
"Besides, the young lady isn’t one to be greedy. What I’m saying is, most of her pocket money has just been accumulating because she hasn’t spent it."
Ren started to respond, but hesitated. He didn’t want to be rude, and he didn’t want to trample on Lishia’s kind intentions.
"Measurements are done," the shopkeeper announced, and Lishia returned from her browsing.
"Hey, Ren, what kind of clothes do you like?"
"I like normal clothes."
He had given such a vague answer without thinking, and Lishia didn’t laugh or scold him. She just nodded.
"I see. You don’t like flashy things and prefer something easy to move in."
"How did you know?"
"Well... I’m not sure either, but it just felt like that."
Lishia then took Ren’s hand and began looking around the store with him.
"Lady Lishia!?"
"Come on, let’s take a look over there!"
At this point, Ren realized that he and Lishia were the only customers in the store—it was completely private. Perhaps that’s why Lishia, unusually for her, was laughing happily in her natural state.
"Next, let’s look at this... Oh, I think this would suit you too!"
"No, no, no, that’s too flashy!"
"Don’t decide until you try it on. There’s a fitting room over there."
In the end, Ren was gently pushed toward the fitting room by Lishia. She eagerly waited for him in front of the door to the fitting room, her excitement evident.
Eventually, when the door opened...
"This isn’t something you’d wear on a regular day, is it!?"
Ren emerged wearing a stylish suit, one that looked like it could be worn to a party.
It definitely wasn’t something for everyday wear. Weiss and the shopkeeper both agreed on that.
But Lishia, her voice full of joy, said, "It suits you."
"Could you have the suit made to fit him?"
"Of course."
The shopkeeper nodded without any objections.
"Lady Lishia!? When would I ever wear this!?"
Ren, bewildered, tried to voice his objection, but the result remained unchanged.
"Someday. You wouldn’t want to be without a suit for those occasions, would you?"
In the end, Ren ended up receiving three sets of clothes, including one for everyday wear.
(I’ll have to give her something in return.)
The problem now was how to come up with the funds. He was unsure what to do.
However, this issue would soon be resolved, although Ren couldn’t imagine how or why. He stood there, arms crossed, pondering the situation.
While watching Ren, Weiss who was smiling casually looked towards the entrance of the store. There, a knight from the Clausel family had arrived.
"Shopkeeper, I apologize, but I need you to guide these two," the knight said.
Weiss left the scene and approached the knight.
The knight was out of breath and took several seconds before speaking.
"Actually..."
After hearing the knight’s story, Weiss crossed his arms and thought for a moment.
"So, they’re expected to arrive around the evening?"
"Yes, that's what we've been told."
"Then I'll stick to the plan and leave around midday. I understand the urgency of returning to prepare, but... the young lady seems to be enjoying herself. It’s difficult to say we must leave."
"I understand. I will relay the message to the head of the household as requested."
◇ ◇ ◇ ◇
When they returned to the mansion as planned in the afternoon, the usual maid greeted Ren and Lishia.
"Welcome back."
"The young lady, the head of the household has called for you regarding the guest. She is waiting in the office."
"Understood. Yun, could you help me search the library for the book Ren was reading the other day? He wants to find the continuation of the story."
"Yes, of course. Leave it to me."
Yun, a maid who had been by Lishia’s side since she was young, smiled brightly, reminiscent of Mireille, a pure and adorable girl like a flower blooming in the plains. She was still only eighteen years old.
Since Yun had often been near Lishia, Ren had spoken to her many times before.
"Lord Ren, this way please."
Ren walked towards the library with Yun.
"Did you find a dress you liked today?"
"That would be all Lady Lishia’s choice... Huh? How do you know about my clothes, Yun?"
"Last night, the young lady was happily telling me about today’s plans."
(She must have told her.)
Apparently, it would take some time for the clothes Ren had bought to arrive.
"What kind of clothes did you buy?"
"Two casual outfits and one formal set. It feels a bit much to receive a formal outfit when I haven’t even had the chance to wear it yet..."
"Oh, but with the formal wear, there’s the young lady's birthday party in the summer, so how about wearing it then?"
Since Ren wasn't sure if he’d still be there by summer, he couldn’t readily agree, and just smiled, evading the question.
Yun seemed to have understood and smiled sadly without pressing the matter further.
"By the way, I heard guests are arriving this evening," Ren changed the topic.
"Yes, they arrived earlier than expected."
Ren thought about the guests as they walked but concluded,
(Well, it’s not really my business.)
He was only staying as a guest due to special circumstances.
In the afternoon, he planned to quietly read the book he borrowed from the library.
As the evening approached, the mansion became lively, and he saw Lazard and others going to greet the guests from the window.
The guests were a group of knights dressed in fine knight uniforms. One knight, exuding the presence of a leader, was seen speaking with Lazard.
Lishia stood quietly nearby.
(A royal knight order?)
This referred to the general term for knight orders affiliated with the empire.
Even though there were multiple knight orders under the name of "royal knights," it essentially meant the national military. Unlike knights like Weiss who served noble families, these knights belonged to different orders.
Ren tilted his head, wondering why a royal knight order would be visiting. However, he quickly turned his gaze away from the window, as there was no sense of hostility from the guests or Lazard’s group, so he didn’t think it was like the situation with the late Viscount Given.
(This book is interesting.)
The continuation of the novel he had picked up earlier intrigued him.
Thinking about borrowing the next volume, Ren stood up and left the room, but he quickly reconsidered.
He didn’t want to be a nuisance while the royal knights were inside.
"Oh? What’s this, boy?" he met Weiss, who had just returned inside.
"I was thinking of going to look for the continuation of the book I borrowed from the library, but since I didn’t want to be in the way of the guests, I was on my way back to my room."
"Really... Always so considerate for someone your age... But... Hmm..."
Weiss began thinking about something, and Ren wondered what was going on. Then, Weiss surprised him with a suggestion.
"Since you’re here, why not come along? The guests are going to look at the young lady’s sword. If you’d like, I thought it might be nice to have them look at your sword as well."
"...Huh?"
Ren let out a weak voice. Since he was going to be taught by Weiss, he found it surprising to be invited by a royal knight. Weiss seemed to sense this and, in a different tone, continued.
"How about watching how the young lady is being trained? Perhaps you could learn something as well."
"Oh, if that’s the case, then it would be a shame not to join."
It turned out that Lazard had arranged the plans to help Lishia improve her swordsmanship. The royal knights had come from a nearby expedition, and their leader had agreed to stop by.
"Did someone famous from the royal knights come?"
"The one leading them is a person of notable skill, yes. I’ve heard they follow the Holy Sword Style."
"Have you heard of it?"
"Yes, I remember the founder of that style was the hero, Ruin. It’s a sword style many knights learn."
"That’s right."
Knights typically learned basic swordsmanship and then chose a style that suited them. The Holy Sword Style was one that many preferred. It was widely spread by Hero Ruin, and knights from all factions tended to study it.
...This information, of course, came from the Seven Heroes’ legend.
(The Holy Sword Style was a versatile technique.)
There were many factions in the world, and knights from any of these could master swordsmanship and learn techniques that used magic as a cost. This could serve as an alternative for those who didn’t have inherent skills, granting them a form of acquired power.
(I remember the moves from the game, but... there’s no way I could just copy the techniques like that.)
While heading to the garden, Weiss spoke.
"I only learned the Empire’s swordsmanship, you know. I wasn’t really suited for the Holy Sword Style, so I focused on Empire swordsmanship."
"That’s fine. The Empire swordsmanship is a defensive style, which will benefit Lord Lazard."
The Imperial Swordsmanship discussed earlier is the fundamental sword style learned by knights.
It is highly versatile and, as Ren mentioned, focuses on defense.
Therefore, for those who are to be protected, it is a reliable technique.
"If you don't mind, I can teach you the Imperial Swordsmanship next time," said Wiess.
"Really!? That would be a great help!" Ren replied eagerly.
"Ha ha! If you're that happy, it looks like it will be worth teaching you."
As Ren expressed his joy, Wiess couldn't help but smile.
(Now that I think about it...)
In the Legend of the Seven Heroes, the Holy Maiden Lishia was a powerful practitioner of Sacred Sword Techniques.
The feature of Sacred Sword Techniques is their all-around capability.
They can handle both offense and defense, as well as support, and if you have the skills, they can be utilized effectively.
It’s no surprise that Lishia, with her White Holy Maiden skill, became incredibly strong after mastering it, but there were still swordsmen who were stronger than her.
Swordsmen are ranked by the power they possess.
Lishia stood at the rank of Sword Saint, one below the highest rank, among the many sword techniques.
The highest rank in any style is called the Sword King, and there are only five of them in the world, even when combining all the schools.
The Sword Kings are ranked by the War Gods, and this ranking system is called the Sword King Ranking.
To learn about the five Sword Kings, one can visit the War Gods' temples scattered around the world.
There, stone tablets are kept, inscribed with the names of the five Sword Kings.
These stone tablets are not written by anyone but are automatically updated with the names of the strongest swordsmen at any given time.
The mechanism behind how the names of Sword Kings are recorded has never been explained, and since the tablets are not magical tools, they are referred to as Holy Relics.
"Lord Wiess, have you ever thought about learning other sword styles?"
"There are some, for example, the Heavy Sword techniques."
"Ah, I see... I understand now..."
"It seems you already know about this. As you know, Heavy Sword techniques can only be mastered by those with innate talent for it. That's why there are so few practitioners, and I was no exception."
Wiess chuckled, and Ren gave a dry smile at his side.
(Heavy Sword techniques, huh...)
The founder of the Heavy Sword technique was Leomel's ancestor, the Lion King.
In the Legend of the Seven Heroes, it was a sword technique used by those from the royal faction, specifically for facing enemies.
The sword technique is distinct from skills, meaning it couldn’t be learned in a second playthrough.
Its power, both offensive and defensive, was brutal, boasting overwhelming strength.
However, it was never available to learn in the story, which saddened players in two ways.
(I hate that this memory is coming back...)
The practitioners of Heavy Sword techniques were already incredibly strong, but they also used combat skills that lowered their stats, not temporarily but permanently.
The most extreme of these abilities was an unavoidable, almost instant-kill damage, making Heavy Sword techniques a privilege reserved for bosses.
So, Sacred Sword techniques were all-around fighting skills, while Heavy Sword techniques were often referred to as those of experts in combat.
◇ ◇ ◇ ◇
In the garden, Lishia was already receiving instruction from the commander of the Knights of the Realm.
A few knights from the Knights of the Realm and the knights of the Clausel family were also present.
"Ren!"
At the break, Lishia noticed Ren and immediately wiped the sweat from her brow before running over to him and taking his hand.
"Hey, hey, Ren, why don't you join us and get some training too?"
"No, I'll just watch," Ren replied.
However, the commander of the knights, who had been listening to their conversation from a distance, called out to them.
"If you wish, please join the Holy Maiden for some training."
It felt impolite to decline after being invited like that, so Ren walked over to join Lishia and the commander.
"I've heard from the Holy Maiden. You are said to be even stronger than her and possess talent that Lord Wiess recognizes," the commander said.
Of course, Ren responded with a wry smile, saying, "That's not true."
But the commander seemed deeply interested in Ren, continuing with a smile.
"You seem to be a very promising knight."
"N-no, that's not the case," Ren said, quickly humbling himself.
Before he could say more, the commander spoke again without hesitation.
"First, I'd like to see your skills in action."
Unable to refuse, Ren decided to accept the offer and receive some guidance from the commander.
He took up a training sword, and Lishia stepped back.
"Let's start with some light strikes."
Ren, not wanting to overthink it, swung his sword with ease.
As usual, he began by warming up his body, swinging the sword several times, preparing himself to learn from the commander.
The other knights watching the scene fell silent.
Unlike with Lishia, as they watched Ren's sword strikes, they found themselves gradually captivated.
Soon, the commander also adopted a solemn expression and said,
"...Let’s see your swordsmanship in a real sparring match."
"Yes, I’ll borrow your chest for the fight," Ren replied.
However, the commander did not strike Ren himself.
Instead, he focused on defense, offering only light counterattacks.
Without that, there would be too much of a skill gap between them.
The sound of the training swords clashing was dull, unlike the sharper clang of real swords.
(As expected of the commander of the Knights of the Realm!)
But Ren’s sword strikes, far beyond his age, gathered everyone’s attention.
The pressure from his strikes even made the grass around them sway.
Despite the difference in physical strength, the commander couldn’t find an opening, with Ren’s polished techniques filling the gap.
Still, Ren began to find enjoyment in the sparring, feeling thrilled at the thought of what kind of swordplay would work against the commander.
But then, suddenly—
The commander put some distance between himself and Ren and spoke.
"You should fight in a way that's true to yourself. There's no need to imitate our swordsmanship."
Ren realized that, perhaps unconsciously, he had been focusing too much on Sacred Sword Techniques.
Before coming to this courtyard, he had recalled the Sacred Sword Techniques from the game and wondered if mimicking their movements would trigger the same effects.
"True to myself..."
"There’s no need to hold back against me. Move in whatever way feels natural to you."
If the commander was telling him to stop, that was part of the training too.
Ren adjusted his mindset.
From a young age, he had learned from Roy, honed his skills in the forest, and grown even stronger through his battle with Yelquq.
Now, he gripped his sword tightly, ready to showcase the techniques he had cultivated.
"——Alright then."
The air around Ren changed in an instant.
It was as if a monstrous presence had suddenly emerged.
"I see... I had my suspicions, but...!"
The commander’s eyes sharpened, and his aura surged in response to Ren’s shift.
And for good reason.
Rather than being caught off guard, the commander had nearly been taken down.
"My apologies!"
Faced with the overwhelming intensity of Ren’s attacks, so different from before, the commander put more strength into his sword and brought it down with greater force.
He was attempting to break through Ren’s defense—
"Gh...!"
"Impossible...!? He blocked it!?"
Ren had raised his sword horizontally to guard against the strike.
Despite facing the full strength of a grown man, he did not buckle.
Seeing this, the commander gave a firm nod.
"Just as I thought——"
Then, in an instant, the pressure emanating from him disappeared, and he sheathed his sword.
"May I ask your name?"
"Oh, my apologies for not introducing myself sooner. I am Ren Ashton."
At Ren's response, the commander exhaled slowly and stepped closer.
"I'm sorry to say this, but I don’t believe Sacred Sword Techniques suit you."
"...Huh?"
Ren blinked in surprise.
"Wh-why!? Ren is so strong!"
Lishia suddenly raised her voice in protest.
The shift from her usual calm, eager demeanor caught the commander slightly off guard.
"As the Holy Maiden says, he is indeed strong.
My subordinates and I all recognize that. However, this is a matter of compatibility."
Lishia was speechless, and the commander continued.
"His natural disposition makes it clear. Holy Maiden, do you recall how I told Ren to move freely?"
"...Yes."
"I said that because I suspected he had ingrained habits from his father's teachings. I wanted to see if that was the case."
But it wasn’t.
"That habit—his way of fighting—is far too aggressive and relentless. And yet, that is undeniably his true nature. In the long run, his inherent temperament will only become a hindrance if he tries to learn Sacred Sword Techniques."
While minor habits could be corrected with training, in Ren’s case, the commander saw little hope of that being effective.
In fact, forcing him to change would likely make his swordsmanship worse.
Rather than forcing a poor fit, it was better to leave things as they were.
That was the reasoning behind the commander’s words.
"Many adventurers also wield reckless, aggressive sword styles, but theirs are born out of necessity. Ren’s, however, is something entirely different."
Just like a person’s natural appearance, Ren’s way of fighting had been part of him since birth.
Forcibly changing it would be difficult, if not impossible.
"Therefore, even if Ren were to learn Sacred Sword Techniques, I cannot guarantee he would ever master their Battle Arts."
Learning them might help him understand their weaknesses, which could be useful against opponents who wielded them.
But the time invested would not be worth the results.
(If that’s the case, it’d be better to learn a different style from the start.)
Ren accepted the outcome without feeling particularly discouraged.
"I understand. In that case, would it be possible for you to teach me more fundamental sword techniques instead?"
"Of course. I would be honored to instruct a promising young swordsman like yourself."
Ren had already moved on.
But Lishia, as well as Wiess and the knights and servants of House Clausel, seemed to struggle with the conclusion.
Lishia voiced their thoughts.
"R-Ren!? Why are you so calm about this!?"
"It is what it is. Since I have the chance, I’d like to improve my fundamentals."
Of course, he would make sure not to get in the way of Lishia’s training.
Fortunately, the commander adjusted the lesson so that Ren could participate as well, making it a productive session for both of them.
—
That evening, after training had ended, the commander spoke with one of his knights.
"Commander, being too aggressive doesn’t mean he can't learn Sacred Sword Techniques. Why did you say that?"
The commander wiped the sweat from his brow and gazed at Ren and Lishia's retreating figures as they headed inside.
"Because I realized it while crossing swords with him."
The knight watched the commander carefully.
"…That boy likely has a talent for a different kind of swordsmanship."
It was too early to say for certain, but the commander did not want to interfere with that latent potential.
Hearing this, the knight could only tilt his head in confusion.
◇ ◇ ◇ ◇
That night, after finishing her bath, Lishia visited Ren’s guest room.
She sat on the edge of his bed, idly swinging her feet.
"Are you really okay with how today’s training went?"
"Hmm? What do you mean?"
"You seemed perfectly fine with it, but...You noticed, didn’t you? I was getting irritated toward the end."
"Oh? What makes you think that?"
Lishia’s eyes widened slightly as if caught off guard.
But then, as if it had never happened, she quickly put on her usual confident expression.
It didn’t last long, though.
"When you're annoyed, you tend to fidget with your hair."
"Wh—!W-wait, really!?"
"Just kidding. But judging by your reaction, I guess I was right."
Lishia, still sitting on the bed, looked up at Ren, who wore a triumphant smirk.
Ren sat on a chair beside the desk when he noticed her staring at him with a sulky look.
"…You're mean."
She said it in such an adorable way that Ren couldn't help but smile wryly.
"But it doesn't make any sense! It's like they're saying you have no talent at all!"
"Whether it's implied or not, the meaning is more or less the same."
"Then why are you—"
"If you're asking why I'm so calm about it, it's because some things just aren't meant to be. Honestly, I feel relieved. Since they pointed it out now, I didn't have to waste time figuring it out on my own."
The way he put it might have been a bit blunt, but it was true—he had been spared the effort of investing in something that wouldn't bear fruit.
"Anyway, Lady Lishia."
Ren straightened his posture and looked directly at her.
Meeting his gaze head-on, she looked a little flustered before responding.
"What is it? Why are you suddenly so serious?"
"Don't worry about me. Next time, focus more on your own training. It won't do you any good if you're distracted."
"……Mmh."
(She looks dissatisfied.)
But there was no doubt that she had taken today's lesson to heart. She had been surprised when the commander told Ren that holy sword techniques didn’t suit him, but afterward, she had earnestly absorbed the instruction.
She had listened attentively, taking the lesson seriously while maintaining proper decorum with the knights, proving her dedication.
"Hearing that holy sword techniques don't suit you… it made me think a little."
Lishia paused before continuing.
"After the training, I was given some lessons from Wiess too."
She gave a small, wry smile.
"The commander pointed out something about my technique as well. He said it's not as pronounced as with you, but he noticed something that concerned him."
Ren tilted his head.
Lishia was supposed to have the potential to master holy sword techniques and reach the rank of Sword Saint. Yet her next words surprised him.
"He said my swordplay has a similar quirk to yours."
"…A quirk?"
"Yes. I've spent a lot of time studying your swordplay so I could defeat you—your movements, your swings… I've thought about them over and over again while I trained."
"Um… does that mean…"
She nodded, her smile tinged with amusement.
"In my effort to surpass you, I’ve unconsciously picked up some of your habits. It seems like my technique has started to resemble yours."
Her habits were still within a correctable range, but she couldn't help but feel conflicted about it.
"I don’t want to fix them. It feels like they’re telling me my goal—defeating you—was wrong all along, and I don’t want to accept that."
She spoke with firm resolve, her determination unwavering.
"Th-That's why, please, just focus on your own—!"
"It's fine. Like you said, there are other sword styles besides the holy sword techniques. There's no need to be fixated on just one, right? Maybe there's another school that suits me even better."
That was true—holy sword techniques weren’t the only path to strength.
But Ren knew.
Lishia had the talent to master them and rise to the rank of Sword Saint.
Yet her mind was made up.
"How about you, Ren? If someone told you to forget everything your father taught you because it wasn’t useful, could you just accept it?"
"That would be… difficult."
He understood the logic behind it—it was meant to help him grow.
But knowing that didn't mean he could simply discard his past efforts.
It felt like they were telling him all his training had been for nothing.
Lishia caught on to his thoughts and smiled knowingly.
"It's the same thing."
"But I'm just the son of a rural knight. You're the Saint. It’s different for you—you have expectations to meet."
"I'm not obligated to follow any strict path. My father told me to learn what I want and find my own ideal way forward. And… my late mother, too—I want her to see the path I choose for myself."
Ren couldn't find the words to refute her.
She had a point.
Her family’s philosophy wasn’t flawed, and as just the son of a knight, it wasn’t his place to interfere.
Besides—
(Lishia is Lishia. She's not just a character from a game.)
Realizing he had let himself fall into that mindset, he scolded himself inwardly.
"For me, fixing my bad habits while learning would be difficult and a waste of time. So wouldn't it be better to start with a style that suits me from the beginning?"
Seeing her smile at him, Ren felt a pang of regret for influencing her swordsmanship.
"As an apology for rubbing off on you… I'll help you find the sword style that suits you best."
"You mean our sword style, don't you?"
◇ ◇ ◇ ◇
Far from Clausel, in the marquisate of Ignat, deep within Eupheim.
Despite the late hour and the encroaching darkness, Fiona stood in the garden alongside a single attendant.
"—Kyah!?"
Fiona let out a small cry as she practiced walking on her own, relying on the servant in front of her for support.
When she lost her balance and nearly fell, the servant hurriedly caught her.
The necklace she always wore swung wildly from the sudden motion.
“I-I’m sorry! My legs just gave out…”
“…My lady, perhaps we should stop for today.”
Fiona, drenched in sweat, bit her lip in frustration.
“No… I can’t. I’m already so far behind others my age—I have to work several times harder to catch up.”
Before she was cured of her illness, Fiona had spent most of her days confined to bed.
She had endured constant pain surging through her body and relentless headaches, struggling just to stay alive.
There had hardly been a single day when she could even walk around her room.
As a result, her muscles had become frail and weak.
Lately, Fiona had been devoting herself to rehabilitation and building her strength.
“My lady…”
“Just a little more! I promise I’ll stop before I hurt myself!”
With those determined words, Fiona resumed walking.
Her gaze was fixed ahead—on a terrace chair placed just ten mel away.
But to Fiona, those mere ten mel felt impossibly far.
“So… close… and yet…!”
Each trembling step forward was an ordeal beyond words.
How far had I managed to go?
Curious, she glanced back—only to find she had moved just two mel from where she had nearly fallen.
She stared in stunned silence for a moment but refused to give up.
She forced her body forward, clenching her teeth and dripping with sweat.
Step by step, she pushed onward with everything she had.
“If I can’t even do this much…”
Another step.
“Then I’ll never be able to stand on my own feet and thank Lord Ren…!”
This past spring, Fiona had been saved because of him.
One day, she wanted to stand before Ren on her own and express her gratitude.
There were so many words she wished to say to the one who had freed her from the painful world she had known until now.
“L-look…! I’m almost there…!”
Fiona spoke with a wavering yet determined voice, forcing a smile.
The servant beside her hesitated for a moment but then, moved by her resolve, called out in encouragement.
“You’re almost there, my lady!”
The young noblewoman was taking minutes—tens of minutes—to cover a distance they could walk in mere seconds.
And yet, her perseverance left them speechless.
Finally, Fiona reached her goal.
With a soft plop, she sank into the chair and looked up at the servant, her face beaming with an unclouded smile.
“Aha… I-It took way too long, but I did it.”
She was still catching her breath, yet her voice was filled with quiet pride.
“You were splendid, my lady.”
“Hehe… Calling that splendid is a little embarrassing when it was just a few steps.”
As she rested, the cool night breeze played with her hair.
Its jewel-like sheen shimmered faintly, though a few strands clung to the back of her neck, damp with sweat.
“If I keep trying like this… and keep drinking my potion every day… do you think I’ll be able to walk on my own soon?”
“I have no doubt. By autumn, not only will you be walking on your own, but you’ll likely be able to start more intensive exercises as well.”
Encouraged by the servant’s words, Fiona nodded.
Just then, a new figure approached—Ulysses Ignat.
“I saw you from my office,” he said as he stepped into the garden.
Walking over to where Fiona sat, he thanked the servant who had been assisting her, then knelt before her.
With one knee on the soft grass, he met her gaze directly.
“You did well, Fiona.”
As he spoke, he reached into the pocket of his jacket.
“And for your hard work, I have a letter for you. It’s from the Imperial Officer Academy.”
“For me…? Oh! Could it be the results of the first exam I took last month?”
“Yes, I believe so.”
.jpg)
At the end of May, Fiona had traveled to the Imperial Capital to take the entrance exam for the Imperial Officer Academy’s prestigious special scholarship class.
At the time, she had arrived at the examination hall in a wheelchair, assisted by a servant.
She had hoped that by the next exam, she would be able to walk there on her own.
But first, everything depended on the results of the first exam.
As she opened the envelope her father had handed her, she felt a wave of relief wash over her.
“Father! I passed!”
“That’s wonderful! …Though, I never had any doubts.”
“Huh? W-Why?”
“Well… wouldn’t you agree?”
Marquis Ignat turned to the servant standing nearby, seeking confirmation.
“Of course. Even when your health was at its worst, you devoted yourself to your studies while bedridden.”
“Exactly. Honestly, the only thing I was ever concerned about was the final exam.”
“Goodness… I was so anxious about whether I had passed or not…”
Fiona pouted slightly in mild protest, and Marquis Ignat chuckled.
Six months ago, he never would have imagined seeing his daughter like this.
Reaching out, he gently took Fiona’s hand in his.
“Take it one step at a time. If you push yourself too hard and get injured before you can thank Ren Ashton, it will all be for nothing.”
“I know that already! Geez!”
Fiona’s slightly indignant voice rang out through the night garden.
——.