Chapter 78: Observing. (3)

(Null will be quiet now. Remember Elroy: it is your sword, forged only for you. You must use it well.)

As I drew Null, the Holy Sword spoke in a gentle voice. Perhaps she had used drastic measures to subdue it as it remained silent as I drew it.

"...It's not like it's going to start talking like you later, right?"

(If the sword had more history. It has potential, but I don't think it's there yet...Wait, is it because you don't like talking swords?)

"...I didn't mean it like that."

The Holy Sword sounded hurt. I swung it lightly a few times to warm up. The sound of it cutting through the air. The feel and weight of it in my hand. It was a little lighter than the Holy Sword. How easily I could guide its tip. How sharp the edge was. How light it felt when thrusting forward. The resistance as I swung. I slowly learned how the sword feels in my hands. I exhaled and slid it back into its sheath.

"Not bad."

(It's a good sword, though not as good as me.)

I smirked and sat down on the floor of the training center. Marianne took a long time to come down, and I wondered if something was wrong. The stairs down to the training center were still silent.

(She's late. That's not like her.)

I shrugged at Holy Sword's comment.

"Something must have happened in the house. She's probably getting ready."

I last saw her in the office, and I've gathered up all the things she's not supposed to read and put them in a secret place. I'm definitely not worried. Just as I'm about to run through the basics again, I hear footsteps on the stairs.

"Sorry, I'm late."

Marianne appeared. She was not in her usual nun's habit but in comfortable pants and a loose top. Her long hair, usually worn loosely, was tied up in a tight bun, bouncing as she walked. She looked like a downtrodden adventurer, but that was offset by the odd expression on her face.

"I assume you've been preparing for the duel."

"Uh-huh. Are you late because you had to change?"

At my words, Marianne shook her head. The slightest flicker in her eyes told me something was off, but I couldn't quite put my finger on it. Marianne flicked her Holy Spear and pointed the tip at me.

"I'm good to go right away."

"Don't you need to stretch?"

"No problem."

She seemed to be in a hurry. I glanced at Marianne, frowning slightly. She walked to the center of the training grounds, her spear moving sharply. I drew Null and turned to face Marianne. I had to push aside other thoughts and focus on dealing with her.

"Let's see how much you've improved since Evernode."

Marianne's gaze lingered on Null before returning to me. She hesitated, holding the spear out to me, then spoke with difficulty.

"...Hero, if you don't mind."

Marianne hesitated, opening her mouth to speak, then sighed and tightened her grip on the shaft. When I tilted my head curiously, she shook her head.

"I'll ask you after the duel."

And with that, Marianne plunged straight in. The tip of Marianne's spear seemed to be aimed at my throat. I thrust Null forward and stepped to the side. The tip of the spear grazed the blade.

"Not much of a surprise, is it?"

"You are well prepared, Hero."

Marianne replied nonchalantly and changed her stance. When fully extended, the distance between Marianne and me is roughly two paces. No matter how far I extend my sword, making a threatening attack is impossible. I sized up the gap with my eyes and blocked Marianne's incoming attack.

Marianne's skill with a spear could be described as monstrous. The spear, much larger than her height, swung at her will, sending it flying in all directions. Standing still and taking it all in was enough to send a cold sweat down my forehead.

"If you keep defending, you will eventually break."

Marianne advised. I smiled and deflected Marianne's attack again. Of course, I didn't intend to continue dealing with her spear at mid-range. The test would be how well the sword would hold up. Sure enough, Robin's sword lived up to my expectations. It held its own against the Holy Spear without losing its sturdiness.

"It's holding up well, though, isn't it?"

Marianne nodded. There was no denying the quality of the sword. I swung it more aggressively. It didn't take me long to adjust to Null. I could even call it a lot of progress. Since I wield the Holy Sword in my right hand, Null would naturally go to my left hand. To defend against Marianne with only my weak hand was an outstanding achievement.

"I realized something recently."

Marianne cocked her head. I smirked, blocking the spear with force.

"To fight well is to utilize my abilities to the best of my ability."

"...That's true."

I suddenly stopped pushing against the spear. The recoil tipped Marianne's balance forward, and her front hand let go of her spear shaft. I grabbed the overextended weapon with my free right hand, pulling Marianne closer. She was caught off guard momentarily, unable to resist and allowing me to close the distance.

"Gotcha."

She stumbled towards me. I pretended to swing down my sword, and she raised her right hand in response. She then landed against my chest. I looked down at her with a faint smile, and she stopped struggling and looked up at me. Then in a hurry, her left hand on the Holy Spear let go and shoved me gently. It wasn't enough to knock me backward.

"I lost."

Marianne turned her head slightly and bowed. Only then did I let go of her spear. Marianne paced back like a cat and looked at me.

"You've become very calm, and you've gotten better at making do with what you have."

"You seemed to be distracted by something else."

The sharpness of her spear hadn't changed, but Marianne didn't seem to be concentrating on the duel itself.

"Is it because of that thing you wanted to ask me?"

"...That."

Marianne grunted and leaned on the shaft of her Holy Spear.

***

A piece of folded paper on the floor. It was a stiff, high-quality paper, usually used by nobles. It was probably from the royal family. She didn't know if she was allowed to read official correspondence, but Marianne opened it, giving in to her curiosity for the first time.

『Dear Hero.

The Harvest Festival is approaching. It's a busy time of year for everyone, with more events and public appearances. I'm glad to see you declining private social gatherings, but as one of the patrons of your party, I can't help but think that I'd like to see you occasionally.

Coincidentally, there is also a gathering at the palace during the Harvest Festival. We would be most grateful if you would consider joining us. Her Majesty would be delighted. Besides, our daughter is very much in awe of you...』

At that, Marianne's eyes widened. Marianne inclined her head quickly and began to read the following sentence of the letter.

『My daughter also has her coming-of-age ceremony this year, so meeting up would be a great idea. So, with this donation, I'll leave you with my greetings....』

That was enough for now. Marianne tore her eyes away from the letter and stared blankly into space, then scanned the front and back of the letter before placing it back on the desk. Marianne turned her wistful gaze to the desk.

What was Elroy thinking?

Marianne gripped the holy spear and lost herself in other thoughts.

***

Marianne kept her head down and didn't speak.

"Harvest...."

'Harvest?' I scratched my head, then remembered that a patron had been sending me many letters lately.

"The Harvest Festival?"

Marianne nodded ever so slightly. I scratched my head and slid my sword back into its sheath. It's probably nothing, and I'm not losing anything by going.

"Hmm... I'm thinking about going, but if I do, I'm not going alone. The whole party should go, so we better prepare for it."

Yeah. It's rude not to show my face when being sponsored for such a massive amount of money. But once I attend a public event, I must keep showing up. 'I'll just show up once and kindly decline every other invitation.'

"...."

I looked at Marianne. I wondered what was bothering her so much. I was almost afraid of what she was thinking. Suddenly, she nodded as if deciding something.

"It would be great if I could join in."

"Sure. That would make me happy. Do you happen to know the date?"

Marianne nodded. I shrugged my shoulders and decided to leave the training grounds first. Sweat trickled down my back. It felt good. Marianne offered to stay behind to clean up. I looked at her hesitantly, then moved toward the stairs with Marianne's gaze following my back the whole time.

(How was it?)

Holy Sword asked.

"Not bad. Robin purposely made it a little lighter to accommodate that I'll use it in my left hand. It also has a similar feel to you, so I got used to it quickly.

I clenched and unclenched my left hand. I'll have to practice using my left hand exclusively in the future.

(Don't be too hard on yourself.)

"Huh?"

(...It's nothing.)

The Holy Sword fell silent. I paused, looking down at it sheathed on my waist, before returning to my room.

***

"We're going to the Harvest Festival?"

Daphne's eyes widened in surprise. Georg's expression was no different. A different piece of paper than the one Marianne had seen was tucked between his fingers.

"I need to greet our backers. And to say something to those nobles who send annoying letters."

Elroy smiled a smile that was hardly the quality of a Hero, and it made Georg's shoulders shiver. It was a smile he'd seen once before: at the hearing. There was something else going on at this harvest festival.

"...Please don't make a mess, Elroy."

"Not at all. I hadn't thought of that."

Georg sighed and asked.

"By the way, since we're going to be networking, do you all have formal attire?"

"Of course I do."

Daphne nodded, and Marianne shook her head at the lack of one.

"I'm fine."

Marianne said quickly as the attention turned to her. But Daphne didn't seem to hear her.

"Clothes, let's go see."

Marianne's shoulders shook as she felt Daphne's grip on her hand tightens. Her violet eyes, it seemed, would not allow for refusal.

Translator's Corner

Hope you guys enjoyed the chapter. I'll go back to edit the older chapters, so if you found any confusing, you can return to them. The main changes will be the non-Elroy POVs becoming third-person, removing all the POV switches, and other minor parts I find, such as formatting and consistency of terms. I'll try editing 5 a day.

-Ruminas