Chapter 105 – A Romantic’s Tale

– *Clang! Clang!*

The Imperial Army’s battalion-level training grounds, open to espers.

To train while several times stronger and faster than the average person, properly using one’s abilities, a vast space isn’t merely preferable – it’s essential.

As students, they remained within the cradle, and the cradle’s grounds were absurdly expansive, leaving them with nothing to worry about. But after graduation, simply finding a suitable training venue became quite the task.

For this reason, the Imperial Army would, whenever they had a spare moment, lend their training grounds to the espers.

And right here, on this day, Luciel and Shabel, teacher and student, were crossing swords.

“Not bad at all. You’ve improved immeasurably since before!”

– *Ching! Chang!*

One, a sword forged of steel. The other, a blade of pure light.

Each time the two swords clashed, a picturesque scene unfolded. A spectacle both flamboyant and restrained, easily mistaken for the battle of legendary heroes.

“Thank you, Teacher. The truth is, I’ve been working myself to the bone.”

And getting chewed out just as much, Luciel thought, as she widened the distance.

At first glance, it looked like a simple breather, a moment to replenish her stamina.

But not for Luciel, not now. Even if that were the case, her opponent wouldn’t dare relax simply because she had stepped back beyond sword’s reach.

– *Shooom!*

In an instant, Luciel’s light multiplied, grazing Shabel’s neckline.

Already aware of the level her pupil had reached, Shabel wasn’t particularly surprised.

But had others been present, they would have likely shrieked, wondering what it was they had just seen.

That’s how much it boasted of extreme speed that couldn’t be seen or felt by any other sense.

“I know it already, having experienced it myself. Even so, it’s a terrifying blade. One I would choose to evade rather than block, even now.”

“You’re just saying I’m still lacking, aren’t you? Evading means you can still see it, Teacher.”

“Hah hah hah. I suppose so. But you’ll reach that stage someday, won’t you?”

This time, Shabel moved. Closing the distance, trying to pull Luciel into her own range.

But there was no way she’d willingly allow that. Just as she seemed to be closing the gap, Luciel’s sword ignored that distance and struck, arresting Shabel’s advance.

Or conversely, seeming to allow the space, then instantly closing the distance, initiating close-quarters combat, and brandishing her blade, which had transformed into a dagger in the blink of an eye.

Truly protean swordplay. Not merely the forms, but the sword itself.

Controlling all distance, near and far, slowly strangling her opponent.

Or, even if that was impossible for the moment, constantly probing, eventually finding a gap.

‘Deus. You truly forged a terrifying blade.’

She’d often wondered why he drove his pupil so relentlessly, even for her.

She prided herself on pushing her students to the absolute limit during training, but compared to Deus… frankly speaking, she’d have to admit she was a step below.

Of course, she knew exactly what he was trying to create.

But knowing it from hearing it, knowing it from seeing it, and experiencing it firsthand were worlds apart.

Even now, she couldn’t help but gasp in admiration each time Luciel’s sword flashed.

“My dear pupil. In that case, let’s get just a *little* more serious, shall we?”

Teacher and student. Shabel and Luciel. Both had arrived here through their shared romanticism for the sword.

What they dreamed of was one day, facing each other, and marveling at each other’s romance.

Shabel reckoned, in that vein, she might as well start giving it her all.

“I’m ready,” she declared.

The sword, which she’d stretched and shrunk at will, returned to its original form.

Or rather, it *appeared* to return. It could just as easily become a blade that reached the heavens.

— *Shwing*

Shabel drew both her swords, a bright smile gracing her face.

What could be more joyful for a master? *Qīng chū yú lán.* To witness her student finally standing at the starting line, shoulder-to-shoulder with her master, was always a welcome sight.

They sized each other up for a moment, then, in unison, both women kicked off from the earth.

An earth-shattering boom echoed soon after. And a blinding light engulfed everything.

*

“So, Your Majesty, that’s when I really unleashed my sword…”

Standing before the Emperor, Shabel recounted her all-out sword fight with Luciel.

The Guardian Knight, seated beside them, wore a look that screamed, ‘Is she really boasting about going all-out against the Princess? In front of the Emperor?’ But Shabel remained unfazed.

“Indeed,” the Emperor replied, his expression remarkably composed. “It pleases me greatly that the Princess’s skills have grown to such heights.”

“You finally reached it. You truly arrived. The place you’ve dreamed of so long.”

“No, Your Majesty,” Luciel demurred, shaking her head.

“It’s not enough yet. This is only the beginning. My romance has only just begun.”

“Hahahaha. It’s alright, my dear. Surely you don’t think I’d ask you to stop now and return to the palace? I know better than anyone how difficult it is to sway your stubbornness.”

Luciel had graduated from the cradle. And now she was officially an Awakened.

Of course, she had been active with the Dispatch Team, even fighting demons since then.

But with her formal activation, she would be busier than ever.

“Always be careful. Though you’ve chosen the life of an Awakened over that of a Princess, that doesn’t erase your royal status.”

“Yes, Your Majesty. I am ever mindful.”

She must not indulge because she is a Princess. She must only indulge because she is an Awakened.

The moment she deviates, all their sacrifices would become meaningless.

As both a Princess and an Awakened, Luciel had to be especially cautious about this.

“Ah. Your Majesty. Now that I think of it, there’s something I wanted to ask.”

“What is it, Knight Shabel?”

“What are your thoughts on the student, Deus?”

Huh? Uh? Eh? From the Emperor to the Guardian Knight and Luciel herself, each emitted a sound of dismay at Shabel’s words.

“What brings this on so suddenly?”

“Well, you see, Luciel’s graduated now. And she’s been bringing up Deus quite a bit lately, you know?”

“Master?”

“Hm?”

“It seems like it could be quite promising. I’m curious as to Your Majesty’s opinion.”

The Emperor blinked a few times, about to respond, when…

Luciel, sitting beside Shabel, urgently grabbed her master’s shoulder and spoke.

“What are you doing, Master?!”

“Hahaha. You speak of *that* girl? I am merely aiding my disciple.”

“Aiding how, exactly!”

“You’ve graduated now, so approach him with vigor. That is the way of the young, is it not!”

“No! I truly…!”

“If the Princess is so inclined, there’s no reason to quibble, surely.”

―*Horok*

The Emperor sips his tea, a faint smile playing on his lips.

He then subtly turns his head towards the Guardian General, posing the question.

“And what are your thoughts on the matter?”

“…I dare not offer my unsolicited opinion, but if I must answer, I believe that young Deus is certainly a fitting match for Her Highness.”

“Must everyone be like this?!”

Luciel’s shriek prompts the others, save herself (or rather, two humans and one elf), to turn and regard her.

“It seems you never fail to mention Deus, does it not.”

“Just recently, I couldn’t help but notice a peculiar glint in your eye when regarding the lad, Your Highness.”

“My disciple, it is unwise to attempt to deceive your mentor.”

In letters. In conversations. Deus was mentioned more than once.

Sometimes, the way she regarded Deus seemed rather…singular.

Otherwise, why would she subtly adorn herself more often on days she had no training?

“There is no shame in it, Princess. It is only natural. Such a young man should be a comfort.”

“Perhaps he may even become a worthy rival to my successor as Guardian General. Haha!”

“My eye does not deceive me. Now, how shall I aid you? Hmm? Just say the word!”

Luciel nearly cried out, *That’s not it!* But something else held her back.

Reason. And emotion. The two of them squabbling, ‘Alright, let’s have a serious discussion.’

Her thoughts on Deus were, naturally, positive. If one were to ask if she held him in favor, certainly.

But did she harbor fondness? Well. That was difficult to say for certain, as of now.

‘…I suppose I want to ask him.’

Others might still find Deus intimidating, but she had seen him too often to be afraid.

In fact, the more she looked, the more she saw a sense of reliability, a certain masculinity.

Most of all, he was someone who understood and helped her pursue her passions.

And several days later. Deus was greeted by a suddenly approaching Shabel.

“Deus, my junior! Tell me, what is your ideal type?! Confide in me alone!”

…Why does it feel like I’ve been asked this question a lot lately?

Watching Shabel sprint towards him from afar, Deus scratched his head.