93. Ace Instructor, Baron Logan

A few days later.

Several carriages stood before the Royal Palace.

Most striking of all was the noble, snow-white carriage, radiating regality.

The ‘Pegasus’, a dream for carriage enthusiasts.

A gift from the Magic Tower to the Albion Royal Family, it was far faster than any other carriage.

Enchanted with numerous spells, even the horses that drew it were carefully bred and rigorously trained.

“Never thought I’d see the day I rode in a Pegasus.”

Isaac observed it with considerable interest.

During the transcedent race’s attack, using Alois, the Pegasus was their first target, wasn’t it?

That alone spoke volumes of its value.

“Isaac, did you know?”

“Hmm?”

Sharen, who had practically screamed and begged to come along, preened.

“One removes one’s boots and rides barefoot in the Pegasus. That’s how precious it is, you see.”

“Ah, is that so.”

“Heh, you didn’t know, did you? You almost made a fool of yourself.”

Isaac simply brushed aside Sharen’s blatant fabrication.

Did she really think he was naive enough to believe such a thing?

Just then, Princess Clarisse appeared, elegantly adorned in a gown.

Heirad and the Grand Master flanked her, Heirad’s expression noticeably sour.

Today was the day the bride departed.

The day Clarisse would embark on her journey to wed Prince Raphael of the Brentarion Kingdom.

A grand procession spread out around the Pegasus. Guard knights, gifts, ladies-in-waiting, all trailing behind.

Originally, members of the royal family should have accompanied her too, but.

The late King’s health was failing, leaving his eldest daughter unable to leave her post.

Claris was the only royal remaining.

‘I thought this was thrown together rather hastily, but it’s surprisingly plausible.’

Isaac was participating here as a member of the escort knights.

“……”

*Whish, whish.*

Claris, passing by, blatantly gestured, ordering Isaac to mount a Pegasus.

‘Even in such splendid attire, she’s still just herself, isn’t she.’

Though she wore the elegant and refined garments of a bride, her actions still held the vestiges of the princess who once roamed the festivals on foot.

[That child is still young.]

Perhaps it was for this reason that Princess Adeline’s words, spoken during their private meeting before departure, resonated so deeply within him.

[Please, Baron Logan, I implore you.]

‘It’s difficult when you ask me so abruptly.’

[No, it’s not like that. Just… keep her steady. And if you start to feel displeased– you know?]

‘I do not.’

* * *

The interior of the Pegasus carriage was quite pleasant. A refreshing fragrance permeated the air, undoubtedly another enchantment.

“Ooh.”

Sharen, who had seen quite a lot, coming from Helmund, was even amazed, gazing around with wonder.

“Isn’t this excessively slow?”

However, the carriage was excessively slow.

What was the point of riding the fastest carriage in the world if it moved like this?

“We’re intentionally moving slowly. We’ll likely arrive at Brentarion much later than scheduled.”

As this was a procession conveying a bride, elegance was required in even the smallest details.

To rush would give the impression she was desperately running to meet her groom, eager for the marriage.

“How tedious.”

“Shall we play a word chain, then? I’ll start! Helmund!”

Sharen initiated something, but the Grandmaster, resting her leg on Isaac’s thigh across from him, murmured.

“Training will be difficult here.”

“Please remove your leg.”

“Feels good, eh? Rub my master’s legs a bit.”

“……”

Knowing he’s called Grand Master, it’s a little bothersome how he subtly tries to act the part.

“T! Isaac! T-word!”

“Training alone will be difficult, so how about sparring whenever time permits?”

“I, for one, welcome it.”

“Indeed. How fares that dark energy you wielded last time? Still no reaction?”

“Peculiar. It feels like something’s about to happen, but I can’t quite master it.”

Dark energy.

The power contained within the sword wielded by the Sword Demon of Blackthorn.

As it is a power gained by taking the lives of others, the weight and responsibility that comes with it is immense.

“It is the possession that matters. Do not be impatient.”

The Grand Master, in particular, showed a deep interest in the dark energy Isaac now possessed.

“Honestly, I’m not sure. Is this truly right? I felt… uneasy back then.”

“Is T too difficult? Shall we try something else? Carriage!”

“Not that I wish to nitpick, but possessing a power unattainable by others is undeniable. Do not be needlessly anxious.”

“……You just changed it to ‘carriage’. Nitpick? House Deed!”

Unable to endure it any longer, the Grand Master finally looks to Sharen.

“Even your obsession is Helmunt-like.”

“Hurry up! I’m bored!”

“What was it? P? Peasant, it is.”

“S? S-…”

“Peasant.”

“Ah, got mixed up. ant-.”

Isaac can only manage a hollow laugh, watching the two of them carrying on.

A scene utterly unimaginable in his previous life, it seems.

The Grand Master and Sharen Helmunt playing word chain inside a Pegasus.

While Sharen was agonizing, the princess, who had been staring intently out the window, finally couldn’t resist butting in.

“Excuse me? I specifically said only Isaac was to come, why did so many of you pile in?”

“For a princess on her way to marriage to be alone with a man in a carriage? Rumors of a romance will surely spread.”

“Baldy!”

“Haa, it’s alright, just get out for a bit, won’t you? I need to talk to Isaac.”

At the princess’s request, the Grand Master shrugged and opened the carriage door.

Since they were only rolling along slowly anyway, he casually hopped out mid-ride.

“Oh…”

Sharen lamented the disappearance of her game partner.

Claris smiled gently at Sharen and requested,

“Sharen, would you excuse us for a moment as well?”

“W-Well, I’d like to.”

Sharen subtly lifted her legs while still seated.

Revealing bare, pale feet that wore no shoes.

“I left my shoes in the other carriage.”

“……”

“……Why?”

Isaac asked without realizing it, and Sharen answered, embarrassed.

“Ah, I told you earlier! You ride Pegasus barefoot! Th-That, well, I guess that wasn’t right. Everyone else has shoes on.”

‘So she wasn’t trying to make fun of me.’

She must have heard it somewhere and actually believed it.

“……It’s fine, just stay. Just please be quiet.”

In the end, Princess Claris gave up.

She looked at Isaac and asked frankly,

“What are your thoughts on this marriage?”

“Does my opinion matter?”

Feeling she hadn’t explained herself adequately, Claris added in a lighter tone,

“Not the princess’s or the Baron’s view. That’s all been calculated already, anyway. A sensible marriage for diplomatic alliance and political solidarity.”

Claris smiled confidently and shrugged.

A glimpse of the absolute superiority she held towards herself, as I had noticed before.

“What I want to know is, from the perspective of someone who’s already been married, how does it look?”

Claris let out a long, heavy sigh.

“Both my sister, and Heirat, too. They all see this marriage in a bad light. Like I’m sacrificing myself for the kingdom.”

“Well, it does feel a bit like that.”

It was all so sudden, this marriage.

Anyone could see it was a deliberate departure from the kingdom, designed to solidify its bonds, and furthermore, to strengthen its alliance with another nation.

Even more so, the Brentarion Kingdom, being a military power, would serve as another bulwark against the threat of the Transcendents.

A bird in the hand.

Princess Clarisse’s marriage was a considerable boon to the kingdom.

A testament to Clarisse’s deeply considered efforts.

“That alone is enough for me. My marriage, a powerful card, played efficiently when needed.”

“I won’t deny that.”

“But people don’t think only through efficiency and reason. Emotions take root.”

And…

“As far as I know, the person who married most faithfully to their emotions is Isaac.”

“……”

“Sorry if that stings, but I mean it sincerely.”

Clarisse took a breath, clenching her hands tightly.

“I… I want to reassure everyone. To show those who worry that I’m not sacrificing myself for the kingdom, but simply having a happy married life.”

“You mean…”

“I want to love the husband I barely know by name. So, Isaac, please help me.”

“……”

“Ooh.”

Sharen, who had been listening beside them, her eyes gleaming.

She seemed to find it a very interesting topic.

“I know it sounds a bit obnoxious to say this.”

Acknowledging this, Clarisse ran a hand through her hair, a hint of pride in her gesture.

“But until now, I’ve never held a man in my heart. I suppose there was no one who could satisfy me?”

“……And?”

A slightly annoyed, curt response, but Clarisse continued to say what she had to say.

“Isaac, you managed to woo even Lianna Hellmundt, didn’t you?”

“……”

“You seduced him, didn’t you?”

“I did, didn’t I?!”

Claris and Sharen pressed him, urging him to answer quickly.

Isaac, doing his best to ignore the sudden throbbing headache, replied,

“It was mutual. It wasn’t just me being seduced.”

“Wow, did *she*?”

“Ahem! Anyway. That’s why I need Isaac’s help. Teach me about romance, so I can learn to love him.”

“Ooh! I want to learn too!”

“……”

Isaac slapped his forehead. He suddenly felt a desperate urge to fight the Transcendents instead.