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After taking the two people out of the dark alley, we finished our afternoon patrol without any issues.

After returning the wallet to Schurz, who was apologizing for putting the instructor in a tight spot because of his mistake, I joined the other students, and before I knew it, it was time to wrap up the patrol.

At night, even on the main street, it was dangerous for students to patrol, so the Gendarmerie, bolstered with more manpower, would take on night patrols, allowing the students to disperse at this point.

“Oz! Let’s go watch the festival together!”

“…No thanks.”

“Come on! Look, there’s someone breathing fire over there! Let’s go see it together!”

“I just want to go back— Ugh….”

There were students who decided to stay on the street to enjoy the festival.

“Marian, are you going to the festival too?”

“No, I need to stop by my family’s home today. It’s been too long since I last showed my face, and my grandmother is in a tizzy..”

“Really? Then make sure to say hi to the Marchioness for me. Batar has… already left. Saladin, what are you going to do?”

“I’ll just wander around for a bit and find my way back to the dorm on my own.”

“Got it. What about Gwen?”

“Me? Hmm, well….”

Some students weren’t interested in the festival and decided to head back right away.

Elizabeth fell into the latter category.

“Instructor, I think I’ll head back first.”

“Are you going to the Imperial Palace?”

“Yes. I only came out for a moment, so it’s likely I’ll only meet up again during the parade.”

“You didn’t have to come out if you were that busy.”

Honestly, I thought she would do just that. I knew she had been really busy lately. When she came out to join the patrol in the morning, I thought it was quite the surprise.

Elizabeth shook her head as she answered.

“I’m also a student of the Opal Black Class. I’m your student, after all. It wouldn’t be fair if I just skipped out. I don’t want to be treated differently just because I’m a princess.”

“Is that so?”

“That’s how it is. Hehe… Well then, I’ll take my leave now.”

She elegantly lifted the ends of her skirt, giving a graceful bow, and I nodded my head in farewell as she departed.

As Elizabeth with her long white hair swayed away, a female Royal Guard waiting nearby quickly followed her side.

Although she was in ordinary casual clothes right now, she was the same Royal Guard who stood by Elizabeth’s side when we first met while she was with the Faceless Hero.

“……”

Being constantly burdened with incessant work at home and having guards tailing her wherever she went, it seemed that the title of princess brought along a significant amount of pressure.

While I was seeing off Elizabeth, I suddenly felt a tug at my sleeve and turned around to see a brightly smiling Titania.

“Instructor!”

“Hmm?”

I thought she had gone to enjoy the festival with Osnia, but it seemed she was still here.

Next to her, poor Osnia was sporting a sullen expression with her wrist being firmly held by Titania, looking like a rabbit on a leash.

Titania cheerfully proposed, “Wanna go watch the festival together?”

“With me?”

“You didn’t really get a chance to explore the market last time, did you? I really want to see it properly this time, along with Oz and the others! What do you say? Sounds great, right?”

Her bright tone sounded more like a statement rather than a request, as if she considered it a given that I would be going with them.

But I shook my head slowly and replied, “No. You all should go by yourselves today.”

“Huh? You’re not going?”

“Right.”

“Really? Why not?”

“Because I’m busy.”

“Wh-what…!”

At my words, Titania’s eyes widened in surprise, looking flabbergasted like a wet puppy.

“……”

I thought, was it really that shocking? If they needed another companion, they could just take Gwen, who had been perked up ever since the talk about the festival earlier.

I wasn’t particularly disappointed or anything, but I had other plans starting now. So, I had no choice but to refuse Titania’s suggestion from the start.

Recovering quickly, Titania asked again, her voice still bright but slightly quieter this time, “It’s okay if it’s another day, right? How about tomorrow?”

Is it really fine like that?

But tomorrow would also be occupied since I planned to repay my debt to Instructor Rilya.

“Tomorrow won’t work either.”

“…Then how about the day after tomorrow?”

I rested my chin in thought for a moment. Her expression showed signs of tension at my gesture.

Watching her, I couldn’t help but eventually nod my head. Refusing a student’s offer three times would surely weigh on my conscience after all.

“The day after tomorrow is alright.”

“Yay!”

At my response, Titania beamed with joy, and Gwen and Osnia’s eyes gleamed more than usual.

I understood Titania’s reaction, but I couldn’t quite grasp why the other two were so enthusiastic.

“Then see you the day after tomorrow, Instructor! Gwen, don’t just stand there; come join us! Oz too!”

“Huh? Oh, right! Sure!”

“I don’t want to…”

I briefly glanced at Titania’s back as she confidently held onto Gwen and Osnia’s wrists, but then I quickly turned my gaze away.

The destination was the Coliseum in the Dark Alley.

*

“It’d be best if you didn’t participate in today’s match.”

Those were words I never expected to hear from Silvia, and that too right before a match.

I felt puzzled at her completely different demeanor compared to last week when she had insisted on squeezing in one more match, so I asked, “What’s going on?”

“I just checked the entries.”

This week, Silvia, disguised with the face of another beautiful woman, spoke with an unusually serious expression that didn’t match her looks.

“I stood out too much last week. I think the ‘Beggar King’, the drug dealer Ulrich, and the loan shark Bondman are quite upset since their fighters all got taken out. They banded together and called in a new fighter… and, well, to be honest, the opponent isn’t so great.”

I asked dubiously, “Is he really that strong?”

Silvia shook her head lightly.

“Not stronger than you. But let’s just say both you and I might find the opponent a bit hard to face… This is one of the reasons I’ve been careful every time I tried to take over the Coliseum.”

“Hard to face? Why?”

“Hmm, you’ll find out once you see. But there’s no need to meet him. It could be dangerous if he recognizes you. He’s quite busy at the moment, and I thought I could seize this opportunity, but thanks to your last performance, it seems the other three are feeling rather upset.”

I fell into thought at Silvia’s words.

An opponent who might recognize me and pose a danger if he does… There aren’t many people like that.

After a brief contemplation, I asked, “How’s the information on Ella?”

Silvia, who had been wearing a serious expression, sounded even more somber. She dropped her shoulders helplessly and said, “I’m sorry. I’m still gathering information, but it’s not easy.”

“Hmm….”

The struggle Silvia faced in gathering information stemmed from her still not being able to fully control the Dark Alley.

At this point, if Ian, known as the ‘Iron Fist’, started avoiding fights, it would surely give the audience a reason to label him and the Queen as cowards.

If that happened, it would take even more time for Silvia to fully take over the Dark Alley.

I made my decision.

“Just get ready for the match. It’s fine.”

“Are you really okay with this?”

“It doesn’t matter.”

I tightened my mask and said. My voice echoed deep and heavy from behind the mask.

“Iron Fist Ian doesn’t shy away from fights.”

I strode confidently down the dark underground corridor, stepping into the match area.

As soon as I revealed myself in the arena, the packed crowd erupted in enthusiastic cheers.

“Iron Fist! Iron Fist! Iron Fist!!”

“Ian! Ian! Ian!!”

“Iron Fist! We’ve been waiting for you all week, Genzaaaaaan!”

Even though my debut match had been just a week ago, the cheers emanating from the audience felt extraordinary.

Apparently, my performances that defeated all opponents in a single strike had left quite an impression on the crowd.

Whether the rumors had spread significantly over the week or if the festive atmosphere from above had extended down here, the stands were packed with people, overflowing with enthusiasm as they cheered for Iron Fist.

At that moment, the door on the opposite side of the arena swung wide open.

And a slender woman in armor began to walk slowly onto the stage.

In stark contrast to my fully masked face, she chose a stylish red mask that only covered her eyes and nose.

Her striking red bob cut and even her gaze, which seemed cold beyond the mask, made me feel like I had seen her somewhere before.

However, it was the audience seated around that recognized her before I did.

“That mask… that hair color… no way! Is that Blood Rose!?”

“Blood Rose Frey! Oh my… it’s the appearance of the former Coliseum champion!!”

“Wowwwwww!!”

As the audience erupted with fervent cheers, the woman in the red mask walked into the arena, casually glancing our way.

Then, with a stiff, knightly tone, she spoke to me.

“Are you the Iron Fist? The one who defeated Bloodwind Sword, Black Blade, and Thunder to become the new champion?”

“And if so?”

Blood Rose tilted her head slightly, shrugged her shoulders, and unsheathed her sword.

“Hmph… you’re younger than I expected. Looks like you snagged the champion title while I was away, but I’m on a different level than those trash. Comparing me to them would be a mistake.”

Blood Rose drew her rapier and held it at her chest, adopting her unique knight stance.

Though she purposely exaggerated her movements to hide her swordsmanship, I could not be fooled. I immediately recognized the origin of her technique.

The basic stance of the Imperial Palace swordsmanship.

It was primarily used by the Royal Guards.

The moment I recognized that position, I realized her true identity. And I understood why Silvia had been avoiding this encounter.

‘The Iron-Blooded Knight’ Frida von Sternlicht.

A member of the Hero Party and the current deputy leader of the Royal Guard.

A woman whose fate had been intertwined with mine solely through misfortune.

She stood before me, under the name Blood Rose Frey.

 

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