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Time never waits for me.

Always flowing lazily along its single, uninterrupted timeline. As a being perched upon it, I find myself dragged along without any strength to resist.

Thus, without being able to halt the pendulum of the grandfather clock, I gaze endlessly at the passing time.

Finally, tomorrow morning, the lifestyle of carriage travel awaits, where I have no clue what splendid events might unfold.

“The Great Forest—”

The more I think about it, the more fatigue seems to creep in.

Traveling to the Feiosha Marquis Family in the southern kingdom or to the capital is a hassle, let alone the fact that I now have to travel all the way from the southwest to the southeast.

“I said I would rush nonstop through the royal road to the Kalia Marquis Family.”

Some elves’ affection for the World Tree could sometimes be called fanaticism.

If among the things Friel brought along, there’s one such large tree to which a soul has been dedicated…

The young, loyal fool shouting about needing to hurry back because of worries about the Great Forest will likely do anything to get a bit closer to it.

Unless, of course, there’s enough food and supplies and the horse isn’t exhausted, lying unable to pull the carriage today or tomorrow. They would rush off immediately instead of taking a good rest in the nearby village.

“I’m already tired.”

It’s tough dealing with those crazy clockwork fellows without hurting their feelings.

I hope a lunatic elf isn’t among this bunch.

And I can only wish that our Arielte family’s blonde elf, who seems to have the ultimate decision-making power, isn’t secretly hiding such radical thoughts.

“By the way, the Kalia Marquis Family.”

The Kalia Marquis Family.

The clan on the southeastern edge of the Aisiliah Kingdom, bordering the Empire.

One of the noble families with a proud tradition, comparable to the Count’s House.

Among the vast information I had seen while assisting Shione at the banquet in the royal castle, they were one of the most significant families.

I know well how faithfully they defend against foreign enemies as soldiers while receiving the kingdom’s grace.

“Seriously…”

The eldest daughter of the Kalia Marquis Family, Eunice Kalia.

I’ve had some casual conversations with her, so I know a little about her.

I turned my gaze to the small sword in the corner of my room.

A splendid small sword, more exquisite than what a mere servant should handle.

None other than this sword was a gift Eunice Kalia had given to me in return for our conversation.

“Eunice Kalia.”

For the first time in a while, I thought about the person known as Eunice Kalia.

…A woman enthralled by the mere idea of being a knight.

We could have just enjoyed a conversation; perhaps it was because she had dragged me into her room for a dance with the sword once that her words lingered in my mind more clearly.

And among them, the one that stuck with me the most was.

“…Surely.”

Close to ten years. When the Imperial Army crept along the borders, ready to strike.

At a time when we could hardly afford to help, we, the fake knights, being swept away by distractions with our ladies, had created great confusion.

She was mercilessly tearing into the existence of that fake knight.

As far as I know, the Kalia Marquis Family has Eunice as the eldest daughter, with the second son and youngest being boys. So, I suppose one of them must be living that reckless lifestyle.

“How ironic.”

If I weren’t around, Shione would still be buried in her bed, lazily gorging on snacks with her clumsy size.

It seems like there’s certainly a headache waiting deep inside the Kalia Marquis Family as well.

How is it possible that in this generation where demons and their crazy minions are stirring, both families with the longest traditions and power in the kingdom have such flaws?

I shook my head in disbelief, trying to dispel those thoughts.

“By the way…”

As Siabel said.

Originally, Eunice Kalia should be sweeping away the Imperial Army, which is constantly testing the waters at the border. But she is instead stationed right inside the Great Forest.

Shione and I will also be entering the Great Forest alongside Friel Arielte.

So, I suppose contact with Eunice Kalia will be unavoidable.

I briefly closed my eyes, trying to organize my thoughts.

“Hmm…”

The fleeting voice of Eunice seemed to linger in my peaceful room, resonating in my ears.

—The Shianella and Kalia families have had ancestors that sharply opposed each other, leaving the relationship between the two families rather ambiguous.

What on earth were our elders fighting about, causing me this annoying trouble?

An unwelcome family connection.

—If you sell me time, the Shianella family can win the favor of the next head of the Kalia family.

Thus, back then, I had danced the sword dance with Eunice Kalia, hoping for her to keep her promise not to show any sharp thorns towards Shione Shianella.

I opened my eyes and stood up.

I was well awake now; it was time to roll up the blankets and wake up Shione, who was peacefully sleeping.

“…Things will work out somehow.”

With the thought that whatever happens next is for that past me to determine, I resolved to simply carry out the tasks at hand.

*

Today passed in the blink of an eye.

I checked one last time whether the clothing for Shione and me was enough and made preparations for the arms we need to pack.

Beyond just that, worrying about how to hide the Spirit Stone, that gift that our mentor and knight Siabel stole to bring to me, occupied my mind.

Before I knew it, the sun had moved past its peak and was slowly sinking, creating long black shadows everywhere.

Finally, after finishing some tasks, I returned to Shione’s room to take a break. There she was, watching me quietly from her bed as I returned.

Her eyes widened, and then she dashed toward me.

“Hmm.”

She picked up one of the few remaining cookies instead of gobbling them all up, humming a little tune.

“Ray, a—”

Suddenly, she opened her mouth wide and stared at me.

“…?”

“A—”

“…..”

Was she that eager to boast about her cookie-picking skills?

While I silently gazed at her as she held her mouth wide open, staring at me with sparkling eyes.

“…Ray, open your mouth. Sugary things are good when you’re tired.”

“Ah.”

Ah, so she wasn’t trying to show off but rather was telling me to eat some.

If that was the case, she could have just said “ah” instead. Why did she open her mouth so wide as if to stuff her last cookie in?

Finally, I accepted the cookie from Shione, and she looked at me for a moment, amused, before gazing out the window.

As we spent a brief moment together, footsteps could be heard outside the quiet door.

Thud, thud.

Knock, knock.

Not long after, the owner of the footsteps knocked on the door.

“I’ll check who it is.”

“I can do it if you want—”

“You’ve been busy all day, Ray. Just relax for a moment. Leave the simple stuff to me.”

For some reason, Shione stood up to greet the unexpected visitor.

Creak.

The door opened, revealing a man in the gap.

The moment Shione faced him, a calm impression settled upon her features as the brightness faded from her eyes.

“…Sion, what brings you to my room?”

The man was Sion Shianella.

Even after witnessing her break down walls that day, and having heard tales of her fierce battles against countless monsters atop the castle walls, the sibling conflict remained unresolved.

For some reason, he stood there dressed in the attire of a Battle Priest, visiting the room of Shione Shianella.

“I heard from Mother. She said you are heading to the Great Forest.”

With his monotonous voice, Sion received only a cold nod from Shione.

Unlike the camaraderie between Shione and Siabel, there was no warmth between Shione and Sion.

They didn’t seem inclined to exchange any light-hearted conversation.

“Um….”

An abruptly chilly atmosphere settled.

The mere attendant felt it was awkward to remain seated in such a context.

The moment I got up, Shione’s voice carried through.

“…Yes, tomorrow I will head out with the elves from the Count’s House. And… Sion, you didn’t come just to ask me such simple questions. What’s the reason for your visit?”

“That is—”

Sion looked at Shione silently for a moment, before lowering his gaze.

“Hm…”

He let out a brief sigh and pulled a box marked with the church’s insignia from his pocket.

What on earth could be driving him to such depths?

“…I came to deliver this.”

He handed a gift to Shione.

“What…?”

Shione responded with disbelief, as if she couldn’t fathom that it was a present from Sion.

I couldn’t help but feel a jumble of thoughts toward Sion as well.

‘Is that fiery temper of his really for Shione?’

They say people change drastically when death is impending.

Was the training as a Battle Priest that difficult?

The bizarre standoff between Sion and Shione began just one day before the journey to the Great Forest.

 

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