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I probably first met Doctor Brown around the midpoint of the war.

At that time, I had just fought the Dragon Legion Commander Kaenax on the Prairie Plains, and while I had managed to gouge out one of his eyes, my own legs were broken, and I was bedridden for treatment.

Following our victory on the plains, the allied forces had reclaimed a significant amount of land from the demonic army, and they were now advancing further, poised to enter the Demon Continent.

So, by the time I had recovered enough to fight, the front lines had already moved significantly forward.

I found myself in a troublesome situation, needing to cover quite a distance, and to make matters worse, I received news that the Demon Army had regained strength and was counterattacking.

I had to return quickly before the situation on the front line became critical.

Having only just started to recover my legs, sprinting over a long distance could place a significant strain on them.

However, no matter what, I couldn’t afford to miss the battle against the Demon King’s army, and just as I was determined to go, Marquis Kalstein was doing everything he could to stop me.

It was then that Doctor Brown appeared.

“Hee hee hee, I’ll take you to the front lines! Just board this magic-engine flying ship I built! With this, you won’t have to go around the mountains or fight the monsters inside them! You’ll be able to safely fly to the front lines. Do you understand what I’m saying?”

Doctor Brown added, “Of course, there are a few minor glitches… But compared to what this flying ship can accomplish, those are trivial issues! If it takes off properly, we can even reach the Demon Continent! So, what do you say? You naturally want to ride it, right?”

In the end, I decided to board the flying ship.

Despite having to sign a document stating that I wouldn’t hold the inventor responsible for any occurrences during the flight, I couldn’t afford to be picky about methods at that moment.

Marquis Kalstein tried to dissuade me until the very end, but the clear advantage of crossing the mountains without engaging with monsters or taking a long detour was hard to pass up. When I saw the actual flying ship, its appearance was quite impressive, which played a part in my decision.

When the flying ship took to the skies, there were initially no problems at all.

The sheer fact that a massive machine was flying in the sky, and that I was even piloting it, made me feel a bit amazed.

However, trouble arose when the flying ship started to accelerate.

The speed of the flying ship was too great. It kept increasing at a relentless pace.

The speed itself wasn’t a problem for me, but the hull was being ripped apart by the wind pressure, and something inside the ship was shaking as if it would explode at any moment, which was definitely concerning.

By that point, not only the speed-reduction button but other buttons were also unresponsive. The only thing I could move was the control stick.

I expected the flying ship to either explode or crash at any moment, and ultimately, my choice was to intentionally crash the ship into the mountains.

I really came close to dying.

I couldn’t shake the suspicion that he had anticipated this and put me aboard alone.

Even though I almost died along the way, had to run after the crash, and was attacked mercilessly by the monsters around the mountains due to the ship’s downfall, it was true that Doctor Brown’s flying ship allowed me to pass a significant part of the mountains without danger. Thanks to that, I saved over ten times the expected travel time.

Knowing the risk was there and considering the results I obtained, I decided to just forget the fact that Doctor Brown led me to near death.

However, what really left me dumbfounded was the magical communication I received upon returning from the front lines after finishing a battle.

Doctor Brown asked via the communication if the flying ship had arrived safely, and I honestly relayed the situation.

His response was as follows: “Ah, as I expected, it was a problem with the operating system! Next time, I’ll just fix the control device. When I had the golem aboard, I had no idea what problems there might be and always ended up bursting in mid-air, so it really seems like having you onboard was the correct choice! Hee hee hee!”

“…….”

“So, how about it? I plan to correct the problems soon and create a new flying ship for testing, and I’d love for you to be my test pilot again—”

I disconnected the communication without hearing more.

Since then, Doctor Brown seemed to have taken a liking to me for reasons unknown, often asking me to test his inventions, but I firmly refused each time.

In any case, my impression of Doctor Brown was merely that of a crazy engineer, but surprisingly, the Imperial Royal Family seemed to see some potential in the flying ships he had created.

The Imperial Royal Family fully supported Doctor Brown, allowing him to continue his research and development of flying ships without my help.

Although it wasn’t completed during the war, it seems he continued development even after the war ended and eventually achieved results.

That mad engineer developed a flying ship and eventually came to the academy to find me.

To be honest, all I felt was an uneasy premonition.

*

Despite my anxiety, I still had my duties as an instructor to carry out.

After the general meeting concluded, I finished all my afternoon classes and returned to the dormitory a bit earlier than usual since I had no other engagements.

That was when I unexpectedly ran into Elizabeth as she was coming out of the dormitory.

“Oh my, Instructor Ion? What a coincidence.”

Upon spotting me, Elizabeth lifted her red lips into a smile.

She was holding a small backpack, giving me the impression that she would be leaving the dormitory for a while.

“Are you heading out again today?”

“Well, with the victory anniversary approaching, I probably won’t be able to come back today, as I’ll be quite busy.”

“I see.”

Elizabeth is the Princess of the Empire.

And being the Princess of the Empire means not only a high status but a significant number of obligations as well.

With the approaching victory anniversary, Elizabeth had already requested my permission to stay outside the dormitory a few days prior due to her duties as royalty.

That’s why she wasn’t present yesterday when everyone gathered around to listen to the radio.

As for Batar… well, he probably just went to sleep because he wasn’t interested in the news.

Anyway, as long as she didn’t come late for the morning classes, I had no reason to stop her from being out.

However, while the other students were overflowing with thoughts of relaxing after class or enjoying the upcoming festival, Elizabeth was struggling to balance her responsibilities as a student and her duties as a princess, which tugged at my heartstrings.

I nodded and said, “You’re working hard.”

“Oh?”

Elizabeth’s long eyebrows arched slightly upwards.

It seemed like she hadn’t expected me to say such a thing at all.

“Are you worried about me? That’s a bit heartwarming.”

“Don’t flatter me. I was just a little concerned.”

“Anyway, it’s true that you’re worried about me, right?”

“……”

In response to my silence, Elizabeth covered her mouth and happily laughed.

“I’m just joking.”

“…Right.”

“But if you are genuinely concerned, how about being my partner at the victory anniversary ball? I happen to be in a bit of trouble without a decent partner.”

“What?”

I couldn’t comprehend. Elizabeth, of all people, didn’t have a partner?

Surely no one would refuse the honorable position of being the princess’s partner, and even at this very moment, noblemen must be lined up for the chance.

As if sensing my thoughts, Elizabeth shook her head and said, “I do have someone, just not a ‘decent’ one.”

“I’m not a decent partner either.”

A commoner as the princess’s partner, anyone who didn’t know would surely find it strange.

What I could boast about as Ion Graham were my position as an academy instructor and my military rank at best.

Of course I couldn’t go out in the armor of The Faceless Hero either. Naturally, revealing my identity as The Faceless Hero was entirely out of the question.

Elizabeth laughed lightly.

“What are you talking about? Strip away all the little details, and you still have that face of yours.”

“……”

“Just to clarify, I’m not joking.”

I wasn’t sure if she was serious about the partner request or talking about my face.

Perhaps it could be both. In truth, I didn’t know either.

“Think about it seriously… Anyway, to respond to what you just said, there’s really no need to worry.”

Elizabeth’s red eyes stared into mine.

“This is my duty. In fact, no one else can fill this role. The Emperor is aging, and my brother and sister have no interest in such matters, so shouldn’t I pay attention to state affairs?”

While saying that, Elizabeth’s expression held an elegant smile, but there was something slightly distorted about it. It felt like there was a hidden intention behind her words.

However, I was no mind reader, so I couldn’t discern her true intentions.

“Oh my, it’s already this late. I should be going before it gets any later.”

Looking upward at the darkening sky, Elizabeth realized quite some time had passed, and she gracefully lifted the ends of her skirt and offered an elegant farewell.

I nodded in response and returned the gesture as she passed by and headed back to the dormitory.

However, Elizabeth’s voice called out to me just as I was moving away.

“Oh, Instructor!”

“Hmm?”

I slightly turned my head to look at Elizabeth.

Bathed in the hue of the setting sun, she wore a mysterious smile that was hard to decipher.

“The hero party will be coming to the Capital City soon.”

“……”

“My brother personally invited them. They plan to march down the central road during the large parade for the 5th anniversary, and everyone will be attending without exception.”

After a brief pause, Elizabeth continued, “Of course, it includes the saintess from the Demon Continent.”

At that moment, a small wave of agitation surged within me, but I kept my composure and calmly spoke.

“…I see.”

“I wanted to let you know, as I thought it would be something you should know.”

I shook my head and replied, “No.”

Turning my back, I resumed my steps toward the dormitory.

“This has nothing to do with me.”

 

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