Chapter 11: Third condition (1)

Aboard the Airship, Liberi.

Airships are typically designed to maximize the number of passengers or cargo they can carry, making them quite large.

However, airships exclusively for the nobility or royalty are a bit different.

Since they cater to a smaller number of people, there’s no need to focus on size.

Instead, these exclusive airships are opulent.

The exterior is stunning, and the interior decor boasts perfect details.

Luxurious furniture and artworks that seem to cost thousands or even tens of thousands of gold coins are lined up.

Is it just a feast for the eyes? No, the amenities are also perfect.

There’s a training room for exercise, a game room with cards and roulette, and a library filled with various books.

There’s even a personal bathroom inside the cabin, though it’s unclear how it works.

The facilities are so excellent that they wouldn’t be out of place in a noble’s residence.

If not for the subtle vibration felt underfoot, it would be hard to believe this was an airship.

-“Wow, this is amazing…”

Exia exclaimed in awe at the splendid interior upon entering the cabin.

-“The advancement of technology is truly remarkable. This is like moving an entire mansion through the sky! Something unimaginable in the past.”

“You speak as if you’re seeing such a sight for the first time. Haven’t you been in this world for 500 years? And yet, you seem unaware of how things work.”

-“Hey, I was stuck in a temple the whole time, unable to move. How could I have seen anything?”

Exia replied with a bitter laugh, clearly hinting at the stress she had accumulated from being immobile for so long.

-“Anyway, if we had something like this back when we were traveling, we could have reached the entrance to the demon realm in no time, right?”

“That would hardly be the case. We’d likely have been attacked by flying monsters and crashed.”

-“Really?”

At a glance, this airship looked vulnerable to external attacks.

While it might stand a chance against a griffon, it would hardly be able to resist a proper threat like a crimson wyvern.

On the other hand, the fact that such a means of transportation had become commonplace indicated that the world was at peace.

-“….You don’t seem too impressed, Sion. Isn’t the airship fascinating to you?”

“Hmm? Ah… of course, even I find this level of technology quite impressive.”

Sion replied, stroking the wall of the cabin.

“But if it’s just about getting to a destination quickly, why not use a teleportation circle? Anatolia seems like a well-known place, so it’s probably registered.

The fare might be a bit pricey, but surely the royal family can afford it.

Yet, they chose to take an airship, suggesting they want to enjoy a leisurely trip.

But I prefer simple and efficient things… so once I realize there’s some inefficiency, I can’t help but feel less impressed.”

-“Hmm…”

Exia narrowed her eyes.

-“Really, you haven’t changed a bit, have you? Always measuring everything by its efficiency, just like before.”

“Why not? Isn’t efficiency a good thing? Its utility is proven by objective data, not by subjective impressions. That universality is what makes it truly beautiful.”

-“I get it, but you can be a bit extreme about it. You cut down anything that isn’t perfectly optimized…”

“Well, that’s just like Sion, isn’t it?”

 Exia chuckled.

-“Anyway, what were you about to talk about earlier?”

“Talk? What talk are you referring to?”

-“The reason you mentioned earlier… about one more condition to turn me into a human,” Exia said.

Preparing the magical energy needed for the Perfect Polymorph and crafting a similar-looking sword to replace Exia — these were the two conditions mentioned so far for Exia’s transformation into a human.

-“What is it? You didn’t get to explain earlier because the princess came in, so tell me now.”

“Ah, that…”

Sion paused for a moment to think.

It wasn’t particularly difficult to say, but…

“…..I’ll tell you a bit later.”

-“What?! We’ve come this far, and you’re delaying again?!”

Exia shouted in frustration.

-“I’m curious, just tell me! Don’t keep me in suspense for no reason!”

“Well, I have my reasons…”

Sion thought, ‘It’s not much of a concern, but I’d like to minimize any risks as much as possible.’

“You’ll find out soon enough.”

-“?”

Beryl had changed masters three times in her life.

Her first master was the head of an orphanage in a back alley. He posed as a kind priest who took in parentless children, but in reality, he trained them brutally to become assassins.

He sold his “creations” to organizations, receiving money like a high-end slave trader.

Beryl learned swordsmanship and martial arts there.

Her second master was a count from Espera, the country where she was born.

After the orphanage was exposed and raided by the local knights, and she had nowhere else to go, he took her in. Among the many children, he only took Beryl, likely valuing her potential.

Beryl acquired domestic skills and manners there.

Her third master was a broker stationed in Salem.

Knowing that Gasantius was searching for an attendant around the same age as his children, the people from Espera assigned Beryl a false identity and sent her in.

She was to monitor Sion’s every move, report on her activities, and, if necessary, recruit or even eliminate her.

Beryl learned how to deceive others and how to hide a blade behind a smile there.

And now, she had her fourth master.

“A Hero, huh…”

Beryl muttered softly, standing before the door of the cabin assigned to her.

Rumor had it that the Hero, like herself, was an orphan who grew up in the slums without parents. However, by drawing the Holy Sword, she had changed her fate overnight and was now in a position admired by the entire continent.

What kind of person was she? How was she different from Beryl?

Where had their paths diverged so greatly that she and the Hero ended up on such different trajectories?

Beryl stared at the nameplate for a moment, then steadied herself and knocked on the door.

Knock, knock.

“Excuse me.”

After a brief silence, a response came.

A clear and beautiful voice, like the morning dew.

“Who is it?”

“I’m the new attendant assigned to serve you, Hero. I came to introduce myself.”

“Ah, come in.”

Beryl took a deep breath and opened the door.

The first thing that caught her eye was the large greatsword leaning against the wall.

A sword with a golden blade, like sunlight, covered in mysterious engravings.

And next to it—

“Nice to meet you. I’m Sion.”

In that instant, Beryl felt as if heaven itself was whispering to her.

Standing before her was a beautiful girl who seemed to be divinity itself molded into human form.

Her silver hair shimmered with a delicate fragrance of acacia, and she had a slender frame, at least a head shorter than Beryl.

Yet, despite her small size, an undeniable grace emanated from her.

Beryl knew immediately: this person was on a different plane of existence. It wasn’t just a matter of status or position; it was a more fundamental difference in the very quality of their souls.

“…..”

Beryl stood there, momentarily forgetting to speak. Sion tilted her head, a curious expression on her face.

“Um, and you are…?”

“…Ah!”

Beryl quickly regained her composure.

“I am Beryl, the attendant assigned by the royal decree to serve you, Hero. I will fully support you in your academy life, so please feel free to call on me if you need anything.”

She bowed at a 90-degree angle.

She worried internally that her delayed self-introduction might have left a bad impression.

For some reason, she didn’t want this person to dislike her. Not just to avoid hindering her mission, but purely for its own sake.

Sion gazed at her for a moment before speaking.

“Beryl, is it? If it’s not too much trouble, may I ask you one thing?”

“Yes, please ask anything.”

Sion’s eyes glanced toward Beryl’s waist.

“Why are you hiding a dagger inside your skirt?”

“…!?!”

Cold sweat broke out on Beryl’s forehead.

How did she notice?!

But that wasn’t the important question right now.

Beryl had to explain herself. If she couldn’t, there was a risk of her being exposed as a spy right from the start.

“T-this is not… it’s not like that… It’s concealed as a weapon for my role as both an attendant and a guard. In case someone with ill intentions approaches the Hero, I could take them by surprise and subdue them…”

“Hmm…”

“I swear, I’m not carrying it with any bad intentions! Please believe me!”

Beryl pleaded, her face full of worry, genuinely afraid of being misunderstood.

Sion looked at her for a moment and then smiled gently.

“You don’t have to worry; I’m not misunderstanding anything. If it were Espera, perhaps, but I doubt Salem would try to harm me.”

“…..”

Gulp.

Beryl swallowed nervously.

This was troubling. If she was already arousing suspicion, it would be difficult to carry out her mission properly.

Maybe bringing all those weapons was a mistake.

“But… how did you notice? It was hidden under my skirt, where it couldn’t be seen.”

“Well… just a hunch?”

A hunch?

Beryl tilted her head. Could the Hero really sense such things with intuition alone? Maybe it was some goddess-given danger detection ability.

If so, things might get quite tricky from now on.

Sion watched Beryl for a while, then folded her hands neatly and spoke.

“More importantly, may I ask you for a small favor?”

“Yes? Oh, of course. Please, ask me anything.”

“Do you happen to have any stationery and a pen on this ship? If so, could you prepare them for me?”

“Stationery and a pen…? Please wait a moment.”

It was a much simpler request than she had expected. Beryl quickly left the room, got the requested items, and returned.

The silver-haired girl took the stationery, sat at the desk inside the cabin, and began writing something carefully on the paper with a pen.

So… where could she be sending this letter, given that she doesn’t have any family?

“And you, Beryl.”

“Yes?”

Oops, she almost got distracted again. Beryl quickly stood at attention.

Sion continued writing as she spoke.

“You’re quite skilled to be able to hide a knife so naturally. Are you actually very strong?”

“No, compared to the Hero, my strength is laughably insignificant, like a drop in the ocean.”

“But by regular standards, you must be quite strong, right? Considering you’re confident enough to act as my guard.”

“Well…”

How should she answer this?

It was true that Beryl was quite confident in her abilities. She had played with daggers instead of bottles since she was very young and could easily overpower most knights.

She wouldn’t have been sent on this mission if she wasn’t skilled enough.

But should she answer honestly? Would it come across as arrogant and boastful?

On the other hand, lying in front of the Hero could make her disliked…

“…Yes, I am, to some extent…”

Beryl finally replied, her head lowered in embarrassment after much deliberation.

As she expected, Sion laughed softly.

“I could tell when I first saw you. Even though you look like a girl around my age, inside, you’re sharpened and honed like a blade.

You wouldn’t lose even in a duel against an active knight.”

“Is that so?”

Beryl was amazed at how much Sion could discern.

“That’s why I found it curious. The other attendants I’ve seen around the royal family didn’t seem as strong as you.”

Sion turned her head to look at Beryl.

“So, why are you so strong? Did you receive special training on your own?”

“Well, if you’re asking whether I received training or not, I did, but…”

Before continuing, Beryl added, “I’m not particularly special compared to the other attendants.

It’s just that, at Anatolia Academy, no matter how high the rank of a noble or royal, they’re only allowed to bring one attendant.”

“Is that so?”

“Yes.”

Anatolia Academy, a private institution established on the site of the former entrance to the demon realm, was the world’s most prestigious and renowned educational institution.

The idea for the academy was first proposed by none other than Saint Esther.

She believed that most conflicts and wars stemmed from “misunderstandings” or “indifference towards others or other nations.”

To find a way to reduce these issues, she consulted with the sage Mana.

The result was the founding of Anatolia Academy.

A place where all the nobles and royals from around the world could gather in the same classroom, take lessons together, and interact.

While officially promoting the highest standards of education, Esther and Mana’s true purpose was different.

They believed that by gathering emotionally sensitive boys and girls in the same space, a bond would form between them that would surpass any hostility arising from their different backgrounds.

Empathy would grow.

If future leaders could understand the perspectives of people from other countries, the world would surely become a more peaceful place.

Esther was convinced of this.

And indeed, for the 500 years since Anatolia was established, the continent had largely remained at peace, without any major wars.

While opinions varied on how effective her plan had been, there was no denying that Anatolia had played a role, large or small, in maintaining this peace.

“Because Anatolia was founded with such a purpose, it not only accepts nobles and royals but also, to a limited extent, talented commoners.”

“Regardless of their status, all students are allowed only one attendant.

This restriction is meant to foster independence, as expected in an academic setting.”

“Hmm…”

“And because of this, the one attendant is meticulously selected after thorough screening.

As the only subordinate for an important person, they must be capable of handling various situations. That’s why combat ability is so crucial.”

“So, are the attendants for the princes or princesses as strong as you?”

“Likely.”

Beryl nodded.

She hadn’t met them yet, but they were probably strong.

The prince and princess needed capable guards even more than the Hero did. Of course, she doubted they were as strong as she was.

Sion hummed and fiddled with her hair for a moment.

 “I see. I didn’t realize there was such a background. Thanks for telling me.”

“I’m glad it was helpful.”

Beryl bowed her head politely.

Watching her, Sion continued writing her letter, then put down her pen, folded the paper neatly, and handed it to Beryl.

“Finished. Could you carry this with you now?”

“Of course. Who should I deliver it to?”

Beryl asked as she tucked the letter into her clothing. Sion smiled sweetly.

“To you.”

“…Huh?”

“I mean, to you.”

Sion said, extending her right hand toward Beryl’s head.

“Mind Crash.”

Crack.