Ch.4314. What is a Festival? (3)

In the dim dawn before sunrise, Alesia left her room.

Stepping out of the dark, silent mansion, she felt a slight sense of liberation as the refreshing breeze carried the scent of the forest.

It also awakened her to a faint presence coming from the distance.

At the training grounds, a man was intensely running through the morning mist with his upper body bare despite the early hour.

“You must be exhausted from traveling, can’t sleep?”

“And you, Holy Maiden? Despite your bold claims, it seems you slept quite soundly?”

Luke stopped near her—near Alesia—and teased.

“I was told never to handle business while drunk. An older friend once warned me that spending your first night like that leads to bitter regret.”

And then.

“Besides, as desperate as I am to find a man, do you really think I’d pounce on someone who’s crying?”

“Crying? You mean Ruel?”

“That’s how he looked to me.”

It wasn’t simply that he had a gloomy, depressed, or dark expression.

“A Holy Maiden’s primary duty isn’t combat or combat support, but relief and salvation.”

“And so?”

“…He seemed like he hadn’t had a proper night’s sleep in a while, so I just let him rest peacefully. When someone’s psychological state is unstable, they can’t sleep properly.”

“And aren’t you tired? Ruel and I at least rode on horseback, but you walked or ran alongside us the entire time.”

“That was just for training. I’m quite confident in my stamina. I’ve learned to prepare in advance. After experiencing regret a few times from collapsing when strength was most needed, I realized it’s unavoidable.”

For casual conversation, it felt like something too deep to probe further.

…Well, unless she chose to reveal her inner thoughts, Luke had no reason to pry.

“You must really like him, seeing how closely you stuck to him.”

“Hmm, this might sound strange, but just being near him gives me a sense of sanctity.”

“…What do you mean by that?”

“His face is my type, and he seems fragile, like someone who needs protection and care, yet he has a strong will and impressive skills, and a good heart too.”

Only.

“He seems submissive, which makes me think his family environment might have been that way.”

“Isn’t that true for all noble children? Especially when their parents have high expectations.”

“It would have been good if he could handle it. And… you’ve probably noticed how Ruel sometimes stares off into space. Why do you think that is?”

“Isn’t he just spacing out or lost in thought?”

“No. He’s looking at something. And I’m sure you can imagine how someone who sees things others can’t might be treated. He’s probably been suffering silently, wrapped in anxiety and doubt about being abnormal.”

Alesia shook her head as if tasting something bitter…

“Ah.”

“What is it?”

“…Hangover.”

She clutched her head.

“I told you not to drink so much.”

“I paid for it, didn’t I? The tavern made a profit, when else would they?”

“That’s for the tavern owner to worry about. Besides, with the festival coming up, why concern yourself with such things? You could have just said you wanted to drink your fill.”

“Was I found out?”

The conversation that seemed to be going well ultimately returned to trivial exchanges.

“Anyway, I got a feeling.”

“What kind of feeling?”

“About Ruel.”

He really concerns me.

No, is that all?

“I think I might have fallen for him, and also… I feel anxious, like he’d be in danger if left alone.”

“That’s not love, but compassion or maternal instinct, isn’t it?”

“Nonsense from someone who’s never had a child. Besides, I guarantee that with a little more growth, Ruel will become a much finer man than you.”

“He’ll still be smaller than either of us, are you sure?”

“…You’ve left the Holy Maiden speechless. Besides, size isn’t something to brag about.”

“Unfortunately, for a man, it is.”

While Luke was quite large by normal standards, the fact that Alesia, a woman, was similar in build to him said it all.

“Still, Ruel never once looked at me with the disrespectful eyes you all have.”

“What kind of looks have we been giving you?”

“‘She’s big. Really big. She’s mannish. Might as well be a man.’ That sort of thing. ‘Better not mess with her or you’ll get knocked out in one hit?'”

“And what about Ruel?”

Alesia paused for a moment.

“…He thinks I’m pretty?”

“Have you lost your mind? Or are you just blinded by infatuation…?”

“No, really! I have quite a beautiful face, don’t I?”

“……”

Luke found it hard to deny, which suddenly made him sad.

What an unfair advantage.

“And I’ve put so much effort into my figure! I’ve worked hard to keep my arms from getting too thick! My legs… well, those couldn’t be helped… sigh.”

Just thinking about it made his heart ache.

In times like these, the only option was to bury it and move on.

“Anyway! How could I not fall for someone who treats me like a proper woman!”

“…Aren’t you just trying to rationalize your attraction to Ruel’s appearance?”

“That, sadly, is also hard to deny.”

Trivial chatter.

Still, through these conversations, the two gradually got to know each other better.

And getting to know a member of the lord’s family this way also meant…

…understanding the general atmosphere of the lordship.

For Luke, building a friendship with the Holy Maiden was beneficial in itself.

Of course.

Neither Luke nor Alesia had intentionally arranged their conversations or meetings with such considerations in mind.

Luke offered a weak encouragement.

“Let’s see how it goes in this short time. If things work out well, I’ll even give you my blessing.”

====

Indeed.

“……”

He woke up just before a nightmare.

Seeing the brightness outside the window, he could only marvel.

‘I only closed and opened my eyes.’

Ruelda woke up just before bursting through the door.

Unlike before, he felt as though he had slept deeply.

Comparatively, his previously heightened nerves had somewhat calmed.

In the quiet, with the distant sound of birds singing, Kariel took a deep breath to gather his thoughts.

Without the ability to manipulate mana or use breathing techniques, it was difficult for him to quickly assess and control his physical state.

Therefore, all he could do was use his consciousness and will.

By intensifying his concentration to observe his inner self and check his physical condition…

It wasn’t an easy process, but once he grasped the knack of it, he could roughly assess his body’s condition, even if not perfectly.

“……”

When exhausted, this ability had been a mess, but seeing how much it had improved, he must have slept well.

As he left the room, a passing servant directed him to a place to wash and also informed him when breakfast would begin.

Leaving the mansion and going down a bit, he found a well.

There was a small fountain in front of the mansion and this well nearby. Though it seemed somewhat distant, the sound of flowing water was clearly audible, suggesting the area was rich in water resources.

He had learned at the academy that villages, and especially large cities, tended to develop in areas with abundant water resources, but it hadn’t really resonated with him.

‘It was so obvious, yet I’m only truly realizing it now that I’m here.’

The world was full of such revelations.

After washing his face and wetting his hair, he began to find his hair length bothersome.

‘Should I tie it up?’

Too short to tie properly.

Yet annoying if left alone.

…Cut it all off?

The robe that doubled as a cloak given by Elhermina was incredibly convenient.

It maintained a decent level of comfort even without bathing, which was already an amazing effect, and it hadn’t torn when the wolf monster had bitten it.

‘The sword too.’

Despite cutting through skin, muscle, and bone.

It hadn’t even bent.

His original two-handed sword would need repairs before it could be used again.

He still had it, but might have to dispose of it if necessary.

…He didn’t have any particular attachment to it, so it didn’t matter.

Returning to the mansion.

“You’re awake?”

Though dressed lightly, Alesia wore a much neater outfit than yesterday.

A light white priest’s robe with some gold threading.

…It created an incredibly jarring impression.

Moreover, since it didn’t fit her perfectly, the dissonance was even greater.

Especially with how noticeably the chest area bulged, creating a peculiar impression.

And that wasn’t all—it seemed she wore a shirt and pants underneath the white priest’s robe.

…It looked somewhat ridiculous.

Besides, wasn’t that a male priest’s robe rather than one for a priestess or female cleric?

“I know it looks strange. But this was the only one that fit me.”

Alesia grumbled, as if regretting her visit to the church.

Her red eyes seemed to mix dissatisfaction and discomfort.

“They say clothes make the person, but in the end, wings can’t replace the body, right? I think Alesia is most magnificent just as she is.”

“……”

Suddenly, silence.

“You have such a way with words. If you had just used a different word instead of ‘magnificent,’ I might have fallen for you anew.”

What a terrifying thing to say.

After chatting with her for a while, they moved to the room that served as both a living room and dining room, following a servant’s guidance that the meal would start a bit early.

The rectangular table was already half-filled with people.

“Indeed! What a dignified presence befitting the renowned Holy Maiden of Protection!”

A middle-aged man with medium-brown hair and a full beard and mustache exclaimed as he stood up.

Though not dressed specifically for receiving guests, his reddish-brown clothes with purple-dyed knots gave a stable yet luxurious impression.

Alesia responded with a forced smile.

“…Baron. I appreciate the good intentions behind your words, but I am still a woman, you know?”

“Ha ha! What does it matter if you’re a man or woman! I doubt any knight could compare to you, Alesia!”

“…I’m not an official holy knight, so even that is excessive praise.”

“With the body of a Holy Maiden and the will and conviction of a knight! Though my knowledge may be limited, I know this. You should rightfully be proud, Holy Maiden!”

“No, I mean…”

Her face clearly wanted to demand why he wouldn’t listen.

“Father. Please calm down.”

“Calm down? Nonsense! I’m just excited to meet a knight among knights! Excited!”

He had quite a loud voice.

The one who had just tried to restrain the middle-aged man had a sturdy build but was somewhat plump.

With less facial hair but the same neatly trimmed medium-brown hair as the baron, he had a relatively handsome appearance.

His attire was also similar to the baron’s.

Only Luke was dressed casually.

“Where are my manners? Let me introduce myself again. I am Roia Baroness, the current lord managing the Baroness domain. And these are my children.”

The baron, who had been alternately examining the Holy Maiden and Kariel, gave a signal, and the plump man began his introduction somewhat awkwardly.

“I am Rudhi Baroness. Though inadequate, I assist my father in handling the various affairs of Baroness.”

“I can skip my introduction, right?”

As Luke waved his hand sheepishly, the baron became angry.

“You rascal! Mind your manners!”

“Come on, stop that. We’ve known each other for a long time, so it feels strange now.”

“Even if you two know each other well, what about our guest from the Eden Revan Alliance? Is he just decoration?”

To which.

“Oh, please don’t worry about me. We’ve already exchanged greetings before arriving.”

People often praise human skin as snow-white or jade-like as a matter of course or convention.

But this was several times more extreme.

As if wondering if bones could be that color.

Perhaps even whiter than marble.

With his hair also pure white, it created a tremendous sense of dissonance.

“Now that my supervisor has arrived, I can finally begin my work, it seems?”

His red eyes gleamed with enthusiasm.

Between his slightly parted lips, pointed canines flashed.

His attire, with long red embroidery against an overall dark color scheme, had a sophistication rarely seen even in social gatherings.

The red rose in his chest pocket particularly caught the eye.

Perhaps that’s why the instinctive aversion to his appearance was quickly overcome.

“In that spirit, great Holy Maiden Alesia of the Irenis Church! Fourth-ranked bearer of the title ‘Protection’! I hope you will take good care of me.”

“I would even without you saying so.”

Alesia snorted.

“As long as you do your job properly.”

“All for the artistic soul that quenches innocence.”

He said with a smile.

“Our Eden Revan Alliance’s Blood Sharing Family Peace Association will, as always, contribute to the stability and prosperity of humanity and the continent. Ah, I’m late with my introduction. Please call me Filbar Asubna. For details, here…”

Rising from his seat and approaching Kariel and Alesia, he handed them something rectangular.

“Please accept my business card.”

Alesia took the tiny black paper with what seemed like familiarity.

“……”

“You too.”

Glancing at Alesia, Kariel also accepted one.

“This is a token. Whenever you meet a branch, building, or representative of the Eden Revan Alliance, present this! You’ll receive friendly assistance! Connections are precious, after all!”

Though theatrical, he wasn’t light or vulgar.

Despite his clown-like gestures, he never appeared reckless.

Maintaining that balance couldn’t be easy.

Yet he was calmly fulfilling that role.

“Now, lastly… would you introduce the young man beside you, Holy Maiden? Ah, if it’s uncomfortable, you may skip it… but that decision belongs to the Baron, doesn’t it?”

“……”

Kariel hesitated, then looked at the Baron before responding lightly.

“I am Ruel. Though it’s an alias, I’m in knight training, so I would appreciate your consideration in this matter.”

Left hand behind, right hand above the shoulder.

Bowing at the waist but not bending the head.

Left leg slightly withdrawn.

“Pleased to meet you. Your status isn’t important here, so don’t feel burdened. The fact that my children and the Holy Maiden value you means you’ve proven your abilities and character, doesn’t it? Even if not, there’s no reason to treat you poorly, so put those worries aside.”

“Thank you. And please feel free to speak comfortably.”

“Good! Then I shall!”

Having settled the matter, the Baron continued.

“Now! Let’s fill our stomachs as we’re getting hungry. Filbar, you…”

“I’ll drink what’s been prepared for me, so please enjoy your meal without concern.”

As if he had approached unnoticed, a pale-skinned boy who looked like the man’s personal servant opened a glass bottle. Then he poured red liquid into a glass on the table.

“Is that enough?”

“More than enough!”

The pale man gazed appreciatively at the half-filled glass of red liquid as if it were a delicacy.

“I’m getting impatient. Come, I want to personally witness the achievement that Saint Kariel has accomplished! Let’s eat quickly! Hurry! Hurry!”

He looked genuinely delighted.

The Eden Revan Alliance.

The first to break from the Demon King during his invasion, opposing him as demons themselves and siding with the human alliance and the continent as defectors.

Yet their contributions and achievements are comparable to those of the dragon family.

Kariel unconsciously looked up at the empty air.

And Alesia, sitting beside him, also noticed this, but.

“The food is here! Come, eat heartily! A full stomach leads to a fulfilled soul!”

Bread, cheese, boiled eggs.

Various meats were served whole.

It seemed like a heavy menu for breakfast, but only Kariel seemed to think so.

With Baron Roia’s encouragement and the servants dividing the meat onto each plate, Kariel and Alesia naturally focused on their meal.