Ch.7878. Gazing (3)

“[The wave will be docile now, Ilroy. It won’t rebel anymore. Make good use of it, as it was made solely for you, your sword.]”

When I drew the wave, the Holy Sword spoke in a triumphant voice. It seemed to have subdued it somehow, perhaps using extreme methods, as the wave remained silent even as I drew it.

“…It won’t start talking like you later, will it?”

“[Who knows if more history accumulates in the sword. It has plenty of potential, but it doesn’t seem to be at that stage yet. Why, do you dislike talking swords?]”

“…No, that’s not what I meant.”

The Holy Sword spoke with apparent interest. I swung the wave a few times as practice. The sound of cutting through air. The feel and weight in my hand. It was slightly lighter than the Holy Sword. Whether the blade pointed in the direction I wanted. How sharp the edge was. I slowly began to adapt to the wave. The lightness when thrusting forward. The resistance when swinging. I exhaled and sheathed the wave.

“It’s quite good.”

“[It’s a good sword. Not as good as me, of course.]”

I chuckled and sat down on the training ground floor. Marianne was taking longer than expected to come down. I wondered if there was a problem. The stairs leading to the training ground remained quiet.

“[She’s late. That’s unlike her.]”

At the Holy Sword’s comment, I shrugged.

“Something must have happened at home. She’s probably getting ready.”

Perhaps she was still in the office. I had collected all the things ‘not meant to be read’ and stored them in a secret place. I wasn’t worried, but I wondered what she might be thinking. Just as I was considering practicing some basic sword forms alone, footsteps sounded on the stairs.

“I apologize for being late.”

Marianne appeared. She wasn’t wearing her usual nun’s attire but comfortable pants and a loose top. Her long hair, usually worn down, was tied back in a ponytail that swayed gently. She looked every bit like an adventurer, though the subtle nobility in her face offset that impression.

“Were you preparing for our sparring match?”

“Yes. Were you late because you were changing clothes?”

Marianne shook her head at my question. Her pupils trembled slightly, suggesting something was bothering her, but it seemed difficult to pry into what it was. Marianne swung her holy spear and pointed its tip at me.

“I’m ready to begin immediately.”

“Don’t you need time to warm up?”

“I’m fine.”

She seemed to be in a hurry. I frowned slightly as I looked at Marianne. She walked to the center of the training ground, swinging her spear sharply. I drew the wave and faced her. I needed to put aside other thoughts and focus solely on facing her.

“Let’s see how much your skills have improved since before we went to Evernode.”

“Take it easy, easy.”

I drew the wave. Marianne’s gaze lingered on the blade before returning to my eyes. She hesitantly extended her spear toward me and finally spoke with difficulty.

“…Hero, perhaps.”

Marianne mumbled, hesitating, then sighed and tightened her grip on the spear shaft. When I tilted my head curiously, she shook her head.

“I’ll ask after our sparring match.”

Then she immediately charged in. This was supposed to be just sparring, but Marianne’s spear tip seemed to be aiming for my neck. I extended the flat of the wave forward and pivoted to the side. The spear tip grazed the blade’s surface.

“Isn’t a surprise attack a bit much?”

“You were well prepared, Hero.”

Marianne replied calmly as she adjusted her grip on the spear. The distance between us was about two steps. Even if I extended my sword fully, I couldn’t launch a threatening attack. I measured that gap with my eyes while blocking Marianne’s incoming attacks.

Bang-! Bang-!

Marianne’s spear handling could only be described as monstrous. The spear, much taller than herself, moved according to her will, flying from all directions like a snake’s head. Just standing in place and blocking made cold sweat form on my forehead.

“If you only defend, you’ll eventually crumble.”

Marianne advised. I smiled and continued to block her attacks. Of course, I didn’t intend to keep facing the spear from mid-range. I was testing how well the wave could withstand. Robin’s sword was meeting my expectations admirably. It was holding its own against the holy spear without yielding in sturdiness.

“It’s holding up well, isn’t it?”

Marianne nodded as if she couldn’t deny that. I swung my sword more aggressively. It didn’t take long to adapt to the wave. Moreover, I had been using the wave with my left hand. Being able to face Marianne this well with just my left hand was a significant achievement.

“I’ve realized something recently.”

Marianne tilted her head. I pushed back against the spear shaft with force and grinned.

“Fighting well ultimately means maximizing the use of your abilities.”

“…That’s correct.”

I suddenly released the pressure I was putting on the wave. The recoil threw Marianne off balance, causing her to lurch forward and expose the shaft of her holy spear. I grabbed the shaft with my free right hand and pulled Marianne close. She seemed momentarily distracted and allowed me to close the distance without resistance.

“Got you.”

Stumbling. Marianne stepped frantically and entered within range of the wave. I pretended to swing the wave but dropped its tip to the floor. Marianne struggled as I held onto her spear shaft. I looked down at her with a faint smile, and she looked up at me. Then, hurriedly, Marianne released her left hand from the holy spear and pushed me slightly. Well, that weak force wasn’t enough to push me back.

“I-I’ve lost.”

Marianne bowed her head, turning it slightly away. Only then did I release the shaft of the holy spear. Marianne backed away quickly like a cat and looked at me.

“You’ve become very composed. Your skill in utilizing what you have has improved as well.”

“You seemed distracted by something else.”

Her spear skills were as sharp as ever, but Marianne didn’t seem to be focusing on the sparring itself.

“Is it because of what you wanted to ask me?”

“…Well.”

Marianne leaned against the shaft of her holy spear awkwardly.

==

A piece of paper folded into thirds, fluttering on the floor. It was stiff, high-quality paper typically used by nobles. It seemed to be from the royal court. Though unsure if she should read an official letter freely, Marianne succumbed to her curiosity for the first time and unfolded the letter.

To the Hero,

The Harvest Festival is approaching. As the year-end nears, there are more major events and occasions where one must make public appearances, making everyone busy. While I think it’s quite positive that you decline private social gatherings, as one of the sponsors of the Hero’s party, I can’t help but wish to meet you at least once.

As it happens, there will be a gathering hosted by the palace itself during the Harvest Festival. I would be most grateful if you would consider attending. Her Majesty the Queen would be delighted as well. Additionally, my daughter greatly admires you…

At that point, Marianne’s eyes widened. She quickly bowed her head and continued reading the next sentence.

As my daughter has just come of age this year, I believe it could be a good meeting. Well, I’ll end my greeting here, along with this sponsorship payment…

That was enough content. Marianne looked away from the letter and stared blankly into space. After scanning the front and back of the letter, she placed it back on the desk. The sponsor probably received a reply. Marianne gazed at the desk with lingering interest.

What had Ilroy been thinking?

Marianne was lost in thought as she gripped her holy spear.

.

.

Marianne kept her head bowed without speaking.

“Har…”

Har? I tilted my head, then vaguely recalled a letter from a corner of my memory. Right, the content of letters that sponsors had been consistently sending lately…

“Harvest Festival?”

Marianne nodded very slightly. I scratched my head and put the wave back in its scabbard. It probably wasn’t a big deal. There was no particular disadvantage in attending.

“Hmm… I’m considering attending. If I go, I probably won’t go alone but will bring our entire party. You’ll come along too.”

Right. It would be rude not to make an appearance after receiving such enormous sponsorship. But once I appear at an official event, I’ll probably have to keep showing my face in the future. Perhaps I should just risk being impolite and not go.

“…”

I looked down at Marianne. What was bothering her so much? I was actually concerned about Marianne. She nodded as if she had made up her mind.

“I would like to attend if possible.”

“Yes. That would make me happy. Do you happen to know the date?”

Marianne nodded. It seemed the decision to attend the Harvest Festival had been made. I shrugged and decided to leave the training ground first. Sweat was running down my back. It was a good kind of sweat. Marianne volunteered to stay behind and clean up. I stared at her for a moment before heading toward the stairs. I could feel her gaze following me from behind.

“[How was the wave?]”

The Holy Sword asked.

“Not bad. It seems they deliberately made it with lighter materials to accommodate use in my left hand. It feels similar to using you, so I got used to it quickly.”

I clenched and unclenched my left hand. I should practice using a sword with just my left hand from now on.

“[Don’t try to shoulder everything alone.]”

“Huh?”

“[…It’s nothing.]”

The Holy Sword left those meaningful words and fell silent. I stopped in my tracks and looked down at my waist, then resumed walking toward my room.

==

“You’re going to the Harvest Festival?”

Daphne opened her eyes wide in surprise. George’s expression was no different. Ilroy crossed his arms and said, “What’s the big deal?” while showing them a piece of paper. It was a different letter than the one Marianne had seen.

“I’ll greet the sponsors while I’m at it. I also need to make things clear to those nobles who send annoying letters without contributing any money.”

Ilroy was smiling in a way that seemed unbecoming of a hero. George shuddered at that smile. It was a smile he had seen once during the hearing. It seemed Ilroy was planning something for this Harvest Festival.

“…Don’t cause trouble, Ilroy.”

“Not at all. I wasn’t thinking anything like that.”

George sighed.

“By the way, since we’re attending a social gathering, does everyone have appropriate attire for an official occasion?”

“I certainly do.”

George nodded, while Daphne shook her head, saying she didn’t.

“I’ll be fine.”

Marianne quickly spoke up before attention could turn to her. But Daphne seemed not to hear her at all.

“Shall we go look at clothes?”

Marianne felt Daphne’s grip seize her hand and flinched. Those violet eyes seemed to allow no refusal.