Chapter 34 : This Is a Heaven-Sent Opportunity

Who is this person named Victoria?

If I were to describe her, having seen her since our academy days, I’d say she’s the type of girl who’d rather get into a fight than eat a proper meal.

“You’re pretty good. Want to spar with me?”

Thinking back, even our first encounter left a strong impression.

There was this academy event where everyone had to demonstrate their magic. 

Right after it ended, she came straight up to me and said that.

At first, I thought she was just another delinquent noble’s daughter, but when I learned she could actually become the next monarch, I was more shocked than surprised.

The real problem came after I accepted that duel once—ever since then, she wouldn’t stop pestering me to fight her throughout our academy life.

With her flaunting her royal status, how could I say no?

I guess, thanks to that, we got close enough to speak informally.

“Standing here like this, it reminds me of the academy days. Feels like we just graduated yesterday.”

Every time I clashed with her, I got completely worn out. 

I always tried to avoid her whenever I visited the royal capital… but in the end, here we are.

“I’ve been itching for this. Looks like I’ve become someone who just can’t live without you.”

“Could you not say that in such a weird way?”

While I was already exhausted before we even started, Victoria—dressed lightly—grinned, showing her teeth.

The tightly clinging fabric accentuated her well-toned figure, muscular but not overly so, like a finely sculpted statue.

Long, slender arms and legs, too.

Seriously, if only she didn’t have such an aggressive personality, she’d be perfect.

Maybe it’s God’s fault for making her too balanced.

“By the way, Ershi, haven’t you gained some weight? How should I put it… you look kind of round?”

“…Hahaha. That must be your imagination.”

That hits a sore spot I’ve been sensitive about lately.

Judging from her mocking eyes, she’s probably trying to provoke me.

Well, congratulations. 

Now I’m starting to feel a bit serious, too.

“Good. That’s the spirit.”

As I drew my sword first, Victoria followed suit with a powerful swing.

This practice arena was made just for her—no one to interfere, no one watching.

Still, for safety, we agreed not to use any magic or mana—just pure swordsmanship.

Not that I lack confidence.

My specialty might be magic, but the sword skills I learned from Ord aren’t something to scoff at.

Even so, I must stay focused when facing Victoria.

Back in the academy, she never once lost the top spot in swordsmanship.

“Let’s see if your skills have dulled in the meantime.”

As the tip of her blade twitched, Victoria shot forward like an arrow.

A powerful, straight strike aimed to slash wide.

The movement was big enough that I could block it easily—For someone like me, already familiar with her speed.

“Kgh…!”

But the impact still rattled me.

The force surged through my arm like a wild boar slamming into me, making me grit my teeth.

Is it just me, or is she even faster and heavier than back in the academy?

“Oh my. You’re not already struggling, are you?”

Even as we locked swords, Victoria smiled with ease.

She was so smug I wanted to punch her right in the face.

“Not even close!”

I mustered strength in my arms and pushed her back, making her stumble three steps.

“Oh, and one rule I forgot—no running off to His Majesty crying about injuries, got it?”

“As if I’m a kid. Please.”

Judging by her love for fighting, she’s more of a kid than me.

“Just don’t cry when you get hurt instead.”

No more room for jokes now—Victoria quickly took a stance and swung her sword once more.

*

The only sound echoing through the training hall was the clash of blades.

Lost in the fight, even words had been forgotten — but like all things, it eventually came to an end.

“Aigo…”

Frustratingly, I was the first to fall.

I admit it. 

I can’t challenge Victoria in swordsmanship anymore.

Or maybe I’m just out of shape. 

I’ve been so focused on Serena lately that I completely neglected my own condition.

“Ha. It’s been a while since I had a good sweat like this.”

Unlike me, Victoria remained standing on both legs, her face relaxed with a satisfied smile.

Sweat mixed with faint blood trickled from the small wounds across her body — a clear sign of our duel. 

She looked more like a general than a princess, truly enjoying the battle.

If it weren’t for the matter of succession, she probably would’ve gone down that path for real.

“Need a hand?”

“I’m fine. It’s not like I’m seriously injured.”

Victoria sheathed her sword and offered a hand, but I refused, able to stand on my own.

Though the small cuts stung as I rose to my feet, a quick healing spell made them fade fast.

“Come here. I’ll heal you too.”

“I said I’m fine. It’s nothing.”

“You’ll get me in trouble if you don’t. Quit whining and let me heal you.”

Even if we’d agreed to fight, the royal court — and the king — wouldn’t look kindly on someone who left wounds on the princess.

Victoria would just brush it off as meddlesome, but she at least understood my position and quietly let me treat her injuries.

“Still, I’m glad to see you haven’t lost your edge. Honestly, I wish we could’ve gone all out with magic too.”

Was she planning to blow the whole place up?

I’d hold back and control myself, sure, but Victoria? 

She’d get fired up alone and cross the line — just like she used to back in the academy.

“If we did that here, neither of us would get out in one piece.”

“So what you’re saying is, if we find the right place, we can go all out?”

“How the hell do you twist my words into something like that?”

If she wants to fight so badly, she should just go find a battlefield.

I was too mentally exhausted to even come up with a retort.

Still, now that everything’s done, it’s really time to head back.

It’s a shame I couldn’t give Prince Reyzen a formal invitation.

“Oh, right. Ershi — have you ever thought about going to Levath?”

“Huh?”

Levath… that’s the neighboring country up in the northern hemisphere.

I looked at her, confused about the sudden question, and Victoria shrugged it off like it was nothing.

“They recently asked for our help in getting Endrago. Seems like they don’t have the manpower to harvest it themselves.”

“Why would we help them with their own problems…”

I was about to scoff at the absurdity of it — but then the word she’d said hit me.

She did say Endrago, didn’t she?

The very medicinal herb needed to heal Serena’s heart?

‘I didn’t expect the opportunity to come this quickly…!’

Maybe it was fate — I’d been needing a legitimate excuse to get my hands on Endrago.

And now the Kingdom of Levath was basically waving their arms and begging for help. 

This was a once-in-a-lifetime chance.

There were a few concerns, sure, but who cared about that? 

This was a gift handed to me on a silver platter — all I had to do was say thank you and take it.

“I thought so. I was just asking. I figured no one would be willing to go anyway.”

“No! I’ll go! I have to go! No matter what, I’m going!”

“Uh… what?”

“When is it? When do I need to leave?!”

“W-Wait a sec. Weren’t you just saying you weren’t going?”

What was she talking about — that was ancient history already.

Worried that Victoria might try to take back the offer, I grabbed her by the collar in desperation.

Normally, that kind of rudeness would’ve gotten me executed, but my dear friend didn’t care about such things.

She just gave me the kind of look you’d give a complete lunatic.

**

“Miss Serena. Lady Ershi will be just fine. There’s no doubt about her innocence, so please don’t worry.”

After being summoned by soldiers from the royal capital for questioning, Ershi had yet to return.

Serena, unable to stay still, anxiously waited by the door for her return.

She hugged Pumpkin tightly in her arms, waiting so earnestly that even the maids around her felt pity.

Ord tried to comfort her and ease her worries.

“I know. I just… didn’t feel like going back inside before she came home.”

She stubbornly hid her true feelings behind a facade.

If it were only a few minutes, she could’ve been left alone — but she’d been waiting like that for three hours already.

If Ershi were here, she’d have told her it was fine to wait inside.

But Ord realized there was no way to convince her, and sighed softly, shaking his head.

“…She’ll be okay. Yeah. Nothing bad will happen.”

A muttered whisper, uncertain who it was even meant for.

The unease that escaped her lips faintly conjured up the worst-case scenario, but Serena shook her head violently, pushing away the dark thoughts.

And then, just at that moment, the door opened and a figure appeared.

“Ah…!”

Serena finally regained her smile — but the moment she saw who it was, she froze.

Slumped shoulders, head hanging low.

It was definitely Ershi — but her unusually dejected appearance left not just Serena, but everyone around her bewildered.

What on earth had happened at the royal capital?

No one dared to ask right away, but Serena, who had been desperately waiting for her, couldn’t hold back and hurried over.

“W-What’s wrong? Did something happen?”

“…”

“Please, say something. I-It’s not something serious, right?”

“…”

As Ershi stayed silent, Serena’s voice began to tremble slightly.

What in the world could have caused this?

Why wasn’t she saying anything, just smiling so brightly.

“…Huh?”

“Serenaaaaa!”

“Kyaaaah!”

For a moment, Serena thought she was seeing things —But Ershi’s loud, energetic cry as she hugged Serena — no, lifted her completely off the ground — echoed through the mansion.

Serena screamed in surprise, but Ershi showed no sign of letting her go.

On the contrary, she spun around and around, unable to contain her excitement.

“It’s all set! We can fix your heart now! Kyaaaaaah!”

“Q-Quit saying weird stuff and put me down already!”

Serena had no idea why Ershi was acting like this.

But reason didn’t matter right now — the dizziness was hitting her hard, her stomach turning from being spun around.

She had no choice but to struggle with all her strength to break free from Ershi’s arms.