The Day of the Decisive Battle

Why on earth is there no abnormality?

It’s clear that the equipment malfunctioned, but there are no after-effects after coming out of the water?

Clang─!

Wolf struck the wall while biting his lip.

How hard he must have hit it…

Despite being made of solid concrete, small cracks appeared and dust fell off.

“What on earth happened?”

“I, I didn’t know it would turn out like this either. The operation should have succeeded… She should have at least fainted.”

The manager, who heard the details of the incident from Wolf, trembled his eyes.

In the alley where they had met the day before.

The difference from last time was that then they had cheerfully conversed with each other, but now a fierce aura surrounded them.

A clear superior-subordinate relationship─

Wolf was shaking his arm with his fist clenched tightly, and the manager bowed his head at such actions.

The prestige of the Streman family was tremendous.

Despite the large age difference between them, the difference in authority between Wolf and the middle-aged man was clear.

…The aftermath of the failed plan.

A chilly atmosphere enveloped the surroundings.

“I can’t pay you the balance like this.”

“Uh, um.”

The manager scratched his cheek and groaned.

He needed money.

He had to recover the funds he had squandered gambling in the capital.

Of course, being a nobleman, it didn’t affect his livelihood, but the feeling of emptiness from losing tens of thousands of dena in an instant was tremendous.

“Tch, then I’ll be going.”

“C-Could you give me a little grace period? I’ll somehow find another way, so please wait just a little.”

Thud─!

The manager’s feelings were desperate.

That’s why he grabbed Wolf, who was turning coldly to leave.

How could he lose this rope he had caught?

He lit up his eyes pitifully, vowing to prepare a new method even if it meant taking risks.

“Hmm.”

And─

Wolf looked at the middle-aged man’s face and smiled shallowly.

He didn’t want to end it here either.

Hadn’t he vowed?

To put an end to the conflict with Yena during this joint training, to give her a humiliating result.

‘I must take revenge…’

For now, it was just a battle of wills to seize the initiative.

Therefore, Wolf met eyes again with the manager who looked very urgent, and immediately wiped off his smile and opened his mouth.

“I’ll give you one day.”

It was a decision made because there were about 24 hours left until entering the facility for training.

He couldn’t give any more leeway.

Once they entered the building for education, it would be difficult to meet the manager, so he had to solve the current problem within that time.

“Eh, eh?”

“If that’s too short, let’s call it off. Of course, keep the advance payment for your efforts. The promised amount would just evaporate, though.”

The manager blinked blankly.

As if he had heard wrong.

How could he possibly find a solution in just one day?

“Ha, haha. No! Of course I can solve it within that time. I’ll contact you immediately in the evening!”

But he had no choice but to accept the proposal reluctantly.

He was in no position to refuse.

It had taken a long time and considerable risk just to tamper with the diving equipment, so what could he do…

You might think.

But that wasn’t Wolf’s concern.

If he said he couldn’t do it, it would be disappointing and irritating, but they could just pretend the deal never happened.

However, since the manager had accepted,

“That’s a good attitude.”

For now, he responded with a smile and extended his hand.

It wasn’t too late to judge and decide on the results the manager would bring.

Just wait leisurely─

For this guy to bring results.

“Th-Then I’ll do my best!”

“Haha, yes.”

Wolf shook hands with the manager like that.

“Then I’ll be going!”

“I hope we can talk with smiling faces when we meet again.”

“Hehe, of course! Take care!”

─When the manager had left,

“…It’s still dirty after all.”

He wiped his hand on his clothes.

No matter that he was a nobleman, he thought of that person, who was of a different class from himself, as filth.

---

“Are you really okay?”

“Yes.”

“I, I was really worried…”

Erika followed with quick steps.

To the infirmary.

“Let’s go now.”

“Okay!”

And I led her out of the infirmary.

Finally, the treatment was over.

There was no reason to stay here anymore, since the wounds all over my body, including hands and feet, that I got while breaking the equipment had been sufficiently treated.

“Then we’ll be going.”

“Alright, don’t get hurt next time.”

I had a final conversation with the doctor and left the room.

Then headed outside the building.

Click─! Click─!

Meanwhile, I maintained light footsteps.

Unlike during Gartel’s class earlier, there was no need to move modestly due to the torn diving suit and visible bare skin.

“Anyway, thanks for bringing me clothes.”

“Hehe, it’s nothing…”

Because Erika had brought me a uniform.

Thanks to that, I had changed all my clothes long ago.

I had already returned the coat to Gartel too.

Now,

There was nothing to be concerned about.

Creak─!

So I walked with overflowing confidence until the moment I came out.

“It’s already early evening.”

“Yeah, Yena’s treatment took really long…”

When we met the outdoors like that, I muttered in a soft voice.

The sun was already setting.

The clear sky was gone, and a deep crimson sunset was spread over the Sevirpol training grounds.

It’s still pretty though.

It’s quite a different scenery from the military academy.

Brighter and warmer.

It made sense since it was relatively more to the east than the Astrakhan region, and right below was the Middle East.

“Well, I’ll be going now.”

“Hm? Aren’t you going to the dormitory, Yena?”

I soon took my eyes off the sky.

Then I greeted Erika while meeting her eyes.

“I have something else to do.”

“Mmm, I guess I’ll have to train alone today…”

Her bright eyes dimmed.

Just then the wind died down, and her sky-blue hair that had been fluttering settled.

It was a very different reaction compared to before when she would be terrified at the mere mention of sparring. I calmly grasped Erika’s shoulders.

“Anyway, I won’t forget your help today.”

“Hehe, if Yena says so…”

Then Erika’s expression brightened as if nothing had happened.

She’s really easy to handle after all.

No matter how disappointed she looked, just one word of encouragement like this made her regain her cheerfulness.

Of course,

The words of thanks just now were sincere.

Who else would stay with me for hours and take care of me?

I intended to properly repay Erika’s kindness someday.

Just like the commitment I had made to Gartel.

“Well, I’ll be going.”

“Okay! See you tomorrow, Yena!”

Trudge─ Trudge─

Finally, Erika left.

There was no more presence felt.

Only the dusk settling around and the sunset light making my body languid were welcoming me.

“No, there’s one more person.”

I stopped moving and didn’t turn my head.

Even without looking, I could tell someone was behind me.

A familiar aura was wafting.

At first it was an invisible force that made my whole body shiver and my heart pound, but now something familiar─

Came flying on the air from behind.

And I knew the owner of that power.

How could I not?

I had even met her directly the day before.

…It’s about time I caught her.

Helena.

Finally, now, I planned to meet her not as Rina’s lady-in-waiting, but as a tail.

It was time to uncover it.

One day remained.

There was no more time to delay.

There were 24 hours left until entering the facility for training, and within that time I had to somehow end things with that woman.

And then we should have an honest conversation.

That’s why I sent Erika away.

To execute the plan of throwing bait to Helena.

I knew the geography of this place completely.

Which meant─

It was possible to arrive at the desired area by moving here and there with her, who was eagerly following me from over there.

How attractive an advantage this was.

I intended to give it my all, wanting to shake off that fly-like lady-in-waiting now.

“Shall I start moving?”

I firmly made up my mind.

No more hesitation.

Thud─!

So I moved my feet.

Looking forward to the time─

When I would face Helena directly.

---

She keeps moving even after coming to the training grounds.

That had been a long-held belief and determination.

Shouldn’t she uncover Yena’s secret?

‘She had an accident today.’

That’s why she didn’t miss even the smallest detail.

She had already requested her subordinates to dig up detailed information about it.

It might have been just a random incident, but from the position of not wanting to miss even a tiny piece of information, she couldn’t just let it pass.

For the sake of the Princess too.

Of course, she herself didn’t rest either.

Wasn’t she following Yena like this?

‘She’s heading somewhere alone…’

Helena clenched her fist as she watched the girl.

She would absolutely not let her slip away.

She couldn’t suffer the humiliation and insults from the military academy even after coming here.

Therefore,

She moved with sharp eyes.

Tap─!

To uncover that child’s secret.

And to recover her wounded pride.

“Hup!”

Helena quietly followed Yena, leaping between buildings.