episode_0048

“Hmm.”

“What, got nothing more to say?”

“Of course not. I’m just thinking. About how to make you back down willingly.”

The quarrel between Kristin and Cecilia.

It was trivial—no, downright petty compared to their current positions. Yet, the wretchedness of this fight lay in the fact that it was no mere competition.

After all, no one in the current hero’s party had the shamelessness to stand proudly beside Eric.

Thus, whether it was Kristin’s talk of discipline or Cecilia’s emphasis on seniority, in the end, it was nothing more than a contest to see who could grovel at Eric’s feet.

Neither love nor even the dregs of affection—this was the pitiful state they were in, scrambling for the faintest scrap of his attention.

Cecilia continued speaking.

“We were discussing combat training, weren’t we? Shall we continue?”

“Fine.”

Kristin flicked her fingers in irritation.

“Ugh… this is so tedious. Having to do this every time we talk about this nonsense.”

“Then why not dispel the barrier right now and announce that you’re from the future? I’m sure the inquisitors would love to hear that.”

“I’ll pass. Anyway, I was the first to complete combat training and get the academy’s extermination permit!”

“But it wasn’t a perfect completion, was it?”

“Huh?”

“Being only capable of combat doesn’t make you a full-fledged member, does it? I was the first to complete all of the academy’s curricula. And don’t you think even that is laughable?”

“What is?”

“Arguing over who finished first. Eliana and you are one thing, but Luciella took months to earn the Holy Sword’s recognition. Does that mean you or I are stronger than her?”

“Th-that’s…”

Kristin couldn’t bring herself to say it. As her comrade, she knew better than anyone the terrifying strength Luciella had displayed time and again in hellish battlefields.

Low-tier demons would be torn apart by the mere shockwave of her charge, and only high-tier demons could even pretend to fight her.

In fact, before the Demon King took the field, the Allied Forces’ victory had been all but assured.

“Who got to the frontlines first isn’t what matters.”

“But I’m still stronger than you.”

Kristin slowly gathered mana into her hand.

“Isn’t that just the difference between a frontline fighter and a rear support?”

“But still—!”

Just as Eric had predicted, the two were still just girls at heart—and coincidentally, neither could stand losing. Or rather, they could yield in anything except when it came to Eric.

Naturally, their loud argument began drawing a crowd.

“Kristin. Look around for a second.”

“Huh? Oh…”

At Cecilia’s words, Kristin turned her head and scanned their surroundings.

“W-well, I don’t know what’s going on, but young ladies like you shouldn’t be fighting so roughly.”

“Exactly. You look like academy students—aren’t you ashamed of yourselves?”

Though the barrier distorted their conversation to bystanders, the sheer volume of their argument had drawn enough attention. Realizing this, both their faces flushed red with embarrassment.

“S-sorry.”

“My apologies…”

“I don’t know what you’re fighting about, but friends shouldn’t quarrel like this. Especially if you’re academy students—you ought to be several times smarter than folks like us.”

An elderly man gently chided them.

“If you’re at a loss, why not share a meal? It might not compare to what the academy’s elites eat, but the restaurants here are quite proud of their flavors.”

“Hear, hear!”

“Eat well and spread the word for us!”

The crowd that had been mediating their fight now enthusiastically began promoting their own establishments.

“Kristin. This is…”

“Indeed. I suppose we’ve become today’s prime targets for solicitation.”

“Ugh. We should’ve kept our fight more discreet.”

While most of their income came from commoners frequenting the shopping district, it paled in comparison to capturing the palate of a single noble.

No matter how frugal nobles tried to be, their spending still far exceeded that of commoners.

Thus, the shops here were less concerned with attracting general customers and more focused on how to retain the nobles who visited.

Nobles were as finicky in their tastes as they were free with their coin.

If a shop failed to impress, they’d never return—and the more ill-tempered nobles might even cause a scene.

Moreover, this shopping district catered to the academy, where the children of the most powerful figures gathered.

The competition was fierce by necessity.

“Our restaurant has—”

“What nonsense! Our desserts are perfect for young ladies like you—”

“We have—!”

“Enough!”

Kristin silenced the clamoring crowd.

“Cecilia. I just had a brilliant idea. What do you think?”

“Hm?”

“It’s the perfect chance to settle who’s superior. Here’s a hint: the answer lies in this very place.”

“Oh… Ah! You mean…?”

“Exactly. We get a meal and a competition. Perfect, right?”

“Agreed.”

As the two nodded in mutual understanding, a brave soul dared to ask,

“Um… what are you two talking about?”

“Steak.”

“Pardon?”

“All shop owners who pride themselves on serving the best steak, raise your hands.”

“Steak, you say…?”

“That’s right. I’ll personally recommend the best one to Lady Kristin.”

At the mention of that name, the entire shopping district buzzed.

“Kristin? As in House Grave’s—?”

“Of course. I’m the seventh-ranked member of her guard. Recommending a lunch spot is well within my purview.”

“Oho!”

Whether her claim was true or not didn’t matter. What did was that Kristin had all but declared herself their customer.

“Heh. In that case—”

Cecilia quietly raised her hand, and the second round between them began.

“One slice of steak each. Serve us the most exquisite bite you can offer.”

Had Eric seen this, he’d have fainted at their audacity—but the crowd dispersed in a frenzy, rushing back to their shops.

Of course, those who didn’t serve steak could only trudge away dejectedly.

Such was the importance of academy students in this district.

Under normal circumstances, neither Cecilia nor Kristin would flaunt their status like this. But the fact that this was for Eric shattered the limits of their restraint.

Soon after, the two slowly walked past the shop owners, each holding out their plates.

“Next.”

“Next, please.”

“This won’t do.”

“Next, are you ready?”

Lost in their tasting, they even forgot to act, ruthlessly rating each steak at a terrifying pace.

The chefs, overwhelmed by the two who had started from opposite ends and methodically worked their way through, could only tremble as they presented their dishes.

“Ah, this seasoning. Oppa would like it.”

“Hmm… slightly burnt? Might be too bitter for Eric…”

Cecilia, with her noble upbringing, had sampled every delicacy imaginable and could discern the finest nuances between steaks. Kristin, having lived as a commoner, shared Eric’s palate.

Before long, the two crossed paths again.

“Why don’t you step aside?”

“No. I chose this place.”

“There are several shops with better flavor. If you’re fine with it, I’ll concede this round—”

“No. I’ll concede. I’ll back down. So this time, you—”

Their eyes locked onto a flyer plastered on the shop’s wall.

The shop itself was neither large nor lavish, but the flyer’s contents were what mattered.

Inside, several couples were already feeding each other, their affection on full display.

Rather than attracting a broad crowd, the shop focused on securing a specific clientele, crafting an undeniably romantic atmosphere.

“How vile. Flaunting it like that.”

“Truly. What are the single patrons supposed to do?”

“No matter how rich you are, you can’t buy a lover. If anything, it’s clever.”

Though the couples weren’t all dressed lavishly, their warmth made them objects of envy for the loveless.

In a way, it was marketing designed to provoke jealousy.

And among those writhing in that jealousy were Kristin and Cecilia.

“Kristin.”

“No need to say it. I know exactly what you’re thinking.”

“Hehe. Who knew we’d see eye-to-eye here of all places?”

“Sigh… We’ll have to settle this another way. They’d never let us in like this…”

“You think you can keep up with me in a race?”

“We trained under the same people—Luciella included. Don’t act like you’re so much fitter than me.”

“One, two—”

“Three!”

Two figures sprinted toward the Grave estate.