episode_0131

“If you keep going like this, you’ll lose. Not just to the Demon King, but to the other three as well.”

“What do you mean?”

“Exactly what I said. I’m giving you advice, aren’t I? I promised to start paying proper attention to you from now on. Besides, things with the other three have settled down for the moment.”

Chris will go about his usual school life as normal, and Cecilia will likely stay quiet for a while, given the mess she’s made. As for Elia, leaving things to her rather than interfering would probably yield better results.

What’s left for me is writing the newspaper and establishing a basic distribution network for it—and in that process, having Lucilla around is nothing but an advantage.

“I’d like you to explain what you mean by me losing.”

“I’m saying this after watching your swordsmanship. There might not be anyone in this academy or even the entire Empire who can beat you right now. But if you keep going like this, you’ll definitely lose to Chris and the other two. And to the Demon King’s subordinates, who are even stronger than them.”

“……”

“I’m sorry I never gave you any advice until now. You were always the quietest, so I trusted you. I thought you’d figure things out on your own. But I was wrong.”

Swish—

The sword in Lucilla’s hand was suddenly at my throat before I could even react.

Of course, I couldn’t do a thing.

“It’s not that I don’t trust your words. It’s me who foolishly doubted your prophecy and acted recklessly. I know full well I have no right to do so. But even so… I can’t just let what you said slide.”

“I know. Frankly, it’d be weirder if you weren’t angry.”

It’s practically the same as having your entire life dismissed. And hearing that from someone whose swordsmanship is laughable compared to yours? Of course you’d be furious.

If Lucilla had just accepted my advice without question, that would’ve been far more dangerous.

It would mean she’s given up on thinking for herself and is relying entirely on me.

But there’s still hope.

“Still, it’s the truth. I’ll explain in detail, so first, put the sword away.”

“Fine.”

Lucilla withdrew her sword from my neck and drove it deep into the ground.

“From now on, if your sword breaks, just grab another one from any training hall. Most of the equipment here is funded by the noble families anyway, so taking a sword or two won’t cause any trouble.”

“I have no desire to exploit your or Chris’s influence for privileges. Even now, I only went along with it because Eric insisted.”

“How many times do I have to say it? You’re the Hero. Have some confidence! Be shameless. If you ever truly step out of line, I’ll stop you before it goes too far.”

“Even if you say that…”

“You said you trusted me, didn’t you? I didn’t choose you just because of the prophecy—I saw your skill and your resolve. If you doubt me now, it’s not just me you’re rejecting, but yourself too. Or what, do you want me to regret choosing you? If that’s the case, then I’d have to give you a passing grade for effort.”

At my words, Lucilla stammered in a fluster.

“Th-that’s not my intention at all! Believe me. I don’t doubt Eric’s words.”

“Good. That’s a relief.”

I reassured the panicked Lucilla and glanced out the window. It was already late, but thanks to the incident in Training Hall 3, the outside was completely dark.

“So, what were you planning to do now?”

“What do you mean?”

“You’re not just going to keep training here, are you? I have something in mind, but it shouldn’t interfere with your schedule. How were you planning to spend the rest of the day? Looks like you haven’t even had dinner yet.”

“Dinner isn’t an issue. I have a place where I take care of that.”

“A place where you take care of it?”

“The Imperial Knights.”

“What?”

“I said, the Imperial Knights.”

“No, I heard you. That’s not why I asked.”

“Hm?”

Lucilla looked confused, so I rephrased my question.

“What does the Imperial Knights have to do with your dinner?”

“I go there to train with them and eat the leftover portions of their meals. The Imperial Knights always prepare more than enough, so there’s always plenty for me.”

“So… you’re saying you go to the imperial palace every day to get free meals?”

“Correct.”

“And no one’s ever said anything about it?”

“At first, the knights were as dismissive of me as the students in Training Hall 3. But after seeing me wield a sword, they gradually accepted me.”

“Ah, well…”

The Imperial Knights are on a completely different level from academy students—not just in skill, but in flexibility of thought.

“Those knights probably figured you out the moment they saw your sword.”

Unlike the academy students, who are still trapped in stereotypes and prejudice, the knights seek strength wherever they can find it. If they let their pride as knights make them complacent or slack in their training, they’d be left behind in an instant.

“True. Even Eric’s parents, Duke and Duchess Grave, are far from ordinary nobles coasting on their family’s reputation.”

“Calling them that would be an insult to those two.”

The Grave couple could’ve earned their titles even if they weren’t born into nobility.

“Black Star and the Storm… truly fitting epithets for them.”

“I’ve never seen you respect anyone like this before.”

“Of course. After I became the Hero—no, never mind.”

Lucilla caught herself before slipping up, but I could guess what she was about to say.

Those two are probably the only people in the Empire who could fight Lucilla on equal footing—even after she draws the Holy Sword and becomes the Hero.

“Well, anyway, I’m glad. It sounds like you get along well with the knights. Their training would definitely be good for you.”

“I don’t participate in their training. As an outsider, simply being allowed to join them is already a significant courtesy. Elia must be watching my back. She probably trusts Eric’s word as much as I do.”

“Then what do you do there?”

“Training. Unlike the academy’s training halls, the knights’ facilities are open all day. It’s the perfect place to train as much as I want before leaving.”

“What kind of training?”

“Haven’t you seen? Swordsmanship.”

“No, I mean, your training is just repetitive drills, isn’t it? You’re not learning new techniques or refining your movements, are you?”

Lucilla’s movements in the training hall were clean, efficient, and undeniably powerful—but that alone wasn’t enough.

“I don’t need to.”

“You don’t need to?”

Lucilla nodded.

“Swing the sword. Win. That’s all I need.”

“Sigh…”

Watching her say that so confidently, I let out a deep sigh. I’d expected this, but facing it directly was more shocking than I’d thought.

It’s a good thing I decided to take care of Lucilla now. If she’d still been thinking like this after drawing the Holy Sword, it would’ve been too late.

By then, no matter what I did, she’d be unbeatable.

“You need a teacher.”

“A teacher?”

“Yes. Someone who can give you systematic training tailored just for you—something the academy or the Imperial Knights can’t provide.”

“I said I don’t need one.”

“It’s not that I doubt your skill, but you—”

“I understand. But there’s no need to worry. I’m stronger than you think, Eric.”

As she spoke, Lucilla quietly channeled her mana.

A shiver ran down my spine at the sheer pressure of her aura. Now I understood why she was so confident.

The current Lucilla was nearly as strong as she’d been after drawing the Holy Sword in the previous timeline.

“The Holy Sword is just the final piece needed to defeat the Demon King. So please, trust me.”

“…No. That’s not enough.”

Lucilla’s growth was a pleasant surprise.

I never expected her to almost catch up to her past self with such brute-force training.

And the one who feels that power most keenly is none other than Lucilla herself.

But that’s exactly why I had to say it.

“I told you. As you are now, you can’t beat the Demon King.”

“You keep saying that. What exactly did you see in your prophecy?”

“I can’t tell you that, but I can show you proof.”

I picked up Lucilla’s sword from the ground and pointed its tip at her threateningly.

“This is…”

“A duel. Same rules as before. Understood?”

“One match. Fine.”

“Sorry, but for this duel, use one of the training hall’s swords. A true master doesn’t blame their tools, but those who aren’t masters should be even more careful about them.”

If things go according to plan, the moment Lucilla picks up a proper sword, she’s already lost.