episode_0328

After about two hours had passed since Ethan and I entered the training ground for our duel, I took a brief rest, massaging my sore arm after facing off against Ethan since morning.

Just to clarify, my participation in the duel with Ethan was entirely voluntary on my part. He didn’t force me into it.

On a weekday morning, the academy training ground was nearly empty. Unless you were a student like me or Ethan who had a “research break,” most students would be in class. Even those with free periods would usually hesitate to make the trek to the training ground for a short sparring session.

Of course, there were students in situations similar to mine and Ethan’s who sought out sparring partners, but narrowing down the pool to those who could hold their own against a sword expert like Ethan meant the options were limited.

So, the fact that I could spar with Ethan for a few rounds in the morning was just that – sparring. It didn’t hold any deeper meaning. It wasn’t like Ethan was taking out his frustrations on me after his defeat to Harold yesterday or anything like that.

“Enduring constant sword strikes alone is bound to be tiring.”

Even after just two hours of exchanging blows, I could already feel my limits being tested.

Watching Ethan wield his sword against opponents of similar skill every week and seeing Harold spar with students like me multiple times a day made me realize how impressive they were.

Well, if I want to keep up, I’ll have to put in more effort. As Ethan’s exclusive maid.

“I’ve rested enough. Let’s resume the duel, Master Ethan.”

“…You should rest a bit longer, Lillis.”

“No. Resting more here will only loosen my muscles and make me sluggish. So, I’ll continue with the duel, Master Ethan.”

“If Lillis insists, then I suppose I can’t stop you…”

With an unwilling expression, Ethan raised his sword again to continue our duel.

Feeling a bit tense myself, I stood before him with my sword, but just then, two familiar voices echoed from the entrance of the training ground.

“Let’s have another match today, Karaam, senior!”

“Exactly! You have to work up a sweat before meals! Thanks for sparring with me again, Liria!”

Ah, those two again.

“If it’s a duel between Karaam and me, I could ask for it a hundred or a thousand times over!”

“Absolutely! Even if I have only one ounce of strength left, I won’t fall until the very end when sparring with Liria!”

“Karaam!”

“Liria!”

-Crash!!

“…”

“…”

It’s been a while since I’ve seen those foolish lovebirds.

Even when separated, the two noisy individuals stuck together like glue, creating a racket akin to a steam locomotive.

Engaging in incomprehensible conversations and ending up in a deep embrace without any context, the muscle-brained couple was beyond understanding. But it didn’t matter to me. I already found it a bit challenging to fend off Ethan’s sword alone.

Perhaps sparring with Ethan, whose skill level was similar to mine, would be better than dealing with Liria, who clung to Karaam every day. Liria could probably help me improve my skills more than Karaam.

“Did Master Karaam also come for a duel?”

“Oh, Lillis, what a coincidence to see you here!”

“Lillis, did you enjoy your vacation?”

The banter continued as I prepared to resume the duel with Ethan.

Exclamation marks aside, it would be better to speak. If possible, both of them.

Even though the noise of their conversation felt like it could pierce both of their ears just by being close to each other, right now, patience was necessary.

“Lord Kahram, and Lady Liria. If you don’t mind, would you be willing to join me and Lord Edan for a swordsmanship duel?”

The help of these two individuals was essential for finding a “suitable sparring partner” for Edan and me.

⁎ ⁎ ⁎

Another hour passed from the moment Kahram and Liria joined Edan and me for our duel.

After finishing my duel with Liria, I quietly rested against one of the walls of the dueling arena, where Edan and Kahram’s duel was clearly visible.

“Senior Rilis! Here’s some cool water!”

“I didn’t ask for it…?”

“Did I offend you in some way?!”

“Oh, no. I just wanted to say thank you…”

“I truly appreciate it, Senior Rilis!”

…Liria, who had already shown respect towards me by allowing a path for Kahram and her romantic relationship, was now showing even more respect. Although she was usually loud, today she seemed particularly energetic. It was easy to deduce that something pleasant had happened during the winter break.

“Did something good happen, Lady Liria?”

“Oh, did I make it too obvious?”

“It’s not that obvious, but you seem more lively than usual.”

“I see… This is the first time since Senior Rijie…”

…Hmm.

Seeing her already calling Rijie a senior, it seemed like she had visited the Auguste Mansion during the winter break. Or maybe Kahram had visited the Northeastern Great Plains.

Whether they had a casual meeting or were already preparing for an engagement, it seemed like Kahram and Liria’s actions had already progressed to a certain extent.

“No, it’s not related to your seductive skills.”

I had just teased her, but it seemed like they were already living together in the same space at the academy.

Even though they were not nobles fitting for the lower-ranking Baek family, let alone nobles, they were commoners, and barbarians at that. The fact that the conversation had already reached that point indicated that Kahram and his family were quite fond of them.

“Actually, I visited Senior Kahram’s mansion during this winter break!”

“I had a feeling you did.”

“I was completely surprised! How can one mansion be as big as our Barbarcus village, and there were so many… mermaids? similar to Senior Rilis!”

“They’re not mermaids, they’re maids.”

“And there were these strange inverted lamps hanging all over the house, the biggest one was almost…”

“….”

…Some were still troubled by the fact that Edan and I would have to part ways in two years, while others were blissfully ignorant and excited.

Judging by her reaction, Liria seemed to have had an enjoyable winter break, but there was also a possibility that while she thought she was being accepted, the Auguste family might not view her favorably.

It was hard to imagine the prestigious Baek family of Auguste easily accepting a barbarian from the Northeast as their son’s marriage partner.

Liria, being a muscle-brained fool, may not fully understand the words spoken by the members of the Auguste family when they turn to her, and she may just be under the illusion that she was allowed to visit the Auguste mansion.

“What did the family of General Kahram say?”

“Oh, my mother told me that the wife of the general came in and said that now she can relax!”

…At least her mother’s side seems to approve.

“…That’s good. What about your father?”

“He didn’t say anything special to me, but every time we went out to the western monster border while staying at the Auguste mansion, he always called me and Senior Kahram!”

…If Liria’s words are true, then it means that her father also seems to like her, at least for now.

“And your sister… what did Miss Liji say?”

“She pointed to Senior Kahram and said, ‘That muscle-brained fool is someone you can’t handle unless you’re like him, so don’t mess with him.’!”

…A typical evaluation from Liji. Well, honestly, I completely agree with that opinion.

In the original work, Liria, who did not end up with the protagonist and instead ended up marrying someone else, was forced into a marriage that was more like a forced marriage due to the fact that the daughter of Chief Babarakus had to get married.

In this way, while loving each other sincerely and being a perfect match, Liria and Kahram were probably the only ones for each other.

In the original work, they were each a fallen character as the sub-heroine and villain, so it was impossible for them to continue, but still.

Although it was the result I created, looking at it now, they were definitely characters that fit well together.

“I’ve become a fool for asking about this and that, hoping it wouldn’t work out.”

What does it matter if the characters in the game I dedicated my life to have a happy ending? It’s good if people who get along well can live happily, right?

It was a pathetic moment when I wished for Liria and Kahram not to work out. Yes, I should make sure that the rest of the sub-heroines also find proper partners so that girls like Liria can smile in the future…

“By the way, Senior Kahram is definitely something else! Even this morning, you were so vigorous in bed, and you can still move like that!”

“…What?”

“Actually, due to the sudden gust of wind that attacked me from last night… even when you moved to the point of almost lifting my body with those thick arms, you’re still so healthy, truly amazing stamina…”

“Get up, Liria! Let’s spar right now!”

“…Senior Lilith? Why all of a sudden?”

“Stop talking nonsense and let’s spar quickly! And get that mouth of yours shut… well, anyway, grab a sword quickly!”

With a momentary burst of energy, the sparring that I proposed to Liria ended somehow that day.

…My mind was restless, and perhaps due to the consecutive sparring with Edan, I was exhausted, but in the end, I lost.