IBDFSML Chapter 37

Ulrich Thurman silently stared at the sword blade that had stopped just beneath his chin.

"Hmm..."

Then, with eyes full of interest, he glanced at Sion’s face, and then at me, the source of the earlier blinding glare. A sly smile crept up on his lips.

"A variable born from the overwhelming difference in experience. I pushed hard because I was curious how you’d respond to it."

"......"

"A combination of natural instinct, talent, and... just a hint of luck, I suppose."

Ulrich Thurman sheathed his sword and stepped back. Then he grinned broadly.

"I accept the outcome of this duel. Congratulations on passing the First Order’s entrance trial, Young Lord."

"……!"

"……!!"

I let out a cheer in my heart.

You did it, Sion!!!

Sion silently slid his sword back into its scabbard and spoke.

"That was an excellent duel."

Then, looking down at me, who was grinning foolishly from within the folds of my collar, like one would look at a disobedient puppy, he let out a sigh.

"Deputy Commander Thurman, you’re right. If luck hadn’t been on my side, I wouldn’t have won this match."

"Unpredictable variables are always the most frightening. Like a great general on the battlefield struck down by a stray arrow."

Ulrich Thurman began gathering and putting on the tunic he’d taken off earlier.

"Well then, since you’ve safely passed the trial, we’ll proceed with the formal induction process."

"Does this mean I’ll be leaving with you for the borderlands right away?"

At Sion’s calm question, Ulrich let out a hearty laugh.

"Oh no, even we aren’t that heartless."

"……."

"Once you head to the borderlands, you won’t be able to return to the grand castle for at least half a year. I’ll leave that fellow Diene here, so take your time to prepare and have her guide you. I’ll go ahead and wait for you there."

"...I’ll do that."

"Then, I’ll take my leave."

After paying his respects to Sion, Ulrich Thurman left the training ground.

***

"Wow! Really?"

"Uh-huh, I’m telling you the truth!"

I reenacted Sion’s duel from earlier that day, waving my arms through the air.

"You saw that Deputy Commander knight, right? That monster was at least two or three times bigger than Sion, but Sion just! Blocked his sword like this! Whoosh! Whoosh!"

As I swung my teaspoon around like a sword, Elda’s eyes sparkled, and she cheered in excitement.

“Wow!”

“I’m telling you, he couldn’t even put up a fight before collapsing with a thud~!”

“You’re amazing, Young Lord!”

Elda, completely taken in by my tale, which, admittedly, was about 5% exaggerated, looked over at Sion with a flushed, excited face.

“…….”

At that moment, Sion was seated at a desk, focused on reviewing the enlistment documents that had just been handed over.

Garen, standing nearby in Sion’s place, laughed heartily and said.

“Ms. Lin speaks the truth. In all my years as a knight, that duel was one of the most impressive I’ve ever witnessed.”

Hearing him mention all his years, I tilted my head and asked out of curiosity.

“Come to think of it, Garen, how old are you?”

Up until now, Garen’s presence had been overshadowed by Sion, but actually, compared to the rough and rugged knights around, Garen was rather youthful and pleasant-looking.

“I turned thirty-one this year.”

“…Whoa.”

What the-, he’s older than me?

Now that I thought about it, he also seemed to have quite the history with Diene Schuto, who would soon be Sion’s senior in the Order.

I set down the teaspoon and, clutching a small cookie, floated over to Sion’s desk.

Then, as Sion kept his gaze fixed on the documents, I popped the cookie into his mouth and said.

“Make sure to keep your sugar levels up, Sion.”

Sion instinctively opened his mouth and accepted the cookie, but then froze, clearly realizing what he’d just done.

Pfft, how cute.

Smiling in satisfaction, I turned my attention back to Garen.

“So, Sir Garen, a thirty-one-year-old knight, I have something to ask you. What’s the deal between you and Diene Schuto?”

“…Pardon?”

At my sudden ambush of a question, Garen’s face visibly stiffened.

Oh dear. I guess she dumped him.

Not that I was all that curious about Garen’s romantic past. But with Sion heading to the borderlands soon, the only people I knew there were Ulrich Thurman and Diene Schuto. I was hoping that maybe I could use Garen’s connection with Diene in a positive way somehow.

And honestly, I was just a bit curious how badly he must’ve been rejected to react like that every time.

“…Why do you ask something like that out of the blue?”

“I can just tell. You two had something in the past, right? Just be honest with me.”

“…H-how did you-”

I clicked my tongue and said.

“It’s obvious. Whatever history you two have, either tie it up cleanly or start fresh. Seriously, it’s distracting to watch.”

After a moment of silence at my advice, Garen finally spoke with a somber expression I’d never seen from him before.

“…Actually, we were engaged to be married.”

…Oh shit.

Turned out it was far more serious than I had expected.

I unfolded my arms and softened my tone.

“I see… What happened? Why did you break it off?”

“…For various reasons.”

“That must’ve been hard on you.”

“…It was hard for me back then.”

Garen gave a bittersweet smile, his gaze growing distant as he stared into space.

It seemed clear that the broken engagement had been due to some unavoidable external factor. Judging by everything I’d seen so far, Diene’s demeanor, Garen’s pitiful expression, it was obvious they still had feelings for each other.

Hmm. Good. This isn’t bad at all.

If Diene Schuto, who had a strong presence in the First Order, got back together with Garen, that connection would naturally become part of Sion’s network of allies as well.

I stole a glance at Sion and asked.

“Sion, are you planning to take Garen with you to the borderlands?”

At my question, Sion’s gaze, which had been fixed on the documents the entire time, shifted smoothly toward me.

“That’s the plan. Why do you ask?”

“Oh, great, great!”

I shot Garen a triumphant smile.

Your failed love life... I’ll put it to good use, Garen.

A plan where everyone could benefit, a win for all sides.

But then I suddenly felt a heavy gaze on me. I turned, and sure enough, Sion was looking down at me in silence.

“…? What’s wrong, Sion?”

“…….”

After a moment of silence, Sion asked in a low voice.

“You seem quite curious about Garen.”

“Huh? Oh, well, I guess I got interested in his love life and all.”

“And why the sudden interest?”

“Huh? That’s, um…”

I almost blurted out Because I need to use it, but catching a glimpse of Garen’s downcast face, I decided to exercise some tact.

He looks so pitiful… Let’s not say that out loud.

“Hmm, just curiosity, I guess? The whim of a capricious fairy, maybe?”

“…….”

Something about my answer seemed off to Sion, and his pale blue-gray eyes darkened a little.

I tilted my head in puzzlement.

“Why? What is it, Sion?”

“…It’s nothing.”

Sion turned his gaze back to the documents without another word.

“……?”

…What’s that about?

I scratched my cheek, feeling a bit awkward. And somehow, Sion’s expression seemed even more unreadable than before, which bugged me enough that I drifted closer to the documents he was signing.

- “Knight Conferment Ceremony – omitted.

Schedule Coordination – omitted.

Route Plan to the Northernmost Outpost – omitted.

Support Personnel Assignment – to be arranged at own discretion.”

A few days later, they were reviewing the plans related to the expedition to the borderlands.

I pointed to a line that read 'Knight Conferment Ceremony' and asked.

“A knight conferment ceremony? There’s something like that?”

“…It’s as meaningless and outdated a tradition as the winter coming-of-age ceremony. Don’t bother with it.”

Sion gently pushed me aside with his finger, then drew a bold line through the conferment ceremony and several other items on the list without hesitation.

“Ah!”

“Such things are for people with too much time on their hands. Rather than wasting time and energy on these empty formalities, it’s far more efficient to head to the northernmost outpost even a day sooner.”

“That’s true, Young Lord. Thankfully, with the cooperation of the elders and retainers, we’ve managed to simplify many of the administrative procedures. If all goes well, we could depart in as little as three days.”

“That’s probably thanks to the Grand Duchess’s influence, she’s eager to see us leave the grand castle.”

Sion’s comment was most likely true.

After Sion’s acceptance into the First Order was confirmed and he officially expressed his intent to go on the northern expedition, rumors spread quickly that the Grand Duchess’s mood had improved remarkably.

“But I heard that some retainers voiced their concerns. With the Grand Prince’s whereabouts still unknown, they’re understandably worried about sending the remaining heir, our Young Lord, to the front lines as well.”

“Right. Thanks to them, that’s probably why this document ended up with that pointless ‘one-year limited expedition’ condition attached.”

Sion clicked his tongue, clearly annoyed. Then he turned to me.

“Lin, the expedition period may officially be listed as one year, but in reality, it could end up lasting far longer. Does that change how you feel about it?”

I planted my hands on my hips and declared.

“Of course not! Whether it’s one year or ten, if Sion’s going, I’m going too, no matter what!”

No matter how cold or dangerous the borderlands might be, compared to a place without my beloved, it’d be heaven.

At my resolute answer, Sion silently gazed at me.

Hmm?

Was it just my imagination, or did his usually impassive face seem just a little gentler than before?

Ah, I bet he feels relieved knowing I’m coming with him.

But in truth, there was one more reassuring factor for Sion.

After all, we have Genevia.

I grinned triumphantly and looked around the room for the curly-haired beauty.

But...

“…Huh?”