It had been a week since Saeki had returned here to Greberg, accompanied by King Arthur.
　This is the former Aries Graysberg School.
　It has now been renamed the Holy Knight Training School and is used by apprentice holy knights who are aiming to join the "St. Gwynn's Order".

　And this is an indoor arena and training arena.
　It was there that a certain Holy Knight Apprentice was currently being trained by Holy Knight Captain Carlisle Grayberg in person.

'How many times do I have to tell you!　Don't handle your sword with your arms alone, you're not hip!

　Carlisle is a beautiful man with long golden hair.
　He's moderately tall and well-styled and muscular.

'I won't train in magic until I can do that.

　The woman in the audience cheered yellow every time he swung his sword, though it was impossible to tell what was emanating from his good-looking face and windblown hair.

'Hey, wait a minute!　Mr. Carlisle, I'm a wise man, okay?　Swords may be important, but I need to practice my magic as soon as possible! .........This is no way to beat Nito!

Saeki, there's no need to worry about it.

What?

"No one expects you to do anything. When did anyone ask you to kill Nito?　Is that what King Arthur said?

....

　That's right. The Holy Knight's Apprentice is Saeki.
　Saeki looked down in embarrassment at Carlisle's words.
　And that's when it happened.
　Suddenly, Carlisle appeared in front of Saeki, and he raised his sword in front of him and it was flicked off and sent him flying.

'Imprint in your head that you are dead once.

I'm sorry.

You can't let your guard down in front of an opponent who has drawn his sword. You won't be able to defeat Nito or even me like this. If you don't surpass me, you'll never be able to beat Nito. You talk about your dreams, but try the reality.

Excuse me.

It's a good idea to get a little motivation. It's a good thing that you are a misunderstood mage like yourself who thinks that magic is all that is needed. But on the battlefield, it's not all about long-distance combat. Everyone knows that a mage's weakness is close quarters combat. Everyone comes close for it. If we're going to use you as a discarded pawn like other countries' infantry, all you need to do is learn the magic arts. But you need to become a squad-level asset on your own. It's because I'm a gem, that's why King Arthur asked me to make you a member of his team. I'd like you to do a little of that for me.

I'm sorry.

'Huh ... sorry doesn't make me stronger. Saeki, for example, don't you think you can turn this noisy voice into a cheer for you?　Don't you think you can take this depressing miasma away from me?

"I don't know what to do...

　This is the kind of man Carlisle is.
　He has a bit of a difficult personality.
　Saeki already understands that. But he's still a holy knight chief.
　There is potential enough to be entrusted with the head, and Saeki recognized that.
　That's why he was so obedient.

　But as Carlisle, that's not good enough.
　I want Saeki to be more active.
　That's why I dare to make the training public on a regular basis.

''Certainly this country needs to change. The Holy Knight can be the first symbol of that. If the holy knights are raised and formed in the true sense of the word, the views of the nations will change. You can regain the trust of the people. But I won't let you and others take on that mission.

Mr. Carlisle I'm....

Why don't you go have some more fun?

...What?

　Saeki made a dumb face as if he was caught off guard.

''A mere seventeen years old, being a holy knight is ridiculous. Don't you think so?''

....

　Saeki is silent, not understanding the meaning of the question.

　It was Arthur who brought Saeki here in the first place.
　Of course, in his own way, he understood and accepted the invitation.
　I was also prepared to become a holy knight.
　Carlisle's words were a mockery of such a resolve on Saeki's part.

　But as Carlisle's expression gradually changed, the meaning of the conversation changed again.

'When I was seventeen, I would go to the town's brothel to play with my father when I told him I was going to train with the sword.

....

　What the hell is the Knight Commander in front of me trying to say? -- such a question came vaguely to Saeki's mind.

'You have more important things to do before your combat skills. You'll get licked if you keep looking at me like that, won't you?　They'll see right through you.

Eyes?　What do you mean by my eyes?

'What do you want to do in this country? Why do you want to be strong?

So to kill Nito.

You kill Nito, and then what? What will you do then?

And then....

It's simple. You have no reason to be. "You have no reason to be here, which means your resolve is empty. The real reason you are here is just a matter of course. You just followed the process, there is no will. I'm not going to be the only one who can do that. I'd rather choose an ordinary person than a brave one than the current you as a holy knight. I'm sure they have much better eyes than that.

　Why do you have to be told that?
　What does "good eye" mean?
　It seems that Saeki is lacking in something, but he can't think of anything to say in response and doesn't know why.

"Relax once, and then look around you. Saeki. Is this just another world to you guys?

....

'So all you see around you are otherworldly, and you're a brave man and I'm otherworldly?　Hmm?　What do you think?

I'm....

　What is Carlisle trying to say?
　What is Saeki lacking?
　Saeki felt as if he understood a little.

'I'm only human. Saeki, and so are you.'

　Carlisle said, turning his back on Saeki and leaving the training grounds.
　Yellow cheers echoed as they followed him, and the crowd disappeared out of the hall.

　Saeki was taken aback by such a scene and picked up the sword at his feet.
　Then he meets his own gaze reflected in the blade, but he deflects it and sheathes it.
　Then, looking around the training grounds, Saeki walks to the entrance of the venue with a sigh.
　At Saeki's back, a woman with her hands clasped together at her chest and her eyes like a maiden in love is in the audience.

　The golden hair that drapes over her shoulders is long, and I wonder if it's habitual enough to make it curly at the shoulders.
　The woman had dyed her lips with a red color that matched her white skin.
　She was as young as Saeki, dainty and beautiful.
　She was dressed lightly in dress-like clothes, but from her face and the fact that she had a servant behind her, she was probably not a commoner.
　She was a nobleman.

''Julius-sama, I think it's time for you to return,''

　Julius looks back at the servant's voice, half-heartedly.

'I want to stare at you. I don't know ... but I want to do that now.

....

　After a moment, Saeki disappeared.

'Alicia. Let's go then.

　For some reason Julius smiled from the side where he said that, and elegantly held his mouth with his hand.

''And yet, even though you've only been in our home for a short time, you've come to say it too.

I'm sorry.

Just kidding. Thanks for chaperoning. Then let's go.

　There was no further conversation between the two of them.
　It wouldn't be as close as they were.
　There still seemed to be a distance between the servant called Alicia and Julius.
　But it can't be helped. It was only recently that Alicia was hired as her bodyguard.

''What should someone like me do at a time like this?

Why don't you talk to him directly?

It wouldn't be hard for me to do that.

Well, I'll get Saeki-sama for you.

No!

　Julius turns around with a vigorous voice.

''I'm sorry ... but it's okay.''

....

Master Julius. I can see that Saeki-sama is looking for a partner to talk to at the moment.

What makes you think that?

You are one of the brave men summoned by former princess Aries. She is now on her own, separated from her friends who were summoned with her. You have decided to join the Order of St. Gwynn and come to this country.

I know, sir. But what is it?

'I don't train well, but I don't have friends to turn to. A mentally unstable man, somewhere along the line, is looking for a woman. Now would be a good time to do it.

'Is that true? Does Alicia really think so?

Yes, I'm sure. I am sure of it. The rest is up to you, Master Julius.

　Julius turns away and clasps his hands in front of his chest again, as if to make up his mind at those words.
　When he takes a few steps away from Alicia, his slightly nodding expression clears.

''My heart belongs to Saeki-sama.

　Why Julius is so passionate about Saeki, I don't know.
　I'm not sure if it's Saeki's brand as a "brave man" that makes me think so.
　The reason is that Saeki was not that unattractive.
　Rather, with the return of a brave man to Greiberg, there are many who come to peek at his training.
　Most of them were women.
　Most of them were for Carlisle's purposes, and there was no shortage of eyes on Saeki.

　But that day, Julius didn't talk to Saeki.
　She still didn't have the courage to do so.



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　The Feingold family is a noble family that has been in the service of Greberg for ages.
　Julius was the only daughter, and currently, for some reason, Alicia was her servant here, taking care of her personal affairs.

　Such was Alicia, but she was now away from Julius and strolling through the garden that faced the grounds alone.
　A luxurious garden surrounded by several flower beds.
　There was a fountain around the area and the sound of water bouncing around could be heard.
　But Alicia didn't even look at the beautiful fountain.

'Fine gold?　What's that?'

"He appears to be a nobleman in the service of the state.

I see. So, this family's daughter has a crush on him, huh?

"Yes.

'Huh ... that's a masterpiece. It makes me laugh. But it's a good sign. Alicia, can you bring them together?

Of course.

So do it. This will be a good opportunity for him. It's a happy meeting.

A cunning laugh echoed in Alicia's head.

'And I want to make sure of one thing. I've received word from my compatriots who have been sneaking into Fischanatika. I heard that a demon tribe appeared and kidnapped four brave men.

You're looking for a brave soul?

Yeah. But I know where to look. And now that Cassandra is dead, the only person who could do this is Ignotus.

"Lagoparos is it safe for me to be here? If you must, I will leave the mission at once.

"Don't worry. I've decided to do the rest on my own. It's possible he'll show up in the Greybergs. Be wary. If you run into him, abandon your mission and return home. There's no need to get involved with the demons.

...Okay.

Okay, let's keep going.

"Yes.

Alicia finished her telepathic conversation with Amadeus.
Then she suddenly looked up at the sky.

''Alicia!''

　Then I saw Julius.

'Yes!'

There you are. Would you mind keeping me company for a few minutes to do some shopping?

Yes, of course.

　Alicia in her human form, not even a shadow of her nine-tailed face.
　She softly smiled a natural fake smile and ran to Julius, her current master.