Volume 6 Chapter 2, Part 2 Waiting for Spring
Catherine talks about Wayne's achievements in that dungeon training.
As the vanguard of the second squad, he led the team to the fifth floor, even in a situation with almost no reserves.
"Oh. Wayne is doing well, huh?"
Airen nodded happily and murmured, "I see. The fifth floor..."
"Wait, the fifth floor?!"
She suddenly raised his voice.
Ignoring the 3 who were surprised, an excited Airen pressed Catherine, "Did you really go to the fifth floor of that dungeon?"
"Y-yes. We defeated the boss at the deepest part of the fifth floor──"
"The boss?!"
Airen's surprise was unending.
But for Randy and the others, it was an excitement that made them tilt their heads.
"Was it really that amazing?"
To Liz, who tilted her head, Airen smiled and said, "I wonder..."
"In my generation, with Cedric and Miranda, the middle of the fifth floor was the limit."
Airen shrugged, and Randy recalled the instructor saying that defeating the boss of the fifth floor was a first.
"But it's surprising. Lady Airen, Sir Cedric, and Ms. Miranda seem like they could handle it easily."
"It was youthful recklessness. All 3 were quite headstrong."
Airen shrugged, and Randy let out a subtle "ah."
Even without knowing the details, he felt he understood why they had failed.
(With 3 heads, the squad would be in *total chaos*.)
With a wry smile, Randy heard Airen sigh, "It's Cedric's fault."
That training was about individual abilities, but even more so, teamwork mattered.
Having an overly capable classmate might have been the misfortune of that generation.
"But I see... Wayne is really doing his best."
Airen happily held the envelope up to the light.
She probably wanted to see the contents quickly, but she hesitated to open it here.
(It's just a letter from her childhood friend, I guess.)
Airen's profile looked more like a girl in love than someone receiving news from a friend.
Still, seeing her genuinely happy face, Randy couldn't help but smile inside.
The possibility might not be 0, he thought.
For a while, Randy and Catherine talked about how Wayne was doing, and just then, Leon joined after finishing his morning training...
"Well, I guess it's time for me to take my leave."
Airen also stood up, saying, "Is that so?"
"Then I will go call Father."
Airen left the room to call Rolf.
"Speaking of which, why did Randy laugh at Sir Wayne's letter?"
In response to Liz's valid question, Randy began to humorously recount how Wayne had feelings for Airen.
"That is──"
"No way!"
Seeing the smiles of the two girls, Leon felt left out and asked, "What are you talking about?"
As the two of them got caught up in girl talk, Randy nodded smugly at Leon, saying, "It's a love story," just as Airen came back with Rolf.
"I heard you're going home, Sir Randy."
"Yes, I'll come visit again, Your Excellency Rolf."
Randy chatted with Rolf.
Next to them, Airen felt pressure from Liz and Catherine to "return the letter."
And Leon exchanged firm handshakes with the Knights... looking a bit reluctant.
It's no wonder.
For more than a week, Leon had been training with the Waldner Knights.
Seeing the strength of Randy and Rolf, Leon's sense of duty as a guard Knight had grown even stronger.
Not just as decoration, but to protect properly.
This was greatly influenced by the visible threat of [Pilgrim of Truth].
Anyway, spending every day training together builds bonds.
The Knights felt sad to part ways with Leon, and they promised to meet again while exchanging long, firm handshakes.
After exchanging farewells, Leon rejoined Randy and the others, saying, "Sorry to keep you waiting."
"Well then, Your Excellency. Until next time..."
"Ah, bring the Knight group with you next time."
Randy showed a wry smile and said to the boisterous Rolf, "We're a small squad, after all."
"But... every one of us is a fierce soldier, so I think you'll be satisfied."
"That sounds exciting."
The two laughed heartily and shook hands firmly, and Liz raised her staff, saying, "Shall we go?"
Light enveloped the 4 of them... When the light settled, Randy and the others had vanished.
"He was truly an interesting man."
"Yes... I was quite taken aback by the resort plan."
Airen, with a wry smile, held a letter in hand.
"What's that letter?"
To Rolf, who tilted his head, Airen replied, "Ah, this is it," and showed the letter to Rolf.
"Do you remember Wayne?"
"Ah, of course. After all, I recommended him to the academy."
Rolf nodded broadly, revealing that he had often heard progress reports from Rick, Wayne's father.
A recommendation letter to the Royal Academy from the Marquis Waldner family.
Only those who pass the stringent review──a tournament in disguise──each year can knock on the gates of the Royal Academy with a recommendation letter in hand.
Wayne is the one who managed to win at the recommendation tournament that every child from the Waldner territory eagerly participated in.
"What about Wayne?"
Airen smiled as she showed the envelope and said to Rolf, "It's from that Wayne."
"Hmm. It doesn't seem to be a progress report..."
Rolf frowned and leaned close to the letter, while Airen lifted the letter again and said, "What could it be?"
Of course, nothing inside could be seen this way, but nonetheless, Airen's expression was bright.
She was happy because it was the first letter from her childhood friend.
There wasn't any special sentiment tied to it.
Even so, the happy Airen opened her mouth, holding the letter up, saying, "Father..."
"I would like to dissolve the engagement."
Rolf was momentarily surprised by those words, but nodded and patted Airen's head, saying, "Understood."
"Since Isaac and the others are also on the mend. This is a good opportunity."
Nodding repeatedly, Rolf said, "Then I'll take care of the procedures," and left the scene.
Breaking off the engagement is one thing, but there are many things to do regarding the Church's business and the response to [Pilgrim of Truth].
Comparing his father's back and the letter from Wayne, Airen thought, "I should do my best too," and put the letter in his pocket to chase after Rolf.
The northern winter still continues, but the thawing of Airen's heart may be just around the corner.
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