The atmosphere in the encampment was lively.

Everyone seemed full of energy at the thought of being able to return home after today.

On the other hand, the Hunt Knight Order was full of regret.

“We didn’t even catch a glimpse of a dragon in this expedition either.”

Percy responded to Gerard’s complaint.

“Dragons aren’t neighborhood dogs. Do you think it’s easy to meet them by chance while passing by?”

“I thought we might see one at least once, but not even a glimpse.”

It was then.

“Dragons have strong magical power and higher intelligence than humans, so they don’t live in ordinary habitats.”

Derek, who was cleaning his sword, said quietly.

“And you couldn’t catch one anyway.”

Gerard’s mouth gaped open at the unexpected jab.

Percy smiled and added.

“Well, even the commander would struggle with a dragon. You’d need to be at least at the level of His Grace to catch one.”

The Hunt Knight Order was busy collecting souvenirs for Emma.

[I don’t think the manticore’s tail is bad either.]

Despite his big talk earlier, Gerard muttered with a disappointed expression something that would shock other knight orders if they heard it.

“Still, wouldn’t a minotaur’s tooth be more impressive? Not just a manticore’s tail…”

Percy looked at Gerard with great surprise.

“You bastard, when did you catch that?”

“When I went on reconnaissance last time. I was trying to pull out its horn, but those imperial army bastards got scared, so I just brought back a tooth… I should have just pulled out the horn.”

At least the horn would look impressive, Gerard grumbled.

“Having that is better than nothing. I’ve been catching nothing but orcs.”

“I caught trolls.”

As the members lamented, Derek’s lips curled up slightly.

Percy, who noticed him with uncanny perception, stuck close to Derek’s side.

“You’ve got something, don’t you?”

In an instant, everyone’s attention focused on Derek.

“Maybe.”

“We’ll find out anyway. Come on, show us quickly.”

Percy poked Derek’s side.

“It’s nothing special…”

Swish–

Derek pulled something out of the pouch beside him and showed it.

“Isn’t this a griffin’s claw?”

At Percy’s words, the knights crowded around.

“Where did you catch it?”

“They say it shines golden, and it’s true.”

‘Oh, those war maniacs.’

Charlie, who was waiting for Kieran, clicked her tongue inwardly.

In high society, the Hunt Knight Order was the very object of interest.

The fact that they’re the empire’s best knight order was only secondary.

First of all, they were handsome.

It goes without saying for Leon, and even Luke, who was pouting saying, “If I had gone on reconnaissance, I would have caught a cerberus,” was handsome.

Percy was handsome, Gerard was handsome, and Derek was handsome too.

That’s right.

The Hunt Knight Order was just full of handsome men.

But because they were used to seeing the extremely handsome Hector, whether their standards had become too high or they lacked awareness of how they looked themselves.

No, to be precise, they only used those faces for catching monsters and fighting wars.

‘Isn’t this a waste of resources at this level?’

Charlie looked up at Luke standing beside her.

His ash-gray hair and golden eyes gave off a rough cold handsome vibe.

“Sir Luke, do you have a girlfriend?”

“Wh-what?!”

Luke’s eyes widened at the sudden question.

“A girlfriend. A lover.”

“…I don’t.”

“Why not? I think you’d be popular.”

“I haven’t really thought about it… and His Grace doesn’t have one either…”

Luke’s toes dragged across the ground.

His earlobes were so red they looked like they were on fire.

‘Could it be that he died without ever having dated?’

Ah… This love-inexperienced group, the Hunt Knight Order.

Charlie let out a sigh.

By the way, to think his loyalty was so strong that he wouldn’t even get a girlfriend because His Grace didn’t have one.

“Does Sir Luke like His Grace that much?”

“Th-that is…”

This time, even Luke’s neck had turned bright red.

Charlie held back her laughter and asked again.

“What do you like about him so much?”

Luke, who had been hesitating, finally opened his mouth with difficulty.

“His Grace… is like a father to me.”

“A father?”

“Ah! Of course, that’s just a saying, not literally.”

Luke waved his hands.

Surely she wouldn’t actually believe it.

How much of an age difference could there be between them?

“I understand what you mean. You respect and cherish him that much, right?”

Charlie smiled.

Luke scratched the back of his head in embarrassment.

“…Yes.”

She knew he respected him, but to the extent of a father?

Surprised by this unexpected fact, Charlie stared blankly at Luke.

Then, thinking she should cool down her flushed face before Kieran arrived, she changed the subject.

“By the way, what about Sir Leon?”

Usually, Leon would be sitting at a distance, watching over the tea time.

“The commander went on the final reconnaissance with His Grace.”

“Ah, I see…”

How much time had passed?

In the distance, the figures of Kieran and Josh approaching could be seen.

“Miss Charlie!”

Kieran, who spotted Charlie, quickened her pace.

“I’m sorry. We’re a bit late. Did you wait long?”

“Not at all. You arrived just in time.”

Charlie smiled brightly.

Kieran always came thirty minutes before the appointed time to wait for Charlie.

It was courtesy for the subordinate to greet the superior, but Charlie was unaware of this.

“I should have been here first…”

“Oh, who cares who comes first?”

Kieran’s lips stretched into a gentle smile.

Charlie took in the sight of Kieran.

‘No matter how I look at her, I can’t believe she’s from the Wilkins Knight Order.’

Is that why?

In the original story, the Wilkins Knight Order commander was Noel’s younger brother, Abel.

Not long after Kieran died, even the vice commander died, leaving a big vacancy…

“……!”

Suddenly, remembering this, Charlie stared at Josh.

Kieran in front of her. And Luke. Plus Josh.

‘Do they all… die?!’

* * *

Bow–

Josh bowed to Charlie and Luke.

However, Josh’s complexion was not only pale but he was even sweating cold sweat.

“Are you feeling unwell?”

“No, I’m not!”

Josh vehemently denied Charlie’s words.

His voice was raised so high that even the nearby Hunt Knight Order members turned to look.

Luke and Kieran watched Josh.

It was certainly an excessive reaction for an explanation of concern.

Realizing his behavior just then, Josh wiped the sweat from his forehead with a smile.

“I guess it’s because I hurried, afraid I’d be late.”

“You could have come slowly.”

“It’s the last day, isn’t it?”

The raised corners of Josh’s mouth trembled weakly.

Gulp– Josh swallowed his dry saliva and met Charlie’s eyes.

“So, I was thinking, how about enjoying tea time a bit more inside today?”

“That’s not allowed.”

Before Charlie could answer, Luke stepped in front of Josh with a wary look.

“We can’t change the location without His Grace’s permission.”

Kieran also agreed with Luke’s opinion.

“That’s right, Josh. This is the Grand Duke’s camp. Don’t act rashly.”

But Josh proposed to Charlie again.

“It’s the last day, and I saw there was a stream nearby last time. Wouldn’t the scenery be better?”

* * *

“Now that I see it, the scenery is really nice. I think it was a good decision to move here.”

Charlie said, sipping her black tea.

Originally, they enjoyed tea time on the lawn behind Hector’s tent.

The view near the stream was indeed more beautiful, but it was farther from the camp.

“It truly is.”

Kieran smiled faintly, looking at Charlie.

Although Josh’s sudden suggestion was concerning, the scenery was indeed breathtaking.

[It’s okay. I was about to suggest we go that way anyway.]

Charlie took Josh’s side, easing the awkward atmosphere.

[Sir Luke, I already got permission from His Grace.]

At the mention of Hector’s permission, Luke immediately backed down. Kieran couldn’t refuse anymore either.

[Let’s all have tea together today. Sir Luke and Sir Josh too.]

So the four of them sat together cozily.

“Oh, by the way, Dame Kieran.”

Charlie said, putting down her teacup.

“Do you like greenhouses?”

“Greenhouses, you say?”

“There’s a very large and wonderful greenhouse in the Grand Duke’s residence.”

The greenhouse that Grand Duke Christopher Hunt built for Grand Duchess Diana. Its reputation was still impressive.

Moreover, with the iron gates of the Grand Duke’s residence tightly closed, the greenhouse became like a place that only existed in legends, arousing even greater curiosity among people.

Charlie continued.

“I was thinking we could have tea like this occasionally even after the expedition ends. His Grace said it’s okay to invite Dame Kieran to the greenhouse.”

“What?!”

Kieran almost dropped her coffee cup.

Luke and Josh were equally surprised.

To be invited to the greenhouse where the late Emperor Constanti and Grand Duke Christopher used to enjoy card games…

And to invite Kieran, the commander of the Wilkins Knight Order, no less. This was truly an extraordinary matter.

“Did His Grace say so?”

“Yes, there are so many beautiful flowers. Of course, whenever it’s convenient for Dame Kieran.”

“I’m available anytime. Please let me know when it’s convenient for you, and I’ll visit.”

“Really?”

Charlie smiled brightly.

Then suddenly, the image of that arrogant little demon flashed through her mind.

“Ah, that’s right. You mentioned liking flowers last time, do you like hydrangeas too?”

“Hydrangeas!”

For a moment, Kieran’s eyes sparkled.

Her expression was so excited it was hard to believe it was the usually composed Kieran.

“I heard they’re quite rare flowers.”

“Yes, I’ve only seen them in books, I’ve never seen them in person yet.”

“Oh my, that’s perfect then. Let’s have tea while looking at the hydrangeas.”

“Are there hydrangeas in the Grand Duke’s greenhouse?!”

“Of course. They have them in different colors.”

“Different colors…!”

Kieran couldn’t hide her amazement.

Charlie quietly glanced at Josh’s trembling fingertips.

* * *