Derek had heard directly from Amon about what Erin did during the monster subjugation. It was true that this incident had made him see Erin in a new light.

But… that didn’t mean her sins simply disappeared. Derek glared at Amon with narrowed eyes.

“To think someone who knows nothing about honor is engaged to Ferdin. Don’t worry. I’ll deal with her myself.”

Derek still remembered Amon’s boastful words.

Yet now, Amon’s behavior suggested he was practically following Erin around.

Amon Hedor was a man who knew nothing of loyalty.

Derek wrote a small note at the end of the notebook he was holding.

He had heard that Erin’s swordsmanship skills were quite impressive, but exceptional swordsmanship alone didn’t make someone honorable.

While Derek was deep in thought, Lilia entered behind Amon.

“Where is Princess Asili?”

At Derek’s question, Amon’s face crumpled.

Derek couldn’t help but be surprised again at his reaction. It was the look of someone who found the princess annoying.

“She went to see Erin.”

“What?”

“Since the monster subjugation, she’s been practically living in Erin Liserth’s room. She’s exactly like Ferdin, I tell you.”

What nonsense was this? What connection could Princess Asili possibly have with Erin Liserth?

No, beyond that, Amon’s behavior was incredibly disrespectful.

How dare he express dissatisfaction with what Her Highness the Saint was doing! Derek couldn’t even imagine such insolence.

Clunk.

Lilia, who had been quietly listening to their conversation, set down her teacup with an audible sound.

“Everyone seems to have become quite friendly with her.”

“…”

“Well, getting along with each other is a good thing, I suppose.”

Derek silently stared at the teacup placed in front of him. It was Ferdin who cleared the air.

He reminded them of why they had come here, suggesting they stop their pointless power struggle.

“We need to submit the monster subjugation report to the Imperial Family. Everyone knows absurd things happened.”

Amon responded to Ferdin’s words.

“It’s certainly strange that such a monster horde appeared in the northern forest.”

Derek and Lilia added their thoughts.

“The sudden appearance of a Sword Master is also strange.”

“Almost like someone planned it…”

Ferdin nodded at their words.

This monster subjugation had too many peculiarities.

If that presumed Sword Master hadn’t been in the forest then, he didn’t even want to imagine what might have happened.

Ferdin spoke with annoyance.

“That part will also be reported to the Imperial Family.”

At his words, Amon and Lilia’s expressions darkened. Derek also closed his eyes tightly in silence.

Just imagining what unreasonable punishment the Emperor might impose on Ferdin was horrifying.

Ignoring the gloomy atmosphere, Ferdin shuffled through the reports on the desk.

Then he frowned at a familiar name he saw.

[Atenz Academy External Guest Teacher Visit Schedule]

Atenz Academy regularly invited Sword Masters to visit periodically for quality education.

This was a dream-like opportunity for students aspiring to become knights.

Everyone was desperate to catch the Sword Master’s eye and gain even a small insight during this period.

Moreover, the Sword Master being dispatched this time was the knight most admired by students.

“An investigation team will likely be sent to the forest. And the Sword Master visiting the academy this time is… Count Asili.”

As soon as Ferdin finished speaking, a hint of anticipation appeared on the previously gloomy faces of Amon and Derek.

Being knights themselves, they couldn’t help but look forward to meeting Count Asili.

Count Asili. Princess Asili’s father and the Empire’s greatest Sword Master.

Only Lilia, who had no interest in Sword Masters, muttered with annoyance.

“The academy will be noisy for a while.”

* * *

Erin stared at the person in front of her.

Not long after Karon left, Princess Asili entered her room. She sat down beside Erin’s bed, blushing shyly.

The reality of having changed the future hit Erin more clearly when she saw the princess.

This was certainly a good thing. She had completely resolved one of the events she regretted most from the past. But apart from that, she couldn’t guess why the princess was here.

“You don’t need to worry about the wounds on your body.”

She said this while fidgeting with her hands placed on her knees.

“I don’t know what circumstances you have… but you didn’t want others to know, right? I changed Lady Erin’s clothes myself.”

The princess gazed at Erin with sparkling eyes as she spoke.

Erin found her stare quite burdensome.

Finally, she slowly opened her mouth in response to the behavior that seemed to be asking for praise.

“Um… thank you.”

“Do you have any other painful areas? I healed the wounds inflicted by the monsters with my holy power. I left the other wounds to heal naturally, thinking that would be better…”

So that’s why her back didn’t hurt, thanks to the princess.

Erin realized why her back was fine.

But why…? Shouldn’t the princess dislike her?

Under Erin’s gaze, she blushed again.

“I wasn’t fully conscious… but I heard clearly. You said you would protect me.”

“…”

“Thank you so much, Lady Erin. If it’s not too presumptuous, may I visit you often…?”

“Don’t you dislike me?”

At Erin’s question, the princess opened her eyes wide. Her reaction suggested she had never even considered this.

She exclaimed with an excited voice.

“Why would I?”

“Why,” she asks.

Erin momentarily lost her words at such an unexpected response.

“You and Lord Ferdin are lovers, aren’t you?”

At Erin’s words, the princess’s face briefly contorted before a smile quickly appeared, as though nothing had happened.

When Princess Asili smiled brightly, the room suddenly seemed to light up.

“I can’t explain the details… but you don’t need to worry about that at all!”

Erin didn’t know how to respond to those words. This person had taken her lover, yet she said not to worry about it?

After that, the princess held Erin captive in conversation for a long time.

She went on endlessly about how amazing Lady Erin was, and how she wanted Erin to teach her swordsmanship once she became healthier.

Erin almost felt like a skylark had perched beside her.

Not knowing how to respond, she simply repeated “yes” and “no,” but the princess seemed satisfied with just that.

When she asked, “May I come again next time?” Erin could only answer, “Yes.”

The princess’s eyes were so clear when she spoke.

Besides Ferdin, she was the first person to look at Erin that way.

And just before leaving, Princess Asili came close to Erin and whispered softly.

“Lady Erin, if you ever need someone to talk to, please let me know. For when you want to open up someday. I know you’re strong and resilient, but sometimes you need someone to listen to your innermost thoughts.”

The princess’s face was more serious than before as she said this.

It was similar to what Ferdin had told her long ago, just before he left on the Emperor’s mission.

“When you’re ready, tell me then.”

At that time, Erin had thought she would tell him all the truth when Ferdin returned. But he never came back.

So contrary to the princess’s expectations, Erin would never tell her anything.

* * *

Erin felt strange.

It was a sense of dissonance.

Perhaps because she had changed the future, things she had never experienced before kept happening one after another.

Unable to postpone the Swordsmanship Department class any longer, she was about to leave when Karon came to her room and spoke to her.

“Did something happen between you and Ferdin Lexia during the monster subjugation?”

“Why?”

“If nothing happened, then never mind.”

Karon’s reaction was strange.

But it was already late for class, so she couldn’t continue the conversation and moved on.

Her body felt sluggish, but not so much that it was difficult to move.

The Swordsmanship Department sometimes graded students through various practical tests, so it was best to attend classes unless absolutely necessary.

Since Ferdin had good grades in the Swordsmanship Department, she needed to maintain good grades to participate in missions with him.

Moreover, she absolutely had to join the mission Ferdin would undertake in just a few months.

Maintaining excellent grades in the beginner class wasn’t difficult. The challenge was appearing just moderately exceptional.

And Erin felt another sense of dissonance in the swordsmanship class she attended after a long time.