Chapter 2.15

There was no one to send letters to, and even if she did send one, there was no one to reply. Ever since her beloved Duke had left for expedition training, Greta felt as though a hole had been punched in her heart.

Perhaps none of it had ever happened.

Maybe exchanging letters with the Duke, going to the hunting competition with him, and everything else were just dreams she had conjured up because she liked him too much.

“Sigh….”

All she could do was let out deep sighs.

Was love always this painful?

Although Ragaen had left Hiteria, he refused to leave Greta’s thoughts. His face, his gestures, his expressions, his tone, and the things he had said kept replaying in her mind. It was as if her brain had malfunctioned, filled only with information about him. She missed him so much it felt suffocating. As a result, Greta’s daily life was in disarray.

“Miss, the spoon goes into your mouth!”

She was absent-minded even while eating.

“Miss, no matter how tame Zara is, you mustn’t walk behind the horse!”

Even during horseback riding.

“Miss! You’re holding the arrow backward!”

Greta was completely out of sorts.

In the end, after nearly causing an accident while practicing archery, Greta gave up on everything and spent her days staring blankly out the window, sighing. It was two days into this zombie-like existence when her friend Tara contacted her.

“What’s the matter? You’re the one reaching out first?”

“It’s a disaster! I thought I had more time!”

“What are you talking about?”

“Derion succeeded in his hunger strike!”

Tara’s sudden contact came with an urgent story.

Tara was the only daughter of the Marquis of Debius. Having grown up adored in a household with two older brothers, Tara’s dream was to become a scholar studying ancient languages. With the full support of her family and her exceptional intellect, everything seemed to align with her aspirations. However, the problem began when her eldest brother, who had participated in the Great Demon War, returned and declared that he had someone he wished to serve, refused to inherit the title, and left home.

When the brilliant mage eldest son deliberately disappeared, the second son, Derion Debius, had no choice but to take on the position of heir. However, he insisted he wasn’t fit to defend the territory as a Marquis since he wasn’t a mage. Claiming he wanted to become a veterinarian and live a peaceful life with animals, he resisted. The Marquis, unwilling to leave the title vacant or burden his youngest daughter with the responsibility, ordered Derion to prepare to inherit the title.

“He held out for years, but I guess he couldn’t take it anymore. He went three weeks without eating, saying he absolutely wouldn’t become the Marquis!”

“Wow… he must really want to be a veterinarian.”

“He’s been obsessed with animals since he was a kid. So now Father has named me the heir. He told me to come next week to take on the title. Ugh! I can’t refuse because of Father’s health, and we can’t leave the title vacant!”

Tara banged her desk in frustration.

“You’re smart and skilled in magic. I think you’d make a great Marquis. Derion seems too soft-hearted to lead the knight order or make important decisions.”

“Exactly. I’d do well as a Marquis! I’m sure I would! But what about my research? My research!”

“Isn’t it just a matter of presenting your findings? Can’t someone else continue it?”

“Ugh! You just want me to become the Marquis, don’t you? That’s what this is about!”

“Not necessarily. It’s just that the first ran away, the second isn’t suitable, so that leaves you, Tara Debius. From the perspective of the people in the territory, you’re the best choice.”

“That’s true! I am the best among the three of us!”

Greta knew how much Tara loved the people and the land of Debius. Tara’s desire to study ancient languages stemmed from wanting to decipher ancient research on demons to better protect the territory with fewer casualties. She was a born leader.

“Then, Greta, come with me to Debius.”

“What? Where did that come from?”

“If I become the Marquis, the first thing I plan to do is establish an archery unit in Debius. Since there aren’t many opportunities to use bows, the average archery skill here is much lower than in Hiteria. Improving the knights’ archery skills is urgent. Come teach them.”

“You were already acting like the heir?”

“No, but Derion was so lazy that I ended up helping with this and that.”

Despite her earlier complaints, Tara seemed to have already planned her future as the Marquis.

“How can I teach knights anything?”

“You can do it. Honestly, you’re just a bit lazy, but when it comes to archery, you’re better than the Imperial Archery Unit. Think about it.”

From that moment, Tara launched into an impassioned speech.

With your skills, Greta, not only could you lead the Imperial Archery Unit, but you could also conquer the world with your bow! It’s absurd to waste such heaven-sent talent! Train soldiers who can defeat the monsters beyond the Zelita Snowfields and make our lands safer! You can do it, Greta Lievo! You are the descendant of the legendary archer, the right hand of the first Emperor who founded this nation. Let’s go, Greta Lievo!

“Hmph, when it comes to archery, I am the best. If I had only made up my mind, Sir Lucas Nindella would’ve been crawling under me.”

“That’s right, Greta. Come and give them some proper training. Even Richard isn’t as good at archery as you are, and just imagine — this place is full of people who aren’t even half as good as Richard. How serious is that!”

“But Tara, Debius is too far. I’ve become someone who can’t be apart from the Duke.”

“No, Greta. You can be apart. Actually, you and the Duke are nothing to each other.”

“Gasp!”

It felt as if all the bones in her body had disappeared.

“Sorry, that was harsh. Anyway, the Duke of Adantie is currently away for training. I’m just suggesting you use that time efficiently. I’ve already requested support from the Imperial Archery Unit, and they’ll come to Debius in the winter. They’ve promised to send skilled training instructors as well. The goal is to make the knights somewhat competent before that, so don’t think of it as too difficult. It’s just like tutoring those who took archery as an elective at the academy.”

“Is teaching a few students at the academy the same as training soldiers who fight for their lives?”

“The only difference is that your students will be older men. You can do it! I know you can! If you can’t trust yourself, trust me, Greta Lievo!”

Tara’s persuasion continued. She promised to pay Greta generously and take care of all her living needs. Greta, who wasn’t particularly in need of money and had no desire to travel to the far and cold northern end of Debius, was swayed by one particular statement.

“You don’t really have anything you want to do, do you, Greta?”

“……”

“Signing a contract and getting properly compensated for teaching could be a valuable experience.”

“Alright, I’ll think about it.”

Before Tara’s message, Greta had been living in a semi-conscious state, her mind filled only with thoughts of the beloved Duke who had gone on an expedition.

‘Wouldn’t it be alright to have some time to wander and experience different things?’

She recalled what he had said to her at the hunting competition not long ago.

She still didn’t know what she wanted to do. She wasn’t sure if she could teach archery well or enjoy it. But one thing was certain.

There was nothing to lose by trying.

“I’ll do it, Tara!”

For Greta Lievo, there was only moving forward.

Even if she hesitated, she wouldn’t retreat.

Whether it was love or a challenge!