Chapter 3.2

Lucas Nindella — he was perhaps the second most famous man in the land of Yegahen, after Ragaen Sol Adantie. The reason was simple: he was the Commander of the Imperial Archery Unit and the commander of the capital’s defense forces.  

The people of the Empire of Yegahen, who lived and breathed archery, revered the Commander of the Imperial Archery Unit more highly than the Commander of the Imperial Knights.  

It was widely said that if the Duke of Adantie hadn’t lost his arm, the position of Archery Unit Commander would have gone to him instead of Lucas Nindella, highlighting the prestige of the role.  

Unfortunately, Lucas Nindella was more famous for his frivolous behavior, his handsome face, and his reputation as a philanderer than for his honor or skills. The Crown Prince had often been exasperated, clutching his forehead, over how Lucas Nindella was tarnishing the reputation of the Imperial Archery Unit. If not for his near-divine archery skills, he would have been demoted long ago.  

Regardless of the opinions about Lucas Nindella’s antics, one thing was certain: his exceptional archery skills and good looks made him incredibly popular.  

The popular Lucas Nindella, along with several others, was heading to Debius.  

“Ugh, stop it, Lucas! Stop whining!”

“…Commander, could you please shut your mouth before I feel like killing you?”

“Sniff… Nina, you’re so cold.”

“…Should I just k*ll the Commander today and take his place?”  

“Keep your mouth shut….”  

“Aren’t you embarrassed? We’re not the only ones here.”  

“It’s fine! We’re friends, aren’t we?”  

Lucas spoke in a playful voice, addressing a man deeply hooded.  

“……”  

When the man didn’t respond, Lucas pretended to cry.  

“So cold-hearted. So mean.”  

“Sigh…. Sir, please forgive the Commander’s rudeness.”  

“…Don’t worry about it. I’m used to it.”  

At the man’s firm tone, Nina turned to another person and said,  

“Scholar, please don’t let Commander Nindella’s frivolous behavior bother you too much. Just erase it from your memory.”  

“Ah, haha…. Yes, I’d like to forget it forever.”  

The group consisted of Lucas Nindella, a monster scholar, the hooded man, and five other members of the Archery Unit, forming the investigation team.  

After receiving the report from the Marquis of Debius, the Crown Prince, following a secret meeting with experts and ministers, ordered a discreet investigation into the abnormal behavior of the monsters in the Zelita Snowfields. The trauma surrounding monsters was still severe among the general populace, making it unwise to publicize uncertain information.  

“One more teleport gate, and we’ll reach Debius.”  

“It’s already this cold, and when we get to Debius, we’ll freeze to death immediately! I don’t want to go. Sniff.”  

“There’s also the option of being beaten to death by His Highness if you don’t go, Commander.”  

“…That’s scarier.”  

“Stop whining and let’s go.”  

The group spurred their horses onward.  

The horse ridden by the hooded man neighed and trotted. His black horse was so large and strikingly majestic that it left an unforgettable impression on anyone who saw it.  

***

By sunset, the guests arrived at Debius Castle.  

“Thank you for making the journey. I am Tara Debius.”  

“I regret not coming sooner, seeing how beautiful you are, Marquis!”  

Lucas grinned slyly as he shook hands with Tara. Tara maintained her smile without showing any annoyance. At the end of the letter sent by the Crown Prince, there had been a single, concerned sentence: “I hope you will tolerate Sir Nindella’s antics, Marquis.” Even without that warning, Tara was already well aware of Lucas Nindella’s frivolity.  

“Having you here in person, Sir Nindella, is more than enough honor for us.”  

“Hahaha! Hearing that makes me so, so, so happy!”  

Thwack! Nina smacked her superior’s back hard, silencing his frivolous laughter.  

Warm rooms were provided for each member of the investigation team. While Tara initially suggested a group dinner, the team members opted to have warm meals in their respective rooms at Lucas’s request.  

After dinner, late in the evening, the Marquis Tara Debius, Commander Ronpa, the castle’s monster scholar Barton, Greta wearing her badge as the temporary training commander of the Archery Unit, and the investigation team from the capital finally gathered in one place.  

Lucas, as the team leader, spoke.  

“His Highness the Crown Prince wishes for us to determine the cause of the abnormal behavior and, if possible, resolve the issue with the resources of this team and Debius.”  

Tara nodded. If this situation continued, no one could predict how the winter subjugation season would unfold.  

“After submitting the report, we conducted our own investigation within Debius. I will now share our findings.”  

At Tara’s signal, the monster scholar Barton began to speak.  

“The types of monsters whose appearances have surged are six-handed monkeys, Rexia, and Hobai — all representative species occupying the lower ranks of the food chain in the Zelita Snowfields. Based on current investigations….”  

In summary, Barton suggested the possibility that a new apex predator, beyond the capacity of these lower-tier monsters to handle, had appeared in the mountains beyond the snowfields. Another monster scholar in the team, Ferviors, agreed with this hypothesis.  

After a lengthy discussion, the conversation shifted towards the Archery Unit once it was decided that the investigation team would need to venture into the mountains for further investigation.  

“Is this the temporary training commander of the preliminary Archery Unit?”  

Lucas tilted his head as he looked at Greta, who seemed far too young to hold such a position. Startled, Greta, who had been silent throughout the monster discussion, quickly replied,  

“Yes, I am Greta Lievo.”  

“Lievo? That Lievo?”  

“I don’t know which Lievo you mean, but if you’re referring to the Sharpshooter Lievo, then yes, that’s me.”  

“No, no! Are you the Lievo who partnered with Ragaen, the Duke of Adantie, in the last Lorus Hunting Competition?”  

“Uh, yes? Yes.” 

“Unbelievable!”  

Lucas’s exaggerated reaction shattered the previously serious atmosphere.  

“Unbelievable!”  

“What’s the matter, Sir Nindella?”  

Tara interjected coldly, cutting off Lucas’s outburst.  

“Haha! It’s nothing. I just heard that Lady Lievo demonstrated remarkable skills at the Lorus Hunting Competition. Ahem. Anyway, Sir Murray here will be taking over as the training instructor. He’s highly skilled and has a great talent for teaching. Lady Lievo, you’ll work closely with Sir Murray starting tomorrow to hand over your responsibilities.”  

“Ah, yes….”  

After a day of rest to recover from the long journey, it was tentatively decided that a team comprising select knights from the Debius Order and members of the Archery Unit would head into the mountains to investigate.  

Throughout the meeting, Greta felt incredibly uncomfortable, as if sitting on pins and needles. She could feel the hooded man glaring at her.  

‘What’s his deal? Why is he staring at me? Do I know him? Or does he just dislike me?!’  

The hooded man, who kept his face completely hidden, exuded an ominous aura. Lucas had explained earlier that the man had a terrifying scar on his face when Tara asked why he insisted on wearing the hood.  

‘This is so unsettling…. At least he’s not Sir Murray.’  

If he had been the training instructor, Greta would have outright refused to cooperate. Thankfully, Sir Murray had a friendly demeanor and seemed approachable.  

***

Back in her room, Greta looked out the window. The strong wind rattled the panes.  

“Ugh, it’s freezing.”  

She quickly drew the thick curtains and climbed into her warm bed. Knowing how sensitive Greta was to the cold, the staff had placed a heating artifact in her bed. As the warmth enveloped her, her body relaxed, and she began to drift off to sleep.  

“Hah, soon I’ll be back in the capital.”  

Life in Debius had been enjoyable. Although it was a bit challenging to adapt to the unfamiliar environment at first, Greta felt proud as she watched the Archery Unit members improve their skills day by day.  

While the heavy responsibilities and busy schedule often left her exhausted and stressed, she was certain that choosing to take this job had been the right decision.  

‘You’re not really involved with the Duke, are you?’  

The words Tara had said before Greta came to Debius had helped her focus on her work. Not because Greta truly believed she had no connection to Ragaen, but because…  

‘If I’m this affected by feelings when nothing’s even started, I won’t have any life left once a relationship begins! I need to balance my work and love life in advance!’  

It’s like thinking about eating bread without considering who would give it to you. However, in Greta’s vision of the future, there was no possibility of failing to reach a romantic conclusion with Ragaen.  

Whether or not someone else gave her the bread, Greta believed that maintaining her daily routine to prepare for her destined (?) romance was extremely important, and her busy life here had been a great help.  

Since starting her work, Greta had hardly thought about Ragaen. To be more precise, she had no time to focus on him constantly knocking on the door of her heart. This was a very positive change for Greta. She had become a far more productive person compared to when she used to wander around murmuring about the Duke of Adantie every day!  

Still, just before falling asleep, during the most intimate time of the day when she was alone, she couldn’t help but open the door to him.  

‘Is the Duke doing well?’  

Summer expeditions were so grueling that even Richard, who had monstrous stamina, would often complain, so she was a bit worried. He probably didn’t have any time to think about other things. She herself barely had time to think about him while working as the temporary training commander of the Archery Unit, so there was no way the Commander of the Imperial Knights would have any leisure.  

‘Still, I wish he would think about me at least once….’  

No, not just once—maybe a bit more often.  

Once when he smells the scent of Dadian leaves, and once when he feeds sugar cubes to Devin. Yes, just twice would be fine.  

She wanted to hear that low, calm voice calling her name, “Greta,” once again.  

Under the starry night of Debius, Greta fell into a deep sleep, leaving her heart wide open to Ragaen, like a warm and gentle breeze blowing within her heart, in contrast to the cold wind outside the castle.