“Isn’t it in Nosrodien?”

“That one was built newly hundreds of years ago. The castle used when the kingdom was first established is in Finis. Mother always thought it would be somewhere in that castle. She just couldn’t attempt to go because of the snow.”

This is clearly good news.

If the memory surge disappears or even completely vanishes, she would be able to sleep peacefully and wouldn’t have to suffer from fevers while wandering through painful memories.

‘Huh? Wait. If the memory surge disappears, would Rud have any reason to stay by my side?’

While this would be the best thing for her, Caleb’s heart sank.

‘No, if the memory surge disappears… would I have any reason to stay by Rud’s side…?!!’

The sound of his pounding heart grew louder, but Caleb felt as if his heart was shrinking.

Caleb wanted to somehow appeal that they needed each other even after finding the ring. Or more precisely, that she was indispensable to him.

In his urgency, his eyes moved restlessly. What should he say….

“Th-that, regardless of the memory surge… pu-purification……”

He wanted to ask something, but his words kept breaking as his heart felt like it would jump out of his mouth. Rudbeckia stared intently at his lips as if she couldn’t quite hear what he was trying to say.

Caleb shut his eyes tightly and shouted.

“Even if the memory surge disappears, please ask only me for the purification ritual!”

Rudbeckia burst into laughter because he shouted so forcefully.

“Cal, what does that have to do with this? Why are you shouting so solemnly? Of course it’s only you. From when I first met you until now and in the future, only you can place your lips on my forehead and my skin.”

He slowly opened his eyes and looked at Rudbeckia.

Rudbeckia was smiling brightly with her characteristic fresh smile.

Caleb knew how red his face must be without needing to look in a mirror.

Thinking back, it seemed to have started from that night when they first met. The night he snuck into her room without his parents knowing and granted her request to blow on her forehead.

Like a single drop of rose-colored dew falling into clear water, the whole world—his entire heart—became filled with Rudbeckia.

Since then, that single drop had spread little by little, eventually turning into pink rose water. There was no way to turn the fragrant and beautiful rose water back into clear, colorless, odorless water.

‘Is this what they call love at first sight? No, I think I was already in love. Did I fall in love again?’

Caleb stroked her hair.

“It’s a promise.”

“Everything except your lips is terrible, so I have no intention of asking anyone else.”

“You must never change your mind.”

“I absolutely won’t.”

After confirming the promise once more, he sent Rudbeckia back to her room.

* * *

During the formal dinner time for the Blue Whale Knight Order.

The knights’ breakfasts and dinners were simple affairs eaten on the go, but lunch was prepared as a formal meal with appetizers.

“Hey. Did you enjoy yourself at the banquet yesterday?”

“Look at those dark circles. You look exhausted. What time did you go to bed?”

When Caleb appeared in the dining hall, the members each made a comment.

The conversation had been long and he’d come in late. His heart had been pounding so hard he wasn’t sure if he’d actually slept or not.

He yawned widely, his mouth stretching. Rudbeckia followed suit, yawning and stretching as well.

“What’s going on here? All our baby whales gathered without a single one missing.”

Following behind them, Knight Commander Henry Abingdon entered.

He was the third son of the Count of Abingdon, and like any count family, they had plenty of money but not a shred of ability.

Even his position as knight commander was obtained by slipping money to Greg. He handed the paper in his hand to the nearest member before starting to eat.

“The lance tournament schedule has been released. Some rules have changed compared to previous competitions, so read it carefully.”

The paper was passed around until it reached Rudbeckia’s hands. When it was her turn, she dusted off her hands that had been tearing bread and stared intently at the paper.

Only weapons provided by the tournament may be used.

Armor must be prepared separately, with no restrictions.

‘What’s this? Only lances are provided as weapons? And no restrictions on armor?’

Even with the same weapon, if there was a difference in armor, it was clear that the one with better quality armor would endure longer and win. Something seemed suspicious.

Rudbeckia examined the contents more carefully.

The competition follows a winner-continues system, continuing until the day’s champion is determined.

The schedule may vary depending on the competition time and content.

While reading the information about the number of matches, she definitely smelled something fishy. The details stated that some might fight just one match while others might fight dozens of matches before reaching the finals.

To Rudbeckia, this read as an intention to exhaust someone they wanted to eliminate by making them fight many consecutive matches.

— Rustle

Caleb took the paper from Rudbeckia’s hands and pressed his finger between his eyebrows. It was a gesture telling her to relax her expression and not worry alone.

If Caleb hadn’t stopped her like this, she would have held onto the paper for hours until her suspicions were resolved.

He only glanced at the paper briefly before passing it to the person next to him. Regardless of the tournament format, he had neither the intention nor the expectation of losing to anyone in martial arts.

He subtly pushed the salad bowl toward Rudbeckia, who still wore a serious expression, giving her a look that said to stop worrying.

“Our knight order should win and move our jurisdiction to the central area. We can’t stay in charge of the outskirts forever. So all senior-level knights must participate. There will be no other duties until the lance tournament.”

At the word “win,” everyone simultaneously looked at Caleb.

“Sir Caleb. Can you win?”

It would be best if the commander won, but even the birds flying around the imperial palace would know that he lacked the skill.

They thought his goal was just to remain as commander while meeting a nice woman from a good family, but central jurisdiction? His dreams were more ambitious than they’d thought.

“Yes. I can win, and I intend to win… but I’ll take all the prizes to Finis territory.”

“Ah, right. You’re a marquis now. My goodness, I’ve been ordering around a marquis. Hey, you’re still under me though. I’m the knight commander. You’re just a knight.”

“Of course. I’ll participate as a member of the Blue Whale Knight Order. I’ll give the glory of victory to you, Commander. But the prize money and rewards…”

“Good. Very good. I only need that glory and achievement. I don’t need the rest. I’m counting on you, Caleb. Let’s part ways with smiles on our last journey together.”

Finis territory. Though he had never seen the territory’s people nor entered the land, it would become either a base for revenge or a starting point.

The prize money and rewards were essential supplies to strengthen that starting point. He was determined to win no matter what.

After finishing his meal, Caleb began warming up in the training ground with his beloved horse, Renault.

“I hear you’re entering the lance tournament.”

Zeno approached Rudbeckia, who was sitting on a long bench next to the training ground, watching.

“Yes. What about you? Our knight order requires all senior-level knights to participate.”

“We have freedom. I decided not to participate. It’s tiring.”

“With all these banquets and events, it is tiring. By the way, did you see the tournament notice? Didn’t you notice anything strange?”

Rudbeckia explained to Zeno how the tournament was extremely unfair, to the extent that the military department could produce a winner if they wanted. She gave examples of the worst-case scenarios.

“Do you think Greg is determined to kill Caleb?”

Zeno hadn’t heard about what happened on the terrace, so he thought Rudbeckia’s story was too much of a stretch.

“Zeno. Huff…… When did you arrive? What are you talking about?”

Rudbeckia urged Caleb to tell Zeno directly about what had happened on the terrace.

“Ha…… Haah.”

He let out a painful groan, clutching his forehead. Zeno had also lost his family and neighbors in the war. Caleb and Rudbeckia were the only people he had left. To learn that Greg’s betrayal was behind those deaths…