Chapter 673: Reuniting with Friends at the Training Ground

The following morning, I began investigating the holy sword. Arriving without warning would trouble the researchers, so I asked a servant to contact Sister-in-law Daniela.

The reply came quickly: she would take me there that afternoon.

“I’m glad we asked first. They probably need time to prepare.”

“They’ll have to prepare the holy sword. What shall we do until then?”

“Perhaps we should visit the training ground.”

“Kyuu!”

Mira seemed to agree. Sister-in-law Daniela probably had not released Mira from her arms yesterday, so some exercise might be welcome.

Morning training was underway when we reached the training ground. Among the participants were the people I had hoped to find.

“Axel! Ijidol!”

“Julius? You’re here!”

“It’s been ages!”

Oh, had they both grown slightly taller? Then perhaps I had too. I saw myself in the mirror every day, so I would not have noticed.

They returned Mira’s adorable greeting while grinning helplessly.

“You both seem well.”

“So do you. Wait, have you grown taller?”

“The same is true for you, Axel.”

Nero joined us, and we began talking among ourselves. Naturally, we included Mira to prevent boredom. The conversation eventually led to a match with Axel. He wanted to measure how much closer he had come to me.

I could hardly refuse after hearing that, so we fought in an area with few spectators. There were troublesome people around, such as Ovidio and Pietro.

Naturally, I won. However, Axel had unquestionably grown stronger since our previous match.

I also fought Nero. Opportunities like this were rare. If I tried sparring at the House Heine estate, the territorial knights would form a queue. Lionel could only smile wryly at that. Naturally, I won this match as well.

“You’re as strong as ever, Julius. You should join the knights.”

“I’m a magic pharmacist. I’ve no intention of doing so. Self-defence is enough.”

“That isn’t self-defence level.”

Axel spoke with brutal honesty, his expression plainly saying my talent was being wasted.

Ijidol could not use a sword and tried to persuade me to demonstrate my magic, but I refused.

Magic was conspicuous and dramatic. I could not use it casually, and Ijidol seemed to understand.

When training ended, we moved to a break room that anyone could use. Mira attracted some attention, but it should be fine. Lionel was watching from an unobtrusive distance.

“So, what did you do this time?”

“That’s rather— Actually, perhaps it isn’t unfair to ask.”

“You can’t even deny it properly. Any ideas?”

When I listed the possibilities, both smiles transformed into painfully obvious pretence. The corners of their mouths rose while their brows drooped. Had I made them worry?

“As expected of Julius.”

“You never change.”

“No, this was different. Circumstances forced me to—”

“And what about chocolate?”

“Kyuu!?”

Mira reacted sharply to Axel’s mention of chocolate and looked around. None would appear, you know. Chocolate could melt inside a pocket, so I had not brought any.

“It’s sweet and delicious. I’m sure you’ll both love it.”

“Chocolate… I may want to try it.”

Ijidol’s mutter revealed his true feelings so clearly that I nearly burst out laughing. We had some in my room. When I looked at Nero, he nodded once and hurried away.

As expected of Nero. He had gone to fetch it.

While we continued talking, the conversation turned to the holy sword. Apparently, knights and mages knew the general story. They did not know its location, but they believed it was somewhere in the castle.

“I heard the holy sword is embedded in a pedestal.”

“No, it’s stored inside a box. Whoever can open the box is recognised as its wielder…”

“That’s wrong. Whoever draws it from the pedestal becomes the wielder.”

Axel and Ijidol passionately debated the holy sword. The only fact we established was that no accurate information had circulated.

How did they actually select the wielder? Did they simply determine who could use it?

“Lord Julius, thank you for waiting.”

“Thank you, Nero. You saved us.”

“Kyuu!”

Mira realised what Nero was carrying and tried to leap at him, but I caught Mira in time. Axel and Ijidol stared intently at the box in Nero’s hands.

“So that box contains the chocolate?”

“What shape is it?”

The two swallowed. So did Mira. How had Mira become such a glutton? Had I made a mistake in Mira’s upbringing?

Nero placed the box upon the table and opened it with exaggerated reverence. What was with that performance? He could have opened it normally.

“What is that…?”

“Wow. So that’s chocolate.”

The colour was unusual, so some caution was understandable. Still, try it. It would blow your mind. Meanwhile, Mira was trying to fly towards the box, so I held on tightly.