Kays Translations
Just another Isekai Lover~
Chapter 33: The Passing Winter and the Grand Clock Tower
A letter from Ren’s parents arrived at the Clausel residence in Elendil.
Ren had already informed the village that he intended to apply to the Imperial Military Academy and asked what his parents thought, even though his decision had largely been made. This was their reply.
The letter that arrived that morning overflowed with their earnest feelings.
Ren read it slowly, taking in every word.
“If they’re happy for me, then this must be the right choice.”
The Ashton family had bitter memories connected to the academy’s Special Class. The affair involving Viscount Given was still fresh in their minds.
Even so, Ren’s parents respected his decision. Their joy was so great that one might have thought he had already accomplished something extraordinary.
Considering the nature of the Special Class, perhaps it was not strange that neither of them seemed to imagine he might fail. Their absolute faith in him warmed Ren’s heart.
It made him want to work even harder. He also resolved to visit the village again and see how the reconstruction was progressing.
“How did they take it, boy?”
Weiss approached Ren, who was reading the letter near the mansion’s entrance.
“My parents were happy with my decision.”
“I’m glad to hear it. I’ll be cheering for both you and the young lady during the examinations.”
The hand Weiss placed on Ren’s shoulder conveyed his sincerity.
“Thank you,” Ren replied happily.
He then told Weiss that he planned to visit the Imperial Capital that day.
“Hm? Are you going to the Lion’s Holy Office?”
“Yes. By the way, how is Licia-sama?”
Ren had not seen Licia yet that morning.
He had no intention of waking her if she was asleep, but if she was awake, leaving without a word would have felt inconsiderate.
“If you mean the young lady—”
“Haa… haa… R-Ren! Wait! I’m coming with you!”
Licia rushed breathlessly into the entrance hall just as Ren asked about her, then hurriedly smoothed her disheveled bangs.
Once she had caught her breath, Ren looked at her flustered appearance in confusion.
“What’s wrong?”
“I’m coming with you! You’re going to the Lion’s Holy Office, aren’t you? I just received Father’s permission, so I’m going too!”
In Licia’s hand was the letter of introduction that had arrived shortly after the New Year. As promised, Ulysses had prepared it so that she could enter the Lion’s Holy Office.
(So Licia-sama really did want to begin learning the Mighty Sword Style as soon as possible.)
Licia read the thought behind Ren’s smile immediately.
She pouted, though the corners of her lips twitched when she remembered that her own hesitation had caused the misunderstanding.
“…You’re already getting the wrong idea.”
“I am?”
“No. Never mind. It isn’t your fault, Ren.”
With that, she walked past him.
Ren glanced toward Weiss. The knight merely shrugged and said, “I’ll escort you both to the Lion’s Holy Office.”
He offered no further comment and simply watched the pair.
They had not gone far beyond the mansion when Licia suddenly turned around in the garden.
Her hair, like amethyst melted into pure silver, gleamed as it swept around her.
Leaning forward slightly, she looked up at Ren with a proud, dignified expression.
“I’m not going to lose either, so you had better prepare yourself.”
Licia looked so lovely that Ren could not help admiring her.
But what was she talking about?
Licia knew he would probably assume she meant their sword training.
For now, that was fine.
Whether she could eventually make him turn and look at her would depend on her own efforts.
There was a reason Ren remained oblivious to the affection of the two beautiful young noblewomen.
He was normally perceptive, but he had lived so desperately until now that he had never found room to consider romance.
It was an understandable consequence of risking everything to protect his village, his family, Licia, and Fiona.
Only the gods knew how his feelings would change in the future.
After making her declaration, Licia’s cheeks reddened slightly.
“Come on, let’s go,” she said at once, walking ahead of Ren and Weiss.
Behind her, Weiss seemed to remember something.
“Oh, boy. Would you mind if we brought your belongings from the old manor in Clausel to Elendil?”
Now that Elendil was becoming their new base, arrangements had already been made to transport Licia’s personal effects from Clausel.
The same preparations could include Ren’s belongings.
“I don’t mind, but won’t that be a lot of trouble? I could return to Clausel and carry them myself.”
“Don’t worry about it. In fact…”
The convoy would bring not only their luggage, but also several servants who had remained in Clausel and frequently attended Ren and Licia.
For that reason, Weiss told Ren to leave the packing to them and allow himself to be looked after.
“The master and I will continue traveling between Clausel and Elendil, but you and the young lady will stay here. We’ll bring Io along with the servants as well.”
“I’m sorry to put everyone through so much trouble.”
“Think nothing of it. We are more than happy to have you at our young lady’s side.”
After their conversation, Ren raised his eyes.
He was not looking at the sky, but at the Grand Clock Tower, one of Elendil’s great landmarks. Its hands pointed to eight in the morning.
At that moment, its bells rang out across the city.
“It really is enormous.”
Hearing Ren, Licia slowed and moved from a few steps ahead to his side.
“Did you know, Ren? That clock tower is actually a magic tool.”
“Huh? Really?”
Licia smiled when she realized he did not know.
Ren was usually familiar with almost everything she mentioned, so she was plainly pleased to have something she could teach him.
“You can’t see it from here, but there is a garden on the roof. The Grand Clock Tower’s control mechanism is located there, and its power protects both the Imperial Capital and the area around Elendil.”
“Does it defend the cities with magical weapons?”
“No. The Grand Clock Tower isn’t a weapon. You know that one of the Seven Heroes was a magic-tool craftsman, don’t you? He created the tower as well.”
“Then it makes sense that an ordinary person like me couldn’t guess what it does.”
“Don’t say such strange things,” Licia replied with a laugh at his half-serious joke.
“The magic stone that powers it always comes from an S-rank monster. Father told me it is replaced once every few decades.”
The Grand Clock Tower alone was administered directly by the Imperial Castle.
Lessard had explained that he would have no involvement whatsoever when its magic stone was changed.
“When was it last replaced?” Ren asked.
“Several decades ago, I believe.”
“Then it must nearly be time.”
“Yes. You’re right. They plan to replace it by next summer.”
(It’s almost here…!)
As they continued talking, Ren asked Weiss how one reached the rooftop.
The answer was simple: the only route was the staircase inside the tower.
That day marked Licia’s first visit to the Lion’s Holy Office and her first direct experience of the Mighty Sword Style.
Perhaps out of consideration for her, the knight assigned to spar with her was a woman. Licia had never witnessed the Mighty Sword Style in person, but one exchange was enough for her to understand its power.
The knights who watched reached the same conclusion about her.
Licia’s talent was exceptionally rare.
◇ ◇ ◇ ◇
It was almost February when Ren once again made his way through the familiar streets of the Imperial Capital.
That day, he visited a bookstore and purchased several reference books for his studies.
The weather was mild enough that his coat felt warm, so he left it unbuttoned on the way back.
(What should I do now?)
He could return home, but it was still early. He wondered whether to browse another shop first.
While he considered the question, his feet carried him toward a particular district.
Stores of every kind lined the streets, which bustled with people of all ages.
The district was not far from the Imperial Military Academy.
The road along which Ren had escorted Fiona to her dormitory was nearby as well.
Walking with a paper bag full of reference books in one hand, Ren suddenly stopped.
A familiar figure had caught his attention.
“Hm?”