Kays Translations

Chapter 31- While winning steadily

Estelle, who was asked what she had been doing, crossed her arms.

She showed no signs of panic, remaining calm and composed.

"I was preparing for the knights dispatched to Elendil. I have been away from Leomel for years, so I needed to see the situation with my own eyes."

"I see, so it was to ensure everything was in order."

Indeed, Estelle walked confidently through the town. If she had something to hide, she wouldn't have acted like someone drinking in the guild since morning. What would anyone suspect from seeing her like that?

...Rather than being arrogant, she explained the situation as a matter of course.

"...Very well. But I want to hear the rest of the story."

When did he gain such determination and develop such eyes?

Estelle has known Radius since he was born, but she never imagined he would become such an imposing young man.

"As I thought…. I wonder if it’s all thanks to Ren?"

Her voice was so faint that it didn't reach Radius. It was a voice like a sigh.

After she murmured, Radius’s voice resounded in the carriage.

"I also know that you spent some time in Elendil. It's natural. You didn't hide that fact. But why did you leave Elendil and head to the highway? Tell me the reason for your discreet behavior, evading the gaze of the people."

Estelle had made sure not to let anyone notice her movements. Radius indirectly conveyed that.

Radius didn't mind Estelle being in the town of Elendil. It was solely about her secretly behaving suspiciously.

But even so,

"Do you think you have mistaken me with someone?"

"Mistaken you with someone?"

"Well, even if I had tried to hide and move secretly, no matter how much you are Prince Radius---"

Estelle tried to end her words with a short sentence.

However, there is something he must not forget. Even if he later learnt about Estelle's suspicious behavior, he wouldn't know what she had done during the long holiday. That's because he couldn't go back to the past. If Radius hadn't sensed it and acted before she took action, he wouldn't have noticed it either. In other words, Radius had been proactive from a very early stage.

And there was another thing. The half-breed girl, Cait-sith, who was by Radius’s side.

For a moment, Estelle forgot about the existence of Mirei Arkheise.

"What about me...?"

"Oh, it's nothing."

Mirei was a noble, not a spy.

She might be able to imitate to some extent, but she couldn't deceive Estelle. However, Mirei's abilities surpassed Radius in terms of investigation.

Like a clairvoyant, she displayed a surprising power that even Estelle couldn't help but be amazed by.

And if Radius’s power were added to that...

"By the way, on the morning of the relevant day, Ren also left Elendil. It seems you were heading nearby as well, but did you know, Estelle?"

"I'm afraid I have no recollection of being near Ren."

"You say strange things. Did you deliberately and skillfully lose your memory?"

"It’s not so easy to lose memories. I simply have no memory of it. It's as if it never happened."

"I apologize for that. However, you must know, right? The foolish and cunning nobles who often appear in the council tend to conveniently forget inconvenient memories. But I apologize again. I can't imagine Estelle becoming such a fool."

But the conversation was not over.

Radius was willing to say that he knew a lot, even if he did not say so explicitly.

“But this is not just about what happened at Elendil. Did you think I wouldn't notice you, no matter how much you try to hide in the shadows?”

"Your Highness, Radius, I..."

"Enough with excuses. There's only one thing I want to know. Why was Estelle moving around Ren?"

Based on the response, Radius' reaction would change significantly.

Don't make a mistake, this is the final question.

In front of Radius who seemed to say so,

"...Phew."

Estelle sighed as if resigned to her fate.

Simultaneously, the pressure emitted by Radius also subsided.

"I apologize. It seems I had forgotten something."

"Yeah, I thought so."

"By the way... What would you have done if I couldn't remember?"

"At the very least, I wouldn't have asked you for any more favors in the future."

"No further punishment is necessary... Now then."

Estelle recalls in front of Radius...

Here, there was a hint of performance, an intentional artificiality.

"The answer to what I was doing... I cannot speak of it myself... That's how I've been instructed to answer."

"Instructed, you say?"

"Yes. There's no difference in that regard."

In other words, that's what it meant.

If taken literally, it meant that whoever gave Estelle orders had anticipated that Radius would see through it eventually.

"...Then, what do you think if I were to ask someone else about Estelle's actions?"

"From me, nothing. How you handle it is entirely up to Your Highness Radius."

"Heh, then I shall allow it."

Fortunately, Radius was laughing.

Seeing his confident smile, Estelle breathed a sigh of relief.

"I apologize for taking your time. As usual, Estelle, please take care of security around here."

"Yes!"

Radius got off the carriage. Shortly after, Estelle got off as well and cleared her throat. She deliberately adjusted her posture.

As they walked on the cobblestone path, the two exchanged words as they always did.

"...Your Highness Radius, I was speaking the truth earlier."

"Oh, really? Please tell me which part was true."

"That I hadn't met with Ren."

"The incident in the forest during the holidays?"

"Yes. I had planned to go near Ren, but it was impossible. I had a strange feeling that he would notice me, so I gave up."

So, it truly didn't happen.

As Estelle had stated, there was no such thing as being in the same place.

"Heh heh heh... Were you wary of Ren's intuition?"

"Indeed. That's a keen sense often found in those who have risked their lives. Ren's sense is particularly sharp among such individuals."

"Hahaha! Ah, yes! Ren tends to be quite outlandish!"

A short distance away from the carriage, Mirei was waiting. Despite the heat outside, she remained there with the same composure, without a drop of sweat on her forehead.

At this point, Estelle stepped back and stood a step away.

"Your Highness, are you ready nya?"

"Yes, let's go. We must do our best together today."

"Yes, nya!"

"Then, Estelle, I'm counting on you today as well."

"Yes!"

Estelle followed Radius and Mirei with her eyes as they walked towards the headquarters set up in the plaza.

"Estelle threw everything up. She couldn't say anything―――― That's how she was ordered to respond,"

"Uwaa... It feels like you've been rolled around in someone's hands...nya."

"Yes. Honestly, I don't like it."

"What should we do? Should we schedule an audience right away nya?"

"I've requested it. The date is the night of the seventh day of the Lion King Festival. Once this festival is over, I will confront His Majesty―――― No, I mean my father and demand answers."

Radius felt relieved, but it wasn't over yet.

He would ask everything without leaving anything behind, and find out what kind of intentions were at play.

◇ ◇ ◇ ◇

It was the morning of the sixth day of the Lion King Festival.

(Let's see, today is the quarterfinals of the martial arts tournament, right?)

Ren woke up in his room and recalled the schedule.

Today, the four participants who would advance to the semifinals would be decided. Since all the representatives of the Imperial Officer Academy have made it this far, it is highly likely that the semifinals will be dominated by them. Setting aside the legend of the Seven Heroes, Ren thought about that.

"Fuwaa..."

He got ready to go about his duties as a member of the executive committee and left his room. Lessard had already left the mansion, so the only one waiting for Ren at the dining hall was Licia, who arrived a little late.

"Good morning, Ren."

"Good morning.――――Licia-sama, your hair is a bit bouncy."

"Huh!? Where?"

When Ren pointed to the spot with his finger, Licia pressed it down with her hand.

She blushed slightly and coughed deliberately, keeping her hand pressed against her hair, then she sat down next to Ren.

They enjoyed their breakfast that was soon served,

"We must do our best today as well."

Ren responded with a "Yes, indeed" to Licia's words.

As they finished their breakfast quickly,

"When it comes to stamina, I'm in perfect shape. I haven't had any strange dreams since then, so I've been sleeping well."

"Me too.――――But I wonder what that dream was all about."

"I have no idea... Well, that day we were together from morning till night, so maybe we had similar dreams because we saw the same sights."

"Could be."

A few minutes later, Licia finished her breakfast as well and they left the dining hall.

Carrying their bags, they went outside, and were greeted by the bright morning sun.

Licia shielded her eyes from the sunlight with her hand, squinting. Her smile was as dazzling as the morning sun.

◇ ◇ ◇ ◇

In the afternoon of that day, after Ren finished his lunch at the headquarters.

He heard a knock on the door and went to open it. There were three people outside: Sarah, Vane, and Nemu. Upon noticing their presence, Licia also headed towards Ren and the two of them left the headquarters together.

"Listen! We won again today!"

Before Ren and Licia could say anything, Sarah exclaimed with joy.

Licia's body took a half step back due to Sarah's overwhelming embrace. While tightly holding her, Licia said.

"As expected. I knew you guys would definitely win."

"Licia-chan, all four matches in the quarterfinals were won by our representatives."

"Oh, so that means only students from the Imperial Academy will be in the semifinals?"

"Yeah, it's surprising, right? Our representatives have been advancing quite far every time, but it's been a while since they monopolized the semifinals."

"Is that so? Hey, Licia! Does that mean you can come and watch the semifinals and finals? We want you to see us fight!"

Licia looked at Ren standing nearby and made eye contact, silently asking, "What do you think?"

"I have plenty of time on the sixth day, so I think it'll be fine."

To ensure that even the members of the organizing committee could enjoy the latter part of the Lion King Festival, work was adjusted to be reduced in all academic institutions. Not only the teachers of each institution but also the management of the Lion King Festival worked together, allowing more time for the students, who were the main actors.

"Really?! You guys probably already know, but the final day of the martial arts tournament is in the afternoon! All the other competitions will be over in the morning, so we'll be fighting last!"

"...Yeah, I understand. Unless there's an urgent task, I think I can come and enjoy watching Sarah's performance."

"Yay!"

"Oh... Sarah, don't suddenly hug me like that."

Licia smiled as she was embraced by Sarah.

"It's thanks to Ren. Thank you so much."

On the first day of the martial arts tournament, Vane's tension was relieved thanks to Ren. In the legend of the Seven Heroes, there was an event where tension would affect the user's stats negatively, which caused dissatisfaction among users, but it seemed that there was no such effect this time.

"Hey, Ren,"

Vane said, just after expressing gratitude.

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