Chapter 48
She had heard that she only needed to arrive before the ceremony held at the Imperial Palace.
“Two months from now, there will be a unit placement test to determine your assignment.”
“A unit placement test?”
Erica pondered the words carefully, frowning.
It reminded her of a grueling exam she had endured years ago.
“Is it hard? Could it be even more frustrating than the S-rank mercenary promotion test?”
“It’s a completely different kind. I’ve praised you endlessly, so if you don’t get assigned to the first unit, it’ll be a little embarrassing.”
“Ah, why did you say that!”
“Do you lack confidence?”
“Huh?”
Erica glared at him, feeling he was being unfair.
What did he take her for?
“Master, someday you’ll hear the legend of a girl who appeared like a comet and conquered Tenearha with just a single sword.”
“I worry because if you cause trouble, I won’t be able to clean it up.”
“Do you think I’m always causing trouble?”
“……”
“What’s with that silence?”
Erica furrowed her brows.
“You know I’m good at everything. I’ll adapt quickly. Don’t worry.”
Since things had come this far, she decided to make the most of her life in the knight order.
She would behave politely and properly. No causing trouble.
She would participate diligently in training and get along with her comrades.
She would serve the royal family loyally as the Emperor’s Sword.
“So….”
At least until her master’s curse was completely lifted.
“Get well soon, Master.”
“Yes.”
“When you’re fully recovered, come see me first. Even if you dislike the institution, you must come.”
“Understood.”
Pechenik smiled and closed his eyes gently.
When he opened them again, listening to Erica’s words, he felt a desire to survive and see her somehow.
“…You’d look good in the knight uniform.”
The uniform, which she thought she’d never want to see again, now seemed impressive.
“I want to see it, my daughter.”
“…?”
Erica stared at Pechenik in shock.
Had she heard that right? She had, clearly.
Her jaw stiffened instantly, and she bit her lip.
She buried her face into the bed.
Was it okay for him to say that? Heat rose to her face.
“…Yes.”
She mumbled, still with her head pressed into the bed.
“Father.”
It was the first time she had ever called him that.
Her ears burned.
The voice came muffled through the blankets, but they both heard it clearly.
Pechenik smiled.
“Do what you want. Whatever it is, I’ll support you.”
“…Yes.”
Watching Erica bury her face, Pechenik chuckled softly.
He gently patted her fragile head.
“Now go. Don’t worry about me.”
Erica sniffled.
It was a warmth she would never forget, even if she died tomorrow.
“Yes.”
That hand had saved her in her childhood, and now it was her turn to protect her master.
“Master, don’t worry about me either.”
Erica finally resolved herself to leave for Tenearha.
“I will really do well there.”
She felt confident about anything.
Erica bid farewell to many people as she left the Hall of Light.
“Saintess.”
The first to speak was Hielia.
“Make sure to save our master. We’re relying on you alone, Saintess. Don’t make us run frantically to the temple! Do you understand?”
“Is that a threat?”
“It’s a request! A slightly forceful request!”
“Where did the shy girl I first met disappear to?”
“I’m off to Denterus! Goodbye!”
She also greeted the Tenearha knights departing for the island.
“I’ll see you in two months. I’ll speak well of you to His Majesty, so don’t be late.”
“Yes, Marquis! I’ll bring local specialties from Denterus when I return in two months!”
“Sorry to interrupt, but private gifts are prohibited in Tenearha.”
“I’m not giving it to the Count.”
“…?”
“Marquis! Stay healthy until we meet again!”
She also greeted the young candidates being trained as deputies.
“Take care, little ones.”
She had wanted to see the 8th unit of the Holy Knights too, but they had all gone to the Lercankan Forest to deal with the Basilisk corpses.
She also said goodbye to the upper-level staff of the temple she had become close to during her short stay.
“Goodbye, everyone!”
Erica slung her backpack over her shoulders.
As she departed from the Hall of Light, she glanced to the side.
As always, Chaud was standing beside her.
“Let’s go.”
No farewell was necessary.
They were returning to Denterus together, and there were still two months left.
Southern Denterus
As the largest commercial city in the southern region of the empire, the gates were crowded with people.
Bustling.
Merchants, mercenaries, and even carriages of nobles who came to enjoy the southern pleasures.
Amid the crowd—
“….”
“….”
Two figures appeared, looking like beggars.
Covered in dust, they crawled on all fours.
Dragging their exhausted bodies. From a distance, they looked quiet, but it was not so.
“…Erica. Did you really have to come all this way without sleeping or eating?”
“…Wait, is that something you should be saying now?”
“What do you mean?”
“Who kept teasing me by leaving early? I don’t know how we covered this distance in just ten days!”
“Hmph.”
“Thanks for making me experience the limits of humanity every time!”
“What? Buy me a drink if you’re thankful.”
“…?”
After bickering as if they were pulling each other’s hair, they dragged themselves forward, exhausted.
They had run tirelessly to reach Denterus and get some rest.
As usual, their racing competition ended in a draw.
Finally, entering the massive gates of Denterus, they collapsed onto the ground.
Thud, flop.
“….”
“….”
Erica and Chaud had finally arrived home.
Though not born in Denterus, she had long used it as her base for mercenary work.
It felt like a home of the heart.
Perhaps because of the extreme physical and mental exhaustion, a sense of relief washed over them.
“…I’m tired.”
“Shall we sleep a bit?”
“Yeah.”
Despite the bustling crowd, it didn’t matter.
They fell asleep snoring.
Snore—
Cool—
People continued to move around them, carefully avoiding the two sprawled figures.
Southern Mercenary Guild Headquarters
The treatment room door flung open as Caron entered.
“Erica?”
He had come immediately upon hearing of her return.
He had heard that someone had picked her up from the street where she had collapsed.
“She’s on the bed inside.”
The healer, Shurin, gestured with his chin.
Inside the room, there was…
“…?”
A white bear-shaped bundle, presumably Erica.
Her entire body was wrapped in white bandages, looking like a giant round ball.
“…Shurin, is this really Erica?”
“Yes~”
“Why is she so plump?”
“She had to be wrapped thickly enough so she couldn’t get up.”
Shurin was a capable healer.
Seeing Erica’s state, he made an immediate assessment.
Her fatigue was overwhelming, and given her restless personality, she would not take proper rest.
To prevent her from wandering off again, Shurin applied a special treatment: compression bandages.
“What’s that on the other bed?”
Another giant bandage bundle lay beside her.
“That’s Chaud, Erica’s friend.”
“Why is he like this?”
“He’s the same as Erica.”
“…?”
Caron tilted his head in confusion, but there was an even bigger question on his mind.
‘Was Commander Pechenik not found?’
