EFWM 46

Chapter 46

Erica suddenly felt a surge of anger.

“I’m just glad I happened to become a Swordmaster at this time, or else I’d probably be in tears. Just… please, get the Holy Grail and heal yourself!”

If the situation had been reversed, her master would have done the same, wouldn’t he?

That wicked old man just kept getting angry.

“I really wanted to join Tenearha!”

Even if it was only since yesterday. Anyway.

“You told me to live life for fun. You told me to try everything that looks interesting.”

“…….”

Despite her disciple’s passionate persuasion, Phetenic’s expression didn’t soften.

In utter despair, he brushed his face once.

“That’s not fun. I’ve tried it.”

“I’ll try it once and give you my review.”

“I said it’s not fun.”

“Why are you deciding that, Master? I said I’ll try it!”

“You stubborn brat!”

“Who do you think I take after!”

Looking at a child raised exactly like himself, Phetenic felt the weight of responsibility.

Who had even raised her? Erica had a strong heart and no fear.

She didn’t even realize what she was doing.

She didn’t even know how irreversibly reckless it was.

After a long silence, Phetenic finally spoke again.

“I’ll meet with Marquis Nokbel.”

“I told you not to!”

“I know!!!”

The deed had already been done, and it couldn’t be undone.

Clenching his teeth, Phetenic thought about what could be done immediately.

He had to meet Tenearha before returning to the Order, despite previously rejecting him at the doorstep.

There was no time.

“…….”

He reminded himself that he was Erica’s guardian.

He gave her over with several instructions, earnest requests, and warnings.

If needed, he could even draw his sword to let off steam.

Anyway, there was much to say to Marquis Nokbel.

“You… don’t come see me for the time being.”

“Eh?”

Phetenic turned around and left the room.

“Whaaaat?!”

The disciple left behind looked utterly wronged.

Sullen.

Sullen².

Erica and Chaud crouched side by side.

Curled up like balls, they dug the dirt with sticks.

Chaud confessed first.

“Sorry. I accidentally said it.”

“It doesn’t matter. I was going to be scolded anyway.”

Erica answered glumly.

It was shocking to hear her master declare he wouldn’t look at her.

She was about to leave for the Order soon, and she wanted to see his face even a little more.

‘He seemed to collapse yesterday too…’

Even if she was worried, she couldn’t go see him.

She also wondered if the Saintess was handling Margareta’s Holy Grail properly.

What if her master hated that too and threw the Grail to the floor?

‘There’s nothing I can do.’

Erica dug the ground weakly, sullen.

Once the two Swordmasters started digging, a small trench quickly formed.

The clerics managing the Sky Garden couldn’t help but shed tears.

How long would they have to watch such a fearsome digging?

Luckily, they stopped before making a huge hole in the upper floors.

“Ugh.”

The sticks were thrown to the ground.

“I’m going to see him.”

Erica jumped up, and Chaud followed suit.

“He’s my master, why shouldn’t I see him? Right?”

“You’re right.”

They boldly shook off the dirt from their hands and shouted.

“Let’s go!”

However, the moment they took a confident step forward, they immediately stopped.

Thud.

A man appeared right in front of them.

It was Count Herace.

‘Eek.’

Erica flinched and instinctively stepped back.

She bumped into Chaud’s chest, and he held her elbow gently from behind.

‘Wow, that was scary.’

Since she had joined Tenearha, she would see his face often and had to get used to it.

“You’re here.”

“……?”

Erica looked around quickly.

And then she looked back at Count Herace, who was staring straight at her.

“Are you… here to see me, by any chance?”

This was almost the first time Erica had a proper conversation with Count Herace.

All previous talks had been led by Marquis Nokbel.

“Why would you think that isn’t possible?”

“Well… because you don’t have any interest in me.”

As Erica whispered this, Count Herace spoke, hands behind his back.

“A new recruit after a long while—if I, as Commander, didn’t check on you, that would be the strange thing.”

“……?”

Commander.

Could he be the head of Tenearha?

“……??”

Wasn’t that green-haired old man, Nokbel or something, the captain?

Erica was internally flustered.

If he was the head of Tenearha, that officially meant he was the strongest swordsman in the Empire.

The Empire’s strongest sword.

He was the father who had given birth to her—but now, a complete stranger.

Count Herace spoke again.

“You’ll be returning to the Order soon. I’m here to inform you of the departure schedule.”

“……What?”

Erica was startled.

“When are we leaving?”

“Marquis Nokbel seems to be taking longer than expected in his conversation with Sir Phetenic…”

Count Herace said plainly.

“We plan to depart tomorrow.”

The casualness of his words made Erica even more flustered.

“Tomorrow?! That fast?!”

“The Emperor will surely be eager to witness the new sword.”

Isn’t that just your opinion? The Emperor has nothing better to do, right?

Many retorts sprang to mind, but she didn’t voice them.

Even with generous allowance, the schedule was far too rushed.

Erica’s gaze wavered before she made up her mind.

“Could I… have a grace period of about a month?”

She clasped her hands calmly and humbly.

For Erica, this was an unusually polite request.

“A month?”

“My hometown is Southern Dantus. I have people there who’ve been like family for a long time. Please let me say goodbye.”

Even briefly, she wanted to visit Dantus.

She also had to bid farewell to her guild members.

She had to formally hand over the Guild Master position to Karon.

She had to give her master a casual report on her well-being.

The distance to Southern Dantus was vast; just thinking about a round trip required at least a month.

That was assuming she hurried nonstop—minimum time.

“You don’t seem to grasp reality yet.”

The reply was cold.

“Tenearha is not an academy. A mere mercenary guild is even less so. You’re not free to do as you please just because you’re young.”

“I never thought that—”

“Consider this a warning. I will not tolerate you acting spoiled just because you are Phetenic’s disciple.”

“I—”

“If you continue to be insolent, your life in the Order will be arduous. Take note.”

No chance.

Erica was speechless.

‘What a stuck-up old man…’

I just want to say goodbye to my hometown, and you won’t let me?

And with such scolding too?

Knowing that her cantankerous father was the head of Tenearha made her future in the Order seem bleak.

‘Damn it.’

She was about to argue that leaving for the Order tomorrow would be impossible.

Thud-thud-thud!

“Commander!”

A knight in Tenearha uniform came running.

“Marquis Nokbel requests your presence!”

“Have you finished all your talks with Sir Phetenic?”

“Yes. But… uh…”

The knight hesitated, then whispered.

“I didn’t see it myself, but it seems the two of them had a serious fight.”

“……?”

Count Herace looked puzzled. They weren’t the type to fight.

They’d had a deep bond since long ago. Even if they quarreled, it would have been playful.

“They wouldn’t have drawn swords during conversation.”

“There’s no trace of aura use in the room, but strangely, there’s a red stain on the floor…”

“……Blood on the floor?”

“Damn it!”

Erica swore and dashed off.

Chaud followed behind.

Whoosh—

“……?”

“…….”

The two left behind at Tenearha just looked on with question marks over their heads.

Count Herace watched only their backs as they ran off.