Chapter 6 — Garden of Beginnings [3]
"Yes, same here. By the way, since you mentioned the entrance ceremony… you're a new student, right?"
"Yes, that's right. You too?"
"Of course."
I replied casually, studying her face.
It was obvious from a glance—she had the air of someone from a noble background.
"By any chance, are you a noble?"
"Eh? Me?"
The girl looked genuinely flustered at my question.
Then suddenly, she burst into laughter.
"Hahaha! Oh, sorry. I just wasn't expecting that question. From the way you asked, I take it you don't know who I am?"
"Uh… yeah. Sorry about that?"
"There's no need to apologize. Well, I suppose some people might not have seen me before."
She smiled brightly, showing no hint of irritation.
"Anyway, you said you came here to see the garden too, right? So you must like gardens?"
"Not gardens in general—just this one. More precisely, I like this garden because of the tree."
"I think I understand what you mean. This tree that Arter planted… it really is beautiful."
The girl looked up at the massive tree for a moment, then turned her gaze back toward me—or rather, toward the sword at my waist.
"That's quite an unusual sword you've got."
"Hm? Oh, this? Yeah. It's not the kind of blade you often see in the Empire. I personally acquired it from the far eastern edge of the continent."
As I gave a brief explanation, I observed her more closely.
I was sure I had seen her somewhere before—and not just anywhere, but as a rather important character.
'She's not from a ducal family—none of the dukes had blond hair. Then maybe a marquess family? There was one blonde among them, but…'
"Would it be alright if I took a look at that sword for a moment?"
"Huh? Oh, um… sure, I don't mind."
Actually, I was a little reluctant to hand over my sword, but in the end, I decided to do it anyway.
She was clearly the daughter of a high-ranking noble family—nothing good would come from offending someone like that.
I drew Mistcatcher and handed it to her.
"Oh, what an unusual design. I think Cedric's family used swords shaped somewhat like this… but there's definitely something different about yours."
"Yes, as I said, this sword isn't from anywhere in the Empire… wait. Did you just say Cedric?"
"Yes. Why? Do you know him?"
"That…"
A sword used by Cedric's family.
A family known for their swords.
And someone from that family named Cedric.
As far as I knew, there was only one person that fit all those conditions.
And if my memory was right, there was only one blonde girl who could refer to that Cedric so casually…
'Ah, damn it.'
I realized who this girl was.
She wasn't some ordinary noble's daughter.
"M–My apologies for not recognizing you sooner."
"Eh? Wait, what? Why so suddenly?"
"I sincerely apologize for realizing it so late."
"Ah… I see. S–So, you've figured out who I am?"
I bowed my head immediately in apology.
The girl looked startled and flustered, but this was the correct response.
At the very least, I couldn't afford to make an enemy of her.
"It's fine. Please, raise your head. There's no need to—ah!"
"Are you alright?"
As she waved her hand in reassurance, the girl accidentally nicked her finger on Mistcatcher's edge.
It was a small cut—barely enough to draw a thin line of blood, like a paper cut.
But the moment I saw that wound, my expression stiffened.
Because I knew exactly what it meant when this particular girl bled—
I'd seen it countless times in the game.
"Blood…"
"It's nothing serious. Oh, and you should take your sword back. I feel like it's dangerous for me to be holding it."
"Yes, understood."
I quickly retrieved Mistcatcher from her hands.
"Are you sure you're alright? I could get you some medicine right away—"
"It's really fine. Just a tiny cut. Ah, now that I think about it, we haven't introduced ourselves yet. What's your name?"
"Alex Vanehart."
"As I thought, you're a noble. I suppose you've already guessed, but I am…"
Just as the girl began to introduce herself—
"Your Highness!"
A black-haired girl appeared at the edge of the garden.
She rushed over to the blonde girl—no, to the one just called Your Highness—with a look of alarm.
"Your Highness, why did you suddenly disappear alone? What if you had been hurt or attacked—!"
"Come on, Sara. Don't be so serious. The academy's perfectly safe, you know?"
"That won't do. His Majesty the Emperor himself warned you multiple times—there are far too many who would seek to harm you."
Your Highness.
The blonde girl wasn't just a noble. She was a princess of the Empire.
The second daughter of the Arium Empire's Emperor—Layla Arium.
'And that black hair… and the name Sara. Then there's no doubt.'
Sara Isrinbloom.
The eldest daughter of the Isrinbloom Ducal Family, one of the Empire's Three Ducal Houses.
I recognized her immediately—she was the very character I had been building affection with before I ended up in this game.
'…Time to leave.'
I made my decision instantly.
Knowing Sara's personality, staying here any longer would be dangerous.
Especially since Layla had been injured—even if it was just a small cut, Sara would definitely—
"Your Highness! There's blood on your hand…!"
"Ah, it's fine, it was my own mistake…"
"Was it you?"
Sara turned her sharp gaze toward me.
Her eyes narrowed as she quickly examined me—and the Mistcatcher hanging from my waist.
"Was it your sword that dared to wound Her Highness?"
"Lady Sara, it's true that it's my sword, but I didn't—"
"So you admit it, then. No need to say another word."
"No, wait, at least let me explain—"
"Silence. I don't want to hear it."
With that, Sara drew the rapier at her side—the same distinctive blade I'd seen countless times in the game.
And without hesitation, she swung it straight toward my leg.
'…Ah.'
In the instant Sara's rapier sliced through the air toward me—
I caught sight of a faint red point along its trajectory.
And before I even realized it, I had drawn Mistcatcher, bringing its blade to meet that red point.
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[To be Continued]
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