Sir Hero, It’s Time to Train!

A woman with unusually large ears perked up and surveyed her surroundings.

“What is this…?”

Sensing something unusual, her ears twitched this way and that, showing a curious movement beyond her control.

Yet, the more intriguing aspect was that no one seemed to care about her peculiar behavior.

Sitting in one corner of the night market, munching on some snacks, she hardly differed from others, but her perpetually moving ears and striking appearance were enough to catch anyone’s attention.

“August Varian, didn’t I tell you not to do anything conspicuous?”

The only one to notice her odd behavior was a large man approaching her, making August Varian’s ears perk up at his arrival.

With her actions, the large man frowned and plopped down beside August Varian’s chair.

“Don’t break the conduct rules.”

“This is instinctual; I can’t help it.”

“It’s a fascinating instinct, but it’s something you can hide if you want.”

“Easier said than done. More importantly, Mr. Kel Grigor.”

Squinting at Kel Grigor, August Varian spoke quietly, her ears perking up.

“Do you sense anything strange?”

“A strange gaze?”

“It feels like someone is watching us.”

“Sneaking a look? At you?”

Kel Grigor’s eyes turned serious at August Varian’s words.

The mana he discreetly released began to silently scan the surroundings, his control over it surprisingly delicate despite his rugged appearance.

“There’s no one observing us. It’s your imagination. Especially with this, no one in the Rondel Kingdom would be able to detect us.”

Showing the bracelet he was wearing, Kel Grigor made August Varian nod in agreement.

“If you say so, then it must be.”

August Varian acknowledged she wasn’t infallible.

For matters like this, she trusted the instincts of Kel Grigor, a member of the beastmen, who excelled in such things.

Thus, shaking off the strange feeling that had been bothering her, August Varian offered a snack she was holding.

“Would you like some? It’s lamb skewers, and surprisingly well-made for a street vendor.”

“An elf eating meat? You’re quite an odd one.”

“That’s species discrimination, you know? Not all elves survive on plants alone. What do you take us elves for?”

While elves did interact with humans and many were active in human society, the perception of elves as purely vegetarian puzzled her.

Especially since August Varian belonged to a dark-skinned tribe with eating habits similar to humans, such assumptions were unfounded.

Ignoring August Varian for a moment, Kel Grigor pulled a chunk of lamb from the skewer and crammed it into his mouth.

“Not bad.”

“Right? These street vendors have decent skills.”

“Were you really just sightseeing at the night market?”

“Investigations are best done blending in with the crowd.”

“So, did you find out anything?”

“The stir-fried meat there is also quite good. The sweet sauce should suit your taste. The dark beer from the nearby stall is top-notch as well.”

“……”

Faced with Kel Grigor’s stern gaze, August Varian cleared her throat and spoke cautiously.

“I’m sorry. I couldn’t find a thing. Did you?”

“I found it.”

“You did? That’s amazing.”

August Varian couldn’t help but be surprised that Kel Grigor had found something so quickly in the vast capital city.

Indeed, the beastmen had excellent noses for tracking things! She decided against voicing this thought, fearing it could spark accusations of racism.

However, Kel Grigor, seeming troubled by August Varian’s overwhelming reaction, took another lamb skewer from her hand and crammed it into his mouth before speaking again.

“But there’s a small problem.”

“A problem?”

“It went hiding in a place where it’s hard to get a hold on it.”

“In a place you can’t reach?”

“I said it’s hard to, not impossible.”

“It’s the same thing, isn’t it? That means the situation has gone awry….”

August Varian clicked her tongue in frustration.

As expected of an elf, her beauty was captivating, and the peculiar silvered eyes of her dark-skinned tribe shone mysteriously like the moon.

Pondering for a moment, August Varian asked Kel Grigor, “What do you plan to do?”

“I’ll observe for now. Let’s wait for our target to leave that place.”

“We don’t have plenty of time.”

“If there’s no chance, then we make one.”

“So, that’s the plan.”

August Varian showed her white teeth in a bright smile at Kel Grigor’s words.

“Leave it to me. Sneaking in and retrieving something is my specialty.”

Her confident demeanor only heightened Kel Grigor’s sense of unease.

***

After returning to Marquis Ferdida’ estate, Christian began going out frequently.

Leaving the residence early in the morning and returning late in the evening for two consecutive days naturally aroused suspicion among his companions.

However, aira chose not to interrogate, and perhaps because of this, Liber also refrained from questioning Christian’s actions.

On the third evening, Christian, who had been wandering around the capital aimlessly, sighed as he returned home.

“Should I just hire someone?”

Despite spreading his mana to search everywhere, he couldn’t find a trace of August Varian, making him start to question himself.

Had he been mistaken, or worse…

“Could they have left the capital?”

That was a possibility.

“But finding them would pose another issue.”

August Varian hadn’t committed any crime yet.

Dealing with an elf preemptively because they could become a villain in the future would surely cause diplomatic chaos.

Despite this, giving up the search wasn’t an option. Whatever it was, this was the only lead they had on tracking the dragonkin.

Christian decided it would be okay as long as he didn’t end up killing anyone and headed to his room in the mansion.

However, he was puzzled to find an unexpected visitor waiting for him at his door.

“Hey, Christian!”

“What is it?”

Despite usually avoiding him whenever he entered the mansion, today Caedwin was waiting for him with a bright smile. This was suspicious.

Yet, Christian knew there were only a few reasons this guy might approach him, so he picked the most likely answer from the possibilities.

“I don’t have money, so if you’re here to ask for a loan, go to Aira. Or Sonya.”

“I’m not here for money!”

“I’m not removing the ring either. I’m tired, so go away.”

“It’s not that either!”

“Then what is it?”

With no financial concerns or ring issues, there truly was no reason for Caedwin to approach, making Christian more suspicious.

“So, well, about your grandfather…”

“Grandfather? Which grandfather?”

Conflicted but determined, Caedwin suddenly bowed his head to Christian.

“Could you… please help Liber and I get endorsed?”

… Finally, he’s lost it.

***

“So, the endorsement you’re asking for isn’t for money, but for some kind of sponsorship?”

“Exactly! Geez, why do you punch first without even asking?”

Thinking it was about a financial matter, Christian had struck immediately.

He restrained himself from using a sword, sparing Caedwin because of their relationship.

Though Caedwin, who was suddenly hit, had the right to feel wronged, Christian wasn’t apologetic.

Choosing his master’s wisdom—that never agreeing to be a guarantor was wise—and influenced by the near dismal tale of one who did not heed this, Christian held to this belief.

With Christian’s nonchalant response clearly displayed, the rest of the group, particularly Liber, cautiously intervened.

Fortunately, since Caedwin had taken the lead, Liber spared being hit.

“I didn’t mean it in a bad way. Of course, I understand why you might be upset, Christian, but Caedwin can be a bit impulsive.”

“Well, setting that aside, why do you need this endorsement, particularly from our grandfather?”

Knowing Liber’s demeanor, Christian refrained from striking him, yet contemplating why Liber would want an endorsement provoked curiosity.

“That fool wants to enter the Aries Order’s New Year Martial Tournament, that’s all.”

Pointing her dumbbells, aira threw a disgruntled glance at Caedwin as she spoke.

“Martial tournament?”

Ignoring Aira, Caedwin eagerly shouted, “Yes, the martial tournament! It’s held this year! If I perform well, I could be knighted as a holy knight!”

“… You do know you are Baron Humbleton’s only heir. Would you really enter the priesthood?”

“Of course, I don’t plan to become a holy knight! Just placing will lead to receiving the Saintess’ blessing from the Aries Order… hehe.”

“…”

Sonya and Aira cringed at Caedwin’s breathy excitement.

“So, what does this have to do with getting an endorsement?”

“The problem is the first qualifying round is already over. To join the second round, you need recommendations from a high-ranking noble or clergy.”

Christian finally understood, nodding slightly at Caedwin’s explanation. Ignoring Caedwin, Christian turned his attention to Liber.

“… Why do you want to participate?”

“Huh? I can’t participate?”

“It’s not that. I can understand why this guy wants to, but what intrigues me is why you want to enter the martial competition?”

Caedwin bristled at Christian’s comment implying impure intentions but didn’t dare retort. Resigned, Liber sighed at Christian’s prompt.

“Even entering the main rounds would be a family honor. Presuming a good performance, we might even secure a priest from the Aries Order stationed in our Cotra territory.”

“Ah…”

Liber’s motives were so upright and sincere that they were beyond reproach.

“And Aira, you?”

“Me? No interest. Better wasting time building strength like this.”

Aira, she of burgeoning strength, warranted concern over how far she might push herself.

“Heh, a martial tournament? Sounds fun.”

Nemea chimed in, her arms wrapped around Sonya like a doll, gently brushing her hair. Christian warily asked Nemea.

“Huh? Are you interested too?”

“Not really. You know there’s too much risk if I get noticed.”

“At least you’ve got some sense.”

In her position, it was advisable to avoid drawing attention, unlike some who seemingly lacked such subtlety.

“Though I’d love to watch. The Aries Order is filled with handsome fellows. Maybe I’ll find my future husband~.”

“… Elder sister, if you want to keep that interest limited to puppies, please.”

“Hmm? Puppies? Well, they’re adorable, so I wouldn’t mind.”

Enjoy them all you want. Although those words were left unspoken, Christian ignored Nemea, briefly looking at Caedwin and Liber before heaving a sigh.

“If that’s the case, I’ll try to arrange a word on your behalf. But don’t get your hopes up too high.”

“Really? Great!”

“Thank you, Christian!”

A small gesture of goodwill might not be so bad after all. Perhaps a solid defeat in a duel might push them towards more earnest training.