“Who do you think will win?” one knight asked.
“Obviously, the Chief of the Magic Department,” another replied.
“But how can the Chief of the Magic Department defeat the Katen Kingdom’s general?” questioned a third.
“Why not? The Chief of the Magic Department has sparred with the Commander before,” someone else argued.
As other department members passed by, their serious expressions seemed out of place. However, when they were together, they became quite chatty.
Ares, who had been observing from a distance, suddenly raised his head. “What did you just say?”
“Excuse me?”
“Repeat what you just said.”
A moment ago, Ares had been sitting with a bored demeanor. Now, he pressed the knight.
“Of course, I hope the Chief of the Magic Department wins, but I thought it might be difficult to win against the Katen Kingdom’s general with just swordsmanship…”
“Not that. The other thing you said,” Ares interrupted.
“Oh, do you mean that the Chief of the Magic Department often sparred with the Commander?” the knight repeated.
“Kirine sparred with me?” Ares couldn’t hide his surprise. The knights answered him with puzzled expressions.
“Yes, although not as skilled as you, Commander, she claimed to be proficient enough to participate in a knight’s inauguration ceremony.”
A moment of silence passed. Since he had lost his memory, it was impossible for him to recall their past. However, some of his questions were finally answered.
No wonder, he thought. Kirine had insisted she had never held a sword, yet her fighting posture during training was that of an experienced warrior. Initially, Ares had assumed she was lying and intentionally pushed her harder.
It turned out that neither of them had realized their shared sparring history due to their memory loss. Ares hadn’t anticipated Kirine winning the upcoming duel for the proposal. To him, it seemed inevitable that she would lose.
It was understandable. How could someone with mere swordsmanship defeat the seasoned general of the Katen Kingdom, especially one who had fought countless battles?
Yet, despite that, Ares felt no anxiety. After all, the Katen Kingdom’s proposal laws held no sway in the Artium Empire.
She’s not fully grasping this because of her memory loss, he mused.
Ares briefly rested his chin on his hand, remembering his morning training with Kirine. Even if the mind forgets, the body remembers.
I’m sure her skills will significantly improve before the duel.
However, he found it difficult to believe she could defeat Viarte.
Perhaps I should visit Kirine again.
Thinking a sufficient amount of time had passed, Ares slowly rose and headed toward the laboratory where Kirine was located. As he approached, he sensed an increasingly chaotic atmosphere.
Could it be? he wondered, a sense of unease growing within him. He hastened his pace.
***
Ah, I think I can breathe again…
Having only consumed the recovery potion, Kirine felt invigorated and let out a comfortable sigh as she slumped back onto the sofa. However, her tranquility was short-lived.
“Um, Chief…” Cecil trailed off.
“What is it?” Kirine asked, slightly annoyed.
“We have a guest…”
“A guest? Who is it?”
Her nerves immediately tensed, her rest abruptly interrupted. Just as she thought she could finally relax, an uninvited visitor had arrived. Cecil’s response, however, was vague.
“Who is it that you can’t even answer…?”
Before she could finish her question, the door burst open. Startled, she jumped up, standing straight.
“General Viarte?”
“It’s been a while, rival.”
“What?”
For a moment, Kirine blinked in disbelief, thinking she had misheard. Viarte simply shrugged and took a seat across from her. Cecil, who had been observing them, discreetly left the laboratory.
A peculiar silence followed. Viarte calmly looked up at Kirine and asked, “What was your name again?”
It sounded like a genuine question, not a provocation. It was understandable that she wasn’t recognized. So, she didn’t feel angry.
“Kirine Rosentian,” Kirine said.
“Ah, right. That was your name.” Viarte nodded, as if recalling a distant memory. Kirine swallowed a sigh and sat down.
What a situation this is, she thought. It was uncomfortably awkward. Was this what it felt like to be caught in an unwanted love triangle? Regardless, she had to address the matter at hand.
“I’m not familiar with the customs of the Katen Kingdom,” Kirine began, “but please send a letter or request through my secretary before visiting my residence in the future.”
No matter how close they were, it was impolite to barge in like this. Viarte’s displeasure was evident as she looked at Kirine, her brow furrowing slightly.
“Ah, I apologize,” Viarte said, scratching her cheek. “I must have felt too close to you.”
Kirine was taken aback by the unexpected apology. Why does she feel so close to me? she wondered. They had only met yesterday.