About a month had passed since the Count’s house attack incident, one afternoon in the capital, Priscillium.
Huuu…
Sitting on a bench beneath a large tree in the plaza, Rudell was fanning himself.
Hot…
There was a way to lower the temperature with magic, but in such an open space, he would have to keep using magic, and it was clear his magic power would run out soon.
When on earth are they coming…
Time had already passed twelve noon, and yet no one had arrived at the meeting place.
They wouldn’t have gotten into any trouble, would they…
Just then, while Rudell was frowning and muttering to himself, he heard a voice from behind.
“Rudellheit.”
Turning his head, he saw a boy with dark bronze skin, red eyes, and sandy blonde hair.
Kurt Kasha.
A Nord tribe friend Rudell had made during the summer vacation, who would later become a reliable ally.
You’re late.
Sorry. I’m just not used to looking at the clock.
Kurt answered Rudell’s retort in a calm voice. Living a life far removed from civilization, it was something he could understand fully.
Still, you seem to have adapted quite well.
Thanks to Master Kyle.
During the vacation, what Kurt learned from Kyle wasn’t just about fighting; it included how to live as a person of the kingdom, body manners, ways of thinking, and so on…
With just his skin color being a bit unusual, nobody would suspect he was from the eternal winter plains.
So, when is that girl… I mean the Duchess coming?
Well, the appointment time has already passed…
Rudell looked around with a perplexed voice at Kurt’s question.
Hmm?
Then, spotting a familiar-looking carriage approaching in the distance, Rudell focused on it.
As the carriage stopped by the roadside, the door opened, and a familiar-looking girl ran towards him.
Rudell!
You’re late.
Hehe. Sorry… I had more to prepare than I thought.
Rudell’s words made Leje chuckle, and she squinted her eyes, asking him.
By the way, how do you like this outfit? It suits me well, right?
Huh? The outfit?
At her question, Rudell looked at the dress she was wearing.
A sleeveless white dress paired with a wide-brimmed white hat he had seen before.
The waist was tied with a blue ribbon, highlighting her figure.
W-Well…
Feeling his heart race at her question, Rudell trailed off.
Hehe…
That seemed to be enough of an answer, as Leje held Rudell’s hand with a soft laugh and approached Kurt, who was standing a little further away.
So… your name is definitely Kurt, right? I didn’t properly introduce myself last time because it was such a rush.
Then, she extended her hand towards him and looked him up and down.
If one were to consider, the Nord tribe would be a rare sight for her, so it wasn’t surprising she would react that way.
Let me introduce myself again. I’m Leje El Lagrind, and I hope you’ve heard of me as Rudell’s ‘first’ friend!
Emphasizing the word “first,” Leje showed her possessiveness, looking quite adorable, which made Rudell chuckle softly.
Nice to meet you. My name is Kurt Kasha, son of the great winter’s heir and chief of the Frost Wolf tribe, Pamubek Kasha. I look forward to today.
Nice to meet you. I also look forward to it.
Of course, Kurt’s forthright nature meant he didn’t pick up on the subtle undertones of her words and extended his hand calmly.
Leje, taken aback by his reaction, shook his hand with a slightly disgruntled expression.
Puhuh…
Seeing that scene, Rudell chuckled quietly.
For the future, it was essential for Leje and Kurt to develop some familiarity, but if anything was rushed, it could backfire.
In that sense, the fact that Leje had relaxed her guard towards Kurt made this meeting quite valuable.
Alright, now that everyone is gathered, shall we move along?
That should be enough for introductions.
With that thought, Rudell began to walk…
And Leje and Kurt followed behind him.
*
There are so many things to buy…
With bags full in both hands, Kurt let out a low groan.
What he was carrying included school supplies, textbooks, and various necessities.
Since he transferred during the semester instead of at the start, he had to hurriedly purchase all those items.
It can’t be helped. They’re all preparations to become stronger.
By the end of the academy’s training, Kurt would be on par in battle prowess with Leje.
To facilitate even a bit of his growth, there were many preparations to be made.
Well, then we can’t avoid it.
With Rudell’s reply, Kurt groaned lower as he accepted another box handed by Rudell.
Meanwhile, the sun was setting, painting the sky red…
D-Do we really need this many luggage…?
Of course! This is the last one!
Rudell put a fountain pen into the overflowing pouch of Kurt, who could barely see ahead due to the piled-up luggage, and patted his shoulder.
I-I guess that’s a relief.
Alright! Now that we’ve bought everything, shall we take a short break before heading back?
While gazing at Kurt, who exhaled a sigh of relief, Leje pointed at a café nearby, and the trio started walking towards a table outside.
What will you order?
One iced coffee and one iced tea. And what will you have?
As the cheerful clerk asked, Rudell turned to Kurt…
Let’s go with beer.
After a moment’s thought, Kurt replied like that.
You might think, ‘What’s a fifteen-year-old doing drinking?’ but in this world, turning fifteen meant being recognized as an adult.
Additionally, there were no laws prohibiting underage drinking, so nobody questioned children drinking.
Also, since the eternal winter plains were among the coldest regions of the continent,
It was almost customary for the Nord people to drink alcohol from a young age.
One iced coffee, one iced tea, and a beer, please!
Understood!
With a lively smile, the clerk took the order slip to the counter…
Haa… so tired.
Sighing softly, Rudell buried his head on the table.
It was just past seven in the evening, meaning he had been wandering around for nearly six hours without a break.
While Leje and Kurt were fit enough not to have any issues, it was quite tiring for Rudell.
Rudell.
Huh? What?
Just then, he heard Leje’s voice calling him, and he raised his head, tilting it curiously.
Then, after hesitating and glancing at Rudell, Leje seemed to make a decision and nodded.
Did you talk about anything with Dad that day?
Cough!
Simultaneously, Rudell felt a choking sensation and began to cough roughly.
Colock! Kugh! Cough!
Here’s some water.
Thanks… Colock!
Kurt, who was watching, poured water into a cup and handed it to him, and as Rudell quickly emptied the cup, he coughed for a while longer before finally letting out a short sigh.
W-Why do you ask that all of a sudden?
It’s strange. Dad isn’t someone who would easily change his mind, yet he revoked the suspension right after you came back.
Umm…
He had thought he wouldn’t have to think deeply since the letter didn’t say anything, but to think she would directly ask…
He felt cold sweat run down his neck, and Rudell let out an awkward groan.
[No matter what happens, please keep the events of today a secret.]
That applied to Leje as well.
So? What happened with Dad that day?
It was just… I had a talk with the Duke. I asked him to revoke your suspension.
Is that really all there is to it?
As Leje looked at him with skeptical eyes, Rudell gathered his thoughts and spoke.
Yup, that’s right.
Even if it was a bodily conversation, it still counted as a conversation anyway.
Rudell nodded his head, rationalizing it to himself.
Hmm…
At his answer, Leje squinted her eyes, evaluating him, but there wasn’t much she could do.
After all, the only people who knew about that matter were Dasus and Rudell alone.
If the two decided to keep silent, there wasn’t much Leje could do about it.
Alright, I’ll trust you. For now…
Thanks for that.
Thanks? I should be the one grateful here.
While adjusting his still-sore throat, Rudell answered, and Leje smiled gently at him…
Here are your drinks!
With a bright smile, the clerk approached and placed the drinks on the table.
Here, this is yours.
Thanks.
And this one is yours…
Thank you.
With everyone receiving their drinks, they all instinctively took large sips.
Puhah!!
The cold drinks were a refreshing relief for their heated bodies after wandering around for six continuous hours.
All three of them emptied their cups nearly simultaneously, letting out long sighs as they put their cups down.
Thus, a peaceful moment was passing.
