Chapter 443

“It appears that they have figured out Sir Arion’s true identity.”

Melina spoke with a look of slight concern on her face.

“He probably anticipated that this might happen to some degree.”

“What is our next move?”

“I doubt those three individuals will share that piece of information with anyone else.”

All three of them had previously served as student council presidents.

They were well aware of the massive chaos that would erupt if the public discovered that Arion had emerged in this present age.

“Even so, I think it is best if I speak with them individually.”

“Very well.”

Leo gave a nod of agreement to Melina’s suggestion.

He then became lost in his own thoughts as he watched Arion leading the graduates forward.

‘You are making your own preparations in your own manner.’

“And Sir Leo.”

“What is it?”

“Regarding the matter you brought up to me previously.”

“Yes.”

“I believe next week would be an appropriate time.”

Leo acknowledged her words with a nod.

“Understood.”

It was now the third week of the training camp.

Splash—

“Ah, I feel like a brand new person~”

“I’ve been looking forward to this all day~”

The second-year students, who had fully adapted to life at the campsite by now, had managed to take care of all their essential needs.

“Who would have guessed they would go as far as constructing a fully functional bathhouse out here?”

“It’s wonderful. Lady Celia seemed thoroughly pleased with it too, didn’t she?”

Chen Xia responded with a warm smile to Celia’s quiet observation.

“That is true.”

Even though they were destined to be future heroes, they were still ultimately adolescents.

There were many students who refused to neglect their personal appearance, even when subjected to such a harsh and unforgiving environment.

Because of this, the students’ collective yearning to stay clean and presentable while stranded in the wild only intensified.

Ultimately, that intense desire was the exact reason they had banded together to build a bathhouse.

It happened while they were all soaking in the steaming water, letting the accumulated exhaustion of the day melt away.

“Those first-years! Seriously! While we, their esteemed seniors, are out here suffering like miserable dogs! Huh? They get to live in total comfort, relaxing with their legs stretched out?”

Right at that moment, Iliana’s piercing voice echoed through the space.

Having just walked into the bathhouse, Iliana was loudly complaining while gripping onto Nella.

“And here I was, wasting my sympathy on those first-years, thinking they were enduring the same hell we are! What am I supposed to do with this overwhelming sense of betrayal!”

“Are you seriously trying to direct your anger at our juniors for something like that?”

Nella simply shook her head in disapproval.

Just the day before, word had spread that while the second-year students were enduring nightmarish days abandoned in the rough wilderness, the first-years were conducting their training camp in an incredibly luxurious environment.

“I wanted to gather around a campfire too! I wanted to eat gourmet meals every single day! And spend every night having fun! That’s the exact kind of training camp I always fantasized about! I wanted to be a proper, dutiful daughter, sitting by a crackling fire and reflecting deeply on my parents’ love and grace!”

The female students representing Lumen chose to completely ignore Iliana, who was frantically waving her arms and yelling as though she had been deeply wronged.

After sliding into the hot spring water, Iliana muttered under her breath.

“Well, even though this is an open-air bath, at least there aren’t any degenerate creeps trying to sneak a peek at us.”

“Who could possibly be reckless enough to attempt something that foolish?”

It was a given that escaping the sharp senses of the female students was an impossible feat, considering this was a gathering of individuals recognized as absolute prodigies in aura, magic, and summoning.

Trying to spy on them was, in the most literal sense, an act of suicide.

Hearing that, Iliana countered.

“Why not? Our class president certainly possesses the skills to pull it off, doesn’t he?”

“Leo would never commit such a disgraceful act.”

“Still, the class president is a guy at the end of the day.”

Iliana grumbled quietly in response to Nella’s defense, but not a single student voiced agreement with her.

“Put an end to those ridiculous thoughts this instant.”

Chelsea reprimanded her firmly.

Iliana, who had been pouting, suddenly let out a mischievous smirk.

“What’s the meaning behind that devious look?”

When Chelsea narrowed her eyes suspiciously, Iliana quickly shook her head.

“Oh, it’s nothing. Just… I was just thinking that you definitely look on the younger side. Especially when compared to her.”

Iliana shifted her gaze over to Chen Xia.

“Xia really exudes the aura of a mature older sister, a true big sister. Hmm hmm! Cough! Gurgle—!”

Before she could finish her unnecessary teasing, Iliana received a swift kick from Chelsea, sending her floundering helplessly in the water.

Once the brief chaotic moment settled down.

“Oh! By the way, have any of you caught wind of the latest news?”

“What kind of news?”

“Word is that we don’t have any training scheduled for tomorrow!”

“What are you talking about?”

The eyes of everyone in the bath widened in unison at Iliana’s abrupt announcement.

“They said tomorrow is completely free time! We’re permitted to travel to Delan, the capital city of the Kingdom of Delard! And all we have to do is make sure we return by the day after tomorrow!”

“What?!”

“Is that actually true?!”

“You aren’t just making this up to mess with us, right?”

The female students, their eyes gleaming with shock, immediately swarmed around Iliana.

“It’s absolutely true~ I got this information straight from Karl, so there’s zero doubt about it!”

“We are finally liberated from this living hell!”

“Even if it’s just for a single day! We can actually rest without a care in the world!”

“Hooray!”

The following morning.

Melina stood before the students during the morning assembly.

“Every single one of you has pushed through incredible hardships and suffered immensely over these past three weeks of training. You have all done an exceptional job enduring this brutal regimen. Therefore, as a reward, you are granted permission to leave the grounds for a duration of two days and one night…”

“Whooooooa! We’re free!”

“The individuals who just shouted. Step to the back immediately.”

The expressions of the students who had cheered instantly drained of color upon hearing Rienia’s terrifyingly cold voice.

While those few students were being sternly disciplined in the back, Melina concluded her speech with a radiant smile.

“I truly hope you all enjoy a wonderful and refreshing break.”

Arion’s eyes stretched wide with amazement at the vibrant spectacle unfolding before him.

The location where Arion was currently standing was right in the middle of the bustling streets of Delan.

“So this is what a city looks like in this day and age.”

Arion breathed out an exclamation of genuine wonder.

Even though it belonged to a minor nation situated on the border, it was still the capital of a kingdom, and the thoroughfares were brimming with boundless energy.

Observing the constant flow of horse-drawn carriages and pedestrians moving back and forth, Arion couldn’t stop turning his head to take in every single detail.

As she watched him look around, Chelsea remarked quietly.

“Doesn’t watching Sir Arion make you feel just a little bit anxious?”

“What do you mean?”

“It feels like we constantly need to keep a protective eye on him. How should I put it… it’s almost like watching a small child being left unattended near a body of water.”

“Isn’t that incredibly ironic coming from you, considering you’re the most immature one out of all of us?”

Karl let out a soft chuckle.

In retaliation, Chelsea didn’t hesitate for a second before delivering a sharp dropkick straight into Karl’s ribs.

Karl collapsed to the ground in utter misery, groaning loudly for a long time while clutching his side before he managed to painstakingly drag himself back up to his feet.

“Changing the subject, Leo and Chelsea. The Lord specifically charged the two of you with the task of showing Sir Arion around the city, didn’t he?”

“That’s right!”

Chelsea proudly puffed out her chest in response.

For an aspiring hero, being personally selected to guide a legendary figure whom they had only ever read about in childhood storybooks was an incomparably massive honor.

“As for Ar, he looked like he was right on the verge of tears when Lunia dragged him away by force.”

Ar had eagerly volunteered to act as Arion’s guide, but his request had been flatly denied.

This was because Melina believed that Arion, who harbored a subtle, instinctual fear of Ar, wouldn’t be able to fully relax and enjoy his time if Ar were present.

“Even so, we all agreed to meet up and stay at the same inn once evening comes.”

Chelsea and Karl both shook their heads simultaneously, feeling a bit sorry as they thought of Ar.

“Karl, what are your plans for today?”

“Hmph. I’m planning to track down and acquire some rare merchandise that can be covertly smuggled back in. Those kinds of items fetch an incredibly high price, don’t they?”

“If you end up getting caught, you’re going to be in an immense amount of trouble, you know?”

“The trick is simply not getting caught. As long as I don’t get caught, it’s fine.”

Karl let out a sly laugh.

Watching Karl behave this way, Chelsea could only shake her head in disbelief.

“You certainly speak with a lot of confidence right in front of Brother Leo.”

Leo, in his capacity as the student council president, had already reported Karl to the disciplinary committee multiple times in the past for cunningly breaking school regulations.

“He explicitly stated that he would turn a blind eye to minor contraband items as long as they aren’t anything genuinely dangerous, remember? Mwahahaha!”

Karl boomed with confident laughter.

“Sure, go ahead and do your absolute best.”

“Got it. Well then, have an amazing time! Sir Arion! I’ll see you both later tonight!”

Karl offered his parting words and went on his way.

Arion, who had waved a friendly goodbye to Karl, stepped closer to Chelsea and spoke.

“Chelsea. I will buy that for you over there. Let us enjoy it together.”

Arion pointed directly at an ice cream vendor operating on the side of the street.

“Wow, thank you! Sir Arion!”

When lunchtime arrived.

Acting on a recommendation provided by Leo, the three of them made their way to a hidden gem of a restaurant nestled within Delan.

It wasn’t an overly luxurious establishment, but because it came highly recommended by Leo, who had spent a portion of his life living in Delan, the quality and flavor of the food were spectacularly satisfying.

“Haa.”

Seated comfortably on a wooden bench located near the eatery, Chelsea murmured softly as she soaked in the intense warmth of the summer sun.

“This is pure bliss. This is what it truly means to be alive.”

After being confined to the mountains for three consecutive weeks, constantly rolling through the dirt, Chelsea was extracting an immense amount of joy from their current freedom.

Arion approached Chelsea, who was smiling radiantly.

“Chelsea. The sunlight is incredibly fierce today. You will end up getting a sunburn at this rate. I purchased this hat for you over here.”

“Thank you so much!”

“I also picked up some refreshing beverages. Let us drink them as our dessert.”

“Yes, let’s!”

Chelsea, who had placed the wide-brimmed hat given by Arion onto her head, took a refreshing sip of the chilled drink with a bright smile. Suddenly, she gasped loudly and bolted upright from her seat, her eyes wide with shock.

“W-Wait just a second! Something is completely backwards here!”

At Chelsea’s sudden, panicked exclamation, Arion, who had just been bringing his straw to his lips, blinked in confusion.

Leo questioned her with a bewildered look on his face.

“What do you mean by saying something is backwards?”

“Brother Leo is actively assisting Sir Arion with all of his sightseeing! But what about me? Sir Arion is the one who keeps looking after and taking care of me! I’m supposed to be the one acting as Sir Arion’s guide!”

Ever since they stepped foot into the city, Leo had naturally assumed the responsibility of showing Arion around.

The primary reason he had arranged for this period of free time in the first place was because he genuinely wished for Arion to experience and enjoy the wonders of the modern era.

Arion had initially adamantly refused the offer, insisting that he ought to focus on helping the younger generation grow stronger, but Leo had steadfastly insisted on carving out a full day of relaxation for him.

Under these circumstances, Arion was handling Chelsea with extreme care and attentiveness, treating her exactly like a younger sibling.

To Chelsea, who had been bursting with motivation at the thought of guiding the legendary hero who had once saved humanity, the reality of the situation left her feeling quite flustered.

“However, I quite enjoy this arrangement.”

“Huh?”

“Ar, Lunia, Eiran, Driana, and Karl… they remind me a great deal of Berkhia.”

To Arion, Berkhia had been a beloved younger sibling, but prior to that, he had been a dedicated student.

A comrade-in-arms who would stand shoulder-to-shoulder with him on the field of battle.

A deeply cherished younger brother whom he had supported, and who had supported him in return, on countless occasions.

“But you, Chelsea. You bear a striking resemblance to the younger siblings I had during my own childhood days.”

“Your younger siblings from when you were a child?”

“Yes.”

A wistful, melancholic smile appeared on Arion’s face.

“Siblings that I failed to protect due to my own pathetic weakness.”

He was referring to the children from the orphanage.

Younger siblings who had lost their lives far too early.

“If I had not behaved so foolishly during those days… perhaps every single one of them would have been able to grow up and look up at a beautiful blue sky just like this one.”

Arion raised his head to gaze at the vast blue expanse above.

“That is the reason why I feel compelled to look after you. Does my doing so perhaps make you feel uncomfortable?”

“No, not at all! It’s just… how should I put it? I’m not entirely sure how to react when you look after me so thoughtfully like this. My own biological brother and Brother Leo certainly treat me with affection, but they don’t take care of me with such precise attention to detail, so it feels a bit unfamiliar to me. Or rather, I guess you could say it makes me really happy.”

Arion smiled warmly as he watched Chelsea’s eyes dart around nervously.

“In that case, please continue to keep me company.”

“I will! But if you spend all your time focusing on me like this, won’t Brother Leo end up feeling a little bit left out?”

As Chelsea gestured toward Leo while speaking, Arion let out a soft laugh.

“Leo will be perfectly fine. Am I right?”

“Do not worry about me.”

“See?”

Chelsea gave a nod of understanding at Leo’s dismissive reply.

“Well then, shall we head to our next destination?”

“For our next stop, I would quite like to pay a visit to the local library.”

Leo gave an understanding nod in response to Arion’s request.

‘Brother Leo really is incredible.’

Chelsea couldn’t help but giggle softly as she watched the two of them interact.

At the very beginning, she had been quite shocked to witness Leo interacting and speaking so casually with Arion.

‘Karl and the rest of the group said the same thing, didn’t they? They mentioned that they conversed as equal peers with the legendary figures they encountered back in the hero realm.’

Every single time she listened to that particular story, it struck her as incredibly amazing, yet it felt entirely fitting for Leo, considering how unwavering and self-assured he always proved to be.

‘Sir Arion also appears to treat Sir Leo with a greater degree of comfort and ease. I suppose you could call it Brother Leo’s natural charisma.’

Chelsea smiled gently to herself as she watched the two figures walking a short distance ahead of her.

Then, all of a sudden, she came to a complete halt, her eyes fixed on Arion as he conversed with Leo.

Leo and Arion appeared to be close friends.

Yet at the exact same time, the dynamic between them struck Chelsea as being strangely, inexplicably familiar.

‘Where exactly have I witnessed this type of interaction before?’

Chelsea tilted her head to the side in deep thought, when a sudden memory flashed through her mind.

The way Arion was behaving mirrored the way she herself acted, leaning on and relying on Leo just like a younger sibling would.

‘Wait… what?’

Chelsea’s expression went completely blank.

She whispered a single syllable out loud, her voice laced with a mixture of profound bewilderment and utter confusion.

“Huh?”