A Message from the Family
I went to Epindel's room to deliver something.
Just before I knocked, I heard an unfamiliar voice from inside.
A friend...? Hardly...
I leaned in and listened.
You seemed to have...
...changed.
It's unbecoming for the heir...
...
The Duke's will...
This sounds serious...
Oh.
My eyes met with an old, well-built gentleman.
Oh, pardon me.
...Ah.
You must be the Captain guiding Lady Epindel on her Journey.
And you are...?
I am the personal envoy of Duke Orlan.
I trust you will continue to look after her.
...For what little time remains.
Uh, right...
After he left, I stepped into the room.
...
Ah, Captain.
Were you waiting outside?
You don't look well.
Don't worry. Nothing serious has happened.
Epindel.
I'm listening.
Do you remember our deal?
You promised not to hide anything.
...
You seemed to have changed.
Oh? Then perhaps this Journey wasn't so meaningless after all.
It appears that you've grown lax.
...
They say our chamberlain sees what others do not. But perhaps, just this once, you're mistaken.
I hope so.
The Duke requests your immediate return once this Journey ends.
It's unbecoming for the heir to be away from home for so long.
...Father should understand. If I'm to fulfill my role as a Savior, I'll still need—
You are an Orlan first, a Savior second, my lady.
Means and ends must never be confused.
...
...I fully understand the Duke's will.
Please convey my understanding to him.
...If I may, I hope you've not forgotten.
Birds of prey always fly higher than their quarry.
If you grow too fond of warm air and easy flight—
You will fall behind. I haven't forgotten. Not for a second.
That is all I was asked to say. Good fortune to you, Falconet of Orlan.
...Just hearing that made my stomach turn.
You needn't worry. That was just a rather dialed up version of a warm greeting.
Fath—the Duke is just probably worried I'm wasting time out here.
That's a pointless worry.
Fufu, is that so?
It'd be nice if the family elders saw it that way.
Even after this Journey ends, I'll have much to do.
Including our rematch, of course... That needs to be settled.
...
I could tell what she was thinking.
No need to rush it, is there?
...What?
If I want to see you, I'll come find you.
Or you can come find me.
...It's not that simple.
The elders will definitely...
What are they going to do, exactly?
So what if the next heir of House Orlan wants to visit someone?
...
You really do have a way of making people feel dumb for worrying.
Thanks for the compliment.
That wasn't exactly a compliment.
...But I'll let it slide this time.
...Thanks?
Don't mention it.
Ah, right. So what brings you here?
Oh, right.
We discussed the next round of training.
...Epindel admitted she wasn't great with the dark, so we decided to revise the plan a bit.