Ugh.

The knight with blue hair hesitated to move forward but continued to advance in a single direction.

The time promised by the wizard was approaching soon.

When that time arrives, she would be alone with the person she admired so much.

“How long has it been...?”

It was definitely more than a year. Since joining the hero’s party, she had barely spent any time away from Raphiere and Aria.

The last time they had been alone together was probably when she trained swordsmanship alongside Aswell, who had been chosen as the hero. However, even that time was long gone as various knights began to join their training, making it nearly two years since she had had an opportunity to be alone with him.

But now, at last, the opportunity had arrived.

“What should I talk about...?”

She had so much she wanted to say that she might end up unable to bring up any topic. Perhaps it was for this very reason that the one who devised this operation had advised her to center today’s conversation around the battle.

“I should follow Louis’s advice...”

If everything went smoothly today, similar situations would likely arise in the future. Then she could slowly bring up more topics each time.

What if that didn’t happen? It didn’t matter. Serelin and Aswell were responsible for the front line, so she could casually chat during brief moments.

“Huff...”

She hadn’t felt this nervous even when facing the massive monsters in the east.

Serelin struggled to calm her racing heart.

“Soon, Aswell will be here...”

“Ah, Serelin?”

“Eek!”

She wasn’t mentally prepared yet!

But she couldn’t ignore Aswell either.

If she did, everything would be over.

In the end, Serelin turned around with her preparations unfinished, feeling a bit rattled.

“Oh?”

Unlike usual, Aswell was wearing casual clothes without his armor. A sparkling gem brooch gleamed on his chest.

“Did he always have that...?” Ugh... I don’t know.

It was unclear whether that was something Aswell had always owned or if he had somehow acquired it without realizing it.

But that wasn’t what mattered. Since they had met like this, she needed to bring up the topic first.

“Ah, Aswell? What brings you here?”

“I bit my tongue!”

Fortunately, it seemed Aswell hadn’t heard her.

“Ah... I was asked by Louis to escort her to the magical tool shop.”

“Aha.”

He was indeed smart. Just as planned, Aswell had naturally come to the central commercial district.

“What about you, Serelin?”

“I just finished the northern battle and came here to rest. I want to drink some alcohol for the first time in a while.”

“Alcohol? Didn’t you say you didn’t like it much?”

“Hmm... I kind of want to drink today.”

“So he remembers those details!”

Serelin struggled to suppress her inner scream of embarrassment.

“Uh... Aswell.”

“Hmm?”

Now she had to speak up. This dense hero would never take the initiative.

“If you have some time... would you like to drink together?”

“Uh...”

And this considerate hero would agree to most requests from his comrades.

“Sure. Sounds good. Where shall we go?”

“I have a place in mind. This way.”

The plan to take him to the restaurant went surprisingly smoothly.

“Louis, thank you.”

Perhaps by now, the young wizard was cheering her on.

Serelin sincerely appreciated it as she walked alongside the hero toward the restaurant.

“Here we are.”

The restaurant she recommended had a charming appearance. It was a small place that had provided meals during Serelin's time as a squire.

The seating was limited, and it looked like a place that focused solely on its dishes.

“Welcome! Feel free to sit wherever you like.”

With the curt tone of the owner, the two settled into a corner seat.

“What do you want to eat?”

“Hmm... I think a stew would be good.”

And some alcohol, too.

The food and drinks arrived quickly. Although Aswell hadn’t ordered any alcohol, two mugs filled with beer were already on the table due to Serelin’s order.

“Cheers!”

“Cheers!”

The two wooden mugs clinked together, and foam spilled over. Contrary to Serelin’s worries, their conversation flowed smoothly from the very start.

“So, today I thought of a variation for the first style of swordsmanship...”

Of course, it was all about the battles and training they had done since ancient times. But she had been advised to start with this kind of topic, and Serelin felt her earlier tension beginning to ease.

Then, as the alcohol began to take effect, Serelin shifted to a different topic.

“...Back then, Aswell, you used to speak to me formally, didn’t you?”

This was back when Aswell was not yet a full-fledged hero, during the time when Serelin was teaching him. They had spoken to each other using formalities.

“Do you want me to call you that again, Master?”

“Hah, it’s been a while since I heard that. But it’s fine. I’ve come to dislike that title now.”

“Why?”

“Because...”

Perhaps Serelin realized only then that she was bringing up this topic now. But bolstered by the alcohol and encouragement from her fellow wizard, she spoke boldly.

“If we were just master and student, you wouldn’t pay attention to me.”

“...Huh?”

That remark had come out of nowhere, unexpectedly. It carried more passion and emotion than the lines prescribed by the wizard.

“Hah.”

“Wait, what did you just say...?”

“I said that if we were just master and student, I wouldn’t expect your attention.”

“Uh...”

The young wizard hadn’t considered one thing: how brave Serelin had become under the influence of alcohol.

Of course, she was unaware of this herself.

“Aswell.”

“...Huh?”

“I like our current situation. You, me, Aria, Raphiere, and Louis... all moving together as a party.”

Once again, the mug touched Serelin's lips, and it fell.

“But what’s even better than that... is right now. Eating and chatting like this, just the two of us.”

“...”

“Why do you think that is? Hmm? Aswell, why do you think I feel this way?”

With her question, Serelin looked at Aswell with soft, relaxed eyes. For some reason, it felt like Aswell’s face was turning red.

Was it because of the alcohol? Or was it the lighting in this place? Or perhaps...

“Uh, Serelin. You seem to be quite drunk...”

“No, no, I’m a little tipsy. But I know what I’m saying right now.”

“I’m not” like Aria, graceful and demure, nor am I as cheerful and bright as Raphiere. And unlike Louis, I’m not immensely talented and contributing to the party.

“What I have is only the past relationships and distance.”

Serelin wanted to bring them a little closer.

“But if I get too close, you might feel pressured.”

So before Aswell could respond, Serelin quickly covered his mouth.

“Let’s save the answer to that question for later, okay?”

“...Okay.”

“Hah, thanks. Well then, I’ll go ahead first. It’s hot.”

As she stepped out of the shop, the cold evening air pierced her lungs.

Releasing some of the emotions she had bottled up for a long time felt refreshing.

“It’s all thanks to you.”

Aswell and the others praised Serelin, and she realized that she had feelings for Aswell. If it weren’t for that little wizard, she would still be struggling with her feelings.

She hadn’t confessed... or perhaps she had.

She simply left room for Aswell and made him more attentive to her.

Judging by the dazed expression on his face, it seemed fair to say that in this battle, Serelin had won.

She didn’t know if the actions she had taken were the right ones.

But Serelin didn’t hope for them to be right. She just wished they wouldn’t be wrong.

“I’ll do my best starting tomorrow!”

Stretching with renewed energy, the alcohol's effects quickly faded.

Serelin jogged for several hours before returning to the mansion.

“...”

Did I notice her feelings? Or was I truly oblivious?

“...I’m not sure.”

Aswell stared at the remaining mug of alcohol, recalling the knight who had been sitting before him moments ago.

In truth, from the moment she left that question behind, Aswell had vaguely noticed something.

Love, or perhaps infatuation. It might not have been that deep yet.

But Serelin had an interest in him.

“Hah...”

To be honest, it wasn’t bad. In fact, it could be seen as quite good.

Because Serelin was a knight whom Aswell had admired and followed.

It was only natural that he would feel some interest as well.

However, the reason Aswell sighed was due to the other party members.

Just a few weeks ago, he had experienced a similar feeling during the incident with Raphiere in the flower garden.

Seeing Raphiere illuminated by the sunset and flowers had stirred something in his heart.

Now, when Serelin spoke, it felt both similar and different.

While looking at Raphiere made his emotions boil over, Serelin seemed to create ripples in calm waters.

Gulp. Gulp.

“Hah...”

Aswell began to feel increasingly confused. At least it was a relief that he wasn’t involved with Aria, the saint.

But he couldn’t ignore these chaotic feelings.

A respected knight showing interest in him.

The elf princess who had almost captivated him.

And then... the source of his confusion, the young wizard, who kept lingering in his mind.

I don’t know.