I simply came to terms with reality

Coming down from the high platform in the center of the dance floor,

Kalandria briefly dealt with the greetings of those who approached, and immediately came before Loya, still with that superior expression:

“What, you came too?”

Loya’s smile was now only the politeness befitting a social occasion:

“I was invited.”

Invited?

Kalandria glanced to her sides.

Timos and Hanni were both there.

Without a doubt, he must have heard the news from his good student,

and then desperately begged his old teammate to bring him in, right?

Otherwise, how could a mere commoner possibly attend a noble social event?

The person he liked was about to marry someone else,

no matter how much he pretended to be strong, his heart wouldn’t be unaffected.

So, you still came, didn’t you?

And you even dressed like this,

Do you think dressing handsomely can simply win me back with your looks?

Loya, Loya,

You said you wanted to leave “Swan Lake,”

but you can’t even let go of your former ordinary teammates,

how could you possibly forget me so easily?

“Have you thought about what I told you the day before yesterday?”

Kalandria asked directly,

not only to Loya but also intentionally for Hanni to hear.

“As you can see, it’s the Holy Sword family that’s intermarrying with the Lewensite family.

In the future, the resources ‘Swan Lake’ can obtain will be far beyond what any ordinary adventurer team can compare to.

If they choose someone else as the successor leader, don’t say I didn’t give you a chance.”

“Successor leader?”

Hanni’s eyes widened.

She had thought that the young lady would probably try to persuade him to return.

Just like whenever they ran into each other on the street after Loya left the team.

Kalandria would always bring up the topic.

However, regarding the matter of changing the leader of “Swan Lake,”

she had heard absolutely nothing.

Even during their argument a few nights ago, it hadn’t been mentioned.

Both the marriage plans and the team arrangements for “Swan Lake,”

although she was accustomed to Kalandria’s high-handedness,

to be completely excluded from such major decisions, as a fellow member of the team,

made Hanni feel quite uncomfortable.

With a look seeking common ground, she met Timos’s eyes.

Although she had already heard about this while following them, Teacher hadn’t yet told her the direct details,

so Timos also cooperated by covering her mouth, feigning surprise.

But there was one thing she had to guard against.

If this woman brought it up again, what if she really persuaded Teacher this time?

In that case, “Swan Lake” would surely expand continuously under Teacher’s charisma,

and the number of women around Teacher would only increase…

How could she possibly allow such a thing to happen?!

“Regarding the future successor leader of ‘Swan Lake,’ I’ve been quite troubled by it these past few days.”

Having received the reactions she desired from the two female team members,

Kalandria raised an eyebrow and looked back at Loya,

“After all, I am the eldest daughter of the Lewensite family, and one day I will have to bear the family’s responsibilities; it is my duty.

And ‘Swan Lake’ is a team I personally led. If I must hand it over, I would prefer it to be inherited by a teammate who has journeyed alongside me.”

Under the dual lure of personal feelings and practical benefits.

There was no reason to refuse.

This also effectively opened up a window for Loya.

Telling him—taking over the leadership of “Swan Lake” also means there’s a chance to interact with me.

If the little dog doesn’t want to be abandoned and smells the bone given by its owner, it should know to accept it and go home, right?

Loya calmly uttered:

“Kalandria, I appreciate your kindness. As a teammate, Hanni is more suited to be the successor leader than I am.

She comes from a lineage of magic warriors, has rich adventuring experience, and can further enhance ‘Swan Lake’s’ reputation.”

“Eh? Me? No, no, no, I can’t!”

Hanni waved her hands repeatedly.

Perhaps sensing a sense of recognition in Loya’s words, the slight displeasure she had felt earlier was quickly cast aside by the straightforward tomboy.

However, she wasn’t being falsely modest.

Just handling a portion of the logistics had left her overwhelmed; how could she possibly be a good leader?

Although the leader didn’t need to micromanage everything,

she also didn’t want to be a hands-off manager like Kalandria—Hanni did have that sense of responsibility.

But then again, Kalandria’s words weren’t entirely unreasonable.

“Loya, in terms of management talent, I’m sure no one can do better than you. All of ‘Swan Lake’s’ logistics so far have followed your plans. If someone else were to take over, it wouldn’t be this smooth.”

Hanni spoke earnestly,

“Besides, we all started from the beginning and have come this far step by step… The feeling of not wanting outsiders to reap the benefits is something I share with Kalandria.”

Hanni’s words brought a secret delight to Kalandria.

This tomboy, though rough around the edges,

was quite useful with her honesty at critical moments.

She was acting as a perfect wingman.

However, Timos was now almost anxious enough to jump out of her skin.

Just a few nights ago, this big woman and that foolish woman were still arguing,

and now she was siding with her and trying to persuade him?

Loya sighed:

“No, Hanni, I already told you earlier. I don’t want to get involved in the adventurer profession anymore.

Ordinary people like me can’t go as far as you can.

Instead of wasting energy trying to reach a summit that’s perpetually out of reach, it’s better to change direction and see other scenery. That’s more suitable for me.”

Seeing his resolute expression,

Hanni felt regretful.

She was also ashamed that she hadn’t paid enough attention to him before.

And now, it was even more regrettable that he had missed this opportunity.

Kalandria was clearly leaving the team because of her marriage,

in other words, if Loya returned to be the leader, wouldn’t the team return to its proper course?

No, to be precise, it would be to make “Swan Lake” great again!

The situation was completely different from what she had anticipated, and Kalandria frowned.

She couldn’t understand it at all.

How could this man be so stubborn?

Just because his pursuit was not reciprocated,

he would hold a grudge for so long, nearly a month had passed.

She had to remember that she was the eldest daughter of the Lewensite family,

and he was just an unknown commoner adventurer.

Could it be that if he said he wanted it, she would give it to him?

“Loya, stop acting like a child.”

She forced a smile, as if condescending to him.

“No, I’ve just come to terms with reality.”

Loya returned a calm smile.