Chapter 71: The Swordmaster’s Secret and a Hasty Farewell

“Hey, Celie? What’s all of a sudden…?”

“Hehe. I ended up keeping the guest waiting.”

I was about to ask Celian what was going on when Lucas entered the dining hall.

However, Lucas, upon entering and seeing Celian sitting in the very seat he had occupied until just yesterday, didn’t seem fazed at all. Instead, he chuckled as though in a good mood.

He then calmly sat in his original seat, right next to Celian, across from me.

“Well then, shall we start eating?”

Even though Luke hadn’t come down yet, Celian announced the beginning of breakfast as though everyone were already present in the dining hall.

“Uh… Celie? Luke isn’t here yet.”

“Oh, my brother? He’s out for a bit. Something urgent came up at one of our businesses, so he had to leave early this morning, which is why you didn’t see him.”

The eldest son of a noble family sure leads a busy life.

But if Celian is the head of the family, does being the eldest son even matter?

“So, Celian, when do you think the official succession ceremony would be appropriate?”

During the meal, Lucas addressed Celian. From the way Lucas spoke, it was clear that the position of family head had indeed been passed on to Celian.

“Since I’ll be busy during the academy semester, I’d like my father to continue managing the family, except for a few key matters I’ll notify him about. I’ll hold the official succession ceremony during the break or after graduation.”

“Why not just return to the family right away? Now that you’ve reached the level of a Swordmaster, the academy must hold no meaning for you.”

“…That’s not possible. The academy isn’t just about learning swordsmanship.”

…? Did I just hear that wrong?

“Do whatever you wish; the family will support you. Actually, it’s not even support since it’s practically your family now. Haha. Who could have imagined our family would produce a Swordmaster? Indeed, who could oppose a Swordmaster becoming the head of the family?”

Once again, the term “Swordmaster” was brought up, as if to confirm it for me.

Could the Swordmaster Lucas was referring to be the one I know?

The Swordmasters I know number only eight across the entire continent, and they are all much older than Celian—several generations older, in fact.

Of course, the mastery of swords alone isn’t enough to reach the rank of Swordmaster. It’s also true that this rank can sometimes be attained in an instant through a sudden epiphany. But for it to happen so abruptly?

The gap between Celian and me, already significant, now feels even wider. I’d probably have to regain the power I had in the future just to keep up.

“Well, I’ll leave it to you, then.”

Celian set down her utensils after finishing her meal and spoke.

“It’s no trouble for me, just the usual tasks I’ve always done. Don’t worry about the things we discussed—I won’t forget.”

Though I wondered if it was right to so easily pass on the headship just because someone became a Swordmaster, meddling in family affairs seemed absurd.

After leaving the dining hall, Celian and I headed to our rooms.

“Have you really become a Swordmaster?”

As soon as we entered the room, I asked the question I was most curious about.

“Yes. While training last evening, I stumbled upon an epiphany. When I told my father, he handed over the headship entirely.”

So, not even at night, but in the evening? Right after our conversation yesterday?

I was once again reminded of how much of a monster Celian was.

“So now there are nine Swordmasters on the continent?”

“Yes, but… I’m not planning to announce it officially.”

“Huh? Why not? If people knew you became a Swordmaster, they’d be shocked, and it’d cause a huge stir…”

Even in a situation where the war against the Demonic Tribe is intensifying, this could be the perfect opportunity to make her name known.

“That would just make things more tiring.”

“But doesn’t fame or recognition tempt you at all?”

If it were me, I would’ve announced it immediately. The additional benefits gained would far outweigh the inconvenience of the attention.

“…Because there are more important things for me.”

However, Celie simply looked at me and answered calmly.

Perhaps it’s natural that her values differ from mine. Unlike me, with no background, Celie has the Deretia family backing her, along with ample wealth and honor.

“Well, if that’s how you feel, Celie… I’ll keep my mouth shut, then. So it’s our little secret?”

Of course, the members of the Deretia family probably already know, but at least among the people at Griffin Academy, I’m likely the only one who knows Celie is a Swordmaster.

“Our little secret… hehe… Yes, it’s our little secret.”

For some reason, Celie seemed genuinely happy as she laughed softly.

Since she prefers to keep it a secret, I’ll have to be careful not to accidentally slip up.

“Oh, now that I think about it, I forgot to decline Lucas’ proposal.”

The revelation about her being a Swordmaster was so shocking that I completely forgot about bringing up the matter during breakfast.

I wondered if I should go and tell Lucas now, but Celie spoke first.

“Don’t worry about it. I’ve already mentioned it to my father. He won’t bother El about the engagement anymore.”

“Hm… Won’t your father feel uncomfortable about it?”

“No. And even if he did, as long as I’m here…”

“Huh?”

“…As long as I, a Swordmaster, am here, there’s no reason to cling to the hero. It’s good if there’s one, but it’s fine if there isn’t…”

For a moment, I thought Celie had said something rebellious, and I was startled.

Well, a Swordmaster is certainly not inferior to a hero.

“Anyway, if I’m going to leave today, I’d better start getting ready soon.”

“Oh, right, I was supposed to show you the materials related to the hero. I completely forgot because I’ve been busy running around with other matters…”

Starting yesterday, there’s been so much shocking news flying around that it’s only natural I’d forget.

“It’s okay. I forgot too, so it’s fine. I’ll just come back another time. You won’t refuse to invite me, right?”

“Of course not! El is always welcome. I’ll let my father know, so feel free to visit anytime.”

“Alright. I’ll have to postpone greeting Luke to another time, then.”

“…You probably won’t get to meet my brother. The business he’s managing now is incredibly busy…”

Considering how large the Deretia family is, it makes sense that the family’s businesses would be bustling.

“Is that so? Being a noble isn’t all good, huh. I wish I’d known earlier; I would’ve greeted him properly. But I guess there’s no helping it if it was urgent.”

“Yes, so don’t worry about my brother.”

With that, Celie hurriedly packed my bags on my behalf and called for a butler to discuss something.

“Well then. The carriage is ready, so shall we leave?”

“Just like that? I didn’t even get to greet your father!”

“It’s fine. I told you I’d handle it. You don’t have to overthink it. If you hesitate too much…”

“Come on, it’s not polite to leave without saying goodbye, especially after they treated us so well.”

“…Wait a moment.”

Celie gestured toward the butler standing behind her again and began discussing something.

As soon as Celie finished speaking, the butler left the room.

“Well then, let’s head down. I’ve already told my father to come to the carriage, so we can greet him there and leave immediately.”

Now that she’s the head of the family, I don’t know whether to call her bold or just decisive.

When we reached the courtyard, Lucas greeted us with the same cheerful smile, showing no signs of being upset.

“Well, take care on your way back, both of you. Not that there’s anyone bold enough to threaten a Swordmaster… Haha!”

“Thank you for your hospitality. I’ll visit again soon. Wishing you peace until then.”

While Lucas greeted us and I returned his farewell, Celie kept glancing beyond the courtyard, as if searching for something.

“Come on, get in quickly. Father, we’ll be off now.”

Celie practically pushed me into the carriage while casually bidding Lucas goodbye.

“Huh? That carriage coming this way…!”

I noticed a carriage entering the estate from a distance. Thinking it might be Luke returning from his errands, I was about to mention it.

But before I could finish my sentence, Celie suddenly shoved me into the carriage with such force that I stumbled in clumsily.

“Goodbye!”

Bang!

The carriage door slammed shut with a noise that sounded like it might break.

“Wait, that carriage over there…”

“Driver! Please set off immediately!”

“Celie?”

Calling out her name, I watched as she leaned out of the window connecting to the coachman’s seat, shouting urgently for him to depart.

“I… I forgot I had an urgent matter to attend to at the Academy. We need to return as soon as possible…”

Whatever the urgency was, Celie only seemed to relax after confirming the carriage had set off.

If it was that important, she could’ve told me sooner…