Chapter 84

Joel Einhardt had a striking appearance.

He was handsome, tall, and skilled with a sword. Even his stoic demeanor was considered cool, which was why the women who came to watch the knights' training exercises would squeal with excitement.

However, the Joel known to the other knights was a bit different.

He seemed aloof, but he was actually very considerate.

He would let his hair down and slouch as he wandered around.

Despite his down-to-earth side, those who knew him never revealed it to others.

This was a testament to how much the knights trusted him. Lars Volzner, who joined the order at the same time as Joel, felt the same way about him.

"You're just a regular guy, you know."

"What's with the sudden comment?"

When Lars loosened the collar of his knight's uniform, Einhardt, who frowned slightly, immediately straightened it for him.

Even though Einhardt would let his guard down when not in uniform, he remained serious and upright as a knight.

Lars liked these qualities about him, but he never said so aloud, as he found it embarrassing.

"No, I mean, you get those admiring looks, right? But I don't think those girls are looking for anything ordinary from you."

"That's true."

Lars, still expressionless, nodded. He glanced around, and even on the short walk from the knights' quarters to the library, women who noticed Einhardt would stop in their tracks. Despite the intense gazes from all around, Einhardt remained stoic.

Einhardt never smiled at anyone or showed any particular interest.

If he did, it would create a "special" status. Einhardt understood that "special" could lead to attacks.

But—

"…You've been going to the library a lot lately, haven't you? Is there something you're interested in?"

"No, not really."

His gaze and tone were the same as always.

It seemed like there was nothing, as his words suggested. However, Lars had confidence in his intuition.

What could be of interest in the library besides books? The librarians, perhaps.

There were many staff members, but the ones usually at the counter were Miss Krenbaler and Miss Bloom. He thought one of them was the target, but he couldn't decide which.

Miss Bloom had a fiancé, so it must be Miss Krenbaler?

Or is it an unspoken affection?

"…You're thinking about something silly, aren't you?"

"Huh? No, not really."

"There's nothing to what you're thinking."

"I'm not thinking anything."

"It's written on your face."

No, not as stoic as Einhardt, but Lars had confidence in his poker face. As he touched his cheek, Einhardt's evening-star eyes narrowed slightly.

Caught.

He could only smile wryly as he lowered his hand from his cheek.

***

Recalling these thoughts, Lars watched the evening-star knight lying on the bed in front of him.

In Lars' room at the knights' quarters, Einhardt was sprawled out on the bed, reading a book, despite being the guest.

"Maybe I was right, huh?"

"About what?"

Einhardt, who had taken off his knight's uniform and let his hair down, sounded a bit softer. He glanced at Lars for a moment before returning to his book.

Lars, leaning back in his chair with one leg, swayed and chuckled.

"I was talking about having a crush at the library. You had a thing for Alicia, didn't you?"

Einhardt, who had marked his place, closed the book and sat up. He dangled his long legs over the side of the bed.

"I didn't want anything special. Alicia had a fiancé back then."

"You could have always taken her, you know."

"You're an idiot. Do you think Alicia would have gone for that? For me… as long as Alicia was happy, that was enough."

Einhardt's voice was unusually gentle, and Lars could see the warmth in his gaze from those library days.

Not someone he wanted to possess, but someone he wanted to see happy.

Is that what love is?

Is that what it means to love?

Lars still wasn't sure.

He leaned back in the chair again, and just as the creaking sound filled the air, Lars toppled over.

Einhardt, who had laughed at the loud noise, watched from the bed.

"Ouch!"

"What are you doing?"

Einhardt laughed without hiding his expression.

It was something only seen within the knights' quarters, but perhaps Alicia Bloom had seen it too.

The image of the two of them laughing together came easily to mind. It was a secret that he found surprisingly pleasant.

"Hey, Einhardt."

"Hmm?"

Einhardt reached out a hand to Lars, who was still on the floor. As Lars grabbed it, he smiled happily.

"Be happy."

"Sure."

Using the hand to pull himself up, Lars saw the evening-star glimmering behind Einhardt's thick bangs. Did Einhardt realize that his usually calm eyes shimmered when he looked at Alicia?

"You know, you're just a regular guy."

A regular guy who hid his passion in his heart.

A regular guy who had his heart set on a special someone.

Einhardt laughed softly at Lars' words.

"Of course."

Feeling good about this, Lars threw the chair he was holding to the side and headed for the shelf. Seeing Lars with a bottle of whiskey and two glasses, Einhardt's smile deepened.

Without a word, Lars sat next to Einhardt, who had pulled a table to the side of the bed.

"Lars, you should fix that chair later."

"It's broken beyond repair. You'll have to back me up when I get in trouble."

"Why should I?"

As they exchanged banter, Lars poured whiskey into the glasses. He handed a half-filled glass to Einhardt, and the smoky aroma wafted up.

"Any plans for tomorrow?"

"Preparing the new house."

"Wow, a happy plan."

"Thanks to you."

They raised their glasses in a toast, and Lars checked the time.

There was still time before midnight. Even if he drank a bit too much, it wouldn't affect Einhardt's plans for the next day. With no plans of his own, Lars could get drunk without any worries.

Deciding to drink to his friend's happiness, he thought it would be a good night.

It's going to be a good night.

Today, July 20th, the first volume of the comic is on sale!

There are special bonuses at various bookstores, so please look forward to it.

On September 2nd, the book will be published by K-Light Novels.

The illustrations are by Toyo Tazumi. Please look forward to it!