Chapter 70

***

In the afternoon sunlight, Noah, gripping the sword he had conjured with magic, fearlessly dove into Karlheinz's embrace, his mentor.

"――――……"

Until he grew to the height of an adult, his small stature, due to his immaturity, was also a weapon. Noah lowered his center of gravity and aimed for Karlheinz's jaw, a vital point. Just before he could slash upward, Karlheinz slightly moved to avoid the attack.

The sword that grazed Karlheinz's chin was about to be deflected. However, Noah quickly adjusted the blade, dispersing the force to prevent this.

He then closed the distance even further, not aiming with the tip of the sword but with the hilt. Just as he was about to strike Karlheinz's solar plexus, his wrist was immediately grabbed.

However, he used this to his advantage. He swung his arm in a twisting motion, breaking free and grabbing Karlheinz's arm instead.

"!"

It seemed to catch Karlheinz off guard, and his center of gravity was thrown off. Just as Noah was about to pull Karlheinz down, it happened.

"……"

He was flipped upside down and hit the ground on his back. By the time he realized he had been thrown by Karlheinz, a sword was already at his throat.

Karlheinz, with a cool expression, said:

"――Despite the apparent lack of focus, you put up a decent fight, didn't you?"

"………………"

Noah exhaled deeply and closed his eyes.

"……Thank you."

"You won't be far behind me for long. For the time being, focus on strengthening your upper body during your solo training."

Noah, who had stood up, bowed to Karlheinz. He replayed the sparring in his mind, analyzing where he had gone wrong, and then made the magical sword disappear. Karlheinz threw him a towel.

"Is it about the princess?"

"…………"

Noah furrowed his brow, but quickly suppressed his emotions and replied calmly.

"……Not really. I know that the princess can protect herself."

"Hmm?"

"Also, regarding the possibility of her having a fiancé."

Karlheinz was surely going to say something about that matter as well. Determined to speak first, Noah continued:

"The decision is the princess's. If she chooses her own future, I will only support her in carrying it out."

"Royal marriages are not decided by personal preference, especially for a princess."

"No."

Gripping the towel tightly, Noah said:

"The princess will never submit to a political marriage. ……That's why, if she chooses Prince Lewis to be by her side, it will be her decision."

"…………"

He was prepared for that much.

Since the day he gave up his true identity and chose to live as Claudia's servant, Noah had no right to interfere.

"Besides, what I'm concerned about is not what Karlheinz-sama is suggesting. ……It's that the princess seems to be hiding something."

"The princess is always secretive. She has unfathomable power, but she doesn't reveal it."

However, Noah remained silent, thinking.

(……The princess only keeps secrets from people other than me.)

Noah was fully aware of this.

All of Claudia's secrets and lies were revealed to him alone.

That's why he was concerned about the rare moments when Claudia showed even the slightest hint of secrecy.

Looking down at Noah, who was deep in thought, Karlheinz sighed.

"……If you feel something is off, then it probably is."

"Karlheinz-sama. I……"

Noah stopped speaking.

Karlheinz, of course, noticed and they both turned around.

From a corner of the Clingate Castle, beyond a hedge that divided the garden, a figure appeared.

"Hello, Noah."

"……Prince Lewis."

A boy with silver hair and eyes that shifted from red to blue like the morning sky.

Prince Lewis smiled gently and walked straight toward them.

"Karlheinz-sama as well. I apologize for interrupting your training."

"There is no need to apologize, Prince. We are the ones who are dressed in training clothes and look disheveled."

Following Karlheinz's lead, Noah bowed. However, Lewis chuckled.

"Please, raise your heads. I am the one who is interrupting your training, so there's no need to worry."

"Rest assured, we were just finishing our daily routine. ……The princess is currently taking a nap. Is there something you need?"

"No. It's not Claudia I need, but Noah."

Unexpectedly called by name, Noah quietly raised his head.

"Something for me?"

"Claudia told me about you, and I have a favor to ask. ……She praised you as a very strong and skilled magic user."

Lewis smiled warmly and said:

"Would you like to have a match with me, Noah?"

"A match?"

Confused, Noah squinted. There was no hesitation in Lewis's words.

"I am also trained in swordsmanship. ……I would like to spar with you."

"…………"