Peace Hunter

10:00 a.m.

We, the fourth-year students, were currently at the Duke of San Lucia's training grounds for the fourth exam on the first day. Unlike previous years' fourth exams, where we were only required to injure our opponent, on this first day's fourth exam, we were required to defeat our opponent within 10 minutes.

For me, this exam was similar to the previous fourth exams. In previous fourth exams, I had always defeated my opponent, even though the exam only required me to injure them. Just like the previous fourth exam, this time I also defeated my opponent and passed the fourth exam on the first day.

Since I had already completed the fourth exam on the first day, I immediately went outside the Duke of San Lucia's training grounds to wait for the other students who were still taking the exam. Until all the students had finished their exams, those who had completed their exams were not allowed to leave the Duke of San Lucia's residence. However, they were allowed to wander around the Duke of San Lucia's residence. I chose not to wander around and instead sat on a chair outside the Duke of San Lucia's training ground.

As I sat on the chair, I fell silent while remembering what happened last night, when Irene asked me to be her partner. A serious relationship, of course, not a fake one.

-

~Flashback~

The night before, in the room where Rid and Irene were staying.

"I like you, Rid. I want you to be my boyfriend. Not just my boyfriend, but I want you to be my partner for the future," Irene said with a serious expression.

I was a little surprised by Irene's words.

"You like me?" I asked.

"Yes," Irene said.

"Since when have you liked me, Irene?" I asked.

"Perhaps it was when you helped me and carried me after my fight with Princess Amelia in the daily match when we were in our first year. However, my feelings for you were still very small at the time. Then my feelings for you slowly began to grow. Especially when you indirectly thwarted a plot to assassinate our entire family, my feelings for you grew even stronger. Then, finally, you managed to wake my mother from her deep sleep. My mother is one of the people I care about, and seeing you successfully wake her from her deep sleep made me like you even more. That's why I decided to tell you about my feelings," Irene said.

"I see, so you've liked me since we were both in our first year," I said.

"Yes. So, Rid, do you want to be serious with me?" Irene asked.

I was silent for a moment after Irene asked that. Not long after, I began to answer Irene's question.

"Are you serious about being with me, Irene?" I asked.

"Yes, I'm serious," Irene said with a serious expression.

"I told you about my dream before, didn't I, Irene?" I asked.

"Yes, you did. Your dream is to unite the world and bring peace to the entire world," Irene said.

"That's true. Therefore, after graduating from this academy, I probably won't stay in this kingdom for long. Although I intend to become one of the commanders of this kingdom's knights, I don't intend to be one tasked with guarding this territory. Once I become one, perhaps I will propose to Her Majesty the Queen that I lead a new force, one tasked with building cooperation with other kingdoms and countries. Her Majesty the Queen will probably approve of my idea, as she certainly wants this kingdom to collaborate with other kingdoms and countries. On the other hand, cooperation between the San Fulgen Kingdom and other kingdoms will also foster peaceful relations between the cooperating kingdoms. This aligns with my dream of creating and bringing peace to the entire world. To achieve this dream, I must start with a few kingdoms first and eventually expand to the entire world."

"Therefore, if we were to establish a serious relationship, it might be difficult because I won't be in the San Fulgen Kingdom very often, while you, as the daughter of a Duke, will undoubtedly remain in the San Lucia city after graduation," I said.

"No, I won't be staying in San Lucia City after graduation. I've decided to accompany you in pursuing your dream. Besides, it sounds very interesting. So I want to see firsthand the steps you'll take to achieve it," Irene said.

I was a little surprised by Irene's words.

"You want to come with me? Even though you're a Duke's daughter?" I asked.

"Yes. After all, a Duke's son or daughter doesn't have to stay at their parents' residence. I haven't told my father or mother yet, but I'm sure they'll allow me if I tell them I'm going with you," Irene said.

"But if you come with me, you might be involved in a battle against a stronger person or creature. Is that okay with you?" I asked.

"Yes. I already know that achieving your dream isn't easy. There will definitely be people who dislike you and oppose you. Those who dislike you might attack us, and a fight is inevitable."

"You don't need to worry, Rid. I'll help you if we get into a fight. I also promise not to burden you. I'll keep training so I can get stronger every day."

"It seems like you deliberately brought up your dream after I told you I liked you. You did that to make me reconsider my request for a serious relationship, right? Unfortunately, it didn't work out, Rid. Before I told you I liked you and asked you to get serious, I'd already thought about other things, like your dream. I don't mind and don't object to that. I still want to ask you to get serious with me," Irene said.

I immediately fell silent after hearing Irene's words. I paused, contemplating what answer I should give Irene. I was silent for a long time, contemplating this. A few minutes later, I decided on my answer and immediately told Irene.

"Ok, if you don't mind my dream, I'll accept your request. Not only do you like me, I like you too, Irene. So, let's start a serious relationship," I said.

~Flashback ends~

-

Back outside the Duke of San Lucia's training grounds.

I remained silent, thinking about last night's events. Because of last night's events, I had officially become Irene's boyfriend and had entered into a serious relationship with her. Our relationship was no longer a pretense. However, even though we were in a serious relationship, Irene's attitude and treatment of me from that events until now remained the same as usual. Irene didn't seem awkward when talking to me, and I, too, acted like I usually did. Well, it was better than either of us feeling awkward because of the change in our relationship.

Meanwhile, while I was silent, someone suddenly tapped me on the shoulder. I immediately turned to see who it was. It was Charles.

"So you're here, Rid," Charles said.

"Charles. Are you alone? Where are the others?" I asked.

"They're still inside the training grounds; they want to watch the other students' exams," Charles said.

"I see," I said.

"Why are you here, Rid? And why were you daydreaming earlier?" Charles asked.

"I just wanted to get some fresh air, that's why I chose this place. When you saw me silent earlier, I was just thinking about something. It wasn't anything important, so you don't need to worry," I said.

"Hmm, I see," Charles said.

-

Meanwhile, at the gate of Duke San Lucia's residence.

Queen Kayana had just disembarked from a horse-drawn carriage parked in front of Duke San Lucia's residence. After disembarking, Queen Kayana immediately walked toward the gate of Duke San Lucia's residence. Neither Commander Oliver nor Caroline were seen accompanying Queen Kayana. Queen Kayana was accompanied by only a few knights.

Then, Queen Kayana arrived at the gate of Duke San Lucia's residence. The Duke San Lucia knights guarding the gate immediately greeted Queen Kayana.

"Greetings, Your Majesty the Queen. I have received information from Lord Duke that Your Majesty wishes to visit Miss uchess. Please allow us to escort you inside," said one of the knights.

"Yes, I am here to visit Miss Duchess of San Lucia. Please escort me," said Queen Kayana.

"Yes, Your Majesty," said the knights.

-

Ten minutes later, we returned to the outside of the Duke of San Lucia's training ground.

Charles and I were currently chatting there. While we were chatting, I sensed someone approaching me. I immediately turned to see who was approaching. When I turned and saw the person, it was Commander Asier.

"So you are here, Rid. Besides, there's Prince Charles too," said Commander Asier.

"Brother Asier," I said.

I already knew that Commander Asier had come to this residence because I met him there this morning. He said he'd been here since yesterday afternoon while the others and I were touring San Lucia.

"Have you finished your exam, Rid?" asked Commander Asier.

"Yes, what's wrong?" I asked.

"I came here to pick you up. My father said he wanted to discuss something with you. Can you go meet him now, Rid?" said Commander Asier.

"If Uncle Louis asked you to pick me up and he said he wanted to discuss something with me, then I can go with you, Brother Asier. Besides, I've already completed my exam," I said.

"That's good then, let's go. But before that, Prince Charles, may I ask you to help tell the teachers about Rid who was called by my father? If all the students have finished taking the exam and Rid has not returned to gather with the students, please tell the teachers that Rid is meeting my father," said Commander Asier.

"Okay, commander. I'll tell the teachers later," I said.

"Thank you, prince. Then, let's go, Rid," said commander Asier.

"Yeah. See you later, Charles," I said.

"Yeah, see you later, Rid," said Charles.

Then commander Asier and I left Charles to go to Duke San Lucia's residence.

-

A few minutes later.

Commander Asier and I have been at Duke San Lucia's residence. Then commander Asier went to take me to one of the doors of the room in the residence. Once in front of the door to the room he was heading to, Commander Asier immediately opened the door. Commander Asier immediately entered the room as soon as it opened. I, who was behind Commander Asier, also entered the room. After entering, I looked around. The room was quite large, and I saw many people in the room. Most of the people in the room had white hair. These white-haired people were members of the San Lucia family.

Meanwhile, Commander Asier, who had entered the room, continued walking to the center of the room. I, who was behind Commander Asier, also walked to the center of the room. Everyone in the room seemed to be looking at me as I walked. Although they were all looking at me, I didn't sense any dislike or hatred from them. They all seemed to be kind people.

Then, after reaching the center of the room, Commander Asier continued walking to the front of the room. I continued following Commander Asier, this time I also walked to the front of the room. At the front of the room, Duke Louis was seen with several members of the San Lucia family. I also saw a woman dressed as someone from outside the San Fulgen kingdom. The reason I assumed that was because I'd never seen anyone in the San Fulgen Kingdom wearing that outfit. The woman also carried a sword, but its shape was also unfamiliar and different from most swords used in the San Fulgen Kingdom.

Meanwhile, Commander Asier continued walking to the front of the room. Once Commander Asier was close to Duke Louis, he stopped. I, who was behind Commander Asier, also stopped.

"I've brought Rid, father," said Commander Asier.

"Good work, Asier," said Duke Louis.

Commander Asier then stepped back to the front and stood with Duke Louis and several members of the San Lucia family who were looking at me.

"Thank you for coming with Asier to this room, Rid," said Duke Louis.

"You're welcome, Lord Duke," I said.

I chose to use the term "Lord Duke" rather than "Uncle Louis" because there were currently many members of the San Lucia family in the room. If I used the term 'Uncle Louis,' I might be considered impolite.

"Asier has surely already told you why I wanted to see you. It's because there's something I want to discuss with you," said Duke Louis.

-To be continued

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