Peace Hunter

8:00 AM at the academy.

People from outside began arriving to watch the academy tournament finals. These newcomers, along with other students, filed into the lobby, heading toward the tournament arena located on the upper floor of the central building. I was stationed at the lobby entrance to welcome those arriving. I wasn't alone; Irene, Charles, Chloe, and other Elevrad members were also there to greet the guests. Even though the four of us were participants in the finals, we still had to fulfill our duties as Elevrad members by welcoming the attendees. We would continue this task until 9:00 AM, one hour before the finals began.

We Elevrad members weren't the only ones at the entrance; Miss Violetta was there as well. She was patrolling and monitoring the people entering the lobby. She happened to be standing right next to me, so we exchanged a few words now and then.

"How long will you be on duty welcoming guests, Rid?" Miss Violetta asked.

"Until 9:00, Miss. After that, I need to get ready since the finals start in an hour—though the match for third place actually begins first," I replied.

"I see. Well, keep up the good work, Rid. I’m heading to the academy gate to continue my patrol; it looks like I’ll be stationed there for quite a while. See you later, Rid," Miss Violetta said.

"Understood, Miss . See you later," I replied.

Miss Violetta left the academy lobby's forecourt to head toward the academy gates, while I remained there with the other members of Elevrad to welcome the guests.

-

A few minutes later.

Queen Kayana arrived at the academy lobby's forecourt, accompanied by Commander Oliver and several knights.

Caroline was nowhere to be seen with the Queen; this meant she hadn't attended the academy tournament at all, as she hadn't accompanied the Queen on any of the days since the event began.

Upon seeing Queen Kayana arrive, the other members of Elevrad and I immediately stepped forward to greet her.

"Good morning, Your Majesty," I said.

The other Elevrad members, including Charles and Chloe, also offered their greetings to the Queen.

"Good morning, Rid, Charles, Chloe, and everyone else," Queen Kayana replied.

"Caroline didn't come with you, Your Majesty? She hasn't attended a single day from the first day right up to this fifth day. It’s a shame, really, she could have watched her older siblings compete in the tournament," I remarked.

"She said she didn't want to come and watch the tournament. I don't know her exact reason, as she didn't tell me. However, she will be coming for the academy festival later on, just as she always does," Queen Kayana explained.

"I see. Perhaps Caroline prefers lively, exciting events like the festival over watching a tournament where she simply observes others fighting," I said.

"That seems to be the case," Queen Kayana agreed.

"Ah, I apologize for detaining you here, Your Majesty. We will escort you to the seat reserved for you in the spectator area," I said.

"It’s quite alright; there is no need to apologize," Queen Kayana replied.

"Very well, Your Majesty. I would have liked to escort you myself, but it seems there are others better suited for the task," I said.

Then, I turned toward Charles and Chloe.

"Charles, Chloe, please escort Your Majesty to her seat," I said.

"Understood, Rid," Charles and Chloe replied.

After that, I turned back to Queen Kayana.

"Please proceed to your seat, Your Majesty. Charles and Chloe will show you the way," I said.

"Did you have Charles and Chloe escort me on purpose?" Queen Kayana asked.

"I thought there might be something you wished to discuss with them, so I had them escort you. That way, you can chat with them along the way," I said.

"You're right; there is indeed something I wanted to discuss with Charles and Chloe. In that case, I thank you for arranging this, Rid," Queen Kayana said.

"You are most welcome, Your Majesty," I replied.

Afterward, Queen Kayana walked into the academy's lobby building, heading toward the competition arena located on the upper floor of the central building. She was accompanied by Commander Oliver, several knights, and of course, Charles and Chloe.

-

A few minutes after Queen Kayana’s departure, Duke San Angela, Duke Neil arrived at the courtyard in front of the academy's lobby building. He was accompanied by his wife, Duchess Ecrin Mattila San Angela, as well as several of his own knights.

Upon arrival, the Duke and his entourage immediately entered the lobby building, escorted by Elaina and another member of Elevrad.

-

A few minutes later, it was Duke San Minerva, Duke Dylan’s turn to arrive at the academy's lobby courtyard. He was accompanied by his wife, Duchess Hazel Lomidze San Minerva, along with several of his knights.

After arriving, the Duke and his party immediately entered the lobby building, escorted by Noa and another member of Elevrad.

-

A few minutes later, Duke San Lucia, Duke Louis arrived at the academy's lobby courtyard. He was accompanied by several knights and his wife, Duchess Arlet Emerald San Lucia. This marked the first time Duchess Arlet had come to watch this year's academy tournament, as she had not attended during the first four days. Her presence surprised those around her, especially given that she had only recently awakened from a long sleep.

In addition to Duchess Arlet and the knights, Duke Louis was accompanied by Mr. Irwin, Senior Nadine’s father. Mr. Irwin was walking alongside a woman; I did not recognize her, but she appeared to be Mr. Irwin’s wife and Senior Nadine’s mother.

"Good morning, Uncle Louis, Aunt Arlet, and everyone," I said.

"Good morning, Rid," said Uncle Louis.

"Good morning to you too, Rid. Hmm, I heard that you and Irene are finalists in the academy tournament. But why are you here welcoming guests instead? Wouldn't it be better for you to get ready for the match?" asked Duchess Arlet.

"As the current chairman of Elevrad, it is my duty to welcome the arriving guests, Aunt Arlet. It isn't just me; Irene, Charles, Chloe, and several other Elevrad members are doing the same. They are welcoming guests even though they are tournament participants. Besides, we participants are only welcoming guests until 9:00 AM; after that, we’ll go straight to preparing for the match, which starts at 10:00 AM," I said.

"Hmm, very well then," said Duchess Arlet.

"Yes, Aunt Arlet. Since you and Uncle Louis have arrived, we will escort you both to the seats reserved for you," I said.

After that, I turned toward Irene.

"Irene, please escort Uncle Louis and Aunt Arlet to their seats, along with the people accompanying them," I said.

"All right, Rid," said Irene.

Irene then walked over to me, while I turned back to face Duke Louis and Duchess Arlet.

"Please come in, Uncle Louis, Aunt Arlet. Irene will show you the way," I said.

"Aren't you coming along to escort us yourself, Rid?" asked Duchess Arlet.

"I still have other arriving guests to welcome, Aunt Arlet. Besides, Lord Duke San Quentine hasn't arrived yet either," I said.

"I didn't see Lord Remy at the academy gate earlier; it looks like it will be a while before he gets here. So, you still have time to escort us," said Duchess Arlet.

"But..." I began.

But before I could finish, Duchess Arlet cut me off.

"No 'buts'. You must come along and escort us, together with Irene. I want to chat with both of you," said Duchess Arlet.

"Very well, Aunt Arlet. I will come along to escort you," I said.

Unable to refuse Duchess Arlet's request, I ended up accompanying her, Duke Louis, and their entourage to the seats reserved for them.

-

Meanwhile, at the academy gates...

Duke Remy and Duchess Arnett had just arrived. They prepared to enter the academy, accompanied by several knights including Commander Dayne and Senior Vyn. Upon seeing them getting ready to enter, Miss Violetta and the knights stationed at the gate immediately stepped forward to welcome them.

"Welcome, Lord Duke and Miss Duchsss," Miss Violetta said.

Although she and Duke Remy no longer had any personal ties, she greeted him strictly in accordance with her professional duties.

"Yes," Duke Remy replied.

He spoke without looking at her. Duchess Arnett did the same; she neither looked at Miss Violetta nor uttered a single word to her, despite the fact that Violetta was her own daughter. The couple proceeded directly into the academy grounds, walking past the woman who had welcomed them.

Once they had entered the academy premises, Miss Violetta turned to look after them.

"Mother..." she thought.

She then turned her gaze toward the street in front of the academy gates. It was crowded with parked carriages. Amidst the sea of ​​carriages, she spotted several figures clad in long, concealing cloaks, making it impossible for her to identify them.

"Who are they?" she wondered aloud.

As she spoke, she prepared to draw her sword from its scabbard.

-To be continued

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