Peace Hunter

After seeing off Duke Louis and Duchess Arlet, Irene and I immediately returned to the academy's main entrance courtyard. Upon arriving there, I spotted Duke Remy and his wife, Duchess Arnett, who had just arrived as well. Several knights were accompanying them, and among them was Senior Vyn. It had been a long time since I last saw Senior Vyn; I hadn't expected to find him serving as a knight for Duke San Quentine.

I then stepped forward to greet Duke Remy and Duchess Arnett, joined by the other members of Elevrad.

"Good morning, Lord Duke Remy and Miss Duchess Arnett," I said.

"Good morning to you too, Rid Archie," Duke Remy replied.

"Good morning," said Duchess Arnett.

I was slightly puzzled upon hearing Duchess Arnett speak; her voice sounded flat, almost devoid of emotion. However, I concealed my confusion and decided not to dwell on it—perhaps that was simply the natural tone of her voice. I then turned to greet the others accompanying the Duke and Duchess.

"Good morning to everyone else as well. And Senior Vyn, it’s been a long time. I never imagined you would become a knight for Duke San Quentine," I said.

"Yes, it has been a long time," said Senior Vyn.

I felt a bit confused again upon hearing Senior Vyn's voice. It sounded flat, just like the voice of Duchess Arnett, which I had heard earlier. This really puzzled me. I had only ever heard Duchess Arnett speak once before; since I had never conversed with her or been in close proximity to her, I hadn't really heard her voice. That was why I had assumed her tone was naturally flat. However, Senior Vyn’s tone wasn't usually flat. I remembered how he sounded back when I was a first-year student. Why was his voice flat now? It was rather strange. Even though I was pondering this, I maintained my usual expression.

"Ah, I apologize for detaining you here, Lord Duke Remy. I will escort you to the seats reserved for you, Miss Duchess Arnett, and your accompanying party," I said.

"Very well, thank you," said Duke Remy.

"You are welcome, Lord Remy," I replied.

After that, I turned toward Elaina.

"Elaina, come with me to escort them," I said.

"Understood, Chairman," Elaina replied.

Then, Elaina and I entered the academy's lobby building to escort Duke Remy, Duchess Arnett, and their party.

-

A few minutes later.

Elaina and I arrived at the spectator area. We immediately escorted Duke Remy, Duchess Arnett, and their party to their reserved seats. These seats were located near those of Queen Kayana and the other three Dukes and Duchesses.

Upon seeing Duke Remy and Duchess Arnett arrive, Queen Kayana and the other three Dukes and Duchesses immediately welcomed them.

"You have finally arrived, Lord Remy. Please, take a seat," said Queen Kayana.

"Thank you, Your Majesty," said Duke Remy.

Duke Remy took his seat immediately after Queen Kayana spoke.

"And you too, Miss Arnett. Please, have a seat," said Queen Kayana.

"Very well," said Duchess Arnett.

I noticed a look of confusion on Queen Kayana’s face after hearing Duchess Arnett speak. It seemed she was puzzled by the same thing I was: the Duchess’s flat tone of voice. If the Queen was confused, it implied that the Duchess’s tone shouldn't have been flat. As the Queen of this kingdom, she certainly knew Duchess Arnett well and must have conversed with her often; her bewilderment confirmed that the Duchess’s tone was unusual. As I said before, it was a bit strange. On top of that, I had been feeling uneasy for a while, a sensation that, for some reason, reminded me of the incident at the courthouse. But I didn't want to dwell on that.

"Let's head back, Elaina," I said.

"Understood, Chairman," Elaina replied.

After seeing off Duke Remy and Duchess Arnett, we walked back toward the academy's front courtyard.

-

A few minutes later.

Elaina and I arrived at the academy's front courtyard. Irene, Charles, Chloe, and other members of Elevrad were still greeting arriving guests. Miss Karina was there too, helping to welcome some of the visitors, even though she hadn't been present when I was there earlier. Seeing her in the courtyard, I immediately walked over to her.

"Miss Karina," I said.

"Hmm? Ah, Rid, you’re back from escorting Lord Remy?," Miss Karina said.

"Yes, Miss. How did you know I had just escorted Lord Remy?" I asked.

"I asked Charles where you were since you weren't around. He told me you were escorting Lord Remy with Elaina," she explained.

"Hmm, I see. So, what brings you here, Miss? Did you need something from me—since you were asking Charles earlier about me not being here?" I asked.

"It’s nothing; I just happened to come here to welcome some guests. Although, I was late in greeting certain important figures, like big s- ... I mean, Her Majesty the Queen and the Dukes," said Miss Karina.

"I see," I said.

"Anyway, you had better get ready now, Rid. It’s almost nine o'clock; it’s time for you to head to the tournament participants' waiting room," said Miss Karina.

"Very well, Miss. I will get ready immediately," I said.

After that, I called for Irene, Charles, Chloe, and the other members of Elevrad—those participating in today's third-place playoff or the academy tournament finals—to prepare to head to the contestants' waiting room. Once I had gathered them, we hurried toward the waiting area. However, before leaving, I spoke briefly with Miss Karina.

"Miss Karina, I have a feeling something is going to happen at the academy tournament today," I said.

"Something is going to happen? What do you mean?" Miss Karina asked.

"I have an unsettling feeling right now. It is the same uneasy sensation I felt during the incident at the courthouse," I said.

"The courthouse incident, huh," she said.

"Yes, Miss. But this is just a hunch; I could be wrong, and nothing might actually happen at the tournament today," I added.

"Even so, there is no harm in being cautious. I will order Violetta and the academy guards to tighten security. However, I can only issue that order later, as I don't have my communication crystal with me right now. I left it in one of the private rooms reserved for guests watching the tournament to rest," Miss Karina explained.

"Understood, Miss," I said.

"Very well. You should hurry along to the contestants' waiting room now," Miss Karina said.

"Yes, Miss. I shall see you later, then," I said.

"Yes," Miss Karina replied.

With that, I immediately hurried toward the tournament contestants' waiting room.

-

It was nearing 10:00 AM.

In the tournament arena, Mr. Alan could be seen delivering the opening remarks before the start of the day's academy tournament matches. Meanwhile, in the spectator area where Queen Kayana and the Dukes and Duchesses were seated, Duchess Arlet was seen engaging Duchess Arnett in conversation.

"Who do you think will win the finals of the male's and female's tournaments, Miss Arnett?" Duchess Arlet asked.

"I wouldn't know," Duchess Arnett replied in a flat tone.

Duchess Arlet fell silent upon hearing Duchess Arnett's words.

"This is strange. Even though I’ve just awakened from an eleven-year sleep, I still clearly remember Miss Arnett’s nature, personality, and way of speaking from back then. She wasn't like this. Her tone has been completely flat and expressionless this whole time. Besides, I don't recall her wearing glasses; why is she wearing them now? Did something happen to her during those eleven years?" Duchess Arlet wondered.

-

Meanwhile, in one of the resting rooms for the tournament spectators, Miss Karina was seen contacting someone via her communication crystal.

"Hello," came a voice from the crystal.

Judging by the sound, it was Miss Violetta.

"Hello, Violetta. Where are you?" Lady Karina asked.

"I'm right in front of the academy gates. Is something the matter, Miss?" Lady Violetta asked.

"Order your knights to tighten security around the academy immediately. The match for third place and the grand finals are about to begin," Miss Karina said.

"Understood, Miss. I will order my knights to tighten security as soon as I finish monitoring the suspicious individuals near the carriages parked outside the academy gates," Miss Violetta replied.

"There are suspicious people in front of the academy gates?" Miss Karina asked.

"Yes, Miss, but I do not know who they are. They are wearing long, concealing cloaks that prevent me from seeing their forms or faces. They are simply standing near the carriages, neither moving nor attacking. I cannot strike them unless they attack or make a suspicious move first," said Miss Violetta.

"Keep watching them, but do not attack immediately, Violetta. Only retaliate if they strike first. For now, just keep them under surveillance," said Miss Karina.

"Understood, Miss. I will keep watching them; if they attack, then I will immediately—" said Miss Violetta.

But before Miss Violetta could finish her sentence, the sound of a violent impact suddenly rang out from the communication crystal.

*BOOM*

The sound of the impact was deafening, followed immediately by the voices of many people shouting Miss Violetta's name.

"Commander Violetta!" they cried out.

After that, nothing more could be heard from the communication crystal Miss Karina was holding. It seemed the connection between Miss Karina and Mjss Violetta had been severed. Miss Karina was startled upon hearing the sound of an impact and realizing the call had been cut off.

"Hello? Hello, Violetta!" Miss Karina called out into the crystal.

But the communication crystal did not respond at all.

"The call has been cut off. Something has happened to Violetta at the academy gates; I must go there immediately," Miss Karina said.

-

Back to where Queen Kayana and the Dukes and Duchesses were gathered.

A bright light suddenly emanated from Duke Louis's pocket. He checked his pocket and discovered the light was coming from his communication crystal. Queen Kayana and the other Dukes and Duchesses turned their gaze toward Duke Louis, as the bright glow from the crystal had drawn their attention.

"Forgive me, Your Majesty. It seems someone is trying to contact me," Duke Louis said.

"It is quite alright, Lord Louis. Please, go ahead and answer the call," Queen Kayana replied.

"Very well, Your Majesty," Duke Louis said.

He then answered the call.

"Hello?"

"Mina? What is the matter?" Duke Louis asked.

The person contacting him was Commander Mina, the commander of the Duke San Lucia knights. Duke Louis listened to what she had to say. Suddenly, his expression shifted to one of shock as he heard her words.

"What did you say? A massive horde of demons is attacking the San Lucia territory?" Duke Louis asked, astonished.

-To be continued

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