Evenel prepared for her familiar shooting training. At that moment, a helping hand approached to set up the target. She looked up to see Demil standing in front of her.

“Knight Demil?”

“I’ll assist you.”

“Aren’t you supposed to be guarding Davian?”

“It’s fine; I’m with the Knights.”

Demil carefully began speaking, his eyes on Evenel, who seemed no different than usual, recalling the voices from the meeting earlier.

“Actually, at today’s meeting—”

However, Evenel firmly cut him off before he could say more.

“I’d rather not hear about that. I think I know enough without listening. My mood has just improved thanks to the Knights; I don’t want to ruin it.”

Understanding her sentiments, Demil said no more. He too didn’t want to bring all those words in front of Evenel.

“What will Davian be doing going forward?”

“First, he’ll likely focus on adapting to his abilities. What comes after will be decided in due course. And there will be a banquet held for Lord Davian.”

“I suppose Davian’s appearance is something to celebrate grandly.”

Evenel nodded, seemingly understanding. From the perspective of Carius, Davian was now something to boast about, after all. They would naturally want to express that joy.

But for some reason, Demil felt as if the phrase ‘unlike myself’ was hidden in that last sentence and inadvertently asked,

“Do you feel slighted?”

Caught by the unexpected question, she showed a momentary sign of contemplation before nodding with a smile of reluctant admission.

“It would be a lie to say otherwise. It’s just a little thing, but Davian became friendly with the Knights almost immediately upon meeting them. I had to work extremely hard for it.”

Being human, Evenel couldn’t deny that she felt a petty emotion. Davian had gained so easily what she had to struggle for.

But that was only for a brief moment.

“Right now, my sense of relief is greater. I’m glad Davian can meet everyone even a day sooner, for the sake of the Knights as well.”

Thinking back to when she first met Davian, she felt it was fortunate to have met Shuher not too late. She didn’t know what exactly had happened in the past, but she wished that she could spend her time here with good people.

“It may sound strange for me to say this, but please take good care of Davian. The palace is new to him, as are the people. And I’m fine, but if you keep such a stern face, won’t Davian be scared?”
Evenel playfully pointed at Demil as she spoke. He was a knight with a tall stature and imposing build, almost expressionless, and not eloquent like Shance.

“Demil, you also need to get along quickly. We have a lot to do together in the future.”

Demil thought about Davian, who had been too rigid all the time they had come here together. It was quite familiar for him to subtly observe others, so he didn’t particularly mind.

In that context, Evenel, who could easily converse with anyone, seemed even more surprising. Come to think of it, she had never felt uncomfortable around him from the first time they met.

She approached him without any hesitation, to the point where he was the one who felt awkward.

“Davian is alone in a strange place.”

Demil barely held back the urge to ask, “Aren’t you also alone and in a strange place?”

“I felt a bit restless today because I didn’t train yesterday.”

Having prepared for training, Evenel took out the gun she had received from Shuher the day before. Seeing this, Demil visibly expressed his surprise.

“That gun.”

“Ah, actually, I went to the estate of Count Eunis with His Majesty yesterday. The gun that was being inspected there was given to me for use.”

“So, His Majesty was the one who first mentioned this?”

“Yes.”

Confused by his intense reaction, Evenel nodded.

“Is something strange?”

Demil hesitated for a moment and then opened his mouth, staring at the gun she was holding. Why he had been so surprised.

“That gun, along with the sword currently used by His Majesty… was a gift from the late Emperor.”

“…What?”

Evenel was stunned, and then when she fully understood what he was saying, she was utterly shocked. She lowered her eyes to look at the gun she was holding. She had no choice but to ask again because she couldn’t believe it.

“So, you’re saying this gun was a gift from His Majesty’s father, the late Emperor?”

“Yes.”

She had vaguely sensed that it was an extraordinary item, but she never thought it was something of this sort. Was it her imagination, or did the gun feel heavier than before?

“Then why would His Majesty casually give me such a valuable item?”

“I’m also curious.”

Demil was just as curious. Why would Shuher, who had always managed and cherished it carefully even if he didn’t use it regularly, give it to Evenel?
Even though she herself was surprised, it was clear that others would be even more astonished. She didn’t know Shuher’s intentions, but there might be people who could misinterpret them.

Just by giving the Emperor’s item to someone from Aodin alone.

“No, there’s no way I can willingly use such an item.”