Fortunately, there were no demons in sight, and it seemed Allen and the Second Order of Knights had arrived on time.

Eric walked out of the lake.

Water dripped from his wet body.

“Is Alicia still in the annex?”

As the words finished, Eric saw Alicia standing with a cold expression, holding a sword and staring at a fallen demon.

Her dress was torn, her hair flying in disarray, and despite the splattered blood, she stood so dignifiedly.

“But where have I seen that expression before?”

Though her expression was frosty, it oddly felt familiar to Eric.

“Ah.”

Then it hit him.

Alicia confronting a ruffian-like guy in front of the salon before.

Her expression was just like that back then.

“Alicia.”

Eric shifted his steps towards Alicia.

Worry instantly appeared on Alicia’s face as she turned her head at Eric’s voice.

“Eric. Are you okay? Why are you so wet? Did you fall into the lake?”

“Ah, I jumped into the lake while escaping the museum. It saved my life.”

“Ah.”

Exhaling in relief, Alicia, with concern in her eyes, asked Eric.

“Have we met before we were introduced?”

“…Do you remember?”

“I didn’t know we would meet again if you hadn’t helped me.”

“Ah.”

So, it seemed doing a good deed was worthwhile after all.

Getting involved in the ‘rescuing the lady from a delinquent’ matter, despite its annoyance, was oddly appealing.

“Even if I hadn’t helped back then, it wouldn’t have mattered?”

“Well, yeah.”

Without denying it, Alicia nodded her head.

“But something troublesome might have happened. I was seriously considering giving your face a good slap.”

Alicia’s blunt words, expressing irritation at the thought, eventually made Eric burst into laughter.

“Ouch.”

Continuing, he winced as pain shot through his injured side.

“Are you hurt? Let me see. Where is it?”

Quickly grabbing Eric’s waist, Alicia pushed his hand aside and examined the area around his waist.

The uniform was quite messed up, scratched here and there, but fortunately, there were no major injuries.

“It’s nothing. Probably just a bruise.”

“Still.”

“Are you okay?”

“I’m fine.”

Answering Eric’s concern with indifference, Alicia thoroughly examined him to ensure there were no injuries.

“Did you encounter the sorcerer?”

Alicia lifted her head to look at Eric in response to his question.

“The one who kidnapped me last time. Remember I mentioned seeing a red light? That man was wearing a ring.”

“I see.”

That sorcerer claimed Alicia belonged to him.
At that time, he thought the sorcerer was targeting him, but now he considered that might not be the case.

“I tried to find out something, but it wasn’t easy. However, there are individuals among the new mages who are involved with him. Moreover, they are former mages of the Great Temple.”

Eric furrowed his brow and nodded.

One by one, what he had anticipated was falling into place.

“Still, Alicia, don’t do anything dangerous. From now on, always run away from those sorcerers.”

“But I did hurt the sorcerer.”

“What?”

“I learned dagger skills from Sir Allen, and they are quite practical. I think I’ll keep carrying a dagger.”

While looking at Alicia, who smiled, Eric finally laughed.

Even if he didn’t worry, Alicia was undoubtedly a strong woman. With sword skills stronger than most knights, she could defeat demons and now even resist sorcerers.

However.

“You are strong, but I still worry.”

“Eric.”

“So, yeah. Even if I tell you not to worry, I can’t help but worry.”

“That’s true. I understand. I worry about you all the time too.”

With Alicia’s understanding, Eric chuckled quietly.

“I just [dash]. When I’m not around, when I can’t protect you, I wonder what might happen to you. If I can’t forgive myself, that’s why.”

“But it’s not your fault.”

Firmly responding, Alicia bore a striking resemblance to the Countess Lancaster, who had once said similar words to her.

As Eric was about to speak again, the voice of Princess Valerie calling from behind him was heard.

“Lord Russell.”

“I’ll be there soon, Your Highness.”

After asking the princess for permission, Eric advised Alicia.

“Rest nearby while waiting. Let’s go back together.”

“Aren’t you on emergency duty?”

“I’m on guard duty right now. I’ll make up an excuse and slip away, so wait for me.”

“I understand.”

Alicia roughly touched Eric’s wet hair and sent him to the princess.

For a moment, it seemed like their eyes met, but she immediately turned her head away, and there was no greeting.

“Ah, Chase.”

Alicia finally remembered Chase and looked around.

“He couldn’t be hurt, right?”

“Hello.”

“Ah, greetings to Princess.”

While searching for Chase, Alicia encountered Princess Valerie at the back of the annex.

Although her appearance was disheveled, Alicia’s manners were excellent enough that even another woman could feel elegance.

“What’s your name?”

“I am Alicia Lancaster.”

“Lancaster. I’m Valerie.”

“Yes, Your Highness.”

Valerie glanced up and down at Alicia and asked, “Do you handle a sword?”

“Oh, a little. I heard you are a new mage, Your Highness.”

“Yes. I received training here at the Great Temple three years ago.”

“I see.”

Valerie’s attitude wasn’t explicitly hostile, but Alicia felt uneasy as if she were being scrutinized.

There was a sensation of her being examined, making Alicia uncomfortable.

“I have something to ask.”

“Yes, Your Highness.”

“If you had to choose between the Empire and Count Russell, which one would you choose?”