The Astaloth Knights, from their inception, created a highly unique swordsmanship by blending the Quan-style combat techniques with the style mainly used in Nix.

The distinctive swordsmanship, from the 1st form to the 7th form, looked as if one were dancing with a sword, and it was called ‘sword dance,’ considered the most suitable form when facing monsters.

“Leo.”

After calmly completing up to the 7th form, Mermem handed the sword to the young squire and approached me.

As I took the towel brought by a servant and wiped away the sweat on Mermem’s forehead, no one found it odd since it was a routine task observed by many.

“Even though I intentionally wore high-heeled shoes, it’s not easy to meet your gaze.”

“I’m fine with it.”

Mermem’s voice was low, and his tone was modest. He never knew how to raise his voice.

As he remained calm no matter what happened, Mermem became the mediator whenever conflicts arose within the knights. According to Shofen, Mermem, unrelated to anyone here but me, gave judgments that felt much fairer than those of others.

“Should I lift my head?”

“No. But you should try hard to meet my gaze.”

Mermem was now around 6.3 feet tall. In the entire knights’ order and even in the entire palace, no one was taller than him.

Although I wasn’t short, my height could never match Mermem’s even if I wore high-heeled shoes, as I’m only 5.9 feet tall, and my original height is 5.5 feet.

“It’s been a while, Mermem. Any injuries?”

“No.”

The Astaloth Knights faced numerous criticisms from their establishment, with the most vehement opposition coming from the temple side. They raised a fuss, claiming that the empress raising soldiers was absurd.

Not only that, but they also cursed me in various masses, stating that “an empress who does not live quietly while obeying her husband is very immoral.”

Since I faced criticism for almost everything I initially started, I lightly ignored it. Instead, I instructed the Astaloth Knights to focus on dealing with monsters in small villages, neglected lands, and impoverished territories in the name of the empress.

It was where the hands of the well-praised crusade did not reach.

As a result, after a few years, the Astaloth Knights gained respect from all over the country. Although they were busy touring the country to exterminate monsters, they achieved this feat in just three years.

“By the way, has the list for undercover guards on the cruise been decided?”

In response to my question, Mermem nodded, gesturing. Then seven knights came forward.

However, I initially requested eight.

“The last one is me.”

When I looked at him with a puzzled expression, Mermem gently took my hand. Taking the towel clasped between his fingers, he lightly kissed my fingertips.
“If, by any chance, you collapse, there should be someone to revive you.”

A warm energy envelops me. It’s the same energy that I have always casually accepted, but these days, it makes me flinch.

Perhaps it’s because of those eyes.

Those two eyes, staring straight at me, captivate me every time, just like the summer does.

Eventually, I exerted strength in my hands to pull away from him.

It seemed dangerous to stay in his grasp any longer.

“Surely, he was just a child. Humans really grow up quickly.”

While watching this child’s growth, life hasn’t been boring.

Even if he returns to his original form, I will undoubtedly watch over him and take care of him until his death.

If he leaves descendants, they too, and their descendants as well.

Hoping vaguely that someday, someone resembling this child will be born again.

So…

“Those eyes again.”

“What’s wrong with my eyes?”

“You look at me as if I were a child.”

Mermem grumbled quietly.

“No one seems to be an adult in my eyes.”

“It’s a gaze that particularly sees me as a child.”

It’s probably because of when we first met, and he was a boy.

There were moments when I found it difficult to keep up with the speed of human growth.

He seemed like a toddler to me, but suddenly, it felt like he was asking for adult treatment.

Of course, he had grown up, and it was right to treat him as an adult, but… the first impression lingered, making it not so easy.

While scratching my cheek, a savior appeared on the other side. It was Phaibel.

“Mistress! I’ve informed all first-round candidates for the concubine position!”

As he cheerfully shouted and appeared, Mermem’s eyes narrowed.

“…Another interruption.”

A voice of dissatisfaction was muttered.

Mermem thought that Phaibel deliberately appeared only when he was with me to report.

As for me, I had nothing to say.

Actually.

“I’ve confirmed the identities of the merchants to be stationed on the deck, and I brought dresses from the dressing room and distributed them to the actors. They all responded positively, saying there are no issues overall!”

“Yeah, someone prepared it, so it must be like that.”

After patting Mermem’s back, I tried to approach Phaibel to scold him gently.

However, at that moment, Mermem embraced my waist from behind.

This time, somewhat impatiently.