When it was revealed that the mastermind behind the ambush on the Ducal’s carriage was the hyena of the Renokhonan family, Ducal Ferbache quickly took action upon receiving the news through a letter.
However, even if he knew the culprit, there were immediate sanctions he could take because there was no clear evidence of his involvement.
It was also impossible to capture the hyenas and force them to confess since they were bound by high-level oath magic, which would lead to their death the moment they spoke the truth.
Moreover, there was no way for Yohan to catch the hyenas, who were deliberately on the run.
It’s typically harder to capture than to kill.
This was especially true for Yohan, who was not used to using force.
Nevertheless, the Ducal conveyed that he would subtly leak this information to put pressure on the imperial family.
For the time being, it seemed Cassis would not be making any noise.
Anyway, time passed, and soon it was the day that Yohan’s long vacation from the public office ended.
Naturally, Yohan and Francia woke up early to go to work.
The knights warming up in the training grounds wore expressions that suggested this couldn’t possibly be real.
The wizards examining documents inside the building did not have different expressions either.
They looked no different from modern office workers.
Yohan felt a strange sense of familiarity, and a faint smile appeared on his face.
Regardless of how the world was, places where people lived seemed to be the same everywhere.
“Everyone, pay attention!”
Crown Prince Fedelian shouted as he entered the training grounds.
“Today is the day for joint training with the 1st Public Office! I hope you haven’t become too lazy just because of the vacation!”
The knights and wizards shouted back.
“No problem!” “We can start right away!”
Their voices filled the training ground, erasing any previous signs of lethargy.
“The training ground is spacious, so the 1st Public Office will come over!”
Since the 1st Public Office also goes into battle, it operates with a very small number of elite members, making facilities like training grounds or buildings comparatively smaller than those of the 2nd Public Office.
Thus, it made sense to conduct joint training in the 2nd Public Office’s training ground.
“Training will start in one hour! Make sure you prepare well!” Fedelian shouted and then went inside the building.
“What if we lose again this time? It’s a public office with the Crown Prince in attendance… Of all times, that bastard from the battlefield has returned.”
The knights and wizards all sighed simultaneously.
From their conversation, it seemed they had lost quite a bit before.
“Francia, have you ever done joint training?” Yohan asked.
“Yes. When I first arrived, I did it a few times before going on a reconnaissance mission.
But while they call it joint training, it just ends up being a sparring match.”
It was better to see it as just a hierarchy sorting exercise.
“Still, we need to continuously assess the power levels of both sides.”
“Yes, so even if everyone looks reluctant, there’s no complaint.”
Francia answered like that but soon turned away with a glum expression.
“I have some documents to take care of before training, so I’ll go inside. Let’s do our best today?”
“Yes.”
As he watched her walk into the building, Yohan couldn’t help but smile.
If those strange individuals didn’t engage in foolish acts, it would be just a normal office worker’s pleasant daily life.
But the problem was that some weird people kept getting tangled up in matters.
‘But I can’t just say to quit being a public official together.’
Francia was gradually building her career to become the future head, and Yohan was increasing his worth to be with her.
In that sense, there was no better option for both of them than being public officials.
Here, skill was everything, and evaluations came in highly.
“Oh, Yohan!”
Someone called out to Yohan.
It was a familiar voice.
Yohan furrowed his brow and turned toward the sound.
Violet appeared to be incredibly happy to see him, a smile blooming on her face.
“Ha… Violet.”
A sigh escaped him.
Yohan shook his head.
“Did you sigh as soon as you saw me? How rude.”
Violet pouted as if she were hurt.
“It’s not surprising that I’d sigh. What trouble are you bringing this time?”
“Can’t I just come to say hello? Hehe.”
However, her sulky face didn’t last long, and she smiled brightly.
“I’m sorry about last time. I think I made a mistake because I was drunk.”
“Ah, yes.”
“Can you please forgive me? I’ll apologize properly.”
Yohan frowned at her seemingly sincere smile.
This girl should not be approached closely.
“Well, I’m not sure. I’d appreciate it if you didn’t act friendly from now on.”
“Hmm.”
Violet tapped her red lips with her finger, then flashed a mischievous smile.
“Well, our relationship is something that time will solve, I suppose. Anyway, I’m glad you’re safe, Yohan.”
“…What do you mean?”
“Hehe, it’s a thing.”
Violet winked at him, squinting one eye, and walked past Yohan.
Yohan squinted at her retreating figure.
‘Glad I’m safe.’
She must be referring to the recent actions of the hyenas.
But Violet did not have the power to move the hyenas.
That means…
‘So the whole scheme was orchestrated with Cassis from the beginning.’
Violet’s flirtation at the party and Cassis’s assassination plan were connected.
‘They are definitely trying to send me to ruin somehow.’
Tsk. Yohan clicked his tongue and grimaced for no reason.
Given that the genre of this world is a desolate one with no dreams or hopes, it wouldn’t be easy to have a peaceful relationship with the female protagonist.
It was like walking on thin ice.
A slight slip would send him straight into a pit.
Of course, he did not regret this choice.
He had pledged to take responsibility from the start.
Above all, he didn’t want to see Francia’s face filled with betrayal and disappointment.
‘It felt wrong to just stand by while misfortune awaited Francia.’
With him being a reincarnator, it was time for her to be happy, wasn’t it?
Even though it hadn’t happened yet.
‘And, this matter will come to an end someday.’
Isn’t it said that happiness comes after arduous trials?
Surely, one day, he would be able to spend happy days with Francia.
Without a worry in the world.
In the training grounds of the 2nd Public Office, public officials gathered around the training area.
Fedelian shouted.
“Next!”
Duel matches between those of matching ranks continued between the two public offices.
Since there weren’t many high-ranking members, Yohan watched apathetically.
However, as time went on, he was starting to find it boring.
‘Can’t wizards use magic above 2nd grade, and can knights not use mana blades?’
While he understood that taking things seriously could cost lives, he couldn’t help but wonder if training like this was even effective.
Yohan, who had just joined as a newcomer, found it puzzling.
Clang.
Clang!
The ongoing duel between two 1st-grade knights.
White swords flashed in succession, and afterimages followed their blades.
Although they displayed different sword styles, it seemed the rank was no lie.
Clang! Crash!
The two maintained a precarious balance as their swords clashed.
It seemed it would take quite a while to determine a victor.
“Hmmm. When will training end? It was fun at first, but it’s getting boring as the same patterns repeat.”
In a corner of the training ground, Francia hugged her knees and spoke.
Her expression mirrored Yohan’s feelings of boredom.
“I feel the same way. As a wizard, I feel like I can’t quite understand the knights.” “Is that so…? I didn’t expect you to say you can’t understand knights.”
Francia blinked, taken aback.
“Didn’t you learn to use a sword?”
“I’ve never learned swordsmanship.”
“Not even at the academy?”
“I only took the exam.”
To be precise, he had learned it but had never studied it seriously or properly.
“I thought you would become a knight, Yohan.”
“Why do you think so?”
“Uh… just a feeling?”
Francia stammered, giggling.
Her bright smile was so cute that Yohan unconsciously smiled back.
“By the way, have you met Latalen, the 1st-grade wizard?”
“I met her earlier.”
“That’s why I thought so. I could smell her on you.”
“She…?”
Yohan blinked at the vulgar words that barely came out of her mouth.
“I’ve been looking for her. I think someone who touches another’s man should pay the price. But where has she been hiding? She’s not even in her seat.”
Francia’s face darkened.
The coldness in her crimson eyes indicated she was quite angry.
‘I’m fine, but…’
However, just because the party involved was fine didn’t mean the problem would be resolved.
Francia was supposed to be Yohan’s lover and lifelong companion.
This was less a matter of Yohan’s personal affairs and more of a problem between the two of them.
‘It’s probably best to stay quiet here.’
Women’s issues should be resolved among women.
Getting involved for no reason could lead to both sides being unhappy.