“There are no issues at all. Please rest assured.”
Falga answered before Isis could, his ruddy face full of pride and confidence.
“Lady Ash and our Adventurer’s Guild are 100% certain of ensuring both safety and success.”
As someone who knew Isis’s true identity, Falga did not forget to observe her expression and reaction while he explained.
“If President Falga is so confident, then I can rest easy,” Ron said, playing along. Falga then went on to reiterate his requirements for Lifa and Ron.
“I also highly acknowledge the abilities of you two. Even without Miss Enid’s recommendation, I originally intended to invite you as assistants and guides.”
“The two of you only need to handle the scouting and cleanup work. Afterward, I will…”
“Enough, President Falga, that’s enough.”
Isis suddenly spoke, interrupting President Falga’s somewhat long-winded speech. She glanced at Rosalyn and Ron before walking straight to Lifa’s side.
“Time is precious. I plan to enter the magic beast forest immediately this afternoon.”
“But before that, I want to spar with Lifa. We can deepen our understanding of each other to facilitate our future cooperation.”
Since she had already found the Child of Destiny and was well aware of her own situation, Isis felt a sense of urgency regarding time. “Mr. Ron, you should come with us too.”
While Ron was still pondering how to respond or stop this, Isis unexpectedly issued a direct invitation.
‘Why?’
Ron was quite puzzled. Clearly, Isis had been lukewarm toward him before, and later, she had practically looked down on him. Why the sudden change of heart?
“Teacher, just watch the results of Lifa’s practice later~”
Finally able to leave this somewhat dull drawing room, Lifa walked over to Ron with a light step, ready to leave with him and Isis.
“All right. Then Rosalyn, and President Falga, we shall take our leave first.”
It was obvious that President Falga was deferring to Isis’s opinion, and Rosalyn immediately expressed her agreement and support.
“No problem. I have already prepared the carriage and credentials for the magic beast forest. The butler will go with you later as well. He will do his best to meet any needs you may have.”
As the most detached person among them, Rosalyn stood up and beckoned to the butler beside her.
“President Falga, let’s go to the tea room upstairs. We can’t help with anything else regarding the origin crystal~”
The brief meeting came to an end. As the three of them walked toward the training ground, Isis actually made a point to walk beside Ron.
“Mr. Ron, it seems that besides history, you also taught Lifa swordsmanship and combat techniques?”
Isis was certain that Ron was just an ordinary person. If, as he said, he taught Lifa some historical knowledge, that would be reasonable. But if it was swordsmanship…
Isis was skeptical. However, based on various details earlier, she could see that Lifa’s trust in and relationship with Ron went far beyond her imagination, which was why she decided to bring him along.
It was both to better communicate with Lifa and to investigate whether this polite young man was qualified to stay by the Child of Destiny’s side.
“That’s right, Lady Ash! Most of the moves Lifa knows were taught by Teacher! Teacher Ron used to—”
Ron’s gaze slammed the brakes on Lifa’s words.
He finally understood why his last save file had gone offline so quickly and inexplicably.
Even though he had cautioned her repeatedly back in Enid, Lifa completely forgot his instructions once she got excited.
“Ah, this… that.”
Lifa stopped talking, but her face turned red as she failed to come up with a follow-up answer, which only made her look more suspicious.
“Lady Ash, I actually come from a renowned family.”
Seeing things take a turn for the worse, Ron took the initiative to take over the conversation.
For someone whose experiences could fill a continental encyclopedia, fabricating a plausible identity was easy.
“I am from the north of the continent. I apologize, but I do not wish to speak of those past events again. Because I personally have no talent for cultivation and prefer knowledge and reflection, I passed my family’s heritage in those areas down to Lifa.”
It was almost seamless. Ron felt relieved when he saw Lifa looking shocked, as if thinking, ‘So that’s how it was.’
“I see. I visited the Northern Empire two years ago. Their oppression and persecution of both nobles and commoners for the sake of war are indeed a bit much.”
Isis remained noncommittal about Ron’s story but nodded as she saw the training ground opening up before them.
“In that case, Mr. Ron can give Lifa guidance from the sidelines during our spar.”
“Oh?” Ron asked back, sounding puzzled.
“You seem to have some… grievances toward me?”
Isis added the word after a pause, then lowered her head slightly in apology.
“When I said I wanted to become Lifa’s teacher earlier, it was because I valued her talent and aura. If that made you unhappy, that is my fault. However…”
“If the result of the upcoming spar can change your mind, I hope you will entrust Lifa to me afterward.”
Isis’s choice of words toward Ron showed more respect for a teacher than before, but her meaning was clear: she hoped Ron would let go after witnessing this spar.
“I understand.”
Ron took a moment of silence before agreeing.
He had just realized that this spar was actually insignificant. Given Isis’s personality and behavior, she would never easily or voluntarily leave Lifa.
Since he was currently well-hidden, there were two options.
One was to find an opportunity later to take Lifa and leave first. Based on the effects of the origin crystal, it might allow Isis to hold on for a few more years. By then, once he and Lifa were fully developed, they might have a chance to save Isis.
The other was to participate himself and personally control the relationship and the situation.
If handled correctly, he could let Lifa obtain many good things from Isis, and he could also try to learn more about Isis’s condition to provide what help he could.
The first option was full of unknown risks, while the second was a high-difficulty exam right in front of him.
But regardless of which…
“What if Lifa and I defeat you?… In a little while.”
Ron had a relaxed smile on his face, but in his heart, he heavily avoided the more realistic and terrible possibilities.
Regardless of the choice he made, he didn’t want the outcome to be built on sacrifice and death.
That applied to Lifa, and it included Isis as well.
Isis had not considered that point. Her gaze shifted to Lifa.
“Lifa, is there anything you want?”
“Ah, me?”
Lifa, who had been called out, was busy reflecting on how she had forgotten her teacher’s instructions, so she hadn’t participated in their conversation.
“Yes. Mr. Ron, if the result is beyond my expectations, I am willing to grant you any one thing within my power.”
Isis probably sensed that asking Lifa was only making things difficult for the girl, so she simply left the decision to Ron.
At the very least, putting aside her doubts about his abilities, she believed Ron was very good to Lifa.
“No problem. Then Lifa… are you ready?”
Ron’s eyes gradually filled with determination and seriousness as he walked to Lifa’s side.
A duel against his idol.
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