Chapter 72: Chapter 69: Night of the Chimera’s Cry – Training (8)

The last time she saw William was when he stayed back to give her time to escape.

Surrounded by guards from the prison...with a smile on his face...as though he did something commendable. As though he was content with this ending.

But she didn't care about his pride as a Knight, or his need to protect his master...she only wanted her childhood friend to stay with her.

“Aurora?” Lucius called out to her again and again. When she finally turned her head towards him, he frowned. “Are you okay?”

She nodded her head and turned back to the two Knights. “Your family name…is it perhaps Jeune?” She addressed the female Knight.

Bea was startled. “It is. Do you know someone in my family, Miss?”

"I see." Aurora lowered her head. She didn't answer Bea's question.

She really is his descendant. Not only that, seeing as how she looks so much like him, her bloodline should be pure.

Aurora raised her head and faced Lucius. “Alright. I will not take them in as my personal Knights for now. I don’t need their oaths. Instead, I will allow these two to escort me for a year and make my decision then.”

Lucius didn’t know what caused her to change her mind but he agreed to her decision. "That's good enough for now."

Aurora told the two Knights to continue with their normal schedule for now since she will not leave the mansion anytime soon. She didn't want them following her everywhere in the mansion. 

"Just do what you're paid for, nothing more, nothing less." She refused to become any more close to them than necessary. Aurora also did not plan on taking these two as her personal Knights. Instead, she thought of a way to make them retire from this job after a year to go live a life of luxury.

That, however, was for much later.

Despite their reluctance, Beatrix and Keegan left her to her own device, after letting her know that they will be on standby at the training field.

Which is exactly where Aurora spent a few hours everyday.

When she started her running, they ran behind her...

When she was training in archery with Gaius, they also started practicing archery...

When she took a break, they also took a break.

Having had enough, she confronted them, only to be hit back with her same words.

'We're only following our normal schedule.' The two said, simultaneously.

"___"

Right then and there, she realized her mistake.

'These two will be even more annoying whenever I want to leave the mansion in the future.'

Well, she couldn't retract her promise with the Duke, so she could only endure for now.

At the archery grounds, Gaius pushed her shoulder shoulders down. "You're still raising your shoulders too much. This makes you put too much pressure on the bow. Not only do you have to adjust your strength based on the length of your target, you also have to adjust the position of your elbows and feet. Right now, your target is only 20 meters away."

She glanced at Gaius with bewilderment. "Are you an archer?"

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He shook his head. "I'm not."

"Do you specialize in any other weapons?"

He shook his head no again. "In fact, I'm not very good with weapons, besides making 'em. If someone attacks me, all I need are my fists."

"...Then, how do you know so much about archery?"

"As a blacksmith, it's normal to know everything about weapons. What kind of blacksmith will I be if I can't even tell you how to use it?"

Keegan and Bea, who were also practicing in using a bow, glanced at each other.

'Is that how it is??'

She never heard of such a thing before. Yes, it is normal for a blacksmith to know about the weapons he made, but not to the point of being able to teach it to someone else! 

Gaius started mumbling with a disapproving expression. "Humpf! Those people at the Blacksmith Association shouldn't be called blacksmiths!" He crossed his arms and grunted irritably. "Only the President, Earl Nolbeia, is somewhat adequate."

"In the first place, how is that a Rune Mage became a blacksmith?" She was really curious since both occupations had nothing to do with each other.

"Ah?? Well, it was just a hobby."

"...." Keegan.

"...." Bea.

"...." Aurora.

Gaius scratched the back of his head. "What? Did I say something strange?"

It was better if she didn't ask anymore.

After their short conversation, Aurora continued her training.

Aurora made steady progress in archery, but there were still some things she needed to work on. She also had trouble with using her sigil. She couldn't control her mana for some reason, which made her anxious.

After seeing the determination of this 15 years old young girl, the Knights started opening up to her. They were amazed by her growth in just over a few weeks.

During her free time, she studied the summoning ritual used a thousand years and in the present. Thanks to the blacksmith teaching her about the different runes, she was confident she'd succeed in proving her theory very soon.

Like this, days passed without any change...

Until news came that the Crown Princess of the Ignis Kingdom was found. Lucius was the only one who knew it was thanks to the information he gained from those people. Fortunately, although she was weak and malnourished, she did not get hurt. According to the Doctor, the Princess should be back to normal after a few days of rest. Unfortunately, she didn't remember anything during the time she was kidnapped.

With this, the Rizar Knights were safe, and didn't have to take the brunt for starting a war.

Of course, Lucius didn’t have any intention to letting that murderer get away with this even though the other hasn't killed anyone since after kidnapping the Ignis' Princess.

To get a clue about who is going around killing and kidnapping people in his Dukedom, Lucius Rizar decided to attend Yulia Vel Nolbeia’s birthday banquet with his fiancée, Aurora Isla.