Peace Hunter

A few minutes later.

As I sat on the steps in front of the academy lobby, I saw many knights starting to arrive. The knights were led by a middle-aged man walking in front of them. This middle-aged man was the Supreme Commander of this kingdom, Commander Oliver. I had met him before when he accompanied Her Majesty the Queen to see Charles and Chloe in the infirmary.

As the knights walked towards the academy lobby, they were shocked by the state of the academy. The surrounding areas were severely damaged, especially when they saw the academy lobby itself, which had also been badly damaged by the attackers.

As Commander Oliver and the knights approached me, I immediately stood up to approach them.

"You are the student who won this academy tournament before, Rid Archie, huh. Let me introduce myself. My name is Oliver Stabile, and I am the Supreme Commander of the Kingdom of San Fulgen," Commander Oliver said.

"It's a pleasure to meet you, Commander, and nice to meet you too. I never thought my name would be remembered by the Supreme Commander of this kingdom," I said.

"I always remember the names of people I consider great. Considering you're the winner of this academy tournament, and even won it while still a first-year student, it's clear that you're a great person. By the way, why are you here?" asked Commander Oliver.

"I was previously tasked by the academy principal, Miss Karina, to wait here because we heard that you and the knights ​would be arriving soon. Miss Karina is currently checking the situation around this academy because, as you know, the entire academy has just been attacked by an unknown group. I was asked to wait for your arrival here, and when you arrive, I was asked to escort you to Miss Karina. Besides waiting for your arrival, I was also tasked with guarding the four of them who are still unconscious," I said, looking at the four trees not far from me.

Initially, only one tree, the one protecting Chloe's body, had been opened, after Feline had forced it open. But now the other three trees had been opened by Miss Karina. Inside the tree were Caroline, Chloe, Irene, and Senior Gretta. The four of them were still unconscious, but their wounds had fully healed.

"Princess Caroline and Princess Chloe?!?! Not only that, there are also Princess Irene and Gretta, who won the previous womens academy tournament," said Commander Oliver.

Commander Oliver and the knights immediately approached the four of them, especially Caroline and Chloe, who were unconscious. Since Caroline and Chloe were princesses of this kingdom, of course, if something happened to them, these knights wouldn't stay silent.

"What happened to them?" asked Commander Oliver.

I also approached the four of them with Commander Oliver and answered Commander Oliver's question.

"According to Miss Karina, they were previously injured and unconscious after fighting a Demi-Human. Miss Karina assumed the Demi-Human they fought was the leader of this attacking group. Then, after the four of them fell, Miss Karina came and fought the Demi-Human. Miss Karina placed the four of them inside a tree. Their wounds appear to have been healed by Miss Karina, but they are still unconscious," I said.

"I see. How dare they attack this academy and even injure Princess Caroline and Princess Chloe. I will kill them all if I find them. His Majesty the King and Her Majesty the Queen will surely be furious if they learn of this," said Commander Oliver.

"It seems His Majesty the King and Her Majesty the Queen will be even angrier if they learn of the attackers' true purpose when they attacked the academy," I said.

"Do you know what their true purpose is?" asked Commander Oliver.

"Yes, I know. But I feel uncomfortable bringing it up now. It would be better if you come with me first to meet with Miss Karina, Commander. It seems Miss Karina also wants to discuss something with you," I said.

"Hmm, very well then. Please escort me to meet with the principal," said Commander Oliver.

"Please follow me, but since I'm currently escorting you, there's no one to guard the four of them. May I ask your knights to guard them?" I asked.

"Even without your word, I would have ordered my knights to guard them. Especially with Princess Chloe and Princess Caroline, who are our priority."

"All of you, please guard the four of them. I'll go first to meet with the academy principal," said Commander Oliver.

"Yes, Commander," said the other knights.

"I've ordered them to guard those four," said Commander Oliver.

"Now I'm calm. Then, please follow me, I'll take you to meet Miss Karina," I said.

Then Commander Oliver and I walked out of the academy lobby and headed for the building where the academy staff, teachers, and guests were staying. Commander Oliver and I chatted along the way.

"By the way, Rid Archie, are you really not a noble?" asked Commander Oliver.

"Yes. I'm not a noble, I'm just a commoner. I come from one of the villages in the San Minerva region," I said.

"Even so, you're quite adept at formal speech. Commoners usually have difficulty speaking formally with those of higher status. Nobles, on the other hand, are quite adept at formal speech because they've been trained to speak formally since childhood,"

"Since childhood, nobles were often invited to formal events and socialized with other nobles, so that when they grew up they became adept at formal speech. Well, that doesn't mean there aren't any ordinary people who can speak formally fluently," said Commander Oliver.

"I see," I said.

"Don't worry about it," said Commander Oliver.

Then, a few moments later, we arrived at the building where the academy's staff, teachers, and guests were staying. Miss Karina was healing several injured people with her plant magic in front of the building.

I looked around. The building hadn't suffered any major damage, only to the front yard. Then I looked around again and was surprised to see Mr. Alan and Miss Nora lying unconscious, but without a single wound on their bodies. It seemed they had been injured before and had recovered thanks to Miss Karina's healing. Not only that, I also saw Noa and the others in front of the building. I wanted to greet them, but I had to finish my task first. I approached Miss Karina.

"Miss Karina, I've come to see Commander Oliver off," I said.

"Hmm. Oh, Thank you for escorting him," said Miss Karina.

"You seem quite exhausted, Ms. Principal," said Commander Oliver.

"Not really tired, but I'm quite busy right now. There are quite a few people in this building injured from the previous attack, but I'm the only one who can use healing magic in this building. That's why I have to treat them all," said Miss Karina.

"If you don't mind, I can help you, Miss. I happen to be able to use healing magic too," I said.

Since the situation was quite urgent, I didn't think I needed to hide it any longer.

"Is that okay, Rid?" asked Miss Karina.

"It's okay, Miss, besides, I'm not even the slightest bit tired," I said.

"Then please," said Miss Karina.

Then I went over to the injured people and began to heal them.

"I'll help too. I can't use healing magic, but I'll go call some of my knights who can. You just wait here, Ms. Principal," said Commander Oliver.

Then Commander Oliver immediately dashed towards the academy lobby and gate to summon some of his knights who could use healing magic.

Not long after, Commander Oliver returned with several of his knights.

"You don't need to heal them anymore, Ms. Principal. Let my knights take over. And in return, let's talk about this academy attack," said Commander Oliver.

"Thank you for your help, Commander. I intended to talk with you when you got here, but I was busy healing them. Now that your knights have arrived, I have some free time to chat. Then, I'll tell you everything I know about this attack. Including the reason they attacked this academy," said Miss Karina.

-

Meanwhile, at the academy gate.

A luxurious horse-drawn carriage, escorted by several knights, had just arrived and stopped on the road not far from the academy gate. The carriage door opened, and a middle-aged man with a beard and mustache stepped out. His hair was white—not white from gray, but truly snow-white. He also carried a sword that was a combination of white and blue. The sword's color resembled the color of ice.

The middle-aged man was Louis Emerald San Lucia, better known as Duke Louis or Duke San Lucia. After exiting the carriage, Duke Louis and his knights looked around the area. He saw several damaged and destroyed buildings, and there were also wounded people being treated by knights brought by Commander Oliver.

"Truly horrific! Who could have the heart to attack this academy?" said Duke Louis.

As Duke Louis walked around, several royal knights who recognized him immediately saluted. Duke Louis signaled them to stop and focus on treating the wounded.

"If it's this bad here, what about the situation at the academy? Let's get inside immediately! I'm worried about Irene," said Duke Louis.

As Duke Louis and his knights were walking toward the academy gate, a voice stopped them.

"I wondered who it was, but it's Lord Louis. It's been a long time since we last saw each other," someone said.

Duke Louis looked in the direction of the voice.

"Lord ​Remy," said Duke Louis.

It turned out that Duke Louis was speaking with Duke Remy. Duchess Arnett and several soldiers accompanying him were also present.

"H-hello, Lord Louis," said Duchess Arnett.

"Hello too, Miss Arnett," said Duke Louis.

"I heard you haven't left San Lucia lately. So why have you decided to leave that territory and come here now?" asked Duke Remy.

"Isn't that obvious? Of course, to see my daughter's condition. How could I remain silent when I heard that this academy had just been attacked?" said Duke Louis.

"I see, then our purpose is the same. My wife and I also came to see Amelia's condition. Since we have the same goal, how about we walk together, Lord Louis?" asked Duke Remy.

"No, I'm not interested in walking with someone who has so many hidden agendas," said Duke Louis.

"Doesn't it sound cruel when you say things like that? It makes me seem like a villain, even though I'm just a simple Duke. It's okay if you don't want to walk together, even though my intentions are good. I'm trying to get close to you. Considering what you did earlier, which ruined San Fulgen's relationship with Seleria, many nobles hate you now. Isn't it a good thing for you to still have me trying to get close to you?" asked Duke Remy.

"I don't need to get close to you, Lord Remy. And also, how many times have I told you that I wasn't the one who caused all this? If words aren't enough to silence you, should I use my sword?" asked Duke Louis, holding his sword at his waist.

-To be continued