Peace Hunter

A few minutes later.

We finally arrived in San Lucia. As we arrived, we saw quite a few people standing on either side of the road as our horse-drawn carriage passed. They waved at us. Besides waving, they also called out Irene's name, "Princess Irene".

"Welcome back, Princess Irene!"

"Princess Irene!" they said.

The people continued to call out Irene's name, while Irene remained silent, not responding. Despite this, Irene didn't seem bothered by the calls. Meanwhile, I wondered if Irene often experienced something like this every time she came or went to San Lucia. I decided to ask Irene.

"Do you always experience something like this every time you come to San Lucia, Irene?" I asked.

"Yes. Every time I come to this city to deliver a financial aid proposal to my father, I'm always greeted by them," said Irene.

"Miss is very popular in San Lucia, Rid. Back when Lily and I accompanied her around town, many people always approached her to greet and chat. The merchants in this city often even gave her their wares for free while she was browsing," said Leandra, suddenly joining in on Irene and I's conversation.

"That's right. Although she rarely responded to them and preferred to maintain a cold expression, she never felt uncomfortable with those who approached her to greet or chat. As for the merchants, even though she rarely spoke or responded to them, she always accepted the goods they gave her for free. That's why Lord Duke was always surprised when he saw us bringing so many goods from San Lucia, because the goods we brought were given to us for free by the merchants," said Lily.

"I see. So Irene is very popular in San Lucia," I said.

"Well, it's only natural that Irene is popular in San Lucia. Their father, Lord Duke of San Lucia, is a popular and beloved leader in the San Lucia region, so it's no surprise that his daughter is popular too," Chloe said.

"Yes, your explanation is correct, Chloe," I said.

Our horse-drawn carriage continued through the streets of San Lucia, heading towards the Duke of San Lucia's residence. The citizens of San Lucia on both sides of the road continued to call out Irene's name. But among the many voices calling out Irene's name, I heard a few voices calling out my name.

"Sir Rid!"

"Welcome to San Lucia, Sir Rid," I heard the voices.

"It seems that besides Miss Irene, you've become quite popular in this city, Rid," Leandra said.

It seemed Leandra had heard voices calling my name too.

"Well, that's only natural. You're currently the miss Irene's boyfriend, and your relationship is known to everyone in this kingdom. If Miss Irene is popular in this city, of course you, as her boyfriend, will be popular too," Leandra said.

"Well, I don't really care about that myself," I said.

-

A few minutes later.

We arrived at a magnificent mansion. The colors were predominantly white and blue. The courtyard was spacious, covered in a blanket of white snow. This magnificent mansion was the Duke of San Lucia's residence, the Snow Palace. Upon arriving at the gate of the Duke of San Lucia's residence, we immediately dismounted from the horse-drawn carriage. The other fourth-year students also disembarked.

After disembarking, we walked straight to the gate of the Duke of San Lucia's residence. Numerous Duke of San Lucia knights were guarding the gate. Not only the gate, but also numerous knights were patrolling the outer walls of the Duke of San Lucia's residence. Now that I thought about it, I also saw numerous Duke of San Lucia knights patrolling and guarding the streets of San Lucia we had passed earlier. These knights were not only human, but also from other races such as Demi-Humans and Elves. It seemed that San Lucia was currently under tight security. Yes, that's understandable, as the entire San Lucia family, most of whom reside in this city, have been targeted for assassination. Therefore, Duke San Lucia has decided to strengthen security in San Lucia.

As we stood in front of the gate of Duke San Lucia's residence, Mr. Alan and several of teachers were seen talking with the knights guarding the gate. Shortly after, the knights opened the gate and ushered us in. After being welcomed in, we immediately entered the Duke San Lucia residence.

Then, we walked along the snow-covered path to the front courtyard of Duke San Lucia's residence. Upon arriving at Duke San Lucia's residence, we were greeted by a large crowd.

"Welcome to the Snow Palace," the people greeted us.

Those who greeted us included servants, Duke San Lucia's knights, and others dressed in formal attire. Those welcoming us were not limited to humans, but also included people from other races, such as Demi-Humans and Elves. I saw Leandra and Lily smiling as they looked at the people welcoming us. They seemed to be smiling because their parents were among the people welcoming us.

After the people greeted us, Duke Louis immediately came out of his residence along with Commander Mina to greet us.

"Welcome to my residence, students of San Fulgen Academy," said Duke Louis.

-

After welcoming us, Duke Louis immediately invited us into his residence. Once we were inside, Duke Louis led us to a door inside his residence. Duke Louis then opened the door, and we immediately entered the room. There was a large amount of food and drinks laid out on many tables.

"Everyone, please enjoy the food and drinks we have provided. Don't be shy; you may eat as much as you like," said Duke Louis.

After hearing Duke Louis's words, the fourth-year students already in the room immediately began to eat the food and drinks provided. Not only the students, but the teachers also enjoyed the food and drinks provided. Meanwhile, Duke Louis was seen approaching and chatting with several teachers, including Mr. Alan. After chatting with Mr. Alan and several other teachers, Duke Louis went over to Charles and Chloe, who were currently quite far from me. Charles and Chloe were currently at the front of the room, while I was at the back. Charles and Chloe seemed to be engrossed in a conversation with Duke Louis. I didn't know what they were talking about, perhaps they were discussing something personal. I didn't feel the need to read their minds just to know what they were talking about.

Then, after looking at Charles, Chloe, and Duke Louis, I looked around the room. Then, on the right side of the room, I saw Leandra and Lily talking with two male and female elves, as well as two male and female demi-humans. The male elf and male demi-human were wearing Duke San Lucia's knights uniforms, while the female elf and female demi-human were wearing maid uniforms. Judging by their faces, they looked young. It seemed they were Leandra and Lily's parents. The reason I thought that was because Leandra and Lily seemed so engrossed in their conversation. I'd occasionally see Leandra and Lily smiling and laughing as they chatted. Furthermore, the two Elves' faces slightly resembled Leandra's, and the two Demi-Humans' slightly resembled Lily's, so it was natural for me to think that way.

I continued to look at Leandra and Lily as they talked with their parents. As I looked at them, I was reminded of my memories of the deceased Aston villagers and my late grandfather. But I didn't get too caught up in those memories and returned my attention to their conversation.

"Parents, huh..." I said softly.

After I said that, a new memory suddenly appeared in my mind. In that memory, I seemed to see a man and a woman. But I couldn't make out their full bodies or faces. The man and woman looked like silhouettes in my memory. I was a little surprised by this sudden recollection.

"What memory is this? I never remember anything like this happening before. Could it be that I've forgotten this incident? And also, who are those silhouettes of a man and a woman in my memory?" I thought, still shocked.

As I was thinking about that memory, someone suddenly grabbed my hand. This startled me a little and made me forget what I was thinking about earlier. After that, I immediately looked at the person holding my hand. It turned out to be Irene.

"Irene? What's wrong, Irene?" I asked.

"Can you come with me for a moment, Rid?" Irene asked.

"Ok," I said without further question.

Irene then walked away, holding my hand, leading me to where she was going. The two of us went to the back of the room without being noticed by the students and teachers who were eating their food. Irene then led me to a door at the back of the room. In front of it were several knights standing guard. Upon seeing Irene heading towards the door they were guarding, the knights immediately asked her.

"Princess Irene, where are you going? The banquet isn't over yet," one of the soldiers said.

"I'd like to visit my mother. Please let me pass," Irene said.

"Very well, Princess Irene," the soldier said.

The knights guarding the door immediately let Irene through. After that, Irene continued walking along the hallway of the residence until we finally reached a door that seemed to be in the middle of the hallway we had just passed. Irene opened the door and entered the room behind it. I followed her inside. After entering, I looked around. The room appeared clean and tidy. Then, I glanced at the bed. On the bed sat a beautiful adult woman with snow-white, shoulder-length hair. She appeared to be asleep. Even though I hadn't met this woman yet, I immediately knew who she was. She was Irene's mother, Duchess Arlet Emerald San Lucia.

Irene, having just entered the room, immediately walked to the bedside. There were several chairs beside the bed, and Irene sat down in one. Then, Irene took her mother's hand.

"Mother, I'm home," Irene said.

I could see a hint of sadness on Irene's face, though only slightly.

"Irene..." I said.

"This time, I've come with someone, Mother. This person with me is a powerful person. This person might be able to heal you and awaken you from your long sleep," Irene said.

I was a little surprised by what Irene said. Irene said she'd come with someone powerful who might be able to heal her mother. The powerful person Irene was referring to was definitely me.

"Irene, so the reason you brought me here was to—" I said.

But Irene cut me off before I could finish.

"That's right, Rid. The reason I brought you here is to heal my mother. I don't know if you can heal her yet. But if you can, I beg of you, Rid. Please heal my mother and wake her from her long sleep," Irene said.

-To be continued