After arriving in my room, I sat down at my desk.
Clink.
Olivia deftly poured tea into a cup, then took a seat in the chair opposite me.
I had no intention of beating around the bush.
"Olivia," I called softly. "Tomorrow morning, I want to visit the village that was attacked by monsters. I want to see for myself how the people there are doing."
Olivia nodded without hesitation, then asked calmly,
"Then what would you like me to do, Young Master?"
"I want you to come up with a reasonable excuse so that Father and Mother will allow me to leave the residence," I replied immediately. "Without arousing suspicion."
She fell silent for a moment, thinking.
After that, she asked a follow-up question.
"How long will we be in the village?"
"I want us to leave early in the morning," I replied, "and return before nightfall."
Olivia nodded slightly, then began to explain her idea.
"In that case, the most reasonable excuse would be training," she said. "I can say that I'll train you in swordsmanship outside the residence, as well as change the atmosphere by practicing in the open air."
The idea made sense. Olivia was a knight, after all. She had studied at the Wilhelm Royal Knight Academy and had been teaching Wirtz the basics of swordsmanship for some time now.
"Alright," I said. "Let's go with that."
After that, we discussed preparations for the trip routes, disguises, and possible problems along the way. Before we realized it, night had grown late.
"I think that's enough for today," I said finally. "Prepare everything you need, Olivia."
Olivia stood up and bowed with perfect form.
"Yes. Leave it to me."
She walked toward the door, then paused for a brief moment.
"Then, I will take my leave. Good night, Young Master."
"Good night, Olivia."
Click.
The door closed softly, leaving the room in silence and a plan that was finally beginning to take shape.
Early in the morning, before sunrise, I woke up and headed to the dining room. When I arrived, Olivia and the other servants were already there. Father and Mother were seated at the table as well.
"Good morning, Young Master," the servants greeted in unison.
"Good morning, Wirtz," my parents added.
"Good morning, Father, Mother—and everyone," I replied.
While eating breakfast, we chatted about light, harmless topics. It seemed my parents had already been informed by Olivia about the outdoor training plan.
They suggested that I ride in a horse-drawn carriage with several guards, but I politely declined. I explained that it would be too conspicuous and might even attract unwanted attention bandits, for example.
Their expressions clearly showed concern, but surprisingly, they relented without much resistance. I had expected a much longer discussion.
"As long as it's good for you, Wirtz," Mother said softly. "Your father and I will always support you."
Father nodded, his voice firm.
"But wherever you go, never let your guard down. Always act cautiously."
Mother then turned her gaze toward Olivia, who stood a short distance behind me.
"I entrust Wirtz to you, Olivia."
"Yes, Madam," Olivia replied with a bow.
After breakfast, Olivia and I prepared to depart. We said our goodbyes at the entrance of the residence.
Just as I was about to step outside-
"Brother!"
Tap tap tap!
Quick footsteps echoed behind me.
I froze and turned around. Clara came running toward me, still in her pajamas, her long blonde hair completely untidy. Without hesitation, she leapt forward and hugged me tightly.
"E-eh? Clara?" I asked, startled. "Isn't it too early for you to be awake?"
She glared up at me with intense blue eyes, cheeks puffed in irritation.
…She's way too cute, I thought helplessly.
"Where are you going?" she demanded. "Why didn't you tell Clara first?"
I had deliberately left early so she wouldn't notice.
Apparently, that plan failed.
"A-ah… I'm just going to train with Olivia outside," I replied carefully. "I'll be back before dinner."
That explanation did nothing to ease her expression.
"You didn't answer my question," she said quietly but firmly. "Why didn't you tell Clara?"
…Oof.
I stayed silent. Telling her I didn't want her to worry would only make things worse. I didn't want to upset her any further.
Sigh.
In the end, I surrendered to my little sister's adorable intimidation.
I knelt down until our eyes were level and gently brushed her messy hair.
"I'm sorry, Clara," I said as softly as I could. "I didn't mean to ignore you."
Her grip loosened slightly, though her cheeks remained puffed.
"Then what?" she asked.
I smiled faintly as an idea surfaced.
"How about this," I said. "As an apology for leaving so early without telling you… I'll spend an entire day just with you once I'm done."
Her eyes blinked.
"A whole day?"
"Yes," I replied firmly. "We'll go to the city together. You can shop for whatever you want, go wherever you want. The whole day."
Crack.
Her defenses shattered instantly.
Her eyes sparkled like jewels as she slowly released her embrace.
"Really? Pinky swear!" she said, sticking out her little finger.
I chuckled and hooked my pinky with hers.
"I promise. I never lie to you, right?"
She beamed, showing a neat row of small teeth.
"Okay! You have to come home quickly and don't get hurt!"
Watching from the doorway, Father and Mother exchanged warm smiles. Olivia, meanwhile, stood tall as usual, though her expression had noticeably softened.
"Well then," I said, turning back, "I'll be going now."
After we had walked a fair distance away from Duke Aethelgard's residence, I stopped and glanced at Olivia.
She noticed immediately.
"Is something wrong, Young Master?"
My voice turned serious.
"From now on, Olivia—whatever you see must not be known to anyone."
She looked surprised, but only for a moment. Understanding dawned quickly. Her expression sharpened as she placed a fist over her chest and bowed.
"Yes, Young Master. I will carry this secret for the rest of my life."
I nodded, then faced forward and closed my eyes.
Mana flowed into my legs as I visualized the wind lightening my body, pushing me forward.
Wind Enchant: Gale Strider.
Fwoooosh-
A small whirlwind wrapped around my legs. My body felt astonishingly light.
"I'm picking up the pace," I said shortly.
I began running slowly at first then gradually accelerated, carefully adjusting to what my body could handle.
Faster.
Faster.
Until I reached the limit my current body could tolerate.
If this body grows stronger, I thought, this speed will become downright ridiculous.
It felt like I wasn't even touching the ground anymore more like gliding just above it.
Less than an hour later, the outline of a village appeared in the distance. I slowed to a normal pace and stopped the enchantment.
The backlash hit instantly.
My body ached.
My breathing grew heavy.
My legs nearly gave out.
"Tch…"
Before entering the village, I sat down to rest and looked back.
…No sign of Olivia.
I had assumed a trained knight like her would keep up easily or even surpass me. Instead, she was nowhere in sight.
About fifteen minutes later, her figure finally appeared in the distance.
I narrowed my eyes.
She looked completely exhausted.
I muttered quietly,
"…Did I push things a little too hard just now?"