The sun was just beginning to rise over the mountains.
　Kaya stands in the dimness of dawn.

　She is already dressed in her armor.
　Shining in the morning sun is a silvery-white armor, polished but with the marks of battle etched all over it. It is probably made of mithril, which is light and suitable for magic.
　Mithril armor is relatively inexpensive, but mithril gear with a variety of enchantments can cost a fortune. Kaya's armor is probably one of those.
　The same style as yesterday, with tights-like chainmail over the undergarment, and only breastplate and greaves on top of that. Through the gaps in his full-face helmet, a long, thin stream of white breath came out like the breath of a dragon.

　The winters in Ciel-Teirah are cold, and if you wear metal armor normally, your body will get cold and your strength will be impaired or you may get frostbite.
　Therefore, it is necessary to use some means to keep warm. Kaya, who had been a leader of the royal knights, was well equipped and must have had proper protection against the cold.

　She easily pulls her sword from her waist and holds it up to the sky.
　And swing.
　She swung it out in a kesa, stepped in and scooped it up, spun around and slashed while checking behind her, and thrusted left and right with blinding speed.
　It was not a "kata" to be shown to anyone. It was not a "kata" to be shown to anyone, but to trace the trajectory of the sword he had wielded on the battlefield, so that he would not forget it.
　It was rude and scary to call it a sword dance, but it was beautiful. The melted snow was cut by the pressure of the sword, and there were many sharp lacerations.

　The sword dance, which seemed to go on forever, came to an abrupt end.
　Kaya put her sword away and turned around, startling Katherine, who was watching from the shadows of the building.
　Katherine, who had woken up somewhat early, saw Kaya outside the inn and put on a cape to come and check on her.

"I'm sorry. Am I interrupting anything?
No. No. It is unbecoming of a knight to be distracted by the presence of others.

　Kaya smiled at Katherine as she lifted the mask of her helmet.
　She had not broken a sweat, but her breath was as white as a cloud.

"It was you, Katherine. Are you so interested in my swordplay?
"...... Yes. Your family and your father's knights were all men who wielded ...... swords.

　It's a good idea to have a good idea of what you're looking for. The only female knights are the rare ones who have a talent for magic and become knights in order to make the most of it.
　In such a situation, Kaya Runner, a woman who has risen to prominence through her skill with the sword, is a somewhat famous knight who attracts the curious eyes of the people.

　Kaya was different from any woman Katherine had ever seen in her life.
　If she had to guess, she might say she was like Diana, the Priestess of the Dragon's Throat.

　Bracing and powerful.
　Katherine wondered if Kaya's sword would be able to cut through her unsettled feelings like it had cut through the freezing wind.

"Sir Knight.
Please, call me Kaja.
...... Kaja. What do you think about when you fight?

　Kaya smiled and tilted her head in annoyance.

Kaya smiles and tilts her head. "That's too broad a question for ....... I can only say it depends.
"Yes, of course. I'm sorry.

　I'm sorry," Catherine said, ashamed of her haste. I'm sorry, aren't I?
　I don't know what you're asking me. I've been taught to choose my words so that they convey my intentions without excess or deficiency.

　Thinking for a moment, Catherine rephrased.

If your enemy is a poor person you can't hate ...... for some reason, can you still fight him?
"That's the master order ...... No, not if it's for the good of this country.
　You can't just dress it up like ....... There will be times when the fight is unconvincing.
　But I will fight. If someone has to fight.
"Yes. ......

　Unfortunately, that was not the answer Catherine was looking for.
　Kathryn stifled her disappointment. She fought through her feelings of incomprehension. She wondered if it was the only way after all.

Thank you, Kaya. I'll leave you to it.

　I was about to thank her and leave.

"The Rose of Hell."
　...... No. Rene "Rosy" Luvia Ciel-Teira.

　Kaya's words were as quiet as snow.

　It's a testament to her noble upbringing that she didn't scream.
　Still, Katherine wasn't sure if her agitation was showing on her face.

Was I right?　I assume you've been thinking about her.
"Sir Knight. That's not very nice of you to say.
Excuse me.

　Kaja felt like she was being mischievous. Like a child playing a riddle.

"Kaya, you are .......


"I am a knight who has dedicated my sword to Ciel-Teira. I'm a knight who has dedicated his sword to Ciel-Teira, and I will deal with any demon that dares to harm this land, even if it's the orphaned son of King Elbert.
You don't want to fight Rene?
I sympathize with the tragedy that befell her. I'm not at liberty to say so.
　And I'm ashamed of myself for not being able to stop it.

　Kaya's words had the caution of a professional soldier holding his line.

"It is not the way to fight if you hate your opponent and follow your heart.
　I am a knight. I am a knight. It is my job to fight, and I fight because I feel I have to. There is no need for hatred.
　I couldn't hate the peasants who made bandits out of their entire village in a bad harvest year, or mother Yeti who wandered around looking for food to feed her children.

　Kaya is a knight, and her job is to fight for her country.
　I'm not sure what constitutes a "country" and what constitutes a "protection" varies from time to time, but there you have it.

"But, Catherine. You're not a knight, so you're not even obligated to fight.
　You don't have to hate, you don't have to fight. Just think about what you want.

　Kaya's next words made Katherine realize.
　Somehow Katherine had tied herself up in her own mind, thinking that she was not allowed to feel sorry for Rene.

　Rene had killed or impoverished many people and was still on the rampage.
　She felt that pitying Rene would not be good for those who had been killed, for those who had lost their families, for those who had lost their homes.
　But still, Catherine couldn't help but feel sorry for Rene.

"Kaya. I feel sorry for Rene.
I see. ......
I want to help him. I want to help him, but I don't know how ...... to do it.

　What is the salvation for René?
　What is salvation for René? Is it to complete his battle for revenge?
　Can someone's love heal the wounds in her heart?
　Or, if fighting is so hard for her, will even falling in the middle of the road be a relief? ......

"To purify them with a holy air attack and send their souls to God. The temple teaches that this is the salvation of the undead. ......

　Kaja didn't mince words.

"I'm not so sure about that either. The Commander might be able to think a little more definitively than I can.
"The Commander ......, Bertil Lagerbeck, is it?
Yes. I've heard that the Commander also exchanged words with the "Rose of Hell" during that battle.

　The second knight captain, who is now hiding in Teiracaines.
　This is also the reason why Catherine is heading to Teiracaines.
　If you're going to be the one who's going to be the one who's going to be the one who's going to be the one who's going to be the one who's going to be the one who's going to be the one who's going to be the one
　The Commander is a thoughtful man, and he is a good friend.

The Commander is a thoughtful man, well versed in various academic and political fields, and skilled at controlling people's minds.
　On the battlefield, his ability to think several moves ahead and move his allies is like a magician controlling the magic of the army.
　If he is like that, he can see things that I can't even begin to.
　...... Oh, and just so there are no misunderstandings, it's not all about brains. It's not as good as it used to be, now that you've lost your arm, but your sword skills were once said to be second only to the First Knight Commander Lawrence Reinhardt.
　By the way, the First Knight Commander was said by a bard to be "more glorious than the seven moons combined". If so, then our leader is like a green summer forest. Quiet and unassuming, but with a scent of mystery and danger. His appearance alone is worthy of praise, but why are people so attracted to things that shine so brightly?

　Looking in the direction of the day after tomorrow, Kaya proudly rambled on, digressing a little too quickly. She seemed to have full confidence that Bertil would be able to give her an answer to everything.
　Katherine had thought she had the eyes of a hound when she saw Kaya, but now she had the eyes of a lapdog.

"Kaya. You ......

　As expected, Catherine got the idea. It's a timeless subject for women of all ranks and ages to gossip about.

"Are you trying to push the Commander?
"What? ...... What?

　I'm not sure if you've ever heard of this, but I'm sure you've heard of it.

You can't be serious.
　I'm not sure what to make of it, but I think it's a good idea. I'm sure you'll be happy to know that I'm not the only one.
"I'm sorry, Kaya!　I understand now!

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