Rishe looked up abruptly when someone suddenly called her.

Whats the matter?

Ah, Im sorry!

Because of her reflexive defensiveness, Rovine looked at her strangely as he entered the training grounds. She hardly meant to show it, but he was indeed keen on observation.

But, she couldnt possibly say, I escaped from your presence all night last night, so it was just a reflex.

I heard Fritz Noland screaming a moment ago. I came in to see whats going on. Did you get hurt?

No, Im simply taking a break!

Rishe excused herself while brushing the dust from her clothes.

I was just thinking about something pitiable. I was feeling guilty, so I acted a little weird.

It was a deceptive explanation, but it wasnt an outright lie.

What do you mean by pitiable?

After a short struggle, Rishe asked, If the knight cadets here become knights and then we wage war with some country At that time, everyone will go to war, right?

Thats right.

Rovine affirmed in a quiet, slightly snatched voice.

Beyond the aim for knighthood, there could be a future where everyone is in danger When I thought that, it kind of freaked me out.

That thought had been lingering in Rishes mind for some time now.

Garkhain was an enemy country back when Rishe was fighting as a knight.

The knights of this country were really strong and were a great threat to their enemies, but that didnt mean none of them died.

Looking at Fritz and the other cadets, she hoped that their dreams would come true.

But Rishe knew that if things progressed as they stood now, there would definitely be a war.

Then Rovine spoke, My son died in the last war.

-!

Rovine exhaled with a faint smile.

I wanted to praise my son for a wonderful end after he fought proudly But as much as I felt that sentiment, I wanted my son to live.

Rovine-sama

When Rishe was stuck, Rovine added, I want the youth of today to grow up healthy. I want the future to be filled with hope Since I lost my son, that has been my greatest wish.

He sounded gentle, but lonely.

Rovine has always been looking out for his trainees. It finally occurred to her why his gaze was so gentle.

War is about depriving someone of the future. Of course its better that such things dont happen, and even if youre aspiring to be a knight, you have every right to be afraid. The only way to overcome it is to face it.

Face it.

Dont deny your wishes, your feelings. Feed off of them and move forward. Explore what you can achieve.

His words prodded Rishe into thinking.

My wish What I can achieve.

Rishe was once a knight, too.

She met a respectable master and swore to protect them. She didnt regret dying for them, and still thought that way.

But it also occurred to her.

She never wanted to see her loved ones in danger and her friends dying.

Thank you, Rovine-sama.

Yeah. It looks like nothing happened, so Ill head back. See you later.

Yes.