“I didn’t make any special moves. I was just looking for a place that might be under surveillance.”

With a swish, she swung her sword away and changed her stance.

Rishe’s arms were stronger than before. She seemed to be able to handle the heavy sword.

“It’s just a habit of mine when I’m surveying my surroundings for safety.”

“Haha! Just a habit?”

The reply came from an old man’s voice Rishe couldn’t identify.

The next moment, the man said in a young man’s voice.

“It’s just a habit to instantly check a blind spot and shoot a pinpoint glare…You’re another one of those rare finds.”

The hooded man deliberately pondered, “Hmm.”

“Even if I’m trying to talk in vain like this, there’s no breach at all. I came out here for fun, but it’s a mistake.”

“…”

“Lady, excuse me. I’m going to take a nap here for a while…Whoops!”

The tip of Rishe’s sword just barely grazed the hood of his robe. The fact that he was able to dodge her did not deter her from her pursuit. Without fear, she stepped forward and swung her sword again.

With each swing, Rishe’s torso shook as she took the second and third strikes. It was for this reason that she hunted the man in the robe carefully, yet without any mercy.

“!”

She twisted round to avoid the dagger tip that approached her eyes.

“Heh, dodge this.”

You’re going to stab my eyes…

Rishe curled her lips with a snort as she jumped into the man’s gap.

She lowered the tip of her sword to the ground and slashed up at the man.

He ducked, but she perfectly calculated his movements. The man laughed as he quickly reared his head to the side.

“Huh, fast, fast!”

“―― ……”

“But…”

Came a resounding clang.

The man’s dagger blocked the tip of Rishe’s sword. It was probably only Rishe who felt her arms tremble.

“I’m running out of time to play…”

“…”

The man licked his tongue.

“Coral-haired lady, you are one of the most beautiful women I have ever seen in the world. Instead of killing each other, why don’t we have a more meaningful conversation?”

“I’m working, and I didn’t mean to get into a killing spree with you.”

“That’s a lie. You’ve been aiming at my face so relentlessly.”

“Rest assured. I’ve already achieved my purpose.”

From Rishe’s angle, she could see the eyes that were hidden by the hood.

It’s still the face of a man I don’t know. But…His eyes were red.

It was enough to know that. When Rishe retreated backwards with her sword, the man laughed and nodded his head.

“Sure, you’re not thirsty for blood. Got it, got it.”

“…”

“Rishe-sama!”

A knight’s voice echoed from the other side.

The cloth of the man’s robe fluttered as he sprinted off into the alley. Rishe slowly sheathed her sword and watched as the man’s back disappeared.

“What happened, Rishe-sama?”

“I think I heard the clangs of swords, though it was faint…”

The knights seemed to have heard it, even though it was a long way from the main street. Rishe bowed and apologized to them.

“I’m sorry. Apparently it wasn’t a child crying, but a cat and a crow fighting.”

“What? A cat and a crow?”

“I pulled out my sword to mediate, but it was so heavy I dropped it.”

Then she smiled.

“Other than that, nothing happened.”

The knights breathed a sigh of relief hearing her reply.

“I’m glad you’re fine, Rishe-sama. But next time, I hope you’ll leave us to it.”

“I’m sorry, both of you.”

Rishe glanced at the end of the alley as she walked away.

“…”

There was no sign of anyone there.

She didn’t say anything but returned to the knights and Harriet.

If I were a real guard, I’d report what just happened to Harriet…

Rishe remembered the exchange she had just had with Arnold.

“Can you take care of the princess?”

Arnold asked Rishe while he was preparing to go out.

Rishe nodded in reply as she wrapped her sword belt around her.

“Of course. But where are you going, Your Highness?”

“I have some work to do in the city. I’ll return at night.”

Oliver, his squire, was also busy giving instructions to the knights. Rishe was convinced that he didn’t seem to have any interest in diplomacy with Harriet.

As I thought, His Highness Arnold’s purpose is not to entertain the distinguished guests.

It was not like Arnold to go out of his way to greet them. In her experience, it was when he had multiple intentions that he made his move.

When he bought Rishe’s ring for her in the castle town, it was also to scout for Kyle’s arrival in the country.The reason he accompanied Rishe to the Grand Shrine was not only because of the official business that was piling up with the Order, but also as a check.

It seemed to be the same this time.

Under Rishe’s gaze, Arnold put on his coat and said, “It’s nothing important. I just need to confirm something.”

“Confirm?”

“That aside, this sword is not suitable for your size. The knight guards will be by your side, so don’t strain yourself.”

Arnold took the sword that was leaning against the wall and handed it to her.

“Thank you for lending me your sword, Your Highness.”

Arnold looked down at her quietly.

“…For you.”

“?”

When she cocked her head and waited for him to continue, Arnold sighed and said.

“I also thought that showing you the seaside scenery might improve your mood a little.”

What the hell did that mean?

She blinked, and he looked at her as if to say, “Don’t you understand?”

“You’ve been looking strangely somber lately.”

“Oh…”

His elebaration threw Rishe off.

Is he worried about me?

At the same time, a feeling of guilt welled up in her.

Rishe’s downcast look was definitely due to that.

With Arnold in mind, a strange loneliness burrowed deep in her heart. She must have noticed the change.

“Um, no! I don’t have any problems that Your Highness needs to worry about!”

“I doubt it. You don’t give a damn about yourself at all.”

She couldn’t retort because she had a record. That went for Arnold, too.

A large hand stroked her head while she was lost in thought.

“I feel bad about making you do something that feels like work. I’ll make it up to you…”

Rishe recalled his doting voice, and it made her ears burn.

I’m the one who offered to protect Harriet-sama.

A knight guard called out to her when he saw that she was about to crouch down.

“What’s wrong, Rishe-sama?”

“No-nothing! Anyway, we’d better hurry back to Harriet-sama’s.”

A little further down the street, she spotted Harriet’s back as she talked to the head maid.

Her highness, Princess Harriet, the sister of His Highness, Prince Curtis, whom I never met in my fifth life.

Gestures that hid her face, and a long hair that was randomly stretched.

Her dress looked heavy, probably because of the thick fabric, which was not suitable for early summer. And that shade of dark green.

Her attire doesn’t feel right for a woman who has crippled the national treasury by buying luxury goods…