'Yes.'
Why bother denying it?
That's right. I aimed for this.
After all, the person most likely to become an Aura Master here is me!
Ipeil is still at the advanced level of Aura Expert.
And while Tesilid is also an Aura Expert at the highest level, according to the original story, he doesn't reach Aura Master status until around the 40th iteration.
'He's still got a long way to go!'
Tesilid let out a deep laugh and said, "Alright then, the skill is yours."
"Really?"
I smiled broadly, delighted at his kind words.
"What about my opinion? I haven't given up yet."
"Maybe you should reach the highest level first?"
"Ugh."
With that one remark, I effectively warded off Ipeil, claiming 'The Blooming Sword' as my own.
I carefully received the skill book with both hands and placed it securely in my inventory. I'd wait until the moment I became a Master to learn it.
Once the distribution was complete, the other members were dismissed, leaving just Tesilid and me.
We still needed to liquidate the minor items to fund not only the knights but also give portions to Hilde, Rewin, and Prince.
As he meticulously recorded in the accounting ledger, the deputy commander suggested casually, "Aye, maybe it's time you appointed an administrative aide to handle these tasks?"
"An administrative aide…"
I agreed.
We definitely needed someone to handle finances and management.
And I had just the person in mind.
There was someone who had once promised me as a child that they would help manage the workforce and finances of any expedition team I might form.
My friend, Bianca Gillette!
"That sounds good. I'll see about recruiting her on my visit to the kingdom."
"You already have someone in mind?"
"Yes, she's the real deal. You can look forward to it."
['The Eye Watching the Chaos of All Things' nibbles happily on the carrot it had brought up earlier.]
['The Cynic Who Balances the Scales' asks why it's even eating that.]
['The Eye Watching the Chaos of All Things' insists it's good for eye health.]
In any case, they all seem pleased.
But truthfully, even I felt overjoyed at the thought of Bianca.
"For now, let's tough it out, Terry."
"Yeah."
We finished the ledger while huddled together, heads bowed in concentration.
['The Word That Builds Worlds' calls for an emergency meeting at headquarters with a serious expression.]
Hm? An emergency meeting at headquarters?
['The Insider Overseer' asks what kind of bug has popped up this time.]
['The Scales That Judge Souls' shakes their head at headquarters' poor handling of issues.]
['The Manager of the Creative Economy' prays fervently that it's not an item duplication or cash duplication bug.]
['The Word That Builds Worlds' snaps that it's not that kind of issue.]
What on earth is happening at headquarters with 'The Word That Builds Worlds' in charge?
['The Word That Builds Worlds' wails that the head of the Transmigration Management Bureau is planning a visit soon!]
['The Scales That Judge Souls' is taken aback.]
['The Manager of the Creative Economy' grimaces.]
It seemed that the highest-ranking person from the Transmigration Management Bureau was indeed visiting headquarters.
So in short, the current situation is...
'A, a corps commander visit?'
['The Architect of Trials' writhes in agony as bad memories surface.]
['The Cynic Who Balances the Scales' nervously reaches for a comfort item.]
['The Eye Watching the Chaos of All Things' tightly shuts its eyes, trying to ignore reality.]
['The Word That Builds Worlds' curses about the visit, suggesting the guest could be looking for their runaway son instead of bothering headquarters.]
['The Insider Overseer' hurriedly clamps a hand over 'The Word That Builds Worlds' and starts guiding them—no, respectfully leading them—to the meeting room, followed by other deities from headquarters.]
With the messages falling silent, I turned to the remaining heads of the Inspection and Business Departments.
'What's the title of this chairman—no, commander?'
['The Scales That Judge Souls' replies that the chairman has so many titles that it's hard to predict which one they'll use.]
It seems that titles grow with one's achievements, much like a username in the transmigrators' chat community.
Just as I was absorbing this new tidbit about the celestial realm—
"Aye."
"Yes?"
That deep voice had a compelling quality that demanded attention, pulling me out of my thoughts and making me turn to him.
Before me stood a serious-looking, handsome man.
"About 'The Blooming Sword'—I suggest learning it by fall at the latest."
"By fall?"
"Yes."
It was midsummer now, which meant he was implying I should become an Aura Master within one season.
And at that moment—
"…"
"…"
The mood grew awkward.
"Agnes…"
I gave Agnes a pointed look, hinting that she shouldn't undermine Tesilid's confidence, which she acknowledged with a cough in place of a reply.
Tesilid, clearly flustered and embarrassed, ran a hand over his face, half-covering his mouth as though wiping away his discomfort.
His earlobe, visible through his silver hair, was flushed red.
"Ah, well, I suppose... it does seem like that…"
"No, no, Terry! Don't get discouraged!"
I patted his shoulder, encouraging him.
Then, to shift the atmosphere and take his words more seriously, I continued the conversation.
"I understand why you said it. Preparing for the 'Demonic Grand Festival' that will occur in the fall requires us to get stronger than we are now, right?"
"Yes, exactly."
His gaze softened, and he gave a small nod, relieved that I understood.
Agnes expressed her curiosity.
I gestured to Tesilid, signaling that he should explain.
"Every thousand years, there comes a day when three moons appear simultaneously over the demon realm."
The waning half-moon, the blood-red full moon, and the melting crescent moon. Each moon symbolizes a Demon King.
"When the demon world holds its festival under these moons, it's called 'Walpurgis Night,' and on that night, a disaster befalls the mortal realm."
"Well…"
Tesilid narrowed his eyes, hesitating as if he needed to choose his words carefully.
Feeling that the silence was stretching too long, I stepped in.
"In each nation's capital, both a Burst and a Sink will happen simultaneously."
This time, with the presence of the chaotic evil entity, Reid, the scale would likely be enormous.
And that wasn't all.
'I have repeatedly disrupted Reid's schemes.'
The more I obstructed Reid's plots, paradoxically, the more his destructive activities seemed to accelerate.
This could lead to a catastrophe even greater than the one that occurred in the 17th iteration of the original story.
Which meant we'd need to prepare accordingly.
"As Terry said, we must become much stronger than we are now. Help us, Agnes."
✠
We trained relentlessly, underwent grueling sessions, and occasionally ventured into dungeons with the Silver Rain Knights for subjugations.
Days of peace continued to accumulate, oddly serene for an SS-ranked life, until the day of our royal palace visit finally arrived.
In the name of representing the dignity of the Holy Kingdom, I had to wear an extravagantly formal outfit, layering a chlamys cloak over my paladin uniform.
Fortunately, the intense summer heat had subsided by then, so it was bearable.
With Tesilid, the wielder of the Sacred Sword, leading the way, we, the Silver Rain Knights, headed for the holy palace's inner courtyard.
"You look particularly stunning today, Noona."
"Ash, you look different too."
Today, Ash was also dressed in the paladin's ceremonial uniform instead of his usual black leather attire.
As we exchanged compliments and stepped outside, we found the delegation sent by the Winchester royal family waiting for us.
"We are here to escort you, Your Holiness."
Two voices overlapped, formal yet slightly awkward. The two knights greeting us were very familiar faces.
"Oh, Sir Ray."
"And next to him is the captain's elder brother."
"Both of you are wearing different uniforms."
Instead of their academy uniforms, Prince and Rewin were dressed in royal knights' attire.
It seemed they had been assigned to escort us to the palace using a transfer stone.
"Lin, it's good to see you!"
Recognizing familiar faces, I approached and gave Prince a light pat on the shoulder.
Thud!
"Ugh!"
"Oh, come on, big brother! Why the formal address of 'Your Holiness'? And look at you, knighted at last! Our family's firstborn hero, ready to bring honor to the house!"
"…Seems like you've already brought all the honor we need."
"Ah, don't be so humble! As the grandson of Duke Hispenril, you should show some spine. When you meet Grandfather, make sure you stand up straight!"
"Y-yeah…"
After exchanging some sibling affection, I turned Prince over to the other knights.
Last time, we were too busy with the battle to have a proper conversation, so now was our chance to catch up.
In the meantime, I looked toward Rewin. Extending my right hand for a handshake, I greeted him.
"It's a pleasure to see you again, Viscount Valenstein."
"…It's good to see you too, Ailet."
Looking somewhat tense, he matched my gesture, extending his right hand to meet mine.
But then something surprising happened.
'…Huh?'
Rewin gently turned my hand palm-down and brought his lips to my knuckles.
'What is this? A romance novel?'
Before I could react, Tesilid stepped forward quickly.
"Viscount Valenstein, that seems a bit excessive."
"Oh, really? My apologies, Ailet. I didn't mean to treat you as a lady out of habit."
Rewin retreated, looking embarrassed.
I waved my hand, indicating it was no big deal.
"It's alright. It was just surprising because it was my first time receiving a hand-kiss."
"Was it? Your first time?"
For some reason, he looked pleased.
"Yes. I've had my palm kissed, though."
"…With whom?"
What's with that drastic change in expression?
['The Scales That Judge Souls' is absolutely delighted, egging you on to tease him even more.]
You're incorrigible, Scales.
'Playing tricks on a nice guy like Viscount Valenstein is a bit mean, don't you think?'
But then—
['The Scales That Judge Souls' clarifies they're not enjoying the Viscount's reaction, but rather yours.]
Ah, the privileges of a transmigrator.