Before sharing his story, Irene told Ilya that it would be a long one.

  Because he wanted to start the story from when he first dreamt about the man and not just what happened during the five years he was missing.

  Ilya Lindsay.

  A friend whom he wanted to meet as much as Bratt and Judith.

  And he also really wanted her to listen to everything he said.

  Beyond simple excuses for not keeping the promise, he wanted to show her who the real Irene Pareira was.

  “It was how I, who was called the deadbeat noble, decided to pick up the sword…”


  The story of Irene began like that.

  It wasn’t that he just kept talking. Irene wasn’t the kind that was good at talking, but he carefully thought of what he wanted to say and said it out loud.

  Nevertheless, the story got longer as Ilya Lindsay became so engrossed in it.

  “That is why I will aim for the place of champion in April… so, in about 120 days from today, I will rise to where you are. And I’ll stop you. And then your mind will finally be clear…”


  “…”


  “You can take my words seriously.”


  Irene Pareira spoke confidently.

  Seeing him like that, Ilya Lindsay couldn’t help but feel embarrassed.