-1338- The unknown side

"E-Edel?"

The unexpectedly cute name made everyone present blink in surprise.

Especially Ikki and Todo Touka, who frowned as if they couldn't associate anyone with that name.

////By the way in Chinese it's different and only share a single character. So it might not be obvious in English////

Only two people had an extreme reaction to the name.

"Edel...?"

Arisuin Nagi was shocked, as if frightened.

"Cough...!"

Rozen, who was drinking water, almost choked.

However, Rozen's cough attracted the attention of someone who shouldn't have been attracted.

"Huh?"

Edelweiss, who called herself Edel, looked at Rozen. Before she could shift her gaze, she suddenly seemed surprised and then frowned, staring intently at Rozen.

Under Edelweiss's intense gaze, Rozen appeared calm on the surface, but cold sweat was already streaming down his back.

Fortunately, due to the earlier events, many people present were curious about Edelweiss.

For example, Ikki.

For example, Todo Touka.

"Is Edel-san also a Mage-Knight?"

Todo Touka asked Edelweiss this question.

It seemed Edelweiss's impeccable stance had finally caught Todo Touka's attention.

Naturally, Ikki was the same.

"Could it be that you are a retired competitor from the League?"

Ikki speculated.

Ikki believed that Edelweiss was definitely not an ordinary person, most likely a very famous Mage-Knight who had participated in the competitions held by the League.

However, since no one could immediately recall her identity, it was possible that she wasn't an active competitor but a retired one, similar to Shinguji Kurono.

Competitors like Shinguji Kurono, who were strong and excellent, once competing for high world rankings in the KOK League but retired due to reasons like marriage and childbirth, were not many but not few either.

So, Ikki was already speculating whether Edelweiss was a retired Mage-Knight.

Unfortunately...

"I am not a Mage-Knight. Although I am a Blazer, I have not joined the League, nor am I from this country. I came here from a foreign land."

Edelweiss shook her head, denying Ikki and Todo Touka's speculations.

"I've already said, I am not as remarkable as you imagine. As a knight, all of you surpass me. Please don't mind me."

Edelweiss's words were extremely sincere, telling others that this was her heartfelt truth.

Rozen fell silent.

Perhaps, among those present and in the entire world, only Rozen could understand the meaning behind Edelweiss's words.

As the most wicked criminal in the world, Edelweiss had no regrets about her life and never thought she had gone astray. However, she believed that compared to those who were striving for clear goals, she was insignificant.

As she said, in Edelweiss's eyes, the students present were all better than her.

Because at least they were all working hard to become stronger for their goals and dreams, while she was just a swordsman who instilled fear, not a noble knight.

Even if this fearsome swordsman was actually kinder than anyone else, it didn't change that fact.

In light of this...

"Seeing you all is like seeing the future of this country. As for me, I'm just a temporary dessert chef and have no other identity at the moment."

Edelweiss continued to smile warmly, displaying a side completely different from the strong, dignified, spirited, and ruthless image known to the world.

Deceived by this smile, everyone gradually let their guard down against Edelweiss.

"So you're the dessert chef of this shop?"

Stella's eyes lit up, and she quickly asked.

"Yes." Edelweiss nodded without hesitation and said, "I made all the desserts here. I hope you all enjoy them."

These words immediately elicited a chorus of responses.

"I really like these desserts!"

"Me too!"

"They're truly delicious!"

"Mhm!"

Everyone spoke in quick succession to express their approval.

"That's wonderful."

Only then did Edelweiss seem to relax, her smile growing even happier than before.

Surely, no one would have thought that the "Twin-Wings" could show such a smile?

But this was Edelweiss's unknown side.

"How on earth did you make such delicious desserts?"

Even Shizuku, known for her sharp tongue, couldn't help but praise.

"Is there some special recipe?"

Todo Touka also no longer cared about Edelweiss's issues and instead asked about the desserts.

"No, there's no special recipe. These are just very ordinary desserts." Edelweiss shook her head again, saying, "If there's anything unique about them, it's the little creative twists I added to slightly alter the flavors. Since I loved eating and making desserts since I was young, I've always been researching them, so they taste a bit different from those sold outside. Do they not suit your tastes?"

As she said this, Edelweiss showed a somewhat uneasy expression.

Everyone immediately shook their heads.

"How could that be?"

"They're not unsuited to our tastes at all."

"Rather, they're much better than what's sold outside."

"I wish we could have them every day."

Everyone lavishly praised her.

"That's a relief."

Edelweiss finally relaxed.

Her demeanor was completely different from the "Twin-Wings" known to the world, just like an ordinary housewife.

If someone could marry such a beautiful, gentle housewife, they would be incredibly fortunate.

The men present were all thinking this.

This prompted Misogi Utakata to ask boldly.

"By the way, Edel-san, is there anyon—"

Misogi Utakata was about to ask the most crucial question.

But this question made Rozen, who had been silent, panic.

"Vice President!"

Rozen loudly interrupted as if trying to stop something.

"W-What...!?"

Misogi Utakata was startled.

At that moment...

"...What were you just about to ask?"

Edelweiss turned her head to look at Misogi Utakata.

Her face still bore that warm smile, but her eyes were devoid of any warmth, filled only with coldness.

"...!"

In that instant, not only Misogi Utakata but everyone else felt a chill down their spines.

Misogi Utakata was drenched in sweat and laughed awkwardly.

"I-I just wanted to ask about... how to settle the bill..."

Misogi Utakata followed his inner sense of danger and dodged the severe minefield.

"Is that so?"

Edelweiss's expression instantly brightened again.

"You can settle the bill at the counter, or you can have a server collect the payment."

"U-Understood..."

Under Edelweiss's smile, Misogi Utakata nodded with difficulty.

Only then did Rozen quietly sigh in relief.

Little did he know that his interruption had once again drawn Edelweiss's intense gaze to him.

Her eyes were filled with both severe suspicion and a bit of uncertain apprehension as she tightly focused on Rozen.