-1337- Call me Edel

"Hmm?"

While everyone was merrily eating and drinking, Ikki, who was also savoring the delicious desserts, noticed Rozen's odd behavior beside him.

"What's wrong, Rozen?"

Ikki asked, puzzled.

"No... it's nothing..."

Rozen took a deep breath to calm himself down and then showed Ikki a very standard business-like smile, saying this.

"I just remembered I have something to do, so I'll just..."

Rozen used the most unconvincing excuse and prepared to slip away.

Unfortunately, before he could finish his sentence, he was interrupted.

And it was the worst possible scenario he had imagined, interrupted by the person he least wanted to see.

"This is the last dessert. I apologize, but since we are short-staffed, I brought it over myself. Please forgive any lack of hospitality."

With a voice both serene and clear like a silver bell, the door to the private room opened.

A beautiful woman entered from outside.

An incredibly beautiful woman.

Her waist-length white hair swayed as she walked.

Her bright eyes shone as if emitting light.

She walked in from outside with dignity, dressed in casual home clothes with an apron, looking very much like a virtuous wife, and she approached with a warm and friendly smile.

"————"

Everyone in the room was stunned by the entrance of this beautiful woman.

"So... so beautiful..."

Even Stella, Shizuku, Totokubara Kanata, and Tomaru Renren widened their eyes.

The first impression this beautiful woman gave was enough to amaze everyone.

Only a few people reacted differently to her appearance.

First was Rozen.

Seeing the beautiful woman, his mouth twitched, and he seemed like he was about to cry. He quickly tried to make himself less noticeable, shrinking into himself and desperately trying to reduce his presence.

Then there were Ikki and Todo Touka.

For some reason, both Ikki and Todo Touka's eyes suddenly sharpened, their expressions becoming serious.

Additionally, Arisuin Nagi had a different reaction to the appearance of this beautiful woman.

Arisuin Nagi's expression suddenly changed, and the kind smile that had always been on his face vanished without a trace.

It was replaced by fear.

Yes.

Fear.

This fear flashed across Arisuin Nagi's face briefly before disappearing.

But it definitely appeared on Arisuin Nagi's face.

Unfortunately, no one noticed this scene.

Including Rozen.

Because Rozen had no energy to pay attention to anyone else, he was in a tough situation himself.

On the other hand, the beautiful woman, as if used to others being overly surprised by her, brought in the tray and placed the last dessert on the table.

"Please enjoy."

Then, she bowed slightly, waking everyone up.

"Ah, thank you."

"Thank you."

Stella and the others finally reacted and hurriedly bowed their heads in thanks.

Seeing this, Rozen, who had been trying to lower his presence, silently prayed.

(Hurry up... leave... please leave...)

Rozen rarely behaved this way.

However, as the saying goes, what you fear most often happens. Sometimes things just don't go as one wishes.

Originally, the beautiful woman intended to leave after placing the dessert. She had always done so to avoid unnecessary trouble, helping out only when short-staffed and then leaving immediately without staying around.

But today, something made her pause.

That was everyone's attire.

"Are you all students from a knight academy?"

The woman's eyes swept over everyone, then she asked curiously.

For this outing, most of them wore casual clothes, but some were in uniform.

For example, the student council members. Except for Totokubara Kanata, who wore a lady's dress, and Tomaru Renren, who wore sportswear, Todo Touka, Misogi Utakata, and Saijou Ikazuchi were all in uniform.

Seeing those uniforms, anyone familiar with knight academies could immediately tell that Rozen and the others were student knights from Hagun Academy.

Perhaps it was rare to see student knights in uniform coming to eat desserts, so she asked this question.

"Yes, we are students from Hagun Academy."

Misogi Utakata, the only upperclassman present who looked like an elementary school student, answered on behalf of everyone.

"I see, Hagun Academy." The woman nodded as if she understood and said, "But you all don't seem like ordinary student knights. I suppose you are quite remarkable individuals at Hagun Academy, right?"

The woman said this.

"That..."

Stella, Shizuku, and the others exchanged glances, not knowing how to respond.

On the other hand, Ikki and Todo Touka finally reacted.

"If we're talking about being remarkable, you are the truly remarkable one."

Ikki stared at her and suddenly said this.

"Onii-sama?"

Shizuku was taken aback.

The others had the same reaction, a bit unable to follow the conversation.

Only Todo Touka, like Ikki, stared at her and said this.

"As Kurogane said, you may seem like an ordinary employee, but your posture is flawless. You walk casually, yet I can't find a single weakness in you. Such an impeccable stance is something even my master can't achieve. You are the truly remarkable one."

Todo Touka's words made everyone hold their breath and look at her.

The atmosphere became somewhat tense.

And that was not the end.

"By the way, have I seen you somewhere before?" Stella asked in confusion, "Why do you look so familiar?"

These words made everyone feel a sense of familiarity, and they began to ponder.

Everyone's gaze focused on her, frowning, trying to recall some forgotten memory.

Unfortunately, they all failed.

No one would associate the beautiful woman in casual clothes and an apron, looking like a virtuous wife, with that particular figure.

It wasn't about appearance; it was about aura, temperament, and impression.

"I think you must be mistaken. I'm not as remarkable as you say."

She said with a warm smile, friendly and polite like a hostess.

"Um, may I ask your name?" Shizuku hesitated for a moment and then asked.

Then...

"You can call me Edel."

The beautiful woman said with an undiminished smile.

Yes.

Edel.

This was a nickname given to her by a boy who had accompanied her for many years and left her two years ago, with whom she had a deep connection.

Although she had always shown dislike for it in front of him, she now reported this name voluntarily.

She was the strongest female swordsman standing alone at the pinnacle of the path of the sword.

Twin-Wings, Edelweiss.