Sir Hero, It’s Time to Train!

“A demon beast…?”

Liana sighed softly and gazed around the conference room, taking in the individuals present.

Despite not fully recovering, Garcia held his position, while Melissa fidgeted nervously.

Then there was Masaya, poised to testify with objectivity, and Christian, who was yawning with his entire body wrapped in bandages.

Finally, there was Aira, observing her mother intently.

The other knights of the subjugation force were recuperating in the clinic, suffering from internal injuries and prolonged exposure to the icy wind, so it was safe to say everyone involved was gathered.

“Deputy Manager, is a thing like this possible in reality—so, theoretically?”

Liana asked Masaya with a serious expression. To her eyes, Masaya seemed most qualified to explain the current situation among those present.

“Since the incident occurred, it wouldn’t be completely impossible. However, I don’t know what caused it.”

“You don’t know what caused it?”

Liana wasn’t a native of Rangar, nor was she knowledgeable about demon beasts.

Her family was more interested in the market price and uses of corpses than in their ecology and behavior, leaving her with a knowledge gap.

Garcia and Aira knew how to confront demon beasts but were also unversed in their detailed information, which made them focus on Masaya’s words.

“If the harpy abandoned its territory to fly here, there must be a considerable benefit to Flamme. However, I haven’t sensed any special mana flow.”

“But are you certain it was a demon beast?”

Ketn, standing behind Liana, looked at her, unable to comprehend Masaya’s words.

His question came not from ignorance about demon beasts, but because, among those present, he was the most knowledgeable about them.

“To compare the harpy’s weakness with other demon beasts and claim it’s a territory type demon beast is an overstatement. It would be more plausible to consider it as a monster obtaining new abilities or transitioning into a demon beast.”

The Rangar region clearly delineated the boundary between monsters and humans.

It was a territory established through years of pioneering, and common monsters seldom appeared near major cities or large villages.

For Ketn, a demon beast—particularly a territory-type one—appearing near a big city meant the knowledge he had spent a lifetime acquiring had suddenly become worthless.

“That is my concern as well. However, the harpy was undoubtedly a demon beast, and it was a territory type.”

“What makes you so certain?”

“Because it directly followed the traits of a territory-type demon beast, specifically in its hunting method. You’re aware of this, are you not?”

“The hunting method of a territory-type demon beast.”

Luring prey into its territory to hunt—a peculiar method known only to territory-type demon beasts.

Ketn, familiar with this, fell into silent contemplation.

“I’ve heard a bit about the situation. The knights and mages who were attacked had their mana reservoirs completely depleted.”

Some knights had long-term malfunctioning mana reservoirs, requiring extended recuperation, while mages suffered severe muscle pain from mana depletion.

The silver lining was that there were no fatalities during this mission.

“Yes, it seems the harpy came here targeting mana.”

“A demon beast abandoned its territory for the sake of mana to come all the way here.”

Ketn, too, felt that there wasn’t any exceptional mana significant enough to attract a territory-type demon beast to Flamme. This added to the bafflement.

“Why, indeed? It’s clear what awaits a demon beast that leaves its territory.”

Nest-type demon beasts suffer severe life-threatening damage if their nests are destroyed, and territory-type ones weaken rapidly once outside their territory, risking death if they remain outside for long.

The reasons remain undisclosed, leaving only baseless conjectures.

“Yes, the reason we could subdue it was because the harpy left its territory. Then again, without the young master and the lady, we wouldn’t have caught it.”

At Masaya’s comment, everyone’s eyes turned to the sibling pair.

Unlike Christian, who seemed bored and kept yawning, Aira flushed and bowed her head in embarrassment.

Her reaction was full of youthful innocence and shyness, yet, to Masaya, it seemed unfamiliar as she remembered the intimidating sight of Aira destroying the harpy’s wings.

“A demon beast that forcibly drains mana, is it? I’ve encountered many monsters and demon beasts, but never anything like this. It could have led to a major disaster if mishandled.”

A demon beast that forcibly extracted mana.

For knights and mages who relied on mana, it was essentially their nemesis. If the harpy had been in good condition, even Flamme’s current forces couldn’t guarantee victory.

Ketn observed the sibling duo, who had made significant contributions.

Though the situation was extraordinary, the demon beast had neutralized all knights and mage forces accompanying them.

Yet, young as they were, the two siblings managed to subjugate such a beast together, marking an impressive achievement.

“Do you have any idea how surprised I was? I didn’t expect them to take down a harpy demon beast head-on.”

“Ahem, well, it wasn’t just brute force…”

Despite the implied compliment, something felt off.

Feeling the burden of others’ gazes, Aira let out an awkward cough, especially under Liana’s peculiar scrutiny.

“Moreover, Masaya’s assistance proved invaluable, as did the support of Sir Garcia and Dame Melissa.”

Even though she could have boasted about her defeat of the demon beast, Aira mentioned those who helped, expressing gratitude. To the adults, her actions seemed commendably mature.

“If Christian hadn’t taken the lead, it would’ve been far more dangerous, right?”

“Huh? Oh, yes. Indeed.”

“…?”

On the contrary, Christian seemed disinterested, missing the conversation. When Aira nudged his side, startled, he awkwardly followed along.

‘What’s up with him?’

It wasn’t unusual considering Christian’s injuries. While others watched with concern, Aira tilted her head curiously.

Was he forcing himself to be here despite being unwell?

That couldn’t be it. Especially now that she practically sensed what he was thinking just by looking at his face.

‘He seems eager to leave. What’s he planning this time?’

His discomfort was visible as he shifted slightly, clearly showing he wanted to leave, yet to the adults, it appeared he was enduring pain to participate in the meeting.

“Don’t even think about training with that condition.”

Realizing his intentions, Aira whispered into Christian’s ear with a knowing smile.

“Tsk.”

A training fanatic! Thinking of moving again despite all those injuries?!

Aira growled and glared at him, making Christian pout. Meanwhile, the only person unaffected by the atmosphere, Liana, quietly spoke.

“Clearly, we must properly investigate this matter.”

Why a territory-type demon beast came to Flamme needed clarification to prevent a recurrence.

Repeated demon beast invasions could disrupt the balance in Rangar, posing a critical threat.

Liana reminded everyone of this as she addressed Masaya.

“Deputy Manager, I’ll formally request the Magic Tower’s assistance. I’ll hand over the demon beast’s body, so please investigate why this occurred.”

A demon beast’s corpse was more valuable than gold of the same weight. Masaya looked at her, surprised by her offer to hand it over.

“No need for that look. As the mistress of the Worden family, I simply wish to identify the element threatening our fief’s safety. Additionally, if such things continue, everyone living on this land will face survival threats.”

Sensing Liana’s determined resolve, Masaya nodded with a firm expression.

“Yes. I’ll ensure to uncover the cause of this incident.”

It wasn’t an easy task to guarantee.

Only a single harpy’s corpse was available as a specimen, and analyzing its body and tissues inevitably involved losses. Thus, the research environment was quite limited.

However, Masaya trusted the data accumulated within the Rangar branch.

She believed the knowledge acquired over years of subjugating monsters and demon beasts alongside the Worden family would eventually yield answers.

Confirming Masaya’s commitment, Liana addressed the group.

“Everyone must be bewildered by this unexpected event amid the head of the family’s absence.”

Even after subjugating the demon beast that had plagued Flamme for days, disturbances were inevitable.

Monsters and even demon beasts had appeared near a city thought to be safe.

Moreover, the knights and mages sent for the subjugation returned half-dead, and witnesses ensured the spread of rumors.

“As such, we must consider our future actions henceforth. I intend to prominently showcase the children to widely recognize how outstanding our successors are.”

A fire that had already spread couldn’t be easily extinguished, so Liana intended to use it to bolster the Worden family’s reputation.

This strategy would naturally elevate the family’s prestige and allow the siblings to make a subtle debut in aristocratic circles.

When they returned to Flamme, Aira held the harpy’s head, and many had witnessed it.

Though, since Aira was spotless unlike the blood-covered Christian, the story might be exaggerated.

Rumors might spread across Rangar, like ‘The young lady of the Worden family alone vanquished a demon beast and returned rescuing her half-brother and the family’s knights.’

“If anyone has alternative suggestions, do not hesitate to share them.”

No one opposed the notion of elevating the family’s prestige. Once everyone agreed, Liana appointed Ketn.

“This matter is entrusted to you, Sir Ketn.”

“Yes, I shall handle it.”

“Sir Garcia, although you must be tired, please comfort the soldiers. And Dame Melissa, staying by your master’s side during times of distress would be much appreciated.”

“Yes, lady Liana.”

As if signaling the end, Christian, who had started to rise, noticed Liana’s gaze and froze mid-rise.

“Christian.”

“Yes?”

Aira caught his collar, preventing him from leaving. Liana sighed, observing their closeness, before speaking.

“Although your injuries are serious, you were at the center of this affair, which is why you had to be here. There are numerous things I’d like to discuss…”

The siblings anxiously awaited what Liana might say.

“Until I call for you again, rest quietly in your room. This is an order, acting in place of the family head… your father.”

“Normally, you say it’s a request…”

“It’s a command.”

“Yes, yes!”

***

Returning to her room after the meeting, Liana sat at the table with a resolute face. Across from her, Garcia stood, sweating nervously, reporting on recent events.

“… That concludes my report.”

“I see, so that’s how it went.”

After Garcia finished his report, Liana took a sip of tea with her characteristic restrained expression before speaking again.

“Wave, huh…”

“Yes, it was undoubtedly wave. Furthermore, according to the deputy manager, the person who delivered the decisive blow to the harpy was the young miss. Before transferring the demon beast’s body, I’ll personally examine and cross-check the remains.”

Though they were entirely positive developments, Liana didn’t express joy. Instead, as she sighed, Garcia lowered his gaze, seemingly perplexed.

“Though it is a joyful matter, I find it difficult to understand.”

“Excuse me? Ah, yes. Of course, though it’s somewhat puzzling. However, realization often comes as a divine gift to those who are prepared. Young miss Aira…”

“I’m not referring to Aira. What baffles me is Christian, that boy.”

“Pardon?”

While Aira’s growth was noteworthy, Christian was unquestionably pivotal to this advancement.

For one to claim mastery, surpassing Aira, was a given. Liana was troubled by Christian’s potential limits, and her unease was noticeable to Garcia.

With a tense face, Garcia spoke to his mistress.

“… Lady Liana, there is something I must tell you.”