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「Some classes do leave me unsatisfied, but that’s simply the result of my course choices, so I suppose it can’t be helped. Other than that, I’ve been enjoying my time.」
「That’s good to hear. Regarding the classes, I can’t say that I disagree with your assessment, but it is the result of my personal course choices as well.」
「Rather, Princess Leshimiiya, shouldn’t you be already educated enough to be eligible for graduation?」
「Well, who knows? All I can say is that I didn’t necessarily enroll in the academy strictly to learn. Besides, Miss Ailneige, aren’t you active enough as a hunter to fulfill the graduation requirements as well?」
「Who’s to say? It’s a bit special in my case. My sorcery is primarily self-studied, and, most importantly, my weapon handling is amateurish at best.」

It’s such a hollow conversation, but I suppose this is just how nobles gather information. I’m sure our conversation is mostly like this because there are other people around, but it’s not like we can always be alone with Princess Leshimiiya. She’s a nation’s princess, while we’re hiding our identity. We would probably be allowed to be alone together if I revealed it, but considering the troublesome consequences, I guess this is still better.

「You were doing practice swings during class, I recall.」
「Princess Leshimiiya, do you plan on specializing in sorcery?」
「I have learned swordsmanship for self-defense, but the moment I’m required to take up the sword, that practically means that we’ve already lost the war…」
「You are a princess, after all.」

I answered in jest, and she shot me with a slightly exasperated gaze. It’s not like I don’t understand her feelings, but we and the princess have different roles, or rather what’s required of us is different, so please stop with those eyes. To begin with, we aren’t really required to do anything, nor do we have responsibilities.

「Speaking of class, there was an unfamiliar face among your party members, wasn’t there?」
「Unfamiliar face… do you mean Fithuille?」
「Most likely.」
「She is… How do I describe her…」
「I don’t mind if you can’t share about her.」

I know that she’s one of Munyechka’s dolls. Knowing her name is good enough. In fact, I could even just ask Munyechka directly. That’s why I really don’t mind, but I suppose the princess just wants to be accommodating.

「It’s not that. The truth is, I mostly don’t know much about her either. All I can say for sure is that she’s basically a bodyguard…」
「Isn’t that dangerous?」
「I’m at least certain that she’s not dangerous. After all, his Majesty and the headmistress have guaranteed her background.」
「In that case, you probably can’t refuse even if you want to.」

Hearing my words, the princess shows a wry smile. Her refusal would mean that she doesn’t trust the king and the headmistress’ judgment. There are things she can’t refuse even if she wanted to. As to be expected from a hierarchical-aristocratic system. In the princess’ case, the king being her actual father probably made it hard to refuse as well. Personally, I see it as her father cherishing her to the point of having an S-rank hunter—even one only at 1/10 strength—guard her. But this probably isn’t something that she should hear from my mouth, so I’ll keep quiet.

「From my personal impression of her, I feel that Fithuille is somewhat similar to you, Miss Ailnege.」
「In what way?」

While impressed by her sharp observation, I inquired. Princess Leshimiiya moved her head a bit as though to flip through her memories before giving her answer.

「The way she is attending the academy whilst hiding her true strength, if I had to say? I believe that both of you are capable enough to not need enrollment in this academy in the first place. Regarding Fithuille, she is likely to be around high-level hunter in terms of strength. Moreover, I suspect that she might be far older than us… possibly even an adult.」
「She doesn’t appear that way, though…」

Actually several centuries old on the inside, but judging only from her appearance, it’d be impossible to guess. I personally think that guessing that she’s a doll would be easier than guessing her actual age, but that might not be the case for other people.

「Her capability as a bodyguard was acknowledged by father and the headmistress, so she must be fairly strong. There is a possibility that she had another noble’s recommendation, but there was nothing I could find about her background. If a family wanted to have the honor of raising a royal’s bodyguard, they should have boldly announced their name. Since that wasn’t the case, it’s highly possible that she was chosen for her capability, and had there been anyone of her strength among our peers, there would be many rumors about her by now.」
「And that’s why you suspect she’s an adult.」
「That’s what I believe, at least…」

After saying that, Princess Leshimiiya shot me a meaningful glance. With Ailneige—or rather Cielmer—existing as a precedent, there is a chance of having another highly capable individual close in her age with their identity kept a secret from the public.
It doesn’t apply to me, since I am technically older than I appear, but Ciel’s appearance matches her age—though she’s relatively small—and she’s already around B-rank in strength even without my assistance, so I can’t deny the possibility.

「However, I doubt Rynaetra found you getting a new bodyguard all that amusing, did she?」
「That’s… right. In fact, Rynaetra looks at her with an antagonistic glare, among various other things. Fithuille was able to deal with her well, so things fortunately never escalated into incidents. Fithuille’s composure is also part of why I suspect that she may actually be an adult.」
「So when your party encountered the goblin in the mountain, did Fithuille take the initiative to lead?」
「No, she only observed and gave words of advice. That aside, would I be right to assume that your party also encountered a goblin?」
「It seems like it was arranged that every party would encounter one. In our case, I took the opportunity to test my two party members’ current combat abilities.」

Considering that she works as a teacher through Semiette, Fithuille is likely skilled at coaching too. With that topic finished, it was now time to talk about my party.