Chapter 4

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Translator: Harry Potta
Chapter: 4
Chapter Title: First Impressions
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Lucy closed her eyes for a moment and steadied her breathing.

She had expected to meet him at some point now that she was in the military academy, but she hadn't thought it would be this soon.

It was a stroke of luck that they had met, but she still hadn't decided how to make a good first impression on Walter.

Time ticked by as she mulled it over. In the end, Lucy decided to just observe the situation for today, figuring they would meet again anyway.

Trying to act friendly too soon could leave a bad impression from the start. Haste makes waste, so she had to approach this slowly and deliberately.

She rested her chin on her hand and listened to his voice. It was a low baritone, yet not overly somber or rough, and it paired strangely well with the stiff cadence of a soldier.

"...Therefore, Pomnos is significant not only for its function as a city but also as a strategic key point. I recommend that you all visit it at least once if you get the chance."

Despite maintaining a consistently emotionless expression, Walter answered the questions without hesitation.

An hour passed in a flash. Walter straightened his posture and announced he would take one last question.

One of the cadets, who had been gazing at him with admiration, hesitantly raised a hand. Walter nodded for him to speak, and the cadet cautiously began, glancing around.

"Grand General, I heard that your current adjutant is a Lycan. I've also heard rumors that you've always been close with other races."

"It's not that I particularly favor them. I simply lack the strange habit of judging an individual's character by their race. And?"

The cadet swallowed before continuing his question in a lower voice.

"But the reason you were promoted from Brigadier General to Grand General was for quelling the rebellion by killing the Lycan leader, wasn't it? Were the Lycans under your command alright with that?"

Walter offered a bitter smile instead of an answer.

It was a malicious question disguised as innocence. But it was also a familiar one.

Countless people who loved to sow discord had asked the very same thing. And once Walter realized the question stemmed from mere curiosity, he always gave the same reply.

So, he parted his lips mechanically to answer. But the response came from somewhere else.

"Talkisin, who led the insurrection, was a criminal long before he was a Lycan."

At the sound of the soft, pleasant voice, Walter lifted his chin.

In the corner of the lecture hall, next to a shadowed pillar, a female cadet with wheat-colored hair pinned up was moving her lips, a bored expression on her face as she rested her chin on her hand.

"He pretended to be a hero to the Lycans, but behind the scenes, he monopolized essential goods to inflate their prices."

With her half-closed eyes cast downward, Lucy continued speaking unconsciously, unaware of his gaze.

"Because of his monopoly on Mirage Herb, more and more Lycans started going berserk, and Talkisin used them to start the rebellion. The Lycans around the Grand General probably knew about his corruption. When it comes to punishing a criminal, what difference does it make if they're a Lycan or a human..."

Lucy trailed off, murmuring to herself as she closed her eyes completely.

In a mind filled with the past, present, and plans for the future, information and rumors accumulated over long years rose like a heat haze before settling down again and again.

As a result, Lucy had developed a habit of blurting out her thoughts, much like most elderly people who have lived for a long time.

After muttering to herself without realizing it, Lucy fell silent. Puzzled by the sudden quiet, she lifted her eyelids.

"...Ah..."

And soon, she became aware of the eyes fixed on her and realized she had made a mistake.

*What did I just say?*

Her eyes darting around, Lucy quickly lowered her head to hide her pale face.

This bad habit of hers had gotten her into trouble before, but she never imagined she would slip up in front of Walter.

*Damn it...*

*This useless muttering has got to stop.*

*No, wait. It's not a crime to talk to yourself. Why is everyone staring so intently?*

She chewed on her lip, grumbling inwardly. Just then.

"It's strange that a cadet would know classified information, but she is correct. The soldiers under my command were not swayed because they knew the truth about the criminal."

The gentle voice snapped her out of her bewilderment.

Walter kept his eyes fixed on Lucy, fiddling with the pommel of the sword at his hip.

"And to point something out, your words are contradictory. Once you join the military, your essence is that of a soldier who must protect the kingdom—nothing more, nothing less."

His gaze, which had been on Lucy, shifted to the cadet who had asked the question.

"You are well aware that the Parnas Royal Army, unlike those of other nations, accepts all as soldiers without discriminating based on origin or background. Lycans, who are ostracized elsewhere, and Raphi, who find it difficult to live away from the north, also serve in our ranks. Why do you think that is?"

"That's... because His Majesty wishes to create a world without discrimination."

The cadet trailed off, rubbing a flushed cheek as if embarrassed by his own words. "That's part of it," Walter said, continuing.

"Because once enlisted, one is reborn as a soldier. A soldier transcends race. A soldier must treat any threat to the kingdom as an enemy, be it human, Lycan, or the Raphi who fly in the sky. And by that same token, a soldier protects any talent that contributes to the kingdom's prosperity, without discrimination."

Walter stepped back from the lectern and glanced outside, gauging the time.

Judging by the numerous figures lingering by the windows, the lecture was over, and break time was well underway.

"I suggest you contemplate further on the essence of being a soldier. I trust that answers your question. We'll end here."

Amidst disappointed sighs, Walter stepped down from the platform. He started to leave the lecture hall but stopped and glanced back.

His dark eyes fell upon a female cadet with a somewhat weary expression.

The cadet, who was about to stand, seemed to feel his gaze and looked up, meeting his eyes. Walter looked at her with an impassive expression and spoke.

"Cadet Arsinoe. I'd like to request a moment of your time, if that's alright."

⚜ ⚜ ⚜

Lucy followed him, maintaining as calm an expression as she could muster.

They remained silent as they walked down the corridor, through the cloister, and into the rear garden. It was partly due to awkwardness, but also because they were both lost in their own thoughts.

Staring at the broad back walking ahead of her, Lucy quickly recalled what she knew about him.

Late twenties, no history with women, a man who had dedicated his entire life to the military.

Born into a prestigious family, he was skilled in social etiquette and manners but didn't enjoy them. He liked chess and contemplation, and on his days off, he was said to find rest by climbing nearby mountains.

For Lucy, who already knew Walter inside and out, recalling these details was no great challenge.

Besides his family, there was likely no one who knew him better than she did. It wasn't that she was particularly interested; it was simply because they had often been connected in her past life.

If it hadn't been for the marriage proposal from the Crown Prince, Lucy would have probably married this stoic man.

Throughout her three lives, he had always been the kingdom's protector, and Lucy was the only princess left in the kingdom.

There was no more effective way to control a man of great power than to bind him through family. That was why the King of Parnas had tried to tie him down with the pretext of marriage, and in her second life, marriage talks between him and Lucy had actually taken place.

For all their deep connection, this was the first time they had actually met.

The thought brought a hollow laugh to her lips. Lucy composed herself and shifted her focus to why he had called for her and how he knew who she was.

"I had heard that the princess had enrolled in the military academy, but I never expected to meet you in person."

Reaching a corner of the garden, Walter gestured to a bench and was the first to speak. His tone was much softer than it had been in the lecture hall.

Lucy swallowed her surprise and cautiously sat down.

"Grand General... you knew who I was? How?"

"As one who serves the royal family, how could I not know of the princess? And personally, you are my..."

Walter's quiet voice trailed off before he fell silent. Then, as if changing the subject, he continued in a slightly louder tone.

"I will explain in detail when the opportunity arises. More importantly, I met with Lady Ansilla at the palace not long ago."

*Ansilla?*

At the mention of her mother's name, Lucy blinked rapidly in reflex.

Walter stood before her respectfully, his hands clasped behind his back. "Princess," he began.

"Your mother is very worried. It's a shame to waste the four years of hardship you've endured, but wouldn't it be better to return to the palace? It may sound strange coming from me, but the military is not a romantic place."

The sentence might have sounded arrogant, but his tone was filled with genuine concern. Lucy stared at him blankly for a moment before slowly shaking her head.

"So that's how you knew who I was. You must have a connection with my mother. I appreciate your concern, but I'll handle my own affairs."

She spoke confidently, but she didn't expect him to listen.

She was only sixteen. In his eyes, she must seem like a hopelessly young novice. Talking to him like this would probably just frustrate him.

And just as she expected.

"It may be fine here at the academy, but the moment you're deployed for actual combat, the romance ends. The Third Prince also enrolled with great ambition, only to return to the palace before graduation. If even the prince did so, I am genuinely concerned about how someone like you, Princess, could endure this arduous life."

Walter narrowed his eyes and advised her in a serious tone.