Inside the Karsten duke's residence.
Crusch Karsten, the current duke of the Karsten family and one of the royal selection candidates, was receiving her guests in the drawing room...
They were Araki and Satella, the Witch of Envy.
"Anyway, it was regrettable. I hadn't expected Wilhelm to be so extreme. After seeing his wife Theresia, he chose to follow her in death..."
Araki looked at the young woman before him, with her long dark-green hair and determined eyes, speaking with a trace of sorrow.
"No! I should be thanking you for fulfilling Mr. Wilhelm's long-cherished wish!"
"Mr. Wilhelm's greatest regret in life wasn't that Reinhard awakened as the current Sword Saint and summoned the Dragon Sword, causing the previous Sword Saint to perish..."
"Mr. Wilhelm's greatest regret was that he hadn't been by the side of the previous Sword Saint, Theresia, when she needed him most..."
Though the young woman was not very old, her eyes were extraordinarily calm and wise. She seemed to understand perfectly what regret Wilhelm, known as the Sword Demon, had always carried in his heart. She sighed, yet there was also a hint of relief in her words. She seemed glad that Wilhelm had been able to see his late wife Theresia one last time before his death...
"Anyway, before he left, Wilhelm seemed worried about you. He hoped I could lend a hand and look after you a little..."
Araki picked up the tea on the table, took a light sip, and spoke to the young woman.
"If that is possible, I would be immensely grateful!"
The young woman—Crusch—rose from her seat after hearing Araki's words. She bowed deeply to him and thanked him.
"You're welcome. It's only what I should do..."
Araki gave the young woman a soft smile in reply.
"Then, Lord