“Hey! Everyone, do your best!” “Reitius! Don’t get hurt out there!” “Ahhh! Mizela-sama! Look this way!” Everyone cheered for whomever they wanted. It was amusing to hear the crowd’s cheers, and Alme couldn’t help but smile. It was also enjoyable to listen to Ena’s excited commentary. “That’s Reitius-san over there. The short, blond one. He sprained his ankle a few days ago, though.” "And who is this Mizela-sama?" “Mizela-sama is the one on the black horse in the back. The ladies love his brawny physique. He’s the head of a big family, though.” As Alme listened to Ena’s gossip and watched the procession, she caught sight of a red-haired man among the soldiers. It must be Aiden. Immediately, Ena leaned so far forward that she nearly fell off, shouting at the top of her lungs. “Ah! There he is, there he is, there he is!! Aiden—!!” “Aiden! Over here, over here!” Alme and Ena called out to him together, waving their hands back and forth. Aiden looked their way and raised a hand in response. Aiden was dressed lightly in a shirt and pants. He wore a longsword at his hip, and he strode along with his chest puffed out, looking quite dashing. It was hard to believe that this was the same man who was usually so cheerful. He had a very dependable, serious air about him. “Aiden! You can do it!!” “Please be careful!!” Aiden responded with a serious face and a thumbs up, then turned back to face forward and continued walking. Ena let out a breathless sigh as she watched him go. “He looks pretty good when he keeps his mouth shut. I’m starting to worry that he’ll attract too many fans...” “You’re right... I bet he already has some secret admirers. Why don’t you get him to wear a gaudy engagement ring?” “He’s a soldier, so he can’t wear a ring when he’s holding a sword. Maybe I’ll get him to wear some outrageous earrings instead... Or better yet, have his face tattooed with my name.” Alme couldn’t help but laugh a little at Ena’s serious suggestion. If Aiden walked around with a face like that, he’d be the butt of every joke in town. Aiden seemed like the type of guy who’d say, “Yeah! Sounds good to me!” in a joking manner. As they watched the procession continue, they heard a high-pitched scream from the other side of the road. It was the voices of many women. Could that be—? Alme glanced at Ena. Ena nodded and smiled, understanding Alme’s unspoken question. “That must be White Falcon-sama. Ah, there he is!” “...Wow! That’s him, the talk of the town!” A group of soldiers was walking toward them. Behind them was a group of military priests on horseback, leaving a little space between themselves and the other soldiers. One of the priests was walking in the lead, with four others following behind him. The one in the lead, riding a white-gray horse, must have been the much-talked-about White Falcon-sama — Falcert Laltos. Alme didn’t need to confirm with Ena to know who he was, as his appearance was immediately recognizable. He had shining silver hair like snow, and sharp, golden eyes that sparkled. His lips were elegantly pressed together, and his almond-shaped eyes gave him a dignified air. His features were as flawless as a work of art. There was an otherworldly, mystical aura about him. He looked like a gallant, heroic figure straight out of a myth.

He wasn’t wearing a robe like the priests at the temple. Instead, he wore a knight’s uniform of white and blue that glittered in the sunlight. Attached to the saddle of his horse was a long staff, about as tall as he was. The staff’s tip held a large, sky-blue magic stone, and the whole thing was intricately carved. “What’s with that staff? It’s so pretty.” “They say he can use it to send healing magic all the way to soldiers on the battlefield.” The staff looked like a piece of jewelry, but it seemed to be an important tool for use on the battlefield. Paired with his mysterious appearance, it gave off the impression of a divine artifact. As Alme stared at him intently, Ena started waving at the White Falcon. The crowd around them also began cheering loudly as he approached. Alme timidly joined in, waving her hand. She could wave enthusiastically at people like Aiden, who were family, but waving her hand around wildly at complete strangers was a bit embarrassing. While it was a timid wave, she still put her feelings into the gesture. “Kyaaah! White Falcon-sama!!” “He's looking this way!! Over here!!” “Smile!!” The cheers from the women and girls grew louder as the White Falcon approached. They sounded less like cheers and more like cries of lust, which made Alme smile. But in the next instant, Alme's relaxed smile turned to surprise. White Falcon, who had been looking straight ahead, suddenly turned his gaze towards her ― and then steered his horse toward her ever so slightly. The white falcon’s beautiful golden eyes seemed to be staring at her— (Huh…? Is he looking... at me? It kinda feels like...) For a moment, that thought crossed Alme’s mind. But the next moment, it was chased away by a cacophony of screams. “Kyaaaaa! He's looking at me!! He's looking at me!” “Just now, our eyes have definitly met!” “He looked at me...! I can die happily now!” Every women said the same thing. With a bitter smile Alme understood what was going on. This was the 'Idol Concert Phenomenon'. When you were at a distance and in a crowded place, it was easy to feel like the person was looking directly at you, even if they were just glancing in your general direction. (Ah, so that’s what it was... Well, I guess that makes sense. Hee hee, I got a little surprised there for a moment.) Alme nodded in understanding and chuckled to herself. She resumed waving and sending off the White Falcon with a smile. Riding the wave of excitement around her, as the White Falcon passed directly in front of her, Alme decided to call out to him. “White Falcon-sama! Please take care of yourself!” The White Falcon responded by placing a hand over his chest and giving her a silent salute as he passed by. Apparently, there was someone he knew nearby. The salute was incredibly graceful, almost like a prince from some fairytale. After watching the White Falcon walk away, Alme and Ena looked at each other and burst into laughter. “Looks like he has a friend around here somewhere,” Alme said. “Isn’t that lucky for us!” Ena exclaimed. After the White Falcon had left, several women and girls who had been caught in the cross fire of the salute lay collapsed on the ground.