7th Time Loop WN Vol. 6 Fan Translation

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Rishe dashed through the narrow alleyways of the warehouse district, calling out to the figure ahead of her. 

"Senior Raul!"

Raul, who had spun around to face him, squinted amusedly at Rishe, who was out of breath. "Heh. It feels pretty good to be called 'senior' by you."

"Of course. I am an apprentice knight, after all." Rishe, continued.

Though he might seem frivolous at first glance, Raul was actually the leader of the stealth unit known as the Hunters.

Being able to switch gears instantly when needed meant there was no need to pretend in private. Rishe glanced around cautiously and then focused on the alleyway ahead.

"Yoel should be over there. I can sense him sitting beyond the corner, probably dozing off..." Rishe shared.

Raul laughed. "As sharp as ever. You're almost like a knight or one of us hunters."

"Haha, oh Raoul, stop it! Like I said, I'm just a humble apprentice knight. Anyway..." Rishe looked up at Raoul, smiling with his index finger against his lips. "I also have something I'd like to ask of you, Raul"

"...Where did the 'apprentice' part of your act go, seriously..." Raoul, seemingly expecting this, grimaced in disbelief. Normally, there wouldn't be a junior knight asking a senior knight for a favor.

"Of course, I won't force you.."

"Alright, alright, I get it. You owe us more than we can repay, so just tell me whatever you need." Raul replied.

"Thank you!" Rishe quickly made her request to Raoul, all the while observing him closely.

(...Raul is willing to listen to my requests like this. His behavior of obeying Arnold might be due to a sense of 'debt' he feels, and it might not hold any deeper meaning. But still...)

Raul may act flippant, but Rishe knew better. From what Rishe had seen of Raul in his life as a hunter, he was someone who clearly showed gratitude to those who had helped him, demonstrating profound loyalty.

(If Raul follows Arnold for reasons other than gratitude or loyalty, the most likely explanation would be 'mutual benefit.' But I can't make that judgment right away.)

Too much scrutiny would likely be noticed by Raul.

"Well then, Raul, I'm counting on you! And also..."

Rishe ran ahead to the end of the alleyway and peered around the corner.

"Yoel!"

"Mmm..." There sat Yoel, clad in the uniform of a knight, just like Rishe, huddled up with his knees drawn to his chest, dozing off. 

Raul, catching up from behind, shrugged as if to say, 'Here we go again.'

"Prince Arnold instructed us to keep him under surveillance, but he's just sleeping by the roadside. Was he given some medicine? If he's still feeling unwell due to the effects of the medicine, maybe he should get checked out. But if the medicine has worn off, he might be suspicious if Arnold returns and finds him not acting like a knight." Raul muttered.

"Yoel I apologize for the intrusion." Rishe touched Yoel's wrist, attempting to take his pulse. But every simple diagnostic procedure led to the same conclusion regarding Yoel's drowsiness.

"...He's just sleeping as usual!" Rishe sighed softly and stepped back a few paces from Joel.

"What do we do? If the captain returns and finds him like this, he might start suspecting that he's not really a knight. Heh, should we just leave him here?" Raul asked.

"Arnold would not be pleased. Raoul, could I borrow 'that' from you?" Rishe asked.

As Rishe continued to step back, she indicated with her gaze an item belonging to Raul. After a moment of slight surprise, Raul exhaled, wearing an expression that seemed to say, 'You're going to get in trouble for this.'

"You think using 'that' would get you in less trouble with His Highness Arnold?" he retorted.

"It'll be fine! As long as I don't do anything dangerous, Arnold won't be angry with me."

"Your idea of 'not doing anything dangerous' is quite different from what most people would consider... Here." Raoul removed the clasp and tossed the item to Rishe. who subsequently placed it beside Yoel.

"Yoel-senpai!" Calling Joel's name in the same manner as before, Rishe drew the slim sword she carried for her knight's disguise.

"This is the only way to wake Joel-senpai up."

Rishe assumed a stance and raised his voice. "Let's spar, Joel!"

"......"

Yoel's eyelids opened, and light entered his seemingly brown eyes, which actually shone gold. With just one blink, the next moment arrived.

Above Rishe's head was Yoel's sword, swung down toward her.

The blade reflected sunlight, shimmering like a star at its tip. Rishe quickly dodged backward, then lunged forward, swinging her own sword.

"......!"

A high-pitched sound echoed as their swords intersected before their eyes.

"Good morning, Yoel..."

"...A fighting style that's a mix of a swordsman, a mercenary, and an archer. You rely on more than just your sword and your movements resemble mine... It's weaker than me, but it's Prince Arnold who excites me the most. I don't know why, but I feel excited when I'm with you."

As they pressed against each other with their swords, Rishe's hand trembled under the strain. Yoel licked his lips and then smiled slightly, seeming to enjoy himself.

"...I still like you, just as I did before."

Under the bright, pure gaze that seemed to sparkle, Rishe instinctively leaped backward again. As Rishe cautiously adjusted his distance, Yoel repositioned himself, his expression now that of an adversary.

"Heh. Come here already, Rishe."

Yoel's expression was that of an enemy, focused solely on how to fight Rishe and how to defeat him.

"If you won't come, then I'll just have to go first."