Leave a comment

Even Eren and the other maids appeared to be listening intently, their eyes sparkling with interest and their attention fully focused.

“Well, there is no lady I am currently seeing… but come to think of it, I recall that Fräulein Lieselotte has a fiancé who is three or four years older?” Viola teased, swirling her glass and watching Lieselotte’s reaction through the amber wine.

“Hmm, you got me. Indeed, my fiancé, Ricky… Cedric, is currently sixteen, but our relationship extends only to that of an arranged engagement, so there’s not much to talk about,” Lieselotte replied with a dismissive snort.

Despite her seemingly nonchalant attitude, Viola—along with every other young woman in the room—didn’t miss Lieselotte’s momentarily darting eyes and the slight movement of her maid.

“Oh, really? Rumor has it that since your fiancé is a count’s son, there were objections. But someone was deeply in love… I mean, insisted strongly on the engagement, and as a result, your betrothed was sent to study abroad while Fräulein agreed to enroll in the academy. Is that not true?” Viola continued to probe with a playful smile.

—Hohoho~

“Wha…?! Th-, those are baseless court gossip, embellished for amusement. I enrolled in the academy to broaden my horizons as a princess, entirely unrelated to Cedric,” Lieselotte protested, her face turning red, whether from anger or embarrassment.

Everyone watched with warm, amused gazes as Lieselotte hastily tried to explain herself.

“Oh, is that so? It seems Lady Lieselotte has someone special. That’s interesting. Out of pure curiosity, how far have things progressed? Given that he’s older, I suspect he’s quite advanced,” I asked, suddenly intrigued.

Lieselotte’s mouth clamped shut, and she let out a small groan. Viola whistled softly, giving a knowing smile, while the maids all leaned in eagerly, their ears practically twitching.

“I-, I didn’t expect such a question from you of all people. What a surprise… but since I was the one who brought up the subject of love stories, I suppose I should answer honestly… um, well, in confirming our feelings for each other, we’ve—”

“—Since he studied abroad, could he be an exchange student from the Graviol Empire? Given that he’s three years older, his field of study must have been pretty advanced.”

“Kisse…huh?”
“Pardon?”
““““………””””

“—A-, ahem, I should have known. …Anyway, what about you, Jill? Do you have someone you like? I mean, earlier you mentioned Prince Lucas and Priest Cestlavie, right? From what I saw during the day, both seemed interested in you. Which one is your main interest? I’d like to know.”

Immediately, Eren and the other girls in the room focused their gazes on me with intense curiosity.

Under the pressure that felt almost physically palpable, I managed to say, “Um… no comment—”

“““““NOT AN OPTION!!”””””

In an instant, they banded together to block any escape.

As I looked around at the predatory glint in their eyes, I began to search for a way to navigate this challenging situation.

♦♢♦

“They’re late.”

It was past midnight. The retreat, devoid of streetlights, was shrouded in darkness cast by the canopy of trees surrounding the buildings. If not for the moon’s full glow, it would have been impossible to see even past your own arm’s length.

At the illuminated main gate, lit by torches and lanterns, the leader among the members of the adventurer group Steel Wagon impatiently muttered while scanning the road leading to the town.

“How long do they take to clean up a few corpses? Even with their numbers, it shouldn’t take more than half a day.”
“Ain’t they having a blast in the town nearby?”
“This place is the heartland of the church. There’s not a single brothel in sight. They’d be bored out of their minds.”
“They’re probably drowning in booze right about now. Damn lucky.”
“I wish I had stayed back.”
“Hahahaha!”

The adventurers, each equipped haphazardly, echoed with crude laughter.

Among them, the leader wore a grim expression, his temples visibly pulsating.

“Don’t be so careless, damn it! Think beyond your usual antics! We’ve got sons and daughters of not only major nobles but even royals. I even heard someone from the Imperial Family is here. If we catch their eye, that could mean bidding farewell to our vagrant lives. Show some dignity, at least!”
“Yeah, yeah.”

As the leader was about to shout another retort, someone interrupted, “Oh, isn’t that Lazar and the others? Looks like they’ve returned.”

Promptly, one of their beastkin comrades, keen-eyed in the dark, pointed out a group approaching from the road ahead.

“Finally, darn it. Hey, you’re late!”

Silently approaching were a dozen adventurers clad in familiar gear.

The leader, about to shout once again, noticed they were walking slowly, dragging their feet. He frowned. “Are you injured? What happened? Speak up!”

Still met with silence from the approaching group, he instinctively drew his sword halfway from his waist, pointing the tip towards them.

“Stop! Don’t come any closer! Lazar, report from where you stand!”

With a slight delay, his comrades behind him also readied their weapons, aiming torches and lanterns toward them to illuminate the area.

“ —EEK!!”

The first to notice them was the beastkin man, accustomed to the dark.

Puzzled expressions dawned on the adventurers, led by the leader, as they soon realized the state of their approaching companions—or rather, former companions—in the illuminated zone, causing them to gasp.

“L-, Lazar, and you all… those wounds…”
“They’re… they’re dead…”
“Mo-, mo-, monsters!”

Initially mistaking them for merely dirty, the Steel Wagon adventurers realized the stains on their comrades’ bodies were blood, at first wondering if it was splattered on them, and finally understanding that the blood had flowed and congealed from their own bodies. That sight sent shivers down the bodies of the battle-hardened adventurers.

At that moment, the surrounding woods came alive with a collective rustling, as if a colossal creature was slithering through.

“Enemy attack! We’ve got an ambush!”

Upon the leader’s alarming cry, a deep, beast-like roar thundered from behind their former allies—now enemies—resounding from the inky depths where light dared not reach.

♦♢♦

“Oh? I think I hear some commotions from outside.”
“You’re still evading the question, I see.”

Leave a comment

The town of Clarus, located in the Arlea region of northern Eunice, is celebrated for its tourism and relaxation.

“Look at this bear… bear? Uh, it’s a bear, right? It has a windmill-like thing on its head, a slightly murderous look in its eyes, and is holding machetes in both hands with a goblin impaled on a bamboo spear. Is this some kind of local mascot character…?”
“That, missy, is a wood carving of the legendary man-eating beast ‘Storm Bear.’ It’s mainly used as a talisman against evil,” explained the souvenir shop owner, nodding sagely.

“If you’re interested, how about this figurine of the killer ‘Ogre’ that appears from Lake Quartz on full moon nights?” he suggested, pulling out a grotesque doll wearing a strange mask, wielding a huge scythe and an ice pick.

No, I’m not interested. At all.

“…Why are the choices here all so… bizarre? I heard this place is a training ground for the Saintess Church and a retreat for shrine maidens seeking to escape the secular world.”

“Oh, we’ve got tons of shrine maiden-related goods too. How about this? It’s a pennant of a currently popular five-member unit of beautiful shrine maidens. It’s a rare one with their autographs,” the owner proudly displayed a triangular pennant with the words “Pretty Shrine Ranger Maidens” and illustrations of five girls in colorful priestess outfits.

“Is it really okay to buy such secular items…?”
“It’s fine. It’s considered a donation, and it’s been endorsed by the church for ages. Besides, aren’t you also associated with them?”
“? No, I’m just a student…”
“Really? I thought you were a shrine maiden in training. Guess even my instincts can go dull after thirty years in this business. Oh well, I’ll give you a discount!”

The shopkeeper practically forced the bizarre idol and the commercialized, cute girl illustrations into my hands. The reality of this holy site of the church is both disappointing and amusing. Holding the peculiar idol and the triangular pennant, I sought the opinions of my companions who were browsing the souvenir stalls lining the road.

“—So, what do you think? Which one should I choose?”
“Both are nice, but how about this doll? It kind of resembles you, Jill, and it’s quite cute.”
“How ridiculous. Why not just go with this famous local specialty, the Shrine Maiden Princess doll?”
““……””

At the same time, Luke and Cestlavie both pointed at a porcelain doll dressed in a white gown with cherry blossom pink hair displayed at the storefront. Their eyes met for a brief moment before they silently turned away from each other.

Since their introduction this morning, they’ve kept each other at an arm’s length, like wild animals. Given their vastly different backgrounds, upbringings, and personalities, it might be unrealistic to expect them to get along immediately. However, they seem particularly sensitive and aware of each other.

Luke is naturally easygoing and doesn’t care about social status, and Cestlavie isn’t one to change his attitude based on someone’s rank. I had hoped they would get along well, but this was unexpected.

“Is my outlook on society and social systems actually quite naive?”

I quietly asked Daniel about it, but he just smirked mischievously and said, “Oh, come on. If there’s a beautiful flower and two bees, this outcome is inevitable, isn’t it?”

It sounded like a riddle.

“Oh…! Ah…aah, man…”

Elias, another member of the student council who had come with Cestlavie, looked at me, Luke, and Cestlavie one by one, as if he suddenly understood something. “This sucks…” he said, finally looking up at the sky with a troubled expression.

What’s going on?

Lieselotte and Viola also looked at us knowingly.

“…Am I, perhaps, at fault?” Feeling slightly out of place and uncomfortable, I picked up one of the Priestess Princess dolls—probably modeled after my mother Clara—from a nearby stall and lightly questioned myself.

♦♢♦

Now, during this field study period, the academy’s recreational facility where we would be staying was a mansion about thirty minutes away by carriage from the town, surrounded by a lake and a birch forest.

The vast estate, enclosed by gates and walls, featured a grand mansion in the center, flanked by the East Wing and the West Wing, resembling a noble’s manor.

Of course, it seemed problematic to house male and female students under the same roof, so the boys were assigned to the East Wing, the girls to the West Wing, and the faculty and staff to the central building.

“Well, as we are staying overnight, the highlight would undoubtedly be gossip about romance.”

After dinner, which doubled as a get-together for the entire group, Lieselotte invited Viola and me to her room for some light conversation. A bottle of champagne-like grape wine was promptly opened.

“Thank you for coming. Let’s start with three glasses of wine.”

Isn’t that a tea ceremony tradition? Before I could protest, the amber-colored wine, producing a pleasant sound, was poured into our glasses, and under Lieselotte’s lead, we toasted.

“Let’s hope for a fruitful schedule ahead. Cheers!”

“Cheers!”

“…Oh, this is delicious,” I took a sip and was slightly surprised. While it couldn’t compare to the wine crafted by elves, which would impress even the most discerning connoisseurs, this sweet, easy-to-drink wine was gentle and approachable for beginners like me who had little tolerance for alcohol.

Caught up in the moment, I indulged in two or three more glasses of wine, lightly pairing them with cheese, prosciutto, and crackers. This led to Lieselotte’s earlier statement.

“It’s not often we get such opportunities. As young women of our age—though Viola is a bit iffy—I’ve always wanted to have a candid ‘girl talk’ about love. I can’t be too relaxed with others, but I can be honest with you two.”

Despite her usual roundabout way of speaking and grandiose mannerisms, her words were essentially a declaration that she considered us ‘close friends with whom she could speak frankly.’ This naturally made me smile, and I exchanged glances with Viola, sharing a mutual smile.

…However, a ‘girl talk’ about love, is it? That’s a topic I am most uncomfortable with.

Nevertheless, it seems that women are naturally interested in these kinds of topics.

Leave a comment

“…Are you suggesting we ignore them and let it pass?” I inquired.

By the way, these carriages were rented from the academy, totaling about ten. They primarily carry noble students and their attendants (each allowed one), as well as faculty. The remaining commoner students ride in three slightly aged shared carriages provided by the academy.

In our group, there are six teams with a total of thirty-seven students:

Eighteen are children of nobles, high-ranking clergy, or wealthy merchants, nineteen are commoner students, thirteen are attendants permitted to accompany the nobles, Twenty-two faculty and instructors, roughly double the number of other study groups.

Additionally, we have over 120 guards, which is enough force to start a small war if necessary. This clearly shows how serious the academy is about this.

“Oh no, we don’t simply ignore them. We take note of who just spoke to better discern who’s an enemy and who’s an ally.”
“Indeed. Any unwanted fat is better trimmed off.”

Viola said playfully with a wink, while Lieselotte glared coldly at the student council executives, who were still engaging in their vile conversations.

“That’s right. We don’t need any excess fat. We should get rid of it thoroughly, either by liposuction or surgery,” I said, fully agreeing with the apt analogy.

“Now then, those people are citizens of my kingdom. As a princess, I shall go and offer them some words of gratitude. Jill, Lucas, you both go ahead,” Lieselotte said with a matter-of-fact air as she got off the carriage.

“I’ll escort you,” Viola said, taking her hand with practiced ease and walking toward the adventurers.

In the distance, members of the Steel Wagon were efficiently handling the cleanup.

“Alright, gather the monster corpses in one place. We’ll burn everything.”
“Aren’t we going to harvest the materials?”
“It’s a waste of time. Our mission is to escort the academy students and deliver them to their destination swiftly. Don’t worry, the reward for repelling the monsters will be added to our payment.”
“Understood. We’ll leave five or six people here to burn them with oil, and the main group will proceed.”
“Good, I’m counting on you.”

If it were just one or two, we could leave them, but with this many, leaving the corpses would risk causing an epidemic (though they might not understand the exact reasons, their experience tells them that these corpses could become a source of disease) or attracting even more dangerous monsters. To prevent any risks, they’ve decided to deal with the corpses here and now.

As expected from the adventurers hired by the academy, they are competent and quick to act. As we watched with admiration, our carriage slowly began moving toward our destination again.

In hindsight, despite the experience of the members of Steel Wagon, they made a small but, in this instance, fatal mistake. Perhaps if their priority hadn’t been solely to escort us, or if they hadn’t been so buoyed by Lieselotte’s encouragement, this tragedy might have been averted. Unfortunately, there’s no way to turn back the clock.

Leaving behind the numerous meran-aries corpses and a few members to stay behind, the main group of Steel Wagon, thrilled by direct praise from the princess of their kingdom, moved on in high spirits. Unbeknownst to us, the die had already been cast.

Oblivious to these events, I casually waved at a familiar male student riding a salamander at the back of the procession.

“What’s wrong, Jill?” Luke asked in a puzzled tone, noticing me leaning halfway out of the window to greet someone who was blatantly ignoring me.

“Oh, I just saw an acquaintance.”
“I see. By the way, near the academy’s retreat where we’ll be staying, there’s a famous sacred site where Lady Clara sealed an evil king. Would you like to visit it with me? I’ve heard that the church there is a popular spot among young couples.”
“Is that so?”

Since Cestlavie seems to know a lot about churches, maybe I should invite him as well. I’ll ask him later.

While thinking this, I waved my hand even more energetically.

♦♢♦

Darkness and miasma hung in the air like stagnant sediment.

“……”

Seated in a decaying Gothic-style chair—ornately carved with framework sculptures and a tall backrest forming a spire arch—”he” sat as still as a statue, letting time pass.

How many days and nights had passed since he had been sealed in this place?

Despite having transcended life and death and reached the depths of great magic, his body was now confined in this narrow, enclosed space, unable to escape, gradually weakening, and awaiting its eventual return to the void.

—I hate her. I will avenge myself on the one who sealed me and her entire family!

His anger raged, almost consuming him, yet he had neither a target for his hatred nor the means to exact his revenge.

His own helplessness only fueled his hatred for his enemies, reopening old wounds and spreading blood-like malice.

How long had this continued? Suddenly, “he” faintly—like a spider’s thread—sensed a presence resembling that of his former enemy, causing him to tremble with fury.

—Is it her?! Has she come? That… that accursed woman!!

The malevolent wave, like a scream, shook the seal and unknowingly spread ill will around him.

Triggered by this malevolence, something that had sensed the scent of abundant “death” began to move in that direction, wielding a huge scythe.

Leave a comment

“Everyone, draw your swords! Shield bearers to the front! Attack in groups of three! Mages and archers, focus on providing support from the rear. And remember, don’t let a single scratch fall upon the noble sons and daughters… I mean, the academy members!”

“Understood!” they all shouted in unison.

The large group from the Cilento Adventurers Guild, “Steel Wagon,” who were hired as escorts by the academy, responded to their leader’s commands. They readied their weapons and magic staves, preparing to confront the approaching twenty-strong herd of meran-aries—sheep that looked like massive black-furred bulls but were actually vicious, carnivorous monsters.

Their movements, while not as flawlessly coordinated as those of a military unit, demonstrated the skill of a seasoned group of adventurers. The hundred-strong armed collective moved in perfect synchronization, naturally falling into an efficient formation, exuding a sense of reliability. It did seem, however, that they were focusing more on protecting the large carriages meant for nobles and faculty rather than the general student population.

“Aim for the clustered ones. Fire!”

At that moment, the mages and archers stationed at the rear to protect our carriage began their attack. A volley of arrows and spells rained down upon the pseudo-black sheep, preemptively striking the monsters that were just about to charge at us.

“Alright, everyone, commence the attack!”

The adventurers of the “Steel Wagon” deflected the haphazard attacks of the meran-aries, which were blindly lashing out in confusion and excitement. Following the standard tactics for fighting monsters, they attacked in groups of three per creature. Maintaining a defensive stance at a reasonable distance, they waited for openings to strike. Though the approach lacked flair, it was a solid and reliable formation. All the while, support came from the rear in the form of arrows and spells, gradually felling the pseudo-black sheep one by one.

Once the balance of numbers was broken, the tide quickly turned. Soon, the herd of meran-aries was defeated individually, their corpses strewn along the roadside.

Watching the victorious adventurers through the window, I sighed in relief and realized I had been clenching my hands tightly.

“I was quite surprised when the monsters suddenly attacked, but it seems there’s no casualty. What a relief. However, just watching from a safe distance feels frustrating and makes me uneasy,” I remarked.

“I understand how you feel, Jill, but please don’t do anything reckless. Honestly, I was on edge the whole time, worrying you might jump out and join the fray,” Luke, sitting next to me, said with a sigh of relief even greater than mine.

Indeed, had there been many casualties or injuries among the adventurers, I might have disregarded the situation’s propriety, dismounted from the carriage, and joined in the healing and attacking efforts.

I gently lowered myself back into my seat and straightened my posture, defending myself by saying, “I wouldn’t do that. I know my place and responsibilities, and I wouldn’t act so recklessly.” However, both Luke and Eren, my maid sitting across from me, were clearly giving me warm, understanding looks.

Feeling somewhat uncomfortable, I picked up and hugged Vier, who was at the size of a puppy curled up at my feet.

♦♢♦

“Huh, these guards are more competent than I thought.”

“—Hmph. Well, considering that they’re protecting some of the most prominent students at the academy, they probably felt the need to step up their game. If anything were to happen, they’d literally lose their heads. On the other hand, if they perform well here, they might secure some powerful patrons. There’s probably some calculation behind their efforts.”

“Ah, I see. I’ve heard that large groups like this are struggling financially. They can’t afford to miss out on the chance to market themselves to both the academy and us.”

“Exactly. But let’s not kid ourselves; they’re only dealing with a few beasts here, so it’s hardly a challenge. My family’s knights would have wiped them out in half the time.”

“Still, there’s something to be said for a good, gritty battle. I would have liked to see a bit more of a chaotic fight, though.”

“Come on now, we’re not watching a gladiatorial match here. That’s a bit much, don’t you think?”

“Maybe, but look over there. There are quite a few beastkin and other non-humans among the adventurers. Losing some of them won’t be an issue, will it? Next time something happens, could we negotiate to put them on the front lines?”

“Hmm. Interesting. Maybe we can persuade them with money.”

Meanwhile, the senior members of the student council, who belong to the executive committee, were loudly voicing their opinions from their private carriage or through the windows, as if they were watching an amusing spectacle.

Their arrogance, rooted in their unwavering belief that they belong to a privileged class, was not only insufferable but also grotesque and unbearable to listen to.

—If they want to see a battle against monsters up close that badly, maybe I should just redirect our route straight into the Tenebrae Nemus and lose the guards.

As I was almost awakening to a murderous intent, “How foolish…! The state and nobility exist because of the people, yet to disregard them is the height of arrogance!” Luke, a pure-blooded royal, muttered with displeasure, furrowing his brows as he readjusted Sechs—the somewhat mysterious winged cat—that had slipped from his shoulder.

“—Fools who don’t understand this will eventually face the consequences. History has proven that.”

“That’s precisely why any sensible noble would constantly keep an eye on their lands and people. Those lot are nothing more than worthless dropouts without the spirit or ability to carry their family’s name. They’re not even worth engaging with.”

Viola and Lieselotte chimed in from the window of a similarly styled carriage that had lined up next to ours, their voices laden with deep resignation and disdain. The large carriages, designed for mobility and comfort on long journeys, may look somewhat rugged for princesses, but they offer military-grade safety instead.

The shutters can even withstand crossbow bolts when they’re shut. The windows, adorned with anti-magic protection wards, allowed me to look back at the two.

Leave a comment

Elias the Student Council Executive Member (Part 2)

“Cough—Ju-, Julia, as in the Lady Julia?”
“…Which Julia are you talking about?”
“The one who’s top of the grade, has the favor of the mysterious Chairwoman, and has connections with the tsundere princess with drill curls, ‘Princess Lieselotte,’ and the dashing ‘Princess Viola,’ adored by everyone. She’s also known for her delicate looks, soothing demeanor, and stunning figure—standing at an estimated 162 centimertes and 42 kilogura, plus an E-cup—earning her the nickname ‘Peach Blossom Princess.’ That Lady Julia!”

As a student, you should know this! How do you not?

“That sounds like her, yeah. How…do you know so much, though?”
“This is common knowledge if you read the paparazzi—I mean, the newspaper club’s Beautiful Girls of the Academy feature! She’s one of the top three beauties of this year’s freshman class! And you’re calling her ‘Jill’ so casually… Are you two dating? Have you slept with her? If not, can you introduce me?”

Contrary to my excitement, Cestlavie gave me a cold “What the hell are you saying?” look. No! You’re the weird one! Why aren’t you excited? We’re talking about a pretty girl you know! Someone who’s absolutely out of our reach! You’d have to be a saint not to get gushy over a topic like this… Ah, is it because he’s a Priest? No, but, the Student Council President, who holds the rank of a Deacon, always makes dirty jokes in the student council room! Heck, he even harassed the girls on the committee all the time (that’s why there are so few female students in the council, they all get fed up and leave)!!

“…You look harmless but are actually pretty perverted on the inside, huh. Also, my relationship with Jill is… well, we’re acquaintances at most, so I can’t exactly introduce you to her.”
“It’s not me that’s perverted, it’s you who’s too listless! Don’t you get turned on looking at those breasts?!”

Ugh, so frustrating!

“No, I mean…I get what you’re talking about,” Cestlavie looked away in annoyance and dropped his eyes to the notebook. You can act uninterested all you want, but your ears are beet red. You obviously are thinking about it.

“I know you do!”
“Oh, so you do?”

Just as I focused on his words, someone suddenly chimed in from the side.

…It sounded like a girl’s voice, and out of the corner of my eye, I caught glimpses of a girl’s uniform and long, cherry-colored hair. But it must be a hallucination. I must be tired.

“—Wha-! When did you get here?!”

Suddenly, Cestlavie jerked his head up, looking extremely embarrassed, and stared at the space beside me where no one should have been.

“Um… around the part where someone mentioned ‘big’? That keyword following my name caught my attention, so I couldn’t help but stop.¹　

Why do I feel like cold sweat is pouring out of every pore… Ah, I can sense a floral fragrance and a faint warmth nearby. It seems I’m really losing it.

“…Did you hear?”
“Um, would it be better if I said I didn’t?”
“…—Sorry.”
“Understood. Besides, I eavesdropped too, so let’s call it even. Is that alright with you?”

The person in question crouched down a bit, looked directly into my eyes, and tilted her small face.

“Y-Yes! I apologize, Peach— I mean, Lady Julia!”

Reflexively, I stood up straight and bowed deeply at a ninety-degree angle.

“Oh, no need for that. Besides, being part of a boys’ conversation feels nostalgic… ahem, I’m not bothered by it. Please, just speak normally.”

Since I was looking at the ground, I couldn’t see her face, but her humble tone reassured me. Just as the rumors said, she’s a good person. Some might say she’s a bit plain compared to the other two of this year’s top three beauties, but that’s only in comparison to their strong personalities. I prefer someone modest and kind, and she’s definitely my favorite. However, I did catch her whispering “So I really became the Peach Princess” in a resigned tone, making me wonder if she truly wasn’t bothered by it.

♦♢♦

“The Arlea region, located in the eastern part of the Eunice Theocracy, is a warm plain currently under the direct control of the nation. Its main industries are tourism and livestock, with some fisheries in the lakes.”

“In other words, it’s a remote countryside with a bunch of nothing,” Cestlavie interjected without mercy as Lady Julia read aloud from the report in her clear soprano voice.

The content of this report came from the notebook Cestlavie had been diligently studying, a summary of points he had researched in the library. “Are you doing preliminary research for the study trip? That’s surprisingly diligent of you,” Lady Julia commented, and I couldn’t agree more.

“The lakes are not only scenic spots but are also famous as the Eunice Theocracy’s top resort destination in this landlocked country. More than twenty lakes of various sizes have numerous origins and legends.”

“There’s a famous legend about an immortal ogre that appears on certain nights, wearing a strange mask and wielding a huge scythe,” Cestlavie added. After which, the two spoke in turns.

“In the mountainous areas, livestock farming is flourishing, and the black wool of the aries sheep is of high quality, highly regarded even in other countries.”
“Then again, sometimes the carnivorous meran-arieses are mixed in that group, attacking and eating people.”

“The region is also renowned as a training ground for the priestesses of the Saintess’ Church. It is said that in the past, Holy Maiden Princess Clara visited for training and, according to legend, met Saintes Snow and received a divine revelation.”
“Records show that she didn’t realize who she was talking to at the time, causing a huge uproar later. Well, the church considers such records apocryphal.”

“Additionally, the hot springs are famous, and Holy Maiden Clara was known to enjoy them, making them popular as ‘beauty baths’ crowded with many female visitors.”
“There’s a rumor that Lady Clara had a tendency to gain weight easily, which is why she frequented the hot springs and saunas in the first place, but that’s probably just a myth.”

“—No, I think that one might actually be true…”
“ “???” ”
“Oh, it’s just a guess, so don’t worry about it. But it does sound like an interesting place. I’m getting quite intrigued.”

I was astonished by her reaction. Despite hearing so many unflattering annotations, instead of being discouraged, she was actually enthusiastic about it. Is she the Saintess or what?!

“Honestly, I wasn’t very keen on it, but from what I’ve heard, it sounds like a peaceful tourist spot. Besides, there seem to be many places related to Lady Clara. I don’t know much about her, so it would be a good opportunity to visit such places,” Lady Julia said calmly and without pretense.

Cestlavie looked at her as if questioning her sanity, while Lady Julia continued to speak nonchalantly. It seemed like just an extension of ordinary conversation, but for some reason, the atmosphere around them changed, making me feel puzzled.

“So, your group is also planning to go to the Arlea region for the study trip?”
“Yes, I believe I can get everyone’s agreement on that.”

I secretly made a fist-pump gesture of victory. In the previous meeting, her group’s reaction seemed negative, which put President Barry in a bad mood. But this might change things for the better. Personally, I was also thrilled about the prospect of traveling with the three most beautiful girls in the school. Maybe, by some miracle, I could even get closer to them.

Wait a minute. If she’s the one making the final decision, does that mean the central figure of such a prominent group isn’t Prince Lucas or Princess Lieselotte, but this gentle and modest looking Lady Julia?

“I see. …Well, let’s hope nothing goes wrong.”

“Indeed,” she replied.

I wish I could say, “No matter what happens, I’ll protect you!” But would that come off as creepy instead?

With such daydreams in mind, I stuffed the remaining bread into my mouth.

Leave a comment

My name is Elias Jan Bartek.

While there are slight differences depending on the country, commoners across the continent generally only have first names and no surnames (something like “Jim the Miller”). Those with a certain level of wealth and authority, such as village chiefs or large merchants, are allowed to use surnames if they are registered citizens (e.g., “John Smith the Village Chief” or “Mario Rossi the Moneylender”).

Furthermore, having two names usually indicates a person of knightly or noble status. Those higher in the social hierarchy, such as royalty or imperial family members, adhere to special traditions in naming and seldom use their full names—typically only during official ceremonies or when addressing someone of equal or higher rank. Additionally, there’s something called a Soul Name that the Superempire bestowed, which must remain an absolute secret, adding to the complexity.

As evident from my having a second name, I am technically of noble birth as well.

However, the Bartek family serves as vassals to the Count Tsaretska family in the Cilento Central Kingdom of the Livitium Imperial Kingdom. In the national noble directory, we barely make the cut as baronets, listed under “others” at the very bottom. Despite our noble status, we’re the quintessential poor nobles, likely outdone in wealth by capital-dwelling knights or rural gentry with ancient family lands.

As the third son, I would have normally been cast out with some excuse upon reaching adulthood. But thanks to some tenuous and almost severed connections on my mother’s side, I managed to get admitted to the Livitium Imperial Academy this year.

Essentially, my parents’ last-ditch effort was for me to either network and find a noble patron or pass a civil service exam to become self-sufficient.

I have no complaints about this arrangement. The fact that my parents scraped together the entrance fee—resulting in a six-month period of having a single meal a day at home—was a miracle in itself. I can’t possibly ask for more, it is literally impossible.

That’s why, after enrolling at age fourteen this year, I’ve been engrossed in studying and working to pay for tuition.

Of course, without any financial support from my family, attending the noble classes was a far-off dream. I live in the general dormitory with other common students and work part-time jobs, like copying manuscripts, to make ends meet.

My joining the Student Council Executive Committee was purely for financial reasons.

To be blunt, my roommate in the dormitory was a member of the Saintess Church from the Eunice Theocracy and tried to force me into the student council. Apparently, about a month after enrolling, he got a girlfriend and didn’t want to join the council anymore, so by his suggestion, the burden fell to me instead.

Naturally, I intended to decline, but there were reasons I couldn’t refuse.

Firstly, my family’s estate, the Tsaretska County, is geographically close to the Eunice Theocracy, where the Church’s power is strong. Thus, I couldn’t stand up to the student council backed by the Church due to these entanglements. In the countryside, the church’s authority often outweighs that of the local lord, highlighting the Church’s influence.

Secondly, they offered significant benefits for joining the council, such as reduced tuition fees, job placement assistance upon graduation, and other perks for school life.

In short, I was bound by both carrots and sticks. As a result, I was dragged into the student council executive committee’s organization and ended up doing menial tasks every day.

The Student Council Executive Committee consists of the President (Executive Director), Vice President (Deputy Director), Secretary, Treasurer, and Committee Members. Positions up to Secretary and Treasurer are completely occupied by noble members of the Eunice Theocracy. Someone like me, an outsider, couldn’t directly influence the council’s operations and had to obediently follow orders as a mere errand boy—or so I thought…

♦♢♦

“Oh, Priest—I mean, Cestlavie, are you having lunch here too?”

During the lunch break, I wandered around the courtyard with a humble paper bag containing a sugar-coated bread roll I had bought from the school store. Spotting Cestlavie Lowe, a new member of the student council executive committee, sitting alone on a bench and flipping through a notebook while eating, I couldn’t resist calling out to him.

“…Ah, um, you’re from the student council…”

His face showed recognition but struggled to recall my name.

“Elias. Elias Jan Bartek. We’re in the same group for the upcoming field study,” I added with a wry smile, feeling the need to explain. “Mind if I join you? Eating lunch alone is a bit lonely, even if it’s just the two of us guys.”

He didn’t object, so I took the liberty of sitting next to him and unwrapping my lunch. Seeing my meal, Cestlavie’s expression turned to one of surprise.

“My family is a poor noble household, and I’m the good-for-nothing third son. I have to cut costs to make ends meet,” I explained preemptively, as it was a usual occurrence.

His response was a disinterested “I see.”

He’s a peculiar fellow, I thought. Normally, when other students see someone from a noble family in shabby clothes with a meager meal, they’d either bombard them with curious questions or look at them with a mix of pity and superiority. But Cestlavie genuinely seemed uninterested and only gave a perfunctory nod.

He’s an odd one… No, thinking about it, he’s a mysterious figure in his own right.

He was from the Eunice Theocracy and held the rank of Priest at such a young age, earning him the nickname “prodigy.” However, being from a commoner background, he was just an ordinary member of the student council, like me… Yeah, I really only knew the superficial basics about him.

Given his position and the constant aura of “can’t be bothered” he exuded, even other members of the student council didn’t willingly engage with Cestlavie. I was usually busy, and the higher-ups in the student council didn’t like it when I talked to him, so I had mostly avoided him. But this time, my curiosity slightly outweighed my caution.

“By the way, that looks like quite a delicious meal you’re having. Doesn’t seem like a takeaway from the school cafeteria either.”

Cestlavie was eating a baguette sandwich, stuffed to the brim with lettuce, smoked salmon, ham, cheese, egg salad, pickles, tomatoes, paprika, bacon, and roast chicken. It was a sumptuous dish, and just looking at it made my mouth water. It was a real feast for the eyes.

Despite his shabby appearance and unkempt hair, which made me think he was a fellow poor student, it seemed he wasn’t as hard up for money as he looked.

“Oh, this is from that place called… Leti-something-Café. I got it as a takeaway.”
“Leti…? You mean, Letindüte?!”
“…Yeah, I think that’s it.”
“They have that kind of menu too! I’ve heard great things about it, but it seems expensive and I was worried about the dress code, so I’ve never been there.”
“You don’t need to. Sure, it’s pricier than the school cafeteria, but it’s so good I’d skip two or three meals just to eat there. And I’ve never had any complaints even though I always go dressed like this.”

Cestlavie pulled at his worn-out, old uniform and laughed self-deprecatingly.

Technically, uniforms are formal attire for students, so there shouldn’t be any problem wearing them anywhere. But there are plenty of places that don’t welcome obviously poor people like us. Cestlavie must have had his own experiences of being turned away or treated poorly.

I suddenly felt a strong sense of kinship with him. And contrary to my initial impression that he was unfriendly, he answered all my questions and seemed to be quite considerate and sociable.

“Really? Maybe I’ll give it a try sometime. But do you eat there often?”

I asked, thinking he might be a foodie, but instead of replying, Cestlavie took out a bundle of some kind of paper slips from his pocket and waved it at me.

“I got a set of ten meal coupons from that cafe. A couple of days ago, Jill gave me a bunch more as a thank you for ‘letting me catch the Chairwoman off guard,’ so I’ve been using them without hesitation.”
“Wow, lucky you. —So, who’s this big-hearted-Jill?”²　
“…Aah, hmm. I think her name is Julia Fortuna or something, she’s the noble who owns the cafe. I tend to call her by her nickname.”

Hearing the unexpected name slip from Cestlavie, I almost choked on my bread roll.

Leave a comment

Although it’s dubbed a field study, it’s essentially a short trip utilizing the academy’s accommodations located in a remote area. Each group consists of about five to six students, gathered into larger groups of thirty to forty, accompanied by several teachers and instructors. Over the course of three weeks, we will visit historical sites and landmarks within the Livitium Imperial Kingdom, conduct on-site research, and compile reports.

As I listed the members of my group, Chairwoman Mei’s expression subtly shifted.

“That’s quite a formidable group you’ve got there. If anything goes wrong, it could tarnish the academy’s reputation, or worse, shake its very foundation. I can only feel sorry for the chaperones.”
“Indeed. I will do my utmost to protect everyone. Even if it costs me my life.”
“No, no, if anything, it’s your safety that’s most paramount… I mean, all students are equally important to the academy. There’s no hierarchy. So, don’t overexert yourself, no matter what. Understand?”
“Yes. But I will take action if there’s something I can do.”

It’s not just negligence, but a crime, if someone capable doesn’t act when necessary.

“Ugh. This stubbornness, as expected of Regina’s disciple. I’d prefer you to play the damsel in distress, protected by a prince.”
“That’s… not possible, given the group.”

I thought of the genuine princesses accompanying us, Viola and Lieselotte, and tilted my head.

The two are now famed as the academy’s top beauties—often including me out of pity, likely as comedic relief—but both are too assertive to be considered delicate flowers sheltered in a glasshouse.

While Chairwoman Mei pondered this, I seized the moment to launch my prepared ‘trump card.’

“What’s this…?”

With a puzzled expression, the chairwoman blinked.

I immediately recited the activation spell.

“―Dart!”

♦♢♦

“How about it, Prince Lucas? The Theocracy of Eunice is the most historical and traditional sacred place in all of Livitium—no, on the entire continent. Our entire student council unanimously recommends it as the perfect destination for your visit, including the princesses.”

In a small meeting room after school.

The student council president, Barry Carter, who had introduced himself as such, was an overly serious-looking boy with glasses. He spoke in a polite yet somewhat assertive manner, extolling the virtues of the Theocracy of Eunice to Luke and the others as an excellent place for learning.

The group was gathered to discuss the upcoming field study. Out of the six groups assembled, one was composed of Viola and Lieselotte’s entourage, while the remaining four groups were all associated with the student council. This revealed an extremely biased composition, likely the result of the student council’s manipulations.

Though internally weary of Barry’s lavish praise of his homeland, Eunice, Luke listened and responded with polite nods, as expected.

Just as Barry, growing more confident, was about to heap more flowery praises on Eunice, “…To claim it is the best in Livitium in front of me, the princess of the Cilento Central Kingdom, is quite audacious.” Princess Lieselotte frowned in displeasure.

“Of course not, Princess Lieselotte! I have no intention of belittling your country. I am simply suggesting that the Theocracy of Eunice is the most suitable place for our field study. Of course, we hold the Cilento Central Kingdom, the heart of the Livitium Imperial Kingdom, in the highest respect and affection. However, it is a relatively young nation, having been founded just over a century ago. I feel that it might be somewhat inappropriate as a place for Prince Lucas and Princess Viola, who have come from other countries, to learn about the deep history and tradition of this northern region.”

“I see, I understand your intention well. Your suggestion for the investigation site is out of consideration for me and Prince Lucas… hm, I appreciate your thoughtfulness.” Viola intercepted Lieselotte’s attempt to argue back, responding with a deft smile.

However, to Luke and those seated nearby, Viola’s murmurs were clearly audible: “I’m astonished that Jill is not even considered, only focusing on me and Prince Lucas,” and “This is not a suggestion but a blatant attempt to win us over.”

Barry, taking Viola’s superficial words at face value, beamed widely and nodded repeatedly, feeling he had won her over. “Oh no, it is all for the betterment of your school life. If it serves you well, the entire student council is happy to be of service.”

“Service with the expectation of specific rewards or benefits.”

Lieselotte’s scornful remark, fortunately or unfortunately, did not reach Barry or the other members of the student council executive committee.

“In any case,” Luke, though fed up, maintained his firm stance and looked Barry straight in the eye as he continued, “Since the group divisions have been decided and the majority of the groups have expressed their preference for the Theocracy of Eunice, it seems we have no other choice, correct?”

“Not at all. Today’s discussion is precisely for deciding that. If any of you have other candidate sites with clear justifications, we are open to discussing them.”

In unison, the faces of everyone in Barry’s group put on congenial smiles.

The only one not following suit was a boy with disheveled black hair, dressed rather shabbily, leaning against the window and watching this charade with a bored expression.

Though slightly intrigued by the boy’s stance, Luke shrugged at Barry’s clearly rigged proposal.

“I don’t have any particular alternative. However, I believe there is something to learn from any place, regardless of the length of history.”
“I concur. Conversely, even a long history can be devoid of meaningful lessons.”
“Personally, I’d rather go to a bright and lively place over a gloomy one.”
“Haha. I’m with you, Daniel. Moreover, it would be perfect if there are many beautiful girls.”

Lieselotte, Daniel, and Viola each voiced their opinions freely.

Barry, noticing their lack of enthusiasm, forced a strained smile. However, taking advantage of the lack of outright objections and counting on their numerical superiority, he declared unilaterally, “It seems there are no issues, then. The field study will be at the Theocracy of Eunice. Details will be coordinated later among the group representatives.”

“……” Luke and the others shrugged silently.

“Now, the destination will be the Arlea region in the eastern part of the Theocracy of Eunice, where our school’s retreat is located. This is the place where the revered Holy Maiden Clara trained, and even today, many aspiring priestesses visit for training. I’m sure this will meet Your Highness Viola’s expectations as well.”

“I’m looking forward to it,” Viola said, smiling with sparkling eyes, despite her slight grimace.

Daniel, on the other hand, made a sour face and muttered, “Serious priestesses, huh…”

Meanwhile, Luke furrowed his brow. “The place where Holy Maiden Clara trained…”

In his mind, he pictured the beautiful and precious girl who closely resembled Clara.

She had a special lesson with the Chairwoman today, so she didn’t join the meeting. But if Luke had known it would turn out like this, he would have brought her along by any means necessary. If she disliked the plan, he would oppose it at any cost.

(Later, I’ll explain everything to Jill. If she’s not keen, we can decline. In the worst case, we’ll leave this group and join another.)

Luke chuckled to himself, thinking that if they did that, the other members might also leave the group. After all, the members here had enough influence and determination to do so.

Although Luke didn’t like using authority in such a manner, it was the other side that had manipulated the group divisions first. If it came to that, there would be no need to hold back.

For now, Jill’s preference was his priority.

Resolving himself to this, Luke participated in the empty discussions.

Out of the corner of his eye, he noticed the black-haired boy looking listlessly into the distance.

This boy had kept himself apart from the other student council members. However, when Clara’s name was mentioned earlier, Luke thought he sensed a change in the boy’s demeanor. But now, seeing his nonchalant attitude, Luke couldn’t be sure.

(Who is he…?)

Feeling a vague sense of unease, Luke returned his gaze to the front.

The student council members, led by Barry, continued to present various plans, interspersed with safe answers and questions.

As time passed, Luke realized that the boy by the window had left the small meeting room at some point.

Thinking he might meet the boy again if fate allowed, Luke refocused his attention.