War of Words

“I didn’t expect to see the student who left for recuperation in the daily newspaper. A child who went to Bern to relieve mental fatigue jumping into a burning Diet building, haha.”

Creak─

“So, Yena Freud. A bright child like you couldn’t have failed to predict the repercussions of this incident…”

Lustet leaned on the desk without even sitting down, looking down at me with curved eyes.

“What are your thoughts?”

It was a smile that clearly contained no goodwill.

No, is it even a smile?

To be precise, his lips were drawn into a stern straight line beyond expressionlessness, so it could be called a murderous smile tinged with Lustet’s characteristic cold-bloodedness.

“…As a devoted citizen of Bern, and as a proud cadet of the Astrakhan Military Academy, I simply couldn’t ignore the ruffian who defiled our country’s sacred symbol.”

In the end, the only answer I could give in this room was a fundamental one.

“I believe I faithfully carried out the spirit of defending the fatherland that the Principal and instructors have always emphasized.”

I politely clasped my hands holding my cap in the middle, and carefully opened my mouth in the frosty atmosphere of the room.

“However, as I violated the duty of maintaining personal secrecy, which should be the top priority as an Astrakhan cadet, I will gladly accept any punishment.”

I bowed at a right angle, letting my disheveled hair, messed up from days of traveling by airship and truck, cover my face.

“I’m sorry for causing you concern.”

Rustle─

Even if I had entered the national Diet building by chance, would it be an excuse? Whatever the case, I had caused trouble for Lustet, so it was only right to humble myself.

“……”

Faced with this response, even Lustet couldn’t treat me carelessly anymore.

He just sighed deeply while pressing his brow, without adding any further comments. It was an exceedingly lenient treatment compared to the fault of a mere cadet who had overstepped and offended him.

It must be thanks to my strong backing.

A powerful halo of Erdoff’s recognition, something that couldn’t be exchanged for anything else, had been established. It meant that I was no longer just pretending to have influence, but truly had power.

Even if Lustet considered disciplinary action, this was why he couldn’t boldly make a decision.

Indeed, it’s better to have a cozy shelter than to be alone.

“Yena Freud.”

“Yes, Principal.”

“The more I look at you, the more confusing your age becomes.”

Until now, the title of being a cadet favored by Gartel and Lustet had existed but was of no use. At times like this, the Labor Party is really helpful.

“To keep a child who must have spent the night in a truck standing like this, I seem to have been too discourteous. Please, sit comfortably.”

In the end, there was no resumption of the lecture.

Clack!

“I hope this cup will help you relieve some fatigue.”

“I’ll drink it gratefully.”

Lustet, who had been saying nearly threatening words, seated me on the sofa and personally brought two cups of espresso and a bowl of sugar cubes to treat me.

“Sip.”

Although it wasn’t an action of genuine warmth, I still sipped the coffee appreciatively since he had served it.

“Ahh…”

It’s sweet.

Did he add sugar cubes?

Whether it was out of consideration for a student or not, adding the sweet additive to the unique bitter flavor of espresso resulted in an excellent taste that was both smooth and occasionally rough.

Indeed, it was the coffee bean enjoyed by the principal.

“Does it suit your taste?”

“The espresso you serve, Principal, always tastes so good that it feels too generous no matter when I drink it.”

“Haha, I’m glad to hear that.”

The once bleak office became more relaxed as it filled with the cozy aroma of coffee beans.

“Anyway, Yena Freud.”

“Yes, Principal.”

“I’m very curious about your thoughts.”

But this didn’t mean the conversation was over.

“I’d like you to speak frankly as a soldier of the fatherland who proclaims sincerity. It’s enough to exchange wordplay with politicians.”

Rather, a more suffocating pressure than before weighed on my shoulders.

“Your speech was a very touching one that struck a chord with the Bern people. Overcoming the shameful past of surrendering to foreign powers and being reborn as a new empire, a new Bern, haha!”

“…It’s an honor.”

“Even I was impressed by that part. Indeed, aren’t you the epitome of a magic officer full of pride and passion!”

Lustet gently put down the teacup with only dregs left at the bottom and leaned his upper body forward to the point of reaching the middle of the desk.

“That’s why I’m curious, Yena.”

He uttered the words of the sentence carefully at a close distance where even the wrinkles of his eagle-like eyes were visible.

“In the future of Bern that you dream of, what form do the Labor Party and the Imperial Army take?”

On the surface, it was an utterly ordinary question. It could have been seen as nothing special, just asking a student no different from a disciple out of interest in the content of the speech.

If this meeting hadn’t been an uncomfortable one caused by the news of joining the Labor Party, it would have been quite a credible inference.

“……”

But the problem is that it’s not.

An uncomfortable silence passed. It felt like a very long time had passed, though it might have been only about ten seconds.

How should I answer?

Lustet’s intention in asking such a question was clear. Since I had publicly taken political steps, he wanted to know my exact position on it.

I immediately grasped the implied meaning, as I wasn’t in a position to be oblivious.

“I believe it’s natural that the Labor Party is responsible for the country’s growth, and the Imperial Army for the country’s security.”

Then the answer was set.

“While the terribly shattered foundation of Bern is being rebuilt, won’t the Bern Army proudly display its national strength by defending the fatherland from the vicious foreign forces?”

Then, the answer I would give was decided.

“Even if the mountains turn white, the day breaks and shows freshness again, and colorful autumn leaves return once more, this will be an unchanging role.”

With the man right in front of me being the Commander-in-Chief of the Bern Army and the Principal of Astrakhan, how many words could be possible?

It would be like digging my own grave to bring up and defend the Storm Troopers, which he’s clearly viewing with suspicion, or to openly express opinions from the Labor Party’s side.

“…Even if the world undergoes drastic changes.”

I didn’t unnecessarily provoke Erdoff’s mood with provocative statements.

I don’t want to sympathize either.

Just because I became a party member doesn’t mean my aversion to the Labor Party would disappear. Rather, facing those culprits of Bern’s downfall only strengthened my disdain.

“……”

After conveying heartfelt words to the best of my ability as a cadet, silence once again fell in the office.

“I see.”

There was no particular reaction.

Trudge, trudge, creak!

After the continuous conversation came to a full stop, he didn’t give any further response and simply moved to his desk with slow steps.

Was it a satisfactory answer that brought the conversation to an end, or was he disappointed and left because it wasn’t worth continuing the casual talk?

“Good job, Yena. You must be tired.”

“Not at all.”

“I wanted to hear the story of you, the hero who caught the arsonist, haha. You can go now.”

Only Lustet himself would know the inner meaning.

“Then, thank you for your time.”

“Mm, rest well.”

I saluted the principal who was trying to focus on work while wearing his monocle, then gathered my coat and cap and turned to leave.

---

Click!

“Is she capable, or arrogant…”

As the office was left empty, Lustet’s muttering filled the room as he stared blankly at the desk.

‘Unnecessarily capable, that one.’

Should it be called the vigor of youth? In his life as a military academy principal? No, in the long period where his mustache was turning white, this was the first time he had encountered such an aggressive type.

Of course, there were plenty who tried to bring about social change with their beliefs or achieve lofty goals.

But most failed.

They lacked ability and luck didn’t favor them.

But look at Yena Freud. She goes on vacation, happens to discover and arrest an arsonist, and uses this opportunity to meet Erdoff, whom even I have only seen a few times?

‘What kind of heavenly luck is this?’

She’s proving her potential while also being favored by fortune. Of ordinary birth, and with no exceptional abilities, yet she stands out the most among the new cadets.

‘Whether that’s in a positive or negative sense.’

Wolf of the Ernst family, who was expected to achieve greatness, is stuck in a rut, and Lina, who was judged to be overwhelmingly superior, is now overshadowed by Yena Freud.

Thud!

Lustet covered the documents with his hand and took off his monocle with its chain, looking up at the ceiling with weary eyes.

Is it just the soon-to-be-extinguished spark of youth, or is it truly the dawn of another upheaval, emerging from the period of stagnation that he was certain would last forever after the Great War…

“I’ve grown old too.”

We’ll have to live long and see which it is.

“The Labor Party…”

Lustet closed his eyes tightly while looking out at the corridor beyond the door.