Would you like a cup of cocoa?

Two years.

It’s enough time for many changes to occur.

As much as the time before was terrible, efforts to erase those traces were actively made everywhere.

But was this obsession too severe?

Focusing on erasing the traces, the public came to treat everything from the war negatively, and this damage began to extend even to those called heroes.

What was considered justice at the time was caught for being inhumane, people were discriminated against just for having a military background, and it wasn’t uncommon for their injuries or mental suffering to be neglected without understanding…

This influence was applied without exception not only to ordinary soldiers but also to officers and nobles with political influence.

‘For the following reasons, I will have to detain you, Viscount Jogret.’

Gilbert Jogret.

The current head of the Jogret family, which has been producing staff officers for the Imperial Army for generations, was known to the public as a ruthless officer who would use any means necessary for victory.

He was someone who would annihilate enemy forces without leaving any prisoners, and even use his own troops like consumables, boldly sending them into danger for the sake of results.

He claimed that it was unavoidable because it was war, but even that could only be overlooked if the person’s actions were righteous.

‘After the war ended, soldiers outside your jurisdiction are exposing what you did.’

It was common for him to ignore the instructions of the high command on his own or omit the results of operations in reports to avoid responsibility.

Sending soldiers to their deaths on the battlefield without explaining the risks of the operation, framing and imprisoning or executing soldiers who tried to dissuade him… These were all terrible acts that one could hardly believe a human had committed.

Of course, these were merely testimonies and circumstantial evidence, and without physical evidence, it could be tacitly overlooked.

Bringing up issues from that time in this era of peace would only lead to a chain of hatred, so even the Emperor could humbly turn a blind eye considering the achievements he had made.

‘But among the reports you wrote just before the end of the war, there was one like this. It said that the supply route heading to the western front was destroyed by an enemy attack, and some supplies were lost in the process…’

‘However, when we actually checked the operation site, the collapse of the supply route was not confirmed. So why were some of the supplies that were supposedly lost at that time found among the rebels who are currently active?’

Anti-imperialists.

They were armed forces opposing the politics and system led by the current Emperor, and as they caused conflicts even in times of peace, they were a group that needed to be eliminated in this era.

In this situation, weapons and supplies that were reported lost through false reports at the end of the war were found among them.

Wouldn’t anyone see this as collusion with them?

‘Of course, this is just a suspicion for now. It might be that someone with a grudge against you or the rebel forces fabricated this to bring you down.’

‘But since there’s a big possibility that it’s not, we can’t leave you alone like this. So for now, we intend to detain you until the investigation is over, but…’

It might be too much to call him a rebel when it’s just a suspicion, but the very act of being detained is the greatest dishonor for a noble.

For an ordinary noble, it would be strange not to disobey at least once even if it’s an imperial order.

‘I understand. I’ll comply for now.’

Nevertheless, Viscount Jogret accepted the detention without making any excuses.

His dignified demeanor made even the handcuffs placed on him for duty seem unnecessary, and those who heard the news couldn’t help but express their wariness.

‘What scheme does he have this time?’

‘No, whatever it is, I hope he just goes straight to execution.’

‘If he was only ruthless to the enemy, it would be one thing, but he’s the type who doesn’t hesitate to send his loyal subordinates to their deaths if given the chance.’

‘Whether it’s the Imperial Army or the Allied Forces, they must all be waiting for that man to die.’

If he had any public support, at least one person would have tried to defend him, but as he was being imprisoned in the imperial detention center, no one claimed his innocence.

If this atmosphere continues to the trial without clearing the suspicion of being a rebel, he will surely be sentenced to actual imprisonment.

The responsibility for this came to be borne by all those associated with the Viscount.

Not only his domain but also the families he interacted with.

And even the members of the Jogret family.

---

“Is that child the one?”

Beans Jogret.

The only heir of the Jogret family, the girl was currently preparing to finish her first semester after enrolling in Maris Academy.

And in a state of having achieved excellent grades, ranking second in both midterms and finals.

Naturally, as geniuses from all over the continent gather here, her level of attention is bound to be high, but ironically, this attention overlapped with family matters and began to have a negative effect.

“Yes, the daughter of the rebel.”

“Maybe it’s because her nature is foul, but no one approaches her.”

“Well, with a father like that, how could the daughter be any different?”

Was it because she focused only on her studies and neglected friendships?

Just as there was no one to claim her father’s innocence, all that came to his daughter were vicious rumors.

She too brushed it off as if it didn’t matter as long as they didn’t interfere, but such behavior acted as poison now, leading students to develop sadistic tendencies.

“Come to think of it, she only excels in grades, but even though she’s a noble, she shows no interest in socializing, right?”

“Maybe it’s because if she socializes, her rotten insides would be exposed. Perhaps her father planted her in this academy for the rebellion?”

“It wouldn’t be strange if something happened at any time. We might get caught up in it if we approach her carelessly.”

“We’d be lucky if it ended with just getting caught up. Did anyone see her fight in the dueling ground that time?”

“Yeah, it was incredible. If she gets serious, even the high school students wouldn’t be a match for her.”

“Just that much power running amok would blow away this whole area.”

“Scary. Why is the school keeping her here?”

“Could it be that even the school…”

Murmur, murmur.

Countless criticisms, suspicions, and prejudiced gazes were heard even just passing by…

This atmosphere showed no signs of improvement even after achieving second place in the final exams.

Some even claimed that such grades were the result of corruption, showing how deeply rooted perceptions are not easily erased.

‘Dad didn’t do anything wrong.’

Beans tried to ignore such gazes.

After all, she had always focused on honing herself without caring about others’ opinions from the beginning.

Even if such rumors are heard now, it doesn’t bother her at all.

‘There must be some misunderstanding. It’s nonsense that someone who has devoted everything to the Empire until now would dream of rebellion.’

She knew about the rumors about her father, but many of them must surely be due to slander.

Even if some were true, it was because the war had become so heated. It was so fierce that they would have been pushed back if they didn’t do such things, so her father had no choice but to resort to such measures.

And all of it was due to loyalty, solely for the sake of the Empire.

That heart still continues even now, emphasizing the importance of the military even in times of peace.

Thanks to that, the scale of the military’s dismantling didn’t grow too large, allowing for quick responses to terrorist acts by anti-imperialists.

‘Yes, even the Emperor acknowledges such achievements, so it’s okay.’

Surely things will be alright as time passes.

Although she tried to console herself in this way, in the end, it was just a conclusion she reached by thinking alone.

Ironically, the environment surrounding her was driving her father to be a criminal, and even shaking such convictions.

‘But what if, if it doesn’t resolve…’

At the moment when doubt sprouted due to anxiety about that.

“Now’s the time, throw it!”

A shout was heard from somewhere.

Along with it, there was a ‘thud’ sound at the back of her head, and her body tumbled to the ground.

Did something collide with her head?

As she felt her whole body becoming paralyzed from the shock, something came into Beans’ trembling eyes.

A broken flowerpot stuck in the ground. Dark red liquid was splattered around it.

‘Was this… what fell….’

That’s as far as her thoughts went.

As the sensation gradually disappeared from her body and even the pain subsided, she felt the turmoil in her heart vanishing.

All the distracting thoughts that had been troubling her since the news broke.

‘…It’s comfortable.’

As her blurring vision gradually closed, she felt someone approaching her.

“Beans! Are you okay!?”

A voice she hadn’t heard since that day, but had never forgotten even once…

A voice that even made her feel nostalgic.

---

“…Are you awake?”

A faint voice was heard as those recollections came to an end.

Reacting to it, Beans raised her body and gradually turned her gaze around as she led her dazed mind.

It was a place that was white all around.

The curtains, the walls, and the bed she was lying on…

“Ugh!”

As she was looking around, her head reflexively bowed down due to the pain felt in her head.

Immediately after, as her body twisted, she noticed something touching her legs.

A blonde girl… no, a boy sleeping with only his upper body hunched over on the bed.

‘Dale Enberton.’

A commoner student who proudly took first place in the written exam of this final exam as well.

Although he was exempted from grading in the practical exam for being a ‘special management subject’, even considering that, his achievements were undeniably impressive.

Unlike her, he didn’t even participate in regular classes and achieved victory against the continent’s top geniuses through self-study alone.

But why was such a child sleeping with his upper body leaning on the bed where she was lying?

“He brought you here after you collapsed.”

A voice was heard amidst her wondering.

As she turned to where the sound came from, she saw a kettle boiling on an alcohol lamp placed on the table.

“And he kept watching over you while you were sleeping.”

And in front of it, a woman pouring powder into a cup.

Noticing the distinctive scent of cocoa, Beans tensed up and looked up at the other person’s face.

“You are…”

“It’s been a while, hasn’t it been almost half a year since we faced each other directly like this?”

Seine Velvet.

The health teacher of Maris, and the current guardian of the top student who beat her.

“Would you like a cup of cocoa?”

On her lips was a kind smile directed at her.

A gentle smile that she couldn’t imagine would be shown to her, whom even the teachers had turned their backs on.