Ch.134To Alfheim (1)

Despite the brief incident, everything went smoothly. Even if Arwen had offered to leave, I’d been worried she might secretly watch, but those concerns disappeared once we entered the main room.

Right now, dealing with this mischievous cat properly was the priority. Marie begged for forgiveness during the process, but it was useless to me who was already fully excited.

In the end, Marie skipped dinner and could only return to her dormitory late at night. Because her legs had gone weak from our intense activity, I had to support her.

When we finally arrived at the girls’ dormitory, before sending Marie off, I gently stroked her head and said in a half-teasing manner:

“Don’t play tricks like that anymore. Understand?”

“Hmph…”

Marie’s face turned red as she grumbled, but she didn’t say anything else. Having boldly pounced on me only to be thoroughly defeated in return, she had nothing to say even with ten mouths.

“…I’m exercising hard, so just wait and see.”

“I’m sure you are. Nothing special tomorrow?”

“Not really, but Rina said she wants to talk about something. We can discuss it then.”

There really wasn’t anything special. Having meals with Rina had become routine, so we just needed to talk.

However, Rina had been acting a bit strange lately—or perhaps suspicious is the better word. Whenever she saw me, she would subtly avoid eye contact and glance elsewhere.

I can definitely say it’s not romantic interest. I’ve only played pranks on her rather than showing kindness, so there’s no way affection could build up.

Besides, since Rina put aside her authority, she only thinks of me as a comfortable friend, nothing more.

From the beginning, I don’t meet her as often as Marie or Cecilly—just two or three times a week, and only during meals.

We’ve never met alone, and after I started dating Marie, we’ve barely had any contact.

“Alright. Go get some rest. I’ll feel bad if you can’t get up tomorrow.”

“Hmph. Thanks to someone, my stamina has improved so much that this is nothing.”

“Really? Then if we go to the inn now…”

“But tomorrow’s lectures are more important, so I’ll be going. Goodbye!”

As soon as I subtly grabbed her waist and suggested in a low voice, Marie hurriedly broke away. Her legs wobbled momentarily from weakness, but she steadfastly headed toward the dormitory.

Of course, she wasn’t coldly walking away—she turned back and flashed a bright smile. She even blew a seductive kiss.

I smiled and waved at Marie, who seemed to grow more charming by the day. As I always think, I’m truly happy that Marie is my girlfriend.

‘Let’s head back to the dormitory.’

Since I left the dormitory around 8 o’clock, I still have time to write the speech for Arwen. I can pause my writing and focus on the speech for a week without any problems.

Moreover, there’s one content that fits perfectly with Alfheim’s situation on the brink of division: Abraham Lincoln’s speech that unified America during the devastating Civil War.

The great president who abolished slavery and truly united America. His speech was considered a failure at the time, but later became recorded in history as a great oration.

‘I don’t remember all of it, but…’

I like World War II, so I remember Hitler’s speeches, but I barely know Lincoln’s Gettysburg Address except for parts of it.

Still, even those parts should be effective enough. The key now is to make those famous quotes come out naturally.

‘I feel like a shadow power broker.’

The worst incident that shook South Korea in my previous life came to mind—when democracy nearly collapsed, but citizens came forward to bring down the president.

I worried that Arwen might discover I wrote her speech, but she’s a genius who can memorize everything at a glance, so there shouldn’t be a problem. She’ll probably skim through the speech once I deliver it and then burn it.

I just need to pray that Arwen delivers the speech well. In fact, my helping with the speech is already tremendous political involvement.

I’m probably so nonchalant about it because Arwen feels more like a friend than a queen to me. I also admire her sense of responsibility, shown when she bowed her head deeply for her mistakes.

‘I wonder if I could ask Cyris to let me watch the speech?’

Alfheim has complicated entry procedures, but once you’re in, there are no further inspections. I’ve heard that many people attempt illegal entry because of this.

Even teleportation can only be directed outside the country, except for a select few. Gartz told me they activate some kind of barrier magic, and only those with direct permission from the king know how to bypass it.

‘She’ll come back for the speech anyway.’

I headed to my dormitory, looking forward to a week later.

*****

The next day arrived. As Marie mentioned yesterday, I had a meal with Rina, and there really wasn’t anything special to discuss. Of course, Cecilly sat beside Rina.

I was used to sitting with these four people now, so I didn’t have much to say, but the other three were busy chatting away. The saying that “when three women gather, dishes break” wasn’t for nothing.

However, after we finished our meal and were enjoying dessert, Rina suddenly made an interesting proposal.

“Would you like to go to Alfheim?”

“Huh?”

It was a proposal to visit Alfheim, the land of elves. The suggestion was so unexpected that not only I but also Marie sitting next to me couldn’t help but open our eyes wide.

Rina isn’t someone who makes frivolous jokes. Judging by her characteristic expressionless face, she was genuinely proposing this to us.

“Why Alfheim all of a sudden?”

It was Marie, not me, who asked with a voice full of doubt. Understandably so, as Rina’s suggestion seemed abrupt and disconnected.

Classes were still in session, and it takes a long time to reach Alfheim. Assuming we travel by carriage, it would take at least several days.

Of course, Rina and Marie are royalty and a duke’s daughter, so they could use teleportation. But I’m not.

Meanwhile, Rina looked at us and quietly put down her teacup. A faint sound spread.

“You might have heard, but the Queen of Alfheim is scheduled to give a public address in six days. Since it’s Alfheim, it’s attracting a lot of attention. Moreover, it’s the new queen’s first address, so there’s even more interest.”

“I know that. But what does that have to do with us?”

“I thought it wouldn’t be bad to see it. It’s not appropriate for emperors or kings to attend such events in person, so people like you and me go instead. Ministers and officials from other countries will probably attend too.”

“If that’s the case, couldn’t you go with Leort?”

I agree with Marie’s question. Typically, Rina would go with Leort, not Marie, for such events.

Reading our expressions, Rina gave an embarrassed smile and explained the current situation one by one.

“My brother is currently busy with engagement matters. The Kingdom of Teres is pushing for marriage.”

“Teres Kingdom? Why suddenly?”

“It’s not sudden. It’s been going on since after the exhibition. Thanks to Xenon, or rather Issac, revealing his hometown, our empire seized an opportunity. You know what it means for a place to be the birthplace of a world-renowned master.”

As everyone knows, my hometown, the Mayshall territory, is gradually developing into a cultural city. Even after the exhibition ended, tourists keep coming to view the displayed works, and merchant groups are visiting.

Moreover, the Mayshall territory was originally eyed by the imperial family. They had merely postponed development due to other priorities, but since the exhibition, they’ve been pushing development like a bulldozer.

Above all, by confessing that Mayshall territory is my hometown, it gained significant cultural benefits, so the Kingdom of Teres can’t help but be anxious.

“That’s why there’s talk of transferring their second princess to our academy. You don’t need to worry about it. The second princess is the same age as my brother and is uneducated.”

“What’s her name?”

“Hyria Ducard von Curtures. A woman with sky-blue hair and sky-colored eyes.”

“…”

Was she that taciturn woman at the exhibition? I recall she stood out because she was wearing a uniform.

However, I can’t say she’s someone I like. She was one of the culprits who made Adelia cry. She even instructed her own sister not to approach me.

‘Sister Adel will have a hard time…’

I wish Leort would transfer to Teres Kingdom’s academy instead, but the Minerva Empire clearly holds the initiative. The Kingdom of Teres knows this, which is why they’re sending Hyria.

I felt a bitter taste in my mouth. I wonder if Rina knows that Adelia is the illegitimate child of the Teres king, and that she has severe trauma from being abandoned by her family.

“Anyway, my brother is busy with personal matters and can’t go. But it’s awkward for me to go alone, so I want to go with you all.”

“I understand for me, but why Issac? Only we know his true identity.”

Marie is right. Unless I’m known as the author of “Biography of Xenon,” on the surface, I’m just a baron’s son. Compared to an imperial princess and a duke’s daughter, my position is far inferior.

It would be much better if at least an earl or higher went, or if just Rina and Marie went together.

To such a question, Rina smiled and said something that tickled Marie’s heart.

“That’s true, but it’s not a problem for engaged couples. Although you haven’t officially announced your engagement, you’re planning to, right?”

“Are you going to ask for a favor later?”

As expected of a princess. Marie’s question was rendered trivial by her answer, leaving us with a mix of admiration and bewilderment.

This is no joke—in this world, being engaged is practically the same as being married. Marie and I haven’t officially announced our engagement, but since both our families are pushing for it, it’s half-confirmed.

So there’s no problem with Marie going to Alfheim as a duke’s daughter and me as her fiancé.

But there’s still an issue.

“Will we use teleportation? It takes too long by carriage.”

“Of course we’ll use teleportation. And we’ll depart two days before the speech. Alfheim has strict entry procedures for non-elves. It could take all day if we’re not careful, so it’s better to go early.”

In human society, teleportation is a magic that only nobles of earl rank or higher can use. Usually, each mansion has teleportation facilities installed, and for emperors or kings, they’re developed enough to cross national boundaries.

Of course, this is the current situation—teleportation facilities are showing signs of developing into a means of transportation. Not only Alfheim, which is pursuing an open policy under Arwen’s guidance, but demons are also gradually reaching out to the world.

Dwarves are a race that will do anything as long as they’re paid fairly, so that’s not an issue. The key is whether magic will be passed down to the general public.

‘Seeing that there are no magic towers yet, it’s still a long way off.’

While I was thinking this, Marie, having heard the precautions from Rina, began to ask detailed questions one by one, curious about more.

“Are there any precautions in Alfheim? It’s my first time going there too.”

“First, you need to be careful about who you talk to. Because of the racial wars, some elves dislike humans. Also, since it’s hard to determine age just by appearance, it’s better to refrain from speaking to them as much as possible.”

“I see. Where will we sit during the speech? Is there a separate VIP section?”

“No. The VIP section is naturally for Alfheim’s nobles, that is, the prestigious families. We’ll sit right behind them.”

If that’s the case, I wonder if Cecilly will come too. I shifted my gaze to Cecilly sitting next to Rina.

Even during our conversation, she sat silently.

Then, perhaps feeling my gaze, our eyes met, and I immediately spoke.

“Will you go too, Sister Cecilly?”

“I’d like to, but I wonder if Alfheim will accept demons. Unless the Queen herself permits it.”

Is she asking me to do it for her? I grimaced as Cecilly answered with a grin.

Sure, even if elves are pursuing an open policy, elves are still elves. It will certainly take a long time for them to accept demons, the descendants of devils.

Perhaps someone might shout about why a devil’s offspring has come to the sacred land of Alfheim. They’re already making a fuss about mixed-blood issues, so how much worse would it be for demons?

“Oh, Cecilly.”

“Yes?”

“I’m curious—are there no half-breeds between demons and humans?”

It was Marie’s question. Not just her, but also me and Rina were curious about this, as the three of us simultaneously showed our curiosity.

Amid such interest, Cecilly seemed a bit flustered, blinking her bright red eyes a couple of times before tapping her cheek with her finger. It’s her unique habit that appears whenever she’s thinking about something.

After thinking for a while, she answered in a somewhat ambiguous voice.

“Well… unlike elves, demons haven’t been treated well so far, so I haven’t heard of any half-breeds being born. If there were, Helium would have stepped in directly to protect them.”

“…Sorry.”

“No, there’s no need to apologize.”

When Marie apologized, Cecilly waved her hand saying it was okay, then shifted her gaze to me. She curled her lips more deeply and opened her mouth in a subtle voice.

“I think we might hear news of half-breeds being born soon. Right?”

“…”

Why are you looking at me while saying that? Of course, with demons gaining popularity day by day, news of half-breeds might indeed emerge.

I tried to appear calm as I picked up my teacup.

‘Come to think of it, her horns…’

Cecilly’s horns were starting to turn red, just like at the previous exhibition.

*****

During the brief moment when Issac left for the bathroom.

As soon as Issac vacated his seat, Rina carefully called out to Marie sitting across from her.

“…Marie?”

“Yes? What is it?”

“About staying in Alfheim for a day…”

“What about it?”

“Do you need a place with thorough soundproofing?”

Rina asked indirectly, but Marie understood exactly what she meant. At this, her cheeks flushed with embarrassment, and she answered with a shy expression.

“C-could you arrange that? It might get a bit noisy… Since it’s Alfheim, that should be possible, right?”

“Y-yes. Of course.”

Rina replied with an inexplicably reddened face.

“…Probably.”

The last word was so quiet that even Marie couldn’t hear it.

“Hmm…”

And Cecilly, sitting beside her, could hear it all. She looked at Rina’s face with a subtle gaze.

Whether she was already having lewd thoughts, her face was bright red, and she couldn’t even raise her head.

She was even crossing and uncrossing her legs as if something was itchy. She looked like a virgin seeing something risqué for the first time.

‘How cute.’

Cecilly inwardly chuckled at Rina’s lewdness.