Ch.210Side Story: Summer Festival – 3

“Is it that fun?”

“How could it not be?”

Beyond Laura, who was giggling while looking at her smartphone, I could see a photo displayed on the screen. It was a picture taken at the exact moment Eichenhart was knocked out by a flick to the forehead. The one I had taken for her.

In the photo, Eichenhart’s neck was sunk down, her shoulders raised in contrast, her face scrunched up as if holding back a sneeze, and her arms awkwardly bent like a Tyrannosaurus rex.

“You two don’t get along? You seem pretty happy looking at that photo.”

“It’s not that we don’t get along. It’s just that I’m unilaterally uncomfortable with her because of the truth I’m hiding. How could I not feel awkward when another woman likes me? And it seems she genuinely likes me for who I am, not for my family name.”

“Laura likes you, or the Crown Prince?”

“Obviously the Crown Prince, why even ask? That woman doesn’t have same-sex preferences, so if she knew the truth, she’d naturally distance herself… But my father in this world says it’s not yet time to reveal my true gender. He says I should at least wait until I ascend to the imperial throne.”

I thought it might be fine to reveal it now since the succession war had completely ended with Laura’s victory, but the Emperor probably knows better than I do about these matters. I decided to just accept it.

“Anyway, being romantically pursued by someone of the same gender is quite burdensome. Didn’t you feel that acutely when you thought I was the Crown Prince rather than the Crown Princess?”

“…”

I felt it to my core. When I substituted myself for Laura and Laura for Eichenhart in my mind, I immediately understood Laura’s feelings.

“I flatly rejected her, saying she’s not my type, but then she said she would become my type of woman if I told her what my preferences were. She said that while she must maintain the dignity of a duchess in public, in bed she would be willing to become any kind of vulgar woman I desired.”

“She seems completely smitten with you. Why not accept her advances, considering her sincerity?”

Laura shot me a sharp glare. I lightly patted her thigh, smiling to indicate I was just joking.

“How could I not laugh when that annoying woman not only got caught in such an unflattering pose but also had her pride completely flattened?”

Our free sparring session ended up being scheduled last.

Even that wasn’t a proper match. Laila Academy and Rosemary Academy would have grade-based sparring matches, and the next day, our academy would join in for a free-for-all match.

They must have realized they would be overwhelmed if they faced us one-on-one or in team battles. But their pride wouldn’t allow them to ask for leniency.

In a free-for-all, they could at least make the excuse that Laila and Rosemary academies were too busy fighting each other to unite against us.

“Speak of the devil, here she comes.”

I gestured with my chin. Eichenhart Renitus was walking toward us with hesitant steps. I removed the sound-blocking spell to prepare for our guest.

Priscilla, who had been practically nestled against me, compromised by linking arms instead, and Laura casually draped her outer garment over the sofa, which she had taken from me.

“So here you are, Mira Crate.”

Eichenhart approached and greeted me. Her expression showed she was trying hard to erase the embarrassment still lingering on her face. It seemed especially difficult with Laura present.

“Awake now, Eichenhart? How’s the spot where you were hit?”

Laura struck first. The embarrassment that Eichenhart had just managed to suppress visibly flooded back. A sound of gritted teeth escaped between her lips.

“I’m perfectly fine, Your Highness… There’s no need for such concern.”

“Nonsense. You are, after all, the daughter of House Renitus. It would be most troubling if you had developed a bump from ‘being knocked out by a flick to the forehead.’ As the Imperial Crown Prince, it’s my duty to inquire about the condition of the area that was ‘struck hard enough to make you pass out.'”

“Eek, eeeek…!”

Watching Laura deliberately emphasize certain phrases to make her intentions obvious, Eichenhart trembled, unable to offer even the slightest rebuttal.

“So, what brings the daughter of House Renitus, who faints from a single flick to the forehead, here? As you can see, our conversation isn’t finished yet. I’d prefer you leave unless it’s absolutely necessary. You’ll be back tomorrow anyway, won’t you?”

“…No. I have something to do now.”

After taking several deep breaths, Eichenhart finally looked at me instead of Laura. Her face had regained the dignity of a proud duke’s daughter.

“That last sparring match was truly excellent, Mira Crate.”

“Um… thank you?”

I awkwardly accepted the unexpected compliment. I suppose it’s better coming from the person who got knocked out than from me, which would just be rubbing it in.

“If it’s not too much trouble, I’d like to speak with you privately for a moment. Could you spare some time?”

“Absolutely not. It would be troublesome, so go away.”

Priscilla, clinging to my side, growled.

Come to think of it, Priscilla was also of a status that could openly confront this young lady who had fainted from my flick. One was from House Agnes, the other from House Renitus.

“I’m not trying to steal your man, Miss Priscilla. Didn’t I tell you? There’s only one person in my heart.”

—Ugh.

Laura made a small gagging sound.

She doesn’t particularly like women either, so I wonder how Eichenhart would react if Laura’s true gender were revealed. The shock would be considerable, I imagine.

“Mira, are you going?”

Priscilla looked up at me with pitiful eyes. She seemed to think it wasn’t her decision to make anyway.

“I’ll be right back.”

“…Okay.”

I stood up, openly patting her head. Priscilla’s face melted. Eichenhart watched with a raised eyebrow. That was intentional—to show her and to appease Priscilla’s discontent.

In return, Laura’s eyes narrowed, but there was nothing she could do about it here.

“This way.”

I followed Eichenhart around the building. When we reached a secluded spot, she cast a sound-blocking spell, then leaned against the wall with her arms crossed and legs crossed.

“Since I shouldn’t take too much of your time, I’ll dispense with formalities. Don’t worry about being rude either—just be comfortable.”

“Alright. So, why did you call me here?”

“I’ll be direct. Help me.”

“With what?”

Eichenhart paused briefly, then let out a sigh.

“This is the first time I’m revealing this to someone other than His Highness, so listen carefully and never breathe a word of it to anyone. The truth is… I’m in love with His Highness the Crown Prince.”

I know.

The person in question told me directly.

“Is that so.”

“You’re not surprised. I like that composure. If you weren’t already claimed by His Highness and Lady Priscilla, I might have invited you to work under me. What a shame.”

She’d need to overcome many more obstacles than just those two if she wanted to invite me to work under her.

“I’m the type who doesn’t dwell much on the past as long as someone isn’t evil. Even if, thanks to you, my attempt to make a good impression backfired and made me a laughingstock instead.”

“I regret that.”

“It’s fine. The fault was mine, so I can’t blame others. What’s past is past, so don’t worry too much about it.”

I nodded. At least she has her head on straight.

“The reason I called you out is to ask for your help with His Highness and me. He seems to like you very much. Oh, of course, I mean as a subordinate.”

“I assumed as much, but even so, I don’t see how I can help.”

Considering that the reason for his dislike isn’t something that can be fixed with effort, but simply because they’re both women, it’s essentially a hopeless struggle.

“You’re both men. I’m not asking for much. Couldn’t you casually ask what type of woman he prefers during a conversation?”

“…You mean ask His Highness?”

“Yes. My instincts are never wrong. You could ask such a thing without any trouble. In fact, you’d probably get an answer. How could someone without such discernment be called the future head of House Renitus?”

Her direction is quite off, but she does have good instincts. I really could get an answer.

“This isn’t a one-sided deal. I’ll pay a fair price. I’ll help you get along well with Priscilla Agnes.”

“We’re already getting along well. You saw me patting her head earlier.”

“That’s exactly why I’m saying this. I’m offering something that can’t be bought with His Highness’s power or your family’s money.”

“And what would that be?”

“Of course there is. Despite appearances, I was quite close with Lady Priscilla when we were young. We grew apart after we turned 15, but I heard quite a lot before then.”

Eichenhart’s eyes gleamed.

“For instance… what kind of date atmosphere she prefers.”

On the day of the festival.

The gates of Bellium Academy opened precisely at 9 AM as announced. People who had been waiting in front began pouring in.

More prestigious nobles entered through dimensional gates they had reserved in advance by paying extra, while slightly lower-ranking nobles waited at the main gate, dignity be damned.

This was because the Emperor, at Laura’s request, had warned that “if you’re going to wait, the actual participants should do it themselves.” It was to prevent the disaster of servants being sent to wait a week before the festival opened.

It’s what would be commonly referred to as an “open run” on Earth.

“Wow, insane. Look at all these people.”

Rosaria stuck out her tongue at the sight of the crowds pouring in from the distance.

The area that could be called “Bellium Academy” was incredibly vast.

The dormitory buildings, lecture halls, dining halls, and other facilities maintained appropriate distances from each other for students’ convenience, but if you included all the other places, it would be about the size of a decent island.

Yet this was the first time I wondered if that space might not be enough. I thought the popular booths would be absolutely swamped. It was probably even more crowded because this was the first time the academy had been opened to outsiders.

“Let’s start getting ready.”

I opened a dimensional gate, infused mana into the core of the artificial dungeon, and came back out. Rosaria approached a temporary building nearby and grabbed some drinks. Beside her, Elisier was nudging her, asking for one too.

We could afford to take our time. Among all the clubs with experience conditions, ours had the toughest requirements. Even most academy students wouldn’t stand a chance.

This was partly to prevent everyone from flocking to our place just because of our reputation, and partly because artificial dungeons, which recreate magical beasts and demons, are inherently dangerous.

“Well, well, it’s been a while.”

Our first visitor arrived before long. It was Valera, the great magician who had once been Laura’s teacher and with whom I was also slightly acquainted.

“It has been a while, Lady Valera.”

“Don’t stand on ceremony. I’ll treat you more casually too. You can treat me like you treat those Magic Tower Masters.”

“…I don’t think that would be appropriate.”

Despite her permission, it felt wrong to treat an elderly woman who looked to be in her 70s the way I treated those people. Her speech and mannerisms were completely different too.

“As the teacher of our Laura, who participated in creating this dungeon, it wouldn’t be right for me to just pass by. Those foolish disciples of mine were making such a fuss about how amazing it is, I had to see it with my own eyes.”

Valera put on a magical device on her wrist. It was a device developed by the chairman, inspired by hunter watches, that displayed the output of leaked mana.

I was planning to wear one too when acting as the boss. Since there was no way any academy student could defeat me, I would limit my output and let them win if they could make me use more mana than the limit.

“I can’t destroy a carefully crafted dungeon, so I’ll limit my output. The safety measures are in place, correct?”

“Yes, they are.”

“Well then, let’s go.”

Valera, who was about to leisurely enter the dungeon, stopped in her tracks.

“Oh, child. What was the name of the creature guarding the core? I’m sure my disciples told me, but I must be getting old—it’s slipping my mind.”

The name of the dungeon boss—I could certainly tell her that. I opened my mouth with satisfaction.

“It’s the Nano-Tech Mecha Tyrannosaurus.”