Ch.229229. A Wish in the Snowy Winter (3)

In a place where only the two of us remained. Senior Senia once said something like that.

“You know well that Junon is someone who doesn’t easily open up. Don’t you think Junon is hiding something and not telling you?”

How does she know so well? Just listening to her talk, you’d think Senior Senia was practically Junon’s best friend.

Is that actually true? After all, she was once an underclassman who was treated poorly due to position troubles.

Hmm. If I were to answer that question, I could say she’s absolutely right.

I know from experience that he doesn’t open up easily. Junon himself even told me he has fears about people’s expectations.

So what’s the point that today’s expert instructor wants to make?

“Someone that rigid probably wouldn’t have room to see another person romantically. That’s almost certainly not the case. So you have no choice but to make the first move, Renias.”

She was saying that since he probably never even thought about women, I needed to make the first move.

But here’s where I got confused. Despite being called an expert instructor, she had given me instructions beforehand.

I carefully brought up the topic of Maria and asked about it. Then I began consulting about what I should do.

“Well, that’s not entirely wrong. From your position, it makes sense to keep other girls at bay. So that’s why you saw us as competitors.”

It’s embarrassing, but… that’s right! So I just need to stay by Junon’s side, right?!

“However, if keeping competitors away slows down your progress, that’s not good either. Since he’s someone who has trouble opening up, whoever opens the lid first wins.”

Progress? Opening the lid first? Winning?

-Renias. Don’t forget? What you should prioritize is—

“Oh!”

Senior Senia’s advice suddenly came flooding back to me.

I couldn’t help but gasp.

“Senior Senia told me to do everything she taught me…!”

That’s right.

Today, Senia, who became an expert instructor, had given Renias a separate mission.

“Aaahh… what should I do! I was so excited about making one dalgona that I forgot everything and didn’t do any of it…!”

Renias finally realized that she had been too excited and had forgotten all the instructor’s teachings.

She was so happy about completing the heart-shaped dalgona that she had grabbed Junon’s hand and hopped around in joy, but because of that, the plan went awry.

The next sticker. And the next one after that.

While collecting them, Renias was so immersed in the sense of accomplishment of having done it together with Junon that she had already missed several opportunities.

She did say she needed to go to the bathroom, but that was just buying a little time.

Trying to recall what she had already missed by counting on her fingers, she realized it was all over the place.

With several plans already ruined, the silver rabbit paced around muttering, “What should I do, what should I do?”

She had been more diligent than ever in memorizing what Senia had meticulously organized, but indeed, how much more could she accomplish from here?

It seemed like she might not be able to complete many tasks before the parade ended.

“Ugh. No. I need to come up with a plan even now…!”

But the silver rabbit, blowing air through her nose, clenches her fists determinedly and thinks again.

How to draw out Junon’s true feelings.

Meanwhile, Junon, who had collected three stickers, was sitting on a bench waiting for Renias who had gone to the bathroom.

The Real Winter Parade boasted the largest scale among annual events, so it was particularly crowded.

With so many people gathered, of course things would catch his eye. There were quite a few people who came to demonstrate for promotional purposes, like new technologies or materials.

So they caught Junon’s eye too.

Things that might be necessary for the Tembris party members, even if he himself might not be able to attain them.

“This, you see, originally only came from the Empire, but guess what? They found a mine in the Principality too! It’s called Badlight, very popular among noble ladies these days. What? What’s the one right next to it, you ask? Oh, you’ve got a good eye! This one’s called Elcherium, and if you grind it up and sprinkle it, they say it creates an atmosphere because of its unique light source.”

On the left is a crystalline mineral with a purple sheen, Badlight.

Named Badlight because it was only produced in the border region of Badrica in the Empire, its distinctive purple color makes it stand out for use in jewelry and accessories.

On the right is an amorphous mineral that emits a green fluorescence, Elcherium.

Similarly produced in small quantities only in specific regions of the Empire, it is treated similarly to Badlight due to its green fluorescence.

‘Even though they’re introducing them like that, neither of these minerals is suitable for jewelry.’

Magic armor has become the biggest factor in enhancing human power after years of research.

In hunting and subjugating magical beasts, it sometimes serves as a weapon, sometimes as armor, and now not only magic refinement but also freely handling magic armor is recognized as a skill and ability.

Thus, magic armor has evolved to optimize the magical power of an individual.

The first stage is to take on a weapon form like a mirage according to the type of magical power, and the second stage is to overlay it onto an actual weapon to create synergy with the user.

You might think it ends with improving proficiency so that any weapon can be used as magic armor…

But this year, magic armor evolves once again. This time, with the help of tools.

Badlight and Elcherium are used right here.

As materials for creating the final stage of magic armor, the Synchro Type, developed after extensive research.

Junon, who was carefully observing this, fell into contemplation.

‘Professor Muniher’s research shouldn’t be complete yet… That’s the problem.’

After the promotion, it will reach the ears of nobles. They’ll all rush to recognize the rarity and hurry to purchase.

The discovery of these important materials is good news, but the fact that they’ll just be used for accessories right now is not.

What to do.

It would be ideal if he could buy them in advance, but in the case of minerals, nobles and merchants who own the land have a tight grip on control, so they’ll quickly notice.

Once they notice, there will be an uncontrollable monopoly on the goods. They’re the type who are sensitive to the smell of money, having tried to dominate the Principality with money.

His worries deepen.

As Junon sinks into deep contemplation, a problem arises as if on cue.

Thud!

‘What’s that?’

In a place where there should only be spectators and promoters, the sound of a cart falling over was heard out of nowhere.

Along with the murmuring citizens. Footsteps naturally head in that direction.

.

.

.

“This is ridiculous. Are you trying to sell a low-grade item that could be bought for 250 Alte as a high-grade one?”

“Oh, oh my…! The purity is guaranteed! Both the Badlight and Elcherium were just discovered today, verified by an appraiser, and brought here!”

“Then the appraiser next to me is a half-wit who can’t appraise properly. Is that what you’re saying? Anyone would think you’re the appraiser.”

“Th-that’s…”

Rustle.

Bills flutter in the air and fall to the ground.

The merchants, with sad faces, were even on the verge of tears in their distress.

“It’s a legitimate purchase, so you shouldn’t have any complaints, right? Collect them well and go!”

The noble ordered his subordinates to pick up the cart, wearing a vile smile.

“No! This really is high-grade! If we bring that appraiser directly… Ack!”

“Shut up, you! How dare a lowly creature like you try to climb up!”

People who were enjoying the parade were shocked to see the noble bringing even soldiers from his family and throwing his weight around.

“At this rate, we won’t be able to continue our business. We’ll be in the red!”

“What, this guy still?”

“If that’s the case, I’ll return the money, so I won’t sell. No, I won’t even promote here, just please return it!”

“What an insolent fellow! Hey!”

When the man blocked the noble’s path, the noble reddened his face and even permitted his soldiers to beat him. The citizens watching were aghast and voiced their concern.

The club was raised from the sky toward the ground. The man who was about to be beaten had no idea and was just lying flat on the ground.

At that scene, a boy intervenes again.

Clang!

“!!!”

“Who the… Gack!”

There was a crashing sound as magical power wrapped around a hand met the club, and then with a thud! the soldier’s body collapsed with a dull sound to the chest.

“Oh, oh?”

“That person… isn’t that him?”

The black-haired boy bends down and extends his hand to the man who was promoting the goods.

“Y-you are…?”

“Would you mind explaining the situation?”

The black eyes show a desire to go wild right now, but there’s no intention to act without understanding the situation.

***

“I wondered who it was, but it’s that man who contributed to the subjugation of the Sacred Beast.”

The noble carefully observed Junon’s face, then clicked his tongue and sneered.

Meanwhile, Junon approached the man, heard the whole story, and stood up.

“Let’s hear your excuse first. Why did you just swing your fist at my family’s soldier? I justly pointed out that those are low-grade items and paid an amount matching the fair price. There shouldn’t be any problem.”

“What’s your evidence that they’re low-grade?”

“Here, I have my own appraiser. As demonstrated earlier, he clearly proved they were low-grade. I’d be happy to ask the spectators here too. They’re all witnesses.”

“Well, he could have deceived them with smooth talk. Does that person have an appraiser’s license?”

“What?”

“If he doesn’t have a license, then he can’t prove he’s an appraiser. Someone who’s not an appraiser discussing quality is violating the Principality’s law.”

“…!”

“So shall we check? Whether he has the qualification or not.”

The noble swallowed hard, flustered by the precise point.

Junon’s observation, who once worked with Charlotte, the head of the Eshret Trading Company, contained no errors.

Realizing this wouldn’t work, the noble started making excuses to avoid the accusation of breaking the law.

“Are you saying someone needs to carry a license even when they’re just enjoying a festival? Nonsense! Who do you think you are to demand I be examined!”

And then he put his soldiers forward, accusing Junon of needlessly interfering.

“You want me, a future heir to the Shaltia Earldom, to be examined by a mere Academy student? I cannot tolerate such humiliation!”

Newspapers are known for exaggeration. The noble prided himself on knowing this, unlike those ignorant masses.

Junon might be known as the top contributor to the Sacred Beast subjugation, but that must be an exaggeration, not reality.

His mindset was that if he subdued him with force now, he could handle him just fine.

“So what? What are you going to do about it?”

“What do you mean ‘so what’?”

“I’m an Academy student, why should I listen to someone like you? You’re disrespecting me, so why can’t I disrespect you?”

He had expected problems to arise with so many people, but he didn’t want to affect the parade if possible.

Dealing with the soldiers wouldn’t be difficult, but it might dampen the festive mood.

‘I should handle this moderately.’

With this, the confrontation between the two sides is complete, and a fight breaks out.

However.

“Ugh?!”

“Wh-what’s happening?”

Seeing the soldiers falling one by one, the noble couldn’t maintain his confident attitude like before.

He had even brought a magician among the soldiers as a precaution, but watching them all being pushed back by just one person made him increasingly anxious.

Feeling that this wouldn’t work, the noble shouted with a cracked voice, sensing that he would soon be confronted directly.

“Y-you! Do you know what kind of family ours is to be doing this?!”

“I don’t know. So what?”

“Huh?”

“I’m an Academy student. I have no reason to listen to someone like you who knows nothing.”

“The quality of Levrant Academy has really fallen. To admit such a person as a student! You have no right to investigate me!”

At that, Junon snorted in return.

“For mineral appraisal, including in trading companies, one must possess a license for appraisal to be permitted. But appraising without possessing one is illegal. And I am a third-year student at Levrant Academy.”

“That’s…!”

The noble bit his lip tightly.

Students of Levrant Academy had a right given to them upon admission.

They could act as a self-policing unit for illegal activities, making this a perfectly legitimate investigation.

The noble, ignorant of the law, hung his head in shock. As expected, this happened because of his legal ignorance.

“Urgh…”

By now, all the soldiers had fallen. In Junon’s sight, only the noble and the so-called appraiser remained.

When Junon wiggled his fingers, suggesting he quickly show his license, the noble tucked his tail and ran away.

“Fine! I can buy such minerals elsewhere! And you. I’ll remember your face!”

But the citizens, who had witnessed everything, wouldn’t let him go so easily. They threw stones at the noble.

Only after screaming some unintelligible sounds and becoming a complete mess was he able to leave the parade venue.

Some time later.

“Wh-what is this outrage, Duchess Emerald!”

The son of Earl Shaltia, who had tucked his tail and fled, is caught by Dalia’s hand.

It was uncomfortable that he seemed to slip away by claiming he didn’t know he was breaking the law, but in fact, this was Junon’s strategy.

With so many people, it’s natural for security forces to follow, but what’s admirable is this level of detail.

‘If I had resolved it directly, all involved would have had to testify. Thanks to that, the festive mood was maintained.’

Dalia couldn’t shake the feeling that Junon had deliberately let him go, even though he could have resolved it himself.

Considering how badly he had been treated by nobles in the past, he could have been burning with revenge, but maintaining composure even at such times is not easy.

“Let me go. Why should I, who am innocent…!”

“You’d better stay quiet. Ah, you’ve arrived just in time. Earl Shaltia.”

“F-father!”

The young man was confident he would be released with his father’s arrival.

But there was a smack! sound from his shin.

“Ugh, father… why are you…!”

“Silence, you fool! Not only did you take soldiers out on your own, but you committed such an outrage! I did not raise you this way!”

The father, who had hurriedly come upon hearing that his only child had caused trouble, reddened his face and struck him.

“Take them all away! Keep him under house arrest during this parade period and make sure he doesn’t come near here!”

“Yes, sir!”

“I’m truly sorry, Duchess. It’s my fault for not keeping my immature son in check. I will personally meet and apologize to the affected residents.”

After thoroughly beating his son, Earl Shaltia kept bowing his head, not knowing what to do.

But if that was all, he could have just given orders to the soldiers.

“Earl. That’s not your true intention, is it?”

“Ahem… ahem. That may be true.”

“As I’ve mentioned many times, Junon is a student who doesn’t accept contacts. If you approach him carelessly… you know?”

“Ahem.”

It’s fortunate that Junon wasn’t here. If he had been seen, the Earl would have quickly made an offer.

***

Renias, who had steeled her resolve in the bathroom, comes out blowing air through her nose.

But somehow, the surroundings have become a bit noisy.

“Huh? What’s with the applause?”

Along with the applause, there are human voices too. Rather than being noisy… they sound like voices praising someone.

And the girl senses it. That these crowded people are applauding.

“Oh, could it be!”

That’s because Junon is already famous. Feeling a sense of crisis, Renias quickly runs to the source of this applause.

“It’s my first time seeing him in person! That’s the person from the newspaper, right?”

“Looking closely, he’s quite tall and his muscles… oh my.”

“He looked so cool when he was fighting!”

There are clearly male voices mixed in praising Junon, but in Renias’s eyes, she only saw women.

Renias, who was getting increasingly agitated, quickly pushed through the crowd to reach Junon. And then she grabbed his hand firmly.

“Huh? Renias? When did you…”

“Senior! We need to go collect the rest! Quickly-!”

“Wait, slow down a bit… Um… I’m sorry, everyone!”

The silver rabbit chose to quickly leave that place first to reduce competition.

Thanks to that…

“Are those two together? Oh my.”

“Wow… the boys who liked Miss Renias are going to shed some tears.”

“Hahaha! They do look good together!”

Somehow, it naturally advertised the relationship between the two.

Perhaps… when this news reaches the Academy after the festival, there might be quite a commotion.

Junon might face a group lynching from the men then.