Ch.352352. Changed Future (2) – Main Story End

The evening hours were bustling with visitors.

There were rumors that the patient who had been bedridden for so long was seen on the veranda, and testimonies that Renias had emerged from the sickroom with a flushed face. When Nella’s direct mention of bringing Chiru in added fuel to these rumors, dinner time was far from peaceful.

Fortunately, thanks to some perceptive people nearby, I was barely able to have dinner, but the next day was the problem.

Professor Muniher. Professor Jake. Professor Denis. Professor Dalia.

Those four professors who had been glaring at me during yesterday’s dinner time had arrived simultaneously.

‘If I had known this would happen, I should have prepared in advance… Maybe I could have come up with some excuses while eating with Renias…’

I knew it was pointless to think about that now, but I couldn’t help feeling tense since I had no idea what they were going to say.

“Um… What brings you here…”

“…”

All four people remained silent simultaneously, their gazes fixed on me.

Then, Professor Dalia was the first to open the conversation.

“I suppose I should start this, shouldn’t I?”

“Yes, Dalia. That seems right.”

“Huh? What… what do you mean…?”

What were they starting? Junon’s eyes widened in confusion, causing a major pupil earthquake.

A document that would make his eyes round was placed on the table in front of him.

“Levrant Academy recruitment guidelines…?”

It was the recruitment guidelines boldly presented as if asking him to re-enroll at Levrant Academy.

“I’m already a dropout. Why would you…”

“Well, it means we want you to come back, what else?”

“You want me to return to the Academy?”

As I asked in bewilderment, the other professors began to speak up one by one.

“You had to choose to drop out when you needed to fulfill your duty as an Alcaide. But now, haven’t you completely freed yourself from those constraints?”

“That’s true, but… I’m not even sure about my physical condition yet.”

“Don’t worry. It seems the Alcaide Lord himself appeared and replenished all the life force you had consumed. Would you like us to check your physical condition?”

Another set of documents was thrust forward. They were piled with data proving that the patient named Junon had returned to a completely normal state.

“You might not be thrilled about the suggestion to re-enroll, but this is also for your own good.”

At Professor Muniher’s advice, the other three nodded. I wondered why they had come as a group to recommend enrollment, and the three professors proceeded to explain their reasons.

“Junon, you currently don’t belong anywhere. But don’t you think it’s strange for a former commander to have no affiliation? It’s not just the Academy. You’ve been watched by many people. Since this battle ended by your hand, Junon, you’ve become a celebrity with tremendous influence.”

First, Professor Jake emphasized the need for affiliation. He pointed out the concern that if someone with such power had no affiliation, many people would take notice and potentially interfere, and that if I chose to re-enroll, these concerns would immediately disappear—a clear advantage.

The second was Professor Denis.

“Well, let’s assume for now that other people won’t bother you. Then what will you do for a living after leaving the Academy? If you’re a student under protection, you could eventually pursue the career you want, but once you’ve chosen to drop out, you lose the opportunity to explore other paths. You’ll literally become unemployed.”

Like students who struggled with debt in Octagon after choosing to drop out, there’s a possibility of financial difficulties. The life of a wanderer with no destination is inherently arduous, and the future becomes completely uncertain.

Finally, Professor Dalia.

“Of course, Renias could help you. We could help you too. But Junon, could you bear that?”

This was essentially the clincher. Junon had often tried to solve problems on his own rather than asking others for help, so there was a high possibility he would reject their kindness this time as well.

Because he firmly trusted only Renias? That wasn’t particularly appealing either. Even if Renias helped, a man’s pride is at stake.

Professor Dalia specifically added that this could affect whether he could continue his relationship with Renias, and Junon, deep in thought, couldn’t come up with a good solution.

“Well, I suppose I do need to graduate to make a living.”

“”That’s right?””

The professors’ expressions immediately brightened. There was something a bit fishy about it, but still, four renowned professors from the Academy had come as a group to advise him to return, offering reasonable counsel.

Their advice was backed by substantial evidence, so it seemed worth considering.

As I nodded in agreement, the door suddenly burst open as if someone had been listening.

“What nonsense you’re all speaking. Did you think I wouldn’t see through your intentions?”

“Ah…”

“Oh dear…”

As soon as this person entered, the four professors who had been recommending re-enrollment let out low sighs.

“You don’t need to believe such things. After all you’ve been through, you deserve someone’s support.”

I expected the four professors to counter with pointed arguments as before, but they didn’t.

It felt like they were being cautious. Cautious of this person who had just entered.

“Um… may I ask who you are…?”

I wondered who could be so formidable that these four people would be so deferential.

“I suppose introductions should come first. My name is…”

Rohiniche.

The elderly woman said this and then turned her head sharply to scold the four professors who were trying to avoid her gaze.

Meanwhile, Junon began to search his memory.

‘Rohiniche…? That sounds familiar…’

It was definitely a name he had heard somewhere. It wasn’t a common name in the Empire, and given that she appeared to be an elderly woman, he couldn’t quite place it.

“I hear the Emperor himself is getting involved from the Empire, trying to somehow get this child into the Academy? Hmph! Did you think I would simply allow that?”

“Ugh…”

“Wait a moment, what do you mean the Emperor is getting involved?”

“Junon? We’ll explain that later…”

“Silence, Denis! This child is supposed to live with Reni anyway, right? Then he would receive a title and territory at the very least, so don’t even dream of taking him to the Empire to live in luxury! You too, Muniher!”

At this, even the notoriously strict Professors Denis and Muniher tightly shut their mouths.

‘That’s it! I thought I’d heard it somewhere… With an elven name like Rohiniche, it could only be that person!’

The most powerful noble family in the Empire, the family name that could be inferred from Renias and Ronellion’s names.

The Purple Lantana.

And the head of that family was this person named Rohiniche.

No wonder those people were so intimidated—this was the person with the greatest influence in the Empire, second only to the Emperor.

‘…This isn’t just something to marvel at.’

I needed to understand what was happening directly.

Junon began to organize his thoughts, shifting his gaze from the professors being scolded by Rohiniche. Based on Rohiniche’s outburst, the situation seemed to be as follows:

Everyone gathered here seemed to know about the power of the Alcaide or the Alcaide Lord, and it appeared that the Emperor of the Artena Empire was personally coming to commend this, so their common opinion was to try to mitigate this impact in advance.

However, there was clearly opposition between Rohiniche’s mention of receiving titles and territory, the news of the Empire’s Emperor arriving, and the four professors’ urgent recommendation for re-enrollment to confirm Academy affiliation. Rohiniche’s side wanted to resolve the matter by taking him to the Lantana family, while the four professors intended to keep him in this principality by maintaining his Academy affiliation.

While the four professors claimed they wanted him to remain affiliated with Levrant Academy for graduation and career purposes, something felt off. But Rohiniche’s side had a very clear motive. She seemed to have been vaguely informed about his relationship with Renias and wanted to take him to the Empire to live in luxury.

If that were the case… the focus shifted slightly.

“I don’t want to go to the Empire.”

“What?!”

Because Junon had no intention of leaving the principality.

***

The principality had faced an unprecedented crisis, and after dealing with consecutive Named Beasts, they were pushed to the extreme with the prophecy of powerful enemies like Ashpern and Feltiburugos appearing.

The person who had appeared like a comet, turning the unfavorable tide of battle, was now saying he wouldn’t accept titles, positions, or even territory, which left Rohiniche so astounded she could only click her tongue in dissatisfaction.

What Rohiniche found most frustrating was that despite offering to help him live happily with Renias in the Empire, given their deepening relationship, he rejected it all.

But in the end, Rohiniche couldn’t persuade Junon.

“Is that really your reason for not wanting to go to the Empire?”

“Yes.”

“After all your hardships, wouldn’t you want some compensation?”

“I’ve already received the greatest reward, what more would I need?”

Though the reason was simple, it was so powerful that she had to concede.

“Haha, I suppose all Alcaides are like this. Very well, Junon. I’ll respect your decision.”

Rohiniche let out a small laugh as she replied. Despite achieving almost none of her objectives after a long persuasion, the elderly woman’s face was filled with a bright smile.

“I’ll take my leave now. Since you don’t seem to have been deceived by them, I’ll withdraw, but feel free to talk to me anytime. The Lantana family can support you whenever needed.”

“Thank you, but I’ll just accept your words.”

“I understand. This is only for when an unavoidable situation arises, so please understand that much.”

“I will.”

Junon stayed by her side until Rohiniche boarded her carriage, and only after the matriarch of the Lantana family had departed could the four professors finally calm their anxious hearts.

“Ahem. I’m glad the matter was resolved well, Junon.”

“Yeah, that’s right. Usually, once you catch the matriarch’s eye, it’s impossible to refuse.”

“But was there a reason to decline such conditions?”

“Oh, I’m curious about that too, like Dalia said. What exactly did you discuss that made you decide that?”

“Well… that’s a bit difficult to answer…”

Junon scratched his cheek, showing a troubled expression.

Everyone seemed curious, but judging by where his gaze was directed, they could roughly guess.

After all, a girl who had just had a brief conversation with her grandmother carefully stepped out of the carriage and met his eyes.

“Go on. It seems that conversation isn’t meant for us.”

“You don’t have to worry about being sent to the Empire since your re-enrollment at the Academy won’t be a problem. Understood?”

“Thank you. Well then.”

As Junon approached, Renias asked anxiously.

“W-what did you talk about? Did my grandmother scold you?”

“Huh? Nothing like that. I wasn’t scolded at all.”

“But still…! Grandmother looked really displeased.”

“There’s nothing to worry about. More importantly… would you like to come with me?”

“Huh? Ah, wait a minute!”

With the summer breeze, the couple walked away hand in hand, heading somewhere.

***

Their tightly held hands didn’t separate.

As dawn broke, residents began to emerge one by one, followed by merchants, farmers, and laborers, all finding their places.

Even the collapsed buildings and large wounds were returning to their original state.

And now, it was time for me to return to my place as well.

“The professors asked you to return to the Academy?”

“That’s right. After all, I have nowhere to go, and at this rate, I’d be unemployed. There’s also the possibility of being used by political powers or the privileged class, so they want me to return to the Academy for protection.”

“That’s not wrong… but doesn’t it smell a bit suspicious?”

“Even if there’s some ulterior motive, well, it’s better than going to the Empire with you.”

At that, Renias flinched.

“Did my grandmother ask you to come to the Empire?”

“Oh… you’re spot on. She suggested that I return to the Lantana main house with you and live in luxury. She said that since I’ve completed my duty as an Alcaide, I deserve such a reward.”

“My goodness. I knew my grandmother was stubborn, but to this extent…”

“But I told her I wouldn’t go. When I explained my reason, she immediately understood.”

“What? My grandmother did?!”

What on earth did he say? Renias’s curiosity only deepened.

After that conversation with her grandmother, we had arrived at a specific place.

“Huh? This is…”

My home.

And the house where I had lived together with Renias.

“I told you before, didn’t I? I wanted to return to this house with you.”

“Junon…”

“If we went to the Empire, our bodies might be comfortable, but the memories we have here would disappear. That’s why I said I wouldn’t go. From now on, I plan to live happily here with you, Renias, creating plenty of memories.”

At that, Renias released their tightly held hands and interlaced their fingers. Her face was already filled with a radiant smile.

“Let’s go in. You haven’t had breakfast yet, have you?”

“Of course not.”

With our fingers interlaced, we each used our free hand to grasp the doorknob together, opening the door and returning to our home.

The past images that remained in my memory no longer exist. In this changed future, everything around me was different from back then.

And now, I’ve finally found my place, ready to create new memories.

In this nest of happiness, with the woman I love.