Ch.7272. Festival (11)

“I apologize deeply. I had no idea such a thing would happen…”

“How could you have predicted it? Please stand up.”

“But…”

“I know well enough that you no longer move for money. So don’t prostrate yourself on the ground as if you’ve committed some grave sin.”

“I’m overwhelmed by your generosity, Your Grace.”

While reviewing the ledgers for supplies needed for the academy festival, the Grand Duke offered words of encouragement to the head of the Reuwen Merchant Guild.

“More importantly, I’m concerned. Is there no way to procure more mana stones?”

“It’s impossible. The naturally occurring mana stones in our territory have been nearly depleted, and the high nobility aren’t sending workers into the mines. They’re likely hoarding the remaining stock to drive up prices.”

“This is troubling…”

“Seeing similar movements across different regions… I suspect their real target isn’t the festival but disrupting the mana stone supply.”

“I’m glad your guild is safe, but why did it have to be mana stones… Yet we can’t abandon this festival.”

Their interference means they’re determined to obstruct the Grand Duke’s plans to empower the lower classes.

Annoyingly, this would significantly reduce the capabilities of the students, especially those in certain positions.

“You’re worried about the Magic Armor Compatibility Test, aren’t you?”

“Indeed. That test also requires mana stones…”

Two conditions for the lower classes:

The annual event that reestablishes the ideals of freedom and equality.

The Magic Armor Compatibility Test that greatly enhances the power of vanguard and support students.

With insufficient mana stones stored at the academy, they faced a dilemma of choosing between these two.

“What do you think we should do?”

“I believe we should proceed with the festival as planned.”

While the Grand Duke was racking his brain, the man who was currently setting the academy straight stepped in to narrow down the options.

It was Professor Muniher, whom the Grand Duke had summoned for help, suspecting the nobility alliance had set something in motion.

“I think so too. If we cancel the ongoing festival, we’ll face greater troubles and public sentiment will plummet…”

However, they couldn’t simply abandon the Magic Armor Compatibility Test either.

As a leader, helping the people was right, and as a chairman, helping the students was right.

“There’s still time before the Magic Armor Compatibility Test. I’ll look for alternative solutions, so for now, use the academy’s mana stones for the festival.”

“I’m always grateful, Count Gelbarten.”

“Not at all. Cutting away the rotten roots is my role.”

After receiving the urgent report, the scales between the festival and the upcoming Magic Armor Compatibility Test tipped in favor of the festival, where the mana stones would be allocated.

Muniher told the Grand Duke not to worry too much and to trust him, then left the room with the guild head.

“I suppose… this is the best outcome for now.”

The Grand Duke muttered to himself after being left alone.

Though it wasn’t a perfect solution, from another perspective, they had bought time.

The Reuwen Guild hadn’t completely collapsed, and they had avoided a festival that would have reinforced discrimination had the alliance forces gained the upper hand.

And they would have gradually seized control of the academy, but thankfully, that worst-case scenario had been averted.

Moreover, it was fortunate they had identified that mana stones were the target, despite the guild suffering damage.

Knock knock.

“Your Grace, it’s Ophelia. May I come in?”

“Enter.”

His daughter, who always worked hard at the academy, had come to see him. Although in this official setting, they were chairman and student council president, not father and daughter.

“I’ve come regarding that matter we discussed earlier, Your Grace.”

“Ah. The Blushire Arc loan, was it?”

“Yes. I need to extend the loan period and have prepared the paperwork.”

Since Objects could be misused in the hands of ordinary people, they inevitably required the Grand Duke’s approval.

However, no matter what reasons were given, a leader responsible for an entire country would notice discrepancies.

“Even you must have found this document strange.”

“…”

“Isn’t it time you told me who needs such protection that you’re using an Object created by the Empire’s greatest chancellor?”

Go ahead and explain, the Grand Duke’s eyes seemed to say to Ophelia.

***

The second day of the festival.

After the bright festive atmosphere of Rebrant had subsided late into the first night,

The next day arrived, heralding morning and drawing yesterday’s revelers into today.

However, one girl remained stuck in yesterday evening.

While watching from the side, her senior had dismissed it as nothing, completely upsetting her.

Though he openly said it was nothing, she could tell it was absolutely not the case.

Being slapped by someone named Erica and then unpleasantly soaked in water afterward—how could anyone consider that something to just let go?

After finishing their conversation, she saw him sighing deeply, lost in thought. The girl who witnessed this couldn’t just let it pass.

Just how much more was her senior planning to endure?

“Lady Renias…? What brings you here?”

“I have somewhere to go.”

“Where shall I take you, Lady Renias?”

She didn’t understand why her senior had told such a lie, or why he tried to just endure such treatment. So she decided to find out for herself.

The coachman, curious about where the young lady was heading so early in the morning, carefully accepted the paper she handed him.

“How long will it take?”

“Hmm. It’s quite a distance, so about an hour. Would you like to arrive sooner?”

“Yes. The sooner the better. I don’t mind if it’s bumpy.”

“As you wish, my lady.”

Yesterday’s matter remained unresolved, and the girl who was still dwelling on yesterday evening boarded the carriage.

She needed to meet someone and resolve these feelings that were about to burst before she could truly face today.

.

.

.

The carriage, traveling faster than usual, arrived at its destination, and a girl with beautiful, flowing silver hair stepped out.

The lady of the mansion hurried to the main gate to properly greet the distinguished guest, apologizing for any inadequate hospitality.

The silver-haired girl didn’t mind, as she had arrived suddenly without prior notice and wasn’t there to receive hospitality anyway.

Naturally, the hostess asked why she had come so abruptly early in the morning.

“I came to speak with your child.”

“My child… Do you mean my daughter?”

“Yes. You might wonder why I didn’t just write a letter, but it’s quite an important matter.”

Looking surprised, the hostess quickly arranged a room, and soon the silver-haired girl met a noble young lady who entered through the door.

The noble young lady carefully opened the door and immediately showed proper aristocratic courtesy.

“…What brings you here, Princess Lantana?”

The silver-haired girl who had once threatened her with an overwhelming burst of magical power was now waiting on the sofa—Renias had come to visit her directly.

“You don’t need to address me with such a stuffy title.”

“…I disagree, Princess.”

Though using such formal titles felt awkward, this wasn’t Rebrant Academy.

At Rebrant Academy, age and grade took precedence, but this was the Sherpen Count’s residence.

Given the difference in status, such formal address was necessary.

Renias said to do as she pleased and then got straight to the point.

“You’re aware that equality is a core principle of Rebrant Academy, aren’t you?”

“…Yes, I am.”

Though everyone in the Ardelion Duchy lives with differences in status and power, the Grand Duke, as chairman, established a principle to break this rule at the academy.

All human lives are equally precious, and talent is needed by the duchy regardless of social standing.

“Freedom and equality. These align with the academy’s founding principles.”

“You know well. Then you must also know there are those who violate these principles?”

“Need I say it? As you said, Princess, there is a class that disrupts these two principles and controls the academy.”

The high nobility—forces that oppose the duchy’s principles and insist that nobles should live as nobles.

This was a fact known to most who attended the academy, including them and their children.

‘But why is she asking me this?’

The Sherpen Count’s family had always been allied with the Grand Duke’s faction…

As questions piled up, Erica’s shoulders flinched at the voice that reached her ears.

“If you understand this so well, why did you commit such a disgraceful act yesterday?”

That voice from yesterday.

Renias’s cold voice, filled with anger and emitting tremendous magical power, brought back memories of the previous day.

However, “disgraceful act”? Wondering what she meant, Erica asked again.

“I don’t understand what you’re referring to, Princess.”

“You’re playing innocent. You slapped Senior Junon and doused him with water. For someone who understands the founding principles so well, are you going to claim this wasn’t a disgraceful act?”

At first, Erica was uncertain, but now she was sure.

This must be another of Junon’s schemes, and if that was the case, she wouldn’t hold back either.

She wondered why she had been disturbed by the mention of him being killed by Tembris party members. It was probably just another obvious lie.

“I’m not playing innocent. I approached him to uncover his schemes because there was justification for it. That guy is shadier than he appears.”

“…What did you say?”

“I don’t deny that the high nobility and their children who ignore the academy’s principles, along with the professors who side with them, are wrong. But that man has even darker intentions.”

He’s not just someone who disregards principles.

“He’s someone who will use anything for his own purposes. Evil occurs regardless of social standing, but that man can’t do anything with his own power.”

He’s a villain who would someday drive those who are the duchy’s hope into danger, seeking only his own survival, and would even abandon his own party members.

“So he’ll use anyone he can, and when he’s done, he’ll drive them to ruin.”

For his purposes, he wouldn’t hesitate to deceive even a girl who offers only smiles and encouragement to everyone.

“I want to tell you, Princess, that you’re being deceived by him. Isn’t he using you because he’s too weak to speak up for himself?”

If that was why this girl had come to the Sherpen residence, she wouldn’t back down.

“My actions weren’t bullying the weak, but attempting to punish a villain.”

This was no longer just about the Tembris party.

He had manipulated an innocent girl who was like a jewel of the academy, and was even trying to use her status to intimidate others.

Wrong things needed to be corrected.

However.

“Are you finished speaking?”

Renias was emanating even greater anger than before. As if someone had touched a sore spot.

Even without releasing the overwhelming magical power contained in her body, her piercing gaze made Erica flinch involuntarily.

“You’re no different from the nobility alliance people. Just making petty excuses.”

Faced with this unreasonable response, Erica blinked in confusion, unable to reply.

Why wouldn’t she accept the truth about him? Why?

“Princess, I told you. That man is…”

“You. You’re so weak and foolish that you’re not even worth comparing to Senior Junon.”

“What…?”

“Let’s end this conversation here. Excuse me.”

Renias left the reception room without continuing the dialogue.

***

The visit to the Sherpen Count’s residence was to resolve Senior Junon’s matter.

First of all, the Sherpen Count’s family itself is part of the duchy faction. They aren’t people who judge based on position, strength, or social status.

If that was the case, then the Sherpen Count’s daughter, known as a healer, might not be someone who discriminates based on status, making her someone who could be reasoned with.

With that thought in mind, she had visited the Sherpen residence.

But that thought was mistaken, and the other party seemed to view him as not just a boy who cried wolf or a low-quality con artist, but as a villain who had committed a grave sin.

But that couldn’t be right.

The Senior Junon that Renias knew with her own eyes was stronger than anyone, someone who looked ahead and moved forward even in unfavorable situations.

He was someone who managed himself meticulously, spending most of his day training, and was exceptionally skilled.

Not only that, but his kindness in considering others even when he suffered harm was definitely not that of a villain.

‘Erica Sherpen is just a strange person.’

Thinking this, Renias decided to calm the rising heat within her, just like yesterday.

“My lady?”

“Ah… What is it?”

“We arrived at the academy more than 10 minutes ago. You haven’t gotten out for so long… Is something wrong?”

“…No. I’ll get out now.”

She had been trying so hard to suppress her anger that she hadn’t even noticed they had arrived at the academy.

Now that they had arrived at the academy, it was time to calm down.

“Aren’t you here too early? I appreciate your enthusiasm, but I never said you needed to come this early.”

“Oh, I just happened to wake up early today.”

I can’t show it in front of my senior.

Just for today… I’ll wear a mask in front of him.