Chapter 160

The student council president’s office in Annex 1.

As I went up, I couldn’t help but feel sentimental.

I realized that the time I could meet Regina during my visits here was coming to an end.

Next semester, someone else would be in her place.

I smiled bitterly.

‘…This is the first time I feel this familiarity with this place.’

The student council president’s office isn’t a place you can casually drop by.

Especially for small talk?

Unthinkable.

more so when the other party is Regina, a heroine who doesn’t warm up to anyone easily within a year.

So, it was natural for me to feel sentimental.

This was the first time we’d become this close.

Knock, knock.

I knocked on the door after reaching the student council president’s office.

“Come in.”

Upon hearing the voice from inside, I opened the door and entered.

I saw Regina, sitting at her desk as usual.

The difference was that she wasn’t reading documents, but cleaning a sword.

She was meticulously wiping the blade with a dry cloth.

The sight was somehow captivating, full of dignity.

Maybe it’s because it’s my first time seeing Regina, a master swordswoman, cleaning her sword in person.

“Have a seat.”

“Ah…Okay.”

I snapped out of it at Regina’s words and sat down on the sofa.

“So even a legendary sword needs maintenance.”

The Hanbing Sword, an heirloom of the Ernbert family and one of the most renowned swords.

Even at a distance, I could feel the cold energy radiating from it.

“Heh, what a ridiculous question.”

Regina continued, without pausing her work.

“Whether it cuts humans or monsters, the salt and moisture in blood inevitably come into contact with the blade. Any sword, no matter how legendary, will rust if not properly maintained, you know?”

I learned something new.

I guess the reason my sword feels less sharp lately is because I’ve been neglecting its maintenance.

I’ll have to ask Ran to give it a proper cleaning next time I go down to the underground.

“Ah, I see.”

As I nodded, Regina narrowed her eyes and scanned the blade, then sheathed it in a single, swift motion.

Shing.

Thud.

It was just a simple movement, but she made it look stylish.

This is why people need to be successful and competent.

She placed the sword on the desk, got up, and walked towards me.

Then she sat down across from me.

“What brings you here?”

“You’re going back to your family home for vacation, right?”

“That’s the plan.”

The Ernbert marquisate, a distinguished family in the northern part of the Empire.

I’ve heard a lot about them, but I’ve never been there personally.

Since we’re engaged, it might be a good idea to visit the Ernberts with Regina, but…

“Immediately?”

“I’ll have to. I received a letter saying the situation on the border is unstable.”

“Ah.”

My expression became serious.

The northern border of the Empire is home to the barbarians of the snowy plains.

Each one of them was a formidable warrior, toughened by the harsh climate they lived in.

They constantly attempted to cross the border and raid, making them a clear nuisance to the Empire.

“The barbarians, huh.”

“Yes.”

“If I remember correctly, they’re currently divided into five tribes.”

I muttered, recalling my memories.

The divided barbarians.

They weren’t a big concern at first because of that.

But during the protagonist’s third year, they unite as one.

Under the great king, Darkhan.

Worse, it happened during the time of the Empire’s civil war, fanning the flames of war and making the world even more chaotic. The united barbarian tribes launched a full-scale territorial invasion, instead of simple raids.

Because of this, the nobles with territories in the north, including the Ernberts, had their forces tied down, greatly influencing the course of the civil war.

“How do you know that?”

Regina looked intrigued.

She was surprised.

And rightfully so.

Not many people in the Empire, other than the northerners, knew much about barbarians.

It’s rare to encounter anyone knowledgeable about things unrelated to their daily lives.

“I’m interested.”

“Interested?”

“Your family is deeply involved, so it’s only natural, isn’t it?”

I could earn some brownie points here.

(TLN: hes so freaking shameless man)

I was sure of it.

Regina’s reaction seemed to confirm my certainty.

She was looking at me intently, as if seeing me in a new light.

Then she said,

“Unexpected.”

“It’s not that surprising.”

I chuckled.

“You’re my fiancee.”

“I’d prefer a deeper, more honest answer.”

That’s Regina for you.

She wouldn’t be fooled by sentimental sweet talk.

“Haha, well…what I just said was sincere. That’s how I feel. But I guess the answer you want is a logical one.”

“You’re a logical person.”

“No, no, don’t say that, it hurts to be called that when I’m as passionate as I am. You, on the other hand…”

“Ice-cold?”

“Ah, never mind.”

I raised my hands and quickly got to the point.

“I told you. I’m honest about the fact that I need your power, and your family’s power.”

“Yes, and so do I.”

Regina’s words.

I caught something different from before and my eyes widened slightly.

I had clearly said that I needed her power and her family’s power.

Her saying that she needed the same thing meant that she acknowledged the need for my power as well as the Celtrine family’s power.

My heart beat a little faster.

“Ah…Yes.”

I looked away and composed myself.

Then I spoke again.

“…Anyway…so, I can’t help but pay attention. To a spark that could become a major threat.”

I had definitely realized something earlier.

That I had made the right calculations.

Originally, Regina and the Ernbert family could become either enemies or allies, depending on the player’s actions.

But this time, we’re engaged early on and are completely on the same side.

What does that imply?

The barbarians uniting and hindering Regina and the Ernbert family is something that absolutely cannot happen.

The seed of that calamity must be weeded out beforehand.

“A major threat. I didn’t know you’d think so highly of the barbarians.”

“Not now. But what if they unite? Wouldn’t they be a major threat then?”

“Unite as one?”

Regina frowned slightly.

“Do you even know that they haven’t been united for centuries?”

Ah, is that right?

Then it would sound ridiculous, wouldn’t it?

But I had the means to convince her.

My precognitive abilities, which had earned trust through two verifications.

“The Empire hasn’t been divided for centuries either.”

I said with a meaningful smile.

Regina seemed to grasp the implication in my words.

“You mean, you saw it?”

“Yes, I saw it clearly. Them uniting. In my dreams.”

“…”

Regina fell into deep thought.

After a while, she spoke again.

“If that’s so…”

“We need to exterminate them beforehand.”

I finished her sentence for her.

But it seems like I gave the wrong answer.

Regina’s eyes became cold.

“I trust you. But even setting that aside, it’s not something you bring up lightly.”

“Of course I know.”

I responded seriously.

Extermination…

It meant raising an army, waging a large-scale war.

Countless lives would be at stake.

Especially the lives of the people in Ernbert territory, the protector and bulwark of the north.

“And besides, you’re not the Lord.”

The current Lord of the Ernbert family was Baltha Ernbert, Regina’s father.

But he was already semi-retired, having withdrawn from politics due to a chronic illness.

So, all the administrative affairs of the territory were handled by the heir, Rovel Ernbert, Regina’s older brother.

He’s practically the Lord, even without the title officially passed down.

It’s been two years since it happened.

In conclusion…

To raise a proper barbarian extermination force, it meant convincing the acting Lord, who shoulders the weight of the people’s lives, to make that choice.

Even considering Regina’s influence within the Ernbert family, it wouldn’t be easy.

“Saying that, knowing full well what it entails…it means you have the confidence to persuade Brother Rovel, right?”

Regina pressured me with her gaze, as if demanding the answer I had prepared.

“Of course.”

I had already decided what to say before I even started talking.

Naturally, there was no hesitation.

I held up one finger.

“First, our relationship needs to be solidified.”

I could sense it when my sister visited. Even my family perceived our relationship as practically broken.

Well, the situation had changed abruptly, so their judgment wasn’t wrong back then.

Anyway, Regina’s family would probably view our relationship in the same way.

That perception needs to be rectified first.

Only then will I have the legitimacy and power to persuade my family to get involved in this.

“Solidify our relationship? You mean…”

Regina’s expression suggested that she understood my intention.

She’s quick-witted as always.

“Just as you are thinking. My sister’s fiance, who’s likely to be dumped anyway, is probably as insignificant as dust in their eyes. But it’s different if Iam hes future brother-in-law who’s headed for marriage, wouldn’t you say?”

“Hmm.”

“The same goes for the family. If an engagement is broken, it’s just someone else’s family. But a future son-in-law’s family, heading for a marriage, is a valuable ally. They can fight alongside you against the same enemy.”

Regina’s eyes gleamed.

“So you’re saying…”

“Right. We’ll solidify our relationship, and then I’ll personally secure the full support of my family.”

I said confidently.

The Ernbert family was powerful militarily, but their finances were precarious.

They don’t have the funds to raise a large army for extermination and cover the massive war expenses.

If the Celtrines could cover a significant portion of that expense, the Ernberts would be tempted.

“You’re going that far.”

Regina stared at me intently, then tilted her head slightly.

“But I have a question. To secure your family’s full support, you’ll have to present them with a commensurate reward. What are you planning on saying?”

“To put it simply, it’s an investment in the future.”

“Think you can convince the Count with that?”

“Logic alone won’t work. But I can do it.”

I grinned.

When I simply said I needed 100,000 gold, without giving any detailed explanation, my father readily agreed, no questions asked.

That alone showed how my parents treat me.

And I’m not the good-for-nothing I once was. I’m an exemplary student, who’s secured a spot in the royal class with top grades.

It meant my position was even more secure now.

There was no problem.

“I see.”

Regina seemed to accept it, seeing my confidence.

She nodded slightly, then asked,

“So what’s the detailed plan?”

“There’s no rush. Let’s aim for it next year. The preparation will take time anyway.”

Then I explained my plans for this vacation to Regina.

“You’re going to exterminate bandits in the central continent and then return to your family home? You’re truly an unfathomable man.”

Regina chuckled softly.

“Think of it as my effort to be a man worthy of you.”

“You have a way with words. I bet you say that to other women too, don’t you?”

“Cough, cough!”

I coughed, turning my head.

……Tried to sweet talk my way out and ended up getting burned.

“Ahem.”

I cleared my throat and returned to the main topic.

“Anyway, about…joining us…”

“Go ahead, tell me.”

I told her the date and location.

Exactly one month later.

The meeting point was the commercial city of Vaea, in the northern part of the central continent.

“I think I can make it.”

“That’s good.”

“But you never know. If the battles drag on…”

“Is the situation really that serious?”

“There’s always a chance.”

“That’s true.”

That’s what I said, but I knew.

She wouldn’t be late.

Because the barbarians’ strength was still manageable.

There wouldn’t be a problem with my plan.

If the extermination goes as planned, that is.

“Is that all you wanted to say?”

“Yes.”

“Then I wish you luck. I don’t think you need to worry much, but be careful not to be reckless.”

“I’ll keep that in mind.”

I got up.

And as I was about to leave…

Regina suddenly said,

“Don’t get hurt.”

Her genuine concern made my heart skip a beat.

This is cheating.

I smiled.

“I won’t.”