Those Who Wear the Crown Must Bear Its Weight

With a little over two hours left of lunchtime, Room 404 became deserted.

‘…This is normal, actually.’

Was it because we were together during the vacation?

Or was it because we ate together just now?

I feel a strange sense of loneliness.

‘I should go out and wander around as Hati.’

I activate the transformation ring and head outside.

‘Luna and Flare’s classes…’

I know that their classes are almost the same.

Besides, I know Luna’s schedule completely.

During the vacation, all traces of the battle at the end of the first semester were restored, and I leisurely stroll around the academy campus, which looks the same as before.

The students’ faces show no worries or concerns about demons.

The stories I hear are just ordinary things like academics, youth, and Love.

‘Is this really the academy that was attacked by the Demon King?’

“Hmm.”

It’s almost time for Luna’s class to end, so I should stop wandering around and prepare to go home…

“Hey! You, come here!”

A familiar head is being dragged away by a group of boys.

‘Flare? Luna?’

It’s Flare.

I carefully follow them.

The scene seems to be repeating what happened in the first semester, and I clench my fists, ready to jump in.

But the situation unfolds completely differently.

Flare confidently declares, clapping her hands.

“Now there’s no one around.”

One of them points and sneers.

“What? Has this bitch gone crazy…”

Thwack!

Flare was the one who threw the first punch.

Regardless of whether the opponent is a noble or not, she rushes at the guy who was hit and flew away.

“Yiaaaaaah!!”

Thwack, thwack!

Flare’s preemptive strike begins amidst the bewildered guys.

“Hey, you crazy bitch!”

“Hit her! Hit her! Trigi! Trigi! Don’t die!”

And so, the beating begins.

The surprised friends of the guy try to rush in, but Flare stubbornly keeps hitting the guy called Trigi.

‘This is no joke.’

It’s especially scary how she keeps hitting the guy who’s passed out, hitting the same spot over and over.

Maybe it’s not just me, but the others gradually get tired of it and abandon the fallen guy, running away.

“Why isn’t she hurting! Damn it!”

“Aaaagh!! Flare’s gone crazy!”

“Look at her crazy eyes! Be careful!”

“She must have eaten something wrong during the vacation!”

I was about to go and catch the fleeing guys, but I stop at Flare’s words.

“Heh-heh- These are nothing. It’s hard to even let them hit me.”

‘She deliberately got hit like I did in the first semester?’

The Hero’s power isn’t meant to be used like this, but Flare’s wounds heal instantly.

“If I repeat this a few times, they won’t bother me anymore.”

That’s right.

The easiest way for Flare to escape the bullying event is to fight back and win on her own.

‘She’s grown.’

Well, she’s a fearless sister who even tried to take on Shakline.

Petty bullying from children must be nothing to her.

‘I shouldn’t mess with Flare.’

The mansion’s study.

Scarl only saw Luna in her academy uniform for a short time, but he thought the maid outfit looked awkward on her.

“Luna.”

“Yes, Scarl.”

“How was your first day at the academy?”

“It was hard. When I saw Flare attending, it looked fun, but it’s not really like that.”

I guess so.

“But you’re with Flare, aren’t you?”

She likes being with her sister the most―

“You too, Scarl. You’re here with us too.”

Scarl avoids her gaze, and Luna moves to get into his line of sight.

“…I’m a professor at the academy, though.”

Luna’s eyes were calm, like the blue sea.

“What does that matter?”

The next day.

Before going to work, Kasha came to the mansion.

“Master.”

“Kasha. What are the instructions regarding Brookrudi?”

“Everything has been taken care of as you said.”

Sanuf is under the direct control of the Emperor, so we couldn’t exert any influence, but Brookrudi is one of the hereditary nobles who are nominally vassals of the Emperor. Unlike pirates, there’s bound to be some noise.

‘It was announced that he was executed for royal insult crime and for trying to kill Sophia…’

Who on earth, and why?

Why does Aiden follow the Second Princess?

Because of that, Kasha had a hard time spreading money around.

‘The sides have already been chosen.’

“Good work. By the way, Sophia is quite something. She even knows how to take care of her own interests in the midst of all this.”

Kasha smiles gently.

“Of course. Sophia will now directly manage the Brookrudi territory.”

The external noise was handled by Kasha, me, and Sophia from Sanuf, so we’ll additionally quell internal dissatisfaction.

“Send our people to prevent any noise from the ruling class of Brookrudi. Also, focus on tax cuts and strengthening public safety. No matter how much it costs, make the lower ones loyal to Sophia. Also, put Brookrudi in Aiden’s regular trade route to clearly show the relationship between Sophia and Aiden.”

We’ve climbed onto the back of a tiger named Sophia.

“Understood.”

Knock knock.

-Scarl. It’s time for you to go to work.-

“Then I’ll be going. See you at the guild later.”

“Understood, Master. Here. The political data you requested.”

“Scarl? What are you thinking about?”

“Nothing. Have a good class today, Luna.”

“Yes!”

I stop by the main building to call Sophia, come to Room 404, and read the imperial palace data that Kasha handed me.

‘As expected.’

In just half a year, Sophia has become the hottest potato in the political world.

The biggest problem in the political world is that the person who ordered the defense against the capital’s invasion was none other than the imprisoned Second Princess Sophia.

‘She defended the capital from the Demon King. That’s her biggest achievement.’

Most of the academy knows it as a simple demon invasion.

Of course, that alone was a huge deal, but thanks to Sophia’s quick response, Aiden’s active cooperation, and the hero party including Flare, we successfully dealt with the major event of the Demon King’s appearance.

The truth that the enemy’s leader was the Demon King is unknown except to the academy president.

Instead, only someone of the rank of Minister would know that the enemy’s leader was the Demon King.

‘It became poison because we blocked it too easily.’

In this time when the Emperor is still alive, Sophia is emerging as a strong successor by preventing the crisis?

‘A royal family member who was simply sent to take care of the Hero.’

Thanks to this, the political risk of dealing with Shakline and Brookrudi in Sanuf has become clear.

Marquis Antonio.

‘…He got lucky and matched one, and now he’s arrogant and makes light of the Emperor’s power.’

Count Bertos.

‘…He should be imprisoned in the separate palace again as punishment. Wouldn’t it be good to put Scarl Bernatore in the separate palace?’

Baron Gorgor.

‘…Now that I see it, she looks just like the deceased Consort Mernia. I thought she was wise, but her actions show that she’s not.’

Instead of focusing on political strife, they should be preparing for foreign invasion, but instead, these three are fueling internal conflict.

They’re all traitors who will fall to the Demon King.

The three of them are nobles in the imperial palace who openly express their opposition to Sophia.

‘It seems like they’ve already gone over to the Demon King’s side.’

As they take the lead, everyone else criticizes Sophia as if they’re not doing the same.

“Brother!”

“You’ve arrived.”

“Why did you call me?”

I hand over the data without a word.

If she’s the wise Sophia, she’ll understand the intention at once.

“This is. Hmm…”

Her expression becomes increasingly serious.

“Aiden can do anything in terms of external matters.”

It’s impossible within the imperial palace.

The power we have comes from money, not from authority.

‘There was absolutely not enough time to win them over.’

No matter how good money is, it’s a world where you can be knocked down with a single stroke of power.

It’s not for nothing that nobles stick by the Emperor’s side and flatter him.

“Thank you for your concern. I’m fine!”

I don’t know if it’s sincerity or consideration not to worry, but I’ll just help in my own way.

“I understand.”

I was about to raise my hand to gesture for her to leave, but Sophia suddenly grabs it.

“?”

“Then. Let’s stop talking about work and go play!”

Led by Sophia, I get up from my seat.

“No―”

“What are you looking at! It’s okay to skip a day, unlike some people!”

Before I could even initiate, I was taken outside.

“I have my own plans too!”

Sophia’s dainty hand holds four of my fingers as we stroll through the campus.

Princess Sophia. She’s beautiful today as well.

Next to her is… that professor. I heard there was a big fuss yesterday?

Is the Princess dating that professor? They don’t look good together…

No matter what sounds I hear, Sophia vigorously shakes the arm she’s holding.

“The weather is really nice, isn’t it?”

Compared to yesterday, I ignore the gazes, which aren’t that many.

“Yeah.”

What intention is hidden in this behavior?

But did you hear? That person. Actually… he’s a descendant of the Hero.

Hero? The descendant of the Hero who defeated the Demon King was in our country?!

That’s just a legend. Isn’t it a story from a fairy tale?

The demons that appeared at the academy at the end of the first semester. Princess Sophia was the first to notice the signs, right? Look at the two of them now. Who would have told her?

As expected. People aren’t all about their looks. To think that someone who looks so cold and fierce is a Hero.

Did the Hero’s descendant know that the demons would appear? I wonder if Professor Scarl gives stock advice too…

The words I hear are strange.

The fact that Bernatore is a descendant of the Hero is a fact that could be known, but the question is, why at this timing?

“Brother.”

“We’re outside.”

I tried to shake her hand off, but Sophia makes a pouty face.

“Everyone is having such a pleasant misunderstanding, aren’t they?”

“I’m not a clown.”

Ignoring my words, Sophia comes closer and links arms with me.

All the students around us are surprised and gape.

‘This is trouble.’

I don’t know why Sophia has suddenly become so proactive.