episode_0006

Despite the various commotions from the start, it seemed everything had been resolved well in the end.

I was a bit worried there might be some lingering gossip, but since no further rumors surfaced, it appeared our Lord Margrave had adjusted well to the academy…

In this beautiful season, where petals flutter in the sunlight and the air shimmers like a mirage, all I wanted was to immerse myself in the scent of papyrus and parchment, lost in scholarly pursuits.

But in this splendid season of youth, a new problem arose. And this time, it was about me.

“You should join the Military Studies Department.”

“……”

“Ah! Today at the dining hall, they served fasolada for breakfast—do you know the origin of this dish? It’s tied to the Conqueror’s legend. He wanted to create a nutritious meal for his troops using common ingredients, and that’s how it came to be. The fact that it was served today must be a sign that someone new is joining the Military Studies Department, don’t you think?”

“…Excuse me.”

“Gasp! The book you’re reading right now is the Northern epic ‘The Saga of the Long-Bearded Tribe,’ isn’t it?! It’s about the legendary Skilf tribe’s battle against the Huns, where the long-haired Skild women were called ‘Long-Bearded Warriors’ as they fought. Come to think of it, did you know the protagonist of this saga, ‘Golden-Haired’ Haribald, is the ancestor of Duke Vaiken? And since Duke Vaiken’s daughter is in the Military Studies Department, this must be another sign that you should join—!”

“Your Highness, I was just about to start reading…”

“Oh… I didn’t realize, my apologies…”

Of course, I could tolerate someone chattering beside me. I could just dismiss her as eccentric and noisy.

But spoiling what I was about to read? That, I couldn’t forgive.

When I glared at her, the princess—who had been relentlessly teasing me—flinched awkwardly, averting her gaze and closing her mouth.

I sighed and closed the book.

“More importantly, don’t you have studying to do? From what I heard from the Margrave, you have reports, presentations, and discussions piling up.”

“Eh, I can manage with a little less sleep. Convincing you is more important right now.”

Truly a princess’s answer—noble to the core.

In this medieval era, not sleeping is a privilege in itself. Whether lighting oil lamps or using magic for illumination, all of it costs money—lots of it.

Our princess, casually boasting about luxuries even a landed noble like me would hesitate to afford in this era without electric lights. I couldn’t help but poke at her.

“Staying up late ruins your skin, you know.”

“That’s fine! Because I’m still youthful and radiant, and I take extra care of my skin too!”

‘Don’t say that about yourself…’

I barely swallowed the words rising in my throat and awkwardly looked away.

Ah, the fragrant breeze of youth, carrying the scent of flowers, was being rudely swept away.

I thought I’d escaped the gloomy mountain valley of my fief to enjoy some outdoor reading in the academy’s fine weather, but…!

“Ah, you’re worrying about me in this situation? You really do understand others’ feelings! As they say, a great general must empathize with their soldiers’ hardships—an army that suffers unnecessarily is the first enemy to target!”

“I was just saying it casually…”

“Precisely! It’s a tremendous loss for someone like you to remain in another department! Come on, let’s go submit your transfer application to the Military Studies Department right now! This isn’t a suggestion!”

“If it’s not a suggestion, then what is it…?”

“A request, of course!”

In the reflection of the dazzling gemstone thrust before me, I saw myself trapped in a violet-hued landscape, flustered—as if being swallowed whole by its radiance.

Too… too overwhelming…

Only then did I realize why our Margrave had begged for help, utterly fed up with her. He must have suffered like this too.

I wanted to run to him right now and scream for help.

This princess named Charlotte—it’s not that she lacks manners… but more that she must get what she wants, no matter what.

“More importantly, wasn’t that matter already settled? Didn’t we agree to end it after that fun match?”

“My, you took my handkerchief, and now you’re thinking of cutting ties just like that—?”

Finger pressed to her lips, head tilted back in exaggerated shock—Princess Charlotte Laura von Ahenmetis.

At the tail end of my sigh, her teeth gleamed between her fingers, as if she found this unbearably amusing.

And with the commotion growing louder, curious onlookers began gathering, murmuring about what kind of fool would dare cling to the princess like this.

Unable to endure any longer, I raised both hands in surrender, ready to flee even if it meant being rude.

“Enough, enough! I need to go study now. I have mountains of material to review!”

“But really, have you given it no thought? Even distinguished professors from the History Department hold lectures in our Military Studies Department.”

“I’ll think about it, I’ll think about it!”

Using the most diplomatic phrasing possible, I made my escape. Surely, Her Highness understands? “I’ll think about it” is just a polite way of saying “I won’t consider it at all”!

Barely managing to flee, I made it back to my lodgings outside the academy—only for an ominous premonition to strike.

In front of the Margrave’s small villa, which I was using as my residence, an unfamiliar figure had come and gone.

At first, I thought something had happened in the fief and the regent had sent a messenger.

“Ah, Werner. Perfect timing—go follow that man quickly.”

“What’s going on?”

“Professor Wisbaden said he has something to discuss with you. He asked if I could send you over if you showed up.”

“I’m a bit wary if he’s the one looking for me… You’re not planning to stubbornly refuse to let me go, are you?”

“Of course not. For anything else, maybe—but not this time. Just go hear him out.”

Thump. Our towering blond Margrave clapped me on the shoulder and added:

“Even if you don’t go now, he’ll probably come back anyway…”

In short, he’s telling me to face it head-on and return. Understood…

“…I’ll be back.”

A strange sense of déjà vu sent a shiver down my spine.

“A double major?”

“Yes. I’d like you to continue in the History Department while taking some courses in the Military Studies Department.”

“Is that possible? I recall the Military Studies Department has its own entrance exams. Won’t there be talk of favoritism?”

Across a table set with simple refreshments, I exchanged these words with Professor Gerhard von Wisbaden of the Military Studies Department.

As the Empire’s premier institution, Schponheim Academy boasted experts in many fields—but none were as prestigious as the Military Studies Department.

Originally a small academy in a quiet, pristine village, its growth to this scale was largely due to imperial patronage of that very department.

Admission was notoriously strict, so a double major seemed unusual.

“After witnessing your performance in the match a few days ago, I doubt anyone who’d raise such objections could even enter our department. I also consulted with the general education professors—they agreed it’s entirely feasible for you.”

The academy’s general education was rigorous, but my grades weren’t bad. I’d passed most exams on the first try.

“I’ve heard you have a keen interest in history. The department’s professors and TAs mentioned you actively participate in lectures. You even volunteered first for presentations.”

“Well… I just found the topics interesting. I don’t think my presentation contained any groundbreaking insights.”

“True, but it did reveal where your interests lie.”

“……You read it?”

When I stared in shock, he smiled with the bright, almost cruel cheer of someone who’d publish a master’s thesis for all to see.

“‘The Myth Named Reform.’ Your argument that the so-called ‘cornerstone reforms’ of the Conqueror’s era couldn’t be attributed solely to him—that the military reforms weren’t entirely original but built upon predecessors’ efforts. Though some leaps in logic relied on unverified evidence… Much of it resonated with me.”

The Conqueror. The most distant ancestor of this ‘Empire,’ though he was called a king—because it was his descendants who first declared it an empire.

Yet without his feats—uniting scattered factions and toppling the ‘Radiant King’ who ruled the maestros of the East—this empire wouldn’t exist.

If our world’s hammer and anvil were Alexander and Hannibal, here, the Conqueror filled that role.

“Reading your presentation, I realized Baron Hebel has a profound interest in military history. Hence, this proposal.”

“To be honest, like Her Highness, I don’t understand why everyone’s so desperate to drag me into your department.”

“Let me be clear—this is my personal suggestion. Nurturing promising students and recruiting them is this old man’s joy.”

Professor Wisbaden wearily placed his hands on the table, yet his movements carried weight.

“Though I should admit, it’s not entirely unrelated to Her Highness.”

So there was some lobbying… Just as I thought that, he surprised me.

“Then let me ask: After your match, what did you think of Her Highness?”

“How so…? If I had to say, she might lack broad strategic vision, but her split-second decision-making is extraordinary.”

“Correct. That’s the consensus about her. I dislike the term, but some call her a genius.”

I winced slightly, having thought the same. The professor smiled kindly and continued.

“But conversely, she tends to fixate on preferred outcomes. Without overstepping, I’d say it’s a double-edged trait.”

“Y-yes.”

I wholeheartedly agree. Our Margrave would too, both hands raised.

“I believe someone like you could refine her tendencies while improving yourself.”

“Why me?”

“Your match appeared to be brilliant improvisation, but it was actually built on rigorous theoretical groundwork. More so than anyone I’ve seen in my life.”

Well, it’s just from playing too much ToX War and reading history books here… Not that I could say that.

“So… Her Highness, who pushes through with snap decisions, and me, who relies on bookish theory. You’re saying clashing us together might yield something good?”

“A friendly rival is the best catalyst for growth. More reliable than the philosopher’s stone alchemists rave about. There’s another reason.”

“Which is?”

“Even in simulations, the ability to articulate theory and teach it to others is, in some ways, rarer than Her Highness’s talents. That’s why I called you ‘promising.’”

That’s really not a big deal…

Am I really getting praised just for teaching a cheese strat…?

My conscience prickled. Ah, I thought it had worn away, yet my heart still pounds so vividly!

But personal feelings aside…

“……”

Honestly, the game with the princess had been fun. If it weren’t for the pressure, I wouldn’t mind playing again.

And if a professor was taking my half-baked notes seriously…

It wasn’t like this went against my easygoing lifestyle. Maybe it wouldn’t be so bad.

Besides, being in the same department would make it easier to help the Margrave if needed.

Having thoroughly rationalized my surrender to sweet talk, I spoke.

“Then, may I make a counterproposal?”

“Go ahead.”

“Why settle for a cowardly double major? Let’s just transfer.”

“!”

The hand resting heavily on the table suddenly moved with startling speed.

“An excellent decision, Baron Hebel. Shall we begin arrangements immediately?”

His swiftness left me with the belated feeling of having been tricked.

‘Well, I can still study history there… Right? It was just a hobby anyway…’

Thus, melted by the silver tongue of a revered strategist, I replaced my department emblem that very day.

A reserve admit to the Military Studies Department.

Under the name Werner von Hebel.