episode_0069

Heine learned the news as it was time to depart for the university.

It was not easy to gather information from a foreign land for the first time in her life.

Preparations for leaving for the university were steadily progressing, and she was getting along well with Lycia.

And tomorrow was the time to depart for the university. Up to this point, everything had gone according to plan.

Feeling relieved, Heine was rolling around as usual.

A retainer left by her father approached her quietly and whispered softly, “Your Highness, a message has come from Duke Rudolf’s side to approach Lady Laven.”

“Well, I didn’t think they would just wait around foolishly. So, what did they propose?”

“It’s a thousand gold coins. Of course, it’s the first offer, so it can be negotiated depending on the circumstances.”

“…They came prepared.”

If asked if it was a large amount, the answer would be the same no matter who it was.

Even the princess herself had never touched that amount of gold coins. Let alone a knight of such a small fief, it would be even more special to them.

Her father had been gone with the crown prince for a long time, so she couldn’t ask for support.

And the money left in the treasury was negligible compared to a thousand gold coins.

Just as she left the house, a conflict broke out, and now it was a kidnapping threat.

She somewhat understood why her father had lived with paranoia.

But running away was not easy in front of a knight with the greatest mobility advantage.

Having seen it in the Alps, there was no option to subdue.

From the moment Heine learned of this fact, she was preparing herself to some extent.

Even if she was to be delivered to the rebels in a nicely wrapped package, she was prepared to at least struggle.

And unexpectedly, or rather quite unexpectedly, she found herself at Bolong or the university.

Did the knight really keep his promise? Really?

Fulfilling the contract to the end was the duty of a knight. But that was when there were no other variables, leaving much better conditions behind.

The emperor, her father, had many knights befitting his position, and she knew this well as she had watched from the sidelines.

He was not knightly. At least, according to the definition of a knight that she knew.

Heine, who had been living in suspicion for the past fortnight, did not understand this.

But she didn’t want to keep this question in her heart. So she asked directly.

“The amount was larger than what my father entrusted me with. Is that correct?”

“Yes.”

“Then can you tell me why?”

“I have no intention of doing anything that I am not proud of.”

“Are you talking about the knight’s code?”

“Not to that extent, but you can think of it as just a knight’s self-satisfaction.”

Heine closed her mouth. It wasn’t because of some dramatic event that changed her life in an instant.

It was just that she suddenly realized that she was so similar to her father, whom she wanted to distance herself from.

She couldn’t continue speaking when she realized that she was adopting the same attitude of not trusting those around her and treating her family coldly.

If she were to inadvertently become like the emperor, if she had to become a noble only for ruling and domination.

Then where would the part of herself that could be called Heine go?

Heine caught a glimpse of Laven walking ahead.

And Lycia sitting in front of her.

Even though the current world was chaotic, and it was difficult to find the ideal justice that knights spoke of.

Still, wouldn’t it be okay to believe that there was still goodness in the world?

*****

Just when it seemed like the world was moving towards peace, it seemed to eagerly plunge back into chaos as if it had been waiting.

The pillaging count of knights surpassed that of barbarians, the emperor went on a hunger strike in front of the pope, and countless heroes of the empire fell in battle, ushering in an era of heroic deeds.

The privilege of exemption that students in such an era possess.

It was impossible for this authority, which made one’s mouth water just by hearing about it, to function as originally intended.

The reckless behavior of inexperienced students could no longer be dismissed as a necessary part of growing into a knowledgeable individual.

There were indeed many students who were truly dedicated to their studies. However, there were also those who knocked on the doors of universities with only this goal in mind.

While everyone else in Vollogna was off to dreamland, there were students burning the midnight oil under the slogan, “While you dream, I will achieve my dreams.”

If one pursued their dreams in their own home, they were simply diligent students. The problem arose when they tried to achieve their dreams in someone else’s home.

A moment of wrong judgment could create a legal thief.

Therefore, while professors usually focused on selecting outstanding talents during the admissions season, they could not afford to overlook those who showed signs of becoming master thieves.

But that was merely wishful thinking.

While one may know the depths of a river, one cannot know the depths of a person’s heart, and who could freely peer into it.

“You have failed.”

“Why? My knowledge should be more than enough…!”

“Your thoughts are impure.”

There was only one person who could make such an unreasonable decision.

Originally known as Amelie, and now bearing the name Abigail as a saint in the papal office.

She was an adult who could freely access the knowledge that belonged solely to God.

“Nevertheless, there should be something to gain here, so I will explain my reasoning. The monastery is not a treasure trove waiting to be plundered.”

“Ah…”

It was not an exception just because it was a person’s heart.

Amelie, who had sent away an applicant from the knights’ lineage, leaned back.

She was in the process of selecting students for this semester, but the fatigue was beginning to take its toll after a morning of interviews.

There was one person she was waiting for now. So, it was time for them to enter.

A smart, gentle knock on the door revealed a familiar face.

“Excuse me.”

“Ah, you’re here.”

Having achieved today’s goal, she only had a few more to see before wrapping up today’s interviews.

Amelie thought this as she adjusted her posture.

She could not rummage through her thoughts just because it was herself. Nor did she have a morbid curiosity to peek into the thoughts of everyone she passed by in daily life.

She only glanced at them in special situations, like selecting students for admission, to gauge an individual’s morality.

After asking a few leading questions to elicit a response, it was just a matter of observing at that moment. She had thrown the keyword of “monastery” to the previous applicant and saw the first thought that came to mind.

But since she had already confirmed Lycia’s purity last time, there was no need to do it again.

She didn’t seem to undergo any sudden change in emotions, and there was no need to see if she had the talent to keep up with her classes.

So, as long as she didn’t receive any doubts about the assessment ending too quickly, she just needed to buy some time.

“Was everything okay on your way here?”

“Yes. Raven safely escorted me.”

If one wanted to know about the hardships the girl had faced, there was nothing she wouldn’t know. But the emotions that came into play made the story more colorful.

The hope gained in adversity and the joy found in small things could not be understood through a dry list of facts alone.

Amelie believed that one had to consider all those emotions in addition to simple facts to truly understand everything.

For everything in this world was woven together through the stories between people.

Having chatted with Lycia for a while, the girl suddenly had a question.

“Are you not going to evaluate me?”

“Well, for someone else, maybe. But for you, Lycia, there’s no need.”

“How does the evaluation usually take place? I’m curious because someone might ask about it later.”

“Well, that’s a reasonable question. We assess your ability to read and write, as well as your knowledge of theology, through a question and answer session.”

It was a hypothetical situation, but there might be a time when university friends would discuss such topics.

It wouldn’t be appropriate to just chat with the saint and leave. So, it seemed necessary to give a brief explanation.

“And I have one thing that sets me apart from other professors. When I mention a sentence or a word, I can briefly glimpse into your thoughts.”

“Can you read thoughts?”

“Yes. Amazing, isn’t it?”

Being able to read thoughts was evidence of receiving divine love, but at the same time, it was a reason why those who knew about it would avoid or unknowingly shun the person.

Lycia, who had been making eye contact until now, subtly avoided eye contact.

Did the girl think the same way? She didn’t particularly resent it, but if that were the case, it might be a little disappointing.

Despite such thoughts, the girl and Lycia would have to interact a lot at university, so it was a bit awkward to have such boundaries already.

Normally, one wouldn’t peek like this, but if there was an issue, it had to be fixed from their side, so they needed to understand the cause of such reactions.

With a slight curiosity, the girl peeked into the girl’s mind, and what she found was unexpected.

‘…Interest method?’

What did reading thoughts have to do with a one-eyed monk in exotic attire?

It didn’t seem like she was repulsed, which was a relief, but what should she say?

It was incomprehensible.