episode_0078
by fnovelpia
Eventually, Chloe dragged me along.
As I was being dragged away, I was met with harsh stares. I could feel envy and jealousy through the gaps in their black uniforms. From the moment Chloe called my name loudly, the students instantly became quiet and began to murmur.
I tried hard to ignore their glares and smiled bitterly.
“Hey, hey… Chloe.”
There was still confusion in my voice, because Chloe looked so different from how I usually knew her.
“Hey, let go of my hand and talk… .”
“……”
Chloe then let go of my tightly clenched hand. She seemed shaken by my gesture of quickly pulling my free hand away.
“Why are you doing this?”
“Be, Beatrice. I just… .”
I intended to ask gently, but strangely my voice became sharp. Unintentionally.
“You’re not just a princess anymore. You’re a knight who uses the power of a mythical warrior! If you suddenly get involved with me, I’ll get the spotlight.”
I whispered a secret in their ears, as if to tell them something so that those who were still watching us would hear. No, I tried to whisper.
“Ugh… . But, but.”
“But?”
But contrary to my intention to whisper quietly, my voice came out as a low, reprimanding voice. Chloe bristled at my voice.
“Carl Mayner is dangerous… .”
“……”
“You said I could become your enemy… without me knowing.”
“Ha.”
I can’t help but sigh. If it’s excessive loyalty, then that’s fortunate.
“Is that really all?”
“Huh?”
“Is that the only reason you left us behind and dragged us here so roughly? Just to keep us away from the sword, which could be our enemy.”
“Oh, right.”
It’s a lie. The trembling, sea-blue eyes are telling the truth.
“… Okay.”
“Really?”
“But Chloe, there’s something you’re misunderstanding.”
“What is that?”
There are many eyes watching, so I can’t just shoot him down. It’s easier to understand and move on. I pointed to a sword in the distance with a nod. Before I knew it, he was striking a scarecrow with a wooden sword all by himself.
“Karl Maynor could be the enemy, but he’s not the enemy yet.”
“Oh, I see. Then let’s be friends-”
“No.”
That won’t work.
“Chloe, you will never have to talk to Karl again. You have to.”
“……”
“It’s my job to get him on our side. If anyone else interferes, things might go wrong.”
“Me, me being a bother… ?”
Chloe’s face turned sour at my stern expression.
ha.
I looked at her expression, then turned my body to face Chloe with my back to the people watching us, so that they wouldn’t see my face.
Jiying-
Chloe revealed her turquoise eyes, which the Deminus clan loved so much. Chloe, who had been crying, smiled as she saw the color of her eyes change in an instant.
It’s an unhealthy smile with a hint of ecstasy.
The lips that had been hardened quivered and the eyes that had been filled with water opened. It was as if the child was automatically happy. It was like a child who had been harassing his parents and finally got what he wanted.
“You are my sword. A precious knight who will protect me.”
“Haa… Me?”
“Yeah, it’s my knight. So, Chloe, you don’t have to worry about my duties.”
“Book… No.”
“It’s my job to recruit colleagues to work with.”
“The sword is our comrade?”
I swept her hair down to comfort her. I whispered softly so that she would understand. No, she had no choice but to understand. Because that’s what I’m saying.
“You will be my comrades in reclaiming my empire. But Chloe, we still have to endure. We have no choice but to hide in the shadows of the cult and the traitors and quietly bide our time.”
He pointed to the insignia carved on the pillar beyond the training ground. The insignia had the imperial and sect seals crossed. It was also a symbol of the empire.
“Yeah, I understand. Beatrice, I will follow your words no matter what happens.”
Chloe nodded repeatedly, shaking her head as if making a firm resolution. Seeing her, my irritated mood also eased a little. I smiled. That was the answer I wanted.
“From now on, if I approach Carl, just pretend not to see me and move aside.”
“… Okay.”
It’s strange that the reply is late, but it doesn’t matter. It’s probably because of my mood.
“Then. Chloe, I have to spar with you today?”
“Really!?”
Now that it’s come to this, it’s a bit awkward to go back to Karl. So I have no choice but to spar with Chloe.
“Of course. Okay, shall we begin?”
“Yeah!!”
Chloe quickly pulled out a wooden sword from her waistband. She had a bright and cheerful smile on her face that was hard to believe was her sad face.
Well, now that I have your assurance that you won’t interfere with my being with the sword, I can give you this much compensation.
If I could satisfy Chloe to this extent and secure some precious time with Karl, it would be a worthwhile deal.
“Beatrice, hurry!”
“Yeah, yeah.”
At Chloe’s urging voice, I also took out my wooden sword and took up my stance.
Swish-
The sight of Chloe holding her sword was so amazing that it almost seemed like she was wagging her tail in excitement, even though she didn’t have one.
And so, Chloe’s first class after awakening her warrior powers passed.
*
“Everyone worked hard today too.”
As always, the class ended with Professor Smith’s summary.
“Although Chloe didn’t show her true strength, the swordsmanship she showed with Beatrice alone would have inspired many people.”
He gathered the students together and spoke slowly, looking at each of them one by one.
“You too can achieve it if you keep going without giving up. Remember that being here means you have the possibility.”
The students’ expressions brightened at the heartfelt encouragement.
“Everyone, straighten your shoulders! You are the best of the best from the continent. One day, you will bloom beautifully, and I will help you. So never give up!”
-all right!!!
In the midst of the heightened atmosphere, one person answered loudly. It soon spread like a wave, and the training ground instantly became a crucible of cheers. The elation that had been gently spreading throughout the knighthood finally manifested itself as passion.
I watched the scene and walked quietly.
It’s a pretty impressive scene. Maybe some of them will join me. Some will become my enemies. It’s a strange feeling to think about a future where there will be such a crossroads.
I’d rather turn my back on everyone than have just one person take my side.
It’s an irrational calculation, but I like it better.
I looked back for a moment, solving my own equation that I couldn’t find anywhere else in my head.
‘Okay, just come to me.’
I mutter to myself as I look at the blond man standing there with a stern expression. Today’s events are regrettable, but it’s not like there won’t be opportunities in the future.
Swallowing my regret, I headed out of the training ground again.
As I walk, I see a curtain fluttering in the wind. It’s the same curtain I saw earlier. Decorated on a pillar.
I stopped for a moment to admire the fluttering curtain.
It had an impressive seal engraved with imperial and imperial symbols. To me, it was a seal that seemed disgusting.
Holy Claro Empire.
An ideal state where royal and divine powers are balanced. The Emperor, a secular monarch, rules over his subjects with the blessing of the Pope and protects the continent from evil. The clergy of the church are respected as independent entities without interference from the Emperor and are dedicated to carrying out the will of God.
An empire that creates peace and prosperity through harmony and unity, like the seal engraved on the emblem. Isn’t that wonderful? Everyone thinks so.
‘That’s really ideal.’
In reality, it is a half-nation where the religious order dared to cut off the imperial family, and a nation of traitors who condone and try to hide it.
The other half that was cut out… Our royal family is silent. They are all dead. Just like my Theo.
But the royal family’s long silence will soon end.
I, Tricky Green, will destroy you.
“……”
He clenched his fists and glared at the curtain.
“There, Beatrice-!”
“?”
I turned around again at the sound of Professor Smith’s shout from afar.
I waited for Professor Smith’s next words, who had suddenly called me over. I was nervous about the unexpected situation.
I often—in fact, almost every time—would leave the sparring room before the professor had finished speaking, but Professor Smith never once called me back.
That’s why he and I get along so well. Professor Smith didn’t try to correct me, who was a weirdo. Thanks to that, I also showed myself as a comfortable person in front of Professor Smith instead of acting like the model student Beatrice de Dahlia.
But why all of a sudden?
Did you notice that I showed my hostility in front of the curtain?!
Did I unknowingly exude life force?
As I was imagining all sorts of scenarios, Professor Smith shouted again.
“Come back, it’s not over yet.”
“……”
Everyone’s eyes were on me. Without letting go of my tension, I slowly turned back the way I came and approached them.
‘Maybe we should fight right here.’
Let Chloe deal with the sword, and I’ll subdue the professor… .
No, Chloe might hurt Carl.
No. But that doesn’t mean I can fight with a sword wielding the Holy Sword.
Then, before summoning the Holy Sword, you must first be incapacitated-
In a short period of time, countless scenes play in my head. My nerves are on edge. My worries didn’t end until I reached the professor.
“I can’t go first today.”
“… Why?”
“Ah, I want to finish quickly too… . But the higher-ups asked me to bring them.”
“!”
I flinched at the mention of high-ranking officials and tried to gather my mana. However, Professor Smith’s next words were unexpected.
“Okay, everyone, let’s go to the auditorium!”
“Auditorium… ?”
The tension eased and I looked puzzled when I was told to all move to the auditorium together.
-Huh? Suddenly?
-What about lunch? I’m hungry… .
-I have to go to the next class. What should I do?
Complaints erupted here and there. The students had been energized by the professor’s encouragement just a moment ago, but they had cooled down as soon as they saw that it looked like they were going to a make-up class.
“Do you think I’m going because I like it? Don’t worry. All the other students are going to gather too.”
“Then, when’s the next class?”
“Today’s academy classes end in the morning. There is no next class.”
Cheers erupted again in the training hall at the news that all Academy classes scheduled for the afternoon had been canceled.
A break in school is good news. That is a truth that does not change even in the world of novels.
But we couldn’t just have fun together, so what was the point of gathering all the students in the auditorium?
It was so sudden that even the afternoon classes were canceled… .
… .
I looked at the drapery on the pillar again with a hardened expression, as I had a guess.
‘The traitors are on the move.’
Perhaps they will announce what happened at the palace, what happened at Karl and Chloe’s engagement ceremony.
The declaration of war against us is about to begin.
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