episode_0144

“I’m so incredibly sorry… I have absolutely no excuse, really… Ugh… That was an item of immeasurable value.”

“You don’t have to keep saying that.”

Professors and researchers, I figured, must be cooped up in their labs, conducting research, so naturally, they wouldn’t be in great shape.

Researchers, typically wearing white coats and thick glasses, often have that sickly, frail image; a delicate figure that would likely collapse at the slightest touch.

But Professor Priest was remarkably fit.

Especially her core muscles and lower back.

That day, I realized for the first time how quickly and precisely a person could bend at the waist.

The Mana Superconductor, the key to pure Mana studies, and my Aether within it.

Professor Priest felt a tremendous sense of responsibility and guilt over the theft of such a precious item.

As the head researcher, she should have been more vigilant about security, and the cost of storing the materials should have been higher, proportional to the research budget.

Moreover, since the superconductor was something I had given her, her back bent like a flip phone the moment she saw me in her lab.

Quickly, frequently, and for a long time.

It wasn’t until I verbally relinquished complete ownership of the superconductor, officially donating it to her lab, that the frequency of her back bending decreased.

Even then, I had to listen to her lament for another 30 minutes before she finally stopped.

A thought suddenly occurred to me.

If Professor Priest was so passionate about her research, there must be other remaining data somewhere besides the stolen research materials.

“Professor, I… have a question.”

“Yes, go ahead.”

The subject of ‘Pure Mana Studies’ felt like a heirloom, a legacy from my mother.

Therefore, I didn’t want to think ‘this is the end’.

“The research data that was stolen… what percentage of the total was that?”

“Almost all of it… I even brought the materials from the academic society, because of a new paper—”

“—No, not that.”

Clink-

I put down my teacup and tapped my head with my finger.

“There were no casualties, right?”

“…!!”

The most important thing in a nation isn’t its landmass.

Nor is it accumulated gold and treasures, honor, or power.

Only the people.

As long as the people are alive, those worldly things can be regained.

“Why didn’t I think of that… The most important ideas and talents weren’t stolen at all!”

“Right. Actually, that’s what I wanted to confirm today.”

And to hand-deliver a gift containing my new hobby, too.

The moment she finished speaking, Professor Priest became lost in her own world.

Her eyes no longer saw the laboratory; instead, they held the vision of a new research plan, a bright future.

It made me think that not only had we lost nothing, but we would gain even more in the future.

What a truly dependable researcher she is.

I thought it best not to disturb her any further, so I silently left the lab.

But just before closing the door…

“Cadet Narias!”

“Yes.”

Her short, sharp voice made me turn around.

The professor’s expression was brighter than ever, as if she had already achieved a second success.

“Thank you so much!”

After giving me a faint smile, she let me leave the research lab.

.

.

.

Summer is hot.

This is common sense, yet it also provides an interesting twist.

That is, even a slight drop in temperature feels cool.

The shade of a tree where the sun doesn’t reach, the cooling of sweat from a distant breeze, etc. Even just drinking a glass of water can bring extreme pleasure in summer.

That is why what you must be especially careful of in summer is not the heat, but the cold.

Catching a cold from sleeping with your stomach exposed while the air conditioner is on, and getting a stomachache from drinking ice cream like water.

Anything excessive is bad.

Therefore, the best way to get through summer is to feel the cool points hidden in nature.

Shade, wind, and water.

These environmental elements are far more refreshing than artificial coolness.

Reflecting my thoughts, I chose Jane’s grave site where these three elements converged.

Not far from the academy, there is a large tree.

Beneath it runs a small stream, a beautiful place where people from the nearby village, as well as animals from the forest, come to rest.

Rustle- rustle-

I walked through the tall grass that reached my ankles and lay down next to Jane’s headstone.

Cool shade, wind mixed with the fragrant scent of grass.

And the sound of the gently flowing stream.

I always thought there was no better place.

Closing my eyes, I was slowly passing the time, when…

Rustle- rustle-

I heard someone else’s footsteps.

“…I knew you’d come.”

Five men and women in ordinary clothes.

I’d never seen their faces before, but that’s precisely what confirmed their identities.

Jane’s servants.

The servants of Lady Darius, Jane Phryne Darius.

Closing my eyes, their emotions resonated with me, giving me a stronger conviction.

An immeasurable despair and sadness, so intense it almost made me cry.

However, I heard nothing.

The servants of the Duke Darius were trained not to show emotion, to stifle even their breathing.

“Sob-”

“Sniffle-”

They never openly wept at their mistress’ grave.

They merely contorted their faces, trying their best to conceal their inconsolable grief.

“Remarkable work ethic…”

But to me, I only saw spite against the Duke’s house.

“This is Nifrantz, not Ubiette. If you’re in the kingdom, you must follow the kingdom’s laws, tch.”

“What… What are you suggesting?”

Yes, this is better.

Communication allows for improvement.

“Cry. Cry as much as you want. Only after you let it all out can you face tomorrow.”

“We… don’t have the right. The right to cry, the right to live…”

The youngest woman whispered, covering her mouth.

“When my mistress gave her life… I could do nothing…!!”

“Even when she left the mansion that day, all I could do was dress her, brush her hair, and bid her farewell with a stiff expression…”

“Why didn’t you order us—!! To die in your stead, to be a sacrifice for your survival…”

What a stupid question.

Well, they probably know themselves.

That she would never give such an order.

“That said… actually, your mistress was incredibly rude to me. I couldn’t seek retribution from the deceased, which was troublesome, but luckily, you all came.”

“You are…”

Clasping my hands, I spoke whilst still lying down.

“The fifth princess, Narita Florain Nifrantz.”

“…!!!”

I thought they would at least show some suspicion, presenting myself like this.

The second I finished speaking, the servants all bowed and knelt.

“We will accept any punishment…”

“If necessary, we will offer our lives and bodies for you…”

If I commit a great crime and die, would Yuri and the other children do this for me?

I felt that it would be incredibly happy yet simultaneously sad.

“In that case, Jane? I must give very severe punishment.”

“…….”

Rustle-

From the back of the large tree, the opposite side from where we were, a woman emerged.

“Has she already received her punishment and gone to the underworld—?”

“No, surely… Really…”

Her body was wrapped in bandages, and she used crutches, making it seem as if she was completely wounded.

But she was ‘alive.’

“Miss Jane, Miss Jane—!!”

“I’m sorry… everyone.”

“Miss—!!!!”

All the servants immediately rushed to Jane’s side, supporting her.

Before they even had a chance to acknowledge her survival, their bodies moved before their hearts, driven by their duty to their mistress.

“You are all too hateful, so I will give the greatest punishment I know.”

“…….”

“Are you prepared?”

There was no answer.

But Jane and her servants all nodded, showing their firm resolve.

“First… I’ll take away all your names. Eliminating your status as a lady-in-waiting and her servants… from now on, you will spend your lives working at our royal palace.”

“…?”

Finishing my words while feeling the cool breeze, a moment of silence hung in the air.

“I… is that all…?”

“What, you don’t like it? Shall I just make you my sex slaves?”

“That, that’s…”

“No, I wouldn’t even take it. You’re not my type.”

One of the youngest girls… no.

To be honest, she’s too similar to Yuri, so she’s not needed.

Anyway.

Having finished what I had to say, I waved my hands dismissively.

“What are you doing? Are you not leaving? Go to the castle immediately and work. Wash yourselves; you smell awful.”

“Yes…”

Thump-

Everyone standing beside me bowed their heads to me.

“Thank you… Your Highness…!!”

“Truly… truly, thank you…!!!”

Ignoring them, I turned my head, and they embraced each other, sobbing.

Disturbed in my quiet enjoyment of the summer atmosphere, I snapped irritably.

“Waaaaah-”

“Shut up—!! Why are you all crying?!”

“Sniffle- You said we should follow the kingdom’s laws… Waaaaah—”

Thus, the six nameless ones, the new servants of the royal palace, cried until their throats were hoarse, oblivious to the passage of time.

Gently lying down, I looked up at the sky.

White fluffy clouds were floating peacefully.