episode_0292

Episode 292

The expressions on the faces of students walking around campus were still full of energy. I smiled bitterly as I looked at those children. Then I followed the familiar path and entered the building.

The name of this place is no longer the Sanctuary Academy. Shortly after returning from Seine, the name was changed to the Arnst Academy.

No matter how prestigious an academy is, it cannot avoid decline if it is involved in a rebellion. It seemed that more than half of the students had dropped out.

I didn’t have to look to see how chaotic the place must have been when I was taken to San Francisco as a criminal. Parents, students, and even faculty and staff.

Julianna must be going through a lot of hardships, too.

I thought that going to Nordrier together might not be an easy decision for Juliana.

Of course, Juliana would never refuse my request. I am not in a position to do that.

But Juliana gave up so much. I didn’t want to give up even the last foundation of my life.

“Ha…”

I stopped for a moment in front of the chairman’s office where Juliana was. And then I knocked lightly on the door with the back of my hand.

Juliana’s voice was immediately heard from inside. The door opened wide of its own accord.

“Ah, welcome, princess!”

Juliana got up from her desk and came towards me. His face looked tired, but when he saw me, it became brighter as if the sun had shone on it.

“This is my first time since returning from Saint-Seine, Juliana.”

Juliana took me to the guest table with an excited face. After sitting down, I spoke right away.

“What is the situation at the academy?”

A shadow falls on the face of Juliana, the chairman of the board. Juliana said with a bitter smile.

“It’s quite… difficult. Not only has the number of students decreased, but most of the various donations have also disappeared. But it’s okay. I will have to make a comeback that will not lose to my previous reputation.”

I’m glad I’m not in despair. I began to tell Julianna the purpose of my visit.

First of all, in order to convey the purpose of going to Nordrier, there were quite a few things that needed to be explained first. I explained things step by step so that Juliana could easily understand.

First of all, what I heard from the Tree of Knowledge. This may be the most surprising part for Juliana.

“Yes? Is he… Iscarade…? Oh, he was the devil? Besides, it’s attached to the empire…”

The merchant who sold him a small perverted sexual device was originally a great being, and he is trying to invade the kingdom by manipulating the empire. It’s a hard story to believe, but Juliana didn’t seem to have any doubts.

“Being in the Empire is still just a guess on my part. The principle of his actions is still unclear. But it is clear that he will be the biggest threat to me.”

Because that is a fact guaranteed by the Tree of Knowledge. Well, I don’t know if the tree lied.

“Perhaps… Is it because of me…? Because I introduced such a person to the princess…!”

“No, not really. In the end, in order to achieve his goal, he would have had to contact me in some way. You don’t have to feel responsible, Julianna.”

“…Yes, yes…”

Juliana lifted the teacup filled with black tea with trembling hands and brought it to her mouth. I continued on to the next story.

The following is information brought by Luna. I have already told you that the empire is unusual, and that Margrave Wihart’s northern fortress is suspicious.

As the matter becomes more serious, Juliana’s face also becomes more serious. If Wihart changes his mind and cooperates with the empire, the kingdom will be destroyed. That was a clear fact for anyone to see.

“The Wihart family is a historic family that has been with the history of the kingdom… but it is hard to believe that they fell for the empire’s trickery. It’s not something I would say as a member of San Seine, but…”

“I think so too. So, I plan to go and check it out in person.”

Juliana looked at me with her eyes wide open.

“Do you want to visit in person? That’s too reckless!”

“Any other way is too late. My magic is the most effective way to reveal the truth and subdue them when necessary. To do that, it is essential to meet in person.”

“But…!”

Juliana looked as if she would jump out of her seat at any moment. He looked at me for a moment with shaking eyes. Now she seemed to realize the purpose of my visit.

“Please let me join too.”

“…is it okay? The academy… may actually close if the chairman leaves again.”

Somehow the positions seem to have become opposites. But I just hope Juliana doesn’t have any more regrets.

At the mention of the Academy, Juliana’s face darkens again.

Juliana looked down into the teacup for a moment and said.

“Please tell me you need me, princess. If you say so… I think I can gladly accept any sacrifice.”

Juliana was now looking straight at me. The answer I have to give is fixed.

The survival of an academy and a nation. You can’t even compare. As a princess, there was almost no room for consideration.

Following Juliana’s request. That is the only correct decision. Even if it is cowardly and cruel.

“I need you, Julianna.”

Juliana nodded happily, even though she had no idea what that meant. She is a poor woman who finds it so easy to abandon herself, but cannot endure being abandoned.

I didn’t want Juliana to continue living like that.

“You are welcome to go to Nordrier with me, Juliana. But there’s someone I need to meet before that.”

“Yes? If there is someone I need to meet… who is it?”

Julianna blinked as if she had no idea.

* * *

“It’s been a while, Julianna-san… Excuse me, I shouldn’t call you by that name anymore.”

Luna Laurencia politely greeted Juliana. Naturally, the two people, being the highest nobles, seemed to already be familiar with each other.

“Is this your first time since last year’s party? Please call me Arnst. Julianna Arnst. I didn’t know that the person you said you should meet was the Duke.”

“I came when you called, but I have not yet heard anything from the princess. Then, can I tell you why you brought me and Juliana together?”

It’s a natural question. Juliana was also looking at me with a very curious expression.

“Luna, you were already in charge of various businesses, including the boutique, right?”

“Yes, it is, but…”

Even before becoming the head of the family, Luna was in charge of Laurencia’s textile business. It was as if his management qualifications had already been proven.

“I am planning to inspect the northern fortress soon. Juliana will also participate as a member of the group. In the meantime, could you please serve as the acting chairman of the Arnst Academy?”

“Am I the acting chairman? But princess, I am illiterate in that field. Even if I were to take charge, I don’t know if I would be able to live up to expectations.”

“It’s okay. I’m not really expecting any great results. We just need to maintain the status quo so that the academy can survive.”

Luna’s eyebrows twitched slightly. Although he was humble, he wasn’t the type of person to keep quiet when told he didn’t expect anything in particular.

Still, Luna’s expression is difficult to read. Luna was looking at Juliana without any expression, which was frightening.

“Of course, I am willing to follow the princess’s instructions. It is thanks to the princess that Laurencia was able to survive. But Julianna, you… I’m a little surprised that you couldn’t even run the family business.”

Luna’s voice was just quiet. It was just calm, as if he was stating an obvious fact. Looking at this, it seemed that the attitude toward lower-class nobles had not changed much.

Juliana clenched her fists, unable to hide her anger. He seemed very angry at not being able to refute it.

“Luna, you are saying too much.”

“Sorry.”

“Juliana is leaving to head to Nordrier with me. He chose to devote himself to me rather than to his own work. So please don’t insult Juliana any further.”

“I made a mistake. I would also like to apologize to Julianna. I’m sorry, Juliana… Arnst.”

“Ah, yes… if you take on the role of acting for the former chairman… that is enough.”

“Before that, let’s make this one thing clear. Princess, is this an order from you, or is it an agreement between Laurentia and Arnst?”

If it were my order, Luna would follow it without a second thought. There is no particular problem. I am only repaying Laurencia for a small favor she owed me.

On the other hand, in the latter case, if it is a formal agreement, something corresponding to it must be returned. There is too great a gap between Laurentia and Arnst.

Can Juliana and the Arnst Academy provide enough compensation to Laurencia’s satisfaction? It probably wouldn’t be easy.

I looked at Juliana. He also looks anxious. But even in that anxiety, Juliana’s eyes showed her intention to move forward.

Julianna told Luna that she was okay with her eyes.

“Yes, I, Juliana Arnst, would like to formally request your cooperation, Duke Luna Laurencia. Could you tell me what conditions you want?”

Luna still answered with an expression as if not even a single blade would go through.

“I would like to accept one student. Her name is Tina Laurencia. Also, I would like you to designate her class as the class that William Roberts is in.”

“Tina… Laurencia…? Ah, I see. Rather, it is an honor. And what happens next?”

The corner of Luna’s mouth moved slightly. I’m not sure if he smiled or not.

“That’s it, Juliana. You can rest assured. I will definitely revive your academy. You can focus on protecting the princess.”