Chapter 140
Chapter 140
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Translator: uly
Chapter: 140
Chapter Title: Eve of the Storm
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Filtia hugged the bear doll tightly to her chest.
Even magic couldn't hide the pounding of her heart.
For a dragon, the progenitor of magic, to admit there were things magic couldn't do was utterly humiliating. But right now, pride was the last thing on her mind.
Mana couldn't muffle her heartbeat, nor could it conceal her flushed face.
So she buried her face in the bear doll.
"Little brother."
"What is it?"
"Are you really going to halt all the gates to the demon realm?"
"Of course."
"...Even Papa failed."
"I know. It's an incredibly difficult task, but not impossible."
Where did that confidence come from?
When had he studied the demon gates so thoroughly?
She had so many questions, but she couldn't voice them.
If she said even one more word, her voice might tremble, giving away her feelings.
All Filtia could do was nod once, her face still pressed into the bear doll.
Filtia called herself his big sister for two reasons. First, genealogy. Three hundred years ago, as Hark's adopted daughter, how could she be on the same level as Wolfram?
Second, draconic pride.
But all of that was crumbling before this man, Wolfram von Loengrin.
"Alright. Now you know how to use that doll, right?"
"Sharing vision to monitor the demon gates... right?"
"Exactly. That reduces the gates we need to watch from eight to seven. It gives you more time to prepare your assault on the demon gates, big sis Filtia."
"...I see. So that's the method."
There were eight gates to monitor, but only one body. Filtia had to patrol them endlessly every day. Even watching just one per day wasn't enough; a week fell short.
Three hundred years of that, day after day. But now, she could fix one in place and rotate through the other seven.
Just thinking about the freedom that granted made her chest swell.
Wolfram might truly grant her freedom.
"Will you really set me free, little brother?"
"Don't make me say it again. I get you're anxious. ...To be honest, everything's just me exploiting the Founding Emperor's arrangements."
"......"
This kid was usually so arrogant and brimming with confidence, yet sometimes his self-assessment was brutally low.
Was it because his stats were underwhelming?
Bragging about Papa's legacy. Yeah, viewed coldly without emotion, you could call it that.
But.
"Papa made it, but you found this bear doll for me, little brother."
"......Did I?"
Wolfram averted his gaze slightly and nodded.
That must be his shy response.
What a bashful guy.
Seeing him embarrassed eased Filtia's own tension somehow.
"Then I should give you a gift too."
"...A gift?"
"Here, your gift from big sis."
With that, Filtia pulled something from her bosom.
"...This is."
"What do you think? A good gift, right?"
"Of course. Thank you, Filtia Bluebreeze."
"......Eek. Ah, ...y-yes."
Wolfram's bright smile made Filtia bury her face in the bear doll once more.
More message windows popped up than I could count, but I focused on what Filtia had given me.
【Scale of the Goodwill-Filled Blue Dragon】
【6T】
【A scale given by a blue dragon to a human, filled with goodwill. As equippable gear, it bears the dragon's blessing.】
【Current stats too low to draw out the full blessing of the scale.】
【Nullifies physical attacks up to 6T once per day.】
【Sealed.】
【Sealed.】
A 3-option guardian item.
This thing is seriously rare.
The scale showed just how much faith Filtia had placed in me.
"I'll treasure it."
"...Yeah. Well then, shall we head back? Big sis has to check the demon gates."
"Mm."
Filtia floated the bear doll with magic, crossing the fairy forest back to the desert.
Back at the convenience store, I tallied my gains.
【Skill EXP】 【Blue Dragon's Scale】
And the second Founding Emperor's treasure reward: 【Ultimate Recovery Potions x10】.
That wrapped up the first phase of Filtia Bluebreeze's side quest.
I'd gotten plenty of rewards, and opened up a new map for the future.
"Alright, time to enjoy summer vacation a bit."
I had at least a week left.
With a physical immunity item in hand, I planned to venture outside Jefrin Academy once.
First stop...
"Gotta be there."
I headed for the warp portal out of Jefrin.
Time to enjoy summer break. And do some business. Let's move.
Aila Trista was in her room, scribbling away with a pen.
Her ornate quill produced elegant script in a single fluid stroke.
The hefty blank notebook was bound in leather, its cover inscribed in flourish script: 【Wings of Rebellion】.
"Chapter 2. The Meaning of Rebellion. Arguably the most important part."
'Rebellion means shattering outdated customs and ushering in a new era.'
'In other words, rebellion always entails upheaval. Breaking conventions is rebellion itself.'
'We must dominate customs, not become their slaves.'
'To live without stagnation, we must always embrace the new.'
'The great Founding Emperor protected the beleaguered Midplane, crushed the heavens and demon realms, and proclaimed the age of man.'
'It was humanity's first great rebellion.'
'Yet it ended with proclamation. Jefrin functions halfheartedly as a place of learning, and tensions simmer between humans and non-humans, fairies and dragons, elves and dwarves.'
'This stems from monster-blocked territories isolating the races.'
'Thus.'
'Thus, Wolfram von Loengrin's continental transrail will shatter conventions, upend customs, and forge a new world.'
'The grand railway uniting all realms. The true revolution binding the Midplane as one.'
'There is no other incarnation of rebellion. No other rebellion.'
'Wolfram von Loengrin.'
'What is he doing right now?'
'Hmm. He's on my mind. I want to hurry back to Jefrin and hit the convenience store.'
'Eden's boring... Just the same old sights every day.'
'Better to write this book in Jefrin than drag it out here till I return.'
'Seriously, what is Wolfram up to?'
'I miss him...'
"......Sigh."
Aila stopped there, using mana to erase the ink.
Magic ink was convenient; it could be removed anytime unless fixed with adhesion magic.
"Just need to wipe the last few lines. Doesn't look like much editing needed."
She stared blankly at the ceiling.
She could erase the ink from the book, but not the heartfelt truths she'd written.
I'm bored. I want to adventure or travel with Wolfram. Start a new rebellion.
"So boring here. Home."
Maybe run away back to the academy. Wouldn't that be rebellion too?
As Aila plotted an escape route, a knock came at her door.
One of the maids.
A guest. Guests.
No one visits me. If anyone did, it'd just be annoying flies.
"Not in the mood to see anyone right now. Send them away."
"I really don't want to see anyone. Send them away."
"I said I don't want to see any guests."
She'd been firm, but the presence outside didn't budge.
That important? Who could it be? No one should be coming.
Sigh. Guess I need to show my face and issue the order to scram.
Aila approached the door, gripped the handle, flung it open, and snapped coldly.
"Just so you know, unless it's Wolfram right this instant, I'm not seeing anyone."
"Is that so? Then you're in luck."
"......Huh?"
"How have you been, Aila?"
"Wol, fram?"
"At least you agreed to see me. Quite the honor."
The man before her shouldn't be here.
Rebellion incarnate.
He shattered decorum, shattered expectations, and stood boldly in reality before her.
My biggest backer and business partner right now? The Trista family, hands down.
I'd dropped by for the ore deals and to check in. Count Glas told me to visit Aila first.
When I recounted what happened at Aila's room, Count Glas burst into hearty laughter.
"Hahaha! Is that right? Aila said that? Your Highness!"
"...Mm. The unvarnished truth."
"Hahaha! Indeed. She won't see anyone less than Your Highness. Aila, did you really say that?"
"......Urk. I-I did say it, okay?"
"Hahaha!"
Count Glas couldn't stop laughing, clearly delighted.
Aila, seeing it, bristled and shouted.
"Th-the house is boring! I've been telling you all about my adventures in Jefrin with Wolfram!"
"Yes, yes, you did. Met a dragon, got the Founding Emperor's arrangements. Quite the fun tale."
"It's not a tale!"
Apparently, Aila's adventure stories sounded like childish whims to him.
Here, I should back her up.
If I ignore her, she'll puff her cheeks, sulk, and yell, 'I'll bring back proof Dad can't dismiss!'
"Aila, didn't you show him the scale?"
"Who in our era would recognize a dragon scale?"
Fair point.
Other proof...
Not really.
"Give it up, Aila."
"Wolfram... Does that make me a liar?"
Hm.
Aila looked up at me, eyes misty with injustice.
This could get messy...
Ah.
"Rebellion is the emotion farthest from understanding."
"......Ah. R-right. Rebellion is... the emotion farthest from understanding. Yes. Understood rebellion isn't rebellion."
Aila exhaled shakily and nodded.
She flipped open her notebook and started scribbling. Making a rebellion quote book?
Anyway, leaving Aila be, I continued alone with Count Trista.
"No sign of Spica. Where is she?"
"Training magic on her own for top spot next year's Jefrin entrance."
"Commendable. Looking forward to continued cooperation, Count Glas."
"Yes. We'll secure even finer ores. Your Highness's foresight never ceases to amaze. Haha."
Hm.
Proper business talk.
A mere hint on ore uses, and Count Trista slashed prices in exchange for the info.
"Oh, and Your Highness. We acquired a rare ore this time."
"Oh? What's it called?"
"True silver ore."
"......"
For real?
Rarer than expected.
"...Must cost a fortune. Beyond a mere student's reach."
"Yes. But worth investing for that student's future."
"Investments should always aim bigger. What do you want from me?"
"Heh. As expected. Nothing major, but the imperial ball hosted by the palace..."
"......"
"Attend with Aila."
"Wasn't Trista steering clear of central high society?"
"We lacked a foothold. Now we're the undisputed saviors of the western mines."
"You dug well with my method."
"Fair trade."
I see.
This seemingly timid uncle has some spine.
Clearing mine monsters—the western nobles' headache—for cheap buyouts or alliances.
Now Trista truly guards the west.
That power now...
"Rivals the central elite nobility. That's what you're saying."
"Precisely. Debuting now is perfect timing."
"Fine. But I'm a poor dancer—just show my face."
"Haha. Up to you. It's who attends with whom that matters. Politics and commerce, Aila'll handle."
Aila?
Really?
That fits? You sure?
As I glanced between Aila and Count Glas, Aila pouted and whined.
"...Wolfram, feels like you're underestimating me. I'm top of my year, future archmage with 20 mana power? And a merchant's daughter. I'll handle it... Hurts my feelings."
"I'll trust you."
"...Forgiven since you trust me. Just this once?"
Got it. So I'm just the face, then.
"Understood. I'll attend."
"Thank you. Was confident, but hard to decline this ball. Can't send Aila alone."
"That big?"
Even Trista, self-proclaimed western guardian, can't refuse?
"Yes. Hosted by the Ciella family to celebrate Princess Eve von Loengrin's inauguration as Student Council President... Regina Ciella and Princess Eve von Loengrin will attend."
?
Hosted by who? Attended by who?
"On second thought, no true silver ore."
"A royal wouldn't renege, surely?"
"......"
Shut up already. Come on. I seriously—!
"I shall attend."
"Excellent. We'll prepare attire."
......
Damn this tier-1 skill.
May Loengrin's blood be cursed.