Chapter 185
Chapter 185
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Translator: uly
Chapter: 185
Chapter Title: 20 vs 22
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Relationships between people—how could they be so complicated?
Eve von Loengrin had been feeling this deeply of late.
She was all too familiar with hierarchical relationships, where orders flowed downward.
She possessed unwavering convictions and issued rational commands from that foundation, while her subordinates carried them out.
That was why she had vowed to live a resolute life herself... but unfortunately, Eve von Loengrin had no one she could truly consider an equal.
Older siblings by blood. Younger siblings by blood.
Most of them were locked in competition for the throne, the pinnacle of power on this continent.
Of course, some imperial heirs had voluntarily stepped away from the throne, but that only made them harder to approach.
They kept their distance to avoid rumors of abandoning their claim and joining Eve's faction, and besides, Eve had little use for the unambitious anyway.
That was why Wolfram von Loengrin was such an extraordinary case.
He had forsaken the throne yet harbored no lack of ambition, serving neither as her subordinate nor scheming to control her.
He simply chose his own path and walked it steadfastly.
With his measly Stamina of 2.
Even she, with her Stamina of 12, sometimes felt its ups and downs, but he scoffed at such things and pressed on.
To him, status windows were just numbers—nothing more.
And so, Eve von Loengrin—who had always judged everything by the numbers—found herself... loath as she was to admit it, acknowledging Wolfram von Loengrin's happiness, if only just a tiny bit. No, even more than that.
But the person Eve von Loengrin was meeting now wasn't someone from her bloodline who flipped her off instead of showing affection, always scheming to stab each other in the back whenever they crossed paths.
"Oh my."
"...Hello."
Really.
The real problem was dealing with someone she had no idea how to handle.
"......"
"......"
Aila Trista.
Among those Eve von Loengrin didn't know how to deal with, this one was undoubtedly the pinnacle—and there she sat, right in front of the convenience store.
Aila Trista.
To Eve von Loengrin, she was an enigma.
From the start, since her family had chosen the Ciella house as Wolfram's travel companion, their relationship with the Trista house was inevitably strained.
Not to mention that the eldest daughters of each house were at each other's throats, vowing to kill one another.
The elegant, noble Ciella house—titans of the central financial world—and the Tristas, embodiments of western pioneering spirit, could never blend.
And Aila was Wolfram's fiancée, no less.
Even if it was a political arrangement of mutual benefit, one that imperial engagements could break as casually as grabbing lunch if the royals willed it, this awkward dynamic wouldn't resolve itself.
Of course, she'd gone on expeditions with Wolfram before, seen the sea together... they weren't total strangers. But that was always with Wolfram in the middle, facilitating the conversation.
Come to think of it, something Sylphia had said popped into her mind: With a central figure as a friend, everyone can laugh and chat amiably, but leave just the two of you, and things get truly awkward...
She'd thought it had nothing to do with her, but sure enough—without Wolfram, talking to Aila was tricky.
Eve boldly tossed out a question to Aila, who sat at a table outside the convenience store, leisurely reading a book.
"Um. Wolfram is..."
"He stepped out for a bit—something came up. See the lock over there?"
"Ah... I see."
Sure enough, a chain was wrapped around the convenience store's front door, secured with a padlock.
Did that idiot really think Jefrin students couldn't pick something that simple?
So, Wolfram was away.
"Milpieu is..."
"Peep's skipping shifts starting today—midterm prep period, she says."
"Ah..."
With that, Aila returned her focus to her book.
Hm.
It felt awkward to just leave now, so Eve pondered what to say next. In the meantime, Aila closed her book and looked at her.
"Why don't you sit?"
"Sure. Okay."
And so began a bizarre day without Wolfram.
Aila Trista glanced at Eve von Loengrin sitting beside her.
A person who might one day truly become 'family'—though by that logic, all the imperial royals led by Eve von Loengrin fell into the family category.
Moreover, back at the start of the semester, Aila had thought Eve had usurped Wolfram's position and harbored a strange animosity toward her.
But in the end, that was just Aila's narrow perspective.
Wolfram had never seen the throne as more than a path he passed through.
History had more than ten emperors, and plenty had ascended solely because they carried the blood of the great Hark von Loengrin.
Was the first emperor, Hark von Loengrin himself, great from the beginning? When he first rose for the independence of the Midplane, only his future empress stood by his side.
Yet he walked for the greater cause and made himself great.
The path Wolfram walked was even more arduous—linking the entire continent's fate.
All she could do was realize how narrow her own view had been.
So, in the end, Aila had no reason to antagonize Eve anymore—but that didn't erase the lingering awkwardness.
Still, she seemed to get along decently with Wolfram, so...
Hm.
But if nothing changed, nothing would change.
With that in mind, Aila spoke up.
"Hey."
"Hey."
Their words overlapped.
......
"You first."
"No, you go ahead, Miss Aila."
A brief silence passed, and eventually, Aila broke it first, unable to bear it.
"Eve von Loengrin, Student Council President?"
"Yes, Senior Aila Trista."
"...We've hardly ever talked just the two of us, have we? We're not exactly distant by relation."
"True."
"Honestly, there might've been some mixed feelings up until now. Considering our positions and all."
"Yes."
Eve wasn't stupid—especially not with her sharp political insight.
She'd fully grasp what Aila was getting at and why she was approaching like this.
Aila was Wolfram von Loengrin's fiancée and ally, and even if Eve von Loengrin walked a parallel path to his, she'd have no real desire to antagonize him.
"Hm... even so, it's tricky finding something to talk about."
"...Ah."
As Aila tilted her head, Eve flinched slightly.
Did she have something to say?
"Do you have something on your mind?"
"Um, if I may be so bold—how's Spica doing?"
"Oh?"
A completely unexpected topic emerged.
"She's doing great. She's been writing home often lately. I heard she's sending letters to you too, Student Council President Eve von Loengrin."
"Yes, such a good kid."
"Thank you for taking an interest in Spica."
"Spica's talented, and she has no hesitation about her chosen path. I plan to strongly recommend her for the Student Council next year. I think she'd learn a lot there."
Her own little sister... was being headhunted by the leader of a faction she couldn't quite classify as enemy or ally?
"If I may, that should be Spica's decision. I'll talk it over with her thoroughly."
"Pardon?"
"Picking a faction right after entering Jefrin can be secure, but it can also be precarious."
Eve's brow twitched at Aila's words.
"Are you saying the Student Council is dangerous?"
"Of course not. Don't misunderstand. I trust the Student Council. It's just... Spica's my sister. From my position as the 'fiancée of the former Student Council President who was ousted by the current one'... I'm worried about the scrutiny she'll face."
"That's a lack of faith in me. I, Eve von Loengrin, have complete control of the current Student Council. No harassment will reach Spica. Judging the whole world by your own values and blocking your sister's future... I don't think that's right."
"...I see."
"...Yes. Exactly."
They'd traded blows, one for one. Wasn't that it?
This was fun.
Very enjoyable. Truly.
"If you hadn't usurped Wolfram's position and his reign had continued, I could've sent Spica to the Student Council without worry."
"Don't forget the countless misdeeds he committed during his tenure. Why else would the imperial family issue an official decree to dismiss him? Or do you question His Majesty's edict, as a noble of the Empire?"
"Oh my. Of course not. The imperial family is always righteous and great. But are all its subordinates flawless? Reports can be spun however the reporter wants."
They stared straight at each other.
'You'd have sent Spica if Wolfram were president?' 'He'd have ruined the academy. Questioning the palace's actions?' 'You skewed the reports to inflate it.' The unspoken exchange hung between them as they simply smiled at each other.
Of course, with her Magic Power of 20, Aila couldn't overpower Eve, but Eve's normal Magic Power was diminished by Soul Change, while Aila was at full strength. And this 'distance' favored Aila overwhelmingly.
If it came to a showdown, it'd be about fifty-fifty!
But those who ruled the Empire didn't stoop to pulling out holy spears or black crystals—that was third-rate.
Words only.
Gracefully.
Aila struck first.
"I understand there might be misunderstandings about Wolfram's actions. But haven't most of them been cleared up by now?"
"......"
"He sought to pioneer the outside world and reform society. In hindsight, isn't it clear what path he was trying to take?"
"But do you know how many suffered in that process? The end doesn't justify the means."
"And you know who benefited from it, right? Are you going to ignore that profound benevolence?"
"......"
Eve fell silent.
Because the beneficiary was Eve von Loengrin herself.
Wolfram's misdeeds had allowed her to champion justice, and his seizure of treasures from both divisions had strengthened the Student Council, letting it establish itself swiftly.
If it was all calculated... she couldn't ignore that.
And so, this war of words—no, this noble discourse—ended in Eve's defeat.
But Aila had no intention of delivering the killing blow.
If they were to become real family someday... there was no need for bad blood with Eve.
"I went too far. Sorry."
"......No."
"But try to understand Wolfram, even a little. He hasn't changed since he was a kid, spouting those childish dreams. No... now he's actually pursuing them."
"...Wolfram von Loengrin's dream."
"Yes. He hasn't changed at all."
Eve knew what his dream was.
He'd been called an incompetent prince and treated like trash among the royals because the banner he'd raised as a child was far too grandiose.
That bold declaration he always made so confidently at imperial banquets as a boy.
"...World conquest."
"Pfft. ...You knew."
What kind of world conquest did a prince who'd already conquered his own house even mean?
When she knew nothing, she'd once thought it cool. She'd followed him back then.
The timid, introverted girl she'd been had trailed after him eagerly.
Lured by a single peach-flavored candy from him and his shameless words...!
Eve shook her head at the memory. It was so embarrassing she wanted to impale herself with a holy spear.
But.
Thinking it over, that Wolfram hadn't changed even now.
"Wolfram truly is trying to conquer the world. Pioneering unknown lands, dreaming of connecting everything. His rebellion has only just begun."
"......"
Eve had no words. She couldn't laugh.
Aila said nothing more, merely wearing a faint smile.
"Well then. Shall we stand?"
"Y-Yes...?"
"The owner's back. Time to open up."
Aila beckoned, and far off, Wolfram approached on a handcart pulled by Patrasche.
Wolfram spotted the two at the table and tilted his head.
"Eve. Aila. You were here. Sorry, I was a bit late."
"No, it's fine."
"Then I'll be going."
Eve stood to leave, but Wolfram stopped her.
"Hey. Eve. Leaving already?"
"...What? Got something to say?"
"No. I made some new candies and wanted your opinion on the taste."
......
What, you think I'll follow you for candy?
Hah. Who made me have to diet in the first place? So arrogant!
Eve clenched her fist, thinking she should refuse and shake her head...
But then.
"Peach-flavored ones."
"...Peach?"
"Yeah. Isn't that your favorite? The kind you've loved since you were little?"
"You remembered?"
"Of course."
"...Hmph. ...Well. I suppose I can spare a very short while."
It wasn't the candy that got her.
Just, well.
Peach flavor was... you know.
Anyway, it definitely wasn't the candy!
With that in mind, Eve scurried after Wolfram into the convenience store.