Chapter 193
Chapter 193
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Translator: uly
Chapter: 193
Chapter Title: Io von Loengrin
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Jefrin was in an uproar.
More precisely, a select few from the uppermost echelons of nobility were bustling about. The kind who'd end up as royalty from some provincial kingdom or at least marquis-level from the central territories once they graduated.
It wasn't like there were any major issues with Eve's reign, and these guys weren't about to suddenly flip and start a rebellion out of nowhere, so it was probably nothing to worry about.
"Aila. You haven't started a rebellion, have you?"
"No. Of course not."
"Good. Let's keep it that way."
Aila tilted her head with a look that said, Why are you even asking that? but she didn't press further.
Alright. Since Aila says it's not her, then the cause must be... external.
No doubt about it. Someone important enough to shake up Jefrin was coming, and I knew exactly who it was.
"Aila. I'm not coming to classes for a while."
"...But midterms are coming up soon."
"Doesn't matter. This is my path."
"You're skipping third-year second-semester midterms...?"
"My choice is the right one."
"......Ugh. Fine. If you've decided, Wolfram, then it must be the correct path. Asking more would just be tacky, so I won't."
She nodded as she said it.
I had no idea what she was thinking, but she seemed convinced I'd made some grand, fateful decision. Not even close.
I just...
Didn't want to see that person.
So, I decided to run away.
Her name was Io von Loengrin.
I'd only ever met her in the Kelters sub-stories and Eve route at most, for about an hour total, but precisely because of that, I could say it with certainty.
She was unmistakably Wolfram's natural predator.
Waking up in the morning to the cheerful chirping of birds outside was a delight.
Stepping out of the convenience store, I breathed in deeply, filling my lungs with crisp autumn air. I swept the fallen leaves, prepared breakfast, sipped my coffee leisurely, and pondered how to spend the day in elegant repose.
Roaming Jefrin risked running into Io von Loengrin, so I'd resolved to hole up in the store entirely. It was the second morning of that plan. Rumors said she'd arrived yesterday, and based on canon, her stay wouldn't exceed a week—so just six days of hunkering down, and I'd win.
But truly, forgetting all worries and savoring this peaceful routine was bliss in itself. What to have for lunch today? Maybe try some fried food.
Sweep the leaves leisurely, bury some sweet potatoes in the pile to roast. Set up a chair in the storeyard, drape my cloak over it, place a basket of roasted sweet potatoes nearby with a drink, and lose myself in a book.
With the power to turn such daydreams into reality, I felt like a hermit freed from the world's shackles, basking in true liberty.
And then, Aila Trista appeared before me, her expression faintly weary.
"Wolfram. Run away. ...Actually, it might already be too late."
"Aila. What happened?"
"Lady Io... found this place. She's coming for lunch today."
"......"
And just like that, my paradise crumbled.
Right.
You can't have paradise in the place you fled to.
A certain great swordmaster's words echoed in my mind.
Well, whatever. Guess I'd have to meet her.
Aila only calmed down after sipping the special milk tea I offered and munching on snacks infused with a mind-soothing buff.
"My memory's fuzzy on this, Aila, but... was I on bad terms with Io von Loengrin?"
"Not bad terms exactly... but she and I just... really don't click."
Ah.
Personality clash, huh. Can't be helped.
"What a coincidence. I don't click with Io von Loengrin either."
At my grumble, Aila seized both my hands tightly.
Her grip trembled, yet it held firm without letting go.
No.
This just plain hurts.
See? Even if the pain made me want to yelp, Imperial Bloodline kicked in. How hard did she squeeze, anyway?
"I-It'll be okay, Wolfram."
"Yeah."
My hands won't be.
"If Lady Io tries to harm you, I'll protect you no matter what."
"Got it."
My hands, though? No such luck.
"Or... yes. Let's end it all together, Wolfram."
"......"
Staring at Aila's face, I saw she wasn't joking.
Amazing. Io would actually like Aila's type.
"Aila. Could you let go of my hands?"
"...Ah. S-Sorry, Wolfram."
I managed to pry her off before my hands were ruined for good. They were red and slightly swollen, but still.
Anyway, showdown time soon.
And then, lunchtime.
From afar came the sound of military boots marching.
It wasn't just one set of footsteps. But the discipline made it sound like a single, unified rhythm.
Leading them was a lone knight walking ahead.
Suddenly, a game developer's interview flashed in my mind.
If Eve von Loengrin embodied the magical perfection of the Loengrin bloodline, then she was its knightly counterpart.
Her gait held unshakeable poise, her gaze fixed straight ahead. Long hair cascading to her waist, bangs neatly swept to one side. Golden locks and blue eyes symbolizing Loengrin, and at her hip, the holy sword.
The sole former Student Council President from the Knight Division in this generation of Jefrin—unique and unmatched.
Her school nickname: The Inquisitor.
Io von Loengrin walked straight toward me.
"It's been a while, Wolfram. My little brother."
"Indeed. Sister Io."
Io von Loengrin barged into the convenience store and glanced around.
"I heard you'd stepped down as Student Council President... but running a canteen like this? Quite the surprise."
"Yes."
"Lots of decent stuff here. Mostly foodstuffs... What's this?"
"Candy."
"I know it's a pricey snack. One for 10,000? Not bad pricing."
"......"
What are you talking about?
Ah. She saw the price tag under the bag and thought it was per piece?
"That's 10,000 for the whole bag. Not per piece."
"Isn't that too cheap?"
"Have to consider the students' wallets."
"Atoning now by running a loss-making business?"
"Not my intention."
"Well, stabilizing daily life is good, but don't forget—someone always takes the loss. The suppliers' tears are tears too."
With that, Io plopped down in a seat.
She really doesn't listen.
This was Io von Loengrin in the flesh.
In every sense, a 'perfected' Eve—armed with logic that left no room for anyone to interject.
Like Eve, she was a top contender in the imperial throne race, with solid support.
"H-Have some tea."
"Thanks. Aila."
"Y-Yes... sure."
While we bickered, Aila had brewed and set a cup before Io.
The troops waited outside; inside were just two royals and Aila, so naturally, the lowest rank handled the tea.
If I'd served it? She'd have scolded me for inverting Jefrin's hierarchy, eyes sharp. Aila preempted that nicely.
"So, how have you been, Aila?"
"W-What do you mean?"
"Still playing at rebellion?"
"......G-Game."
Aila ground her teeth at that.
"Watch your words, Aila."
"......"
"Good attitude. I don't grasp what you mean by 'rebellion,' but this is Loengrin—the Empire. Speaking of treason is high treason. If it's no game but sincere, it's blasphemy."
"...My rebellion doesn't mean that. I have no intent to oppose the Imperial family..."
"Then it's about marrying Wolfram and entering the throne race? Rebelling against all princes and princesses to claim the top? That might be better."
"M-Marriage isn't something we've... I mean..."
Look at her.
Who are you to harass my party member?
"That's enough, Io von Loengrin."
"...You won't even call me sister."
"Aila is mine. If her words trouble you, come to me first—that's proper."
"Wolfraaam..."
Yeah. Facts hurt, huh? Don't cry over it.
"Didn't know you cherished your fiancée so fiercely."
"I'm saying don't bully innocents. You came for me, right?"
"Right. Straight to business, then. Leave Jefrin now, Wolfram."
"I refuse."
"Even my order?"
"I'm asserting basic student rights at Jefrin. Want to expel me? Get a decree from His Majesty first."
"......Sigh. You really won't?"
No matter how bold Io was, she wouldn't defy the Emperor directly.
Can't do it, can you? Feels bad, huh? Nyahaha. Nothing you can do. Jefrin rules.
"Wouldn't hearing my reason be that 'proper order' you just mentioned?"
"Then speak."
"I get you're running this absurd canteen to sway public opinion here. But it's too harsh on Eve."
"Why bring up Eve?"
"Think about it. If you two clash and split Jefrin's sentiment in half, Eve graduates with only half the power."
"......"
Sounds sweet to me.
"Why not dote on Aila like that as a side gig managing some territory, then marry her post-graduation? I'll guarantee your safety."
"Oh."
Aila, why 'oh'? Seriously.
I stared at Io, lost in thought for a moment.
She was like this with Kelters too.
Even if someone with neutral mana stays by Eve's side, a commoner will crack it eventually.
No matter how you two feel, that child must walk a flawless path.
Then she'd give quests like 'testing' or 'trials' for him.
In-game, it fit her character.
But hearing it firsthand... it was just so...
"No thanks."
"Don't be stubborn, Wolfram. I know you're trying. Hands red from effort. But imperial blood has duties."
No, that was Aila's merciless grip... Nah, too bothersome to explain.
"End the playtime and come home, Wolfram."
"......"
Huh.
This kinda...
Grinds my gears.
"I choose my own path."
"Marry Aila instead, and my entire faction attends as guests for the continent's grandest wedding."
"Mm... that'd be..."
Aila, step out for a sec.
"Don't meddle in others' lives."
"I'm older, so I know better."
"And you chased off every fiancée the family arranged, saying 'If you're weaker than me, you don't deserve my side'—starting with duels at first meetings?"
"......What did you just say? How do you even... That's classified..."
Well.
The setting bible was sold at bookstores.
Online, free shipping too.
"Besides, this store isn't my penance. It's a place for a new beginning."
"What beginning?"
Saying I'd conquer the world via convenience store distribution? Yeah, no—that'd get me dragged back to Loengrin for a lifetime of paperwork.
So.
"For three hundred years, no one's conquered Jefrin's 'outer regions'—the 'forbidden lands.' I'll investigate them."
"...You, with that stamina? Honestly, when we were kids, I thought boosting yours was slower than teaching Eve the sword."
Ouch. Why hit where it hurts?
"I'm serious."
"Fine. ...If you've said that much, you have proof? No empty words under Loengrin's name. Show evidence."
"Evidence?"
"Yes. Let's see. Anything hinting at the first Emperor's arrangements..."
Issued by Io von Loengrin
📍 Objective: An item once used by Hark von Loengrin...
Before Io finished or the quest details popped up fully, I glanced at the item I'd set out yesterday, then tossed off the covering cloth.
What emerged was a truly magnificent jade throne.
Anyone could tell: a seat permitted solely to this continent's sovereign.
"This is... His Majesty's."
"The original."
"Original?"
"The first Emperor's throne. Used on actual battlefields."
"For real?"
"You have to recognize this, right?"
"......It matches the one in the audience chamber perfectly."
Of course.
The current imperial throne was modeled after Hark von Loengrin's.
So this was the original. No joke—this was a national treasure.
I sat on the throne and looked up at her. For the first time across game and reality, Io's eyes trembled as she stared back.
"How did you get this so quickly...?"
"Evidence should be prepared before questions arise to avoid suspicion."
"......You read me like a book. Were you always this perceptive?"
Well.
I've got a bit of veteran savvy.