Black and White (5)
The students' reactions to the location marked on the map split cleanly into two groups. One group had no idea what it meant and simply accepted it at face value. The other group understood the implications immediately and stiffened, their faces hardening.
Alphons Betuart, who belonged firmly to the latter camp, spoke up.
"Excuse me, but isn't this action beyond the scope of our current request?"
"I don't see what's strange about striking a place where demonic beasts are likely to be during a demonic beast extermination request."
"That is not the issue here."
Alphons continued with a cold expression.
"Just as the Barhart Empire's army has set up camp at the base of the Eastern Mountains to watch for an Ivestan invasion, there is a high probability that Ivestan has units performing a similar role on their side. Raiding around inside the mountains might still be written off as 'dangerous,' but if we are discovered after clearly crossing into enemy territory, the consequences will be impossible to manage."
"The place we're targeting is still at the foot of the mountain. We haven't gone down the other side yet, so it can't be called territorial invasion, can it?"
"Is that the personal opinion of the Eastern Army Commander, or does it represent the official stance of the entire Imperial Army?"
"What a sharp-tongued kid."
Dietrich von Draug, the Eastern Army Commander, spread both hands and shrugged. Being openly contradicted by a mere student should have been plenty infuriating for a commander near the top of the military hierarchy, yet he didn't look particularly upset.
"If you're asking which it is, it's my personal opinion. If this were a proper military operation, I wouldn't be here chatting with you kids with just a few adjutants. I'd be holding meetings with my staff officers."
But then he added,
"That said, if you're asking whether this is purely my own arbitrary decision, the answer is no. Take it as you will."
"…It might sound like deception to say this while putting you in a dangerous situation, but at the very least, none of you will ever have to bear 'responsibility.' I ask that you believe me on that point."
Bargal Odina, the adjutant, let out a sigh as he spoke.
Most of the students couldn't grasp the meaning and simply tilted their heads in confusion. Representing them, Princess Lyla opened her mouth.
"Could you please explain the specific situation in more concrete terms?"
"It's a play on words, Your Highness."
His tone was far too casual for someone addressing royalty, yet to those who knew his usual demeanor, it still carried a certain politeness. After answering, Dietrich continued speaking to the others.
"Thank you all for working hard to exterminate the demonic beasts inside the Eastern Mountains. Thanks to your outstanding performance, we've achieved significant results. Since you've all accumulated fatigue from this long-term request, I will grant you one week of personal rest until the next search operation. Rest well."
Regardless of how stunned the others were by this sudden bombshell, Dietrich continued speaking calmly.
"If you were officially part of the Eastern Army, rest would also be treated as part of your duties and subject to various restrictions. However, you currently belong to a separate unit called the Imperial Guerrilla Squad, so I will not interfere with whatever you choose to do during your rest period. That said, since I am still technically your commanding officer, I have no choice but to assign some 'supervision.' Please understand that. Additionally, while you're resting, there may be some commotion on the Ivestan side, but that is none of your concern while you're relaxing. Our boys are watching the border like an iron wall. How could any of you possibly cause trouble?"
By this point, the quicker-witted students had caught on.
— Tired of hunting demonic beasts? We'll give you a nice long break.
— You're not officially part of our unit, so we won't touch whatever you decide to do.
— While you're resting, some unidentified group that definitely isn't you might cause absolute chaos on the Ivestan side.
— Don't worry about it. It's none of your business.
— If the higher-ups come asking questions or looking for someone to blame later, we'll provide you with a perfect alibi!
Princess Lyla wore an expression of utter disbelief.
If the Eastern Army openly stirred up trouble in enemy territory, it would become a military matter. The same would apply to the Imperial Guerrilla Squad—in other words, the Academy students. But if the Imperial Guerrilla Squad was officially resting, and some people who just happened to look exactly like members of the Imperial Guerrilla Squad (but technically weren't) went and caused mayhem, then there was no problem at all. After all, the Imperial Guerrilla Squad under the Eastern Army's supervision could never cause an incident at the border!
If any imperial bureaucrats had been present to hear this conversation, they would have turned red in the face and screamed that this was utter nonsense. Even the most blatant cover-up had its limits. Under normal circumstances, such a flimsy excuse would never fly.
Unless there was someone who had given Dietrich permission to act arbitrarily, ignoring the empire's war-averse officials and pushing through with this ridiculous plan.
…For example, the owner of the throne and their right-hand man.
"Just to be clear, how you spend your rest period is entirely up to each individual. I'd appreciate it if you didn't unnecessarily watch others or let others pressure you. Let's avoid any regrets later."
It was a bizarre mission: resolve the situation by moving only your right hand without letting the main body discover the truth.
Those who wanted to know about good sightseeing spots were told to come back tomorrow morning. With that, the meeting came to an end.
What followed was explanation time among the students.
"Wait, so that's what all that meant?!"
"This must be what they call a metaphor. Truly profound."
While Pino, Rabaul, and a few others who had only just realized what they'd heard panicked, arguments broke out among the students who had already figured it out.
"What's there to overthink? Basically, they'll handle the cleanup, so we're being told to go wild and come back."
"I've been getting sick of hunting those rats hiding in the shadows. This is perfect timing."
To Crow and Eagle's comments, Chase objected.
"It's not that simple. A cornered beast displays far more power than you can imagine. To charge into a place where creatures with the intelligence and vitality of new-type demonic beasts have set up camp is practically suicide."
Alphons added,
"And they only said they'd 'handle the cleanup' in the nicest possible way. In other words, we're being told to move on our own without any support from the Eastern Army. The risk is too great."
"It's not like danger is anything new. We just solve it with skill. What, are you scared, Alphons?"
"Crow Vein. Whether you go looking for a place to die alone is none of my business, but at least during this request, you are my subordinate. Refrain from suicide missions."
"What did you just say?!"
"Now, now, both of you, please calm down."
Ligret, Crow, Eagle, and Howe were in favor. Alphons, Grendel, Chase, and Pino were opposed. Fiore, Akasha, and Rabaul remained neutral.
And at a table somewhat removed from those students, a leisurely tea time was taking place.
Lyla, Chrome, and Professor Psyche each occupied a seat at the table, sipping tea. However, with the exception of Psyche, the other two wore rather sour expressions.
"Is something the matter? Does the tea not suit your taste?"
At Professor Psyche's question, Princess Lyla answered.
"Professor, rather than us sitting here relaxing like this, we should hurry and—"
"No."
It was a response as sharp as a guillotine blade.
Professor Psyche frowned and continued.
"Lyla Everblaze Barhart. You need to become more aware of your own status and influence. If you were to step in there and voice an opinion, do you really think anyone on the other side could oppose you?"
"That…"
Of course they couldn't. Pino and Chase couldn't possibly oppose Lyla given their personal relationships and status. Alphons possessed both the courage and capability to oppose her, but his current position within the empire was the problem. Whatever his true feelings, from an external perspective, Alphons was currently one of Lyla's closest confidants and held significant political influence in the empire. He could not openly oppose her.
And if Alphons switched to agreeing, Grendel—who was close to him—would follow. In effect, Lyla's single opinion would forcibly unify the entire group's stance.
"Even if Student Lyla has no intention of pressuring anyone, your very existence alone has the effect of forcibly silencing those who harbor complaints or anxiety. In that case, the debate loses all meaning."
Since it was an undeniably correct argument, Lyla had no choice but to close her mouth.
"Um, if that's the case, wouldn't I be fine not being here?"
Chrome spoke up timidly from the side.
Lyla had her position as princess, so that made sense, but there was no need to exclude him from the conversation, was there? The people over there weren't the type to be intimidated by a mere (?) Imperial Baron, and if Chrome said anything, they'd argue right back without hesitation.
At Chrome's objection, Psyche glared at him with an expression that said, What nonsense is this human spouting now?
"Student Chrome Midas. You are a highly toxic substance in your very existence, so you must not be allowed to participate in such conversations."
"Toxic substance? You're treating a person like some hazardous material! Isn't that right, Lady Lyla? Lady Lyla? Why are you avoiding my eyes?"
Holding back the urge to nod unconsciously was the limit of Lyla's patience.