Chapter 23
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 23
“……”
I had given her two choices.
She could protect her pride and sink with her kingdom, or she could seize the chance to rise again, no matter the cost.
Whichever path Eleina chose, I had no intention of blaming her. It was a choice where right and wrong weren't easily judged.
After all, in this world, there are those who fight to the bitter end as their nation crumbles, their spirits ablaze, just as there are those who surrender quickly to save the lives of their people.
If you were to ask me which was right, I wouldn't have an answer. I could only respect the choice made; its consequences would be for posterity to judge.
As a heavy silence filled the office, Eleina finally parted her lips.
“I…”
She steadied her breath, then gripped my hand tightly. Her eyes, as they met mine, no longer held the anger from before. Instead, they were filled with a burning resolve.
“I am prepared. Even if the path is filthy and harsh, I will walk it gladly. It doesn’t matter if a bright future doesn’t await me at the end. That is the duty of one born to royalty. So please, Lord Roen... help our academy.”
Eleina clutched my hand, and through her trembling, I could feel the emotions simmering within her. I would have respected her decision either way, but personally, this was the answer I had been waiting for.
“Very well. I’ll be happy to help. I will use every method at my disposal to aid Izelin Academy. But before that…”
Ssk.
I released her hand and prepared to bow my head in apology. To draw out that answer, I had deliberately insulted her and her kingdom without hesitation. Regardless of my intentions, it was only right to apologize for being so blunt.
But Eleina waved her hand, dismissing the gesture.
“It’s alright. You don’t need to apologize.”
“Oh?”
“In fact, I’m grateful. You gave me the push I needed to make a decision while I was hesitating. If anything, I should be the one to apologize for losing my temper with you, Lord Roen.”
Eleina bowed to me instead, offering her own apology.
“…Well, if you say so. I accept.”
This made things much simpler. I let out a small laugh and leaned back into the sofa with a thump. The first step had gone well. Now, it was time to get straight to the point.
“Now then, shall we hear the details of what’s actually been going on?”
*
The male student I had run into on the street earlier was Philip, the princess’s royal guard. From him, I heard the full story of how Izelin Academy had fallen into this predicament.
It was a long, rambling tale that took nearly two hours. After a lengthy explanation of the academy’s circumstances, Philip finished his story with a dejected voice.
“…And that’s what happened.”
“Hmm.”
Click.
I set down my teacup and let out a low hum. It had been tiring to sit and listen for two hours, but I had gained a wealth of information regarding the history of the conflict between Jerome Academy and Izelin Academy—its origins, its progression, and its current state.
When combined with what I already knew, everything clicked into place.
I let out a small sigh. “What a tragic story.”
“Indeed, it is,” Ciel agreed, having sat beside me quietly sipping her tea the entire time.
The situation Izelin Academy faced was even more dire and complicated than I had imagined.
‘This whole affair began with a declaration of war from the military powerhouse, Jerome.’
A few years ago, Jerome had suddenly announced its intention to invade Izelin. Their justification was the "reabsorption" of Izelin, which had once been a vassal state of Jerome before gaining independence.
Following Jerome’s declaration, public opinion in Izelin split into pro-war and pro-peace factions, a conflict that continued to brew within the kingdom to this day.
The key figure of the pro-peace faction—the one who advocated for surrender—was the former Student Council President of Izelin Academy, the First Prince, Brad Izelin. Just before graduating from the Union, he had apparently colluded with Jerome Academy and signed a secret treaty.
The fact that a portion of Izelin’s territory was now being sold off to Jerome was a direct result of that treaty.
However, because it was a secret treaty and the contract stipulated the sale of the territory after the prince had graduated, the general student body remained unaware of the truth. Instead, they directed all their blame at the current Student Council President, Eleina.
To make matters worse, the dire situation was causing severe discord among the students within Izelin Academy itself.
‘It’s a total mess.’
The kingdom, which served as the academy’s home base, was in chaos, and the students were at each other’s throats. Creating a proper atmosphere for learning was impossible. It was no wonder their ranking in the competitive exhibitions had plummeted.
After organizing my thoughts, I spoke.
“It’s tragic. But that’s just how the world works.”
Fairy tales where villains are punished and justice prevails are rare in reality. We call them fairy tales precisely because they are unattainable ideals—dreamlike stories for children.
‘In the first place, this Union is a silent battlefield.’
There is no fairness here, no mediators. It’s just a slaughterhouse where the weak are trampled and devoured. Although I had torn into her earlier, Eleina surely understood this. That was the nature of being a princess.
She probably just didn’t want to accept that cruel reality. So, as a final lifeline in her escapism, she must have sent a letter requesting help from Roen, the symbol of the Union’s public authority.
Normally, it would have been a meaningless act, but as it turned out, it was the wisest decision she could have made. Because while the scoundrel Roen might not have been able to do anything, I certainly could.
Philip asked in a cautious voice, “So, Lord Roen. Is there any way to resolve this?”
“Of course.”
Slurp.
I finished the rest of my coffee and declared confidently, “If you all follow my instructions to the letter, I can solve this problem within a week.”
“……!”
“Wh-what is your plan?” Philip’s jaw dropped, and Eleina leaned in urgently.
But I couldn’t just give it away for free. Having come all this way, I needed to get something out of it, too.
The Cognitive Acceleration Stone, one of the Academy’s Three Great Divine Artifacts, lay dormant in this Izelin territory. It was time to lay the groundwork to obtain this legendary-grade artifact.
After organizing my thoughts, I made a proposal to Eleina.
“Before that, let’s make a contract.”
“A contract… you say?”
“Yes. In exchange for my help, you will also be of help to me. Surely you didn’t expect me to help for free after I took time out of my weekend to come all the way here?”
“……”
“I had to drag Ciel here when she didn’t even want to come. For her sake, at least…”
“Don’t use me as an excuse.”
So that wasn't going to work. Anyway.
Eleina was momentarily flustered, but she soon nodded readily.
“Of course. In fact, this is more reassuring. There’s no such thing as a favor without strings attached in this world. I will do anything within my power.”
*
The southern region of the Union. Jerome Academy territory.
“Roen?”
At the report from the Disciplinary Committee, a girl with an eyepatch over one eye spun around.
“Yes, President Chepesi. About three hours ago, he passed through our territory and headed for Izelin Academy. It seems he’s plotting something with Eleina.”
At the unexpected information, Chepesi Jerome, the Student Council President of Jerome Academy, furrowed her brow slightly. Leaning back in her chair, she mulled it over before finally speaking.
“Don’t worry about it. What can that moron and the princess of a ruined kingdom possibly accomplish by putting their heads together? Right, Josephine?”
At Chepesi’s question, the male student called Josephine nodded.
“That’s true.”
Chepesi’s words were perfectly logical. Roen was a good-for-nothing Student Council President with a title that was all for show. And Eleina was the princess of a weak nation and a tragic Student Council President who lacked support even from her own students. There was no way the situation could be overturned, no matter what kind of scheme the two of them cooked up.
‘The matter is already out of their hands.’
Chepesi smirked as she looked at the secret contract she had made with Brad in the past. This plan had been in motion since the time of her predecessor; it was a perfect scheme. If time just passed without any major incidents, she could shut down Izelin Academy without lifting a finger.
‘As they say, a traitor from within is the most fearsome enemy.’
The seeds of discord had been sown long ago, and they were finally sprouting, tearing Izelin Academy apart.
Chepesi looked at the male student bowing before her. This Josephine, currently serving under her, was also a student from Izelin. He had once been Eleina’s right-hand man, but he had now defected to Jerome and was carrying out tasks to pressure Izelin Academy. The classified information he had brought with him had been quite helpful.
In any case, as long as there were no major variables, the plan would proceed as expected. An academy that is shut down in the Union effectively loses its voice in the international community. Before launching a full-scale invasion of Izelin, shutting down their academy was essential. That way, there would be no need to violate the War Prohibition Clause between Union member nations.
Tap. Tap.
Chepesi drummed her fingers on the desk.
‘…Someone like Roen isn’t even a variable.’
To disrupt this plan, the intervention of one of the Four Great Academies or a large academy of similar stature would be necessary. But there was no way such a massive academy would go out of its way to help a small one like Izelin. No, most students were probably unaware that something like this was even happening. The only person who would care about the affairs of such a minor academy was a good-for-nothing loafer like Roen.
Having organized her thoughts, Chepesi spoke.
“Don’t worry about them. The plan will proceed as is. However, we should increase our personnel just in case.”
Josephine nodded. “A wise decision. I will dispatch additional members of the Disciplinary Committee.”
“Yes, handle it that way.”
With this, they would be prepared for any unforeseen circumstances, so there shouldn’t be any problems… or so she thought.
Bang!
Suddenly, the office door burst open, and a student rushed in frantically.
“President! We have a huge problem!”
“What’s with all the commotion? How crude.”
Chepesi narrowed her one eye and glared at the student. But he paid no mind to her reprimand and reported urgently, “The… the Izelin bastards are tearing down our defense line!”
“What did you say?”
CRASH!
Making a mockery of her own words about being crude, Chepesi slammed her hands on the desk and shot up from her seat.
“Due to a massive group action by Izelin Academy, the defense line installed at their main gate has been completely destroyed!”
“……!?”
What in the world did I just hear?
Chepesi’s eyes widened in shock as her mind raced. The defense line surrounding Izelin Academy, based at their main gate, was legally Jerome’s territory. For them to forcibly dismantle it was a clear violation of the treaty and an invasion of Jerome Academy.
“They’ve lost their minds. Where is our Disciplinary Committee?”
“Th-they said… they temporarily retreated due to being outnumbered.”
Grind.
Chepesi gritted her teeth. No matter how many elite students she had dispatched, the area was Izelin Academy’s front yard, so they were bound to be at a numerical disadvantage. Had she deployed too few forces? Had she been too complacent?
‘…No, that’s not it.’
Chepesi bit her lip and shook her head. It was absurd to think that something so ridiculous could even happen. How on earth did they plan to deal with the consequences?
“……!”
Just as she was thinking that, the face of one person who couldn’t care less about consequences flashed through her mind.
‘Roen… could it be that bastard’s doing?!’
Chepesi’s eyes flew open as she clenched her fists. There was no doubt. It had to be him, causing trouble without a thought for the aftermath. There was no other way to explain such an irrational situation.
Of course, it was a bit strange that the passive Princess Eleina would go along with Roen’s stunt.
‘But it’s safe to assume they decided to act first since it was a do-or-die situation.’
They must have finally realized that if they didn’t act now, they would be shut down while sitting on their hands. So they made their move, even if it meant losing their justification.
“Fools.”
A small smile played on Chepesi’s lips. But Eleina’s judgment was flawed. From Jerome’s perspective, this was good in its own way. In fact, it sped up the plan. They now had a reason to get rid of those bastards from the Union immediately, without even having to wait for the competitive exhibitions.
Thump.
Chepesi slammed both hands on her desk and ordered Josephine, “Go and gather all the members of the Disciplinary Committee. I will lead our forces to Izelin Academy at once.”
*
“What? You want me to gather the students?” Eleina asked, her eyes wide.
“Why so surprised? It’s exactly as I said.”
I pointed out the window and said nonchalantly, “Gather all the Izelin students you can mobilize right now. And then, we’re going to tear down those eyesores blocking the main gate.”
The first step to saving Izelin Academy.
Let’s start by raising some hell.