Chapter 24
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 24
Crack. Crackle.
A shipping container burned fiercely, spewing thick plumes of black smoke into the sky.
Twisted barbed wire and scattered traffic cones littered the ground.
And then…
Crunch.
A [NO ENTRY] sign shattered under Princess Eleina’s boot.
This was the main gate of Izelin Academy.
The area, which had been occupied by Jerome Academy until only moments ago, had been completely demolished by the students of Izelin.
It wasn't that the enemy hadn't resisted, but the members of Jerome Academy’s disciplinary committee had ultimately chosen to retreat. Individually, they might have been stronger, but there was no winning against sheer numbers.
“Hoo.”
Eleina dispersed the mana gathered in her staff and brushed away a stray, sweat-soaked lock of hair clinging to her cheek. Standing amidst her students, she looked out over the ruins with a flushed face and shared her thoughts.
“...That was incredibly refreshing, Philip.”
“Y-Yes, Your Highness.”
When the princess held out her hand, Philip, who was attending to her, hastily produced a water bottle and handed it over.
Watching Eleina gulp down the water, I found myself surprised all over again.
‘I thought she was just a prim and proper lady, but she has a surprisingly tough side.’
Seeing her drink so heartily made me thirsty as well.
“Ciel.”
I held out my hand to Ciel, asking for water, but the response I received was less than satisfactory.
“I don't have any.”
Damn it.
“...Philip.”
“Ah, yes, Lord Roen. Here you go.”
I took the water Philip offered and quenched my parched throat. By then, Eleina seemed to have composed herself and turned toward me.
“So, I’ve made the mess you requested. What happens now?”
“What happens now, you ask…”
I stroked my chin, recalling the events of a few moments ago. We had mutually agreed to form a contract and immediately launched a plan to break the current stalemate.
This had been the first step: demolish the defensive line Jerome had established at Izelin Academy’s gate.
To that end, Eleina had led her students in raising hell, driving out Jerome’s disciplinary committee. Of course, this wasn't a simple act of venting frustration; it was a political move with multiple layers.
First, it was a declaration that Izelin would no longer remain silent and would stand against Jerome. Second, it was to boost the morale of the Izelin students—who had fallen into despair and helplessness—through this small victory.
Third, it was to draw out Eleina’s internal opposition within Izelin Academy. And finally, it was to provoke Jerome and force a reaction.
The first and second objectives had gone exactly according to plan. The rest would likely follow suit.
After organizing my thoughts, I answered Eleina’s question.
“You must have already guessed. This is the beginning of a full-blown conflict. It won’t be long before Jerome brings their main force.”
If you kick a hornet's nest, the swarm is bound to attack. After we had stirred things up so spectacularly, Jerome had no choice but to respond.
“However, before that, we need to clean house.”
I gestured toward the academy grounds and shrugged. The enemy within is always the most dangerous.
Just as I predicted, a group of students was belatedly rushing toward us from the direction of the academy buildings. They crossed the field in a single dash, their leader shouting at Eleina.
“Your Highness! What is the meaning of this?!”
It was Roland Spitz, a key figure in Izelin’s appeasement faction and a confidant of the First Prince.
With him at the center, a crowd of students who had long been dissatisfied with Eleina swarmed over, immediately blaming her for the situation.
Eleina looked at them and replied calmly.
“Can’t you see, Roland? I am protecting Izelin Academy.”
“Protecting it?! Your Highness, do you have any idea what consequences your actions will bring?”
Roland actually dared to raise his voice at the princess of a nation. This single act starkly revealed how much influence the First Prince’s faction and the appeasement group held—and just how precarious Eleina’s position truly was.
Ignoring his rudeness, Eleina stated her intentions.
“Of course I know. I understand the situation perfectly. And I also know that no bright future awaits us if we simply stand by and do nothing.”
Despite Eleina’s composure, Roland did not lower his voice.
“No! If Your Highness would just yield, everything could be resolved peacefully! Jerome Academy has guaranteed the safety of our students and promised to accept our academic records without condition upon the merger! Do you know how many students are suffering because of your stubbornness right now?”
Roland pointed to the students who had followed him, his voice rising in a crescendo of feigned outrage.
At this, Philip, standing by the princess, shouted back.
“Roland! How dare you speak such nonsense to Her Highness!”
“Nonsense? If I’m wrong, then refute me, Philip! The fact that students have to crawl through a hole in the wall to get to school because the gate is closed, that they live in constant fear of threats, that they can’t sleep because of the noise the Jerome students make—isn’t it all because you people are being so difficult?!”
“Urk…”
Philip clenched his fists, unable to find a retort.
While Jerome Academy was the root cause of the problem, it couldn't be denied that Eleina bore the burden of the hardships the students were currently facing.
‘Even if it’s not Eleina’s fault, she isn't free of responsibility.’
That was the burden of a leader, the duty of a Student Council President, and the weight of royalty. Roland was cleverly exploiting this to pin the entire blame on her.
“All the hardships we face are your fault, Your Highness. I, Roland, must offer this counsel even if it costs me my head!”
He shouted at Eleina, puffing out his chest as if he were some tragic, loyal subject. His followers roared in support behind him.
It was then that I spoke up.
“That’s ridiculous.”
I had been listening in silence, waiting for the perfect moment to interject. Roland’s brow furrowed as he turned his gaze toward me.
“...Roen? Don’t tell me you’re the one who dragged the princess into this.”
“What if I am?”
“Why? You’re an outsider. Why are you meddling in our academy’s affairs and causing trouble?”
“Why, you ask? Because I couldn’t just stand by and watch you and your cronies sell out Izelin Academy just so you can secure positions at Jerome and live in luxury.”
“...!”
“Wh-What kind of bullshit is that?!”
“Don’t you dare slander Lord Roland! You liar!”
At my blunt accusation, a startled Roland and his followers began pointing fingers and shouting, but I just scoffed.
“Hmph.”
My statement wasn't bullshit, a lie, or slander.
Although there was no specific quest for it, the process and outcome of the Izelin Academy merger were well-documented in the game's lore. Jerome Academy, naturally, never intended to keep its promises. Princess Eleina and most of the students were eventually forced to drop out and were exiled from the Union.
Only Roland and a few others who had actively aided the takeover successfully transferred to Jerome Academy, where they enjoyed a life of luxury. Of course, as is often the fate of traitors, that didn't last long either.
Once expelled from the Union, Izelin became isolated from the international community, and Jerome invaded the kingdom exactly as planned. The Union was the continent’s sole unified organization, much like the UN of the modern world. As a gathering place for the scions and talents of various nations, its diplomatic weight was immense. Beyond the nominal prohibition of war between members, membership itself served as a massive deterrent.
“You bastard, you think you can just say whatever you want? Take that back right now!” Roland yelled, his face turning beet-red.
The fact that he was so flustered only proved I had hit a nerve. But regardless of his feelings, his attitude was starting to grate on me.
I frowned and took a step forward.
“Take it back…?”
Step.
I stopped directly in front of the startled Roland and looked him straight in the eye. He flinched, taking a reflexive step back as I approached. I ignored his cowardice, held his gaze, and lowered my voice to a chilling level.
“Tell me… who in the world do you think you are, speaking to me so informally?”
“...!”
“I may be the Student Council President of this Union, but before that, I am a scion of the Devalis family. Even your own princess wouldn't dare be so disrespectful to me. Did your pathetic little connections make you think you could act so high and mighty?”
“Ghk.”
At my threat, Roland flinched and swallowed hard. For the son of a minor noble from a backwater nation to act so arrogantly in front of a Devalis… he had some serious nerve. Roen might be hated by everyone, but he wasn't someone who could be ignored.
I glared at the boy, who was now frozen like a statue, and continued.
“And I haven’t said anything untrue. According to my sources, it’s already been confirmed that members of your group made a secret deal with Jerome Academy. I can even list the names of everyone involved.”
“Th-That’s absurd! Do you have proof? Where is your proof?!”
“That’s what culprits always say when they’re cornered. Of course I have proof. I can show it to everyone right here if you’d like. But… can you handle the consequences?”
“...!”
Roland froze completely as my eyes glinted. I gestured with my chin toward the crowd gathered around us. If I actually presented evidence in such a public setting, he’d be finished on the spot.
A guilty conscience needs no accuser. He didn't have the guts to provoke me further.
It was at that moment that Eleina stepped in.
“Lord Roen, please calm yourself. Regardless of the allegations, this is not the place to assign blame.”
She had intervened at the perfect time, mediating between Roland and me.
“...Very well.”
I let out a small sigh and stepped back. Her intervention was a relief; I had been bluffing about the physical evidence, after all. I stepped back willingly, showing my "respect" for her authority.
I had used my family’s prestige to crush his spirit, and Eleina had provided the exit.
Eleina looked at Roland and his cronies, her voice turning cold.
“Roland. I will overlook today’s disrespect, believing it was born from your concern for the students. But from now on, I will not be so patient. If you are not going to help, then at least stay quiet. You may leave.”
“...”
Roland swallowed his anger, his tone much more subdued.
“Your Highness. At this rate, we will have no choice but to fight them. Must you see pointless blood shed?”
His words carried a double meaning—referring not just to the academy, but to the Izelin Kingdom itself. He was asking if she was truly prepared for war.
To this, Eleina replied with absolute conviction.
“It is not pointless. It is only natural for blood to be shed to protect what matters. And if someone must stand at the very front… it will be me.”
“...I understand your intentions, Your Highness. Let’s go.”
Having lost the argument, Roland led his followers back toward the academy. I watched his retreating back and scoffed.
‘With this, the internal opposition is more or less handled.’
The sudden demolition of the gate had forced Roland’s hand. If he hadn't acted, Jerome Academy would have held him responsible for the failure. He had rushed out to save face and try to rally his faction, but instead, he left under a cloud of suspicion.
Now, his more timid followers would begin to doubt him, naturally weakening the anti-Eleina faction within the school.
The third objective was complete. All that remained was the last one.
‘Now we just need Jerome Academy to show up.’
No sooner had the thought crossed my mind than a group of students appeared in the distance, kicking up a cloud of dust as they sprinted toward us.
“Long time no see, Eleina.”
The person leading the group was a female student with purple twintails and an eyepatch over one eye.
Eleina looked at her and gritted her teeth.
“Chepesi… Jerome.”
The main force of Jerome Academy had arrived.