Chapter 26
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 26
The day of reckoning.
For better or worse, the fate of Izelin Academy would be decided today.
The students of Izelin had gathered, their faces a complex tapestry of anxiety, anticipation, and resignation. Under a temporary tent pitched on the athletic field, they huddled in small groups, their voices a low, frantic murmur.
“I guess our time in the Union is up. What a waste.”
“We’ll probably be drafted the moment we get back home. Better get ready for war.”
“...I don’t want to. I won’t! How did things ever get this bad?”
“No, maybe this is for the best. Every day has felt like walking on thin ice. I’d rather fight than just sit around waiting for the academy to be shut down.”
“That’s true, but… how are we supposed to actually beat them?”
Most of the students held little hope for this Territory War. While they wanted Izelin to win more than anyone, the odds were so abysmal that cynicism was their only defense.
It was only logical. Unlike Izelin, which was hemorrhaging subsidies after plummeting in the rankings, Jerome Academy had firmly established itself at the top. Jerome only admitted the elite from the military, backed by the lavish support of its home country—a rising powerhouse on the southern continent.
To fight them and win? It was a prospect so dim that even polite encouragement felt like a lie.
“What on earth was the Princess thinking, starting something like this?”
“Hmph. If she had any sense at all, things wouldn't have gotten this bad in the first place.”
“Hey, watch your mouth.”
“What’s the point now? Everything’s already ruined. The academy, the kingdom…”
“…”
At the girl’s words, the chattering students fell into a heavy silence. Though they spoke with detached cynicism, as if it were someone else’s tragedy, everyone there knew the truth.
If they lost this Territory War and were expelled from the Union, their homeland would be trampled under Jerome’s military boots. Their country would be reduced to ash, and their loved ones would fall to the enemy’s steel. Even if they surrendered, they would be condemned to live as second-class citizens under Jerome’s thumb for the rest of their lives.
Just as the gloom reached its peak, a voice rang out.
“No, everyone. It is far too early to give up.”
The students lifted their heads at the sound of the calm, composed, yet undeniably powerful voice.
“P-Princess.”
It was Eleina. She was making her way through the tent, pausing to crouch down and meet the eyes of a female student on the verge of tears. She personally handed the girl a water bottle, her voice steady with encouragement.
“I am well aware of the hardships you’ve endured. I know how difficult and painful this has been. And I know my own powerlessness and shortcomings better than anyone.”
She understood their fear. Until very recently, Eleina had felt the exact same way.
Both the academy and the kingdom were already pushed to the brink.
Jerome had already leveled its ambitious spear at them; they were merely livestock trembling before the slaughter. Day after day was an exhausting cycle of terror. The faces of the students—who should have been enjoying the most brilliant years of their lives—were perpetually clouded with worry. Every time she saw their lifeless expressions, Eleina felt as if her heart were being shredded.
And yet, she had been able to do nothing but watch Jerome’s tyranny, unable to offer any meaningful resistance. Izelin Academy was the last bastion preventing an all-out invasion. If Izelin was absorbed or expelled, Jerome would not hesitate to march its armies.
She had agonized over it a hundred times a day. Was it right to keep holding on? Was everyone suffering because of my stubbornness? If I alone gave up everything, could they finally enjoy a peaceful life?
In a state of pure desperation, she had sent a letter to Roen. It was her final act before surrendering to the inevitable.
“But I cannot give up like this.”
Eleina clenched her fists.
With Roen’s appearance, the tide had slowly begun to shift. He was a rope of hope lowered from a source she had never expected. Rumor had painted him as a pathetic, unremarkable man, but the reality was jarringly different.
Though his attitude was arrogant and disrespectful, he possessed the ability to back it up. He moved with a decisiveness and drive that was unthinkable for the academy’s resident delinquent—or rather, for a scoundrel whose infamy was a staple of high society. Even when he seemed indifferent, his words carried an inexplicable pull.
His plan wasn't perfect, but Izelin was already backed into a corner with nothing left to lose. Eleina had thrown herself into his scheme. Once she resolved to fight, a fire had ignited within her. A single ray of light had pierced her dark future. It was faint and distant, but it was there.
She didn't know if this was a light of hope leading to a future, or a flame of ruin luring moths to their doom. But she had no choice but to follow it.
I am utterly ashamed of myself.
Eleina bit her lip. This opportunity only existed because she had borrowed the power of another, having failed to achieve anything on her own. She felt a deep sense of shame for riding his coattails while telling others to be strong, but those feelings didn't matter now.
Even if a bright future didn't await them—even if they were defeated and broken—it would be enough. She could say she had fought at the very front, and that even in defeat, she had remained proud until the end.
Eleina’s expression hardened into a mask of resolve.
“This is the last chance we have been given. I will repay your faith with victory. I ask only that you watch us until the very end.”
*
From the distance, a student’s shout cut through the air.
“It’s Jerome Academy!”
A thick cloud of dust billowed beyond the school gates. Chepesi Jerome had arrived, leading a crowd that numbered in the thousands. She had brought not only the students of Jerome Academy but also spectators from various other institutions. It was clear she intended to seal her victory in front of as many witnesses as possible.
Chepesi scanned Izelin’s athletic field before gesturing to her disciplinary committee.
“Set up the base.”
“Yes, President!”
With the precision of active-duty soldiers, the students began constructing barracks on the field. Their discipline was impeccable.
Leaving the busy students behind, Chepesi approached the tent where Eleina and I were waiting, accompanied only by her personal guard. Leaning against a pole, she glared at me.
“What, are you the only outside observer? This won’t have any credibility. This isn't some neighborhood festival.”
Looking around the field, the only people present were the students of Izelin and Jerome. The only outsiders were the spectators Chepesi herself had brought. As she said, to legitimize a Territory War, there needed to be students from other academies and an official of recognized authority.
“Don’t worry. I’ve invited someone quite distinguished. You’ll be satisfied.”
“...Someone distinguished? I don’t have high hopes for anyone you could bring.”
“You should.”
“Well, fine.”
Chepesi gave a curt nod, then turned her attention to Eleina.
“So, Eleina. Did you manage to hire a decent mercenary? Someone strong enough to save your pathetic academy? Perhaps… is it this woman?”
Chepesi’s eyes roamed the tent, landing on Ciel, who stood by my side. In her eyes, Ciel was clearly the strongest person present. Her instincts were sharp.
But Ciel slowly shook her head.
“I will not be participating in this Territory War, Lady Chepesi.”
“A pity. I heard you were quite the fighter for Roen’s escort.”
Chepesi clicked her tongue, her tone dripping with bravado.
“Well, I hope it’s a good match, regardless. It’s no fun if it’s too one-sided. I brought a lot of spectators, so don’t let it be a disappointment.”
“Hmph. You just worry about not crying your eyes out when you lose.”
“Such talk. Don’t make a fool of yourself by acting tough.”
Chepesi shrugged, then, unable to contain her impatience, she turned back to me.
“So, who is this ‘distinguished’ observer? It’s about time they showed up.”
Visibly antsy, Chepesi checked her watch. I simply pointed behind her.
“Looks like they’re arriving now.”
Chepesi followed my finger and turned around. The moment she identified the observer, her eyes flew open and her entire body went rigid.
“...!”
A blonde woman was approaching through the main gate of Izelin Academy. It was as if the sunlight itself was illuminating the path before her.
Chepesi’s lips parted as she breathed the woman’s name.
“E-Elena? What is she doing here?”
Elena Sion Celestia.
She radiated an aura like the second coming of a saint, flanked by hundreds of Holy Relief Knights in pure white priestly robes. As the student council president of one of the Four Great Academies and the princess of the Holy Kingdom of Celestia, she was more than qualified to guarantee the legitimacy of this war.
“I pulled a few strings. What do you think? Satisfied?”
As a slight smile played on my lips, Chepesi shot me a look of pure shock and fury.
“You… don’t tell me you hired a mercenary from Seintea?!”
Normally, the caliber of any mercenary Izelin could hire would be predictable. Izelin had no connections, and anyone who could be bought with gold wouldn't be a threat to Jerome. Chepesi had been at ease with that calculation—but if we had brought a mercenary from Seintea, one of the Four Great Academies, the variables changed instantly.
Even if a mercenary could only secure one win, it was a dangerous unknown.
I slowly shook my head at her question.
“Don’t worry. The mercenary isn’t from Seintea. If I had to say… they’re from Eredor.”
I pointed toward the gate again.
“Eredor?” Chepesi repeated, her voice trembling as she looked back.
Where I pointed, two female students appeared behind the long procession of knights. The Eredor crest was emblazoned on the chests of their white uniform jackets. One girl had fiery red hair that blazed like a flame, and beside her stood a calm, composed student serving as her attendant.
“B-Beatrice?”
Chepesi’s jaw dropped.
Following Elena, Beatrice had appeared, accompanied by her Chief of Staff, Yuliana.
With a wide smile, I looked at Chepesi.
“So, what do you think? Are you pleased?”