Chapter 31
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 31
“Chepesi Jerome is out of bounds! Izelin takes the third match as well!”
With the referee's declaration of victory, the field erupted in a feverish roar.
Waaaaah!
An underdog’s victory always stirs the masses, and this moment was no exception.
If the spectators were thrilled, the tent on Izelin's side—the victors themselves—was filled with cheers so loud they were deafening. It was a perfect victory, seized at a moment when they had expected nothing but defeat.
Students leaped from their seats, embracing and dancing. Some even burst into tears. It was a truly moving scene.
“…”
Yuliana, waiting in the Izelin tent, was at a loss for words as she watched the spectacle unfold. She had brought Beatrice here, but this was not the outcome she had anticipated.
Seeing the speechless Yuliana, Beatrice offered a small, knowing smile.
“What a shame, Yuliana.”
At her words, Yuliana shook her head.
“Not at all, Your Highness. I wasn't particularly hoping for Izelin's defeat. In fact, deep down, I was hoping they would win.”
“But I doubt you wanted to see Roen triumph so spectacularly. Am I wrong?”
“…”
Yuliana couldn't deny it. Beatrice let out a soft chuckle at her silence and rose from her seat.
“The match is over. Let us be on our way, Yuliana. It was more entertaining than I expected, and the result was quite a surprise. Thank you for bringing me.”
“…Yes, Your Highness.”
Yuliana bowed her head and stood up. She looked around once more, feeling a strange swell of emotion. The Izelin students were still hugging and crying.
She wasn't pleased with Roen's personal victory, but seeing Izelin Academy triumph over Jerome was genuinely moving. She didn't know the full history of the conflict between the two academies, but she knew today's result would soon be splashed across the newspapers as a special feature.
After all, a dramatic comeback story is exactly what the public craves. The members of the Newspaper and Broadcasting Club, who could sniff out a scoop like bloodhounds, wouldn't miss this for the world.
“By the way… the Union's sole public authority.”
Beatrice murmured the words, her gaze fixed on the distant dueling grounds.
“I wonder if Roen truly understands what that means.”
“…?”
When Yuliana tilted her head in confusion, Beatrice just chuckled and shook her head.
“It's nothing. Let's go, Yuliana.”
*
As the fervent heat of the Territorial Match died down, the event moved into its closing stages.
Immediately after her defeat, Chepesi led her students away, practically fleeing back to her own academy. But the students of Izelin, the spectators drawn by the rumors, and the relief knights Elena had brought with her remained.
Elena stood before the gathered crowd and officially announced Izelin's victory.
“The 77th Territorial Match has concluded with Izelin's victory. In accordance with the Union's ordinance regarding Territorial Matches, Jerome Academy must, from this moment forward, cease all hostile actions and incitement of conflict against Izelin Academy and its students. They are to withdraw from Izelin Academy's grounds, nullify the land transaction contract made with Izelin's former student council president, and return Izelin's territory.”
Elena’s voice rang out clearly as she continued.
“Furthermore, Jerome Academy shall pay Izelin Academy a total of 10 billion krone in reparations for damages incurred. An initial payment of 5 billion krone is to be made within the first year, with the full amount to be paid within five years. Failure to comply will result in the expulsion of all Jerome Academy students, in accordance with the laws of the Union territory concerning Territorial Matches.”
Thud.
After reading the terms aloud, Elena stamped the document with her official seal.
“Waaaah!”
The moment the seal hit the paper, the Izelin students roared with joy. Although they weren't present, Jerome Academy's seal was already on the contract, making its effect absolute. Failure to comply would result in forced expulsion by the Union.
Even if the Union's current administration were mere figureheads, the law itself was ironclad. If Jerome failed to fulfill the contract, Elena, as the official observer, would lead the monitors from the various Great Families and march on Jerome Academy.
‘…10 billion krone. The exchange rate feels similar to the modern Korean won, so that's about 10 billion won.’
This was the sum Izelin had won from Jerome Academy. It was an amount that could be considered both large and small. While money couldn't fully compensate for the suffering the students had endured, it ensured Izelin Academy wouldn't have to worry about financial problems for the next few years.
Jerome Academy's finances would take a hit, but it wasn't an expense that would cause the institution to collapse. Their home country would easily provide that much support.
The bigger issue was that this event had thwarted Jerome's slow-motion invasion of Izelin. Now that things had turned out this way, Jerome could, if they were truly determined, withdraw from the Union and attack Izelin directly.
‘But Izelin isn't valuable enough to be worth paying such a steep price.’
Izelin was a small, weak nation with a population of only about 500,000. Its geopolitical location wasn't particularly strategic, and while it had mana stone mines, the quality was unsuitable for processing, making them economically unviable.
The lore stated that Izelin had a history of breaking away from Jerome's federation, sharing racial and cultural similarities. But it wasn't worth the massive sacrifice of leaving the Union. It was highly likely that Jerome would abandon its ambitions to invade Izelin after this. If they were really itching for a fight, they'd probably just invade some other neighboring country that wasn't a Union member.
After stamping the contract, Elena handed it to me.
“Good work, Roen.”
“Hardly. It was all thanks to your help, Elena. I'm grateful.”
“Well, that's true. Who else would step up to handle such a sensitive issue?”
Elena puffed out her chest, proudly boasting of her contribution. Although she hadn't directly influenced the duel, it was highly likely that Jerome now viewed Elena, the observer of this Territorial Match, with extreme discomfort.
“…Sorry about that.”
“Nothing to be sorry for. I brought it on myself. Anyway, I see you in a new light after this, Roen.”
Elena gave me a bright smile, then turned to Illeina, who was standing beside me.
“You too, Lady Illeina. You must have been through a lot. I'm glad it all worked out so well.”
At Elena's kind words, Illeina bowed her head. The conflict with Jerome was finally over. Overcome with the emotions of the past few months, Illeina's voice trembled slightly.
“Thank… you.”
“Oh, it was nothing. Straighten your shoulders. Lift your head. All the students are watching. Crying here won't solve anything, you know? You need to look confident at times like this.”
“…Yes.”
Illeina swallowed her emotions and lifted her head, her expression composed once more.
“Much better. And since things have gotten a bit awkward with Jerome… it'll be difficult to expand our diocese there. So, with that in mind, would it be alright if we established a branch of our holy order in the Kingdom of Izelin?”
“Yes… Huh?”
Illeina’s eyes widened at Elena’s proposal.
The Holy Kingdom of Celestia. The holy order that serves the God of Light, Ru. For a branch of that order to officially take root in Izelin was, in a sense, akin to receiving military support. Establishing a branch meant that priests would conduct missionary work, and knights and troops would be stationed there to protect them. The expansion of a diocese served as a powerful deterrent to war.
‘Of course… it's a double-edged sword.’
I quietly stroked my chin. Elena might not have any ill intentions, but someone could use this to interfere in Izelin's domestic affairs. It could be poisonous depending on the circumstances.
The choice was Illeina's to make. And she wisely avoided giving an immediate answer.
“I'm very grateful for the offer, but that is not something I can decide on my own…”
“Hehe, I'm just kidding. But if you're interested, feel free to contact me anytime. The Church of Ru is open to all.”
Tap, tap.
Elena turned her microphone back on and addressed the students.
“Alright! This concludes the Territorial Match between Izelin and Jerome. In a short while, at 7 PM, a small party will be held to celebrate Izelin's victory. Anyone who wishes to attend, please wait here!”
At Elena's announcement, cheers once again filled the field.
Waaaaah!
Amidst the cheers, I tilted my head in confusion.
‘A party…?’
What? I hadn't prepared anything like that. Even though I predicted our victory, I didn't want to jinx it by preparing a party in advance. Illeina wasn't the type to do that either, so that meant…
As I stared at Elena, she gave me an unreadable smile.
“Hehe, when you went out to the dueling grounds making your bold claims, I called some people and had them prepare a party right away. An after-party is the best part of a day like today. Of course, I'll be billing you for it later.”
“What? Sorry, but I'm broke.”
“What are you talking about? Your family is incredibly rich. You have plenty of money. You spend money like water all the time, and now you're being stingy?”
“…”
I had no excuse if she brought up my usual habits, but I really didn't have any liquid assets right now. Aslan had cut off my allowance, so I was at the point where I was considering selling my belongings. And she wanted me to pay for food and drinks for a crowd of over a thousand people? That would easily cost tens of millions of krone.
With a troubled expression, I looked toward Illeina.
“…Illeina.”
She nodded, readily agreeing to cover the cost.
“Don't worry. We have the reparations from Jerome coming in, so I will pay for it. Regardless of the cost, this is a victory worth celebrating.”
*
The next day.
It was the Sunday after the wild after-party. As a token of gratitude for Elena's help, I attended Sunday Mass at Seintea before returning to the Student Council President's Office.
When I dragged my exhausted body back, Ciel was there to greet me.
“You've returned.”
“…Yeah.”
Illeina, Philip, and Josephine were already in the office, sharing some refreshments. I looked at Illeina.
“You're already here, Secretary.”
At the word "Secretary," Philip tilted his head.
“Huh? The princess is the secretary?”
“Yes, it was part of our contract.”
The contract I made with Illeina before deciding to cooperate with Izelin. Of the personnel needed to maintain the student council, Illeina was the first person I recruited after my assistant, Ciel. As of today, she had been appointed as the Secretary of the Student Council. It wasn't as if she had grueling duties; it was practically an honorary position.
“I'll send the official letter of appointment soon.”
“Yes,” Illeina nodded.
Next, I turned to Ciel.
“Did you give the additional medicine to Josephine?”
“Yes, along with instructions on how to take it.”
What I had given Josephine before was a type of elixir. It reduced immediate pain and boosted the body's immunity, but it wasn't a fundamental cure for the rare disease Joshua was suffering from. So this time, with the help of a pharmacy student from Eredor, I had a proper treatment formulated for Joshua's illness.
“Good. Once she takes that medicine, Joshua's condition should improve significantly. If it doesn't, contact me immediately.”
“Understood. Truly, thank you…”
Josephine bowed his head deeply. For someone of his usually gruff disposition, it was the greatest courtesy he could show. It was only natural, given that his sister's illness would finally be cured, and he would no longer have to live a life of betrayal.
“I'll accept your formal thanks after your sister has fully recovered. Next.”
I sat down on the sofa and spread out the contract I had drawn up with Illeina.
Flutter.
“According to the contract, I need to begin construction work at Izelin Academy. The pretext will be the reconstruction of the old dormitories. But the real purpose is to excavate the artifact sleeping beneath your academy grounds.”
“Artifact… excavation?”
“That's right.”
The Cognitive Acceleration Stone, one of the Academy's Three Great Divine Artifacts. I had led Izelin to victory; now, it was time to reap the rewards.