Chapter 243
Chapter 243
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Translator: Vine
Chapter: 243
Chapter Title: A Heart Fully Set
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***
I didn't know what kind of answer Cadet Han Cheon-seong was hoping for.
So, I decided to gather my initial thoughts and honestly convey what I believed.
“About what Marchioness Sejullia said… I don't think she's wrong about her responsibility. As a noble, the idea of embracing many people is, fundamentally, a righteous one.”
“…Is that so?”
“Yes. And while it might be a little different… I think her way of loving is fine, too. Everyone has their own way of loving, and that love is what's most important to the people involved. I have no desire for an outsider to interfere and try to change how they love.”
“Their own way of loving… Yes. I understand what you're saying.”
“And yet… I don't think Marchioness Sejullia's way is entirely right, either. The gender balance in the Empire is quite skewed right now… and her actions are rather detached from the system the Empire promotes. For a noblewoman, even one of high standing, to take multiple men for herself… it's a very ambiguous situation from the perspective of other women.”
As I spoke calmly, I knew these were my true feelings.
As a noblewoman of high rank, Marchioness Sejullia is meticulous in her self-management.
She has a widespread reputation as a charming woman who knows how to earn the love of the opposite sex.
Moreover, she has the wealth, authority, and feminine charm to have many men.
Therefore, her desire to love multiple people wasn't something to be condemned. It's not as if she forcibly takes men and makes them her own.
And if you were to switch the genders, it's something that happens easily even now, and no one bats an eye.
*…So.*
Watching Cadet Han Cheon-seong nod and seem to sink into thought at my words, I felt the need to add something more.
“However, what I want you to understand, Cadet Han Cheon-seong, is that the vast majority of other noblewomen have no such intentions.”
It certainly wasn't forbidden by the system. In fact, for male nobles, taking many women was considered natural, a trend even encouraged by the Empire.
…And it seemed that even noblewomen couldn't help but feel a certain way about it.
A mindset that, given the Empire's current situation, trying to have multiple men for oneself was not a very good attitude…
“…Thank you for the additional insight.”
I smiled faintly at his calm reply, my heart fluttering.
Though indirect, the topic of our conversation was love. And the person right in front of me… was the one I loved.
“Not at all. If you have any more questions, feel free to ask. I'll answer anything.”
“Your words alone are enough, thank you.”
Watching him smile faintly, our conversation continued in a warm atmosphere.
In some ways, the topics were trivial, yet in others, they were not.
It was a chance to learn more about the Cadet Han Cheon-seong I didn't know, so every moment felt meaningful, and my heart felt soft and at ease.
“Um… Instructor Adelia.”
“Yes, Cadet Han Cheon-seong.”
“What are your thoughts… on a man taking multiple women?”
*Cadet Han Cheon-seong is certainly…*
He's asking a lot of strange questions today, which in itself was strange.
Questions he doesn't usually ask. He, who despite his considerable charm is not very accustomed to women, was expressing a great interest in relationships.
“I don't think it's particularly bad.”
Compared to his previous question, this one was much easier for me to answer.
“…If you say it's not bad, could you perhaps elaborate a bit more?”
“I'm not sure what you want me to elaborate on, but it's just as I said. If a man has the capability, it's understandable for him to take multiple women. In fact, the Empire highly encourages it. And as you know, Cadet Han Cheon-seong… there's a severe shortage of men in the Empire right now.”
I said it calmly, without much emotion.
I was only answering because Cadet Han Cheon-seong had asked, but I understood the social atmosphere well.
Too many people are dying on the front lines as we speak.
In the case of officers, the long-term survival rate on the front is somewhat decent… but for those who serve the Empire as soldiers, the survival rate is incredibly low.
“Ah… I see.”
“And when you think about the men who volunteer for the front lines as soldiers… there's an element of sacrifice involved.”
As I spoke freely, my past naturally came to mind.
The time I served as an officer on the front, treating countless people. And the gender ratio I witnessed there was, from my perspective, inevitably skewed.
The Empire certainly doesn't discriminate based on gender or offer different treatment.
Even if there was discrimination in many other areas, it didn't extend to the front lines. Soldiers were provided with better treatment than most other professions by default.
However, the difference in volunteer rates between men and women for the front lines was stark.
“And I'm only saying this because it's you, Cadet Han Cheon-seong, but I believe there's a necessary element of sacrifice involved. Of course, they volunteer for the front because they receive fair treatment and pay. Still, even among the female cadets, there's a strong tendency to avoid the front.”
“I believe that's unavoidable.”
“Unavoidable… Do you really think so, Cadet Han Cheon-seong?”
His immediate reply brought a subtle smile to my lips.
—Why Imperial society pushed noblewomen in that direction.
The reason why male nobles came to be treated better… I already understood it.
Why the trend of male nobles taking multiple women became seen as natural. The gender imbalance was a big reason, but it wasn't the only one.
“Do you think differently, Instructor Adelia?”
“I do think differently. I don't believe it's right to see avoiding the front as acceptable. The Empire is currently facing a great danger from monsters and Apostles, and we are all relying on a peace that is only maintained because someone must stand on the front lines. If avoiding that becomes the norm… wouldn't that be incredibly unfair to those who are expected to stand there?”
“…That's true, but.”
“That's why I believe it shouldn't be taken for granted. They should be viewed more favorably and treated better.”
It was the fundamental reason.
One side is making a great sacrifice.
It wasn't just among commoners; even among nobles, the enlistment rate for men was overwhelmingly higher than for women.
So there was something that came to be naturally accepted.
…In a broader sense, they were sacrificing themselves for everyone else.
Of course, regardless of gender, anyone can receive good treatment. Even now, the structure allows for a noblewoman with great ambition to stand above numerous men.
Marchioness Sejullia was a prime example.
Having headed straight to the front after graduating from the academy, she spent eight years building a lofty reputation and supporting the front lines, eventually rising to the incredibly high rank of Marchioness. That's why, even though she keeps many men, and though there may be gossip, no one dares mention it to her face.
No one could deny the ‘sacrifice’ of her youth in devotion to the Empire.
For the past several centuries, a basic courtesy towards those who sacrificed themselves for the Empire by defending the front lines existed everywhere. It was something any resident of the Empire naturally possessed.
At least, that's how I felt.
“Honestly, in ancient societies before the appearance of Traits, I could understand it. There were inevitable differences, whether physical or due to the need to care for one's children. But in a world where we've been granted Traits, I believe that gap has virtually disappeared.”
As I spoke of these principles, I felt a little foolish.
“And I believe that anyone who wants to be treated well must do something to deserve it. As nobles, we shouldn't just enjoy our positions… we must bear the corresponding responsibilities. I now see that as a ‘duty’.”
That's why I, too, headed to the front right after graduating from the academy. After serving for many years, I'm now here at the academy, treating cadets.
Rather than enjoying a comfortable life under the prestige of my family, I made that choice to be treated with dignity on my own merit. Because I wanted to earn a position worthy of that respect.
And because I stood on the front lines to understand the reality of the Empire, I had not a single regret.
“…I believe every word you've said is right.”
Watching Cadet Han Cheon-seong nod with a serious gaze, a small laugh escaped me. How did we end up discussing such a heavy topic? No, it felt like I had become a little too serious.
“I'm pretty sure we started out talking about love… I'm sorry. I've unintentionally made the atmosphere heavy.”
“No. I actually enjoyed hearing you speak like this. I have a great interest in the front lines as well.”
“Oh. You're interested…?”
“After graduation, I, too, intend to head to the front.”
I froze for a moment at the sight of Cadet Han Cheon-seong saying this without hesitation.
“W-Wait, Cadet Han Cheon-seong? I wasn't trying to force you to go to the front, that wasn't my intention at all. I really didn't mean it like that…”
“Instructor Adelia. I didn't take it that way. It's just… I fully understand and accept what you've said. I had already been planning to go to the front after graduation.”
He finished speaking and looked at me with a faint smile and an air of confidence. I felt proud of him, yet my heart seemed to sink.
*I know Cadet Han Cheon-seong is showing incredible growth, but…*
Still, the man I care for heading to the front… it felt completely different.
There was an unbelievable difference between me heading to the front to take pride in myself… and the person I love saying he'll go to the front.
“And thanks to your words, Instructor Adelia, my resolve has become even firmer. I'm very grateful for that right now.”
“No. I didn't say anything that profound, so let me say it again, Cadet Han Cheon-seong? I wasn't saying you *have* to go to the front, so I hope you don't think of it as a done deal already.”
…As I spoke, I felt as if my own convictions were pushing him toward the very thing I feared.
My values. My beliefs. I conveyed them without hesitation, but still, this wasn't right.
Having experienced the front lines firsthand, I knew how dangerous it was, and the thought of the man I love going there was not the least bit welcome.
“It's alright, Instructor Adelia. I made this decision of my own free will.”
…But as he continued to affirm his decision, I could only stare blankly and blink.
*What have I…*
What on earth have I said?
To a cadet who had just enrolled, I spoke about the front lines and strongly pushed my own values, saying it should be taken for granted.
And now, I saw him before me, his eyes resolute as he declared his intent to go to the front.
“……”
His gaze held a firm resolve, and in response, my heart seemed to freeze over even more.