Queen's Gambit (5)
The northern reaches of the Empire. A land blessed with mild weather year-round and abundant natural resources—a true paradise on earth. It was upon the most fertile and valuable stretch of that land that the Violet family's mansion stood. Though the academy grounds were vast, the Violet estate dwarfed them so completely that the academy seemed little more than a neighborhood playground by comparison. The gardens, tended by the empire's finest landscapers, and the mansion itself, designed and constructed by the most renowned architects, embodied the very pinnacle of splendor and grandeur. Some might call it pointless vanity or vulgar excess, but the Violet family wore it as a badge of pride.
At the heart of the Violet mansion, on the sunlit second-floor terrace, a woman sipped expensive black tea while reading. Her name was Jeina Violet.
"Have you heard the news, my lady?"
"What news?"
Her attendant spoke as Jeina continued turning the pages of her book.
"The second son of the Dailer family was caught taking drugs during the disciplinary committee hearing. He was expelled on the spot."
"How foolish."
Jeina Violet, the lawful wife of the Violet family head and mother of Louise Violet, clicked her tongue at the report. She had long known that certain nobles at the academy were addicted to drugs, but being caught was an entirely different matter.
"That is not all, Lady Violet."
"Speak."
"This is highly confidential, but… the one who brought the Dailer heir before the disciplinary committee was none other than Eden Rofas. You remember—the boy who, two years ago, threatened to expose Lady Louise's drug distribution—"
"That is enough."
"…My apologies. I overstepped."
At the unexpected name, Jeina Violet's eyes narrowed. Recalling Eden Rofas required no great effort. Two years ago, that insolent child had threatened not only Louise but the entire Violet family's Felopon operation. Youthful recklessness was a privilege reserved for those still breathing. A puppy that barks without knowing the wolf ends up with its throat torn out—and Jeina Violet had personally silenced that barking pup.
"I see," she murmured, a faint smile playing on her lips as she extended one hand. "Eren, bring me the crystal orb."
"Here it is, my lady."
Jeina Violet accepted the orb wrapped in fine lace and channeled magic into it. The sphere resonated, and a woman's voice emerged.
"Lady Violet. It has been some time. To what do I owe this call?"
The crisp voice belonged to the imperial mage Yonas.
"Is His Majesty well?"
After the customary exchange, Jeina cut to the point.
"I have a message for His Majesty."
"Of course. Shall I deliver it directly?"
"I will speak to him myself. Put him on."
A short sigh came from the other side.
"Unfortunately, that will be difficult at the moment. His Majesty is quite exhausted from the endless duties. Please, simply tell me. I will relay it."
"…This is not a matter for an imperial mage to hear, Yonas."
"Then you may visit the palace in person."
"You overstep."
Yonas bit her lower lip, her voice dropping.
"…Lady Jeina Violet, no matter how much funding the Violet family provides the imperial household, the palace remains the palace. It is not a place one family may treat as its own."
"Then you mean to say it would not matter if we reduced our support to the throne?"
"If you continue with such arrogance, His Majesty will not remain idle."
"……"
Jeina let out a dry, incredulous laugh.
"Then let him not remain idle, Yonas. I will show you exactly what happens."
She severed the connection and frowned. Turning to her attendant, who stood nervously nearby, she issued a command.
"Send word. We will convene a family council."
***
Several days had passed since the trial. Yanis Dailer had been expelled immediately based on the evidence presented at the scene, and the other two had likewise been removed. A measure of peace had returned to the academy—or perhaps it was merely that the balance had shifted. Where once a handful of rulers had exploited and tormented the many, now the many had begun to band together against the few.
So this is the new shape of things.
I sat in the library with a chessboard spread before me, moving pieces across the squares. I removed several of my own pawns from the board and took one of the opponent's knights.
The real problem is the bishop.
The three closest aides who had supported Louise Violet's academy life—the knights—had been driven out. The next target followed naturally: the bishop. They were no longer mere students; the families themselves would soon begin to move. Dailer Heavy Industries, which had risen to a major corporation through magic-engineering technology, belonged to the Dailer family. Their second son, Yanis Dailer, had proven himself a drug offender in open court. The repercussions would inevitably reach the Dailer family.
So… either the Violet family will intervene to shield them, or they will cut the rot away themselves.
I slid my king forward. The more probable outcome was that the Violet family would act to prevent any loss from reaching the Dailer household. For an ordinary noble family it might be different, but for a house under the Violet thumb, a mere drug charge could be swept aside with ease.
What will you do next, Louise…
The foundation for revenge had been laid. Louise Violet's standing within the academy had already crumbled by half. Those who had once secured comfortable lives by licking her boots were beginning to doubt. Trust, after all, required something exchanged between parties—a mutual benefit.
"……"
Then what of the unconditional trust Alicia Floren had shown me? Had she been afraid of retaliation? After all, I had Heil and the organization behind me, and Alicia possessed her own utility. Or perhaps she sought to create a debt. Either way, it defied the logic I had learned the moment I was expelled from Joachim Academy: in this world, nothing comes without something given in return.
"For now… I won't think too deeply about it."
Recently, Louise Violet had kept a low profile, likely due to her defeat at the disciplinary committee. She had not fled entirely. At this very moment she was surely nursing her wounded pride and plotting how best to destroy me, grinding her teeth all the while.
Imagining her furious face, I moved another piece.
"Check."
I captured the opponent's bishop with a pawn, then sacrificed the pawn in turn…
"Check."
I attacked the knight with my king…
"Checkmate."
I held countless moves in my hands. For two years I had crouched in the empire's gutters, gathering every weapon I could. They were more than enough to bring down the Violet family. The only reason I had yet to strike was simple: I wanted to watch them struggle first.
With a sweep of my hand, I sent the chessboard crashing to the floor. Pieces scattered in every direction. I pulled a book from the shelf.
The Meaning of Life
A work compiled by the sage Mahit Zeniola nearly two hundred years ago. I had read it more than ten times, yet it remained the one volume that steadied my restless existence. I opened it to page 144, the passage I loved most.
"Once you have a goal, do not turn your eyes away. Run toward it, no matter what stands in your path."
I lingered over the words, then closed the book and rose.
***
Since the trial, Alicia had remained busy. With victory secured, both the Fallen Noble Student Council and the Purge Squad had grown increasingly active.
"This is our chance! We must cut off Louise Violet's head and restore peace to the academy!"
"No—Louise Violet is nothing but a puppet. We have to bring down the Violet family itself!"
"Easy to say. That's like trying to bell a cat. Will you do it? Or you?"
Their growing momentum had also bred conflict. The Fallen Noble Student Council insisted the Violet family must fall, while the Purge Squad demanded Louise Violet's immediate death and public exposure of the nobility's darkness.
If this continues, something will break.
Alicia agreed with neither side. Still, she inserted herself into the debates as a moderating force. If I don't intervene, someone really will end up dead.
Once called a prodigy in her youth, Alicia had spent two years enduring relentless torment. She now understood the world's workings well enough to know that striking Louise Violet's head was premature and toppling the Violet family was unrealistic.
"Then what exactly are we supposed to do? The Violet family is already sharpening their knives to slaughter us, and you want us to sit idle?"
"I'm saying we move carefully. Don't charge like a mad racehorse!"
"What? Did you just call me a mad racehorse?"
"Both of you, calm down! Did we gather here to fight each other?"
The meeting grew heated. Alicia stepped in to restrain them. At that moment, someone burst through the door and hurried to her side.
"Lady Floren. I have news…"
He whispered into her ear.
"Tell me."
"The chancellor and several professors have been dismissed. Do you think Eden Rofas had a hand in it?"
"….!"
No. This was not Eden's doing. Louise Violet had begun to move.
"The meeting is suspended! Everyone disperse and reconvene tomorrow at ten in the evening. Dismissed!"
Alicia stepped out of the hideout and reached for her crystal orb. Just as she prepared to contact Eden, a voice spoke from the shadows.
"Alicia. Go back inside."
It was Eden Rofas, standing with his back to the moonlight.
"The Violet family has started moving. Gather the students. I have something to say."
"They're already inside."
"Good. Let's go in."