They Crossed the Line First

The patents registered so far are all fine without any problems—

The direction of the alchemy foundation is smooth. It’s not about who got more injured or who did more work. Rather, just in order of residence near the regional headquarters of each foundation…

Considering the consumption so far, it seems there won’t be a big impact on the overall financial issue. And—

When the Four Idiots guys showed up at the freshman welcome party, I had honestly been a bit worried. I had expected that these fifth-year fellows might pull some nonsense here again.

For example, teasing me in front of the freshmen, or putting mint-chocolate poison in the welcome party. Stuff like that.

But the guys turned my worries into nothing. Instead, with very serious expressions and voices, occasionally sipping drinks, they continued talking about very important topics.

“…And from now on, Karl? Are you listening to us?”

“Eh, eh. I’m listening.”

“Listening? It looks like your mind is somewhere else.”

“If you want to hang out with the freshmen, go ahead. We can talk later.”

“Absolutely. Now is the perfect time.”

Now the freshmen and second-years are blossoming their conversation flowers and taking the first step of the senior-junior relationship for the next year. Since I’ve done everything I need to do today, I don’t want to be involved anymore.

“But why are you looking at us with such strange expressions?”

“Too serious, you guys. I thought you were going to play pranks.”

Then the guys grumbled quietly, ‘What are you saying? We’re also successors to the marquis and imperial count titles? We know when to work.’

I know you’re successors, but if you’ve been doing what you’ve been doing, you shouldn’t say that if you have a conscience.

“Have you heard the news that the Bright Light Church is expanding orphanages and medical facilities?”

“From the church? They’ve already been running quite a few facilities on their own.”

“Yes. But it was announced that they’re going to expand it more than double. It also says that orphanages could be converted into facilities that temporarily take in children after they become independent.”

So, is it turning orphanages into kindergartens? It seems like a good idea.

If children who lost their families become adults and form another family, the biggest problems would be money and child-rearing. It’s not easy for a pair of parents to raise children without anyone else and earn money at the same time.

Therefore, with more childcare institutions, it’s beneficial for both sides. Empire citizens can trust the ‘church’ which is not elsewhere, and the church can spread its doctrines from childhood, and when they grow up, they can form the most faithful believer base.

If heresy does that, it would be a problem, but the Bright Light Church isn’t at that level.

“…Karl.”

“What. Wilhelm. Don’t look at me with such serious eyes.”

“Sorry. But the next topic is serious, so I can’t help it.”

Wilhelm suddenly bends his body after glancing around. Then, as if they made a promise, the other three also move like Wilhelm. As if they were about to tell a secret story.

“…Wait a minute. Do I have to do the same as you guys?”

“You’re saying obvious things.”

“This is a very important topic.”

“Here. Bow your head quickly. Friedrich Soga Lord.”

“No, if that’s the case, doing it somewhere else… No. Okay. Okay.”

After letting out a sigh, he inserts his head between the Four Idiots. Now, no complaints?

“It’s a rumor I heard a few days ago. The internal situation in Lasquer is not good.”

“Lasquer? It was chaotic from the beginning. Then it was just cleaned up.”

“Yes. It was said it was cleaned up. But it doesn’t seem like it was really cleaned up. No, wait. It was cleaned up, but another problem arose? The second princess’s faction won, but it seems the winning side is also full of words. The Foreign Ministry and Special Intelligence Agency have smelled something.”

Hearing Wilhelm’s words, I and the other three looked at the guy. To hear more details.

“Probably an internal split has occurred. It was the second princess’s faction, but now it’s not that side.”

“What ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠are you saying? If that’s the case, why did you support the second princess?”

“Something didn’t match, or maybe I knew this would happen but it turned out like this. Or perhaps there was some agreement between them that they don’t want to keep.”

“So, it’s like finding a substitute because the transaction relationship broke down?”

This Schlippen guy concludes sharply, more than I thought.

Substitute. So, is the fourth princess of Lasquer the most likely? Until recently, he was fighting with the second princess who is my older sister.

“However, according to another intelligence, the fourth princess is not. She was also secluded in Lasquer, and the second princess’s loyal forces are stationed around there, so that’s impossible.”

“What? Not the fourth princess? Then, is there someone suitable to replace? There isn’t anyone who can be supported in the current situation. Besides, they’re all within the second princess’s sight, so it might be difficult.”

“Yes. But, at least one person is not.”

“…Wait a minute. Within the second princess’s sight?”

“Wilhelm. No way.”

“That would be it. Karl.”

Wilhelm said that, then subtly looked up and glanced somewhere. There, Repia was seen talking with other students.

“Fifth princess. Repia Archeble. Although the succession order is behind, she showed a pretty good appearance by maintaining neutrality to the end. Moreover, although she doesn’t have the prestige as before, her maternal side is a knight family that is doing well in Lasquer. Ultimately, located in our Empire, outside the fifth princess’s sight.”

“…”

“Up to this point, I think even if I were a noble trying to escape the second princess, I could choose this. How about it? Karl. What do you think.”

“…Even I would think so. Definitely.”

After hearing that far, the Lasquer student who was next to Repia earlier came to mind.

I thought he was just a foolish guy throwing advances to a princess who had lost all real power. But it turned out to be a sinister operation to make him a new focal point?

“…These guys, they went too far?”

It’s about Lasquer’s affairs. It’s a family problem over there. So, it’s not a problem ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠for me or the Empire to interfere. If not careful, it could turn into a diplomatic problem, even a military one.

But, no matter how you look at it, this is the academy. It’s not the Lasquer Royal Academy, but the Empire Academy. It’s located on Empire land. They are students on a student visa, just people who came to learn in the Empire, and if anything, they are staying ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠as students.

Inside the Empire’s territory, inside the Empire’s learning ground. At least, in the academy, we shouldn’t do that.

If you’re going to play politics or whatever, do it inside, you can’t do it here, right?

“…Hey, Karl. Hey hey. Karl. Karl!”

“What.”

“Tha… Suddenly why are you pulling out the dagger so fiercely….”

Eh? Eh. Sorry. It seems I was unconsciously gripping the dagger and poking the table.

*

In the history of any country, there has never been a war without war. It’s inevitable. Unavoidable. When you try to run away in fear, you have to hand over everything you’ve built so far.

But at the same time, if it can be avoided, it is right to avoid it as much as possible. If there is another way, you should walk that way, and if there is another method, it is better to switch to that side for everyone’s good.

For that reason, the busiest place at the time when the war with Luzens ended was the Empire’s Foreign Ministry.

“Already confirmed on our side as well. Minister.”

The Special Intelligence Agency Minister sitting opposite the Foreign Minister opened his mouth in a low voice.

“Probably the Lasquer side seems to be ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠escalating this matter even more. But, no way, it’s coming to a point where it could spill over to our Empire like this.”

“It could be because there’s only one person who has escaped from the sight of our country’s second princess, but this is clearly crossing the line. Rather, you should send them back to their country. This kind of action inside the Empire’s fence.”

The Foreign Minister, who had been clicking his tongue repeatedly, looked at the other person on the opposite side.

“Thank you. Karl student. Thank you for telling me right away.”

“I’ve only done what was natural. We can’t just ignore this. Not anywhere else, but at the academy.”

One side said it happened inside the Empire’s fence. The other side said it happened inside the academy, in a seriously angry situation. The Special Intelligence Agency Minister watched it for a moment and then opened his mouth.

“By now, a report should have been submitted. The only thing left is to wait for the imperial decree.”

“More than that, we have to decide how to receive the Lasquer delegation coming in three days. We have to start with that. It would be nice if we could receive them politely but give appropriate warnings.”

“Who is coming to the delegation?”

When Karl showed interest, the Foreign Minister told him about the delegation formation. The delegation leader, personnel from the Kingdom’s Foreign Ministry, and the knights who will protect them.

“What about the level of the knights?”

“Well, first of all, it’s said that all of them are famous experts.”

“Um.”

After hearing that far, Karl shrugged his shoulders and opened his mouth.

“Then, if we hold a friendly match, it would be appropriate.”