I Don't Mind
Karl let out a long sigh as he entered the lounge and collapsed onto the sofa. Hmm. Thinking about it, this is too old-man-like.
In the days when I was in the military, whenever I had a short break, I'd throw myself onto the blanket like this. Every time, whether senior or junior, they'd laugh and say, 'Oh my, you've turned into such an old man.'
It was incredibly grueling and difficult, but looking back now, those moments weren't so bad. Of course, if asked if I want to go back, I don't, but anyway.
“Tired…”
Lately, my mind has been all over the place. In just a couple of months, so many things have happened.
It started with the friendly match with the Lasker delegation. I thought I'd loosen up a bit and be done with it. So I expressed some regret that it ended too quickly.
Then suddenly I joined the delegation and headed to Lasker with them. And I came back from the Kingdom of Knights after another big fight. This time, I really got a good haul.
I thought that was the end, but it turns out the sword I received is one of Lasker's treasures.
Why give something like this? Because if you don't have the qualifications, you can't even see Lasker or the Knights. So it was supposed to go to Count Friedrich, but the person concerned refused it so much that it couldn't be given.
And that sword ended up coming back to Friedrich County again.
The thing that drives me crazy here is that only I, Karl, can see the true form of that sword. Not only Elroyze, but even his mother, and even his father, Count Friedrich.
All three of them just said they got some strange feeling. They couldn't see beyond that, and in the end, only Karl could see that pitch-black sword.
'Just what is this?'
Whether it was when I was looking for the divine object from the Church, or now when I'm alone seeing the so-called 'Answering One'. This is getting scary. I wonder if this is okay.
'...It was indeed a great sword.'
It was the first time. Unlike all other swords, it was a pitch-black colored sword.
Seeing the sword with its subtle sheen, I wanted to swing it once. But I held back. I told myself it was just for show.
The reason I don't even hold the sword despite doing such ridiculous things is exactly because of that.
…
I secretly take out the dagger from my pocket. As expected, this is the best. It looks a bit plain, but the sensation when held in the hand is incredibly stable.
With this guy, I could pierce anywhere. Even if I fall anywhere, I could survive. Damn, the squad leader got a really good item.
But why suddenly use another sword when we have this? From Karl's perspective, it felt like NTR. Not from his view, but from the dagger's.
I heard about it, and more importantly, if I abandon a well-used one for a flashier, better one, I'd get struck by lightning. So I have no intention of changing weapons.
As a result, the sword of the 12 Knights ended up in Friedrich County's decoration room.
For a moment, it seemed like the sword was vibrating as if screaming 'No! How can I lose to a military dagger!' but Karl didn't care at all.
On the contrary, I even thought it was natural, and the reason was this.
'When I have the qualification to return it someday, I'll come to get it back. If I can return it, it's right not to use it in the first place.'
Even if it becomes someone else's story later. Let's avoid making it awkward.
Thinking that, Karl looked out the window for a moment, then sighed.
'This woman is really...'
I tried to pretend not to notice, but this is really beyond it. Karl stood up from his seat and immediately opened the window with a bang!
…
…
…
“Hello?”
What kind of hello is that. Really, why are you like this. I made a promise myself.
You know it's the 3rd floor, and you're hanging from the window outside?
It's enough for 3rd floor. I'm an elf, elf.
Even elves would die if they fell headfirst from a high place.
It's unacceptable for an Academy student to hang from the 3rd floor window of the Academy building like that.
Moreover, if it's not an Imperial student but an elven student, that's even more something to avoid.
Karl immediately pulled Elroyze into the lounge and forced her to sit on the sofa.
You came because you thought I wouldn't keep my promise? I said that at the time. Since you acknowledged my merit, wait quietly.
It was Elroyze who first noticed the strangeness of the sword, before me, my father, or mother.
Thanks to that, I could figure out the secret of the sword earlier, so I can't say Elroyze has no merit.
So, with thanks, I personally made time to invite her for a cup of coffee.
But I couldn't hold back that short time, and coming like this to urge me is quite…
Not because of that, right?
No?
Yeah.
Then?
I just wanted to see you?
…
Wow. Really. This direct elf who doesn't know how to flirt at all.
I won't say it's completely useless. The moment I heard that, I unconsciously took damage.
…
…If I want to see you more here, I'm worried about what you'll do.
If you're worried, pay some attention to me too! I think about Karl every day!
Is that what you're saying to someone who's currently planning a wedding?
The marriage with Selena is, of course, after graduation from the Academy. But a betrothal can be done before that, right?
So, I was planning to do a betrothal at a time when I have some leeway.
Betrothal? Do it. I never said not to!
No…
Of course I have to. There's a need for someone to take the lead. Otherwise, I won't be able to meet Karl and talk without burden!
This won't do. I'm giving up. Even if I say 'I have Selena', he won't believe it.
If you have a partner, your attractiveness drops, right? And I heard that almost all elves are monogamous?
…
Let's walk for now.
It doesn't seem like something to talk about while sitting on the sofa. So Karl pulled Elroyze outside.
“Karl. Do you hate me?”
If you come in so directly like this, it's quite embarrassing...
“I don't hate it.”
“Then like it, right?”
“What about Selena?”
“When did I say to kick out Selena? No way.”
“I think monogamy is natural.”
Memories from another life are a hindrance at times like this. I unconsciously think monogamy is correct.
In this world, it doesn't matter if it's monogamy, polygamy, or even one husband many wives.
When did Imperial nobles start being monogamous?
Elroyze actually reacted with 'what are you talking about?' when she heard my words.
“Ah. Maybe because of my father and mother? Hmm. It could be. But Karl? That's because your father and mother get along too well. Other nobles don't.”
“I heard there are nobles who have twelve wives. If you have the ability, and can handle all wives and children, isn't everything allowed?”
“You sound like you've fully mastered the Empire. Seeing it this way, I seem like an elf and Elroyze like an Imperial citizen.”
“So. I want to be your woman too. Make me your wife.”
“Really. You're too straightforward, I'm getting scared.”
“If it's because of Selena, I'll get her permission. Even if I have to lick Selena's soles, I'll get permission. So Karl just needs to come to me with his body!”
Is something seriously off? Is it my misunderstanding? No, and why would you lick Selena's soles.
“Selena is my woman. If I lick, I have to lick too, what are you saying... Ahem. Yeah.”
“Can I ask why you're so attached?”
“Because I like Karl?”
“Again?”
“I want to give birth to Karl's child?”
“…”
“More?”
“I want to be the woman of the best man in the world?”
Damn. I can't ask anymore. My resistance is too low to ask more.
So, while I was trying to catch my breath, some students gathered in the distance and were raising their voices in argument.
“What's going on?”
“Seems like something's happening.”
Both me and Elroyze were drawn there as if mesmerized.
The group of students are arguing, some are elven students from Heigens.
“Why are our Heigens side students always being pushed back in priority?”
“Yes. Same with club applications, borrowing books from the library. It's too much.”
“Are you really not aware of the reason? Then it's not good, elves.”
“Is it because we're elves? We are already friends with the Empire!”
“There were elves who weren't like that. Aren't they our own kind?”
“What is this situation? No, what's the sudden issue.”
Karl tilted his head.
Then hearing the next words, his face hardened.
“So we can't be discriminated against. Now we will actively—”
“Since the home situation is chaotic, now? That's ridiculous.”
“Why not go back to the old days? You guys were boasting like you were superior. Ignoring us, right?”
Hmm. In the end, it came as expected. While Elroyze looked troubled.
Suddenly Karl let out a cough!
“Everyone stop. That's enough.”
“Ah. Karl-senpai. Look at these elves. They don't think for themselves and keep pushing their claims—”
“Underclassmen.”
Karl raised the corner of his mouth. However, his face was not smiling at all as he answered.
“I just want to see this kind of thing. For the Empire. Not to team up with elves and strangle Gganfs.”
“Eh? Ah, senpai? Senpai fought with elves for the Empire...”
“Precisely, I fought against those who are hostile to the Empire. So, did the students here do something hostile to the Empire? From my perspective, it doesn't seem so.”
“I fought with elves. I won't deny it. I killed elves. I won't deny it. I lost someone to elves. I won't deny that either.”
“But we only fought 'enemies'. We fought for the Empire, against the Empire's enemies.”
“So are they enemies? Are they hostile to the Empire now? If not, then discriminating against them is the act of shaming us who bravely fought.”
“We. We. We didn't fight just to see this kind of thing.”
“This can't be. Underclassmen, show a better side than those you hate.”
So that hatred doesn't breed more hatred, and more of us don't get born.
So that the sacrifices our past selves paid aren't in vain.