150. A Festival for Everyone
Autumn had come to the academy. And that meant a festival was just around the corner.
“Hoo hoo hoo.”
The president of the academy student council, Karli Loder, let out a very satisfied smile.
Up until last year, the autumn festival had been a time of both joy and torment for the student council.
Planning a festival that would satisfy students and staff from all backgrounds, ages, and genders was an incredibly difficult task.
So much so that the student council had a saying: “A student council member who enjoys the festival is not a true member.”
But this time is different. At least until next year when I’m still student council president! Hehe hehe!
There was no reason to worry. No matter how I used it, this was the best topic right here.
“Welcome, senior! I’m Karli Loder, in charge of this year’s student council!”
“Ah, yeah. Nice to meet you, student council president.”
Karl Adelheit. Honestly, I was still struggling with how to address him.
At least I was calling him senior for now, but that couldn’t be the end of it if I thought about it more.
The main residence of the crown princess: Friedrich County. The lord there. Double recipient of the Imperial Medal of Honor. Recipient of the Legion of Honor. A capable person wielding the sword of 12 knights. An benefactor who discovered a saint’s relic from the church.
And, having received a miracle and after deliberation for sainthood, it’s certain that he will be added to the ranks of saints after death.
At first I thought of calling him a candidate saint, but the distance felt too great, so I decided to drop it.
Additionally, rumor had it that Karl was very embarrassed by such things, so it was better to approach him casually, according to the student council president’s conclusion.
“I heard you were looking for me.”
“Yes. To be honest, I need your help this time during the festival.”
“My help?”
From last year, this year, maybe next year and the year after. The academy’s top topic was probably the person sitting in front of me, the student council president thought.
He had already accomplished many things and enjoyed many glories, but it didn’t seem like that was the end.
This year as it is, next year as it is. It would probably become the center of another whirlpool by stirring up many topics again. That was her prediction as well.
“Something that will draw attention at the festival is needed, and right now it seems like the senior is the best.”
On the other hand, Karl’s anxiety was amplifying.
Was it really that he wanted to liven things up and ask me to perform on stage singing or dancing? Or maybe not the long talk from hell?
I didn’t mind dancing, but singing was really not something I could do. In my previous life and this one, I hated singing. So much so that the seniors would say, “Hey, don’t sing the military song.”
“First, I’d like you to do the opening speech. Is that okay?”
“Opening speech… No, wait. Usually, the president or someone else does that, right?”
“That’s true, but this time it seems fitting for the senior to do it! I’ve already consulted with the president, and fortunately, he accepted it readily!”
No, he might not be happy inside. Taking the opening speech away from a regular student.
Quickly go back and ask again. After asking three times and being refused three times, then the real story starts. Come on!
Whether or not Karli Loder knew Karl’s inner thoughts, she continued chatting.
“Last time at the festival, you did the snack booth and all that, right? This time―”
The snack booth was less memorable than the Gganf ones. Karl tilted his head.
Or rather, the starting was a wonderful snack, but from there it derived some damn mint chocolate or something.
“This time, can we expect something else?!”
Don’t expect too much. You might suddenly receive a miracle in the middle of the festival.
That would be scary. If it happens in front of all the students, it would be like a real saint and they’d curse.
Karl secretly thought, Is the protagonist of the festival all the students, and am I getting too much spotlight? in a timid rebellion.
Of course, the student council president suppressed his rebellion in one blow with “What do you mean?”
“Then I’ll leave it to you, senior!”
“…Yeah. Good luck.”
Please, let nothing happen. Please.
*
“So, you guys will have to work hard too.”
“When did I ever make you work? You were the ones who stuck to me!”
These kids. When did I ever make you work! Rather, you were the ones clinging to me!
Expressing his grievance, the four idiots looked at him with strange expressions.
“So, what are you planning for this festival?”
“More takoyaki and hotteok?”
“That’s not it.”
Since they’re already doing well, they might prepare elsewhere even if not here.
More importantly, once something is used once, it’s best not to use it again. That’s the best tactic and strategy.
“Then maybe mint chocolate? Finally Karl also―”
“Wilhelm. Put a gag in his mouth.”
“Yes.”
After suppressing Schlippen who was interfering with thoughts, he pondered what to do at the festival.
What would be good. What should I do to make a festival worthy of my massively inflated fame.
“Why do I have to do anything?”
“Huh?”
Joachim opened his mouth for the first time in a while. That guy, not the weakest in the four idiots, but just because he had less to say compared to the other three, his presence was a bit faint.
If this was a movie or drama, after everything ends, it’d be the position of ‘Ah, right. There was that character too?’
“Why do I have to do anything?”
“But the student council president said she’d keep expecting me to do something? She seems like she wants me to be active.”
“So, that’s what I was saying.”
Was I the only one not understanding Joachim’s words? To check, I glanced at the other three, and they were also looking at Joachim with strange eyes.
What is he babbling about? or Speak in Imperial language. or Is this what he calls good? if those were the looks, it would be a misunderstanding?
“This time at the festival, Karl, you’re not doing something, but going around visiting the booths of the juniors who are doing something.”
“I did that last time too?”
“It was just for a bit. This time, do it properly. Then naturally, thanks to you, the booths will get more attention everywhere and your visibility will rise― Ah, anyway.”
Aha. So, it’s like a food tour? No, booth tour?
Joachim’s opinion, which he opened his mouth for the first time in a while, was quite good. That’s how those types are. Quiet until they suddenly say something and it’s ‘Eek!’
I feel like I heard something weird at the end. Anyway, let’s just move on.
Once again, I thought how truly distinct the four idiots were in character. One weird one, one sharp but airheaded one. One that coordinates the two well. And finally one quiet one.
“It doesn’t seem bad.”
“Right? I’m much better than those guys.”
“I agree.”
“Then, to acknowledge that merit, how can we not remove me from the guardian saints?”
What are you saying? That’s impossible. Would you dare betray your friends like that?
“Joachim. Let’s all hold hands and happily leave our faces in the holy scriptures forever.”
“No… Really, seeing my picture now is already too weird, and you want me to show it to others too…?”
Yes. That’s exactly it. I have to do that, but you’re suggesting we do it together. With the intention of cheering him up, I patted Joachim on the back and walked to tell the good news to the student council.
“…Eloise?”
“Eh. Hello. Karl! Ah, Karl-senpai!”
“There’s Lavrenti and Lepia too… What kind of weird combination is this.”
Eloise greeting me happily, and Lavrenti smiling quietly beside her.
And Lepia grumbling while squeezing between them and finally shaking my hand.
Meeting these three isn’t strange. The question is why they happen to meet exactly at the entrance to the student council room.
The reason would be revealed soon.
“…Are the elves setting up booths together?”
“Yes! How is it?!”
At least Eloise was trying to set up the first booth with the elf exchange students.
It was the first time ever. Although elf exchange students had appeared occasionally during the festival, it was the first time they had directly set up booths and shown enthusiasm.
Good news. It meant the elves were starting to fully mix into the academy.
Moreover, the Empire had already solidified the atmosphere with cooperation with elves, and it was pleasant for young friends who would become the backbone of the Empire to get closer to the elves.
“What’s the theme?”
“That’s something we have to decide from now on!”
“…Let’s not talk about it.”
Being in charge of that was Eloise was quite worrying, but.
“Is Lavrenti doing the same?”
“Yes. I’m planning to set up a booth with the commoner students. Master. Ah, senior.”
“What kind of booth?”
“…I’m sorry, but it’s a secret.”
Ah, business secret. If I asked more, it would be rude, so retreat.
“Are you going to set up a booth too, Lepia-senpai?”
“Yes, yes! I’m not keeping it a secret! I just haven’t decided on the theme yet! I’m just applying for the booth!”
All three setting up their own booths. Hmm, so three places I must visit during the festival.
I was amazed again by Joachim’s foresight. If I had grumbled like last time, I wouldn’t have been able to see the booths of those three.
*
The academy autumn festival. At that place, the opening speech is none other than Karl Adelheit!
“Perhaps the brother might give a good word. It would be good to go and brighten the place.”
“This is also a kind of official occasion, but if the face doesn’t show, it would be noticeable. The moment a word like ‘The elves are disappointed’ comes out of such a person’s mouth, it’s a nightmare.”
“I’m curious what the honorable knight’s opening speech would be like. I will formally request an invitation to the Empire.”
For various reasons, suddenly many congratulatory participants began to gather for the academy festival.
Even the Abillesti who had no direct connection with Karl sent mages saying ‘Hey, if we don’t go, we’ll be left out?’ and it reached the Empire.
Thanks to that, the Empire’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs was in chaos.
“No, why! Have these guys all taken drugs together?!”
It was only natural for the foreign minister to tear his hair out while complaining about the sudden workload.