I Can't Relax
“…A hot spring trip? Suddenly? And who is this Eloise again?”
Selena, who was peeling the fruits by hand, blinked her eyes in obvious confusion. Feeling a sense of duty to say something more immediately, I opened my mouth.
“Uh, Eloise Lohengrin. The woman who will come as an exchange student from the Elf side next year. Ah! And! Absolutely, absolutely, it's not some weird relationship. I mean, it's a bit long, but during the train terror incident….”
“It's fine, Karl. I don't care. Don't worry.”
“By chance there… Eh?”
Did I hear that wrong? Doesn't care? Not even concerned?
“Anyway, the first one to confess to me was me, and conversely, the first person to receive my permission from Karl is also me. Since there's nothing special about it, the first one is always me, so to speak. If that weren't the case, it would mean I no longer feel like a woman to Karl, so I have to accept that too.”
“Th-that sounds too extreme.”
“So that's why I don't care even more. More than that, who exactly is this Eloise, and what does it have to do with the train terror incident? Wasn't she just some Elf who came to study in the Empire?”
Ah, I slipped up. Too flustered, I was rambling, and ended up leaking more information than necessary.
I hesitated for a moment, but thinking about it, Eloise is no longer active duty like me now. So, maybe it's okay to tell a little bit of the story?
“Actually, that woman Eloise isn't a normal Elf. She was the commander of the special unit from the Heigens side.”
“Special unit?”
“Yeah. Special unit. To be more precise, it should be the Annihilation Force. Simply put, it's a unit made up of pretty scary guys. The field commander there is this Eloise who invited me to the hot spring trip this time.”
The word “Annihilation Force” made Selena unable to hide her astonishment. Why would someone like that suddenly leave the military? And not just anywhere, but why the Imperial Academy?
With a name that sounds terrifying from the start, and then saying she's an Academy exchange student, it made her worry as if something would happen at the Academy.
I was worried about that too. An unwelcome person arriving at the Academy.
It wasn't just because she was from the Annihilation Force. If such a person suddenly came as an exchange student, no matter what, something related to her would eventually happen!
This wasn't a romance novel?! It turned out to be an Academy story?! And not a slice-of-life one, but a serious story where all kinds of incidents are happening at the Academy right now!
If I had known this would happen even at the Academy, I would have driven a stake through my heart instead of retiring! This is not it!!
“Ah, anyway. Even if I say I won't go, she doesn't listen. Maybe if Selena wants to go on a hot spring trip, I was going to ask Eloise for a favor.”
“Where are we going?”
“The Great Forest.”
Then Selena let out a spontaneous “Waaah.” and covered her mouth with an “Ah!”
Both the four guys and Selena, probably because they're Empire nobles, can't help but react like that.
The hot spring area near the Great Forest is really amazing. What to say? It's a place where natural good energy is full, so it really means 'recharging' in the true sense.
If they develop that place properly and attract more people, it could become the Empire's best tourist spot in the south in no time.
“Hearing rumors, both Lasquer who values the body and Abillesti who values mana seemed to have shown interest in the utility of hot springs.”
How much would the Empire have to say that they want to occupy the Great Forest area because of the hot spring zone?
It's not 100% true, but not 100% false either. If I could get my hands on that hot spring area and manage it safely, I could earn money while sitting down.
“It's a good place. So much so that the four guys immediately attached themselves to me saying 'let's go there'?”
“So, what did you say?”
“I said I'd think about it. If Eloise had said only the two of us, I would have rejected it without hesitation, but even with the four guys and Selena, she said there would be no problem.”
At first, I naturally expected Selena to be displeased or at least give a blunt reaction. But from the conversation so far, it doesn't seem like it would be that way.
“So, let's go, Karl!”
“…Really?”
“Yeah. Fortunately, I have some time until this vacation. I want to go!”
I didn't think things would turn out this well. Did Eloise, this woman, not intend to stir up trouble this far? Since she's not normal, I'm suddenly getting anxious.
“More interestingly, I heard that you can't just use the Great Forest hot springs.”
“I was also surprised and asked. So, Eloise has connections there. Since deciding to study, she's been asking continuously to see if it's possible.”
“I see. I should thank this exchange student Eloise. Ah, now I guess I should call her a junior?”
Good. Really good. I thought Selena would hate it, but seeing this reaction—
*thud, crunch*—
“Mmhm. You should thank her. She's been quietly looking after you. Hehe.”
Crunch, crunch—
“…”
I get it now. Seeing this, she probably didn't want to show any unnecessary behavior in front of me.
As evidence, the firm apple in Selena's hand was now in two pieces…!
*
What a strange day. It was fun, then angry, then calmed down, then boiling again.
“Haa.”
Sitting in the carriage, looking out the window, Selena let out a sigh without realizing it.
Looking at it coldly, she has no right to be angry in this situation.
Although we had just started again with Karl, looking at her inner self, isn't it a bit messy?
It's only been a month since we officially promised to date, and not even a week has passed.
And I can't say I rejected the other woman's advances more actively.
Thinking about it, before starting over with me, we got entangled in various incidents.
“Eloise Lohengrin.”
Still, the fire rising in my heart is probably due to the instinct as a woman.
Instinctively, I felt on guard. And instinctively understood.
Ah, that Elf Eloise has interest in Karl. I don't know why, but probably that's the case.
Otherwise, inviting to the hot spring out of the blue is strange. Even if she said others could come along, it might just be a smokescreen.
Who knows what thoughts she had when inviting to that place. Only Eloise, the inviter, knows.
“…No. No. It could be a baseless misunderstanding. It could be a way for an Elf to express gratitude to Karl. Don't overthink it.”
Thinking more here would only make me uncomfortable, and consequently Karl too.
We've just started holding hands, and I don't want to waste time on unnecessary misunderstandings. And even if it's not a misunderstanding, in the end, it's Karl's heart that matters.
“You're back, Lenny.”
“Father!”
Selena, who returned to the family, greeted the Marquis first.
There was some daughter-parent conflict due to the university issue, but it was brief.
Selena persuaded her father with all her heart, and the Marquis, realizing his daughter's sincerity, declared he would no longer fuss. It was a truly fortunate outcome.
While talking about various things, Selena suddenly realized that Deonic wasn't there.
“Brother?”
“He's busy lately. Something about a support project for veteran soldiers.”
“Eh… Is it the Karl Adelheit Pension Foundation?”
“Not that. It's something my brother does separately. It seems like it should be seen as a separate matter from that.”
As the Marquis said that, he let out an “Ah” and told her to listen directly.
And right after, Deonic appeared behind Selena, looking a bit tired.
“Brother!”
“Ah. You're here, Lenny. You worked hard again. Graduated with the best grades, huh. Good job.”
“Thank you. But you look really tired. Are you very busy with your work?”
Deonic shrugged at Selena's words, with a smile on his lips.
His reaction seemed to show quite a bit of pride in what he was doing, making Selena feel good too.
“What exactly are you doing?”
“Nothing special. Just helping veteran soldiers live a better future. At the very least, arranging jobs for them, and sometimes lending small interest business funds. Or trying to give suitable opportunities to those who want to learn.”
Treating the Empire's soldiers with precious care. Karl probably wouldn't dislike hearing this news.
So, when Selena clapped happily, Deonic continued with even more enthusiasm.
“Speaking of which, not long ago, a pretty amazing person came. Someone who received the Silver Star Medal, and it turns out she was a great female sharp shooter.”
“Female… sharp shooter, you say?”
What? Suddenly, a cold feeling rose in Selena.
“Yeah. She used some force because she wanted to learn more. Probably won't be your junior next year, Lenny. If you get a chance, could you ask Karl Sergeant? He knows her, right?”
“…Bro. What's her name?”
No way. No way. Really no way. Selena prayed desperately without realizing.
Eloise the Elf is one thing, I can accept that. But that woman is a bit dangerous…!
“Was it Lavrenti? Ah, yeah. That name. Lavrenti Sergeant… Len, Lenny? Why are you doing that, Aigoo! Selena! Why are you hitting!? Ow? Aaaah!!”