[No title provided]
The field trip I'd expected to be a chaotic mess surprisingly went off without a hitch. Normally, they'd stick to nearby spots for safety and budget reasons, but with the Northern side footing the entire bill, picking the location was a no-brainer.
Even Her Highness the princess, handling the paperwork and approvals as student council president, remarked on how smoothly it all went. She sounded almost relieved, saying external events like this rarely proceeded so seamlessly.
Even for a single first-year class, the costs weren't trivial, but the duke offered to cover everything without batting an eye. Looked like his love for his daughter ran deep.
Does he want to see me that badly...?
With that, preparations for the Northern trip flew ahead. Some kids from other classes grumbled about us heading north alone, but once we explained the grand duke had specifically requested me, the complaints died down.
The eyes of my classmates heading north sparkled with excitement. It was a place most imperial citizens never visited, and for kids their age, just going to another country was thrilling enough.
For the record, Saintess Hertia tagged along as emergency medical support, while Princess Astraia joined as an auxiliary chaperone.
Everyone else buzzed with anticipation, but my heart stayed heavy the whole way.
It was just a field trip, after all—no real work for first-years. More like a study tour, akin to a middle school excursion from my past life. But to me, it felt like being drafted into the army.
As we reached the northern outskirts, a biting chill greeted us.
"A-achoo... C-cold... Mars, you okay?"
"Huh? Yeah, I'm fine."
Polo, unused to such cold, shivered nonstop despite his thick layers. Made sense—the empire's heartland stayed mild year-round, and our home turf didn't get brutal winters. Regular folks would struggle in this freeze.
Me? Past-life memories made it bearable, even if it stung. Back then, summers and winters swung wildly, so this felt brisk rather than deadly after the empire's warmth.
But I seemed to be the only one unfazed. The other students trembled like leaves.
"Just hang in there a bit. The Northern Grand Duchy has magic tools regulating the temperature inside—it's not that bad," Prazia said, easing the tension on their faces.
Time passed, and we arrived at the Northern Grand Duchy. Unlike the empire's vibrant backdrop, the snow-blanketed walls exuded a stark, intimidating chill.
The guards, briefed in advance, ran a perfunctory search and waved us through quickly.
Paying respects to the grand duke first seemed proper, so we headed for the ducal castle. I figured Prazia would lead, but one of the guards escorted us instead.
"......"
Was her infamous sense of direction that well-known even at home? Prazia pouted but followed without protest.
We reached the imposing black iron fortress of the north and were ushered straight to the audience chamber.
"Hrm... Welcome to our lands."
What the hell was that?
I first mistook him for a bandit. People pictured northern dukes as handsome snow princes, but this guy looked fresh off a hunt, bandit chief vibes and all.
I wasn't alone—students paled or stepped back at the sight.
"It's an honor to meet you. Thank you for graciously accepting what might have seemed an impertinent request."
"Impertinent? Nonsense. For the empire's future leaders, who'd usher in a golden age for the continent? It's the least we can do."
Our homeroom teacher, Professor Idrus, bowed first in thanks. The duke laughed heartily, brushing it off like nothing.
His gruff warmth loosened the students' nerves. And the honey-dripping fondness in his gaze toward Prazia between us? No doubting the doting-dad rumors.
As the mood lightened and I relaxed, the duke's eyes sharpened.
"One thing, though... Just answer this, and you'll all enjoy a comfortable stay."
"What is it?"
"......Who here is this Mars Noctus fellow?"
Gazes snapped to me from all sides the instant he spoke.
Oh crap. I'm screwed.
* * *
"Hrm... Western yields are down sharply. Unstable weather lately? We'll release reserves to stabilize things for now."
In the emperor's office, the empire's pinnacle of power pored over endless reports, hands flying like lightning. He scanned documents, issuing solutions on the fly.
But his mind wandered elsewhere.
Is Astraia doing alright up there...? North's freezing—hope she doesn't catch cold...
His daughter, tagging along to monitor the first-years' trip, gnawed at him constantly.
Normal folks couldn't multitask like that, but as a master emperor, it was routine.
That damn kid. Heard the north trip happened because of him too. No clue with women, yet somehow girls flock to the idiot!
Briefed fully by investigators, he seethed knowing Mars Noctus (unwittingly) masterminded it again.
Reports of his daughter fawning over Mars—who ignored her completely—left him baffled.
Yet he held back, seeing echoes of his younger self in her. He'd fallen hard for the late empress at first sight, trailing her shamelessly despite his crown prince status.
Marriage via power would be easy, but he craved genuine connection, so he orbited awkwardly instead.
Seeing his daughter mirror that kept him from intervening. Besides, he'd won his empress in the end—maybe Astraia would too. He clung to that vague hope, awaiting her day.
Tap. Tap-tap.
"Hm?"
A bird pecked the window. High up as the office was, it wasn't unheard of, but this felt off. Opening it, the bird fluttered in, landing lightly on his desk.
"A... paper bird?"
Its paper construction screamed magic. As he watched, it reverted to letter form, mission complete.
Staring at the sheet, suspicion dawning, the emperor unfolded and read.
"......"
"......!!"
He didn't finish—summoned the prime minister at once.
Moments later, the prime minister arrived.
"Your Majesty, you called—"
"Prime minister! Get in here—now!"
Cutting off the greeting, the emperor bellowed. Sensing gravity from the tone, the prime minister entered, locking the door. Such urgency meant top secrecy.
"Your Majesty, calm yourself. What is it?"
"Send troops to Narok Kingdom immediately! Now!"
Deploying to a foreign nation? War? The prime minister panicked, protesting.
"Wh-what?! Out of nowhere like this? Narok's an ally!"
"Not war! To save them!"
"S-save—!?"
The emperor thrust the letter at him. Reading closely, the prime minister's eyes widened in shock. He couldn't hide his alarm.