CHAPTER 124
CHAPTER 124
Elves or dwarves, without pride they’re nothing but corpses.
“Too sweet an offer usually has a hidden hook we can’t see. But…”
“Tch. Compared to when I led Lancaster and entered the league, the overall level of the league seems to have dropped. The ones leading a first-division world league team are now trembling at the idea of settling a match through Wizard Ball with students who are barely in a fourth-division league. No wonder I’ve heard they keep surrendering the World Series title to the dwarves. I heard they’ve been repeatedly outplayed by the Texan Junkies, and now that I see it, if even the ownership lacks backbone like this, there’s nothing to look forward to. Very well. Let’s pretend this proposal never existed. You’ve been boasting that your team is a perennial contender in the World Series during my absence, but I see no need to rob you of such small pleasures. I’ve already exchanged too many championship trophies myself. If I had known this would happen, I might have given a few as gifts to the Queen.”
Vreumhyde’s knack for getting under people’s skin was exceptional.
His provocation was blatant, but the fact that Vreumhyde genuinely looked down on the elves made it all the more infuriating.
It wasn’t that he was saying things he didn’t mean just to provoke them. Rather, it felt like he was using provocation as an excuse to say what he already believed.
They knew getting angry meant falling into his trap, yet they couldn’t help but feel provoked.
“It’s not bad. I can sense sufficient potential. As expected of Dunais Academy… but the limits are clear. The heirs of Elector Houses aren’t exactly dedicating themselves professionally to Wizard Ball—it’s more of a hobby, isn’t it? And yet he’s staking his life on a team like this? What do you think, Captain of the Royal Guard?”
“Perhaps… the goal is to lose.”
“To lose?”
“Yes. Vreumhyde is currently bound to Dunais Academy. During the war with the Albion Union, he attacked Dunais Academy and was subsequently restrained by it. As a result, he became affiliated with the institution and is required to serve there for a long period as part of his punishment. However, if his own fate is wagered through a contract recognized by Dunais Academy…”
“Then he could legally free himself from its restraints?”
“So he’s deliberately proposing a losing bet to become free? But what if, driven by resentment, we end up killing him?”
“Kill him?”
The elves had suffered the greatest damage at Vreumhyde’s hands.
Because of that, the people desired revenge. Many bereaved families could not accept that he was bound to Dunais Academy and insisted that his head be taken and displayed in their city to satisfy their anger.
But if they obtained his person, would they kill him?
“To kill him… his magic is too beautiful.”
When magicians analyzed Vreumhyde’s magic, they found themselves captivated by its elegance.
Its concise and well-ordered structure was enough to enthrall any mage.
Even aside from that, killing one of the last remaining dragons in this world merely to appease public anger would be far too wasteful.
“But if we take him, will he obey us? Can we handle the wrath of a dragon?”
Though unusual for elves, who were proud by nature, Queen Chun-ja, who remembered the war with Vreumhyde, shuddered.
“If we craft the oath properly, we can ensure compliance. If we design the contract so that he can always be returned to Dunais Academy to complete his term of service, then he can be controlled sufficiently. We would not be relying on our own power, but on the ancient oaths of Dunais Academy. In a way, with a bit of wisdom, we can use those ancient bindings to secure the power of a dragon.”
“I see. But it still feels too sweet a deal. It gives the impression of a trap. Perhaps he is trying to tempt us into accepting this absurd challenge because we think this way?”
“That may be so… but surely our Cups wouldn’t lose to a bunch of youngsters like this?”
The Captain of the Royal Guard, Makdoong-ee, was confident.
No matter how much potential the Dunais Academy students had, their limits as novices were clear. Even if they grew rapidly in that time, they would still be insufficient against professionals.
This was undoubtedly Vreumhyde’s scheme—to intentionally lose in order to free himself from Dunais Academy.
So the elves accepted Vreumhyde’s proposal.
For them, there was no reason not to accept it.
The game ended in the bottom of the second inning.
The students of Gymnasium 641 Swordsmanship School depleted all their mana and aura and forfeited.
After the starting pitcher was overwhelmed by Karl’s direct hit, the next pitcher performed poorly and gave up runs with nearly every pitch, and Karl’s aggressive offense drained the rest of the team as well.
[Ah, they are strong! Dunais Academy! Gymnasium 641 was known as a strong team in the nearby fourth division, but to see them run out of resources this early…]
[Especially Prince Karl Gustav der Ochsbach’s performance was outstanding! He excelled both as a pitcher and a batter!]
[If they aren’t promoted quickly, it looks like most of the fourth-division teams will be wiped out. As expected of Dunais Academy! Truly powerful!]
With the enthusiastic commentary of the announcer and commentator, the crowd cheered loudly.
Seeing such overwhelmingly one-sided support, Idnia felt somewhat numb.
Even though both teams were in the same fourth division, one side was cheered so enthusiastically while the other was treated so poorly—it was hard to understand.
Moreover, the game itself was far too brutal.
When Karl took the mound as a pitcher, he openly threw balls infused with formless sword aura to intimidate the opposing players.
When Idnia stepped up to bat, the opposing pitcher also threw intimidating pitches at her, but Karl actually struck players and caused injuries.
“Ah… are you all alright? Your teammate was rather rough, wasn’t he?”
Idnia asked after the Gymnasium 641 players, who had exhausted all their stamina and mana by the second inning under relentless attack.
Even if those crushed by such unfair talent resented her, she felt she could understand them.
This world was narrow, unfair, and unreasonable.
Just like the world she originally came from.
In the end, must all beings with souls suffer under such absurdity?
Idnia felt sympathy for them.
But they responded with smiles.
“B-Betelgeuse young lady!”
“We’re fine! Wow. As expected, the Elector House’s formless sword is incredible.”
“Your hit was amazing too, young lady. That ball could have been directed at us, but you sent it over the fence instead, didn’t you?”
“Ah, yes…”
As they said, Idnia could have directed her hit straight at the pitcher.
But striking someone who wasn’t a sworn enemy was not easy.
Although disguised as a sport, this brutal game crossed a psychological line for Idnia.
A game likely created by its designers, yet in this world it had become a furnace that burned the people’s passion so intensely.
“As expected of Betelgeuse young lady.”
“I knew it.”
“Thank you. But you don’t need to be so considerate. In Wizard Ball, attacking players is a legitimate strategy.”
The players of Gymnasium 641, rather than resenting her, praised her and expressed gratitude for her consideration.
Their sincerity was pure, without a hint of darkness, and it only made Idnia feel a heavier weight on her shoulders.
They even approached Karl, who had relentlessly attacked them, to ask for autographs and exchanged towels embroidered with their team insignia.
They also handed Idnia a towel embroidered with “Gymnasium 461.”
“U-um, young lady. Could you sign our uniforms?”
“Me? An autograph?”
“Yes. Please use this.”
“……”
In a world without ballpoint pens, she wondered how they expected an autograph, but to her surprise, they had brought ink, brushes, and an inkstone, grinding ink before requesting her signature.
Idnia could only oblige, carrying both her sense of guilt toward them and her embarrassment at their support.
Though she had no formal training in calligraphy, and her signature was not particularly refined, they treasured it and rejoiced.
Seeing that they bore no trace of defeat, Idnia felt a pang in her heart.
The more she reflected, the heavier her emotions became at the thought of such undeserved affection and support.
And her earlier arrogance in pitying them became unbearable shame.
“Well then, we’ll be rooting for you all.”
“You’ll likely be promoted to the upper league soon.”
“It was an honor to compete against His Highness the Crown Prince.”
As the time of parting approached, the players of Gymnasium 461 seemed reluctant to leave and continued trying to offer more gifts.
At that moment, Vreumhyde called all the students together.
“You all did well. As expected, holding a victory banquet even after a defeat was worthwhile. Since the match ended earlier than expected, you are granted permission to go out until 6 p.m.”
Vreumhyde seemed quite satisfied this time.
“Eh, we can go out?”
“You should have told us earlier! We didn’t even dress properly!”
“Can regular students go out too?”
The students seated in the stands perked up and asked.
Classes were suspended during the Wizard Ball match, and among the spectators were students as well.
They asked if they could go out too, but Vreumhyde shook his head.
“This is a privilege for the players. The rest of you will return to the academy with me shortly.”
“Eh.”
“If you’re dissatisfied, you can join the Wizard Ball team now. Now then, I will take my leave to speak with the league officials and the elves. Those who go out must return here by 6 p.m. If you fail to return even after the bell, I will personally come after you—be prepared to accept penalties.”
After saying this, Vreumhyde departed with the elves who had come to meet him.
“Hmm… it’s still 1 p.m.”
Rudolf took out his pocket watch and showed it to everyone.
“There’s quite a lot of time. Too much to just sit around, but not enough to do anything major. What should we do?”
“Let’s not go too far from here. There’s a market nearby, so we could head there.”
“Oh, but I didn’t bring any money.”
When some students mentioned they had no money, Lorenzo stepped forward.
“I’ll lend you some.”
“Oh, as expected.”
“And if it’s alright… Miss Marie. We’d like to invite you as well.”
“Me?”
Marie looked surprised at Lorenzo’s sudden invitation.
“Yes.”
Lorenzo smiled.
“I noticed that Lady Idnia has been trying quite hard to protect Miss Marie. If we invite her, Lady Idnia will surely come as well.”
Indeed, Marie turned to Idnia.
“Lady Idnia, would you like to come with us?”
“Oh my. Me? I thought you were inviting Miss Marie.”
“Ah, of course, Lady Idnia is welcome as well. We have a Medici family villa here in Dunais—we were thinking of visiting it.”
“If you’re inviting us, we would gladly accept.”
“Yes. Then…”
At that moment, Karl spoke up.
“Lorenzo, may I be invited as well?”
“Oh, Karl, you?”
“Rudolf can come too. Interested?”
“Of course.”
Rudolf nodded as well.
If Idnia and Saint Marie were going, he had no reason to refuse either.
“Ha ha.”
Lorenzo gave an awkward laugh. He might have been able to turn Karl away, but if Rudolf was added to the mix, refusing would be difficult.