CHAPTER 137
CHAPTER 137
The Trial of the Alliance Relationship Approaches
“Even so, there’s the hunting ground, isn’t there? If we hunt, we can obtain meat. Wouldn’t it be advantageous to monopolize it? Even if we secure the kitchen, without meat, there’s nothing to cook with, right?”
“Ah, I didn’t realize you all had much experience with hunting.”
“We… we’ve done fox hunting quite a bit. We’ve also caught rabbits and deer.”
“Then, by any chance, is there anyone here who has experience dismantling animals?”
When Idnia asked that, everyone fell silent.
Hunting was typically a sport enjoyed by nobles, and even those who had tried it would ride on horseback while hounds and servants drove the prey toward them. They would shoot it down, and the servants would retrieve and prepare it for cooking.
But that was aristocratic sport hunting. Becoming a proper hunter who personally dismantles game was an entirely different matter. Naturally, there was no student here with such experience.
‘I do, though.’
Idnia had actually hunted in the Duchy of Betelgeuse. Bears, deer, coyotes, wolves—she hunted them all without discrimination, then dismantled the meat and skinned them as well.
“I can say with certainty that the hunting ground is closer to a trap. Do you really think you’ll be able to achieve good results hunting in the gaps between classes?”
“W-we could set traps…”
The students suggested this, but even they knew how weak their argument sounded.
“And it’s the same with the garden. You’ve never farmed before, have you?”
Nobles who had never even dismantled their hunting spoils were unlikely to have experience in farming.
At that moment, Marie, the daughter of a farmer, raised her hand.
“I’ve done it before.”
Idnia ignored Marie, who had jumped in without reading the room, and continued speaking.
“Without familiarity, and without being able to cook immediately, there’s no way you can labor just to obtain ingredients. Fortunately, the garden is something I’ve already been managing to some extent through the Wizard Ball club. And of course, Marie has been helping as well.”
“Then isn’t it a problem to choose the kitchen and actually cook? None of us have ever cooked before.”
Sindia Aspinal pressed the point, and Idnia smiled.
“You’ll learn from now on.”
“Ugh. I don’t want to.”
Sindia, just like in the original game, started off as an antagonist and immediately dampened the mood.
Well, of course they didn’t like it. Why would they? These were nobles and upper-class youths who had lived without ever getting their hands dirty.
And yet she said it so plainly. It was infuriating how she killed everyone’s motivation from the start.
Still, Idnia hadn’t expected much from Sindia to begin with, so it didn’t affect her much.
“Well, cooking doesn’t require that many people. If you don’t want to participate, you don’t have to. I won’t force everyone to join. However, those who do participate will receive clear rewards.”
“…Rewards?”
“Yes. That’s precisely why we chose the kitchen. Now, does everyone understand? I chose the kitchen with a clear long-term strategy and vision.”
After Idnia asked if that explanation was satisfactory, everyone seemed to accept it.
In truth, they hadn’t come with any particular long-term strategy or plan to begin with. So once Idnia asserted her reasoning, they had no argument to refute her.
“Um, then…”
As the students finished speaking, Supervisor Gibbles approached.
“When will the Eouros dorm begin using the kitchen? It can be used starting this evening.”
“If we use the kitchen, what happens to the meals we were originally given?”
“The ingredients allocated to the students can be delivered to the kitchen. For Eouros students, the same portions—ship biscuits and fish soup ingredients—will be sent.”
“I see. Please arrange that.”
“……”
Gibbles looked as though he had more to say.
‘They chose this out of necessity due to limited ingredients, but in this case, the food meant for other students will be redirected to the kitchen… Either those who don’t participate will have to go hungry, or they’ll need to be fed for free.
From what I’ve seen so far, dorms that secure the kitchen all run into that issue… Should I advise her?’
In the original game as well, Gibbles was not a particularly likable character. As a member of the academy without magical talent, he derived a small, petty pleasure from lording over noble students with exceptional abilities.
Yet perhaps for that reason, he felt a strange sense of favor toward Idnia.
So far, no student had treated Gibbles warmly, but others had always carried subtle contempt or ridicule beneath their politeness. They weren’t kind to him out of genuine goodwill, but rather because it benefited them to maintain a transactional relationship.
Of course, Idnia didn’t genuinely like Gibbles either… but she didn’t look down on him.
For someone of her stature, a great noble like her maintaining a neutral attitude toward Gibbles was, in itself, a form of respect.
Should she give advice? But was it even appropriate for a mere supervisor to interfere in academy policy?
While he hesitated—
“Thank you. But I already have a plan, so it’s alright.”
“Hmm? What did you say?”
“I can see that you were conflicted about whether to advise me or not, Supervisor Gibbles. I appreciate even that hesitation. However, I have already prepared all countermeasures, so it’s fine.”
“…I see.”
Gibbles was surprised that Idnia had already understood his thoughts—and recognized that his hesitation had been an expression of goodwill.
‘The Duke’s daughter from Betelgeuse… is truly a remarkable figure.’
Gibbles swung his lantern as he turned away.
“I’ve overstepped. Please continue your work.”
He departed, inwardly impressed by Idnia.
Idnia, on the other hand, thought to herself.
‘That’s unexpected. Gibbles held me in good regard.’
She had realized he intended to advise her.
In the original game, when facilities were unlocked, personnel had to be assigned to operate them. This often led to negative status effects such as absenteeism and complaints from other students. Knowing this, Idnia had guessed from Gibbles’ hesitation that he intended to warn her about those issues.
So she had simply told him it wasn’t necessary… but it seemed Gibbles had taken that in a very positive way.
‘He must think I have incredible insight. Though really, I only know this from playing the original game… It feels like I’ve cheated again.’
Idnia cleared her throat and turned to the Eouros students.
“Now then, we’ll need people to participate in the kitchen work. I will issue coupons to those who participate.”
“Coupons?”
“Yes. I did say I would reward participants. But distributing Arca coins or cash might create issues, so I’ll provide coupons instead—Eouros coupons.”
Idnia made it clear that participation would bring benefits.
Sindia, hearing this, was inwardly alarmed.
‘Wait… doesn’t that mean she’s taking control of currency issuance?’
As the daughter of a businessman, Sindia understood very well the power of issuing currency.
And now Idnia was subtly declaring that she would gain absolute authority among the students through coupons issued by the dorm leader.
Sindia wasn’t the only one who realized this.
To others, Idnia’s coupons effectively functioned as a system of rewards and penalties.
This would grant her strong control over most Eouros students.
However, the other students already trusted Idnia based on her previous actions.
‘Well, she basically earned all the points herself…’
‘We didn’t really have any ideas anyway.’
‘Given everything so far, Lady Idnia isn’t doing this for personal gain. Without some kind of control mechanism, students who lack initiative would just slack off.’
They accepted that issuing coupons was unavoidable—and even appropriate.
“We’re in favor.”
Christian, Athos, and Pacifier, who had already become loyal to Idnia as members of the Wizard Ball club, voiced their support.
Marie and the other students also had no objections.
“Thank you. I will do my utmost for the glory of Eouros, despite my shortcomings.”
In this way, Idnia firmly established her position as the dorm leader of Eouros.
Even Sindia and her group, originally set up as antagonists, could not resist in such an atmosphere.
The Notos dormitory’s chosen salon was a spacious area combining a tea room and an entertainment hall.
Upon entering, Prince Lorenzo placed his finger on a tea table and dragged it lightly across the surface.
Dust came off.
“It seems we’ll need to clean before we can receive guests.”
“I will assign people to handle it.”
Lorenzo’s attendants responded and called over the students.
Within Notos, Lorenzo’s authority was absolute. Unlike Idnia, there was no need for him to issue coupons to organize people.
“I didn’t intend to start this quickly… If we proceed like this, I’ll end up looking like the villain. Hah… I really don’t want to be hated.”
He said that, but the corners of his mouth were twisted into a smile.
“You seem pleased, Your Highness.”
Fiona, a messenger from the Holy See, greeted Lorenzo respectfully.
“Yes, I am. Rudolf, Karl, and Idnia… all of them are outstanding individuals. I thought things might be too easy and boring, but their excellence makes this enjoyable.”
And now, he would finally engage them in proper conflict.
Lorenzo seemed unable to contain his excitement.
“About that Lady Idnia…”
Fiona reported.
“She appears to have identified the Eouros students who owe debts to Notos.”
“And the other dorms?”
“They haven’t been identified yet…”
“So she was the first?”
“Yes.”
“Hmm. As expected. Her claim about trusting the alliance was merely a facade. Remarkable. The House of Betelgeuse is said to be descended from the Overlord Yurik—she is no ordinary person.”
“What should we do? Because of this, the debtors in Eouros seem reluctant to meet us directly.”
“That doesn’t matter. Proceed. Let’s stir up conflict within this so-called alliance and add more heat to this school life.”
“Yes, understood.”
Fiona gestured to her companions behind her.
The Notos students moved in unison and began cleaning the salon.