Chapter 211
Chapter 211
“Phew…”“Her breathing’s stabilized. No injury to the throat either.”“…Th-thank you for saving me. The Kaspera family will surely reward—”
Still shaken from narrowly escaping death, Liura was rambling incoherently.
That won’t do. Saying that outright would only expose her ties with the Imperial faction.
Considering her role as the noble faction’s planted representative, we had to at least appear to be in opposition on the surface.
For now, the academy’s crisis gave everyone an excuse to cooperate beyond factional lines—but what came after would be another matter entirely.
From both her side and mine, it would be a foolish move to display any friendliness too openly.
And Liura Kaspera wasn’t the type to miss such political nuance.
She must have really been shaken.
Even a calm, sharp-witted politician like her had almost been executed; it was no surprise her judgment had wavered.
“It’s fine. No need for rewards. Just focus on recovering—and wipe that tear-streaked face while you’re at it.”“Ah…”
Taking the handkerchief I handed her, she clutched it tightly in both hands, unlike her usual composed self.
“O-oh no…!”
Blushing to her ears, Liura covered her face as if suffocating from embarrassment.
Her face was still smeared with dust, sweat, and tears—But somehow, that only made her beauty more striking.The violet of her tear-wet eyes shimmered beneath long lashes, amplifying her natural charm.
“And really, I should be the one thanking you.”“Pardon? For what…?”“I didn’t expect you to be so proactive, that’s all.”
There were two reasons I held her in such high regard.
Her sharp political insight and brilliant judgment were innate talents, yes—But having talent and using it effectively were entirely different things.
What’s the point of brilliance if you refuse to cooperate?
We had started from a relationship of coercion—she was, after all, a collaborator forced into line.
Under those circumstances, it would’ve been natural for her to respond half-heartedly to my directives.
So I’d occasionally had to threaten her with Laura’s expulsion to keep her compliant.
But—
That kind of manipulation ended up being unnecessary.
She had abandoned the noble faction’s safety to side with the crown prince and even confessed her feelings to him during midterms.She’d skillfully provoked the nobles’ pride during the Student Council election to rally them into action.
Even without my orders, she was always several steps ahead, cooperating voluntarily.
How could I not appreciate such a capable subordinate?
“You’ve done well. Here—take this.”“What is it…?”“A little something in return. You’ve worked hard until now, and again today. You’ve earned it.”
Even a donkey collapses under too many lashes. Sometimes you have to offer a carrot too—if only to encourage continued loyalty.
A small gleam of metal dropped gently onto her handkerchief.
“Earrings?”“I picked them out carefully.”
Of course, the one who’d truly done the hard work wasn’t me—But I quietly concealed that truth, letting my gaze drift over the glowing text above the gifted item.
[Will of the Snowy Mountains]A piece of jewelry crafted from a spirit stone, the last remnant of a great elemental who once ruled the northern ranges.Its brilliance endures, preserved by the touch of a master artisan.Increases wearer’s Charisma, Affinity with Spirits, and Proficiency in Ice Magic.[Locked]
The masterpiece of Oparn—the gargoyle prince, born to a race of earthbound craftsmen and masters of metal and stone.
Considering Liura’s prowess in ice magic and her talent as a spirit user, there was no better fit for her.
“Ah…!”“I’ll be counting on you from here on out, too.”“O-of course. I won’t let you down!”
She smiled brightly, tail practically wagging, her joy as genuine as it was gratifying.
Good.Let her continue to serve as the puppet leader of the noble faction—for our sake.
Make those earrings worth the gift.
The raid had gone perfectly.
We’d rescued Liura and every Student Council member imprisoned in the facility—And beyond that, secured control of the entire building.
But…
“This feels too easy. Almost suspiciously so. We took this place with hardly any resistance.”
Luciana Speda frowned slightly, the usual crease forming between her brows.
Can’t blame her.
Our opponents weren’t trained soldiers—just a few commoner students and western vagrants.
We’d expected weak defenses, yes, but not none at all.
“Hans, what do you think?”“…Honestly, I’d say this situation is beyond what I anticipated. I was prepared for at least some degree of fighting.”
The hostages we’d rescued weren’t insignificant, either.
Liura Kaspera—the noble faction’s figurehead and heir to a prestigious family.Georg—a commoner whose survival could rally the academy’s populace.
And yet, the enemy had simply… abandoned them?
Even with the Duke’s fate uncertain, they should’ve been desperate to hold onto their noble hostages.
“Oparn, what about their interrogations?”“I… apologize, brother.”
Oparn bowed deeply, clearly troubled. I could already guess the result.
“…So, nothing useful.”“Yes. I tried my best, but it seems the ones who handled Georg’s questioning were mere foot soldiers. They knew nothing of value.”
Everyone let out a weary sigh.
“…Georg, Lady Kaspera. Do either of you have any leads?”“…Not really.”“Nor do I. I never even met Professor Marks directly—only the messenger who came to persuade me.”
The results were ideal in one sense—yet the unease lingering in the air was undeniable.
I wasn’t the only one feeling it.
“…I did meet Professor Marks once,” Liura spoke suddenly, drawing everyone’s attention.
“What did he say to you?!”“Hmm… nothing remarkable. Just the usual threats and talk of my impending execution. But…”
Her brows knit together slightly as she recalled.
“He seemed… in a hurry. Not just about executing me, either. He left the prison in haste, as if pressed for time.”“I see. That’s… interesting.”
For their forces to abandon their base so quickly—something urgent must have happened.
“I don’t like this. Not knowing the enemy’s aim leaves us blind.”“I have a theory,” I said carefully. “Would you hear it?”“Of course. You wouldn’t speak without reason. Go ahead.”
I had no solid proof—only deduction.
But when you connect the dots—The empty defenses, the unguarded hostages, the vanished Professor Marks—
All pointed to one conclusion.
“To the enemy, we simply aren’t a priority.”“…As insulting as that is, you’re likely correct.”
Luciana let out a wry smile.
“But none of us here are ignorant of the larger situation. The dormitories and the academy halls are under fierce attack—you’re aware of that much, aren’t you?”“I am. The question is: why?”
Until now, I’d assumed they were targeting the noble hostages inside—But clearly, that wasn’t it. If they’d given up hostages here, there had to be another purpose.
“Let’s think this through. The rebels’ objective is treason—rebellion against the Empire. So what would their top priority be?”“…Clarify your point.”“Our assumption itself is wrong.”
Nobles? Sure, taking them hostage was useful for leverage.
But if their rebellion failed, none of it would matter anyway.
“Consider this: right now, the rebels might outnumber us—but what happens once the Imperial and noble armies properly mobilize?”
If the Emperor rallied the nobles—
Yes, the western rebels had their strengths.The Mage Tower’s battlemages, the Iron-Blooded Duke’s desert-trained elite soldiers, even a few criminals strong enough to rival knights.
But—
“Hans, you forget—the Northern Elite and the Imperial Knights are those who fight demons themselves. They far outclass ordinary soldiers.”“To add to that, the Imperial Guard is composed of the strongest knights in the realm. The Kaspera family recruits by nearly the same standards.”“A-and the South! We elves are allies now, remember!”
Justification, power, wealth—The rebels were lacking in all three. How could they possibly win?
Realistically, their odds of success are abysmal.
So their first objective had to be something else entirely.
“They don’t intend to make all nobles their enemies. They’ll try to sway those on the fence to their side.”
That likely explained the lack of outside support as well.
The Imperial Army and rebels were already clashing violently—While the remaining nobles simply stood by, waiting to see who would prevail.
Like investors refusing to buy into a stock destined to crash.
So, the rebels needed to sell themselves as the winning bet.
By hinting at their impending victory.By flaunting promises of limitless power to lure more allies.And most importantly—
“If that’s the case,” I continued, “then we were never their target.”“…Meaning?”“What better way to prove themselves than by killing a royal?”
If they were solely focused on hunting imperial bloodlines, everything suddenly made sense.
Why they’d left this place undefended.Why they’d disappeared without warning.
They’d learned that neither the crown prince nor the third prince was here—and had moved on immediately.
“Luciana, are you still in contact with the dormitories or the academic halls?”“…Less and less. The fighting’s intensified.”“Then our next move is clear.”
Sitting around here would only make us spectators swept up by the storm.
“You haven’t forgotten our second objective, have you?”“Of course not.”
Reunite with the dormitory forces.
Yes, it was risky. But the potential gain far outweighed the cost.
“It’s been a while since I’ve seen Lady Batory.”“…She’s just a maid. You needn’t address her so formally.”“Ahaha, I’ll remember that.”
Luciana’s irritation was obvious.It seemed she and Batory hadn’t exactly become friendly in my absence.
“Well, be that as it may—we can’t sit still while your betrothed is in danger, can we?”“……”
If I’m being honest, I wouldn’t mind if that blind fool just dropped dead.But the main storyline still needed him alive—so I’d restrain myself.
Besides, I have something to give Batory.
The greatest trophy from our western campaign.
My hand brushed the Ankh/Key of life pendant at my belt.
For the woman who had always given everything for me—This much, at least, she deserved.