The Goddess of Fortune
"Hello, Headmistress."
Rai walked in without knocking and greeted Celenas in a bright voice.
She smiled warmly as he entered, but when she saw him heading straight toward her with that carefree stride instead of the reserved sofa reserved for instructors, her eyes narrowed slightly.
He had entered the headmistress's office casually many times before, but the cheerful tone always meant he was after something specific.
"I'd like you to change the contract terms."
This was different from his usual approach.
When he wanted something, he would normally glide in like a cat, showering her with playful flirtation before slipping in the real request. Instead, he jumped straight to the point.
Sensing the urgency, Celenas leaned back in her chair with a relaxed smile.
"What has you this worked up? Which clause are you hoping to alter?"
Her red lips curved in a sultry smile.
Yet the next words from Rai were too serious to dismiss as mere teasing.
"Remove the activity restrictions."
"...You mentioned you wanted to leave the Empire. Did I hear that correctly?"
"Yes, that's right. I'm taking a short vacation."
Watching Rai speak so casually, Celenas frowned delicately.
There was no way he would demand something for no reason.
She held his gaze for a moment, thinking, then answered calmly.
"Could you explain in more detail?"
"Anything you like."
Rai described Abigail's situation.
He left out the full details of the revenge plot, but he was requesting permission to leave Regandia Academy and go to the Bel Federation to retrieve her.
The request weighed on Celenas too.
She had brought him to the academy under the condition that the Devil of All Nations would sit quietly, and this exceeded her authority.
Rai had once been the core of an entire nation, and he surely knew this.
He was now asking her to overstep her bounds.
Even so, the carefree smile on his face irritated her.
She tapped her fingers lightly on the table, lost in thought, then let out a small sigh and gave her signature sultry smile.
"What exactly will I receive if I remove the restriction?"
"Don't worry. I'm traveling, so I might forget the Headmistress's gifts. The Bel Federation is famous for its silk, you know. I'll bring back a sturdy silk dress as a present."
Rai brushed it off with an easy travel souvenir.
"And I'll make sure I don't lose any talented students here either."
"That would be nice."
"Also, I'll protect the academy's honor."
The academy's honor was already tainted by the incident involving the theft of the Ketel Order's sacred relic.
If Abigail wasn't stopped here, the academy would be suspected of failing to properly manage its students.
Those suspicions and criticisms would fall entirely on Celenas, the current headmistress.
But she could have sent someone else before the incident occurred.
The Empire was full of excellent talents, and Celenas could have entrusted the task to them.
"Any more?"
Even without the extra points, Celenas decided to push her luck and locked eyes with Rai.
"Hmm... Honestly, nothing else. How about a deep kiss instead?"
"Are you trying to seduce and control me?"
"In other words, a classic honey trap."
Rai flashed a smug grin and shrugged.
Celenas found his answer pleasing. She giggled and pulled a contract from the drawer.
"As you know, this cannot leak to the outside world. It applies to me as well as you. If something goes wrong, especially if your identity is exposed in another country, you must be eliminated. No matter who it is. You have a month to complete this and return."
"It feels a bit tight, but I suppose we can't ask for more."
Rai thought about the time it would take to travel from the fallen Kingdom of Keilen to the Bel Federation and back. He nodded.
As the newly signed contract left the headmistress's office, Celenas called after his back.
"Please take care of our academy's students."
Rai stopped, thought for a second, then turned with a bright smile.
"I'll bring them back even if I have to give their butts a good spanking. Don't worry."
* * *
Back home, Rai loaded the pre-packed bags onto Black Horse's saddle.
As he tightened the straps, Diana appeared with a small bag of her own.
"Rai-kang, take me too."
"It's not a trip for sightseeing."
"I know. I'm coming to grab Abigail by the hair, right? Then I must be perfect for the job."
Diana grinned and bumped shoulders with him playfully.
"I'm going too."
When Rai turned, he saw Philia riding Piyo into the garden.
"Where did you get the horse?"
"I borrowed one from the academy so students could practice riding. This one... is a bit longer, but that's fine."
Philia stroked Piyo's mane lovingly.
Rai glanced at her with a suspicious eye, sighed quietly, and mounted the horse.
"You lot have no room to spare. If you can't keep up, you'll have to go back on your own. And you might end up fighting Abigail to the death."
"It has become a daily routine."
Philia answered casually, while Diana nodded enthusiastically and climbed onto Rai's back.
"Why are you riding there?"
"Huh? My horse is only suited for short distances. Long trips aren't ideal for it."
"Ride mine instead."
"Eh—Black Horse is sturdier. Two of you on one horse?"
"Then I'll ride Black Horse and you ride Piyo."
"You're so cold. You were just petting Piyo so lovingly a moment ago."
While the two continued their playful argument, Zeroa entered the garden.
Seeing the large backpack on his back, Diana lit up.
"Ah, Philia's partner has arrived. We can ride together."
Confused by Diana's words, Zeroa stared blankly, but Rai smiled faintly and looked at him.
"You're coming too?"
"Yes. Even if my help isn't much, I hope Abigail doesn't fall into a bad path."
"Revenge isn't a bad thing."
"Yes, but if things continue like this, people will call her a simple murderer. I don't want Abigail to be remembered that way."
Zeroa had gathered his resolve and answered clearly. Rai, Diana, and Philia all looked at him with warm eyes.
"...Why, why?"
The fierce look that had just appeared on his face vanished as quickly as it came. Because he was so gentle, Rai laughed, grabbed Diana, and tossed her to Philia.
"Get on."
"Kyaa! I lost to Zeroa!"
Hearing Diana's playful whine, Zeroa secured his bag on Black Horse and climbed aboard.
"But how will we cross the border?"
"Do any of you have the necessary documents?"
"..."
Zeroa's question left only Diana raising her hand.
Zeroa, who had never left the Empire, had never applied. Philia, who couldn't use her family's name, certainly didn't have one.
"We started with both of you failing from the beginning. How cozy."
"I don't have any either."
"Eh—why are you so confident? Are you going alone?"
Rai's remark left Diana flustered.
"Wh-what? It's infiltration training. If I can avoid the eyes of the elite border guards, I can pass anywhere."
"Even if we get caught?"
"That's the kind of tension training should have. Training is meant to feel like reality."
"It's not training that feels like reality... it's reality."
Diana grumbled, and Rai shrugged.
"Or... the Goddess of Fortune might appear to resolve my circumstances."
Rai finished speaking and looked back.
"Am I the Goddess of Fortune? What an honor."
"Rai~!"
Emilia called out with a laugh, and Diana jumped off the horse and hugged her.
Philia and Zeroa dismounted immediately to show respect, but Rai remained on the horse, looking down at Emilia.
"What will the Goddess of Fortune give me?"
She had already visited Celenas and discussed everything with her, so she came prepared.
Whether it was coincidence or her sharp instincts, Rai realized that she had heard every word from their brief conversation and planned exactly how to use it.
Rai's guarded eyes narrowed at her quick reaction.
Emilia smiled softly.
"A military map filled with detailed intelligence and official permits. Though they belong to a different identity."
"Even a princess can commit illegal acts?"
"It is not illegal. It is a disguise for imperial family members in emergencies."
Zeroa simply nodded, accepting the existence of such permits. But Philia and Diana knew exactly what kind of favor she was granting.
The permit Emilia handed over was insurance for the worst-case scenario.
Only the Emperor and the Minister of State knew its true value, yet it could pass through any border.
It would make escape easy if her life was in danger, but once used, it would be tracked and therefore disposable.
Philia had guessed the two reasons behind the permit.
To win Rai's favor.
Abigail and Emilia had no close relationship whatsoever.
Even if it was mere pity for another academy student, it wasn't something she would risk her life for.
The only remaining motive was the external evaluation that she was willing to go this far for Abigail.
If the news spread, it would attract the interest of those who admired heroes.
Especially the inexperienced academy students would be moved by the story.
Philia vaguely understood why her father, Infante, had called her a cunning fox.
The final reason was that she had no need to leave the Empire.
With her political standing already ruined, danger always surrounded her.
If she had any escape route for emergencies, it was the least she could do to offer one.
The reasons differed, but both pointed to seizing the succession.
She had pretended disinterest and played the role of a defeated underdog, but now her ambitions were showing.
Philia saw through her every small action.
She decided she would confirm later exactly how close Rai and Emilia had become.
"Anyway, I'll make good use of it."
"Yes, please bring Abigail back to the academy."
"I have no such obligation. Since you owe me one, I'll hold you to it."
Rai chuckled and urged the horse out of the garden.
Other students greeted Emilia and followed Rai. Their figures faded into the distance.
And in the far corner of a distant building, Sierra appeared.
Though she belonged to the Information Bureau and monitored Rai under his supervision, she watched the entire exchange with cold eyes.
"... ..."
At the same time, Emilia's head turned and she looked directly at Sierra.
'Did she catch my glance just now?'
Sierra had quickly hidden her body, but her widened pupils betrayed her panic.
Although she attended the academy, she was an exile, and her abilities were far below those of a common soldier.
It was impossible for her to sense Emilia's presence and meet her eyes.
"Are you all right?"
The cold voice made Sierra jump and turn.
"Your expression is terrible."
If anything, Leila's expression was even worse. The emotionless face of the instructor made Sierra tense, and she stealthily glanced at the sword sheathed at Leila's waist.
Instructors never carried weapons so casually.
She herself was unarmed right now.
This meant Leila regarded her as an enemy and would attack without hesitation.
"No need to be tense."
Before Sierra could react, a warm, affectionate voice replaced Leila's cold tone.
"Really?"
The sudden warmth made Sierra spin around in surprise.
Emilia smiled gently, like a pure girl commenting on the nice weather.
"Hello, Instructor Sierra... No, it's nice to meet you. Sierra from the Information Bureau."
"... ..."
"You don't need to ask how I knew. You were perfect, and the revelation of your identity was merely coincidence."
Whether she knew or not was unimportant. The fact that her identity had been exposed was what mattered.
As Sierra scanned her surroundings with alert eyes, Leila moved one step to her side, claiming the better position.
It felt as though all escape routes had been cut off with just that small shift, so Sierra let out a shaky breath.
"You seem uneasy. But if you run now, won't you still face an even more uncertain future?"
Emilia's words made Sierra swallow hard.
She didn't know how much she knew, but Emilia was right.
Revealing her identity meant her value had been erased.
It was not a simple command from the Information Bureau, but a political order from their own faction that had rendered her useless.
Her existence itself needed to be wiped out to keep the secret.
"I had a hard time figuring out your identity. It really was difficult."
Emilia sat gracefully on a nearby bench and spoke peacefully, as if a young girl were innocently admiring the weather.
Seeing Leila cast soundproofing magic around them, Emilia continued.
"Uncle Endo actually influenced even the Information Bureau that claims neutrality. Uncle is more capable than I thought."
"I have nothing to say to you. Kill me."
"No, I have no desire to kill you."
Bent at the waist with her chin resting on her hand, Emilia observed Sierra carefully.
"Shall we make a deal?"
"... ..."
"Sierra, the result matters more than the content of any transaction, doesn't it? If you refuse, Uncle will kill you regardless of my wishes. If you agree, you will at least gain a sliver of hope. And you'll also obtain the freedom you desire."
Sierra, who had been monitoring both Rai and Emilia, realized she had misjudged her until this moment.
She was not a fragile flower in a greenhouse.
She had a tempting scent and beautiful petals, but the stem beneath was strong and unyielding.
Even so, her fate would not change.
Sierra shook her head with a bittersweet smile.
"Thank you for the kind words, but I—"
"You said you could obtain freedom, right? I'll undo the chains that bind you. That's why you serve Uncle while wearing the body of a commoner, isn't it?"
"... ..."
"I told you. It was very difficult to investigate. I'll loosen the chains. Fly free."
Emilia laughed brightly.
Her smile was so radiant that Sierra could only stare, drawn helplessly into the sweet offer.