Chapter 181: The Grand Festival (2)
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 181: The Grand Festival (2)
The Astrea family was forged through the union of the Sword Saint Gerald and the genius wizard Historia.
However, their story didn't begin as a beautiful tale of pure love. Rather, it was a messy, desperate struggle fueled by lust and desire—a war to determine which woman would ultimately claim Gerald as her own.
Gerald Astrea, the head of the family, was once a notorious womanizer. A man of immense status and fame, he was a true Casanova who always had a woman on his arm. Historia was simply one of the many who loved him, and she eventually managed to capture his heart and drive the others away.
Yet, that didn't change Gerald’s past or his lecherous nature. He still coveted every beautiful woman who crossed his path.
Merlin Astrea despised her father for it.
Given his status, it wouldn’t have been unusual for him to keep several concubines, but Merlin could never forgive him for his infidelity while still married to her mother. Moreover, Historia seemed to have simply resigned herself to the situation, merely telling her husband to exercise self-restraint. To Merlin, it was infuriating that her mother had given up and let things slide just because she held the title of the legitimate wife.
Because of this, Merlin longed for a love that was pure and beautiful, like a flower—not one mired in the mud of lust.
However, as she focused solely on her swordsmanship, graduated from the academy, and joined the Imperial Knights, the crude, lustful conversations of the men around her made her idealistic hopes feel like a distant dream.
Is it really that hard to find true love?
Having never felt a romantic spark for anyone even after becoming a knight, the concept of pure love became something Merlin could only yearn for from afar.
That was why Isaac and Luce’s relationship at the academy, so full of youthful innocence, seemed so beautiful to her. She believed they embodied the pure love she had only ever dreamed of. Furthermore, Merlin was secretly happy that such a man was White’s mentor.
Until now.
‘Why would you show me such a sight, Sir Isaac…?’
After seeing Isaac and Dorothy spending time together like young lovers during the Grand Festival preparations, Merlin wanted to deny reality.
In the end, was Isaac no different from her despicable father? Was he just another man hiding a lecherous nature behind a kind facade?
…No, that was a rude thought. There could be misunderstandings she wasn't aware of. Yet, she couldn’t help but be wary. Isaac was a handsome man with a gentle personality. It wasn’t surprising that Snow White, a teenager who didn't care about social status, might develop a crush on him.
That was why Merlin was secretly on guard.
Even though their relationship was limited to teaching the basics of scythe combat and swordsmanship, she had grown fond of him during their time together. Whether or not Isaac was actually a womanizer was a separate issue.
Merlin’s chilly demeanor was understandable.
No matter how close White and I were, the extreme difference in our social statuses couldn’t be ignored. The act of leading her by the wrist was problematic in itself. Even if I were an official escort knight, I would have been suspicious of someone like me.
I only did it because I trusted White, but if it had been any other princess, we’d probably be having a very serious discussion about whether or not to amputate my hand by now. The situation could have easily spiraled out of control.
And…
‘She saw it.’
Merlin believed that Luce and I were in an intimate relationship. After accidentally seeing me with Dorothy during the festival preparations, she seemed conflicted. I could tell just by reading her expression. She likely thought I was a womanizer and was now wary of my physical contact with White.
I wasn't too bothered. It was nothing new. I felt boundless affection for my favorite characters, and what Merlin thought of me showering them with that affection didn't really matter.
“…I’m sorry, White.”
White let out a small, disappointed “Ah” when I let go of her hand.
Merlin, however, continued to glare at me. She was incredibly guarded.
White, flustered by the sudden tension, forced a smile and waved her hands so fast they left afterimages.
“N-no! Don’t be sorry! I was so happy that Isaac brought me here! Also, um, Merlin…?”
Merlin had no intention of making White uncomfortable. She reluctantly bowed her head once and took her place beside the princess. Without another word, we walked out of the stadium.
White seemed uneasy in the subdued atmosphere. Even after lunch, Merlin Astrea kept a close watch on me. Whenever I tried to make even the slightest bit of physical contact with White, she would intervene.
Knowing that any "sweet words" might be misinterpreted, I was careful with my speech and actions.
‘This is getting uncomfortable.’
At least her hostility had shifted slightly. Passersby were constantly admiring White’s beauty, and Merlin was internally growling at them, labeling them a "bunch of lechers."
Today, White’s beauty was even more radiant than usual, as she was fully dressed up as the representative face of the Magic Department's first-year class.
“Princess White, your dress…”
“Ack?!”
Suddenly, the sound of fabric tearing echoed from behind White. It seemed that even with her slender frame, the tautly pulled fabric had reached its limit.
“Ahhh…!”
White scrambled to her feet, trying desperately to look at her back. Merlin quickly pulled a thin coat from her magic pouch and draped it over White’s shoulders.
“Ah, thank you, Merlin! Senior Isaac, do you mind if we go to the dressing room?!”
“Let’s go.”
We made our way to Orphin Hall. As we entered, we saw a graduate student named Marco trudging along, looking like a ghost. The dark circles under his eyes suggested he hadn't slept in days. I wondered why he was so busy during the Grand Festival. It was a pity, but that was the life of a grad student. We passed him by.
White, Merlin, and I went up to the first-year floor and entered the dressing room specifically prepared for the festival.
“The spare clothes… are here. Merlin, could you help me change?”
“Of course.”
White grabbed a set of clothes from the rack and disappeared behind the blackout curtains with Merlin. She poked her head out to look at me.
“These clothes are hard to put on by myself… Senior Isaac, I’m sorry, but could you wait a bit?”
I nodded and leaned against the wall. While I waited, I decided to focus on circulating mana through my magic tool.
The sound of fabric brushing against skin came from behind the curtain. White’s occasional groans of “ugh” indicated the dress was as difficult to take off as it was to put on. It seemed even Merlin was struggling to help her. This was going to take a while.
“By the way, Senior Isaac. Uhm…”
White spoke from behind the curtain. It was the kind of timing people used when they wanted to have a conversation that was too awkward to have face-to-face. I knew exactly what was on her mind.
“It’s due tomorrow.”
“Ah, ehehe…! R-right? It’s tomorrow? Of course, I remembered!”
I beat her to the punch. White had been worried about it all along, and her voice sounded strained.
The debt's due date overlapped with the Grand Festival. White had only earned enough gel to get by and hadn't managed to save enough to pay me back. It was unlikely she’d have the full amount by tomorrow. Even if she performed well in the festival and won a prize, the debt would be due before the prizes were awarded. And she knew my reputation.
To White, I was a man of my word. While I was usually kind, I could also appear cold-blooded—someone capable of cutting ties without hesitation, even if I didn't see myself that way.
“What are you going to do?”
“I-I can pay it back! I’ll definitely pay it back tomorrow!”
“How?”
I already knew she was planning to take a loan from the Academy Bank. White was still a low-ranked student, which meant she’d be stuck with an predatory, high-interest loan. She wouldn't be able to handle the skyrocketing interest. Excessive debt was a one-way ticket to expulsion for a student like her. Debt adjustment? Forgiveness? Those weren't even options.
Even if there was a chance she’d get special treatment as a princess, White hated being indebted to her status and wouldn't accept it.
I considered suggesting she sell some of her valuable training equipment, but I stopped myself. That would undermine her resolve to get stronger.
“Anyway! I just wanted to say don’t worry, I can pay it back. I have a way!”
She was essentially saying, ‘Please don't leave me.’ She was terrified of being abandoned.
She was so pure it made me feel a twinge of guilt. I only brought up the deadline because I wanted her to do her best. Of course, I intended to stay by her side—I had to, considering what was coming.
“Don’t borrow gel from somewhere else. You won’t be able to handle the consequences.”
“Oh…! T-that’s not it! You’re talking nonsense, I wasn't thinking about digging a hole of debt…! How could a low-ranked student like me even get a high-interest loan from the Academy Bank?!”
I didn't even mention the loan, you dummy.
Since the deadline was so close, I figured it was time to be honest. I had no intention of leaving, and I didn't actually care about the money.
Would physical labor be an acceptable substitute? By now, White should have reached the minimum threshold for the training I had in mind. I might have to push her through some grueling physical regimens, but she’d eventually realize it was for her own good.
There was no better pretext than "paying off a debt." It served the dual purpose of making us both stronger. It was a win-win.
After a brief pause, I spoke up.
“You don’t have to pay it back with gel. There are many ways to take responsibility. If not gel, then something physical—”
Swing!
The curtains flew open, and Merlin, the green-haired escort knight, marched out.
‘Why is she coming out now?’
I was caught off guard. White’s surprised voice called out from behind the curtain, “Merlin?!” but the knight ignored her and walked straight toward me. A chill ran down my spine at her eerie, intense gaze.
What the hell? She’s terrifying.
“Merlin? What’s going on all of a sudden—?”
“Sir Isaac, I also feel the weight of the debt Princess White owes you. I understand this is a social lesson she must overcome.”
Merlin clicked her tongue, her expression sorrowful.
“But it seems you are just like every other man. My suspicions were correct. I had actually started to respect you, seeing how well you were teaching Princess White…”
“What are you talking about…?”
“Don’t play dumb…!”
Merlin started to shout but quickly lowered her voice.
“Suggesting she pay her debt with something ‘physical’… that is clearly an indecent proposal!”
She had completely twisted my words to fit her own narrative.
“I will not tolerate you using Princess White’s kindness and sense of responsibility to satisfy your own selfish desires.”
“Merlin…?” White called out desperately from behind the curtain, still searching for her knight.
After seeing me with Dorothy, Merlin’s perception of me had done a total 180. The "pure-hearted Isaac" in her mind had been replaced by a "lecherous Isaac." The gap between the two was massive.
She had clearly been bracing herself for me to make an indecent move if White couldn't pay, and the moment I said the word "physical," she jumped to conclusions. It was a ridiculous misunderstanding. I might like the harem genre, but I wasn't a predator preying on White’s innocence.
The fact that she had judged me so hastily didn't sit well with me. I narrowed my eyes and sharpened my tone.
“I have no idea what you’re talking about. So, are you saying you’re going to pay me back tomorrow instead?”
“That’s…”
White was determined to take responsibility for her own actions. If Merlin paid the debt, it would insult White’s hard work. Merlin knew that. In fact, it was doubtful Merlin even had that much gel on hand.
“Merlin, what’s happening…? I can’t put this dress on by myself…!”
Merlin ignored White’s plea and kept her eyes locked on mine. I watched her, curious to see how she’d react after being so quick to condemn me. I intended to clear things up, but I wanted to see where this went first.
Merlin avoided my gaze, looking exasperated.
“…Would it be possible to extend the deadline or forgive the debt?”
She was trying to negotiate without undermining White’s resolve.
Oh well.
“Why should I?”
“I’m an outsider, so I can’t pay you in gel, but… I can… let you touch me. Just a little.”
Merlin was well aware of her own beauty; she’d been told as much throughout her years in the Academy and the Knights. I hadn't expected her to go this far, though.
Is she suggesting she’ll let me use her body instead? She must think all men are that easily swayed.
Merlin hung her head, trying to hide her flushed face. To think she’d go to such lengths.
“Haa.”
I let out a heavy sigh. Merlin shot me a sharp look.
“I’m not interested in your body, Merlin.”
“What?”
Her gaze turned lethal.
Ah, I phrased that poorly.
I quickly corrected myself.
“I think there’s been a massive misunderstanding. I was going to ask White to help me with mana circulation. It’s grueling work, but it’s beneficial for both of us, so I thought of it as a way to settle the debt.”
“What…?”
Merlin froze, looking utterly flustered.
“I have never had an inappropriate thought about White. I’ve been teaching her every day, and I’ve even grown fond of you, Merlin… I didn't realize you thought so lowly of me.”
“S-sir Isaac…?”
“I’m… a little disappointed.”
I looked down, putting on a sorrowful act. Merlin broke out in a cold sweat. She looked like she wanted the floor to swallow her whole, struggling to find words. I pressed the advantage.
“And why would you say something like that? Do you think so little of your own worth?”
“N-no, that’s not it…”
“Don’t ever say something like that in front of me again. Even if your job is to protect White with your life, that doesn't make you a tool to be used.”
I lectured her like a teacher scolding a child. I guess I’d spent too much time instructing White. Merlin trembled, her face a mask of shock and confusion. I gently lowered the arm she had propped against the wall. It fell limply to her side.
…Well, I’ve certainly gained some moral high ground here.
Merlin was now drowning in guilt. It was time to lighten the mood.
“Understood, Merlin?”
“Yes….”
Her voice was hollow.
That was enough. I immediately softened my expression into a gentle smile.
“Alright. Let’s just forget this happened. White seems to be in a bind; you should go help her.”
“…”
“Merlin?”
“…I’m sorry, Sir Isaac. I don’t know if this is enough, but I will give you the opportunity to take my life someday to atone for this insult…”
I really didn't need an opportunity to kill her.
I gave her an awkward smile and reassured her that such extreme reflection wasn't necessary. Merlin let out a heavy, miserable sigh. She turned and went back behind the curtain.
“Princess White, I have committed a grave offense…”
“Merlin? What’s wrong?!”
There was a lot of frantic whispering behind the curtain. Merlin glossed over the details and finished helping White change.
*
“We shall now commence the highlight of the Jeblem! Let the ‘Arc Ball Race’ begin!!”
The announcer’s voice boomed across Märchen Academy.
The Arc Ball Race had begun.