Chapter 133
Chapter 133
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 133
Chapter Title: Back to the Academy After Nearly a Month
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Nearly a month since my return, the academy.
Winter was already well into its midpoint, and the curriculum was mostly over, but with the Pensilon Academy entrance and preliminary training, all cadets had to attend without fail.
I was no exception, so I headed to the academy classroom with a boisterous escort in tow.
"Whoa, he's here!"
"Who's that next to him...?"
Now that I no longer needed to hide my face, Eonia stuck close by my side.
Eonia glared with wide eyes, unnecessarily vigilant of our surroundings. She looked ready to thrust out her spear at anyone who approached.
"Eo, quit making a fuss and take your seat."
"Yes, sir."
At that, a chorus of awed exclamations erupted.
"It's really Eonia Mirabel!"
"I-I can't believe it! To handle Eonia Mirabel like that! You're really Wade, right!?"
Casper had once brought a fake Eonia, but this time it was the real deal. The thrill was on another level.
More than her striking beauty, Eonia possessed an unmatched air of elegance.
All the cadets stared at her, utterly entranced.
Soon, Dorothy approached cautiously.
"Um... Als...?"
"Good grief. No need to be so guarded. Nothing's changed about me from before."
That was the thing.
To the others, it seemed like Wade was wearing the mask of Als.
In truth, it was Als who had been wearing the mask of Wade.
I didn't care what the others thought, but I wanted to keep my connection with Dorothy.
"Whew! Right? With all the sudden talk of Wade this and that... I knew it. You were Wade all along..."
"'Knew it'? You suspected?"
"Kind of. Wade first appeared during the Polldik Mountains battle, right? At the time, General Ironheart was a retainer of our house. I overheard a bit when he came to report to my father after the war."
"What'd he say?"
"That Wade's true identity was a cadet. So at first, I was dead certain it was Casper."
"Ah..."
So that's why Dorothy had believed Casper was Wade.
"But no matter how I looked at him, he didn't seem the type, so I was doubtful. Then I learned about your skills, Als, and I started thinking maybe I'd been wrong."
Laughter and mockery toward Casper poured in from all around.
Pulling wrinkles in front of a silkworm, what a ridiculous clown. It was hard to believe these same people had fawned over him like a king just a few months ago.
"...Dorothy, come to Rainpole sometime later? I'll introduce you to my retainers."
"Y-You mean...?"
"Exactly what you're thinking. So if you're coming, come prepared."
Dorothy swallowed hard.
"Is Aegert there by any chance?"
"Yeah, he's joined me now. Though he's still not quite at the retainer level yet."
"...Got it. I'll definitely come."
Good. Dorothy's recruitment was a success.
Dorothy was top-tier talent in agriculture and military administration—an all-around domestic affairs expert who excelled beyond basics.
I planned to accelerate talent recruitment while I was at it.
To prepare for the story's accelerating pace.
*
*
*
I'd expected the way people looked at me to change dramatically once Wade's identity was revealed, but it was even more intense than anticipated.
Not only great nobles but even royals visited the academy just to see me.
Many came to see Eonia, too.
Out in the academy garden, I was fully exposed to those gazes.
"Oof. At this rate, we won't get to talk properly."
I'd thought to reschedule, but Erina showed up thirty minutes early.
She approached the garden table where I sat, accompanied by her head maid, Joann.
"Lord Als. I'm so glad we could meet again safely. I heard you shone in this war, too."
"Though I'm more famous for other reasons now. Have a seat, anyway. Joann, you too?"
Joann's expression was one of disbelief.
"To think Lord Ilrain was Wade... I knew you had extraordinary qualities, but..."
"Haha, I don't get why everyone's looking at me like I'm someone else."
It was still me.
Erina chimed in, saying it was only natural.
"Because you're Wade! The genius tactician Wade, who's even rumored for the Ten Heroes! Or should I say genius tactician Als now?"
"Ugh, 'genius tactician'? There's a limit to flattery."
"Flattery? If anything, it's not enough!"
Erina began extolling the influence of the Wade name.
She looked like a fan bragging about a celebrity, which was embarrassing.
Perhaps feeling the same, she cleared her throat awkwardly and changed the subject.
"But Lord Als, is it really okay to chat so casually with me like this? With all the eyes on us..."
"It's fine. Now I can take full responsibility."
"...!"
Erina gasped, her face gradually flushing.
"R-Responsibility...?!"
"In every way."
For one, I no longer needed to worry about faction eyes.
I had King Gares's full backing.
Using the recent events, I'd confided in him about the Heaven-Earth Division Barrier. I suspected that's why he'd granted me independent operational authority and protected me despite my Crossing ties.
When I explained starting in Crossing's southern territories and conquering Byullang, King Gares approved the plan.
He immediately summoned Duke Helian and ordered him to align with Crossing for continental unification.
Duke Helian naturally balked.
—What do you mean, Your Majesty!? If we do that, our kingdom...
—I vanish as its first and final king. It has no long history. I founded Caliper merely to stabilize the chaos as best I could. With unification's chance here, why hesitate?
A king ordering his kingdom's end—Duke Helian could hardly accept it.
But he was reasonable.
In time, he understood the king's grand vision and pledged his support.
Now, if I willed it, I could overthrow Caliper and claim the throne.
Of course, I wouldn't.
I planned to abolish the nobility system and other irrational structures. Declaring rebellion to become Caliper's new king meant inheriting all those flaws.
Forcing them out would spark fierce backlash—like a noble revolt.
Better to build a nation in the south as planned, conquer Byullang to grow strength, then merge Caliper with minimal discord.
"So from now on, we can meet without looking over our shoulders."
"I see."
Erina smiled, a mix of anticipation and unease.
"So that's the urgent matter you wanted to discuss today."
"No? There's actual business. That was just something to pass on."
"Business...?"
I hesitated a bit here, too. But it was decided, so I plunged in.
"I'm getting married."
"............Pardon?"
"Married. It was settled a few days ago. The wedding's far off, but we're essentially engaged now."
Eonia reacted the same way.
"L-Lord Als! Married, of all things...!?"
"Oh, right. I haven't told you either."
Regaining her wits, Erina leaned forward.
"Who is it? Estelle!?"
"No, not Estelle. Ymir. My maid."
"That beastkin girl?"
"Yeah. You've seen her a few times."
"Why...?"
"Various circumstances, but above all, we like each other. Isn't that enough, whatever the rest?"
Erina looked quite shocked.
Even if she cut ties in disappointment, there was no helping it.
"Did you tell Estelle?"
"Last night."
"What'd she say?"
"She said it's fine."
That part surprised me, too.
Estelle took it plainly.
—Miss Lmieu is fine. She's my benefactor, too. But nothing more?
—W-What if more happens?
—I might just cry.
She said she'd cry, but Estelle's eyes brimmed with resolve.
"Estelle..."
Erina's face grew complicated, worried.
"I don't mind that part. But our house's issues... If word gets out that the first wife is a beastkin, let alone second or third..."
"You're talking like marriage is already assumed?"
"P? Ah...! N-No! J-Just an example...!"
"Anyway, you won't need to worry about that soon."
In the nation I'd build, beastkin discrimination—and nobility—would vanish.
*
*
*
On the way back from academy business.
Bored during the carriage ride, I reviewed the classified Caliper intel from Duke Helian.
—The one-armed man's body found in Byullang Kingdom was not Casper Milias.
—Tunka invasion by Europer Kingdom seems driven by other motives.
—Backroom dealings rampant in Ballast. Over 60 spies from all nations eliminated this year alone. Some force aggressively purging them.
—Faction in Bekavia pushing merger with Crossing. Likely Jurass Pamillion's political maneuvering.
—Per His Majesty's orders, reinvestigated Pensilon revival forces. Survivor status unconfirmed, but local villagers testified a boy and a beastkin carrying a child wandered nearby around that time. Testimony too old and vague for high credibility.
Intriguing info.
First, on Casper.
'Jurass beat me to the punch.'
Dead or alive, with Jurass involved, Casper might face worse than death.
I decided to wash my hands of it.
And the last bit.
'The king dispatched investigators for my intel.'
The beastkin with the child was surely me and Ymir.
One snag: the "some boy."
'Cassius was three then.'
No boy. Too young to wander alone.
'Well, testimony's unreliable anyway.'
The rest was Crossing intel territory, so no big interest.
I packed the documents away.
Still thirty minutes to Rainpole, too dark for reading despite wanting a book.
I turned to Eonia for chat, but she spoke first.
"...Lord Als."
"Yeah? Why the serious face?"
"I have a question. Under what circumstances did your betrothal to Ymir come about?"
"Oh, that."
Eager to chat, I recounted everything from Gaspar's tale to Mother's.
Eonia nodded, convinced.
"Gaspar... I see. Understood."
She clenched her fist, resolute.
"I... Next time, I'll claim first in merits for sure."
"...? Sure. Do your best."
"Yes! So wait for me!"
Her expression hinted at intense motivation.
Good was good. I encouraged her.
Back in Rainpole, night had fully fallen.
After checking status in my office, I headed straight home to rest.
Bathed in Ymir's prepared water, changed, and returned to my room.
But after waiting ages with no sign, I stormed hers.
"Ymir, what're you doing."
"Y-Young master!?"
Ymir fidgeted in her room. I smiled wryly.
"We're sharing a room starting tonight, remember?"
"B-But, that..."
"No need to tense up. You always clean my room perfectly."
"That's different... Plus, if I join you in bed, it might disturb your sleep..."
"It's fine. Got a big new one. Max got it for me."
Ymir seemed unsure how to react. I fidgeted too, but had to lead, so feigned calm.
"Come on, hurry."
I half-dragged her to my room.
Ymir followed, tense.
I sat her on the bed... then grew cautious myself.
Sat side by side.
Shoulders touching, I felt her heartbeat.
Thinking cool-headed Ymir this nervous eased my own tension inwardly.
Silence flowed. Unable to bear it, Ymir spoke with a faint tremble.
"Shall I... lend my lap?"
Her usual lap pillow offer. Tempting, but refused.
"Not what tonight's for. You know that."
Eek! Ymir shuddered.
Then barely nodded.
"...Yes. Come here, Young Master."
I kissed her gently.
Ymir closed her eyes, yielding.
My tongue itched, but I stopped at lips.
"...Ha, haha. Feels kinda novel, huh."
My body itched madly. But not unpleasantly.
Not just me—Ymir's tail stood rigid like a rod.
To ease her, I stroked it softly. Sensing my intent, Ymir relaxed with a swish, draping it over my hand.
Tensions melted.
I kissed again, deeper this time.
From there, it flowed smoothly.
Instinct guided us naturally through it all.