Chapter 55
Chapter 55
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 55
Chapter Title: Erina's Advice
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As the training camp drew to a close, we finally started to have some free time.
Only a few underperformers were stuck with extra intensive training, while the regular cadets like me were given free time under the pretext of personal maintenance, aside from military science classes.
I decided to use that time to finish writing my novel.
I found a secluded spot and was reviewing the contents.
*It's almost done...*
Without the climax—the sex scenes—it was basically just a bland pure love story.
Once Estelle gave it her seal of approval, I could add the steamy scenes and turn it into an erotic novel.
*But something still feels off.*
I tried to pinpoint the issue, but as the writer, it was hard for me to spot any flaws. I needed a third party to evaluate it.
I considered showing it to Berial or Dorothy, but then I noticed someone hovering nearby.
Erina, circling around me like she was gauging the situation.
Confirming no one else was watching, I beckoned her over.
At my gesture, Erina's eyes widened like a rabbit's, and she hurried over with quick steps.
"Sit here."
"...Is that okay? Aren't you mad at me?"
"Mad? Why would I be?"
"Well... You said you didn't want to talk to anyone from the Salleon faction anymore. And at the last tea party, it was because I suggested we sit together..."
"That just meant don't act like we know each other when others are around. When it's just us, it's fine. I actually wanted to join you at that tea party too, so no problem."
"Phew! So that's what you meant."
"Anyway, sit down quick. Before anyone else comes."
I had Erina sit in front of me and handed her the novel.
"My friend wrote this. Could you read it and point out any issues?"
"Usually, when people say that, it's their own story. Did you write this, Als?"
"W-Well... No idea what you're talking about."
"Hehe, I'll read it first."
Erina read it carefully, savoring every sentence. Not knowing when someone might show up, I sat at a distance until she finished.
Two hours later, after she closed the book, I moved closer to hear her thoughts.
*Why am I so nervous about this?*
I waited anxiously for praise, but...
"It's too bland and predictable."
"Cough!"
I let out a cough like I was hacking up blood.
"If you're going to unfold the story this flatly, at least make the prose beautiful. But even that's lacking."
"Ugh!"
"And the plot progression sucks. What's with this flowery-headed progression?"
"Okay, that's enough..."
My HP was already at zero.
"Any room for improvement?"
"You can't improve prose that quickly, so change the plot. Add another character. That'll deepen the story, fix the monotony, and improve the progression."
"A third character? Maybe a friend type?"
"No... It's a love story, so... add a rival."
That made sense. Plenty of dramas and movies built tension that way.
*So that's what was missing.*
Erina suddenly seemed amazing.
"As expected of Gransel's prodigy daughter!"
"You're saying that over something like this...?"
"So, for the rival, how should I do it? Add a guy chasing the heroine?"
"No... Better to add another heroine who gets involved with the protagonist."
"Jackpot."
Inspiration flowed freely.
Erina egged me on.
"The girl should have wavy blonde hair down to her shoulders. She's from a great noble family. And... she always carries a fan."
"But the protagonist is a low-ranking officer. How does he meet a highborn lady like that?"
"W-Well. He went to her family's mansion for butler training in the past. That's when he met her... Yeah! He's actually liked her since then. Her name is... Irina! Irina Salleon!"
"...?"
Something felt off, so I looked up. Erina was hiding her face behind her fan. Her neck was flushed, so her face must be red too.
"They're kept apart by class differences but eventually connect through true feelings."
"Bypassing the main heroine?"
"It's the twist."
"Pretty shocking development."
"Right? Not bland at all?"
Regardless of the specifics for the new heroine, her advice hit the nail on the head.
I started writing the revised story with the new heroine included.
Someone was watching the two engrossed in their writing.
Als was too focused to notice the gaze.
"..."
Casper clenched his fist tightly.
*How dare he flirt with my Erina!*
Blinded by rage, Casper wanted to charge in and separate them, but he knew Erina would give him the cold shoulder if he did.
Erina had been icy to him ever since he impersonated Wade.
*Damn it!*
He turned and went to find Gilbert instead.
If he told Gilbert, Als would get an earful. But contrary to his expectations, Gilbert smiled with satisfaction.
"Broaden your horizons, Casper. That kid's Erina's friend, isn't he?"
"B-But, Sir Gilbert. He's from the Helian faction!"
"Kids don't need to worry about factions."
"No way!"
In truth, Gilbert saw Als as a good match for Erina.
It started after hearing about Als's grades. An elite cadet who'd never lost top spot from elementary to intermediate academy.
He had the makings of a key military officer.
Plus, the Ilrain family.
As Rainpole developed, their tax contributions to the state had surged. As a trade hub with Crossing, their revenue rivaled a count's house.
A little support from him, and a title upgrade was imminent.
Then things would change.
The fourth son of a count, a core military officer?
*Erina seems to like him too, so if it comes to that, we should push for a marriage right away.*
There was no reason to refuse a political marriage that made his daughter happy.
Oblivious to Gilbert's thoughts, Casper vented his frustration.
"Sir Gilbert, didn't you say you'd help Erina warm up to me? But she's still cold to me."
"Haha, sorry. She's such a fickle girl."
The look in his eyes as he regarded Casper held contempt.
*Idiot.*
To him, Casper was an object of scorn. He'd suffered the humiliation of capture, no matter the circumstances.
The reason he kept him around was for later.
He planned to manipulate the desperate Casper—once his fake Wade identity was exposed—and swallow up the Marquis Millias family's capital and territories.
"Don't be impatient, Casper. Everything works out in due time."
"Understood..."
Leaving Gilbert's office, Casper headed back to where Erina had been, but she was already gone.
Seeing Als writing alone, he strode over.
"Hey."
"...?"
Casper growled menacingly.
"Don't approach my Erina anymore. She lives in a different world from trash like you."
Als listened with a blank expression, then snorted.
"Haha, and you live in the same world?"
"Of course."
"Give me a break."
Als gave a wry smile, feeling pity for the man who didn't even realize he was being used as a discard card.
Thinking Als was mocking him, Casper threatened in a low voice.
"Do you know who I am, punk? I'm Wade. I led the victory against Albad, crushed Julian Craig—that was me."
"..."
Als was stunned by the shamelessness and couldn't respond.
Satisfied that Als was scared, Casper smirked.
"Got it? Stay away from Erina. If it happens again, I'll remind you of your place."
"Can I say something too?"
"...?"
"Castles built on sand crumble easily. Once they fall, you can't rebuild. Get out before that. This is serious advice."
"You, advising me? I said know your place."
"If that's how you take it, I've got nothing more to say."
Als shrugged and ignored Casper.
Casper glared for a while longer before turning and leaving.
*
*
*
The training camp ended two days early.
Duke Helian had seen me wasting time and ordered top performers to wrap up.
Without Eonia or Ymir to greet me, I headed to Rainpole alone.
"Whew! It's only been a month, but it feels like forever."
The territory was developing daily, so Rainpole looked completely different after just a month.
I headed straight to the chief administrator's office on the Crossing side.
I wanted to rush home and eat Eona's cooking, but I couldn't.
It was because of the news I'd heard from Duke Helian on the way.
*The Chimera War is about to start.*
Eurofe in the northwest, Tunkai in the north.
And Svenner in the west had formally allied and begun gathering troops.
Modeled after these three nations' territories, the Chimera Alliance was formed.
Their target: the southern powerhouse, Byullang. A war between great powers loomed.
*First, gather intel.*
Heading to the chief administrator's office to review Crossing's intelligence reports, I heard strange noises.
Thud! Scrape! Smooch! Creak! Books falling, desks dragging—unintelligible sounds.
*Moving stuff?*
Thinking that, I opened the door to the office and froze.
There was Master Illiya passionately kissing Anton.
She had him pinned against the wall, lips pressed fiercely. They were so into it they didn't notice me.
"Mmph...!? Illiya, wait...!"
"Why now, Anton? You started the fire."
Anton, backed against the wall, spotted me with a sidelong glance, but Master, facing away, didn't. Finding his fluster cute, she kissed him harder.
Anton shoved her away forcefully.
"Anton...? Why...?"
Master looked hurt, but only for a moment.
"Lord Als is here!"
"What!?"
Finally turning, Master met my eyes and turned to stone.
"Uh, well... Sorry for not knocking. Maybe lock the door next time?"
"N-No, it's not... I-It's not like that, Als!"
"It's fine. Good for you guys. But maybe separate work and play?"
"I mean, that's...!"
"Shocking reunion after a month, but you look happy. Nice to see."
"..."
Master seemed to short-circuit, speechless.
"Anton."
"S-Sorry, Lord Als. This disgrace in the office..."
"It's your office—no need to apologize. Probably hotter because it's the office. Anyway, where's the Svenner intel?"
"Right here."
I grabbed the files and said,
"I'll review these at home."
"Huh? If that's the case, I can come with..."
Anton looked puzzled.
"It's fine. You two need to put out the fire."
Click! I locked the door for them and left.
Realizing my consideration, their laughter echoed behind me.
But only briefly. Soon, their passionate exchange resumed.