Chapter 52
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Translator: 8uhl
Chapter: 52
Chapter Title: School Uniform
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Alright So Alberts decided to work under you after all.
Arthur Ruelverta set down Alberts letter and removed his glasses.
He rubbed his wrinkled face with his hand. He looked relieved, as if hed finally swallowed a long-buried worry.
What a ridiculous guy. Ill never touch alchemy again, he says one day Spineless fool.
The words bordered on condemnation, but Arthurs tone was endlessly gentle.
He turned his head toward the window.
We were seated in a café located within the department store.
The VIP room, designed like a private suite, featured a massive glass window that offered a clear view of the capitals scenery.
Tristan, youve gone and done something pointless too. What good is hiring a has-been like that? Tsk Well, since its done, squeeze that old geezer dry to the bone. Show him what it means to take Ruelverta money.
Thats exactly what I plan to do.
I took a sip of my coffee.
Its aroma was exquisite, rivaling even the finest tea.
It was probably coffee imported by the Ruelverta family as well.
It was just like the Ruelverta family to insist on nothing but the absolute best in everything they owned.
But Wendy, sitting beside me, showed no interest in the coffee.
Eueue
What had Wendy staring with a bit of drool was the dessert on the crystal tray.
It was filled with cakes that sparkled like jewels and cookies wafting a sweet aroma.
You want it that badly?
I casually picked up a cake from the crystal tray and handed it to Wendy.
C-Count?
Try it.
B-But How could I possibly
!
.
I dont eat anything that doesnt taste good. You test it for me and tell me how it is.
R-Really? Is it okay?
I wont say it twice.
Y-Yes! Th-Then, Ill dig in!
Wendy took the fork and opened her small mouth wide to taste the cake.
The moment she did, her eyes sparkled with delight.
Its sweet!
Her reaction was perfect.
Wendy savored the cake like the happiest girl in the world.
But seeing that, Arthur suddenly exclaimed in admiration.
As expected of Tristan. Having your maid taste it firstthorough indeed. So, you do remember how your grandfather was poisoned?
!?
Arthurs words froze Wendy mid-bite, fork still in her mouth with cake.
This old coot Doing this just to see the kid suffer?
Hiding my expression, I replied.
Of course I remember.
Tenessee Ruelverta, father to Millium and Arthur, and Tristans grandfather, had been poisoned.
It was known publicly as poisoning by some enemy harboring a grudge, but in truth, Millium was the culprit.
Arthur didnt know that.
The Ruelverta family has always had many enemies. Of course, this place is under my complete management from top to bottom, so nothing like that will ever happen here. Eat without worry.
Y-Yes
Wendy swallowed what was in her mouth.
Watching her, I turned to Arthur.
Has the rooftop repair been completed?
Hmm. It was strange. Right after the incident, the imperial magic investigation squad showed up and inspected the site. Then they repaired everything before leaving. Didnt even say what they were investigating.
Probably destroying evidence.
I knew the full story of the incident.
That day, an explosion of unknown cause on the department store rooftop had forced an evacuation.
In reality, it was the aftermath of my clash with Blanche and the imperial guard captain, Marco.
The imperial magic squad must have been dispatched to erase the evidence.
Arthur Ruelverta nodded.
Thats what I think too. We cant know what they did in someone elses establishment now, but its clear the imperials stuck their noses in.
The imperial magic squad getting involved was as good as announcing the imperial familys involvement.
In other words, the imperial family had no intention of hiding their role in the incident.
But with the evidence gone, they could deny everything.
Arthur warned me.
Be careful, Tristan. The imperial familys been acting strange lately. Word is even the Emperor hasnt been showing her face in the palace much.
The Emperor?
Yes.
Lucy Meikahel, the female Emperor ruling the Meikahel Empire.
She was an Emperor of mystery.
She always wore a mask, so almost no one had seen her facesave a select few.
During the day, she listened silently to her ministers reports without commenting on state affairs.
Yet the next day, everything would be neatly resolved in astonishing fashion.
Moreover, Lucy had worked tirelessly to restore the imperial authority diminished by the Ruelverta family.
She had pulled numerous nobles to her side, building her faction.
Compared to Ruelvertas power, it was still lacking but not something to completely ignore.
In truth, the imperial family was the only faction in the empire that could check Ruelverta.
Per the original story, a protracted power struggle would unfold between Ruelverta and the imperial family.
In the end, Ruelverta would triumph.
And Lucy would meet a gruesome execution at Tristans hands.
Having fully seized the imperial family, Tristan would install a puppet Emperor and toy with the empire as he pleased.
Well Now that Ive become Tristan, that future will never come.
But the imperial family remained a formidable challenge for me.
In about a year, I had to ally with them to prepare against the players invasion.
The thought made everything feel daunting.
Who would believe it anyway?
That one day, gates would suddenly open in the sky, and players from another dimension would appear before us.
And that they would slaughter people and turn this world upside down.
No sane person would buy it.
In the end, the most realistic and convenient path for me was to seize the imperial family as in the original.
But I wanted to avoid any sacrifices in the process.
The imperial side had plenty of valuable characters too.
They were all combat assets against the players.
I couldnt lose even one.
I spoke slowly.
No matter what schemes the imperial family cooks up behind the scenes, they wont threaten Ruelverta.
Exactly right. Ahem Youre starting to sound like a proper family head now.
Arthur nodded repeatedly, then spoke as if struck by a sudden thought.
Oh, right. Didnt that little miss become the representative for this years Meikahel University freshmen?
Y-Yes!
Suddenly called out, Wendy shot to her feet.
Uhahaha. Calm down and sit. What a find she is. Tristan, shouldnt you do something nice for your excellent exclusive maid?
Arthur clapped his hands, and a sharply dressed man entered as if waiting.
A face I didnt recognize.
But Wendy seemed to know him.
Huh? Eugene?
Pleased to see you again, Lady Wendy.
You two know each other? This is Eugene, manager of our Luelsia main store.
Pleased to meet you, Count.
Hm.
He was quite polite.
Well-mannered.
In his hands were clothes packaged luxuriously.
Recognizing what they were, I couldnt help but frown.
A school uniform?
Thats right. A gift for the young lady.
M-Me?! For me?!
Wendy jumped in shock, staring at the uniform Eugene held.
Even someone ignorant of fashion could tell at a glance it was made of premium material.
Custom-ordered from Luelsia. I daresay its the most expensive uniform in the world.
Isnt the dress code optional?
Meikahel University did have uniforms, despite being a university.
But they were purely ceremonial.
As far as I knew, no adult student actually wore them.
Arthur chuckled.
Strictly speaking, isnt the young lady skipping grades? At her age, she should still be wearing a uniform, so it wont look out of place.
Uncle Arthur Th-Thank you But I-I Ive never had a uniform before
Ah, right
As a poor commoner, it was natural Wendy had never attended a school with uniforms in this world.
Wendys eyes were moist with emotion.
Khahaha. All the better then. How many schools have their chairman personally commissioning a uniform?
Y-Yes??? The chairman?!
Thats right. Im the chairman of Meikahel University, where youll be enrolling.
Arthur patted his chest proudly.
Meikahel University was national, but financially supported by the Ruelverta Foundation.
Thus, while the president was appointed by the state, the chairman was the Ruelverta Foundations chairman.
And that position was held by my guardian, Arthur Ruelverta.
Arthur watched Wendy, who was overwhelmed with gratitude over the uniform, like a doting grandfather, then turned to me.
By the way, Tristan.
Yes.
Out of the blue, but as you know, Im getting on in years. Managing just the department store and casino is already pushing my limits.
?
I looked at Arthurs face.
Perhaps because of what hed just said, he looked especially aged.
In a quiet voice, Arthur said to me.
So, how about you take over as school chairman from now on?