Morning, Three Weeks Later
Three weeks later, that morning, I changed into my work clothes and prepared to head out. There were no lectures scheduled, but I still needed to hear the latest policy directives. Of course, I had some time before leaving, so I straightened my attire and returned to the bedroom. There, Euphemia, curled up tightly, looked up at me with a puzzled expression.
"Aren't you... going to work...?"
"There's still time left. Why, do you want me gone already?"
"N-No, that's not what I... I mean, no...!"
I replied in my usual flat tone, and Euphemia frantically shook her head in denial. Her self-esteem seemed even more lacking than usual—a sight I quite enjoyed.
Creak.
I climbed onto the bed, leaned back against the headboard, and stretched out my legs comfortably.
"Come closer."
"Y-Yes..."
The habitual "Why?" that used to slip out whenever she had the chance was gone. Instead, she crawled over obediently like a puppy awaiting its master's command and sat beside me. I spread my arms, and she nestled softly into my embrace of her own accord.
Her breasts yielded gently under the pressure. Her unique bodily scent wafted subtly. Her warmth seeped into me.
"Your arm... it hurts..."
"This much is fine."
I rested my hand on her slender waist and quietly savored the moment.
"......"
A gentle spring breeze drifted in through the open window. Warm sunlight bathed the bed in a cozy glow. A lazy peacefulness, one that made me reluctant to head to work, seeped in like rain soaking through the hem of my clothes.
"Euphemia."
Fifteen minutes had passed before I knew it. With departure time approaching, I called her name in a low voice.
"......Y-Yes."
She lifted her head slowly from where it had been resting on my chest. Her beautiful golden eyes held a hazy, sleepy glaze, as if she'd drifted into a light slumber.
"Ah..."
But she quickly snapped to awareness at the feel of my leg slipping between her thighs beneath her skirt.
"N-Ngh..."
She could have simply pressed her legs together for relief, but instead, Euphemia foolishly arched her hips bit by bit. Matching the rising height, I bent my knee and rubbed gently against her inner thighs.
"Ah... H-Hn, yes..."
Positioned on all fours like a dog, gazing down at me as I lay there, Euphemia blushed and let out shy, aroused moans. Ravishing her body was delightful enough, but watching her face unravel like this was hardly a poor alternative.
"Euphemia."
"H-Hn... Y-Yes..."
"Lower your head a little."
"Ah..."
She hesitated briefly but obeyed, dipping her head to bring her face closer to mine. Strands of her hair tickled my cheek.
Swish.
Even as I toyed with her, Euphemia considerately brushed her hair aside. I wanted to praise her for it, but instead, I smirked mischievously and urged her on.
"More."
"......"
By now, she must have realized what I wanted. She squeezed her eyes shut and leaned in for an awkward kiss. No, calling it a kiss felt generous—it was merely a fleeting brush of lips, then parting.
Still, that would suffice...
"H-Hah... Ah...!"
I lifted my other knee to tease her further, then rose to leave for work. My pristine clothes had developed noticeable wrinkles in that short time, so I invoked my Neat Appearance talent to smooth them out flawlessly. Stepping toward the door, I grasped the handle and turned it...
"H-Have a safe... trip..."
Euphemia, sprawled on the bed with her legs pressed together, panting heavily, suddenly sat up and murmured her farewell in a soft voice.
"......"
I could have easily pretended not to hear in such an ambiguous situation, but how adorably naive she was.
"I will."
It wasn't something I'd ordered, but her taking the initiative was welcome—though coming right after a lashing only served to highlight the whip's lingering effect.
"See you later."
Even so... it didn't feel bad.
One-third of Building A and the main building had collapsed, so a swarm of workers had been deployed since morning to repair them.
"All professors, please proceed to the auditorium in Building B!"
To cut through the construction noise, administrative assistants bellowed while holding signs, guiding me and the other professors with directions.
Will they suspend operations during repairs...?
With all the money and manpower pouring in, full restoration would likely take about two to three weeks. The imperial family might want to keep things running, but pushing that far seemed unrealistic. Two to three weeks was an awkward span—neither short nor long—meaning students whose territories weren't near the capital couldn't leave. The academy's core purpose of holding noble heirs hostage would continue, imperfectly but steadily, during that time.
Carry over the suspended lectures to shorten the upcoming break, or cancel them outright...
It was an unforeseen issue, but the imperial family's realistic options boiled down to those two. That's why I'd told Euphemia that academy attendance might shift.
"......"
On the way into Building B, at the entrance to the adjacent B dormitory, patches of dried, twisted bloodstains lingered uncleaned. I hadn't heard the exact casualty count, but it wasn't catastrophic. Commoner students talented in elemental magic studies wouldn't die to ordinary folk... Only the black mages assigned those corpses might have perished. The bloodstains near the entrance were more likely from the enemies feigning death than the students.
"Ah, good morning, Professor Ferzen."
I entered the auditorium in Building B and took a seat anywhere. A nearby professor greeted me. I didn't know his name. I nodded curtly in response and closed my eyes.
Normally, that would signal no conversation, but...
"Who do you think is behind it, Professor Ferzen? I suspect..."
"......"
Even the topic was utterly devoid of substance. If there were clear evidence pinning it on someone, they wouldn't gather professors here—they'd summon territory lords for an imperial summit.
"Ah...! I heard you brilliantly subdued the netherworld abomination!"
"I merely did what needed doing. No praise warranted."
"So humble. But... disguising oneself as a corpse is quite unsettling, isn't it?"
"......"
His words naturally soured my mood, dredging up memories of that unresponsive, wall-like foe. Of course, feigning death via coma held no value now. It only worked under the premise that no one knew and it stayed secret.
"Ah! Welcome, Professor Uriel."
"Good day, Professor Melvin. And... Professor Ferzen as well."
"Good morning, Uriel."
"How's your arm... feeling?"
"It's been a day already. What were you expecting?"
"True enough. Here."
Uriel handed a letter to Isabel's corpse under my servitude. No, calling it a mere letter felt inadequate—the envelope was excessively ornate.
Claudia Family Eldest Son
&
Alfred Family Eldest Daughter
April 27th
"......A wedding invitation."
"Yes."
The marriage between Claudia's eldest son and Alfred's eldest daughter meant Claudia had no choice but to defer to Alfred. Thus, external guests were entirely Alfred's domain. Otherwise, this wouldn't have come to me.
"She asked me to deliver it, so here it is, but..."
Her trailing words were obvious enough.
"I'll consider it."
"......Do as you will."
I tucked the letter away quietly. Then, Princess Elizabeth, her platinum hair cascading beautifully, ascended the auditorium stage. The previous day's venomous barbs must have served their purpose—no trace of those dog-like, overly original accessories remained.
"Regarding yesterday's unfortunate incident..."
The perfunctory formalities dragged on tediously.
"Thus, the imperial family shall suspend all academy operations except dormitories until repairs are complete, with no carryover of those days."
"......"
It deviated little from expectations.
"Professors, please adjust and resubmit your first-semester lecture plans for this period."
She could have taken a harder line. Lacking clear evidence left all possibilities open, allowing the imperial family to arbitrarily target suspects if they chose. They could deem it nobles resentful of the throne, criticize academy operations, and ignite a witch hunt for burial.
Of course, that was overreach, as I'd noted. But a power struggle wasn't impossible.
They plan to let it fade quietly... What's their angle?
Couldn't they just announce Elmark Empire's involvement?
"......That concludes today's announcements. Thank you."
Princess Elizabeth lifted her skirt hem slightly with both hands, bowed gracefully, and descended the stage.
Too predictable, passing without a hitch...
Feeling an odd unease, I left the auditorium. Uriel sidled up beside me.
"Heading back right away?"
"Perhaps..."
"Let me buy you a meal."
"Don't needlessly burden yourself with obligation. No regrets later."
"I won't regret something like this..."
"I'm a married man. I have no intention of dining amiably with an unmarried woman—especially not privately."
"What a devoted husband. Don't you tease that woman daily about her large breasts? Otherwise, you'd feel shortchanged."
"Large by human standards, at best."
"What... does that mean?"
Uriel glared at me, eyes wide.
"You'd fit right in at a ranch."
"Y-You must be insane...!"
She huffed, face flushing as she clutched her chest in fury, but I had no interest in engaging and brushed past lightly. Pausing to glance at the under-repair A Building and main hall...
"Annoying. Yesterday, watching that netherworld freak, I hoped it'd smash the black magic lecture hall thoroughly... But it deliberately spared it. Ridiculous."
"The abomination must've dodged the shit too. In wars, the oddly competent always die first—unlike the useless ones."
"......"
The familiar backs belonged to students from my lectures.
"Even if it were destroyed, they'd restore it identically anyway."
"Ah..."
"Eek...!"
The pair startled in unison and turned.
"Th-That is..."
"G-Good day... Professor."
"You know assignments are due April 12th? Lectures are suspended for now, but even if your territory's close, fail to submit on time and you'll be stuck in the dorms without stirring a step."
"Y-Yes... Of course! We're working hard!"
"M-Me too!"
"Good. Then I'll read your submissions very meticulously."
"......"
The students grimaced, bowed, and scampered off. Unasked for, but hearing that stirred an unbidden malice.
Next lecture, pair heirs from powerful and weak noble houses for group assignments on purpose.
"......"
No, that'd be too villainous. I shook my head, boarded the carriage, and returned home.
"The family head has sent a letter."
A maid handed me the arrived missive from my brother with polite deference as I entered.
"Continue your duties."
The timing was intriguingly coincidental. I headed to the mansion's flower garden, sat on a bench, and tore open the seal on Isabel's subservient envelope.
Imperial banquet scheduled for May 7th.
[Inquiries after your well-being fill the rest]
......
The letter from Brutein conveyed that an imperial banquet was set for May 7th. Assuming I wouldn't attend anyway, it lacked further details, crammed instead with brotherly concern.
This...
On a hunch, I opened the wedding invitation from Uriel.
April 27th
Alfred Family
April 27th, is it...
Too coincidental. It was likely timed to accommodate attendees of the May 7th banquet. And if Alfred bothered with such courtesy...
Princes from both kingdoms attending as well?
I pondered briefly, then neatly refolded the wedding invitation.
I'll be an uncomfortable guest, but...
I probably couldn't skip it.