Chapter 109
[Translator – Angel Dust]
[Proofreader – Prototype]
Chapter 109
“So far, all the patents we’ve registered have been approved without any issues—”
“The pension foundation is progressing smoothly. It’s not about who got hurt more or who contributed more. It’s simply based on proximity to each foundation’s regional headquarters….”
“Considering the expenses so far, it doesn’t seem like there will be a significant impact on our overall finances. And—”
Honestly, I was a bit worried when the four of them came to the freshman orientation. I had expected these fifth-years to cause some trouble here again.
For example, they might try to embarrass me by praising me in front of the freshmen.
Or they might put mint chocolate, a poison, in the welcome drinks. Something like that.
But they proved my worries wrong.
Instead, they continued their conversation with serious expressions and voices, occasionally sipping their drinks, discussing incredibly important topics.
“…And after that, Karl? Are you listening to us?”
“Yeah, yeah. I’m listening.”
“No, you’re not. It’s obvious your mind is somewhere else.”
“If you want to mingle with the freshmen, go ahead. We can talk later.”
“Absolutely not. Now is the perfect time.”
The freshmen and sophomores are now chatting and taking their first steps toward a year-long senior-junior relationship. I’ve done everything I needed to do today, so I don’t want to be involved anymore.
“But why do you keep looking at us with that strange expression?”
“You’re too serious. I thought you were going to joke around.”
They grumbled, ‘What are you talking about? We’re the heirs to Noble Families. We work when we need to.’
I know you’re heirs, but judging by your past actions, you shouldn’t complain.
“Have you heard that the Radiant Church is expanding its orphanages and medical facilities?”
“The Church? They already had quite a few facilities.”
“That’s true. But there’s talk of more than doubling them. They say the orphanages could be converted into temporary childcare facilities after the children become independent.”
So, they’re turning orphanages into kindergartens. That seems like a good idea.
If children who have lost their families grow up to start their own families, money and childcare will be the biggest issues. It’s not easy for a couple to raise children and earn money at the same time without any support.
Therefore, it’s beneficial for everyone if there are more early childhood education facilities. The citizens of the Empire can trust that the Church, of all places, will take care of their children, and the Church can instill its teachings in the children from a young age, ensuring a devout following when they grow up.
That would be a problem if a cult did it, but the Radiant Church isn’t like that.
“…Karl.”
“What is it, Wilhelm? Don’t look at me with those serious eyes.”
“Sorry. But the next topic is serious, so I can’t help it.”
Wilhelm glanced around and suddenly leaned in. As if on cue, the other three followed suit. Like they were about to share a secret.
“…Wait a minute. Do I have to do that too?”
“Of course.”
“This is a very important topic.”
“Come on, lower your head, Friedrich. It’s not like we’re asking you to do anything weird.”
“If it’s that important, we should discuss it somewhere else… Never mind. Fine.”
I let out a sigh and squeezed my head between the four of them. Are you satisfied now?
“I heard this a few days ago. The situation within Lasker is not looking good.”
“Lasker? It’s always been chaotic there. It just recently settled down.”
“Right. It settled down, but it seems like it’s not really settled. Or rather, it settled down, but something else became a problem. The Second Princess’s faction won, but it seems there’s a lot of talk even within the winning side. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Special Affairs Agency have caught wind of something.”
Wilhelm’s words made me and the other three look at him, urging him to elaborate.
“It seems like there’s an internal division. It was the Second Princess’s faction, but it’s not anymore.”
“What are you talking about? Why did they support the Second Princess in the first place?”
“Maybe their goals didn’t align. Or they thought it would be one way, but it turned out to be another. Or maybe they had an agreement, but neither side wants to keep it.”
“So, the deal fell apart, and now they’re looking for a replacement?”
Shulifen is surprisingly sharp to reach that conclusion. I was thinking the same thing.
A replacement.
Then, is the Fourth Princess of Lasker the most likely candidate? I heard she was fighting with her sister, the Second Princess, until recently.
“But according to intel, it’s not the Fourth Princess. She’s been confined within Lasker, and the Second Princess’s loyalists are surrounding her, so it’s impossible.”
“What? Not the Fourth Princess? Then who could replace her? There’s no one else who could garner support in the current situation. And everyone is under the Second Princess’s watch, so it would be difficult.”
“That’s true. But there’s at least one person who isn’t.”
“Wilhelm. Don’t tell me.”
“It’s probably what you’re thinking, Karl.”
Wilhelm said, then subtly raised his head and glanced somewhere.
There, I saw Lefia talking with other students.
“The Fifth Princess, Lefia Arkebel. Although she’s lower in the line of succession, she maintained a neutral stance and showed a decent image. And her maternal family, although not as powerful as before, is a well-known knightly family in Lasker. Crucially, she’s located in our Empire, outside the Second Princess’s reach.”
“…”
“If I were a noble trying to break away from the Second Princess, I think this would be a viable option. What do you think, Karl?”
“…If I were them, I would definitely do the same.”
Hearing this, I remembered the Lasker exchange student who was next to Lefia earlier.
I thought he was just a foolish guy flirting with a powerless princess. But it turns out it was a cunning plan to establish a new center of power?
‘…These bastards are crossing the line.’
This is Lasker’s business, their internal affair.
Therefore, it’s not something I, or the Empire, should interfere with. If we’re not careful, it could escalate from a diplomatic issue to a military one.
But even so, this is the Academy. Not Lasker’s Royal Academy, but the Imperial Academy.
It’s located on Imperial soil. They are here as exchange students, merely to learn from the Empire, and technically, they are staying here as students.
Within the Empire’s territory, within the Empire’s learning institution. At least within the Academy, they shouldn’t do this.
You can play your political games or whatever, but you should do it within your own borders, not here.
“…Hey, Karl. Karl! Karl!”
“What?”
“Why… why are you suddenly drawing your greatsword with such a scary look…?”
Oh. Uh, sorry. I guess I was unconsciously gripping my greatsword and stabbing the table.
* * *
Throughout history, there has never been a time without war. It’s inevitable, unavoidable. The moment you try to run away in fear, you have to give up everything you’ve achieved.
But at the same time, it’s right to avoid it as much as possible. If there’s another path, you should walk it, and if there’s another way, it’s better for everyone to turn towards it.
For that reason, the busiest place after the war with Luzernes was the Imperial Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
– Must improve relations with Hyzens –
– Release Luzernes survivors with minor crimes –
– Do not show any movement regarding the internal situation in Lasker –
– Consider the request for magical material support from Avileshti in a positive light –
Preparing to show the Empire’s mercy while replenishing its depleted national power.
Fortunately, there was no internal turmoil or friction with the Church due to the war. In fact, public opinion was united to an almost frightening degree.
“…”
In that situation, the Minister of Foreign Affairs remained silent, facing two men.
More precisely, it should be called a silence ‘filled with anger.’
“This matter has already been confirmed on our end, Minister.”
The Minister of Special Affairs, sitting across from the Minister of Foreign Affairs, spoke in a low voice.
“It seems Lasker is going to escalate this matter. But to think they would go this far, to the point where it could potentially cause problems for our Empire.”
“Since there’s only one person outside their Second Princess’s sight, it’s possible. But this is clearly crossing the line. They should have sent them back to their own country instead of acting like this within the Empire’s borders.”
The Minister of Foreign Affairs, clicking his tongue repeatedly, looked at the other person across from him.
“Thank you, Student Karl. For informing us immediately.”
“I simply did what was right. This kind of thing should never be tolerated. Especially not within the Academy.”
One side was angry that it happened within the Empire’s borders, the other within the Academy. The Minister of Special Affairs watched for a moment before speaking.
“The report should have reached them by now. All that’s left is to await the Emperor’s orders.”
“More importantly, we need to decide how to receive the Lasker delegation arriving in three days. It would be ideal to welcome them politely while also giving them a proper warning.”
“Who’s coming in the delegation?”
When Karl showed interest, the Minister of Foreign Affairs told him about the delegation’s composition. The Head of the delegation, officials from the kingdom’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and the knights escorting them.
“What’s the skill level of the knights?”
“Well, I’ve heard they’re all renowned for their abilities.”
“Hmm.”
After hearing this, Karl shrugged and spoke.
“Then it would be appropriate to hold a friendly match.”
[Translator – Angel Dust]
[Proofreader – Prototype]
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