Chapter 73
[Translator – Angel Dust]
[Proofreader – Prototype]
Chapter 73
“Hot springs trip? Suddenly? And who is Eloise again?”
Selena, who was slicing the fruit by hand, blinked at me, looking very puzzled.
I felt obligated to say something right then and there, so I opened my mouth.
“Well, Eloise Loengrand. She’s the girl who will come as an exchange student from the elves’ side next year. Oh! And, it’s definitely not a weird relationship. It’s a bit complicated, but basically, during the train terror incident…”
“It’s okay, Karl. I don’t mind. Don’t worry.”
“Then, coincidentally… huh?”
Did I hear that wrong? She doesn’t mind? She’s not concerned at all?
“Whatever happened, I was the first one you confessed to, and vice versa. If, by any chance, that changes, it means I’m not the right girl for you, so I’ll have to accept that.”
“Well, that’s a little extreme when you put it that way.”
“Which is why I don’t care. Besides, who the hell is this Eloise that you met during the train incident? Wasn’t she just an elf planning to study in the Empire?”
Oops. I messed up. In my panicked ramblings, I gave away more information than necessary.
For a moment, I hesitated, but then I realized Eloise isn’t an active member anymore, just like me. So, wouldn’t it be okay to tell Selena a little bit more?
“Actually, Eloise isn’t your typical elf. She’s a former commander of the Hyzens Special Forces.”
“Special Forces?”
“Yeah, Special Forces. More precisely, you could call it the Extermination Squad. In simple terms, it’s a unit composed of pretty scary guys. She’s the field commander who invited us for the hot springs trip.”
Extermination Squad… Selena couldn’t hide her astonishment at the mention of that.
Why would someone like that suddenly retire from the military? And why come to the Imperial Academy of all places?
Her name alone is intimidating, and she comes to the academy as a student? It feels like something might happen at the academy now that she’s here.
Actually, I’m worried about that too. The academy has been visited by someone who is not very pleasant.
It’s not just ‘because she’s from the Extermination Squad’, if such a person came as an exchange student, no matter what, something might happen eventually!
Wasn’t this a Rom-com novel? Wasn’t this an academy story?! And not just a slice-of-life, but a serious one where all sorts of incidents happen at the academy?!
If I knew it would be like this at the academy, I wouldn’t have retired from the army! This is too much!!
“Oh, anyway. I said I wouldn’t go, but they wouldn’t take no for an answer. If you want to go on the hot springs trip, Selena, I was thinking of asking Eloise.”
“Where are we going?”
“The Great Forest.”
Selena exclaimed, ‘Wow,’ reflexively and then covered her mouth. It seems unavoidable for all four of those guys and Selena. Maybe it’s because they’re nobles of the Empire.
The hot spring area near The Great Forest is truly amazing. It’s a place that’s naturally filled with good energy and is truly rejuvenating.
If we develop it in earnest and attract more people to it, it could soon become the premier tourist attraction in the southern part of the Empire.
‘Rumor has it that even Lasker, who values physical prowess, and Abileshti, who values mana, are interested in the benefits of the hot springs.’
It was even said that the Empire is eyeing the The Great Forest area mainly because of the hot spring zone.
It’s not a hundred percent true, but it’s not a hundred percent false either. In my opinion, if we could secure that hot spring area and manage it safely, we could definitely make money just by sitting there.
“It’s a great place. No wonder those four guys immediately latched onto it when I mentioned it.”
“So, what did you say?”
“I said I’d think about it. If Eloise had asked me to go with her, I would have said no, but she said
she had no problem taking the Four and you with her.”
At first, I was expecting Selena to be offended, or at least have a fatalistic reaction. But based on the conversation so far, I don’t see why that would be the case.
“I see. We should be thankful to Eloise, the exchange student. Oh, should I call her a junior now?”
That’s what I expected too, that Selena would either be uncomfortable or react strangely. But looking at the conversation so far, it doesn’t seem like that’s necessarily the case.
“Then let’s go, Karl!”
“Really?”
“Yeah. Luckily, I have some free time until this vacation ends. I want to go!”
I never imagined things would work out so well. But surely Eloise, that woman, wouldn’t have instigated this, right? She’s no ordinary elf, so I suddenly feel anxious.
“More importantly, it’s strange. From what I know, the hot springs at The Great Forest aren’t open to everyone.”
“I found that strange too, so I asked. It turns out Eloise knows someone over there. She’s been asking if it’s possible to invite us ever since the exchange was decided.”
“I see. We should be grateful to Eloise. Oh, now she’s a junior, right?”
Thank goodness. Really, I’m relieved. I thought Selena would dislike it, but seeing her like that―
Crack―!
“Uh-huh. I should be grateful. She’s subtly paying attention to you, Karl. Hehehe.”
Stiff, awkward―
“….”
I’ll correct myself. Now that I think about it, she didn’t want to show any unnecessary behavior in front of me.
As evidence, the solid apple was now in two pieces in Selena’s hand…!
* * *
It’s been quite a peculiar day. It was enjoyable, then infuriating, then settled down, then bubbled up again.
“Sigh.”
Sitting inside the carriage, Selena sighed as she looked out the window.
To be rational, I don’t have the right to be angry in this situation. Even though me and Karl have just started over, deep down, it’s a bit of a mess.
It’s been less than a week, let alone a month, since I officially committed to a relationship.
I can’t say that he didn’t reject other women’s advances more aggressively.
Thinking about it, he was already involved in several incidents even before restarting our relationship.
“Eloise Loengrand.”
Still, the fire in my belly burned, perhaps because of my feminine instincts.
I was instinctively wary, and instinctively realized.
Ah, this elf Eloise is interested in Karl. I don’t know why, but I think she is.
Otherwise, why would she suddenly suggest going to the hot springs together? Even though she said it was okay for others to join, that could just be a smokescreen.
Does she have some ulterior motive for inviting us there? Only Eloise knows.
‘…No. No. It could be just a misunderstanding. Maybe it’s just a way for her to show gratitude to Karl as an elf. Let’s not overthink it.’
Thinking more won’t make me feel better. And Karl would also become uncomfortable.
We’ve just started holding hands, and I don’t want to waste time on needless misunderstandings.
And even if it’s not a misunderstanding, ultimately, what matters is Karl’s feelings.
“Selena, you’re back.”
“Father!”
Returning to the mansion, Selena greeted her father first.
There was some father-daughter conflict over graduate school, but it was brief.
Selena sincerely persuaded her father, and when he realized her sincerity, he expressed his intention not to oppose her anymore. It was truly a fortunate result.
As they chatted about various things, Selena suddenly realized that Deonil wasn’t around.
“Where’s brother?”
“He’s busy these days. He’s working on some kind of project to help veterans.”
“Oh… Is it by any chance the Karl Adelheit Pension Foundation?”
“No, it’s not. Your brother is doing something separate. It seems to be a different matter.”
As the Marquis was saying that, he sighed and told her to listen. Right after that, Deonik, looking a bit tired, appeared behind Selena.
“Brother!”
“Oh, you’re back, Selena. You did well again this time. Graduating with top honors. Well done.”
“Thank you. But, you look quite tired. Are you busy with work?”
Despite my words, Deonik shrugged his shoulders but had a smile on his lips.
His reaction seemed to show that he had considerable pride in what he was doing, and I felt pleased.
“What exactly do you do?”
“It’s nothing special. Just helping soldiers have a better future. Sometimes arranging jobs for them, sometimes providing business funds at a lower interest rate, or giving opportunities suitable for their abilities to those who want to learn.”
Treating the Empire’s soldiers well. Perhaps Karl would like this news.
When I clapped my hands with a happy face, Deonik, feeling even more proud, continued speaking.
“By the way, a pretty remarkable person came by recently. They were awarded the Silver Star Medal, and it turns out they were a remarkable female sharpshooter.”
“A female… sharpshooter?”
A sudden chill ran up Selena’s spine.
“Yeah. She wanted to learn more, so I made some effort. Maybe she’ll be your junior next year, Selena. And if you get a chance, could you ask Sergeant Karl if he knows anyone?””
“…Brother. What’s her name?”
Surely not. Surely not. Really not. Selena found herself desperately praying.
“Lavrenti? Ah, yes. That was the name. Sergeant Laverenti… Selena? Why are you… Ouch! Selena! Why are you hitting me?! Huh? Ahh!”
[Translator – Angel Dust]
[Proofreader – Prototype]
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