104 – Acceleration (8)
“…”
It was cloudy and dark. It was a passing impression the moment I looked into Selene’s eyes again. However, that gaze did not last long, and Selene quickly changed her expression and smiled at me. She then waved her hand slightly and she disappeared into the crowd.
“Huh? Why?”
“It’s nothing. But why did you call me?”
“I just called because I was happy to meet you. Do you want to go out for a moment? We want to talk for the first time in a while.”
I nodded at Sisella’s suggestion. We left the crowded banquet hall, and Sisela led me to the lakeside of the campus. As I hesitated after learning of her destination, Sisela tilted her head.
“Edwin. Is there a problem?”
“…No. Let’s go.”
This area was a place I had never visited during the first semester. This is where Iris ended up, so there is no room for good feelings. At that time, light new buds were just sprouting on the trees, but now all the leaves have turned dark green.
Perhaps because almost all the students were gathered in the main banquet hall, the surrounding area was very quiet. Sisela walked over to the bench and took one end of it. As I sat down on the other side, Sisela began speaking again.
“It has been confirmed that a new branch of the Ministry of Corrections will be established in Maidheaden. Someone will probably go to your family within this month.”
“Really? To be honest, I was skeptical. It really turned out as you said…”
“I told you to believe and wait. Edwin. Don’t you have too little faith?”
Sisela turned her head and gave a slightly sulky expression. Now I also know that that expression is not sincere. Women use their emotions as weapons when they need attention, so Sisela also has something to say to me now.
“I’m sorry. I did it because I was so happy. The establishment of a branch of the Ministry of Corrections is usually a big deal. I can’t express this blessing in words…”
“… Hmm, you could even call it grace… Between us…”
Sisela’s pursed lips were seen gradually losing strength. She also went back to her original, flowing curves for her eyebrows.
She didn’t say anything particularly empty. It is true that our estate has benefited from her grace, and I, too, feel truly deeply grateful.
The existence of the Holy Office and the Heresy Inquisitor alone can greatly reduce the activities of blasphemers. In reality, most of these related incidents took place in small to medium-sized fiefdoms without a branch of the Ministry of Corrections.
No matter how much she went through such a big thing together, it’s really hard to find someone who would put in this much effort when her own understanding wasn’t even involved.
If there were just a little more people like Sisella, the kingdom wouldn’t have fallen so low.
“I’m not saying this out of politeness, I’m sincere. It’s too little to say in return, but if there’s anything you need my help with, be sure to tell me. I’ll help as much as I can at that time.”
“Oh my, it feels new to hear these words from that bastard Young master…”
Sisella opened her eyes wide and covered her mouth with her hand, pretending to be surprised. A sinister smile could be seen through the gap. Before she knew it, her face was full of mischief, and she deliberately chose mischievous words to tell her jokes.
“You clearly said you would help in any way possible? You said it with your own mouth, so there’s nothing wrong with it?”
“…Isn’t that strange? Anyway, it’s still like that…”
“hehehe, well? I don’t even know what to ask for.”
Sisela laughed and made a chuckling sound.
“By the way, Edwin. While we’re at it, can I ask you one more thing?”
“What is it?”
Why on earth do they act like that at the academy? Do you know how hard it was to adjust to who you are in the South? “Her little sister is just as cute.”
Sisela was always very perceptive. Even at the academy, she had a feeling that she was there, and when she came to our territory, she seemed to have already figured out the whole situation.
Now that I feel like we’ve become close friends, there’s no need to hide anything from Sisela.
“…Just think of it as repentance. I can’t possibly defend my old self even if I think about it.”
“Repentance? That’s also surprising. Could it be Saint Marcus?”
“Who is that again?”
From Noble mtl dot com
“He is one of the great figures of the church. There is a legend that he rose to the 13th rank as a guardian after leaving behind a debaucherous youth.”
“…There are all sorts of people. Anyway, that’s all you need to know. But the Academy is a bit different…”
I stopped acting like an asshole the night before, but the reputation I had built up continued to hold me back. Without even realizing it, I had become a member of the aristocratic faction that I didn’t want, and the story kept going around that the next leader would reverse my current tendencies.
Estel also seemed secretly excited after hearing the rumor.
So naturally, the attitudes of people towards me are also bound to be different. Among them, those who expressed the most intense resistance were students from commoner backgrounds.
Commoner students were usually divided into two categories. Those whose talent is vague and end up becoming vassals of other families after graduation, and those whose talent is so outstanding that they continue to fly with wings.
In the former case, it was not a big problem. They choose places that treat them well regardless of their power. They are not very interested in political topics. I just want to improve myself a little more and raise my price.
So, the ones that were a problem for me were the latter. They joined the central forces represented by Austin and Robinette and clashed with local nobles. Seeing people like me, they raised their voices and constantly advocated for the advancement of their rights.
It was the same thing that happened both at the Academy and the Imperial Diet, although the subject matter was different. In the end, they were well aware that as much as they took the pie, it would go to them.
It is unknown whether it was intentional or not, but in a broad sense, Eugene can be seen as falling into this category. Also, if he is selected as a warrior, their voices will also gain more strength.
So, that was the reason why the voices of criticism and rumors about me did not stop. It’s not like they’re making up non-existent words to bite me, so I can say that I’m the perfect prey right now.
I summarized this story appropriately and told it to Sisela. She thought she might express rejection, but surprisingly, Sisela nodded her head in agreement.
“…It’s really not bad…But surprisingly, it’s quite cold-hearted…”
“What’s not bad?”
“…It’s nothing. But Edwin, what do you think about what Evangeline said earlier?”
“What? A story about a warrior and a holy sword?”
“Yes.”
Sisela nodded her head. The look in her eyes, urging her to answer, felt a little burdensome.
“I don’t think much of it. I’m sure he’ll become a suitable person.”
She literally gave an appropriate answer, but Sisela frowned as if something about her did not suit her. And she asked the question again.
“What? Where is that? Don’t you want to be one?”
“What do you mean? What does a hero want to become?”
“Think about it carefully. Are you going to say something so insincere in front of the saint? Wouldn’t the saint be very disappointed?”
Listening to Sisela’s words, she remembered a saint she had forgotten for a while. She was originally a saint. She transferred to a new school right after the second semester started, but now she was worried about how things would turn out. The answer may lie in Sisella’s words.
“Sisela. Is the saint coming to the holy ceremony?”
“Of course. Who else would be in charge of the ceremony if not the saint?”
“Then what happens after that? Evangeline said she would continue her studies. So does she transfer to the academy as a saint? She certainly won’t go back without becoming a hero.”
“Maybe so? Why? Are you looking forward to it?”
“Why do you expect me to do that? Stop talking strangely. I asked because I wanted to say thank you for what happened last time if I ran into you again.”
“…Sheesh.”
Sisela pursed her lips as if she had been rejected. As soon as the story of her saint came up, Sisela became overly engrossed and absorbed. It feels as if she is projecting a saint onto herself. What kind of faithfulness is that?
After that, a lot of time passed as we talked about trivial things. Sisela got up from her seat and showed a regretful expression.
“…I have to go now. Fiore gets worried if I leave too much. Anyway, I’m too overprotective…”
“Fiore?”
“Why, you always go to class with me…”
When she heard those words, she remembered the first time she encountered Sisela in class. When she heard Sisella say something she had no idea about, Eugene joined in and a clash broke out. Thanks to her, she was disciplined. And there was one female student right next to her, stopping her.
When I saw her exaggerated appearance, I wondered if she had brought her a maid, but I remember Sisela being quite suspicious of the girl, as if she were just an ordinary friend.
“I think I know who it is. Go quickly. Stop worrying.”
“…I told you I was overprotective…! Anyway…I’m really going. Then, see you in class?”
Sisela got upset as if she was being wronged, then turned around and left her place. She suddenly feels lonely at the silence that comes to her empty space. Since she didn’t talk to Selene or Ellie like this on campus, she seemed to feel that way even more.
Not long after Sisela left, she also raised her body. Since there were no lectures today, she planned to go back to her mansion.
As she was walking toward the school gate, students were pouring out of the main banquet hall as the opening ceremony had just ended. And in that group, a familiar-looking female student suddenly caught my eye.
Iris Rovinette’s beauty stood out among the crowd. Almost at the same time I discovered Iris, she also recognized my presence. Unlike her time in the ballroom, her eyes were extremely cold. Iris paused and considered her actions for a moment, then she turned and disappeared in the opposite direction of me.
It was a very fleeting encounter, but my mood sank in an instant. Everything about Iris was still complicated. It was like a knot that couldn’t be undone.
-Talk Talk
I felt a small tickle on my shoulder. When I turned my head, I saw a light green spirit jumping on my shoulder and bouncing its body. Two bounces were the girl’s signal. The place where we always met was calling me.
The moment iris spoils his mood selene takes the chance to brighten up his mood🤣