81
Delbadova’s teaching style was different from Dunan’s.
It was the difference of being in the royal direct forces.
Unlike Dunan, who had been active in the military since childhood as an elite officer, Delbadova had received extensive education in etiquette to serve the royal family.
Rumors circulated among the cadets that he had gone bald due to this.
Delbadova wanted the cadets to have such an experience.
“You have gained invaluable experience through the past war above all else. That cannot be denied. Sitting at desks now and studying military tactics is meaningless. What you need now is not just knowledge of commanding troops and tactics, but the ability to apply them efficiently according to the situation.”
He then provided examples from the past.
“What officers need is not just the ability to conduct warfare. The legendary general of Penzillon, Ransia Galeron, was skilled with musical instruments, and Todoram, the guardian of the Erebonian Kingdom, was so adept at dancing that he was called the Emperor of the Night. Such abilities sometimes provide a broader perspective on warfare. Ransia, in dire straits, would play mournful music to induce surrender, and Todoram would showcase a splendid dance at enemy parties to gain diplomatic favor and lead alliances.”
He concluded.
“You are not just weapons. You need to know who you are as individuals. And you need to understand who the people you will kill are. Without such empathy, your wars will only amount to slaughter. So, broaden your horizons. Experience more.”
He finished the prologue and explained the liberal arts class he would attend in the afternoon.
The liberal arts class was narrowed down to literature, music, dance, art, and chess.
“Choose your desired field. Oh, and one more thing. This time, the liberal arts class will be taken together with regular students.”
At the mention of a joint class with regular students, the cadets tilted their heads. They had hardly interacted with regular students before.
‘That’s unusual.’
I felt like I understood his intention.
By allowing the cadets to experience various things, he probably aimed to protect students who did not belong to any faction above all else.
By facilitating interactions between regular students and cadets in this manner, students not affiliated with any faction could breathe easier.
As the faction kids gravitated towards the most popular dances and chess, the non-faction kids avoided them and headed towards other classes.
I was no different.
‘Where should I go?’
Excluding chess and dance, only art, literature, and music remained.
“Hey, Alss. What will you choose?”
Bannings asked.
“Well, what about you?”
From Noble mtl dot com
“I’m going for dance. I should mingle with the faction kids a bit more.”
“You’re in for a tough time. I might go for literature.”
Reading quietly seemed like a good way to pass the time.
But I soon realized how naive that thought was.
There were roughly twenty students participating in the literature class.
Looking at the gender ratio of the class, I sensed that something was off.
“hahahaha…”
Dorothy, who was attending the literature class with me, chuckled dryly.
“It seems like besides you and me, there are no other guys.”
“Seems like it.”
I felt the gaze of others directed at me and Dorothy. In a way, it was a devouring gaze.
Still, I thought just sitting and reading would be fine, but this was not that kind of place.
The curriculum for this literature class had a set structure.
First, they held a book discussion where they read a book, shared their opinions, and listened to the teacher’s analysis.
Then, starting from the next class, they would write similar pieces based on that.
Today was the day for the book discussion, usually the teacher would select the book, but it seemed like there was a special guest today.
“Excuse me.”
Erena appeared, holding a book gracefully.
“Erena?”
“Why are you here… weren’t you supposed to be in the art class?”
At the students’ question, Erena smiled slyly.
“I received permission from the teacher to join specially today.”
The teacher shrugged his shoulders with an expression that said, ‘How could I refuse the request of the noblewoman Youngae?’
“To show my appreciation for such kindness, I brought a book for today. Is that okay?”
“Of course!”
“If it’s Erina’s recommendation, I definitely want to read it!”
A bad premonition.
That hunch was correct.
Erina extended the books she had bought in bulk back then.
It seemed like her intention was to personally promote them.
“Their circumstances… Erina? What kind of novel is this?”
As Erina recommended it, everyone showed strong curiosity. Erina spoke proudly, as if she had written the book herself.
“It’s a recently published work. I brought it here to discuss with you all because it seems to have an interesting storyline.”
“I see. Can we start reading it right away?”
“Of course. Oh, before that. There’s one thing to note. I’d like to hear your thoughts on the character Irina Paléon who appears in the story.”
“So, Erina, you’ve already read it.”
“Oh, no… Not exactly. I heard about it from someone who read it first. They said she’s a very delicate and beautiful character.”
A delicate and beautiful character.
‘Could it be that she hasn’t read it yet?’
The character Irina Paléon had already transformed into a semi-villainess due to Estelle’s editing. Erina seemed to mistakenly believe that our previous collaboration had been published as a book.
“Then, everyone. Let’s begin quietly.”
After that, reading commenced in a breathless silence. Since most were aristocrats, there was no flaw in terms of etiquette.
Dorothy was also reading my novel with a serious expression.
It felt strange to have so many people reading my work. Erina, who had helped, seemed equally absorbed in observing others rather than reading the book.
Around an hour passed.
Someone shouted, “What is this! This villainess!”
“It’s atrocious!”
“How can such a woman exist?”
Criticism erupted one after another. Perhaps because they all started reading at a similar time, they seemed to be reading the same part.
It was the scene at the palace party, where Irina traps Estelle, turning her into a maid and dances with the protagonist in Estelle’s place.
“What, what is this…?”
Erina looked visibly flustered.
Finally, after finishing the reading, a discussion about Irina ensued.
“If Irina hadn’t intervened, the protagonist would have undoubtedly ended up with Estelle. Irina, this malicious woman!”
“I can understand the protagonist’s feelings. Going back to the battlefield for Estelle’s happiness…”
“So, in the end, did the protagonist end up with the lady-in-waiting?”
“We still don’t know. It seems like what they call an open ending.”
“Oh my, that’s what I dislike the most!”
“I feel the same way. Maybe there will be a sequel.”
While there was a lot of criticism, there was generally praise.
“I’m glad for the positive response.”
Although it unintentionally turned into a women’s novel, the favorable reactions seemed to be a silver lining.
Once this work gains some popularity, I can release a pirate edition with added adult scenes.
In truth, the success of the pirate edition at the point of Olaf’s recruitment didn’t matter much. Initially, I believed that a circus and a troupe of actors would be more effective than such things.
Now, there’s no need for me to write a novel.
Feeling liberated, I closed the book contentedly, but Erina, her eyes wide, shouted,
“Alse-nim! What is this! Why is Erina like this…!”
She soon burst into a hollow laughter as if she understood everything.
“…I see. So that’s why back then I was prevented from reading the book… Hoho… Hohoho! Got caught. Quite clever, Estelle…!”
While Erina was being bold, others were bewildered.
“Er, Lady Erina? Why suddenly angry at this person…?”
“Ah…!”
Only then did Erina realize her blunder, but to address that recent behavior, she needed to explain.
Erina sought silent agreement with her eyes before speaking.
“Uh, um! It’s because this person here wrote about their situation.”
“Really!? So, that means it’s Platinna-nim…!”
“Yes, it’s Alse Ilaine-nim.”
At that moment, the way people looked at me subtly changed.
Erina, whether for good or bad, strongly urged,
“Ilaine-nim. Pick up the pen right now.”
“Why suddenly the pen…?”
“You need to write the sequel!”
“Out of the blue!?”
“Originally, this class aims for reading a book and writing a similar piece. So, it’s not strange.”
Seeing their fervent gazes, I couldn’t refuse.
And so, I found myself unexpectedly embarking on writing a sequel.
* * *
Erina, who reluctantly delved into writing the sequel, with Alse’s encouragement.
After finishing the chess lesson and searching for Erina, Casper, seeing her, gritted his teeth.
“That guy…!!”
Despite his warning, he dared to approach his Erina.
In truth, he was aware. It wasn’t Alse approaching, but Erina. Even from this cultural class, where Erina chose literature over her major in art, it was evident.
He just thought it was insignificant, merely a childhood matter, as the likelihood of Erina and Alse continuing wasn’t there from the start.
In the end, he believed she should be connected to a noble family like his own.
‘Some action needs to be taken.’
He promptly summoned Denian Gheglish, a member of the Denian Gheglish faction, who had once challenged Alse at a victory party and was the son of the core of the Salion faction.
Casper explained the situation and demanded that Alse be driven away, but Denian looked puzzled.
“If that’s the case, I’m sorry.”
“Why?”
“Because Gilbert-nim said Ilaine that guy is fine.”
“What!? What nonsense is that!”
“I don’t really know the details.”
“Argh!”
Caspar’s mind went blank for a moment.
He immediately sought out Gilbert.
Gilbert responded with a furrowed brow.
“Why are you making a fuss over this? Does that mean Erina can’t be friendly with any man?”
“Of course! She is my fiancée!”
“Don’t talk nonsense. Erina’s fiancé has not been decided yet.”
“But you said you would choose me!”
Gilbert clicked his tongue at his insincere attitude.
‘A deficient man.’
He never even considered trying to win Erina’s heart himself, just clinging to those around him.
‘Is this why a talented person like him can’t rise higher?’
Due to always following the path laid out for him by others, his approach to everything was fundamentally flawed.
‘Or perhaps he was never a genius to begin with.’
Gilbert concealed such thoughts and said,
“Caspar, to achieve what you desire, you need to prove yourself. Not a fake Wade, but yourself. Otherwise, were you trying to get involved with Erina under a false Wade identity, risking exposure?”
“But Gilbert, you said you would handle it…”
“I am doing my best, but I don’t know when my efforts will reach their limit.”
In truth, Gilbert was doing nothing to hide Caspar’s true identity. He was actually hoping to be exposed.
Due to the counter-espionage operation Helian Duke Alz had set up to conceal Als, there were no signs of exposure. Instead, Caspar’s Wade persona was gaining more traction within the kingdom.
“So, you also need to build up achievements.”
“Achievements…”
“In that sense, you could say this is quite opportune. You and that Eileen will be involved in this next task.”
“When you say ‘this task’…?”
“You’ll find out soon.”
Gilbert smiled meaningfully. Caspar felt an inexplicable sense of unease.