“You’re late.”
“I apologize.”
Daike gritted his teeth as he lowered his head.
Because of that ill-tempered cat, he’d wasted unnecessary time.
“You should be thankful to Zero.”
“…Excuse me?”
“If it weren’t for him, you’d be the one standing there.”
Following Teron’s gaze, Daike looked across the distance.
There, he could see Zero receiving an endless barrage of flicks to the forehead from Caron.
“Ohhh, Professor Caron is putting the devil’s henchman in his place!”
“Not even arrogance works against Professor Caron, huh?”
“Kikiki, serves him right.”
Daike couldn’t help but frown.
It wasn’t just because those who had no right to criticize Zero were running their mouths, but because it reminded him of his own defeat.
‘That I lost to a guy like that…’
He, who was considered unbeatable among those of his age, had been taken down in a single strike.
Not only had Zero defeated Daike and the others while also killing four low-level demons, but he had even fought against a high-level demon.
Now, Zero had claimed the top spot in the midterms. And yet…
“Keke, assaulting a student in public? I’d recommend stopping before Annwood Academy’s reputation takes a hit.”
“Since you can’t even stand in proper rows and columns, the academy’s honor is already in the gutter. Executing a student like you might help restore a bit of it.”
“Eek! Spare the life of this innocent student!”
The exchange between Caron and Zero made the other students giggle.
The so-called Teron’s rival was busy showing off a foolish side instead of displaying any dignity.
‘This isn’t good…’
A rival acting like a fool.
It was a bigger problem than it seemed.
“I guess that guy’s going to be the top scorer, huh?”
“I still can’t believe such a goofball fought a high-level demon… If I had been there, I bet I could’ve taken it down easily.”
“With your skills? Try beating Daike first.”
“Now that I think about it, didn’t he get a draw with Daike once? I don’t know what happened since they closed the doors…”
“Maybe Daike’s weaker than we thought. Rumors tend to be exaggerated, after all.”
“Hmm… Should I give it a try?”
This is exactly why a rival also needs to maintain their dignity.
If not, fools like these who don’t know their place start popping up.
“Enough. I’m satisfied with seeing the Teron faction lose face.”
“Right. Why fight the guy who humiliated them? A decent person should know to repay kindness.”
“I guess the Teron faction will be quiet for a while. The era of Teron’s dominance is over.”
“At the very least, they won’t be walking down the hallways with that cocky swagger, blocking everyone’s way.”
In truth, Teron’s standing among the 1st-year students was steadily declining.
While Zero’s performance had played a part, the bigger reason was the emergence of new factions like Yuridia’s and Victoria’s.
‘Once the midterm results are announced, that trend will accelerate.’
Even within the Teron faction, deserters would start to appear.
Something needed to be done.
“Maybe Zero is hiding his true strength.”
“You think so?”
“Look how Yuridia and Victoria pick fights with him. But if Teron doesn’t dare touch him, it’s obvious.”
“True… Teron does seem to tuck his tail whenever Zero’s around. For a noble to behave like a dog… How humiliating.”
Daike’s head snapped around.
He didn’t mind insults directed at himself. But—
‘An insult against Lord Teron is unforgivable.’
His hand instinctively moved toward the sword at his waist. But before he could draw it, someone placed a hand over his.
It was Teron.
“Daike, don’t act rashly.”
“But…”
“There’s no need to respond to every little comment from insects. Letting trash like that go elsewhere is better, don’t you think?”
Of course, it was better to let go of those who offered no help.
The Teron faction had been the largest since the beginning of the semester, which meant it also had its fair share of useless hangers-on. Now might be the perfect time to clean them out.
‘But until the final exams, we’ll be constantly subjected to mockery.’
That ridicule would further weaken the Teron faction.
It didn’t matter if the parasites left, but it would be a problem if the skilled ones started defecting.
Daike clenched his lips in frustration.
“I’ll challenge him to a duel.”
His target was, of course, Zero.
A duel and a victory.
It was the best way to raise Teron’s prestige while simultaneously bringing Zero’s down.
It was a thought that had crossed Daike’s mind every day since the day he lost to Zero, but he had held back, knowing he was likely to lose again.
However, at that moment, Daike had made up his mind.
He would defeat Zero and offer that victory, along with honor, to his master.
“I may have lost once, but I won’t lose twice. If you give me the chance, I’ll crush that arrogant brat right away…”
“I reject that. Now isn’t the time.”
Daike lowered his head further.
He thought Teron had lost faith in him.
Perhaps Teron had read his thoughts, as he continued speaking.
“Daike, it’s not that I don’t trust you. How could I not trust you, my sword?”
“Then why deny me this?”
A hunting dog should never question its master’s decision. That was beyond its rights.
He had overstepped his bounds.
Yet, Teron didn’t call him out for it.
There was a reason, something Daike had to be prepared for.
After a brief pause, Teron spoke.
“My father is coming.”
Daike’s body visibly stiffened.
The burning desire to defeat Zero and his doubts about Teron vanished instantly.
“D-Duke Jepherin is coming?”
“Yes. I expected a report would be sent, but I didn’t think he’d come in person.”
It wasn’t that Teron’s leadership was being questioned.
After all, the people providing the information were all hired by Duke Jepherin.
It was only natural that Teron’s midterm results would be delivered to the Duke.
“In that case, isn’t it all the more reason to take Zero down? Even if your midterm ranking is slightly lower, if I crush the top scorer with force, you could regain some favor.”
“No. We’ve already committed enough sins. If we mess up again in this situation… it will be irreversible.”
Losing twice to the same opponent would be unforgivable.
Only then did Daike begin to understand Teron’s thinking.
‘So that show of bravado earlier was just to get on Zero’s good side.’
Losing the top spot had been painful, but being mocked by those insects was even more humiliating.
How could Teron not be furious?
But Teron had been holding his rage in check, preparing for the impending storm.
“If we successfully recruit the top scorer, the Duke won’t have anything to say.”
“Indeed, managing subordinates is also part of my father’s criteria… He’ll be pleased.”
“…”
Yes, if they succeeded in recruiting Zero, nothing would happen.
But if they failed to recruit him?
“Daike.”
“Yes.”
“Stay still, no matter what happens to me.”
“But…”
“Daike!”
At Teron’s shout, Daike immediately shut his mouth.
He realized he had crossed the line.
He was not here to advise, much less act as a friend.
He was merely a loyal hound meant to carry out his master’s commands.
“To face a storm, you don’t fight it. You let it pass.”
“…”
“Swear it. No matter what happens, you won’t interfere.”
Daike remembered the oath from that day.
The fact that Teron was invoking the promise made it clear he remembered as well.
How could he possibly defy Teron?
Recalling the dream he had once held, the one he lost before becoming a hunting dog, Daike spat out his words as though chewing on glass.
“…I swear it.”
Only then did Teron’s expression soften.
“Don’t worry too much. He’s still someone I can reason with. Though I’ll have to take in that damned cat and rabbit as well… it can’t be helped.”
Despite losing the top spot, facing deserters, and even Duke Jepherin’s impending arrival, Teron’s mood didn’t seem as bad as expected.
It was rather strange.
“…Aren’t you angry?”
“You’re asking the same thing Zero did. Didn’t I tell you? Having a strong retainer isn’t a bad thing.”
And then.
“Somehow… with Zero, even losing doesn’t feel that bad.”
The square was packed with people.
Students gathered in the center, with soldiers and knights flanking them.
Beyond that, civilians had gathered.
“We will now begin the memorial service.”
The defense of Carpathia had ended in success.
But that didn’t mean there had been no casualties.
Knights, soldiers, students, rats, civilians, even newborns who had just seen the light of the world.
A considerable number of lives had been lost.
“We deeply regret the sacrifices of these heroes. His Majesty the Emperor will now bestow the medals…”
Medal ceremonies, eulogies, speeches, flower offerings, incense burning, and the sending of the remains.
The memorial service continued for quite some time.
“When is this going to end?”
“Aren’t we supposed to return to the academy today? I just want to rest already.”
The tired students began to grumble as the service dragged on.
Finally, the last part of the ceremony arrived.
“We will now observe a moment of silence for the heroes. Everyone… bow your heads in silence.”
The sound of instruments faded away, and even the bustling movements of the crowd came to a halt.
Then, for the first time, it was possible to hear it.
“Sniffle… sob…”
“How could you leave before your parents, you foolish child…”
“How am I supposed to raise this baby alone without you…”
“Damn those black mages… I’ll avenge you. I swear it.”
The pain of those who had lost family and comrades spilled out from all directions.
“Ahem…”
“Well… I guess staying silent a bit longer isn’t so bad.”
Even the kids who had been complaining about the long ceremony fell quiet.
People needed to remember that the peaceful lives they led now were only possible because of those who sacrificed themselves in the shadows.
“Salute the heroes…!”
Snap-!
With a sharp salute, the final farewell to the unknown heroes ended, long yet brief.
“What? We’re taking those wagons again?”
“We were in a hurry when we came here, fine. But we’re not rushing on the way back, are we? Shouldn’t they have arranged something better?”
“Hey! Get on quickly! This is part of your training, too!”
The students groaned as they saw the wagons, expressing their complaints with their entire bodies.
The instructors, on the other hand, began tossing the reluctant students onto the wagons themselves to speed up the return.
“Oh, it’s the Principal and Professor Caron! Hello!”
Luna waved her arms enthusiastically.
Principal Dwener and Caron, who had been making their rounds checking on the students, approached us.
“It’s good to see you as lively as ever. So, have you fully recovered?”
“As you can see, yes. I’m all healed up. A little sleep, and I’m good as new.”
Luna raised her shirt slightly, revealing her now scar-free body.
Caron, who had quietly approached, grabbed her shirt and pulled it back down.
“…Part of your skill is also knowing when to stay quiet and recover properly. Take it easy for a month or two.”
“Yes! Hehe, don’t worry too much.”
In truth, Luna’s injuries had been severe enough that it wouldn’t have been surprising if she had died.
If it hadn’t been for the elixir Caron had given her, we might have lost her in Carpathia.
‘Thank goodness Caron is a lolicon!’
As if reading my thoughts, Caron grabbed my cheek and pulled hard.
Hey, it’s not my fault you’re a lolicon!
“Take care on your way back. Make sure to wash up as soon as you arrive.”
“Keke, Principal, aren’t you coming back with us?”
“…There’s one last thing I need to wrap up. Honestly, this academy wouldn’t function without me! Hohoho!”
Dwener let out a hearty laugh.
For some reason, his smile seemed a little melancholy.
“Departing!”
Rumble-!
The wagons began to move slowly, then gradually picked up speed.
The scenery outside started to fly by.
Before long, the massive Carpathia fortress had shrunk to the size of a palm.
“Aww, so the break’s over. Back to the academy.”
“Well, it was fun while it lasted. Normally, 1st-years aren’t allowed to leave until summer break, after all.”
“Yeah. We had a good time.”
Luna lowered her head slightly, perhaps overhearing the other kids’ chatter.
“I’m sorry. Come to think of it, I ruined your chances to enjoy yourselves.”
Though we had been out searching for black mages, Luna had spent four days bedridden.
In reality, Luna herself probably regretted it the most.
After all, it had been her first trip with her friends.
But.
“It’s alright. We’ll come again.”
“Huh?”
“Whether during break, a mission, or even after we graduate. We can always return to Carpathia. Because we’re…”
Friends.
Just as I was about to say it aloud, a box nearby toppled over, and Rezé jumped out.
“B-because we’re friends! And next time, we’ll come again! So d-don’t feel bad!”
Was she happy about the word “friends,” or the thought of a next time?
Luna let out a soft chuckle.
“Hehe! Yeah, you’re right. We can just come back next time. And it’s on me!”
“Keke, you have to keep that promise.”
“I never lie about things like this.”
As Luna laughed brightly, the sight of Carpathia slowly faded into the distance.
And thus, the long defense of Carpathia had finally come to an end.
–TL Notes–
Hope you enjoyed this chapter. If you want to support me or give me feedback, you can do it at patreon.com/MattReading
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I wonder what will happen to Teron,Getting disown and expel from the Academy? Probably not….
What will his father do?
Reze popping out the box to finish Zero’s sentence is so wholesome.