Youngest person wishing to retire (3)
“I’ll be blunt. “The reason we have gathered you all here is to protect Sylvania as much as possible from power conflicts that will arise throughout the empire in the future.”
Tanya, who sat at the head table with the assistance of student council secretaries, got to the point.
To begin with, I’m not the type to talk in circles. Tanya, who currently serves as president of Sylvania Academy, was famous for her streamlined work and flawless expression of opinions.
Even at this event, where famous nobles are gathered together, time is not wasted with unnecessary greetings or current affairs.
Let’s just say what we have to say and then part ways. That attitude was clearly revealed, and Tanya’s unpretentious temperament seemed to be revealed without hesitation.
Tanya herself probably just wanted to finish quickly and get back to work.
“In particular, regarding the imperial power dispute centered around the imperial family… I admit that your opinions are bound to be divided. “If each family has different supporters, you have no choice but to agree with their wishes.”
Opinions may differ. The problem is that they do not have a choice in their opinion.
Tanya paused for a moment and looked at the students sitting in a circle in the small conference room. Although they all look dependable and strong, they are still successors who are just studying in the land of learning.
It is not for them to decide which princess they support, but for the heads of the families to which they belong.
Depending on the support given by adults, students under them also have different courses of action.
The Ross-Taylor family, the Bloomriver family, and the Calamore family were attached to Princess Fenia.
The Islan family, the Rokin mercenaries, the Ginnipale family, the Ragus family, and the Anniston family all sided with Princess Persica, while the Elphelan family, the Whitefeltz family, and the Nortondale family sided with Princess Selaha.
Tanya tried her best, and some people even thought she had appeased her, but she could not completely stop it. In the end, the core noble family split into three branches. In fact, it was a natural conclusion.
In the upcoming power struggle, these are forces betting on completely different sides.
Of course, we have no choice but to become sensitive. In particular, during the integrated sparring held during the Crestol Grand Festival, the results of sparring between students may directly affect the family’s power.
The integrated sparring event, where the successor’s capabilities can be openly shown in front of everyone, is an opportunity for nobles to show off their brilliant succession structure.
“I won’t tell you to force us to get along. However, I do not want a situation where Sylvania students are divided into various groups due to the aftermath of a power dispute.”
Tanya spoke calmly among everyone who was silent.
“We are students. “You just have to do your duty as a student.”
The intensifying power conflict cannot be completely resolved. Still, efforts are made to minimize it.
That was Tanya’s policy.
“I agree. “No matter who becomes emperor, Sylvania must continue its legacy as a land of learning.”
The first to raise his voice in agreement was Ziggs Eiffelstein, a second year student at the Ministry of Magic.
He was a member of the student council and was practically a representative of the Islan family. Naturally, he was favorable to Tanya’s opinion, so he raised his voice first to create an overall consensus among women.
“I think it would be good to take this opportunity to firmly caution students to ensure that no students bring the conflict over the imperial power to Sylvania.”
“me too… I agree… ”
Following Ziggs, there was a student who expressed his agreement in a crawling voice.
It wasn’t that cold, but there was a girl sitting there looking very haggard with a thick shawl over her shoulders. It was Elka Islan.
He was a librarian who belonged to the Islan family located in the northern region and attended Sylvania with Ziggs.
I have a much worse impression than when I met Ed before. The students already knew that asthma, a chronic illness, was getting worse.
“Elka. “It’s okay if you don’t talk too much.”
“no… Anyway, the Islan family declared that they would follow Princess Persica’s policy… “I will also respect the movements of other families.”
Elka smiled and gave strength to Tanya’s opinion.
Dorothy Whitefeltz, a senior in the 4th year pension department who was listening intently in a corner, also expressed her agreement.
“that’s right. Even among students, we need to come together. Although I don’t know how the imperial power dispute will end, no matter how it ends, we must work toward harmony among ourselves… ”
“But we might have to look at reality first. sister.”
The person who interrupted Dorothy Whitefeltz mid-sentence was Josef Whitefeltz, a member of the first-year Magic Department. He was her younger brother, the youngest researcher at the Torg Magical Society, and a gifted child who was said to be able to use intermediate magic even before he was an adult.
With his bangs neatly pulled back and his remaining hair tied in a ponytail, he looked quite like a scholar.
“what… ? Josef… You’re going against my words again… ?”
“I am not blindly opposing it. We are graduating from Sylvania in a few years. On the other hand, each member of the family must live their entire life.”
Josef’s opinion was valid. That confidence was evident in the way he spoke confidently in front of everyone.
“Family policy or Sylvania’s unity? “If I had to choose between the two, I couldn’t help but lean toward the family.”
“… ”
“The Whitefeltz family doesn’t push their policies on us that much, but there’s no way other families would either. Then, asking those students to ignore the family’s policy and cooperate only for the sake of Sylvania’s harmony… In fact, it may be asking too much.”
There is no logical flaw in Josef’s coherent words.
Josef’s words directly point out reality in a place where unity is being talked about broadly. It was a fairly insincere statement, but no one felt uncomfortable.
Because that is reality.
“Obviously, I’m not sure if the Elphelan family will respect my opinion.”
Dyke Elphelan, the head of the fourth-year combat club with a huge body and wearing gauntlets, spoke in a voice as majestic as that of a bear.
“I want to completely respect Chairman Tanya’s opinion, but if the matriarch decides to order me to distance myself from other supporting families… “Honestly, I don’t know how much I can refuse.”
“That goes for me too.”
The person who expressed agreement was Tracyana Bloomriver, also a fourth-year student.
In the first place, she was already making every effort to completely blend into the power of Princess Fenia, following the policy of the head of the family, Senir Bloomriver. In this position, she is a more sincere girl than anyone else. This is because she is also thinking about her life after graduation.
Therefore, he maintains contact with Ed Ross Taylor in order to be as close to the Ross Taylor family as possible, and is also quite friendly towards the student council. That course of action also all followed the family’s policy.
“Our seniors are graduating soon. “I only have a few more months to live as a student, so it’s unreasonable to ask you to ignore family policy.”
Tracyana said, stroking the ends of her long hair.
“We will try our best to achieve harmony, but if the situation is not conducive… “We are in a position where we have no choice but to move in our own way.”
“I’m not sure because I’m not a puppet of the family. “Senior Tracyana.”
The person who directly confronted those words was Aig Rokin, a first-year member of the Magic Department who had been sitting in a crooked posture from earlier.
Short-cut hair and sharp look. He is famous among first-year students as Josef Whitefeltz’s rival. He didn’t look discouraged at all even in front of Tracy Anna, a senior in his fourth year.
“… what?”
“We, the Rokin mercenaries, actually teach you to stay away from people without conviction who are swayed by groups and make bad decisions. “In the end, the world is about making your own decisions, so I wonder if it is right to leave it up to your family to decide who to follow and what to do.”
Tracyana narrowed her eyes at her cheeky attitude. Nevertheless, Eig continued his story regardless.
“Our Rokin mercenaries officially supported Princess Persica, but I do not agree with that opinion.”
“Aeg, you might be able to do that, but… “Isn’t it too harsh to demand conviction from people in different environments?”
“Well, Josef. Should I consider other people’s circumstances? I just have to stick to my convictions. “If you live only at the mercy of other people’s circumstances, you won’t be able to take care of your share.”
Eig smiled and passed the baton to the other side.
“Am I wrong, Clara?”
“what? me?”
“Aren’t you more skeptical of the Danielheim family’s intentions than anyone else? “I think that belief is truly amazing.”
A girl was listening to the story blankly in the corner of the small conference room.
Short cut hair and cute freckles that look sharp. Clara Danielheim, the eldest daughter of Viscount Danielheim and a close friend of Jenica Palover, answered in confusion.
Clara is the one who hates the place where these political conversations take place. He was just trimming the tips of his nails, waiting for the right moment to finish.
“I really hate the old guys in my family, but… I also hate arrogant kids like you. “Don’t act friendly.”
“Ugh… ”
Aig frowned as if he was in pain, but his playful attitude remained.
“Well, there are many great nobles here. This is probably not the place for a former mercenary soldier like me to express his opinion. “I’m sorry~.”
“If you’re going to keep being cocky like that, just get out. “Aig.”
Surprisingly, it was Wade Calamore, the head of the first-year combat club, who fell for such an aeg.
The gray hair was still there. The eyes were also quite calm compared to before.
“You are not the only one who knows how to stick to your convictions. and… ”
Wade tried to continue speaking, but turned his gaze to one side.
At that place… Delus Ainsheaven, a first-year member of the pension department, is sitting quietly.
Baron Ainsheaven is quite famous among the alchemy families in the southern part of the empire. He could have said something, but the boy named Delus, with his long hair hanging down, just sat quietly and smiled.
“Don’t ignore that even among those who are silent, there are those who have thoughts.”
Wade stopped talking and looked at the students again.
Everyone is silent.
There was tension among the students for a moment.
“Uh, anyway! I also completely agree with the opinion that we should not fight needlessly… ! “Wow, what can we do by fighting among ourselves?”
Clevious was just a scary person who didn’t like conflict with others. I just wanted to think that useless things don’t happen and that good things are good things, but… Elvira, who was sitting next to him, seemed to disagree again.
Elvira, who was sorting through reagent bottles, narrowed her eyes and spoke openly.
“I tend to stick to my beliefs. I feel sorry for Chairman Tanya, but if you ask me whether the bachelor’s degree or the Anniston family is more important… “I raise the hand of the Annistons.”
“Well, what… !”
“Is this such a surprise to you, Clevius?”
“The Anniston family supported a different faction than the Nortondale family!”
“The harmony between the academics and the harmony between you and me are completely different issues. “Stupid Clevius.”
Elvira, who narrowed her eyes and was pulling Clevius’s cheeks, sighed deeply.
“I will not sit idly by if there is a force threatening the Anniston family.”
At Elvira Anniston’s declaration, silence fell again in the audience.
Some agree with that opinion, while others still seem to want to avoid unnecessary friction.
There is validity to both opinions. In fact, it was the most painful situation for the group leader.
“Now do it in moderation. Phew… ”
Tanya, who was sitting at the head of the table, seemed to have a headache, so she covered her forehead and sighed. Then the students all stopped expressing their opinions and quietly listened to her.
Tanya looked at that scene with a wistful expression on her face.
Clearly, the person who is playing a central role in this situation is Tanya Rosstaylor, who is sitting in the student body president’s seat.
If she doesn’t hold her center tightly, it wouldn’t be surprising if they split into three groups at any time and a big fight breaks out.
There is no way in The Bachelor at this point that can replace Tanya’s role.
The student council president must be there.
Tanya wanted to cry.
*I tried firing an arrow using a crudely made bow made of birch wood.
It crossed the camp with a squealing sound and hit the zelkova tree next to it with a thud. The neatly placed arrow shaft was trembling from the aftereffects of the vibrations.
“… ”
It has a good taste, but the power is not satisfactory.
Above all, there is a desire to use the power of magical engineering supplies to provide additional effects or to embed spirit food altogether. There would be no way to achieve this level of quality.
It seemed like satisfactory performance would only come from adding some groundbreaking production elements, but it was still difficult to figure out where to go.
“Ed! Look at this! Voila!”
“… ?”
After putting away the arrows and returning to the campfire, Yenika was showing off Ed’s school uniform shirt.
“Look, all the old grime is gone!”
“What, were you doing laundry?”
“huh! Before I came back from last vacation, my parents gave me soap made by mixing lye and oil! Look, I just changed the soap, but the results are different. “Isn’t it amazing?!”
It definitely feels like new clothes. I clapped my hands and let out exclamations of how amazing and amazing it was.
Jenica must have been very proud, humming, raising her nose and showing off her shirt.
So, I was sitting next to the campfire, stroking my chin and pulling the string of the bow again, while Yenika was folding the finished laundry. The sight of two people sitting near a campfire as the sun sets, each doing their own thing, seems to have become completely familiar to them by now.
“If you think about it, there are only two months left until the Crestol Grand Festival. I’m looking forward to it because it’s said to be the biggest festival in the empire that only comes around once every four years… !”
“We also have to prepare for the integrated sparring that will be held then, and it looks like things will get busier.”
“huh. I’m so excited though! Toren Village in Pulan was so remote that not much happened even during this great festival. At best, all we can do is share some food with the villagers… I do that kind of thing on a regular basis, but… ”
Yenika laughed while stamping her feet. This is her first festival since coming to Sylvania. I was really excited because I felt like I was truly escaping from the harsh life in the mountains.
“The atmosphere at academic departments is not good these days. “I heard that the atmosphere at the student meeting Ed went to today was tense?”
“huh. “The atmosphere among noble family heirs these days is not very good.”
“so… I hope that the atmosphere will lighten up a bit starting from this festival period. lol.”
Jenica smiled brightly and neatly piled up the neatly organized laundry.
I was repeatedly cutting off the end of the bow with a dagger, then grabbing the handle and pulling.
“Me too. “The dispute must end quickly for the academic atmosphere to return to the way it was before.”
There was a boy sitting next to me as if it were flowing, so both I and Yenika were looking at him as if they were dumbfounded.
Ziggs was holding a bundle of documents and picking up a grilled pork skewer that was cooking near the campfire, his mouth humming.
“… ”
“Oh, it’s seasoned well. Senior Yenika, her cooking skills are improving day by day. “Isn’t this a quality that can be sold for money?”
“huh? okay? Ed has been saying that too these days, hehe… ”
Meanwhile, the way she smiles as if the compliment makes her feel good can be said to be truly Yenika-like.
“… “No, since when have you been here, Ziggs?”
“It was a bit of a hassle to disturb the two of you having a private conversation, so I just thought it would be okay to sit by the fire.”
“that… okay… ? Still, if you want to come, just say you came… ”
Ziggs put a grilled skewer in his mouth, adjusted the pile of documents, and glanced around the camp.
“just… I was going around the Bachelor a bit. “It’s about student council work.”
“What does moving around the school have to do with student council work?”
“what… I would appreciate it if you thought of it as a patrol. Anyway, there is nothing wrong with this side. “I’ll just go.”
Ziggs got up from his seat and continued talking without stopping.
“Oh right. Senior Ed. This is the integrated sparring during the Crestol Grand Festival that will be held next month. There will also be sparring between seniors from each grade. Senior Ed is currently the valedictorian of the 3rd grade class, so I think I will be able to spar with the 4th grade valedictorian.”
“… “Is that so?”
“Yes, I think I will be standing in the sparring hall with senior Dyke, the head of the 4th year combat club, when everyone from the imperial family has visited.”
Dyke Elphelan.
It was the bear-like man who stormed in at the end and tried to protect Ed during the semester exam with Professor Kalaid.
A speed so fast that it is unbecoming of its massive size. Heavy destructive power in each punch.
He was a warrior with a strong and exciting style, so much so that he was said to be the king of the Elphelan family.
“This is not an easy opponent. One way or another, he is the person who took the top spot in his grade. “Among them, it is the highest grade.”
“I also roughly know the senior’s history.”
“yes. Besides, the Elphelan family officially supported Princess Selaha… “Princess Selaha will not allow Senior Dyke to be defeated in the sparring scene right under her nose.”
Ziggs took a quick bite of the last piece of grilled skewer and said.
“Senior Dyke will probably do his best with all his heart. This is a person who can shatter even a stone wall if he decides to throw his fist. Maybe if we only allow one… “It is the fulfillment of duty.”
“okay. “Thank you for the advice.”
“no. “Okay then.”
Ziggs nodded, saying that he had enjoyed the grilled skewers, and then slipped into the bushes again.
As Ziggs advanced through the bushes, he kept looking back at the camp as if he felt uneasy… Eventually, she went on her way as if everything was okay.
“… So, in the end, why did Ziggs come?”
“Well… Since student council work is so extensive, there must have been some circumstances. by the way… “Give me your laundry, I’ll get it for you.”
“huh? are you okay. Ed continues his work. “I have to sort out my things anyway.”
“No, it’s a bit unfortunate to even ask you to clean up after yourself.”
I quickly snatched up the laundry that was on Jenica’s lap and walked towards the cabin.
The hut, whose construction has just been completed, looks magnificent on the outside, but the interior is still weak.
The basic furniture arrangement has been completed, but it is just a basic furniture arrangement.
Even though we had to move the furniture from the small cabin we used before to this cabin, which has roughly three times the space, we could not use up all the space given to us.
It seemed like more time would be needed to add more convenient furniture to the first floor and convert the second floor into a workshop. It would be nice to be able to further develop the missing woodworking skills in the process.
It still looks empty, but it feels good to know that the space has expanded.
I picked up the laundry and headed toward the shabby wooden closet stuck in the corner. Just organizing your clothes can be done in no time.
I wanted to finish it quickly and finish making the practice bow, so I opened the door wide.
As if it was natural, Tanya was sitting there, her school uniform robe hanging down, hugging her knees.
“… ”
“… ”
“… Hello, brother.”
I don’t think I’m doing very well.
I was so speechless that I couldn’t even answer that question.
“that… ”
“… ”
“Surprisingly, it’s comfortable inside the closet. Should I say that it calmly settles down? I hid in the closet last time too… I think I might become addicted to it. It might not be a bad idea to go in and sit down once in a while… .”
“… ”
“The feeling of breathing in this silence, as if left alone in the world, was unexpected… . It’s not that bad… ”
“… ”
“Anything… . Please tell me, brother… I was the one caught hiding, so why do I have to appeal… ”
Just because it’s me… I don’t know what to say.
It was a truly difficult day.
