How to Live as a Martial Arts Writer in a Fantasy World

28 – 28. What I Want To Show (3)

28.

“Did you make it yourself again today?”

“…There’s a separate kitchen in the servants’ quarters.”

“You don’t always have to make and bring food. There are school meals.”

“I thought you should at least have one homemade meal a day.”

At Meia’s words, Allen smacked his lips.

“How can I leave any when you always put so much effort into making it?”

“…You can leave some. I’ll take care of it.”

“Never mind. Besides, it’s delicious.”

Meia is not just good at swordsmanship.

It’s one of the reasons why Allen thinks Meia is superhuman.

She never loses her cool, regardless of the situation, she’s excellent at swordsmanship, and there’s nothing she can’t do. If asked whether all the Muller family’s servants are like this, he would firmly say no.

Allen put down his knife and spoke.

“I’m worried whether you have enough to cover the cost of the ingredients. I have some allowance left, would you like some?”

“It’s fine. I’ve been receiving donations from my colleagues in the servants’ quarters.”

“Donations?”

“I made a test dish because I thought of practicing cooking a little, and that’s how it happened.”

“…Sounds like something you’d do, Meia.”

At Allen’s comment, Meia faintly smiled.

“I’m just glad that everything’s going fine. You haven’t run into any trouble with thugs or anything, have you?”

“I am a servant of the Muller family.”

On Meia’s maid uniform, there’s a silver emblem.

The emblem, a silver sword pointing towards the sky and wings extending on both sides, represents the Duke Muller’s house.

Even if they are nobles, they’re not stupid enough to mess with a servant of the Muller family.

Having the emblem means that you belong to the Muller family.

That is how the Muller family has protected their servants from the violence of other noble families.

Allen also nodded when he saw the emblem.

“If you ever run into someone causing trouble, let me know. I’ll take care of it.”

“Are you not a young master?”

“I’m just not capable of that.”

Alan’s denial brought a tinge of regret across Meia’s face.

When was it?

It must have been the day Alan first faced his brother Albert with a sword.

That day, Alan had lost miserably, his practice wooden sword reduced to tens of small pieces, not just half. It was partly Albert’s nature not to go easy even on his younger brother in a sparring match, but since that day Alan conspicuously lost interest in swordsmanship.

Albert felt bad about it.

“Young master….”

“I can protect myself, but I’m not as strong as my brother. Speaking of which, sister is late. My brother said she would be back soon.”

“I’m not sure of the details. Should I look into it?”

“That would be nice. Not that I believe anything could have happened to sister.”

Alan’s words conveyed deep trust.

“I’ll try to get the information as soon as possible.”

“Thank you. I had a good meal.”

“I’ll clear away the dishes.”

“Please.”

Even after the meal, Alan’s report compilation continued.

“It’s really unique here. No spirit mages? Dominated by orcs and trolls? A technique as powerful as the magic of elves…. everything is really bizarre.”

Thinking that coming to the academy was a good decision, Alan recorded another fact he had learned in his report.

“Do I need to copy this again? It’s really bothersome to record again. It would be nice if there was something like a typewriter.”

As Alan had no knowledge beyond writing, he vaguely thought that if he came up with a good idea, it could possibly be created in a place like a dwarf kingdom.

“But that wouldn’t happen right now. Shuren needs an opportunity to encounter such a thing. Something like a typewriter.”

Alan brooded, furrowing his brows.

“First, I’ve decided on the character that will appear in front of Shuren.”

Alan, pushing aside the paper on which he was writing the report, pulled a manuscript in front of him.

“Let’s see how he reacts this time.”

Mischief played at the corners of Alan’s mouth.

***

The History of the Continent course is one of the compulsory subjects in the humanities.

The number of students is really large, but half of those students are always known to be sleeping, thanks to the soothing tones of Prof. Flint, which is almost lullaby-like.

Professor Flint’s lullaby was as effective as ever today, with a greater than usual number of students seemingly dead with their heads down on the desks.

The only survivors were a select few like Allen, Felicia, and Lynn.

‘… the more I hear Professor Flint’s voice, the more astonishing it is. It’s like a magical voice.’

Allen sarcastically thought to himself while jotting down today’s lecture material.

“Species such as orcs, trolls, and goblins, commonly referred to as the Ain clan, possess the same intellect as humans and have developed their own civilizations. The tribal union occupying the eastern wilderness, the Oathrian, is evidence to this fact.”

As Professor Flint scribbled the word ‘Oathrian’ on the blackboard and underlined it, he continued.

“Oathrian signifies a kind of ‘blood oath’. There aren’t many scholars conducting a detailed study of the language commonly referred to as Oathrian, so the details we know are still relatively scarce. However, the eastern wilderness is not only inhabited by the Ain tribe. There are exiles from the Empire who committed crimes and were banished living here as well.”

“Are there cases where someone gets banished instead of receiving punishment for their crimes, Professor?”

“Oh, good question, Allen.”

Professor Flint smiled brightly, perhaps impressed with this rare question.

“The Empire’s law is generous in that it meticulously distinguishes the instigator from the accomplice. While instigators receive harsh punishments, conspirators usually face much lighter sentences. Those who are banished are usually accomplices of first-degree crimes.”

“First-degree crimes then…”

“Are typically plans for rebellion or overthrowing the state. That is the only first-degree crime.”

“Thank you for your answer, Professor.”

“It would be nice if there were more students like Allen… Now, back to our story—.”

Allen diligently noted the newly learned information in his always-at-hand notebook while listening to Professor Flint’s lecture.

‘My knowledge has increased again. This is fun.’

Adding more content for his novels was good as well as acquiring new knowledge.

As Allen continued taking notes, he attentively listened to Professor Flint’s words.

“Oh, and don’t forget to submit your reports today. Those who failed to bring their reports will get an F for their assignment grade. It should go without saying.”

There was a rush of students abruptly standing up.

Upon hearing the word ‘F’, Allen clicked his tongue as his peers scrambled about.

Professor Flint continued his lecture.

“The center of the Oathrian Coalition is commonly known to be the Orc Tribe. The leader of the Oathrian Coalition, often referred to as the Overlord in the Empire, is supposedly chosen among the representatives of the various tribes included in it. However, there is a peculiar fact that the Orc tribe has managed to keep this position hereditary.”

“It seems like there would be resentment from the other tribes, Professor.”

“Hmm, True. In fact, the Oathrian Coalition once had a civil war against tribes who revolted against the hereditary succession of the Orc tribe. This occurred around 30 years ago in Imperial years.”

This was an event that took place even before Allen was born.

Smiling, Professor Flint continued his lecture.

“Apparently, one rule rose from the results of that civil war which remains a most important part of the Oathrian Coalition today – ‘the strongest one becomes the Overlord’. This is merely hearsay, so we cannot confirm if it’s truth.”

“All information points to it being real. There are related records in the Imperial Palace archives.”

“Oh, I see. Thank you for the confirmation, Princess.”

Felicia slightly bowed her head in response, indicating that it was nothing much.

“Anyway, it is said that to become the Grand Duke, the contenders must stake their qualifications and engage in a one-on-one ritualistic duel.”

‘Is that so?’

Alan chuckled slightly as he jotted down the term ‘ritualistic duel’ in his notebook.

Professor Flint said, “I personally hope that all this knowledge will help the students, particularly in the writing of Alan’s novels.”

“Huh?” Alan widened his eyes in surprise.

Professor Flint was seen smiling.

“I am enjoying the reading. I am eagerly waiting for the next volume. I hope you will release it soon. Ahem. I’m not supposed to say such self-indulgent things.”

“Aha hahahaha…” Awkwardly laughing, Alan screamed internally,

‘There’s no point if you discuss it so publicly, Professor…!!’

***

“Oho, finally the third volume!”

Karl O’Donnell received the third volume manuscript that had flown in from Alan as if he was taking in a treasure.

As Karl was slowly reviewing the manuscript, his expression hardened slightly.

“…I couldn’t have anticipated this development.”

“What content is so surprising to you?”

“You better see for yourself. Excuse me for a moment.”

Karl opened the section he had just been looking at and handed it directly to his secretary.

Upon reading the portion Karl pointed out, the secretary readjusted her slightly skewed glasses.

“… We definitely need to include a warning note for this.”

“Are you planning to bring about a significant change? This idea is too dangerous, even for a work of fiction.”

“I agree.”

Karl rumpled his hair slightly and sighed.

The shocking developments in the ‘Chronicles of Shuren’, which was virtually keeping the O’Donnell publishing company afloat, meant he couldn’t just stop its publication.

A shocking development, yet interesting.

The clash between the avenger and the former avenger, followed by the startling entrance of new characters.

“This is bound to be a hit.”

“But the risks are immense. The veterans of the empire’s literary world, who have so far contented themselves with simple criticism, may take action.”

“We can’t really do anything about the House of Mueller. Despite everything.”

Even though the group known as the cartel of the empire’s literary world possesses the characteristics of a coalition of provincial nobles gathered to resist the central nobility, it is still difficult to challenge the Mueller House, one of the three peak central nobilities.

This is partly due to Gert Edwin von Mueller, the Sword King, who is said to represent the peak of the empire’s military.

Moreover, he overturned the academy recently, which makes it even more challenging.

Carl put down his manuscript.

“At least, we need to include a warning that it might provoke massive rebellion.”

“I’ll make special arrangements with the binder.”

“Alright. Please do.”

Even though he had put it down, his gaze returned to the manuscript.

Carl picked the manuscript again, almost as if he were addicted.

“An orc, an orc warrior. A friendship between an orc master and a human who knows how to handle aura, could it really be possible?”