NOVEL NEXT Episode 7: Stirrings
Episode 7: Stirrings
“Things seem to be bustling again.”
“Probably another one trying to sneak in.”
“They never learn, do they?”
Even now, almost half a year since Alt-kun enrolled, the harassment from Golddor continues. It’s really persistent. Mr. Walz looks fed up too.
“It’s probably because the martial arts tournament is approaching. I heard His Majesty will be attending this year, so that might be a reason.”
“Oh, really?”
“…You didn’t know?”
The martial arts tournament is an event to determine the strongest students in both the magic and knight departments, where the top four students from each year compete in a tournament. Both the knight and magic departments have quarterfinals on the first day, followed by semifinals and finals on the second day. It’s pretty much the same as the martial arts tournament at the Alteria Royal Academy in the original story.
It seems like fourth-years often win, but for the past few years, the same student has been winning. This year, Alt-kun is also considered one of the candidates for victory. From what I glimpsed in the knight department class, it seems like Alt-kun and the current three-time champion spear user girl are the top contenders. Of course, there’s always the possibility of other promising students we haven’t seen yet.
By the way, the current king is focused on education, so he’s coming to watch the tournament. That’s bound to cause a stir.
“Are you done over there?”
“Yes, all done.”
“Good, then let’s move on.”
“Yes.”
Lately, they’ve been sending nothing but small fry who don’t have much information. The only thing they have in common is that they were instructed by Golddor. Why do they keep sending only those kinds of people? And sometimes they come in broad daylight like this. I have no idea what their intention is. Are they trying to find weak spots or assess our strength? But that would be inefficient. Maybe they’re trying to divert attention to the academy?
I vaguely remember a similar story in the original. Diverting attention elsewhere and then striking at the main target! In that case, the main target was the martial arts tournament, but what about here? Since the king will be there on the day, security will be tight, so they might aim for something else. Well, I’ll leave that to the border count. I have no clue.
“Ugh, it seems Sir Nevil will be using the training ground after school.”
“Oh no…”
“Is it another one of his loner kid’s sessions?”
“Seems like it…”
That guy always ends up breaking the training ground. I remember when he smashed through the wall? Why does the wall break during his instruction? There’s a limit to being rough. That’s why he ends up doing guard duty.
Sir Nevil seems to have taken a liking to Alt-kun and finds time to instruct him. He’s the type to rely on brute force, unlike Mr. Fenfield, who relies on speed. Under Sir Nevil’s guidance, Alt-kun’s repertoire of combat techniques seems to be expanding steadily. It’s good to be eager to get stronger, but he shouldn’t emulate that roughness, okay?
—
One of my duties is to report on Alt-kun’s recent activities. The border count, who always seems busy, is relaxed at this time.
“…So, that’s how Young Master’s school life is going.”
“I see. So that’s why Wayne was so eager.”
“Is that so?”
“He was complaining when he was forced into a strength contest.”
“Oh…”
Seems like due to Sir Nevil’s influence, Alt-kun has started to prefer contests of strength recently. However, Alt-kun’s attribute is wind, so a style like Mr. Fenfield’s, which manipulates speed, suits him better. Of course, there are situations where brute force is necessary depending on the opponent, and it’s good to broaden one’s fighting style, but you shouldn’t discard your greatest weapon. That’s why corrective instruction by Mr. Fenfield is underway. Hang in there, Alt-kun.
Huh? Me? I’m a powerhouse when it comes to close combat. I reinforce my defense with [Magic Armor] and just go all out with [Body Enhancement] to punch hard. I don’t have any skills or techniques. That’s all I can do because I’m not good with weapons. Honestly, I don’t even want to engage in close combat.
My ideal is to attack relentlessly from beyond the opponent’s range. Yeah, that’s the best. Winning is what matters. Well, you can’t always fight like that, though.
“Oh, right. I found out some things about Golddor.”
“Oh?”
“There were several people with the name Golddor, but they were all different individuals. However, there seems to be a man in the Almira Principality’s Commercial Guild who resembles Golddor.”
“The Principality…?”
“Yeah, a man named Edwin Gladiol.”
Oh, that guy. He’s one of the executives of the Commercial Guild mentioned in the original work. So, it was him after all. And he was in the Principality. That probably relates to the incident where the Principality was destroyed in the original story. I don’t know what Hartelia gained from annexing the Principality to Miltia, though. …It might have been troublesome if I had gone to the Principality.
“He’s young but quite capable. It was said that he was close to becoming an executive, but his position in the guild has become precarious since he advocated for cooperation with the Theocracy, especially after that turmoil.”
“The Commercial Guild received a lot of criticism too.”
“Well, they were doing shady things in collusion with the Theocracy. However, they managed to renew their leadership quickly and minimize the damage by reshuffling the top ranks and distributing money to victims and officials of various countries while chaos prevailed.”
The Commercial Guild was extremely quick to act back then. Although they lost some of their privileges, they settled things quickly by refreshing the top leadership and paying off victims and officials of various countries.
As a result, while many people in this country were aware of the misdeeds of the Commercial Guild, the situation was pacified before the rumors reached the ears of the people in other countries, and it remained as mere gossip like, “It seems like the Commercial Guild did something bad.” Unlike in my previous life, it takes time for information to spread. Well, it’s a mutual thing.
So, although the Commercial Guild weakened somewhat, the damage was limited.
“The problem is that Gladiol has penetrated deep into the heart of the Principality.”
“And what are you going to do about that?”
“At this point, it’s just a possibility. It’s hard to imagine the Principality siding with the Theocracy. However, if the Principality and Miltia team up, it will pose a difficult situation for this country.”
“…It’s troublesome.”
“Indeed.”
It’s too risky to align with the Theocracy, which has been criticized by various countries since the incident two years ago. However, it’s uncertain what will happen if the upper echelons of the Principality decide to do so.
While the strength of Hartelia surpasses that of the Principality and the Theocracy alone, it would be quite challenging if attacked simultaneously from the east and west. The situation within the country hasn’t completely settled yet, so there’s also a need to prepare for internal troublemakers.
Honestly… I don’t want to get involved in a war or anything like that. I just want me, Mine, Seira, and the people close to me to live peacefully.
“If you need any harassment, just let me know, okay?”
“…Mine’s harassment wouldn’t be just harassment, you know?”
“No, no, it won’t be like that. …Probably.”
“That ‘probably’ is what’s scary. …It’s fine for now. But depending on the situation, I might ask for it.”
“Understood.”
I don’t intend to do anything flashy like before, you know? I just want to slightly thwart their plans to prevent a war. Probably. Most likely.