Chapter 193

There was a moment of flirtation that wasn’t really flirtation, but it came to an end when Rod returned.

Rod seemed to have been informed ahead of time, as he sent everyone else outside.

There might be political matters mixed in, and if a third party gets involved, we wouldn’t be able to have a proper conversation.

“Princess, are you really okay with this?”

“I’m fine.”

“But…”

“I said I’m fine, and the Chancellor has approved it. What more do you need?”

Except for me. For some reason, Danyerin specifically left me behind.

The woman who seemed to be her guard tried to stop her, but Danyerin wouldn’t back down.

Rod, perhaps finding the situation intriguing, accepted her opinion.

‘But why did they really leave me behind?’

Sitting next to Rod, I couldn’t understand it at all.

Currently, I had nearly no way of being helpful to her, and the opposite was true as well.

Yet for some reason, Danyerin seemed interested in me.

Maybe it was the glass of wine we shared back then that lingered in her memory.

“Let’s get to the main topic. Which class do I belong to from now on?”

Danyerin asked Rod in a polite tone. Before being a princess, Rod was an elder.

Even if he weren’t a Sword Saint, he’d have been accorded respect in that manner. That’s just how culture is in the Eastern Empire.

It’s the same in the Western lands. In this dangerous era, older individuals like Rod tend to be respected.

“You’ll find out soon. Do you remember the students you saw earlier?”

“Yes. Each of them was so unique that they are vividly memorable.”

“Excluding the brown-haired student, you are all in the same class. Sivar is included in that, too.”

Up to this point, everything was flowing as it should. Being in the same class would reveal Lee Yeon-joo’s true self, even if just for a moment.

At that time, I’d just need to observe. If I could leave an unsettling impression on Lee Yeon-joo, that would be a success.

“What a strange coincidence. So, what about my guard, Yeohye?”

It seemed that among the guards, the woman with a stout frame was named Yeohye.

She would likely play quite an important role in the story related to Danyerin.

It was probable that this would come to light sooner or later. If I intervened at that moment, it would be the end.

“Guards, by rule, aren’t considered students, so they won’t participate in classes. Still, given that you applied for a combat position, it seems your strength is sufficient.”

“In order to survive in harsh environments, one has no choice but to build strength.”

Danyerin said with a somewhat self-deprecating smile. It was clear she wasn’t doing it out of desire but was compelled to develop her strength.

Having assassins ambushing you every night was just a part of life, and the constant threats of assassination weighed heavily on her.

Worn out from that kind of life, she had fled to the academy, perhaps to sort out her thoughts.

“There won’t be such things here. Even the Hwan Empire would find it difficult to pull something like that.”

“I hope you can live in peace.”

But that didn’t mean she had given up—Danyerin had very high political ambitions.

I could assist her from the sidelines, but if I wasn’t careful, it could put me at odds with Lee Yeon-joo.

It’s a tightrope walk. Balancing both sides while trying to benefit as much as possible.

“Ah, speaking of which, do you have the materials I requested earlier?”

“Here it is.”

Rod handed a piece of paper to Danyerin. I leaned in a bit, wanting to sneak a peek.

In response, Rod grabbed my head and pushed me back. There was a clear warning in that action, so I complied without protest.

“Um… it appears that most are from the homeland. Just one exception.”

“I believe we need to be cautious of that one.”

That was probably referring to Lee Yeon-joo. The Hwan Empire is well aware they have many enemies.

This was a situation where they were repressing those enemies with their extraordinary power, and if things got a bit shaky, it would turn into utter chaos.

“Do you know what kind of person Lee Yeon-joo is?”

“Not at all. It would be better to ask another professor than me.”

“Hmm. Understood. Or I could just meet her directly. Yeohye?”

“Yes, Princess.”

Danyerin handed the paper to Yeohye and, in a nonchalant tone, instructed her.

“Please gather information about Lee Yeon-joo. Particularly since she is from Johan.”

“I will obey the order.”

As expected. Danyerin was keenly watchful of Johan.

It’s one of the countries desperately trying to escape the Hwan Empire and has even organized independence fighters.

From Danyerin’s standpoint, being cautious was only natural. She herself had little interest in other nations, that is, the Federation.

‘She likely thinks it’s more advantageous to cut them off.’

If the story proceeds smoothly, Danyerin would ascend to the throne.

The evaluations here could vary. Danyerin might recognize the independence of another country.

People would praise her as making a commendable choice. However, from the Hwan Empire’s perspective, it would be enraging.

‘That’s just how human society is.’

These detailed aspects will be observed after the civil war is resolved. There will likely be noticeable differences in reactions between the Hwan Empire and the other federation nations.

But that’s not something I need to worry about now. My role was to walk the tightrope between Danyerin and Lee Yeon-joo.

“I came to rest, but I’m not able to do so peacefully. I need to arrange a place soon.”

“I will take immediate action should any problems arise.”

“No. If things get noisy, I might also be kicked out of the academy, and then I’m finished.”

The reason I can remain unharmed in the academy despite causing all sorts of mess is simple: I have never directly harmed anyone.

But if there were casualties, the narrative would change. Didn’t I almost get dragged to court after the Delphoi incident?

If an incident occurred between Danyerin and Lee Yeon-joo, one of them would ultimately vanish from the academy.

If that happens, the relationship would become irreparable. To put it drastically, one of them could die.

‘Yikes. Saying it like that makes it sound serious.’

Even in the Soul World, the risk was fairly high. A small slip could lead to disaster.

While I pondered my future plans, Danyerin and Rod discussed their day-to-day lives.

How to get to the dormitory and that access to the Chaos Forest was restricted, among other things.

They shared only what had happened at the academy, including my involvement.

“Sometimes I wish Sivar’s antics would get overlooked. He causes trouble, but he means no harm.”

“I won’t cause trouble anymore.”

“So, you just wrecked all those trees last time?”

“….”

I had no argument for that one. The hero statue beheading incident likely went unmentioned because it had a certain justification.

“I hear it’s rather intriguing. Can you tell me what kind of mess he caused?”

“Princess.”

“Don’t you want to know? I heard he’s caused quite a bit of trouble. At the new student banquet, he allegedly smashed the Matra Empire’s prince’s head with a wine bottle.”

That’s not just a rumor; it’s the truth. Even the crown prince, Karas, played a part in that.

However, considering that rumors like that tend to circulate only among high-ranking individuals like Danyerin, Rod looked genuinely surprised.

“Such a rumor existed? This is my first hearing of it.”

“It’s quite an entertaining rumor. It caused quite a stir in the Matra Empire.”

“Hmm…”

Rod stroked his mustache, deep in thought, before turning to me with a scrutinizing gaze.

Instead of reprimanding me as usual, he looked as if he were verifying something.

Given that it was an undeniable fact and that I was the one harassing Eli, I didn’t give it much thought.

“Sivar.”

“Yes.”

“Did you really do that?”

“No.”

Yet I had no choice but to lie. I did not want to be scolded by Rod.

Rod nodded at my clear response and simply replied.

“Alright. Let’s keep it that way.”

“Yes.”

“Isn’t that a bit too easily taken at face value?”

Danyerin spoke up, somewhat incredulous. I mean, it was rather easy to believe.

Rod seemed aware of this and shrugged it off with a casual response.

“How would I know if it’s not him? And even if Sivar causes much trouble, he doesn’t harm others. Even if he does, there’s always a clear reason.”

“Is that so? Hmm…”

Danyerin gazed at me intently due to Rod’s statement. She looked somewhat fascinated.

However, there was one individual, the guard Yeohye, who appeared unimpressed with me. Yeohye frowned slightly and advised Danyerin.

“Princess, it would be wise to avoid entangling with that one as much as possible.”

“And why is that?”

“As you know, Princess, he probably hasn’t matured yet. That’s why there are so many bad rumors about him.”

Listening closely, it wasn’t in the common tongue, but rather in the Language of the Eastern Empire. And I understood every word.

Danyerin was likely well aware that I could comprehend the language. She was definitely doing that on purpose.

“He could pose a threat to you without caution. It would be prudent to be careful.”

“Thank you for your sage advice. But do you know this?”

“Yes?”

“Everything you just said, Sivar knows it all.”

At that, Yeohye displayed a look of sheer shock and turned to me, as if to confirm if it was true.

I had no intention to deny it, so I nodded. There was nothing to be said when all of it was fact.

“I’m not harmful.”

“Huh, huh?”

“I’m not asking.”

Instead, I felt a need to appeal somewhat. At the very least, I don’t hurt people without a reason.

Perhaps my appeal struck a chord with her. Danyerin covered her mouth and elegantly laughed.

“How amusing. In a way, your speech skills might be better than Yeohye’s.”

“Y-Your Highness?”

“You have to admit yourself that you’re not entertaining, right?”

“….I apologize for being lacking in words.”

Yeohye blushed and apologized. However, it seemed Danyerin was not satisfied with that apology.

“You should apologize to him instead. After all, you openly gossiped about him right in front.”

“Th-…”

Upon Danyerin’s admonition, Yeohye began to look around nervously. It seemed she didn’t want to apologize to me at all.

Her pride must be getting in the way, but judging from her reaction, I could gather what my evaluation was.

She probably thinks of me as an immature beast. It might feel to her as if a human were apologizing to a monkey.

‘People from the Hwan Empire are generally quite prideful.’

As a defeated nation from the Eastern Empire, their pride is intense. They likely resist bowing their heads under any circumstances.

But really, what can a mere guard do? As Yeohye hesitated, Danyerin called out firmly.

“Yeohye, not only I but the Sword Saint is also watching.”

“….I’m sorry. I will be more careful in the future.”

“That’s okay.”

This wasn’t the first time such a thing happened; I had grown accustomed to it. An apology was better than nothing.

After all, she would be someone I wouldn’t have to care about soon. To me, it would have been better if she didn’t apologize.

“Anyway, is there anything else you’d like to ask?”

“I have one. I heard there are more transfer students besides me.”

“….Huh?”

Wait a minute. There’s more than just Danyerin as a transfer student?

This was news to me, and I was left dumbfounded, unable to process it.

Normally, the norm is for only Danyerin to transfer; that’s unchanging history regardless of the route chosen.

Knock, knock—

Just as I was bewilderingly tangled in thoughts, someone knocked on the door at the perfect time.

As everyone’s attention turned to that direction, Rod was the first to rise from his seat.

Since Danyerin and Yeohye were guests, it would seem odd for them to go to greet whoever it was.

Creak—

“Um? Oh! You definitely look like the Sword Saint! It’s an honor to meet!”

A bright voice resounded from behind the door.

And that just made me feel more uneasy. That’s a voice that should not be heard in the academy.

Even if it were, it ought to be heard surrounding the ‘Imperial Palace’ or ‘Social Hall.’ It should only be heard in specific venues.

“A guest was… uh?”

The voice following Rod’s entrance displayed a sense of surprise as soon as he saw me.

I had come face-to-face with a man. His gray hair and distinctly glimmering eyes made a striking impression.

“What are you doing here?”

“That’s what I should be asking.”

The Crown Prince of the Matra Empire, Karas, had entered as a transfer student. What the hell is he doing here?

As I was dazed, caught off guard by this complete alteration of history, a notification appeared in my vision.

[Faith is increasing!]

Chaos spoke up, suggesting that a whiff of delightful chaos was about to unfold.

From my viewpoint, it was nothing but a headache.

“Anyway, glad to see you! You don’t happen to have a wine bottle around, do you?”

“….”

This dude is definitely nuts.

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