Chapter 20. The Glutton

On the second day of the banquet, which featured a ball, I was absent due to a sudden downturn in my health. According to rumors, my absence made the 4th Prince grind his teeth in frustration. The 3rd Prince was also said to be very angry. No one seemed to know the reason. Though I thought I did.

Chris met with the Entertainment Manager and informed him that he would be taking Michelle. The Entertainment Manager opposed this. This time too, he used the justification that she was a figure known by the king.

‘The person in charge failed to even grasp the fact that a member was kidnapped, can he be said to be qualified as an Entertainment Manager?’

‘How should we view the attitude of trying to cover up the kidnapping of a member without even reporting it?’

‘By what authority did the Entertainment Manager promise a member the rank of a quasi-baron?’

Chris said he would publicize these three points and put the Entertainment Manager on trial.

At that, the Entertainment Manager grabbed Chris' trousers and begged for forgiveness. Because the shield he had erected, ‘a figure known by the king,’ had instead become a sword aimed at himself.

‘Please take Michelle. But please do not tell anyone.’

And so, Michelle’s case was settled as a dismissal due to an accident. We also told them not to let anyone know that we were taking Michelle. We emphasized that they especially should not tell the 3rd Prince. Though he would find out when the time comes anyway.

“Making a leaf float is magic that even a child can do.”

“I-I’m sorry.”

After returning to our lodgings, Chris began teaching Michelle magic. And before a week had even passed, he was beating his chest and bursting with frustration.

“No, how can she not do this? Why?”

“I’m sorry!”

Even though they repeated the act of making a leaf float, something too shabby to even be called magic, every day, there was no improvement. And this was after she had even sworn an oath to Benetuo.

‘Watching this is frustrating.’

Even though I had anticipated this entire situation, my frustration didn’t change. I wanted to sort out this frustration.

“Stop it. Is it going to work just because you force something that won’t?”

“This is just ridiculous, this really can’t be happening…”

Chris had a dazed expression. His absolute trust and firm belief in magic were crumbling like dust before a heaven-sent disaster.

“What will you do? Surrender? Or are you going to hold on longer?”

The promised period was one month. But I judged that a fortnight would be enough time to face despair.

“There is still time left. If she can just make the leaf float, the rest will be nothing!”

Chris spoke of a foolish hope. I replied that I understood. And I tormented Bethel. During the three days I was gone, he seemed to have eaten a lot of delicious food with Elliot, as he had become plump and chubby. Perfect for building muscle.

“Your Highness! Save me!”

His whining was still there, but it was lighter than before.

“L-Lord Count. I-I’m sorry!”

Instead, one more tearful voice was added, making the lodging twice as noisy. So my ears are ringing a bit… but that sound will also die down after a little while, so I decided to endure it. I’ll embrace everyone with a heart wider than the sea…

“Be quiet! You’re not going to die! You bastards!”

It’s too loud to endure.

* * *

Chris stared at Michelle with a dazed expression.

“My God…”

Because even though the promised time was all used up, nothing had changed.

“See? I told you. She can’t do it.”

“This… this can’t be, how could this happen…”

“That’s why gods exist.”

The gods have covered our eyes. They created many things in the world but made it so we could not see them. They thoroughly concealed them so that we could not challenge their authority. They lent us a small amount of power and made us praise their greatness. That is why the journey of a knight is so great. Because they are beings who create their own stories to stand against the gods.

“Now! Stop despairing and let’s do what needs to be done.”

I called out to the crestfallen Chris. Chris made a face as if what was to come had come and let out a long sigh.

“Get Michelle into the military academy.”

Chris had a blank expression. He doesn’t have many expressions, but they are quite diverse.

“Why?”

“A child who was a dancer, into the military academy?”

“Yep.”

“……”

Chris' gaze became strange. I know what he wants to say. It must be ‘Are you serious?’

“I’m serious.”

“Of course, you are. But why?”

“Because she can’t be a mage.”

“Are you planning to make her a knight? It’s not that there are no female knights, but they can become knights because they have the background of a noble family.”

Chris was asking if I really intended to make Michelle do such a thing. While making me aware that a female knight of commoner origin with no title or family would be followed by no one.

A knight is an officer. They must command soldiers. The soldiers are all men. There are no women. It might be different if there were a special corps composed only of women, but that’s how it is for regular soldiers. You can’t expect civility from them. They are people who have taken up swords and spears and rushed to the battlefield to make a living, to survive.

‘They are guys who look down on women.’

For that reason, if a woman is to become a knight and command soldiers, a background is essential. Be it overwhelming martial power, or a high title and a great family. So I understand why Chris is acting this way.

“I know.”

“And you’re still going to make that friend a military cadet?”

“I’m not going to make her a knight.”

“She has a circle, but if you’re not going to make her a knight, why are you putting her in the military academy?”

“The military branches aren’t just for knights.”

“Ah… uh… that’s true, but…”

The formula that if you have a Mana Circle, you must be either a knight or a mage seems to be ingrained in his brain.

“Then are you planning to send her to counter-intelligence?”

I hadn’t thought of that, but that’s not bad either. Since she was a dancer, her agility would be good, her appearance is considerable so she could be a honeytrap, and her small frame is good for covert activities. Her hair color is flashy, so that’s a bit of a concern, but she can just cut it short. But she has a better talent, so let’s hold off on that.

“No.”

“Counter-intelligence is the best for operating with a hidden identity, if not that branch, where would you put her?”

“Archer.”

“Pardon?”

“I’m going to make her an archer. You heard me, why do you keep asking?”

This time too, Chris had a face that said he couldn't understand.

“Does that girl know how to shoot a bow?”

“I’ll have to ask.”

“What if she says she doesn’t know?”

“She’ll have to learn. That’s why I’m sending her to school.”

“…That’s true, but… no, that’s not it. How can you make a girl who can’t even shoot a bow a military cadet? Before that, let’s go back to the beginning. How do you suddenly plan to make her a military cadet?”

I let out a long sigh at Chris' questioning.

“That’s why we made the bet. With none other than the master of the border. Have you forgotten? Who the commander of the North is?”

If it were anyone else, I wouldn't have even brought this up. I brought it up because it’s Chris. Even the head of the military academy would not be able to refuse a student recommended by the Margrave. There might be some gossip, but what can you do? You shouldn’t have made the bet.

“Um… Your Highness. There are many issues. So, another…”

Seeing him use honorifics he doesn’t normally use, it seems he’s about to ask for a favor.

“No. I have no intention of changing it. Go back.”

“But one more time…”

A desperate gaze. So I shook my head.

“Ah…”

May despair be with you.

* * *

“M-me?”

Michelle, with wide eyes, asked as she looked back and forth between Chris and me. Chris nodded with a desolate face. And I replied with a very bright ‘Yep!’

“No, I’ve never done anything like that before…”

“Exactly.”

“That’s great! You can go and learn. A school is a place to learn, not a place for those who have learned to come and show off, right? Isn’t that so?”

Michelle didn’t know what to do with the two completely different answers.

“If you’re not confident even now, you can refuse.”

Chris saw a slight opening to turn the situation around and immediately stabbed at it. His dark face brightened. He seemed convinced that this was the part he had been missing.

Tsk, tsk, tsk. For the commander of the North to be so ignorant of people.

“Is that okay?”

Michelle asked, looking at me. Chris confirmed with a ‘That’s right,’ before I could even speak. He seemed convinced that he wouldn't have to proceed with the unreasonable task either.

“Yep.”

I have no intention of forcing her either. But she won’t be able to resist not doing it.

“But the food there is better than here. The desserts are top-notch, too.”

“Top-notch? Better than the dessert I had here?”

Michelle’s face, which had been rotting as she considered refusing, became brighter than ever. On the other hand, Chris' face, which had seen a thread of hope, darkened. I intend to completely sever that thread of hope.

“Of course.”

“I’ll go.”

The answer came out like an automatic reflex. Chris let out a sigh.

“Then it’s decided. Let’s start getting ready.”

I looked at Chris with a bright face. He hung his head low. Our commander of the North seems to need to study people, not other things.

“Is there about a fortnight left…”

Chris muttered with a troubled expression. Then he looked at Michelle and had a crazed look in his eyes, saying, ‘You must shoot a bow within a fortnight. You have two arms, so you should be able to shoot a bow.’ It seems he’s trying to prevent the disgrace that would surely spread if he put a girl who can’t even shoot a bow into the archer branch.

“Is shooting a bow difficult?”

Michelle, who knew nothing, had wide eyes. By the way, she should wipe the drool from her mouth. What’s in her head… no. I’m not curious.

* * *

Bethel is loading luggage onto the carriage, sweating profusely.

“I’m not the one going to the military academy, so why do I have to move the luggage…”

And he grumbled. Because he was moving most of the luggage by himself.

“This is also training.”

“What kind of training is this helpful for?”

“Mental.”

“Pardon?”

“Grit!”

“Grit?”

“If you don’t want to do it, don’t.”

“N-no! I will work hard!”

He’s quick-witted. If he had laid down saying he couldn't do it, I was planning to make him run all the way to the military academy. It was said to take about 3 days from here to Saint-Denis where the military academy is, so he would have lost a fair amount of weight.

“I have work, so I cannot go with you.”

Chris said, handing over the travel expenses. It seemed he still hadn't been able to say what he needed to say to the king.

“But that fellow is there, so he will be of help.”

“Am I going too?”

Bethel, who was moving the luggage, expressed his bewilderment on his face.

“You have to pay for the food and lodging you had here.”

I told Bethel that it was only natural.

“I already have a circle and have made an oath…”

“You also deserted.”

At the word desertion, Bethel’s mouth clamped shut. He knows very well that he can’t escape no matter what he says.

“You’re not re-enrolling, so don’t worry.”

Chris said to Bethel.

“Hoo, that’s a relief. I, from the beginning again…”

“You are to follow His Highness to Saint-Denis and then come to the North.”

“T-the North?”

“Why? Did you think you would never go?”

“That’s… not it, but…”

“If you want to run away, you can.”

At Chris' words, Bethel’s eyes widened and he looked at him. And he perfectly read the meaning of his words.

“I will run there directly without a day’s delay.”

“You’re not as stupid as I thought.”

Bethel let out an awkward laugh.

“The preparations are all done.”

Michelle, wearing a bow made just for her, walked to the carriage.

“Did you pack the hair dye?”

Chris asked.

“Yes. I am also aware that I need to dye it every 3 months.”

“Right, and don’t forget that you have to dye it after you leave the school.”

“Understood.”

Michelle answered with a lot of spirit. She had currently changed her red hair to black. It was a measure to avoid standing out to others.

“Loading complete!”

Rodrigo, who had confirmed that all the luggage had been moved, shouted. Everyone who was about to embark on the long journey stood in front of the carriage.

“Good. Then let’s depart before the sun sets.”

Let’s go to the Saint-Denis Military Academy.