Chapter 2 – Catching the Bread Thief (2)

Government affairs at Penheim Royal Castle were conducted in the late afternoon.
The leisurely meeting held after tea time was proof that the kingdom was not currently in a state of war.
The monks walking through the corridor were busily loading numerous luggage onto their wagons.
Reports on various pending issues poured out from the Minister of State, who was watching their movements for a moment through the window.

— Wheat production in the Southern Autumn Region this year has increased significantly compared to last year. An unprecedentedly good harvest is coming.
— The purification work in the Demon World is also speeding up as the snow melts. Margrave Wivlet personally led the knights to investigate the demon statue discovered near the front lines.
— Monarch has also not shown any special movements since the end of the war agreement. However, he asked if he would be willing to cover the cost of the holy water and salt of wisdom needed for the purification work in some other way.

It was easy to feel sleepy under the languid afternoon sunlight, but none of the ministers paid attention.
Everyone was looking only at the King, Paul III.
He is the person who achieved the subjugation of the Demon King, which has been humanity’s long-cherished wish for the past thousand years, and the overlord who brought peace to this world.
Although he was old, his status at Penheim was higher than anyone else’s. The princess who entered the academy this year —— Hergé Bet also truly respected her father.

When she was young, her world was chaos.
The blood shed by mankind across all continents was so great that the grains grown on that blood were even presented to the royal family.
A time when everything was sacrificed just for peace.
The kingdom’s best academy was built on the foundation of that era.

“Did the admission process go smoothly?”

When the king opened his mouth heavily, the minister immediately lowered his head.

“That’s right. He conveyed his position that he could not attend the entrance ceremony due to his education for state affairs. If we rent a chariot from the Magic Tower and set off now, we will arrive at Parenzia tonight.”
“I get it. Let’s cancel the meeting. “May each of you faithfully carry out your duties for the future of the kingdom.”
“Yes, Your Highness.”

As the king stood up, the ministers left one by one.
Erzhebet approached her father to say her final greetings ahead of her departure.

“I will return in good health.”
“Yes, that’s right.”

However, her father, who was always kind, was a little strange.
It was a tired expression with a mixture of confusion and fear.
An empty conference room where all the subjects have left.
The king’s low voice broke the silence.

“Erzebet.”
“Yes?”
“Last night, a letter arrived from the Lighthouse of Horus.”
“Really!? “What did it say?”

The Lighthouse of Horus. It was a dream-like place that anyone who pursues the ultimate in magic would not know.
A surveillance organization created by Grand Mage Terra Ernesten, one of the war heroes who defeated the Demon King, like Margrave Hubblet, also known as the White Knight.
Because of its shocking features, such as an esoteric magic surrounded by invisible magic and a movable structure, even though the Seven Magic Towers worked hard to pinpoint its location, no trace of it could be found.

I know it’s been five years since we last contacted you, so what kind of letter did you send?
Could it have been a congratulatory message for entering the academy?
However, the content was puzzling, as if it betrayed Erzsebet’s curiosity-driven expectations.

“They told me to use the store often.”
“Yes… ?”

Store? Are you talking about the kiosk that sells miscellaneous goods on the street?
Contrary to Erzsebet, whose mind was confused, the King sighed deeply.

“Erzsebet, it is forbidden to abuse your royal position within the Academy. Do you know?”
“Yes, yes. I know. So, I’m planning to join the student council.”
“Yes, I’ll probably get elected without much trouble. “There has never been a first-year student serving as president, but our history is short.”

The main point started now. Baor lowered his voice.
In the past, there was a party that defeated the Demon King in the ‘Great War’, which referred to an all-out war between humans and demons.

The proud white knight, Wivlett Varenkov.
Eris Prashuhra, the saint of the poor.
The current issue is Grand Mage Terra Ernesten.
New Moon Shaman Nova Latte.
Finally, an unknown warrior——

Now, 10 years after the death of the Demon King, only a very few people know that the most interesting person among the three people whose whereabouts are unknown is in Parenzia.
Even if they knew of its existence, they never spoke about its identity.

“If you join the student council, letters will pour in from all kinds of families as well as the Magic Tower and the top. Among them, there are those who demand personnel changes or reconstruction within the academy in the name of sponsorship to secure their own interests.”

Each of the cadets entering the academy is a member of a noble family born with magic or sword skills.
Providing them with the bare minimum of luxurious living – for example, wagons, clothing repairs, refreshments, and various perfumes – cost an enormous amount of money.
It is donations that cover the enormous amount of goods. Of course, if you receive a lot of money, you have to pay it in return.

“I know. “That too is part of politics, and I have no intention of losing my rights with my eyes open, so you can rest assured.”
“No, that’s not what this father wants to say.”

The king swallowed his saliva, and there was fear in his eyes.

“Listen carefully. Never, ever, no matter what happens, don’t touch the concession stand. “Even if everything else is sacrificed, the student council, as well as any other family, must not touch any interest in the canteen.”
“Uh, why?”

These were words uncharacteristic of my father, who always emphasized practicality.

“It is only for the kingdom. Please, take care of yourself.”

However, no further answer was heard from the king’s gloomy mouth.
Even the simple words to take care of one’s body felt somewhat out of place.
With his doubts in mind, Erzébet boarded the carriage heading for Farencia.

***

‘What on earth is all this?’

Late at night, Erzsebet, who was reading the academy’s rules in the carriage, could not hide her curiosity.

[171. Do not touch the items sold at the store carelessly.]
[172. Do not treat the store owner poorly.]
[173. Do not react sensitively to the store owner’s comments.]

.
.
.

The doctrine was a guidebook for Parenzia Academy, the kingdom’s best magic university, but it was full of strange content, not even an attitude toward dealing with magic.
Does the chairman have any thoughts?
Although it didn’t seem worth watching anymore, Erzsebet patiently turned the last page.

[258. If Parenzia Academy is on the verge of destruction from an unknown external attack, all faculty and students should evacuate to the canteen and ask the owner for help.]

His pretty eyebrows furrowed and his hands tightened.

‘It looks like there are still forces working in secret in the kingdom.’

She had a brilliant mind and immediately understood the situation.
The fact that the establishment of the academy was being promoted in a small town far away from the royal capital caused tremendous opposition at the time.
Nevertheless, construction was carried out after some government officials, including the king, pushed for it semi-forcibly.
In addition, there is a huge amount of money from unknown sources and strict security.
Clearly, there was a secret hidden here that all the ministers kept quiet about.

‘I guess I should look into this.’

A small building nestled in the middle of such a large site.
Numerous signs pointing to the owner of the building. It was definitely suspicious.

“Pi——.”
“Don’t worry, Pi. “You will get used to it quickly.”

Erzsebet reassured the colorful bird crying in the cage.
A familiar I received as a gift when I was young, and was sensitive to the flow of magical energy, so I was able to immediately detect when a dangerous person approached me.
Pi continues to cry as he gets closer to the academy.
Just as I felt something ominous about that sight, the carriage suddenly stopped.

Squeak!

“What happened?”
“I’m sorry, princess. “I think there was some mistake.”

When I opened the door to the commotion outside, I saw that the guard at the main gate was blocking the entry of the carriage.
The attendant who came with him was arguing with the person who appeared to be the leader.

“So—the formalities have already been completed. “Do you know who is blocking your path right now?”
“It is a legal procedure that all children of other noble families have also gone through. Baggage inspection is required before moving into the dormitory.”
“It’s already very late. Can’t we do it later?”
“There is no exception to the rule…”
“Do it. “Let me open the luggage compartment.”

When Erzébet got off the carriage, a rough-looking knight put his hand on her chest and showed respect.

“Your Majesty, I am sorry for holding you back while the construction work is so busy.”
“Are you okay. “Do you have a name?”
“Hmm, this is Mark Botterval, the recipient of the Chevalier 5th class knight honors. “I am entrusted with the security of Parenzia Academy.”
“Thank you for your hard work, Lord Botterval. You can check as much as you like. However, I feel burdened to take out the royal family’s belongings and my clothes here.”
“Gwae, it’s okay! “Thank you for your understanding.”

Perhaps it would have been a low-ranking noble or a daughter whose family had no prestige, but Mark did not dare to say that he would even search through the royal family’s underwear.

In front of a dark wall with gas lights on, the only sound that could be heard was the sound of quietly untying the strap of a bag.
Everything was quiet except for the occasional cry.
After a while, Mark, who had received the report, nodded his head and opened the door.

“It’s done. “Welcome to Parenzia Academy.”
“Pi——.”

Erzébet got into her carriage again. Because it was a tiring journey, she just wanted to rest.
But no matter how long he waited, the carriage did not move.
She wondered what was going on, so she opened the rear window and looked at the coachman, who was also pulling the reins as if he was in trouble.

“Uh, what’s wrong with these guys!? Princess, I am sorry. Hey! What on earth happened…”
“Pee——! Pi——! Pi——!”

She was startled by the sudden sound of her familiar crying.
And beyond the white-curtained window of the carriage, the shadow of a person draped in light gradually appeared.

— I’ll come in, Mark.
— What’s going on? Until this late.
— It’s a new semester. There are many things to buy in the commercial district.
— Go early next time. If it weren’t for me who was on duty today, it would have been annoying… Yeah, what’s wrong?

As if he sensed a sound coming from inside the carriage, he suddenly stopped walking and turned his head.

— What’s going on, Lewis?
– No… Because it’s fascinating. Polar birds are hard to see unless you are in the Ravier Mountains.
– What is that?
— There is such a thing. A fucking bird with breasts as soft as its thighs. I used to bake it often in the past, but I miss it.

“Pipipipipipippp——!!!”
“P, pee! Be quiet… !”

When Erzsebet opened the cage, the carriage shook and the horses were startled and came to their senses.

A moment later, as the unknown man who walked through the darkness disappeared inside the academy, she carefully opened the window and asked:

“Excuse me… Lord Botterval?”
“Yes? “What’s going on?”
“Who is that person who just entered?”
“Oh, that friend?”

Mark said, scratching his head as if it was no big deal.

“I’m just a store owner who sells miscellaneous things at the academy.”
“What kind of person are you?”
“Well? From what I remember, I was one of the refugees who came to this city after the end of the war and settled… “It’s nothing special.”

Is that really the case? It was her first time seeing Piyi run wild like this.
On a pitch-black moonless night, passing by the small lights illuminating the red brick road, Erzsebet pondered over the words she had just heard in their conversation.
Louis.
Louis.
Louis Brunhart.

— Has the news been cut off again?
– Sorry. Communication could not be restored…
— It was done. If you can catch and send a spirit creature, you probably still have enough food. Go away.

It was a familiar name that you might remember hearing somewhere, but that never came to mind.