32. Comrade, you’re too leftist!

Leif’s perspective.

After the third-year students at Lubyanka Academy finished their final exams, all that was left was to wait for the cold winter break of the Rosian Empire to pass, leading to the “graduation ceremony” that could barely be considered the start of “spring.” Meanwhile, for Leif, the president of the student council, it was also time to step down from her position and gradually retire, handing over the student council to the second-year students.

However, whether it was the speech for the graduation ceremony or the speech after stepping down as president, both of which were not particularly difficult “essays,” Leif currently had no clue whatsoever. It wasn’t because they were hard; it was simply that the recent “incident” had left her with no mood to focus on the trivial matters of being a “student.”

Having escaped the annoying students, Leif stepped out of Lubyanka Academy with a heavy and complicated heart. Her family’s carriage had been waiting outside for quite some time.

“Miss, you’ve had a tough time with academy life; next…”

“Let’s go out for a stroll, maybe do some shopping.” As she climbed into the carriage, Leif shot a knowing glance at her male butler, who was also her “good comrade,” saying, “After all, the situation at home… is really inconvenient, right?”

Immediately, the carriage moved slowly, and Leif’s gaze swept across the uniform snow scene outside the window.

The plan to “save” the great Rosian Empire from the tyrant’s hands had failed. Although the comrades were well-prepared and the plan meticulously crafted, who could have anticipated that the enemy’s vigilance was so astute, almost as if they had foreseen the attack! Naturally, the outcome of this upheaval was devastating.

Not only was the tyrant still living with nonchalance, but many comrades were also captured before they could escape. Although some had heard from other nobles that Ivan Letty did not immediately execute these noble children, their parents were now fully aware of what their children had done, making any hope of their return to action utterly bleak.

This great national salvation organization had suddenly reached the brink of disintegration.

“Miss…”

The voice of the steward driving the carriage broke through the silence. In this environment where investigations were rampant for the “remaining criminals,” Leif dared not correct his erroneous address. After all, the remaining noble children were all under scrutiny to varying degrees; she couldn’t even easily return to the ‘base’ to convey anything, and had to resort to such means for communication.

“Please don’t blame yourself so much; no one could have foreseen the situation at that time.”

“…”

Indeed, who could have imagined the circumstances back then? The true culprit, Leif was well aware, was the man, Blet, who had “stopped” her just as she was preparing to take the risk to confront Letty! However, to say she harbored any hatred towards him would be untrue; after all, he had merely acted as any decent man would in that situation—she couldn’t use her failure as an excuse.

And now, with the great organization severely wounded, the prospect of removing the demon tyrant from Rosia seemed even more distant; they could only seek alternative methods.

“Almost there.”

In the next moment, Leif spoke up, reminding him that under the current circumstances where all comrades were somewhat under surveillance and investigation, any “communication” between them could only be achieved through special means.

“Stop! I think I see a comrade waiting for us.”

On the street, beside the flow of people, two opposing carriages came to a halt side by side. At the same time, Leif cautiously confirmed that there were no “suspicious individuals watching here” outside the other window, and through the carriage window, she whispered to the other carriage.

“Sorry, comrade, but we have to meet in this troublesome way.”

However, Leif received no substantial response.

“Leif, are you even capable!? Didn’t you say it would definitely succeed!? And now look, your people have been captured, and quite a few of mine have been taken too, Blet!”

Having proposed the plan that led to failure, Leif knew it was her responsibility and could not retort. But the endless complaints from the other side, along with increasingly absurd remarks, forced Leif to break her silence!

“Are you suggesting that you’ve already betrayed us, ‘comrade’ petit bourgeois, and have started conspiring with Ivan Letty to stage a play on how to eliminate the others…?”

“Enough! Do I look like I’m acting right now!?”

Her lack of ability and strength could be criticized, but when this comrade began to question her motives and steadfastness, Leif refused to passively accept it!

“Now that most comrades have been captured, even if we are fortunate enough to escape, there will likely be no chance to join again! This is not the time for us to squabble and complain among ourselves!”

Shouldn’t you, comrade, be shouting about such things right now!? Shouldn’t we be more united and face this crisis together!?

Feeling guilty about her actions, Leif thought for a moment but refrained from voicing her thoughts. The comrades dedicated to “saving the nation” were now few and far between, and many of those remaining had their resolve shaken by this failure; internal strife could not be allowed at this time.

“Easy to say! Then what do you propose we do now!? You caused this failure, you solve it! Leif! Otherwise, you will be the sinner who has thwarted all of us Rosian nobles!”

“…”

Knowing the other party was shifting blame, Leif felt helpless. If she handed over the comrades to him for command, that would be truly dangerous. As for a solution…

“There is a way, for now, we seek self-preservation, and before we invite the ‘internationalist’ figures from the Rodmar Empire, we need to find some ‘helpers’ who can cooperate.”

The comrades dedicated to saving the nation had already contacted knowledgeable individuals from abroad, who generously offered to assist the organization. But before that, how could the organization survive the various investigations within the empire? For some reason, Leif recalled the words of that man just after leaving the academy…

Ogilid, this name resonated throughout the circles of comrades resisting Letty’s tyranny in the Rosian Empire! Because he had once helped countless small organizations as a “comrade”!

But… why him!?

But thinking it over, it doesn’t seem so wrong. He’s just an international student, and he doesn’t have any close ties with Ivan Letty. Perhaps even his true identity is hidden from his fiancée; after all, who would want to be engaged to a wanted criminal?

With that in mind, this man seems pretty scummy.

However, as a “comrade,” perhaps… I could use him to help resolve my current crisis.

“Next, I’ll find a new ‘comrade.’ You don’t need to do anything, just don’t cause any more trouble!”

“Comrade!? Hmph, who would still be willing to join us now…”

“Ou Qi Li De, have you heard that name?”

After dropping that line, Le Yef signaled the butler to hurry and drive away, to avoid raising any suspicions.