433 – To Reclaim, A Price Must Be Paid -1-

The long, arduous siege war had finally reached its end.

“You’ve all worked hard.”

Before the dormitory, students gathered around a table laden with meat, each finding their place and turning their eyes towards me.

“Frankly speaking.”

“…”

“I hadn’t expected you all to perform quite this well.”

-Haaah…

-Hyuu.

I wasn’t sure why every word I spoke seemed to elicit sighs of relief, but I stubbornly began to offer my assessment of the siege war.

Criticize where criticism was due.

Praise where praise was warranted.

“Personally, I had anticipated the team with Mikhail and Hanna would emerge victorious.”

“…”

“Both students had achieved high scores in the ranking matches, and they specialize in siege warfare as well.”

“…”

“However, the Defense Team defied expectations and won, while the Siege Team suffered a loss.”

“…”

“Perhaps things would have unfolded differently if the siege war had stretched on for a longer duration, but regardless, my thanks to both the Defense Team and the Siege Team for your hard work.”

I lowered my head, offering words of consolation and well wishes to the students. It was always better to end these gatherings on a positive note.

“I hope you’ve all learned much from this exercise.”

“…”

“While an actual siege war would be far more terrifying and difficult, should war ever break out, I hope this experience leads to beneficial outcomes.”

“…”

“This class wasn’t a mere war drill, but an opportunity to realize how much stronger each of you has become, and to understand that strategy can sometimes yield better results than brute force.”

“…”

“My wish is that you all conclude this with a good feeling.”

I smiled brightly at the students, whose faces were etched with worry.

“Of course.”

“…”

“The losing team will be subjected to a penalty, as well.”

“Haaah…”

“What would be fitting….”

“…”

“I hear a pack of Kobolds has appeared near the capital. Perhaps we could embark on a subjugation mission? Or, for something lighter, maybe a spar with me would suffice?”

Malik, who was listening intently, whispered to Hanna, whose face was filled with apprehension.

“Never trust his definition of ‘lighter’.”

“…Haaah.”

“Gonna die. Die from exhaustion. Die from pain.”

“Don’t tease me.”

“Heh heh.”

Malik, victorious in the siege, wore a brighter smile than usual, needling Hanna.

“That was fun.”

Not only had he triumphed over Hanna, he’d been the star player leading the team to victory.

“We should do it again sometime, I think.”

“Don’t say such terrifying things.”

“I’m serious.”

“…”

Malik simply enjoyed teasing his little sister.

I watched the crestfallen siege team students and offered them words of encouragement. There were still many classes left, I told them, they couldn’t be disheartened already.

“We still have about three weeks together.”

“…”

“I’m thinking we might do another siege battle during that time, and perhaps a fun picnic with all of you, as you grow.”

Malik, already weighed down with worry, shuddered at the word ‘picnic.’

“I’m gonna die.”

“…Pfft.”

“We’re all gonna die.”

Everything Ricardo said terrified Malik.

“I look forward to working with you all,”

I raised my glass to the students and shouted.

“Tonight, we drink and relax!”

“…Yes!!”

“Just…moderate yourselves so it doesn’t interfere with tomorrow’s class. No excessive drinking.”

“Yes…”

What kind of toast should I make?

“Cheers”?

“Rough beginning, sweet ending”?

Nah, that’s too old-fashioned.

‘Hmm…’

I pondered for a moment, then settled on a safe, reliable toast. When drinking, there was really no better choice.

“Eat…!”

Shartia, and all the exhausted students, raised their glasses, remembering the journey they’d shared so far. They didn’t know what tomorrow would bring, but for now, they would enjoy the moment.

“Til we drop!!!”

-Clink!!!!

*

“Hngh~”

-Bottoms up! Bottoms up! Bottoms up!

-…I’m not good at drinking…

“Bottoms up! Bottoms up!”

“Your knight in shining armor, Schuen, will take one for ya!”

“…Huh?”

“Tetra Secret Art…! Bomb Shot Chugging!”

The party, now buzzing with drunken energy, swirled around me. I smiled, passing the table where Yuria and Schuen were huddled together.

‘She’s really getting into it.’

It warmed my heart to see her mingling with the other students like that.

Honestly, I had no idea where to sit. The instructors already had a seat at each table.

“Ms. Elysia, you gotta toast too!!”

“But I’m a priestess, so I don’t drink…”

“Ah…”

“I’ll drink well, though.”

“Huh?”

“I’m a *fallen* priestess, you see.”

I was the only one without a place, and I didn’t want to make anyone uncomfortable.

As a student, I could just plop down anywhere, but as the host, I worried I might not be welcome.

“…Hmm.”

Just as I was about to settle down at an empty table, still wandering and searching for a spot…

“Pyeongmin!”

A familiar voice cut through the noise, calling my name.

‘Huh…?’

Schuen, a mischievous smile playing on her lips, brandished a wine glass and patted the empty seat next to her invitingly.

“Come over and sit here!”

“You mean me?”

“Who else would I mean, commoner?”

“…Right?”

“Come, have a drink with me!”

I smiled faintly and headed towards Schuen. I had a feeling she’d be disappointed if I didn’t.

It would be nice if Milady was here too though.

“Will you go?”

“No.”

“Why?”

“I have cooking practice.”

I couldn’t very well drag Milady away from her cooking practice, so I pushed down my regret for the moment. Of course, even if Milady had come, I wasn’t sure if the atmosphere would be as lighthearted as it was now, but I couldn’t help but feel a little sad.

“Then shall I accept a drink?”

Thinking of Milady, alone back at the mansion, I smiled softly and held out my glass.

“Then I gratefully accept.”

I liked having fun too, after all.

Schuen, eyes gleaming with mischief as she wielded a bottle of alcohol, puffed out her chest and declared she would show me the secret art of the Tetra family, before beginning to fill my glass.

“I’ll show you the Tetra Secret Art!”

“Such a secret art exists?”

“Heh heh… Observe closely, commoner.”

“…”

“Tetra Secret… The Bomb Shot Brewing!!”

Of course.

“Shuen-ssi.”

“Yesh?”

“Is this meant to kill me?”

“Heeh?!”

It was a bomb shot, alright, hammered together with only the strongest liquors.

Scratching her head, Shuen gave a beaming smile and unraveled the story woven into the drink. It was said this was how the Tetra family imbibed.

“Mother taught me this bomb shot recipe!”

“…?”

“She used to drink it often when she felt good after visiting grandma!”

“I’m not sure ‘felt good’ is the right phrase, perhaps?”

“A recipe to forget all the hard things!”

“…”

“This is the Tetra family’s secret art!”

“…”

“And a bomb shot containing mother’s secret for seducing father, too, is what this is.”

I gazed at Shuen with worry etched on my face, but the earnest look on her face, huffing out air like a dragon, made me laugh dryly before lifting my glass.

“Cheers.”

Shuen beamed.

“Cheers!!!”

Time passed, and as we both succumbed to the alcohol’s embrace, earnestly spoken words began to flow.

“Com’ner…! Where’re ya goin’ now?!”

“You’re quite drunk, Shuen-ssi.”

“Ugh…ugh… Why do I see two of you, Com’ner?”

“Haha…”

I handed the inebriated Shuen over to Yuria and slowly rose from my seat, moving to another table. I preferred to drift from table to table, listening to different stories, rather than linger in one place.

For example.

In the case of Hanna and Malik.

-My sister, Hanna.

-Oppa…

-I’m really going to treat you right.

-Oppa, you’re drunk.

-I’m sorry I wasn’t a proper older brother after being discharged.

Sharing the secrets of their hearts with the aid of alcohol.

‘I probably shouldn’t go over there.’

And in the case of Faulkner and Chartia, who were knocked out from the very start.

“…Sunbae.”

“…Hmm?”

“You’re really too much.”

“Haha!”

I was practically spitting out all the stories that had piled up during the siege.

‘Where should I sit?’

Holding an empty cup, I was moving to cadge a drink when I noticed an empty table and tilted my head.

I wondered why that table was so isolated.

The other tables were crammed together, easy to reach the meat, but this one was different. No appetizers, just a table littered with empty bottles. It felt strange.

‘What’s this…?’

Taking a step closer, I finally saw their faces hidden behind the bottles, and a dry chuckle escaped my lips.

“Puh-hah…”

-Over there…

-Haa… Shibal.

-Are you alright?

-…

Beilin and Ruin.

Ruin hadn’t even noticed Beilin sitting in front of him. Beilin, in turn, was awkwardly watching Ruin, who was busy spewing curses. This new combination made me snort with laughter, and I slowly changed my course.

It looked like that table was going to be interesting.

“Aigoo… you’ve had a hard time.”

Having witnessed Yuria thoroughly crush Ruin, I couldn’t imagine better entertainment.

Knowing the feelings that Ruin harbored in the novel, I considered this scene especially rare and precious.

-…Are you crying?

-I’m not crying!!!

“Kheuh…”

-I’ll do better from now on.

“Kheuh…”

-Keoheok!!!!!

Remembering the desperate, iconic moments Ruin had shown, I bit back the laughter bubbling up in my throat, pulling out a chair at the table with Beilin and Ruin, and smiled.

“Everyone worked so hard.”

“T…Thank you.”

“…”

First, I gave Beilin a compliment.

“I heard the stories. You played a huge role this time.”

“Ah… No, I didn’t.”

“You were amazing.”

“I didn’t do anything…”

“That’s not true. Finding and exploiting an opening takes a lot of courage.”

“Hehe…”

Beilin smiled shyly, clearly feeling proud that I remembered and spoke her name.

“I thought no one would remember me…”

Because no one came to my side, and that made me sad.

“You worked hard.”

“It’s embarrassing. Haha…”

The redness on Bailyn’s face grew, his presence beginning to fade.

“I’ll go grab some drinks!”

“Huh?”

“It’s been so long since I’ve been the center of attention…”

“Ah.”

“I’ll just go drink them alone!”

An excited Bailyn started to flee.

Of course.

-Oof?

-Huh…?

-You should sit here too!

-…I’m alright.

-Booze is supposed to be forced! I’ll make you a Tetra family bomb!

There was no chance he was returning to the table, not with Shuen having him in her grip.

“Ahem.”

Watching Shuen drag Bailyn away, a small smile flickered across my face. I turned to Ruin, whose face was etched with irritation, and offered him a small smile as well.

“You worked hard too, Ruin.”

Because now was the time to badger the heartbroken protagonist that I was going to chew up, tear apart, and savor.

“Ruin?”

“Don’t talk to me.”

“Should I call you Green Algae, then?”

“Aish… seriously! I’m not in a good mood right now, so don’t bother me.”

“Hmm…”

I gave Ruin a small smile, and then spoke.

“Ahem… Was it like this?”

Mimicking the embarrassing moment Ruin had during the siege.

“I didn’t cry…!”

“…!!!”

Ruin’s face began to flush.

“Puhahaha!”

“You… You…?”

“You were truly magnificent, Mr. Green Algae.”

Ruin had just met his personal bully.