Oran Knight is out (2/3 chapters for today)
Long Day (5): Collaborators
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Noris was rescued thanks to Saxon’s quick thinking.
I repeatedly thanked Saxon, but he frowned.
“Enough with the thanks already. More importantly, talk. Everything. I can’t do anything if I don’t know the situation.” (Saxon)
I intended to explain everything immediately, but—
“Calm down already. If you’re going to talk, it’s better if your comrades and Roy are there too. Maria can also assess Noris’s condition. Besides, the soldiers are watching. Let’s talk in the evening.” (Saxon)
Urged by Saxon’s words, I dragged my exhausted body back to the dormitory. Saxon said he would head to the classroom.
When I returned earlier than expected, Heinz and the others surrounded me in surprise. I explained that Saxon had helped me, that I had promised to explain the situation to him in the evening, and that I was terribly sorry but needed to sleep until the last moment. I asked them to wake me up when it was time for class. Without even locking the door, I collapsed onto the bed and shut my eyes.
I managed to sleep a little, and it helped me calm down somewhat. Sleep really is important, I realized anew. Even so, my head was still foggy as I entered the classroom, shaking it to clear my thoughts. Saxon glanced at me briefly, then quickly averted his gaze.
When I sat down, Roy-kun spoke from the seat behind me.
“I heard. It’s happening this evening.” (Roy)
Before I could turn to respond, Maria leaned in from the front, breathless.
“You heard!?” (Maria)
“I did. Thank you. Are you doing well?” (Lux)
“Yes. I was surprised to see you back when I got home.” (Maria)
We continued the conversation without mentioning Noris’ name. From beside me, Sonia also spoke.
“I heard. I’m so glad.” (Sonia)
“Yeah. Thank you for worrying about me.” (Lux)
That afternoon, we went outside to help prepare the venue for the inter-academy competition. We noticed that there were significantly fewer soldiers than yesterday, and the atmosphere was much more relaxed. Seeing this, Roy-kun muttered.
“Maybe Zalard-sensei has been found.” (Roy)
Nearby, Hana exclaimed, “What!? Rita-san was captured, degozaru!?” (Hana)
But Roy-kun denied it.
“That’s not the case. If Zalard-sensei had been caught, the wandering soldiers would have gone back as well. The fact that even a small number remain suggests they’re preparing for the unlikely event of her return.” (Roy)
“…Which means…” (Lux)
“Yes. The most natural assumption is that Rita-san was found but escaped. She hasn’t been caught yet.” (Roy)
Hearing Roy-kun’s words, I secretly sighed in relief. After that, there were few appearances of the Deran Household’s private soldiers, and the academy seemed to have regained a bit of its usual calm.
—
In the evening, we gathered in the library of the old school building, which served as the newspaper club’s room. Besides the members of Catrap, Saxon, Roy-kun, and Bianca were also present. Bianca was brought by Saxon.
He asked us.
“Is it okay if she joins?” (Saxon)
Then, he turned to Bianca.
“Can you promise not to tell anyone?” (Saxon)
Bianca, having been suddenly brought along, looked dissatisfied.
“Hey, Saxon, you’re asking me not to talk, but it’s not like I’d go blabbing… What’s this about anyway?” (Bianca)
Roy-kun, looking amused, responded.
“I haven’t heard the details either, but my guess is… collaboration with the rebel army?” (Roy)
“What!? I didn’t hear anything about that! What are you guys planning to do!?” (Bianca)
Hearing this exchange, Saxon interjected.
“Roy, don’t tease her too much. But well… Roy isn’t entirely off the mark. What do you think, Heinz?” (Saxon)
Heinz, addressed by Saxon, replied.
“Yeah, that’s right. But it’s probably not what Bianca is imagining. Still, if you’re dead set against joining a rebellion, it’d help if you leave now.” (Heinz)
Bianca glared around at us briefly before letting out a sigh.
“…Fine, I get it. I swear on my pride that I won’t speak a word of this to anyone. But whether I cooperate depends on whether I find it convincing. Is that okay?” (Bianca)
“That’s fine, right?” (Saxon)
At Saxon’s words, we all nodded in agreement.
“Well then, let’s hear what’s going on.” (Saxon)
At his prompting, Heinz began recounting everything that had happened so far, like a story he was used to telling by now.
“…And so, we’ve been working toward a ceasefire, involving the Princess of Lemnos and the students of Solar’s military academy.” (Heinz)
—
By the time Heinz finished speaking, taking considerable time to explain, the sun had completely set, and the tea on the table had gone cold. Sonia and Hana stood up to prepare fresh tea, and Ratt-kun moved to help them.
“You guys are… utterly ridiculous.” (Saxon)
Saxon said, sounding exasperated.
“I don’t even know where to begin with this… I mean, Heinz being royalty from a neighboring kingdom alone is already enough for me to process…” (Bianca)
Bianca said, looking overwhelmed.
Among them, only Roy-kun remained silent, seemingly lost in thought. When a fresh cup of warm tea was placed in front of him, he said, “Thanks,” before speaking up.
“I have a question. From everything we’ve heard, there doesn’t seem to be much connection to Rita-san. Why do you think she’s being targeted this time?” (Roy)
Roy-kun’s question was perfectly valid. And so far, I was the only one who knew the answer.
“I’ll explain from here. The truth is, I met Rita-san yesterday and helped her escape.” (Lux)
I, then, recounted what had happened the previous night, my conversation with Rita-san, her intentions, and why the Deran Household and the military aristocrats were targeting her. I also shared the events that led to Saxon rescuing Noris, weaving a long, intricate tale.
When I finished, Heinz let out a deep breath.
“Now it makes sense. I thought something was off. Everything moved too smoothly after we got our hands on the memoirs of Count Lengrad. It was too quick.” (Heinz)
“Yes, it seems like Rita-san’s allies have been preparing for this for quite some time.” (Lux)
The members of Catrap spoke one after another, expressing a mix of surprise and clarity as their doubts were resolved. They also took the time to thank Saxon for his actions. Then, Maria addressed Saxon, Roy-kun, and Bianca, who had remained silent.
“This is everything we know. We share the same goals as Rita-san. We will do whatever we can for the ceasefire. Even if it means fighting against the Deran Household and the military aristocrats, I will fight until the end.” (Maria)
Her resolute expression was far more determined and dignified than the Maria of spring.
“Saxon, what will you do?” (Lites)
Lites deliberately directed the question to Saxon, aware that as the son of a military aristocrat, any further involvement could put him in grave danger.
“Isn’t it obvious? I’ll help you guys. What about you, Roy?” (Saxon)
Saxon replied nonchalantly, as though it were someone else’s problem.
“Well, I might not be of much use, but after hearing all this, there’s no way I can back out. Count me in.” (Roy)
“Are you two really okay with this? You can still back out without pushing yourselves.” (Lux)
I couldn’t help but ask.
Roy-kun chuckled softly.
“Lux, if you think Saxon and I are saying this because we’re your friends, you’re completely mistaken.” (Roy)
Confused by his words, I tilted my head as Roy-kun continued.
“If everything you’ve said is true, then this involves the younger brother of the Princess, doesn’t it? You might not realize it, but Follett-sama is highly regarded among the nobility except for the military aristocrats. Many consider him more suitable for the throne than the current Princess. That’s been whispered about for a long time.” (Roy)
“Really? That guy is that competent?” (Lux)
I recalled the slim, easygoing young man I had shared breakfast with, feeling somewhat surprised.
Saxon picked up where Roy-kun left off.
“Yeah, Follett-sama is involved, and then there’s Zalard-sensei and Slar. The Deran Household’s extreme measures suggest the situation is more balanced than it seems.” (Saxon)
“Wait, ‘that Slar’? You mean the person who founded this academy’s newspaper club?” (Sonia)
Sonia interjected, astonished that Saxon knew about Slar.
“Is that so? Interesting.” (Saxon)
Saxon replied, raising an eyebrow in surprise. He hadn’t known about Slar’s connection to the newspaper club.
“Slar is a renowned Knight (Ritter) known as ‘Slar the Shield’. Despite being young, she fought with the wisdom of a veteran, achieving numerous feats. I believe she’s now serving in the royal court in the capital.” (Saxon)
I had suspected Slar might be a noble, but I hadn’t imagined she was such an accomplished individual. As I processed this, Roy-kun continued from where Saxon left off.
“If the ceasefire succeeds, the military aristocrats’ power will likely be diminished. This could lead to a change in the throne, with Follett-sama becoming the new ruler.” (Roy)
“A change in the throne…” (Lux)
“If Follett-sama ascends to the throne, what do you think will happen to those who supported him? Naturally, you’d all gain royal favor and rise to prominence.” (Roy)
I gasped as the realization hit me. If that scenario played out, we would indeed be in a prime position for success.
“Do you understand now? Saxon wants to carve out his destiny without relying on his family. And I see this as an opportunity to elevate my family’s status. It’s a calculated move, but one that’s hard to pass up.” (Roy)
After taking a sip of tea, he added.
“Of course, I’m also grateful to Zalard-sensei, and I genuinely want to support you all. But I thought it’d be clearer if I shared the practical reasons behind my decision. What do you think?” (Roy)
Roy-kun’s honesty and smile left no room for doubt in my mind.
As Roy-kun and Saxon’s intentions became clear, everyone naturally turned their gaze to Bianca.
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