It didn’t take long until the Imperial Princess whispered something that only the man could hear.
She warned him in a cool, calm voice.
“…There’s no turning back now.”
Despite the chilling prophecy, the man’s reaction was merely indifferent.
The emotion captured in the Imperial Princess’s eyes was similar. If there was any color in her feelings, it was only pity and compassion, just like before.
Shi-en couldn’t bear that fact.
Pity and compassion were the rights of the strong. Therefore, those feelings could only be directed at the weak.
In other words, it meant that I-an was looking down on the Imperial Princess.
What made it even more frustrating was that Shi-en also secretly felt that this assessment was not wrong.
Ian Percus was strong.
In terms of skill and mental fortitude, he was formidable. He remained unperturbed amidst countless enemies and was dignified even under the shadow of the Imperial Court.
Had it not been for the absence of childhood memories, the Imperial Princess might have easily admitted defeat.
But unfortunately, the Imperial Princess was still unable to escape from the nightmares of her childhood.
It was for this reason that her voice trembled as she revealed the irrevocable future.
“If I say just one word, your sister’s company will be ruined. And the Perkus Manor will be the same… So kneel now and beg for my forgiveness.”
A few more words followed, but the intent was the same.
This was a final opportunity.
The man silently listened to the Imperial Princess’s plan for a long time.
The desperation in her voice as she enumerated the specific means she would utilize to bring down the Percus family was palpable.
However, Ian’s response after hearing it all was exceedingly calm.
“…Your Highness.”
With a subdued voice, the dimly hopeful gray eyes turned towards Ian.
He wore a bitter smile.
“You’ve increased your guard. Well done.”
That was the end of it.
Without adding anything further, Ian stepped away from the Imperial Princess and walked away.
It was genuine. Only a sense of relief emanated from Ian.
Recognizing this, the Imperial Princess stood there dumbfounded, unable to comprehend what had just happened.
How could he be so nonchalant?
It perhaps meant that he looked down on Shi-en that much. The shoulders of the bowing Imperial Princess trembled.
Only the head maid could comfort the furious Shi-en.
She cautiously approached and, in a hesitant tone, advised the Imperial Princess.
“Um, Your Highness? Something seems off. Perhaps it would be better to delay the execution of the plan…”
“…Start immediately.”
The head maid, who contemplated stopping Shi-en once more, sighed deeply as soon as she heard that voice.
The heat of her breathing, her trembling fists, and the hatred glistening in her eyes.
There was no sign of reversing her decision.
“Bring him down, now!”
Along with that shout, one of the guard knights bowed his head and left.
In Shi-en’s eyes, filled with fury, a piercing, azure light surged forth.
He would pay for this, no doubt.
He must not be underestimated.
Filled with such a single-minded intent, Shi-en failed to notice the several signs Ian had displayed.
Thus, it became even harder to comprehend.
That this decision would haunt Shi-en for the rest of her life.
The homecoming festival’s procession began.
The homecoming festival parade was splendid.
The top students from each department led the procession, which was then followed by others in order of their grades. However, as the march continued, the formation became increasingly mixed and eventually transformed into a disordered mass.
When passing through the city, merchants offered them snacks or drinks.
The students at the end of the procession endlessly passed everything to those inside. Then, if someone became bored or thirsty, they would eat or drink.
Today was the same.
Having already passed half the city after leaving the Academy, the air was filled with the sounds of eating and drinking. With the announcement of grades now concluded, everyone seemed relaxed and ready to enjoy themselves.
Even stray cats and birds flocked to snatch the scraps dropped by the students, making the parade even noisier.
However, amidst that joyous clamor, there were some groups that stood out as exceptions.
They were the group that received notices of failure and had to return home.
These individuals were the ones who received the utmost consideration during the homecoming festival, getting all the snacks and drinks first. Yet, their faces bore no smiles.
Entering the Academy was hard, but graduating was even harder.
Thus, societal standards invariably pointed towards graduation rather than admission. There wasn’t much consideration or mercy given to those who dropped out.
Especially for commoners, it was tantamount to throwing away a chance at a life-changing opportunity right before their eyes.
It would be odd not to feel gloomy. There were some students who seemed to have thrown everything aside, laughing and talking, but still.
And another quiet place without raucous noise was around me.
Unlike the others who were marching, bumping into each other, there were very few people around me. Everyone kept a distance of several meters.
It was a display that starkly showed how I was treated in the Academy.
After all, to guard my side, several conditions would have been necessary.
First, it would need to be an anomaly willing to stay by my side despite having to face loss, someone not part of the Empire, and even if they met the first two conditions, they would have to rank high enough to be out of the Imperial Court’s reach.
And surprisingly, standing next to me was someone who fulfilled all those conditions.
The Lady Virgin Saint.
I had previously told her to stay in the Temple for her safety, but it seemed she insisted on following me.
My expression immediately turned sullen.
“Lady Virgin Saint, have you perhaps lost your sense of caution? I can assure you that staying next to me will only bring you trouble.”
Of course, it was a problem that could be solved within today, but I couldn’t dismiss the possibility of unexpected occurrences.
Being a high-ranking figure of the Holy Kingdom, the chance of the Imperial Court touching the Virgin Saint was low.
However, that only meant diplomatically; the Imperial Court wouldn’t care what occurred within the Academy.
For instance, hostility directed at me could impact the public perception of the Virgin Saint.
That would be a fatal blow for someone who carefully managed her reputation with all sorts of pretense. Yet, she still showed no sign of leaving my side.
Instead, she mocked me with a calm voice.
“If you had just done a little better, you might not have been first, but at least you would have been second. Doesn’t that make you a bit sad?”
“…Please tell Yulen, who was the second, to ease up a bit. While you’re at it, inform our third-year top student as well.”
In response to my jest, the Virgin Saint simply let out a huff, as if releasing steam. She poked me in the side.
“Three-year Swordsmanship Department top student? I’ve heard they’re quite eccentric, but I’d prefer to skip someone so demanding. One of you is already more than enough for me.”
Demanding? There’s no one as docile as I am.
I mentally grumbled, but I refrained from voicing it. I had the feeling she would look at me in disbelief.
That was undoubtedly an unfair treatment.
As I stared at the Virgin Saint with a bewildered expression, I suddenly remembered something and asked her.
“So, why did you come out? I told you to stay in the Temple.”
“Hmph, who would do something for you?”
The Virgin Saint narrowed her eyes and glared at me. Her gaze even held a hint of faint resentment.
Not being able to grasp the reason behind that, I looked at her in suspicion.
“Were you planning to go out and have fun with other girls without me? You scoundrel.”
“I’m the Lord Handaxe.”
“Oh, and it’s said that with your handaxe, you’ll chop off the woman you’re trying to woo? Is that true?”
“Of course, that’s nonsense.”
While I was having such trivial banter with the Virgin Saint, the procession had rounded a corner. Now on the path heading back towards the Academy, I suddenly felt an ominous sense.
It felt like time had come to a standstill.
I quickly scanned my surroundings. But no matter how much I looked, I couldn’t find anything suspicious.
Did I misjudge?
It was the Virgin Saint’s voice that snapped me back to reality.
“Th-there’s a cat…”
Having been pushed to the rear of the procession, the Virgin Saint spoke in a slightly trembling voice. On the roadside sat an adorable-looking stray cat.
Meow, its sound tickled my ears.
It seemed to be asking for food. Truly a cheeky little animal.
However, the now smitten Virgin Saint willingly chose to be a sucker. Cautiously, she approached the stray cat with some fried shrimp she had received from somewhere.
Seeing the Virgin Saint’s sparkling eyes, I thought that she truly was a woman at heart.
She couldn’t resist something cute.
But I, feeling affection for her while chuckling bittersweetly, suddenly halted my steps.
It was a strange sensation.
My eyes met those of the stray cat. Its vertically slit pupils reflected me and the Virgin Saint.
Then it happened.
With a swirl, its pupils spun around once.
An impossible movement for any normal creature; realizing this, I immediately wrapped my arms around the Virgin Saint and threw myself to the side.
A fragmented question escaped the Virgin Saint’s lips.
“Eek! What’s suddenly…”
And the very next moment.
Boom! An explosion roared. The shockwave swept through the procession. Chunks of shattered stone flew in all directions.
The stray cat, which the Virgin Saint had been about to feed, unexpectedly expanded and then exploded.
Chunks of flesh and blood splattered down. That was the remains of the stray cat.
The explosions did not cease with just one.
More explosions erupted afterwards, and the chaos spread as screams filled the air. Each shockwave slammed against my back.
Thanks to my tight hold on her, the Virgin Saint remained unharmed.
She merely gazed up at me with a bewildered expression. I displayed a faint smile as if to reassure her.
“That holy power, it’s nice and cushy.”
The Virgin Saint’s resilient bosom was perfect for shock absorption.
Ideally, I would have liked to savor that comforting sensation a bit longer, but there was no time.
I instantly rose to my feet and drew my sword.
It was then that the Virgin Saint finally grasped the connotation of my words, and her face flushed bright red.
“W-what do you mean…? This is sexual harassment, really!”
Of course, whether it was harassment or whatever else, it was not my concern at that moment.
Finally, the ambush had begun.
