Curiosity kills the cat.
The common representative of the Empire’s Senate, Serge Labang, suddenly recalled that proverb.
It was not simply a misunderstanding. A bead of cold sweat was trickling down his nape.
“So, what exactly is your reason for opposing this?!”
“It’s about fairness! The Empire’s commoners won’t be very pleased!”
“That blasted fairness! They are only receiving the rightful payment for their blood! Are you saying that is unfair?!”
A shriek of fury reverberated all around. The Senate was becoming a chaos. Fingers were pointed at each other, accusations were thrown back and forth, and shouts echoed through the chamber.
It was difficult to believe this was a gathering of the noble bloodlines that formed the very foundation of the Empire. Serge Labang pressed his forehead and let out a sigh.
Neither one thing nor the other. The current Senate, which should be enacting laws for the Empire and moving towards the infinite progress of both the Empire and its citizens, no longer functioned as a meaningful institution.
This place was turning into a fierce political battleground. With discussions focused on mutual accusations irrelevant to the topic at hand, the Senate remained tumultuous.
Indeed. Without a mediator, perhaps this commotion would have continued indefinitely.
“Everyone, quiet down!!”
A booming voice filled the Senate, belonging to a man in his prime, still brimming with vigor. It was fortunate for Serge Labang, who had already covered his ears in anticipation.
As the Senate was suddenly engulfed in silence, a man stood up, instantly curtailing all the chaos. He was seated at the front, dead center of the assembly.
“Settle down. As members of the Senate, maintain your dignity.”
Though it was certainly not the same volume as the earlier outbursts, his voice resonated clearly even to Serge Labang sitting in a corner of the Senate.
Having silenced the crowd, he then directed a sharp glance at the two most aggressively squabbling senators. It was only natural for the two to flinch.
“Now, let’s clarify this.”
He was none other than a hero from the Last Great War. The head of the Adelheit Ducal House and the chairman of the Senate.
Maximilian von Adelheit. He brought the microphone close and began to speak softly.
“Senator Cantona.”
“Yes. I’m here.”
“I will grant you the floor first. Explain to us the reasons for your opposition to the new compensation plan for the Empire’s retired and disabled veterans. Provide logical grounds that everyone, including myself, can understand. Clearly.”
There was a particular force behind the last sentence. Senator Cantona, who could not have missed that tone, nodded and stood up.
“First, I would like to take this opportunity to express my gratitude to all those who bled and sweat for the Empire during the Last Great War. They are the heroes of the Empire.”
It was an almost perfunctory statement. Several noble senators and common representatives, who were well aware of this, shot cold glares in his direction.
“Yes. They are rightly called heroes. It is true that they responded to the Empire’s call faster than anyone else when the Empire was in peril, and they fought directly, shedding blood and sweat until victory was achieved.”
That truly was glowing praise. Serge Labang glared at Senator Cantona, who was spouting empty words like he was buttering up the crowd.
“But! That alone does not justify granting them special privileges!”
Senator Cantona’s rapid shift in attitude occurred then, as some senators shook their heads knowingly.
“Compensation plan? Fine! They certainly fought for the Empire, and national compensation plans for such heroes are necessary. The existing plans were far too inadequate. But!”
But was there more to say?
“Then what about the commoners of the Empire who were not conscripted?”
Surprisingly, there was. Serge Labang barely held back the urge to shout at that moment. He felt an intense desire to punch Senator Cantona right in the face.
“The commoners of the Empire contributed immensely based on their positions and roles! The non-conscripted second-tier citizens worked in factories assembling guns, while vehicles and supplies in various regions were requisitioned. They too significantly contributed to the Empire’s victory!”
“Senator Cantona, this is irrelevant…”
“Thus, we must look at the forest, not just the trees.”
Senator Cantona’s eyes met Chairman Adelheit’s exactly. The two engaged in a fierce linguistic battle, but it was Senator Cantona who lowered his gaze first.
Clearing his throat, he then spoke again, his voice lower and softer.
“The scars left by the Last Great War still run deep in the Empire. We must repay our gratitude to those who shed blood on our behalf, not just today, but at some point in the future.”
“……”
“Therefore, I find it extremely difficult to agree to a proposal that demands such massive compensation for the veterans and retired soldiers right now.”
“Are you finished speaking?”
“Yes. I’m done, Chairman.”
“Then please take your seat.”
Was there any alternative? Senator Cantona maintained his nonchalant demeanor, earning glare after glare from all around. There had to be some reason for his behavior, not merely millennial gall.
‘There is something going on. Perhaps Senator Cantona and a few political factions will take a hit from this compensation plan….’
Or maybe, should the plan be passed, their influence would wane.
Senator Cantona had long been affiliated with the faction led by Count Eniche, the Director of Finance. And Count Eniche was, for all intents and purposes, a political rival to Chairman Adelheit.
‘What a slippery bunch! Even with a proposal for those who shed blood for the Empire, they try to taint it with political motives!’
It was truly disgusting, but without just cause, he couldn’t politically attack them. Serge Labang sighed quietly.
In any case, the compensation plan presented by Chairman Adelheit was a matter most of the senators agreed upon. The faction following Senator Cantona was extremely small. The likelihood of the proposal not passing was minimal.
“Now then…”
As Chairman Adelheit began to gather votes on the compensation plan, Serge Labang contemplated.
This political struggle would surely stir up considerable trouble soon.
*
The trip to the Holy Empire with Sub-priest Sofia felt somewhat impulsive and chaotic.
I still didn’t quite understand the reason for the sudden urge to travel, but it seemed unlikely it was simply because we were pushing to finally undertake a journey promised several months ago.
What could be the reason? Perhaps it was the overwhelming desire to go somewhere during the winter break.
Sub-priest Sofia and I had toiled hard throughout the year, and now we could focus on helping our first-year students transition smoothly to their second year.
So, it was understandable that Sub-priest Sofia insisted on traveling as a kind of compensatory gesture…
‘But it’s so sudden.’
Surely there was another reason hidden beneath her insistence on this trip. I had that thought in the back of my mind, but since I didn’t have anything to substantiate it, I quickly dismissed it.
For now, it would be best to concentrate fully on the present.
I looked across at Sub-priest Sofia, who was excitedly planning our travel itinerary over lunch. Her enthusiasm for the trip gave her a pure joy that was evident.
‘Well, it is her first trip.’
Neither Sofia nor I had ever really taken a vacation since joining the academy.
The only outdoor activities that involved stepping outside the academy were our grade-by-grade duels in the Port City Bruytni to see the ocean, or a summer break club activity when we visited the lodge belonging to Vivian’s family.
Even that was more of a school-organized event, so it was closer to a business trip, and the latter didn’t stray far from the framework of club activities. I sensed something was deeply off about framing those two instances as a trip.
“Isn’t that right?”
“…Professor Esther.”
Professor Esther nodded, munching on a piece of chicken breast. As usual, during lunchtime at the academy, she was sitting opposite me enjoying her meal.
“Those events were practically business trips. I can’t speak for the summer break activities, but the grade-by-grade duel definitely didn’t feel like a leisure trip.”
“That’s correct.”
“It was really hot that day. I urgently wanted to enjoy the refreshing sea breeze and splash around in the water… Haa…”
‘What a tough time it was.’ Professor Esther let out a long sigh. It seems she, too, was in much need of a break after having served at the Caldera Imperial Academy and other academies before that.
“Still, I envy you.”
“Envy? Why would…?”
“You’re going on a trip to the Holy Empire with Sub-priest Sofia, right? I envy you… Yes, I really do.”
“……”
After Sub-priest Sofia and I mentioned our upcoming journey to the Holy Empire, Professor Esther had started looking at me in a strange way just a few days prior.
“It’s your first trip since you joined the academy… I really envy you. Maybe I’ll take a vacation too.”
“Do you have any plans for winter break, Professor Esther?”
“Hmm… Well, I was originally going to do various things with Professor Lucio, but…”
…Various things?
“Well, Professor Lucio already had prior engagements. Unfortunately.”
“…Yes, well.”
“Ah… so envious…. That certain sub-priest living somewhere must be really lucky~.”
Even as she said that, she peeked at Sub-priest Sofia, who was chewing on the bread with a perplexed expression while staring at Professor Esther. Professor Esther looked at me with a speechless expression.
“…After the trip, I’ll make sure to make time.”
“Hmmm… That sounds great.”
Professor Esther’s expectations were incredibly low, so thankfully, she instantly perked up when I suggested I would free up some time.
“…Well, for now, I’ll have to be satisfied with this much.”
“What did you just say?”
“Oh, nothing. Just talking to myself.”
In any case, a trip to the Holy Empire would indeed have to wait until the winter vacation.
Until then, I should focus on my duties.
“Sub-priest Sofia.”
“Yes…?”
“Are you prepared for tomorrow’s lessons?”
“Oh, yes. I’ve got everything ready. But why do you need all that stuff…?”
“Everything has its purpose.”
Though I would take over the second-year A class next year if the first-year A class students defend their positions, that was highly improbable. I knew well enough that everyone would struggle to keep their seats in class.
Before this year came to a close, I intended to impart my last lessons to the first-year A class students.
“Speaking of which, tomorrow is Professor Lucio’s class day.”
“That’s correct.”
So, we have class.
