The Academy’s Guide to Useless Students – Chapter 48

“W-wonderful…”

Putting aside the squad leader’s admiration, I surveyed the condition of the assembled brigade.

The assault squad was annihilated… there were only one or two squadrons left for the wide-area attack, and the first squad for defense was taking heavy hits and on the verge of collapse. This meant we didn’t have the capacity to proceed to an extension round.

Contrary to that bleak reality, one soldier reported to the squad leader with boisterous confidence.

“Colonel Margaret! It seems our counterattack has worked. No more wide-area attacks are coming from the enemy!”

“Is that so? That’s a relief… but it’s not the time to let down our guard. I’ll immediately request reinforcements from the main base. Until then, strengthen the defensive measures!”

“Yes, understood!”

Colonel Margaret, that was how the squad leader was addressed, along with her rank.

The fact that I did not particularly remember her suggested she had little significance in the story.

However, for now, this place was the main stage, and it was as crucial for me as it was for everyone else. Therefore, blending in with them and maneuvering through the situation was necessary.

“Can we join you?”

“Of course! No matter your status, it’s undeniable that you are our benefactors.”

“Thank you. I’m Yuto, and this is my friend Laura.”

“Laura… Yuto… are you residents of Noella’s northern territories?”

“We were guards from a small village a bit farther away. We got caught up in the chaos while lost on our travels.”

“Oh, is that so?”

She accepted it readily, not harboring a shred of doubt upon seeing the color of our hair.

Unintentionally, I found that the backstory of being orphans from a small village in the northern continent would be beneficial. It seemed to significantly ease the situation.

Laura and I followed Colonel Margaret toward the main base. The path wasn’t long, and after passing a couple of camps, we were able to enter the main camp, which was fortified by massive walls.

“Colonel Margaret! You’re safe!”

“Wendy… you’re safe too. I received word that the western base was annihilated the moment the attack began.”

“Yes… we barely managed to escape with our main unit that was positioned at the rear.”

Her complexion was grim. The soldier named Wendy raised her head, which had been bowed.

“I’m sorry, Colonel Margaret! I didn’t save any of the soldiers, and I just ran away… I’m ashamed!”

“That’s not true, Sergeant Wendy. In fact, you made a better judgment than I did.”

“Really?”

“I was reckless in my choices. I nearly led the soldiers to their needless deaths. Fortunately, thanks to these individuals, we were able to survive.”

“Are these individuals…?”

Sergeant Wendy discovered Laura and me. Both Colonel Margaret and the woman named Wendy didn’t seem to be very old but held high ranks. Perhaps she thought the same as I did, as her eyes widened like the full moon.

“My goodness… you two look so young! How did you end up in the battlefield?”

“We got caught up in it while lost on our journey.”

“I see… well, don’t worry! We’ll ensure your safety back to the city.”

“No, there’s no need for that.”

“Huh?”

Colonel Margaret also had a look of surprise.

It was only natural for us to desire safety and to take refuge in these circumstances. However, our objective was the ‘Ice Dragon’s Castle.’ To reach that place, we had to break through enemy lines, making our cooperation with them an indispensable process.

“We also want to help.”

“Why would you want to do that? This battle has nothing to do with you.”

“It does concern us. We too are ‘people’ protected under the Duchess Teresa’s care.”

Damn, that’s cheesy.

But I had no choice.

From their standpoint, excessive sacrifice could lead to suspicion.

It seemed best to play up a bit of patriotism.

And seeing the scale of the main base gave me some understanding of the situation. I decided to take a chance and put it out there.

“It seems like there are extenuating circumstances at play here.”

“Huh? How do you know that…”

“I knew it.”

“Oh, that’s!…”

Wendy flinched under Colonel Margaret’s stern gaze. It seemed like it was a top-secret matter. However, wouldn’t anyone grasp the gist of it after looking at this situation?

After all, would it be reasonable to set up such a ‘main base’ for a simple expedition? The level of security was akin to what would be provided for the duke himself.

“Well, it can’t be helped. They are willing to risk their lives to cooperate with us. We can’t hide our circumstances from them. Let them follow.”

“Colonel Margaret, is it really okay to guide them?”

“I’ll explain the details. If it’s regarding their contributions, that person might be able to accept it as well.”

“That person?”

It seemed my expectations were correct.

If that’s the case, the scale would grow even larger.

I had no idea just how immense it would get. Laura and I silently followed Colonel Margaret as we moved toward the central camp. We arrived at a camp with an increasingly tense atmosphere.

“Let’s go inside. I don’t know if that person will listen to our situation, but I’ll explain it well.”

“That person is…”

“The person you are thinking of is indeed correct. The hero of the Noella territory, and once known as the ‘Hero of Reversal,’ Duchess Teresa.”

My guess was right.

It made sense that a duchess would come to warrant such high security. At the same time, I had questions.

Even if the expedition to the Ice Dragon’s Castle was a significant operation, it was rare for a ‘duchess’ to personally get involved. In other words, it directly related to the ‘circumstance’ that caused her to come in person.

“Duchess Teresa, Colonel Margaret has arrived.”

“Margaret? You were at the forefront. Were you safe?”

Duchess Teresa, as she was called, stood from a formal chair that resembled a throne. Her crimson ruby-colored eyes glimmered, glinting with an eerie light.

Just looking at the strange aura made it clear she was no mere culprit.

A chilling sensation prickled at my spine. This person was undoubtedly substantial.

“Who are you?”

“Duchess Teresa! May I explain?!”

“I grant permission, Colonel Margaret. Are these your acquaintances?”

“Yes, that’s correct. Without their assistance, I would have perished long ago. It seems they were adventurers who got caught in the commotion while traveling.”

“Adventurers, you say? I see.”

Duchess Teresa scanned Laura and me from head to toe. I wondered what she could discern from that, but if she were a true master, that would be another matter altogether.

Even I, someone who had returned from another world, felt anxious under Duchess Teresa’s gaze.

“They possess a mysterious aura. Are you truly adventurers? One of you seems unfathomably deep.”

Oh! Now it seemed credible.

Noella’s northern region likely had potential beyond just the Ice Dragon’s Castle.

With skills like this, they should be performing the leading roles.

Now that I think about it, it felt like something ominous had occurred… but I wasn’t sure. I hadn’t gone through the entire ordeal either. Just because I skimmed through a攻略 (攻略) guide doesn’t mean I remember everything. While I was lost in contemplation, a soft and chilly voice from Duchess Teresa interrupted.

“What are your names?”

“I’m Yuto. This is Laura.”

“That hair color… I believe you belong to the same northern continent as us. However, you aren’t citizens of Noella.”

“That’s right.”

Upon hearing my answer, Duchess Teresa paused briefly. It seemed like she was deep in thought before she continued speaking.

“I dislike beating around the bush. I also despise sophistry. There’s no way Colonel Margaret brought you here without a reason. I want you to state your purpose.”

This woman shared many common traits with me. So I decided to speak plainly.

“I want to help.”

“And what do you hope to gain in return?”

“Patriotism… wait, you said you despise such banal sophistry.”

“I like that you’re quick to get to the point.”

“I want to go to the Ice Dragon’s Castle. That’s our goal.”

“I appreciate your honesty, but that’s something we cannot yield. It’s a matter of our survival.”

“Is it a diplomatic issue?”

“What would a lord of a nation prioritize above all else?”

“Well, I’m thinking about something a bit different.”

The moment I said that, Duchess Teresa’s expression shifted.

She looked somewhat displeased, frowning thoughtfully.

“I don’t quite know what you mean.”

She continued to evade my words.

I pointed to the empty throne next to her.

“Whose throne is that?”

“…”

The throne was quite small.

It could only fit a child, really. The only ones who could occupy that seat would be individuals with Noella’s blood.

That naturally led to the conclusion it belonged to Duchess Teresa’s bloodline. From the looks of it, she didn’t seem to be married, and she certainly didn’t have children.

“So, it must only be a sibling.”

But right now, there wasn’t one.

Where could they be?

The answer was evident.

“Your blood relative is being held hostage, isn’t it?”

“…How did you know that?”

Duchess Teresa, who had kept her lips sealed, slowly parted them. The cold aura around her began to reveal a hint of vulnerability.

“Does a duchess really lend her presence to an expedition? I was merely deducing from the various clues.”

“You’re quite observant. However, that doesn’t mean I can grant your wish.”

“Didn’t I mention? I’m thinking about something different.”

“What are you trying to say?”

“There’s a way to save your sibling who’s being held hostage. Yet, are you going to turn away?”

With those words, Duchess Teresa suddenly lunged at me within the blink of an eye. She tightly gripped my shoulders and glared at me.

“Did you just say you have a way to save them?”

“Correct. I can do it.”

“…”

Feigning to ponder, huh.

I know everything.

If this were a visual novel, this moment would definitely be titled as such.

“Duchess Bracon.”

She must be desperately in need of my assistance.

Using that duchess to make my way into the Ice Dragon’s Castle would ensure everything goes smoothly. Duchess Teresa bit her lips, red as cherries, and blood trickled down like sweet juice along her chin.

Watching Duchess Teresa like that, I couldn’t help but chuckle.

“Duchess, shall we make a deal?”