Chapter 9: The Pig has its Eyes on the Fox
He did not want to leave Melvina's side, but he had no choice but to comply when his homeroom teacher called him. Christo just winked at Melvina and said, "I'm off," and walked down the stairs toward the podium.
As he did so, he looked around the class again, but at first glance, he did not see any large groups or those who appeared to be of particularly high status.
It is almost certain that the church has its own intentions in the classification of students, and on that basis, the Bina class to which Christo was assigned seems to be a leftover class, with no children of huge factions or influential lords in the kingdom.
(One of this year's new students is Setanta, a hero. It is highly likely that the classification is based on how well one gets along with him. If that is the case, it would seem that the Keter class is for those who are friendly with the Hero Family, and the Kokumar class is for the children of other powerful lords.
The Kether class is out of the question because of Setanta, but the Kokumar class, which is supposed to have many children of powerful lords, seems to be the best class for Christo's rise to power.
Christo clicked his tongue inwardly, thinking that he should have tried to get into the Kokumar class before the class placement announcement.
But there was no point in lamenting now.
He has no choice but to work hard in this class for the next two years.
If there is one thing, he was glad he was assigned to the Bina class, because he didn't have to get involved in any unnecessary power struggles.
"You want to talk to me, Laranoa-sensei?"
"Yes, Söderholm-kun."
When Christo comes to the front of the podium, Laranoa smiles a bewitching smile on her white-pink-lipped mouth. The contrast between her brown skin and white lips is sexy. Her pouty lips seemed glossy and glistening, and it was a sight for Christo, who was a young male.
She opened her mouth in a rough manner.
“There is someone who wants to meet you. After we tour the facilities on the campus, you guys are free to go home, but I was wondering if you wouldn't mind waiting for me?"
"Someone who wants to meet me? Who is it? Is it someone from my hometown?"
"I guess you could say they're from your hometown. I was asked not to reveal their name."
"――――"
For a moment, a certain person came to mind.
The man who had claimed to be Christo's guardian, Count Netzel.
If he had asked to see him, he would have refused if possible.
It would be nothing but a waste of time to talk to that pig.
“Is it Count Netzel?”
"I can't tell you. I'm sorry, I have a promise with the other party."
"I see."
The fact that she didn't ask back the name of the Count, it is highly likely that it is Netzel, but there is a possibility that it is not, so he can't just say no to her.
"I understand."
“Thank you. Then, when we're done with the tour, I'll come to see you. I look forward to working with you."
After saying that, Laranoa quickly climbed up the steps and headed toward the door of the classroom. Behind them, the male students with lewd minds stretched out.
Christo climbs up the steps behind the lewd kids.
When he went out of the classroom doorway into the hallway, Melvina was waiting for him, standing some distance away from the Bina classroom.
But she was not standing there alone.
Standing next to her was a woman with dull gray hair―― Gwendolyn.
Setanta's third wife.
"Christo-san."
"Sorry to keep you waiting."
Personally, I don't find this Gwendolyn woman attractive, so I smile at Melvina without her. However, Gwendolyn, seemingly unconcerned, stepped in front of Christo and began talking gruffly with her chest outstretched.
"Hmph, you seem pretty friendly with this girl! I thought you were just going to rough her up and then toss her out of the inn when you were done with her! I guess I was wrong!"
"Gwendolyn, I believe? Sorry, I'm not good at remembering people's faces...... The beautiful girl with red hair and vertical rolls―― I remember Patricia very well, but the rest of my memory is a bit fuzzy."
"That's right! Wait, why do you remember Pat, but being vague about me! Are you trying to say that I'm being overshadowed!?"
"Christo-san, let me introduce you. This is Gwendolyn Lou. She is one of Onii-sama's brides. She is the eldest daughter of Baron Helson, who governs the "Desolate Zone" in the eastern part of the kingdom. She is 16 years old, one year older than me and the same age as sister-in-law Patricia. As you can see, she is very beautiful. She is also very good with the sword. ――And sister-in-law, this is Christopher Söderholm. He was born in the northern frontier. He is a little bit of a misanthrope, and sometimes he is a little bit strange, but he is very kind, gentlemanly, and very fun to be with! He is also cute, saying he hates potatoes. Fufu."
“I’m Christopher, who was introduced. I look forward to working with you in the future. Now, Melvina, let's go over there. I want to find out what kind of people are in our class."
“Wait a minute! Don't go away! I've been waiting to talk to you! You should at least listen to me! It doesn't make it any less important!"
"Talk to me...? I don't think I have anything to talk to you about."
"Hey, Melvina! This guy pisses me off! Setanta almost died because of him, and I really hope he dies!
“It seems that sister-in-law wants the seeds of the pseudo-holy sword that Christo-san has.”
Perhaps deciding that the conversation will never end, Melvina gives a brief explanation of Gwendolyn's purpose. Hearing this, Christo furrowed his eyebrows.
"What's the exchange?"
"Five thousand gold coins."
"Five thousand."
Christo's eyebrows twitched.
The woman in front of him seemed foolish enough to look at him, and say, "An exchange? There is no such thing!". He was sure she would say something like that.
But she offered a decent price.
Five thousand gold coins are enough to start up a village somewhere in the middle of nowhere.
Not enough to buy a country, but enough to buy land.
"Wait a minute."
"What? Do you have any complaints?"
"It's a big deal. Where are you going to get 5,000 gold coins? If you want to take it out of the vaults of the Hero Family, I won't allow it."
"There's no way I can do that without Setanta's permission. My father will borrow money from the Chamber of Commerce!"
"Baron Herman will?"
Melvina asks back questioningly.
Christo looked at Melvina and decided to cut the conversation short.
"I don't think we should be standing around talking about such an important matter. People are listening."
"Yes, indeed!"
"Could we leave it for later? I don't think I can answer right away, so let's talk again after tomorrow."
“I understand. But I have a reservation for the seed. I won't forgive you if you sell them to anyone."
"I have no intention of agreeing to the reservations here. What I do with the seed at this point is up to me."
When Christo said so firmly, Gwendolyn closed her mouth and took a step closer.
"...I need that seed. If I don't, I'll lose not only to Pat, but Kat as well. Setanta won't procreate with me, and without the pseudo-holy sword, I'll be discarded in the not-too-distant future. If that happens, the support from the Hero Family will be cut off, and everyone in my hometown will starve to death."
"That's your situation, huh? It's none of my business."
"If you sell it, I won't forgive you."
After saying that, Gwendolyn pushed away the members of the Bina class who were watching from a distance and returned to the Crown Keter class.
As usual, she is a noisy woman like a storm.
“Is Baron Herman poor?”
Christo asked, and Melvina nodded.
“I can’t say it out loud, but yes. If he borrowed five thousand gold coins, he would go bankrupt."
"I see."
Nobles generally only think of their citizens as assets to talk about.
No matter what they say with their mouths, at the end of the day, they put themselves before the people.
Gwendolyn's father must be planning to go bankrupt and escape to Setanta to save only himself. If he sacrificed even his fiefdom and offered the pseudo-holy sword, Setanta would have no choice but to treat both Gwendolyn and Gwendolyn's father politely.
Then, if Gwendolyn conceived Setanta's child, there would be a possibility that their bloodline would become the head of the Hero Family.
(Or, they are going to cry to the king on the verge of bankruptcy, using the appearance of the kingdom's nobility as a shield. The king might subsidize Gwendolyn's father because he would be embarrassed if his "subjects" went bankrupt.)
In any case, it is not proper money.
At the moment, it seems that there is little profit in doing business with Gwendolyn――.
“Sister-in-law Gwendolyn, I hope she's okay...... I hope she wouldn't be tricked by some strange swindler."
"Rather than worrying about others, be more worried about yourself. Both you and I will be under no one's protection after we graduate from this academy. We have to polish our strengths before then. Have you decided which courses you will take yet?"
"No, not yet. The submission deadline is still long, so I will decide after I take all the classes."
"It would be helpful if you could take courses other than war literature, theology, and the history of the Yggdrasil Kingdom."
"Ah, the history of the kingdom is important. Following the wisdom of our predecessors is fundamental. Besides, theology is also useful. As long as we live on this continent, we can't escape the Holy Tree religion."
"...No subject is wasted, huh. Learn as you like."
When Christo replied, Laranoa loudly signaled to depart.
The corridor is straight.
On the other side of Bina class, the Kokumar class moved out, and the Keter class. Christo narrowed his eyes. He saw a blond-haired, blue-eyed giant in a group of Keter class.
(Setanta Lou. Even though I hurt him so much, he has already been discharged from the hospital.)
On the contrary, even though his legs were broken and his chest was pierced, he didn't seem to be wearing bandages or grafts.
Christo whispered to Melvina, who was walking next to him while following the tail of the group.
"Is your brother a monster?"
"Ahaha... I was asked that a lot."
Melvina smiles wryly. “As long as he didn’t die, Onii-sama will recover quickly. When he was fifteen years old, he fought against dragon warriors for three days and three nights in the "Frozen Plain'", and managed to kill 100 people and survived."
"What did you say?"
He opened his eyes involuntarily.
Killing 100 dragons at the age of 15?
He was sure it was an exaggeration, but――
But three days and three nights do not seem to contain any exaggeration.
He has tremendous vitality and physical strength.
It is hard to believe that he is a human being.
In addition, he has an abnormal mental structure that does not fear death and greedily pursues victory until the very end.
Indeed, if there are three or four such monsters, there is no way the demons can win.
It made sense for the Yggdrasil Kingdom to support the Hero House with the whole country.
“From my point of view, Christo-san, who defeated Onii-sama, is the [monster]. Ah, please don't be offended. I have no ill will."
“I didn't really do anything of note....... I just made a golem and clapped my hands.”
"High spatial comprehension ability, accurate judgment of the situation as if predicting the future, suddenly going for the kill at first sight while not knowing what's going to happen. Christo-san's strength is unlike any other warrior I have ever seen."
"Going for the kill while not knowing what's going to happen, huh?"
"That's part of it, but somehow, it's like a clever way of fighting."
"Haa, is that so?"
Well, he thought he was smarter than Setanta, whose brain seems to be made of muscles.
He had never really thought about it, so it was a strange feeling.
× × ×
They walked through the classroom building and out onto the grounds.
The cathedral is on the right side.
On the left is the training ground―― the arena where Christo and Setanta had their duel.
Setanta was at the head of the group, walking leisurely with a group of tall boys. Behind him is a red-haired woman―― Patricia, who is quietly following him. Behind her are Kat and Gwendolyn. Kat is talking with the boys as well as Setanta, but Patricia and Gwendolyn seem to be silent.
Setanta's male cronies all have scars on their cheeks and burn marks on their necks. Judging by their size, they must be the children of military nobles.
At their age, they had probably been on the battlefield several times already, so it was likely that they had known Setanta since then.
Setanta slaps a good-natured-looking boy on the head, and the group bursts into laughter.
Although he had fought like a wild beast against Christo the other day and lost, he was surprisingly well-liked by the military nobles.
On the other hand, the members of the Kokumar Class were blatantly distorting their eyes every time they heard Setanta's voice. They looked as if they wanted him to retract his shrill voice. But no one said anything, as if they were afraid of the mad dog hero, and they followed the teacher's lead.
“Your hair, Melvina-san, is so beautiful.”
"It smells good too. Is it the scent of lilies?"
“Thank you very much. I use an oil that I learned from a herbalist in our territory."
"Oh, oil!"
"If you like, I can give you some. I have a lot of it."
Behind Christo's human observation, Melvina was surrounded by girls from the Bina class. He had thought that her circumstances and personality would make her stand out among the girls.
Her bright smile, cheerful manner of speaking, and natural voice attract people.
Melvina was quickly tying the hair of a female student who had asked for the same hairstyle, showing her how to do it, and springing the women around her.
(I mean, who knows how to make essential oil? Do they have a workshop somewhere in the royal capital ......?)
Essential oils can be used in magic.
He still didn't know how much of the magic in the royal capital requires essential oil, but there must be some for sure. It's usually used in neoclassical magic, which Christo thinks is wicked, a modern take on ancient magic, and he'd like to have some of it on hand for reference.
However, there's no way he could rush into the group at this moment and say, "Eh~, essential oil~!? Cute~! Share it with me~!" Christo's personality makes it impossible.
However, if he missed the opportunity, she would say, "I gave away so much during the day that I don't have enough for Christo-san anymore". With classes about to start, he didn't know when she'll be able to get more.
He didn't know what to do――
Christo smiled at the girl who was secretly watching him while pretending to talk to Melvina. The girl turned bright red and hung her head down.
"Setanta!!"
While Christo was playing with and charming the girls in his class to pass the time, he heard a loud voice from the front of the group.
When he looked, he saw a man and a woman rushing toward the front of the group.
One is Piercarlo D'Alessio.
He was a white-looking nobleman with a stylish impression.
The other was a tall woman with chestnut hair.
Her bangs were parted, her forehead was exposed, giving her a vivacious impression.
She had strong eyebrows and confident chestnut eyes, and even with makeup on, one could tell that she had a beautiful face. The woman, who is both beautiful and good-looking, stands in front of Setanta, her bosom swaying in her school's blouse.
She put her hands on her waist and looked up at Setanta with sparkling eyes.
"Setanta. How are you?"
"Geh, Sister Yufi..."
"What do you mean by 'Geh'. Isn't it rude to the first princess of the Kingdom of Yggdrasil?"
"Kuh... I'm reflecting on it, Your Highness Princess Yufimia."
“Setanta, please greet her properly."
Patricia whispered.
Setanta was pinched in the butt by her, his eyes wandered around with "Ah, u-um...", and finally bowed to the chestnut-haired woman as a knight. At the same time, Setanta's entourage and Patricia also kneel and bow.
Kat, on the other hand, remains standing with her arms folded.
Gwendolyn seemed to be staring off in another direction, completely behind.
"Everyone, raise your heads. I'm a student here. We're all schoolmates."
Princess Yufimia, the chestnut-haired woman, smiled graciously and looked around at the people in Keter class.
"No way, Yufimia-sama!?"
"I never thought I would meet the [princess knight] of the kingdom in a place like this!"
"I didn't know she was still enrolled at this academy! What a surprise!"
The girls who had gathered around Christo were saying such things and looking at Yufimia with admiration.
Christo, on the other hand, distorted his eyes.
(One of the kingdom's guardian knights. Yufimia, the [Demon's Burail])
Her position is on par with that of Lancelot.
Despite being a princess, she is gaining fame in various places as a sword genius.
About eighteen or nineteen.
Perhaps Setanta is a little younger than her.
She is said to have studied under the hero Lancelot, so she must be Setanta's sister apprentice in terms of age.
Christo joined the crowd of students surrounding Setanta and listened to Setanta's conversation as one of the many others watching the situation.
"Setanta! Join the student council! Help me with my busy work!"
"I don't want to."
"Eh... A-ara, why?"
"I didn't come to this academy to play... In our territory, my younger brothers are fighting. My sons are here with my wife. I don't have time to enjoy the academy life with sister apprentice."
“If you join the student council, you will be granted various privileges and will gain a lot of experience through the activities. You can also enjoy life with your sister here! Come on, join the Student Council!"
"I told you I won't join! And you are not my sister. You are just my sister apprentice. Please don't misunderstand it."
"W-what are you saying... I think it is Setanta who is mistaken. I just want my brother, who always looks like he's at a funeral, to feel a little joy in life."
"It's none of your business."
"What! Hey Patricia! Say something to this bald guy!"
"I'm not bald!"
"Eh, um... Princess Yufimia and Setanta, please stop. Everyone is watching."
"Ah" "――――"
“The two of you are strictly in a relationship between a royalty and a subject. Show everyone the dignity of the royal family. The two of you, who should be a model for the order of the country, act like children in front of the public. Setanta, if you understand, please apologize to Her Highness for being rude. Princess Yufimia, please do not forget your position.”
The red-haired girl withdraws, saying, "I beg your pardon".
Setanta and Yufimia seemed to have been completely taken aback by Patricia's punch in the face. They mumbled apologies to each other and, as if to mend the situation, started all over again, starting from the first greeting.
Once the situation has settled down, Laranoa and the other teachers gather around Yufimia and Setanta.
(What am I being shown?)
He has known for some time that Setanta is a beast, but it seems that this princess also lacks the awareness of royalty.
Even though she is royalty, she stands on the front lines and kills demons all the time, which is why she is called the "Demon Burial".
Not even a shred of royal dignity―― Christo spat in his mind.
However, the students around him burst into laughter, perhaps because they were amused by the childishness of Yufimia and the others.
"Fufu, it's interesting to listen to both of their conversations who are totally devoted to their fighting skills"
"Pierre."
Piercarlo D'Alessio.
He was a beautiful young man with nearly white silver hair.
As usual, he had long hair that reached to his waist, pulled back in a single strand behind his head.
However, all the buttons of his shirt were tightly buttoned, and his chest was not fully exposed as before. Pierre was getting closer to Christo than he needed to be, and the girls around him were suddenly holding their mouths and their eyes sparkling.
"Hey, it's been a while. It seems like things are going well after that. Hello Melvina-jou."
"Good day, D'Alessio-sama."
"Christo, do you still have the seed?"
Pierre asked with a smile.
Christo was silent for a moment, then shook his head.
"I already sold it"
"Who did you sell it to?"
"――I'm just kidding. I didn't really sell it.
"So it's in your possession?"
"Do you care?"
"Well, a little."
After Pierre said that, he put his lips to Christo's ear.
High-pitched sounds went up from the crowd.
"If you're going to sell the seed, I'd like you to sell it to me."
"...I'll think about it."
While they were having this conversation, Yufimia, who had just left Setanta, came strolling toward them. She looked up at Christo and opened her mouth in a manner different from the way she had treated Setanta.
"Christopher Soderholm. I heard about your activities in the north. Thank you for your hard work in subjugating the demon that is hostile to the light race."
“Ha! It is with great pleasure that I have been granted an audience with you. As for Her Royal Highness――"
"Such formal greetings are unnecessary here. However, when you attend the ceremony to be held in two weeks' time, make sure to say what you just said in front of His Majesty the King."
"What do you mean by ceremony?"
Christo raises his head.
Pierre answered his question.
"It is a ceremony to celebrate the defeat of the demons. At the same time, it is also a ceremony to commemorate the hero Lancelot, and the body of the demon is cut up and distributed to the nobles who purchased it. It is a national event jointly conducted by the royal family, the church, and the Chamber of Commerce."
"Here are the details."
Yufimia hands him an invitation sealed with red wax.
The royal crest was stamped on the wax seal.
"This month's extracurricular activities seem to be the extermination of wild dogs."
"Yes, that's what our class is supposed to do."
"I hope you won't get seriously injured in the extracurricular activities. If you miss the ceremony, you will miss a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity."
“Ha! I will do everything I can."
"Very well. Keep up the good work for the royal family."
"Ha!"
“—Mel, how are you?”
Yufimia turned and looked at Melvina with a soft smile.
"Are you eating properly?"
"Yes. Yufimia-sama."
"I see. You can call me Onee-chan like you used to."
"Such a thing..."
"You've grown up."
The chestnut-haired princess turned her back to Christo and the others after saying that.
Pierre waved his hand and followed the princess toward the classroom.
With her departure, the bustle of the students begins to return to the grounds as if time had been suspended.
Laranoa and the others clap their hands and the tour of the school building resumes.
× × ×
After the orientation, which felt longer than the time that actually elapsed, Christo was waiting in the cafeteria.
The cafeteria was a simple but spacious and clean place.
While Christo was sitting at a corner of a long table, contemplating which course to take, Laranoa, a brown-skinned, bewitching nun, entered the dining hall with a fat man.
Looking at the man's face, Christo felt disgusted.
The man Laranoa brought was, as expected, Count Netzel.
"I'm sorry, Laranoa-sensei. I just remembered something to do, so can I go home?"
“You're going home? Why don't you just listen to what the Frontier Count has to say, even if it's only for a moment?"
"Christo!"
Netzel, with a much more worn-out face than the last time they parted, grabbed Christo's hands.
"What? There's nothing left for us to talk about."
"There is! I have two important things to tell you!"
"Count-sama, please come this way. No one comes to the cafeteria at this time, so you can talk in the corner without fear of being overheard."
"Is it a problem if it is heard?"
Christo asks back with an exasperated tone. "If that's the case, shouldn't we have Laranoa-sensei sitting next to us, right?"
"She is my subordinate."
"Ha?"
"It's exactly as what Netzel-sama says. I'm in the church, but I'm his subject."
“Haa…… so my enrollment.”
"I mainly took care of it. All the higher-ups men in the church listen to my request."
Laranoa's mouth relaxed as she said this.
Her breasts, which seemed unqualified for a priestess, were on the table.
Christo wondered what it would feel like to put his hand between that breast and the table.
"Never mind that, it's the seed of the Holy Sword!"
Netzel said vigorously.
He then continued, his face as if he were biting a bitter bug.
“Then, let’s talk about the former Soderholm territory.”
The Frontier Count pulled out a paper, damp with sweat, from his pocket.
It's like a decree.
“The people in the territory are complaining. They don't want to be under my direct control. When I told them that Ixel is dead, those trashy insects are asking me to let you, his child, take over."
"Hoh. Then, you're going to give me the territory?"
“Who will! ……I will appoint you as an administrator. Do whatever it takes to persuade the people to bow before me!"
"I refuse."
"What!? The salary is negotiable! I know I'm putting it this way, but I've already seen that you seem to be very capable! I'll give you the proper treatment, just follow my orders! I need you!"
"No, that's not the point. I mean, is this a bad thing for people to hear? It's so unimportant, it's appalling."
"Christo, you...!"
Count Netzel stood up with a streak on his forehead.
Laranoa said, "Please calm down," but the Count yelled, "Shut up!"
When he wondered why the Count's subordinates, including Laranoa, were following such a man, the pig in front of him suddenly withdrew his anger.
"Christo."
"Yes, what is it?"
"Who is that beautiful girl?"
“…………”
Christo and Laranoa followed Netzel's gaze.
Beyond them, they saw Setanta and his party standing in the doorway of the cafeteria, talking with each other.
Netzel's small eyes were on Gwendolyn, a girl with dull gray hair who was kicking a pebble to pass time behind Patricia.
Tftc.
ReplyDelete