NOVEL NEXT Chapter 66
Hearing Fabiana’s words, I had no idea how to react, so I just bowed my head deeply.
And I barely managed to hold back the laughter that was about to burst out, even calling upon my mana.
Crazy Woman.
I thought of her as a crazy woman, but for some reason, understanding why made it all the more ridiculous.
“What’s up, Luna? Why do you have that expression?”
“I’ve been worried about one thing lately.”
“What the hell did you cause this time?”
“I have worries, and you’re just throwing around curses left and right. This is why people call you an idiot.”
“What worries do you have besides your gambling problems?”
“I do have worries, you damn idiot. I’m worried that when we… finish everything and return to the continent, the emperor and the pope might say something different.”
“You’re worrying over nothing.”
“There’s political stuff you lowly idiots wouldn’t understand. In a future where humanity’s enemies are gone, the only way for humanity to come together again is to create a new enemy.”
“So, are you saying the emperor or pope could stab us in the back, twisting us into humanity’s enemies?”
“…That’s right.”
“What does that perfect Yurpia have to say about this?”
“I’m not such an idiot that I lean on Yurpia for even trivial matters.”
“Hmm…”
“Why are you looking at me like that?”
“Just thinking you’re worrying over something completely pointless.”
“This is not pointless, this could really happen…”
“If they suddenly start spouting nonsense, we can just beat the hell out of them. Even if you can’t, I will. If I’m not around, Paul or Kaloso will do it, or Arisa will step in.”
“So, you’re saying you’ll take down the emperor and pope?”
“As if we haven’t done that before. Hey, do you know how many times we slapped the pope when we pulled you out of the Holy Kingdom? And don’t get me started on the emperor. Even if they do put us down as humanity’s enemies, we’ll definitely win.”
“…Ronan, your words make it sound like if humans turn against us, they’ll all die.”
“I don’t kill humans. Just those that don’t act like humans. And how dare they touch… us? What can’t I do?”
“Ronan, it seems like you’ve got a nasty devil inside your mouth.”
“Even if I support this crazy woman, it’s still madness.”
“But listening to your nonsense makes me think my worries are pointless. You’re right; violence can smooth over most situations effectively.”
“If you’re done worrying, I’m in need of some healing.”
“Healing? Why are you hurt when you haven’t even faced a demon?”
“I fought with Paulo.”
“…Why?”
“That bastard stole my meat.”
“You can just steal it back like you always do.”
“But Paulo had poison on the meat he stole.”
“So he ate the poisoned meat?”
“Yeah.”
“Then he should be too sick to even think about fighting you.”
“No, he said he’d kill me before the poison spread.”
“…So where’s Paulo?”
“Over there.”
“Oh my god!! Luna!! Luna!! Paulo is about to collapse!! Hurry up!!!”
“You idiots.”
Did I really keep the promise from that time? Did the emperor talk nonsense?
I slowly rubbed my trembling lip with my finger to calm my laughter.
If I laughed out loud about the fact that the emperor, who was said to be the greatest, got slapped, I wouldn’t be able to get over it easily.
“…Hmm, I see.”
“Why do you look like that?”
“What’s wrong with my expression?”
Fabiana’s eyes narrowed.
“It’s too stiff. It looks like you’re trying to hide your emotions. Eliaernes, I didn’t know you could be so coy.”
“…This isn’t coy.”
What followed were questions with little substance.
Unlike our previous private conversations, this was extremely close to political matters.
Things I disliked and somewhat expected.
Humanity’s enemies had appeared.
It was time for humanity to unite.
The empire’s might would rise.
Consequently, Fabiana’s influence would rise as well.
But that wasn’t what Fabiana wanted.
Someone was pulling the strings behind the scenes.
That puppet-master had blown this incident out of proportion.
And that word was hinting to me who the culprit was.
The Empire’s First Prince, Anton de Herman.
“Is it okay to tell me such things?”
So I straightforwardly asked.
But Fabiana just smiled softly and shook her head.
“As long as it’s you, I don’t mind if you use this information for some dodgy schemes. You’re a noble who isn’t very concerned about the political situation.”
“Well, that’s true.”
“I didn’t think the future head of House Eustetia would be so uninterested in the political situation. It worries me a bit.”
“There’s no rule that says I must be concerned. Also, my father is still doing well. He’ll live for a long time. So there’s no need to worry.”
“If Turius Eustetia heard that, he’d have a big smile on his face.”
“…That’s not really what I meant.”
Chuckling, Fabiana then got up and plopped down onto a desk covered with piles of documents.
“Watch out for my damned brother.”
“Do you think the First Prince, who isn’t even here at the Academy, could cross paths with me?”
“If there’s no opportunity, just create one. Being royalty makes such things very easy. Perhaps from this reward business, I could make ties with you.”
“Surely the princess would stop that, wouldn’t she?”
There’s no way Fabiana would silently watch that unfold. Still, for now, it seemed that some kind of bond was forming between Fabiana, me, and Silina.
“Ha ha ha! Right. You’re spot on.”
“While the princess wouldn’t do that, you still need to understand. Don’t think of me, or Eustetia, as political weapons. I’m just helping you as Eliaernes, a student of the Academy, and nothing more.”
This wasn’t just directed toward Fabiana.
It was a warning to the royal family.
Though it sounded dangerously charged for a warning, Eustetia could take it.
“I vow on my honor—I will not use Eustetia as a political weapon.”
“Thank you for gladly responding to my rude remark.”
“It’s nothing for my benefactor. I can do whatever you wish. If you want, you can even call me sister, and I would be delighted.”
“That’s a bit…”
“You’re making the same face as when we had tea this afternoon. It looks even worse.”
“…It’s not that bad.”
Chuckling, Fabiana held a mana-powered pen and gave me a sidelong glance.
“Though you didn’t look like it, you really… care for and like Eustetia deeply.”
I shrugged and grabbed a handful of candies from a small basket to toss into my pocket.
“Because it’s Eustetia.”
Then I watched Fabiana as she dusted herself off and started to tackle her piled-up work.
“Your Highness, may I ask one last thing?”
“If it’s about the Treasure House and the Forbidden Library, that will be held around noon tomorrow.”
“No, not that.”
“Hmm?”
Her gaze that had been set on the documents returned to me.
“Do the royals all know the information in the Forbidden Library at the Imperial Palace?”
Fabiana shook her head.
“We don’t know. Only His Majesty the Emperor does.”
“Even you don’t know, Your Highness?”
“What I know wouldn’t even be a tip of the iceberg.”
A pleasantly surprising answer brought a light smile to my face.
“Thank you. It was a delightful conversation.”
“Then let’s do this more often.”
“Human emotions are truly fickle. Though it’s enjoyable to have a brief chat like this, the thought of it dragging on feels a bit bizarre.”
“So?”
“Let’s not do it too often—how about once every two months?”
“That sounds like too long; let’s narrow it down to once a month.”
“Alright.”
Bowing my head, I turned right around.
Behind me, Fabiana murmured softly.
“If by any chance I find myself unable to move, can I leave Silina in your care?”
“As that’s a request and not an order, I’ll try my best.”
“That’s enough for me. Thank you, Eliaernes.”
Fabiana was beaming with a bright smile.
*
When I left Fabiana’s room and arrived at my own, as Mikel said, the door was fixed properly.
In that comfortable atmosphere, I spent quite a busy time.
Dragging my sore, aching, creaky body, I sank into the bathtub and dried my head clean.
Then I slipped into my Academy uniform, perfectly tailored to fit my physique—not the shabby training outfit I always wore.
I tied my hair neatly back with a black ribbon.
It was a bit messy, but not bad at all.
Finally, after downing a recovery potion, a stamina potion, and a nutrition-packed potion, I stared at the mirror and checked my gradually improving complexion.
Then, with a device, I called for Yurasia.
[Want to come over for a moment?]
Exactly ten minutes later.
Knock, knock. A very polite knock echoed.
“Come in.”
The door opened silently, and Yurasia walked in, looking incredibly polished.
That sight made me chuckle—snort.
“Yurasia and I are pretty much the same, huh?”
“Yes, yes? What do you mean?”
“We both look neat and tidy.”
Of course, the reasons are different.
Yurasia, being a member of the Knight Order, probably dressed this way for that reason, but I was merely trying to look decent in case someone unexpected showed up.
“Have a seat.”
Puff puff. As I tapped the space beside me on the bed, Yurasia cautiously sat down.
She then gazed at me with wide, curious eyes.
“What did you call me for?”
I wanted to overcome any misunderstandings or concerns that might arise.
And to help elevate Yurasia’s reputation a bit more, I called her to prepare what she needed to say.
“Um… well…?”
But our pure Yurasia, not picking up on such intentions, just rolled her big blue eyes in confusion.
I couldn’t help but snicker at her.
“We should kiss before others come.”
At the same time.
“…Huh.”
Yurasia’s face poofed bright red.