The Northern Duke’s Daughter Will Never Fall

Chapter 78: What Is an Academy? (2)

Astein’s sharp gaze rested on Veracien. The subtle emotion flickering at the edge of his eyes betrayed his inner feelings at that moment.

“Veracien.”

“What?”

A small, round object resembling a ball of black yarn rested in her hand. However, it wasn’t just an ordinary ball of yarn. 

This one had two wide, round eyes, ears perched atop what seemed to be its head, and tiny wings fluttering at its rear.

Veracien idly bounced the fluffy ball in one hand while propping her chin with the other, yawning openly. She didn’t even look at Astein despite him calling her name.

“What exactly are you trying to accomplish?”

“What do you mean? Why? What now?”

“…I’m talking about what happened at the training ground.”

“Oh, that.”

Only then did Veracien wipe the tears from the corners of her eyes, as if finally understanding the question. 

To her, it wasn’t a big deal. While Astrid and Leopold seemed to think the incident was the result of a lust-inducing spell, Veracien knew that wasn’t entirely the case.

“That’s just basic stuff—you know it too. Emotional amplification magic.”

As Veracien explained, the spell cast on Leopold and Astrid was a simple, low-level one. Of course, since Veracien had cast it herself, its power far exceeded that of typical human-performed low-level magic.

“It doesn’t matter whether it was emotional amplification magic or anything else. That’s not the point.”

Astein frowned, a rare display of irritation. Normally, he was composed and stoic, but now he was clearly annoyed.

The plan had been proceeding smoothly. Veracien’s role was simple: quietly cause subtle, inexplicable disturbances to divert the instructors’ attention.

Given the limitations of his human form, Astein couldn’t travel as freely as Veracien, the Grand Duchess of the Demon Realm and a succubus. 

Thus, while he focused on advancing his plans, Veracien was supposed to draw attention away from him—discreetly. Until now, things had been going well.

“…Were you really that bored?”

“Yes! Do you even know how bored I’ve been? It’s always ‘no this,’ ‘no that,’ ‘don’t do this,’ ‘don’t do that’—I couldn’t do anything! You have no idea how unbearable it’s been!”

Veracien suddenly slammed the table and shot to her feet. Startled, the little black fluff ball widened its eyes and flapped its tiny wings frantically, its gaze darting about.

“You don’t even tell me what this ‘grand plan’ of yours is, and then you make me play stupid pranks! Do you think I made a contract with you and answered your summons just for this?!”

“Alright, alright, lower your voice.”

Astein’s quarters were private, so there wasn’t much risk of being overheard. 

Still, if she kept yelling, there was no telling what might happen. Astein motioned for Veracien to quiet down, signaling her to sit back down.

“Well, whatever. Fine.”

The plan, after all, was still on track. It wasn’t even halfway complete, but it was progressing slowly by design, so there was no harm in letting Veracien do as she pleased for the time being.

“So, what exactly do you want to do?”

“Hmm…”

But when asked so directly, Veracien hesitated, suddenly falling silent.

“Well? Veracien? What is it that you want to do?”

Astein smirked, intending to mock her. The fact that she couldn’t immediately answer when given the opportunity to act freely was amusing in its own way.

“Are you really going to let me do what I want?”

“Uh… I mean, I’ll hear you out first.”

“If you don’t promise, I won’t say.”

What is this, a child’s tantrum? Astein thought, growing increasingly irritated. How was he supposed to negotiate or compromise when she wouldn’t even tell him what she wanted without a promise?

First Astrid, now this. What’s wrong with all these so-called grand duchesses? None of them seem sane.

“Fine. I’ll humor you—just tell me.”

“Alright, I’ll be generous and tell you first. I want to witness Astrid and Leopold… you know, mate, right in front of me.”

“…Excuse me?”

Astein thought he must have misheard. Surely, he couldn’t have heard that correctly. But Veracien, with a confident expression as if daring him to object, confirmed her words with her gaze.

“…That’s seriously what you want to do?”

“Of course. You wouldn’t understand because you missed the spectacle.”

Veracien closed her eyes, a dreamy expression spreading across her face as she vividly recalled the scene. 

Astrid had lunged at Leopold like a snow leopard on the hunt. Even when Leopold rolled to the side to dodge, Astrid seemed to anticipate his movements, pouncing on him again with ease.

She had pinned him against the wall, cornered him completely, and then…

“Veracien, Your Face Is Flushed”

Veracien’s flight of imagination was abruptly interrupted by Astein’s words. Just as her mental scene was reaching its climax, his comment cut through her thoughts like a blade. For a moment, she looked annoyed, but soon, her frustration was directed at Astein instead.

“Anyway, that’s what I want to do. So, are you going to allow it or not?”

As a contracted party, Veracien couldn’t act in a way that interfered with Astein’s plans. 

However, if he deemed it irrelevant or acceptable, and provided she had a valid reason, she was free to do as she wished with his permission.

“Well, I don’t think it’ll be an issue. It’s not like it has anything to do with… um, virginity or something.”

“W-what’s wrong with being a virgin!?”

“Did I say there was anything wrong?”

Veracien shot up, slamming the table again, her face flushed with embarrassment. Astein’s comment had been offhand, but it took her a moment to realize it wasn’t meant to tease her.

“…So, you’re allowing it, right? No going back on your word?”

“Sure, but if things get too extreme, I’ll tell you to stop. As long as you don’t go overboard, I don’t mind. Oh, but you need to promise me one thing.”

Astein’s face twisted into a familiar, suspicious grin as he wagged his finger at Veracien for emphasis.

“You can do whatever, but under no circumstances can you let anyone get pregnant. Got it? If a child gets involved, things will get really complicated.”

“Fine, I’m not interested in babies anyway.”

Though Veracien said this, it wasn’t entirely true. She was deeply curious about the moment of human birth. 

She wondered—if a woman like Astrid lost her child at birth, would she cry? That scene intrigued Veracien.

However, there was no need to bring that up now.

***

Three Days Out from Miterien Territory

Three days had passed since Ashray left the northern duchy. He had ridden nonstop toward the Academy. 

Although the distance wasn’t too far from the capital, it was clear it would take nearly a week to reach the Academy.

“Heh.”

Despite the grueling pace, Ashray showed no signs of exhaustion. As a warrior of the proud and resilient Miterien family, Ashray believed that physical strength was a fortress against all threats. 

He had devoted himself to rigorous training, shunning what he deemed cowardly, underhanded means such as magic.

‘Even my gorilla-like sister couldn’t win against the stairs…’

Though Ashray could push through, his horse needed rest. The Miterien duchy was known for breeding strong and hardy horses, and Ashray’s steed was one of the finest. Still, after three days and nights of relentless travel, even it required a break.

By a lakeside, Ashray prepared a modest meal. He tossed jerky into a mess tin of lake water and pulled a few hardtack biscuits from his pouch. 

He poured water from his canteen over the biscuits, letting them swell to the size of his fist.

While it couldn’t compare to the taste of freshly baked bread, the softened biscuits were far better than gnawing on dry ones. 

Lacking luxuries like jam or butter, hunger made even this simple meal satisfying.

“This is strange…”

Thinking of Astrid always left Ashray feeling peculiar. She, with her innate talents, would often mock his relentless physical training. Despite her unparalleled abilities, she had one weakness: stairs.

Once, she slipped on the stairs, hit her head, and when she woke up, she was an entirely different person. 

Ashray had initially been bewildered, wondering why the usual barrage of insults hadn’t come his way.

“Hmm.”

The jerky had softened to the point it was chewable. As he gnawed on it, Ashray lay back against the ground.

—Ashray, don’t lie down right after eating. It’s bad for digestion.

He could almost hear Astrid’s voice. Though, in the past, her words would have been far harsher:

—Stuffing your face and flopping down like that? What are you, a cow? Well, you do look like one, so I guess it fits.

“Ugh.”

Ashray shook his head to dispel the memory.

How someone could change so drastically was beyond him. Was it really because she hit her head? He was curious but not curious enough to try experimenting on himself.

“Well, time to get going again.”

In another three or four days, he would arrive.

Ashray could already picture Astrid’s radiant silver hair, and her voice chiding him to eat his vegetables as she handed him a piece of steak. 

The thought brought an uncharacteristic smile to his face.

“Alright, Sister! I’m on my way!”