Episode 57: The Four Avengers

The morning of the dormitory battle finals. Siegfried, Leon, and Dominik are gathered at the indoor training hall within the Military Academy.

During the Martial Tournament, this place is designated exclusively as the waiting room for Slade Dormitory.

“It’s finally time, huh…”

Leon mutters.

“Feels like I’ve been waiting for this day ever since I enrolled. I mean…”

The desire to win is certainly there.

But for Leon, even more than that, the fact that he can face opponents he was never allowed to challenge before, with all his strength—that alone holds profound meaning.

“…Shouldn’t the others be showing up soon?”

Dominik glances out the window. The sky is just beginning to lighten, and it’s around 6 a.m.

It’s the time when the members of Slade Dormitory are supposed to gather.

However—an hour passes, and not a single person shows up.

“—What’s going on!?”

A few people being late is one thing, but for no one to appear except Leon, Siegfried, and Dominik? That’s far from normal.

“…I’m gonna head to the dorm and check things out.”

Just as Leon says this and starts to leave the indoor training hall…

The iron door creaks open, and a few students step inside.

“You guys…!”

Relief washes over Leon’s face. The handful of students are members of Slade Dormitory’s representative team.

“What’s the holdup? You’re late as hell… And where’s everyone else?”

“…Sorry.”

One of the representatives speaks up, their voice trembling, their face pale.

From their demeanor, Leon senses that something serious has happened.

“Did something happen…?”

“Sorry, really… I’m so sorry.”

“No need to apologize. Just tell us what’s going on.”

“—W-We… we can’t participate in the dormitory battle finals…”

“Huh…?”

“The thing is… we were threatened by the Grantzile Dormitory guys. They said, ‘If you show up for the finals, you’re expelled.’”

Another student chimes in to elaborate.

“And that’s not all. They said they’d put pressure on the lords of our hometowns and make our lives hell…”

For commoner students who graduate from the Military Academy, positions like squad leaders in city guards—low-ranking command roles—are typically granted.

But if they’re expelled, they’d have no choice but to return to their hometowns and live as farmers or craftsmen.

And if the lord of their hometown has it out for them—well, a decent life would be out of the question.

“Sorry, Leon… That’s why we… we can’t show up for the dormitory battle finals! If we get expelled and targeted by the lords… we won’t survive…”

“Putting pressure on lords? Even for Grantzile Dormitory students, that’s not something they can just do…!”

Dominik raises his voice.

Even for students of noble birth, exerting influence over an active lord—the head of a noble family—is unthinkable under normal circumstances.

If anyone could pull off such a thing, it would have to be the king… or perhaps someone at the pinnacle of nobility, one of the Five Great Noble Houses—

“No way… Headmaster Ludendorf!?”

Before Dominik can finish, another voice cuts in.

“Yo, yo, what’s the holdup, you lot?”

Stepping forward with a voice dripping with frivolity is a young man with blue hair—Ruberus von Bakkeholk.

The very man Siegfried thoroughly trounced on his first day at the Military Academy.

“Goddamn it… Didn’t I tell you not to act on your own?”

Next to appear is a slightly overweight yet muscular man—Prosper.

He’s another student who once disrupted a class and was soundly beaten by Siegfried.

Since then, perhaps out of fear of Siegfried, he’s been on a leave of absence and hasn’t shown up to classes.

Moments later, yet another noble student steps forward.

“Got the picture now, huh? Leon, Dominik, and Siegfried… Except for you three, not a single soul’s showing up for the dormitory battle. Hyahaha!”

Laughing with a crude cackle is the man who once mixed sand into Siegfried’s food in the dining hall.

The same man who was later forced to eat that very dish while crying—Moses.

“However…”

Another voice rings out as yet another man appears—a pudgy noble student, Hugo.

He’s the one who was caught by Siegfried using magic against a commoner and was promptly blasted with magic in return.

“Our target is Siegfried. Uh, you two… Leon and Dominik, was it? We’re willing to let you off.”

“Let us off?”

Leon’s voice is sharp as he retorts.

“Yeah. If you kneel before us right here, we’ll accept your withdrawal. But Siegfried… you’re not getting off that easy.”

Hugo’s gaze shifts to Siegfried, who has been silently observing.

“You’re the captain of Slade Dormitory. No way we’re letting you back out. You’re gonna fight in the dormitory battle, even if it’s just you alone.”

“Either you get pummeled by us 100 to 1… or you declare your pathetic defeat in front of the entire audience.”

Ruberus spits the words out with disdain.

All eyes turn to Siegfried. He’s holding a hand to his mouth, head slightly bowed, his shoulders trembling.

To Ruberus and the others, his gesture seems like a sign of shock and panic.

“Kukuku…”

“Hyahaha!”

Ruberus, Prosper, Moses, and Hugo burst into laughter one after another.

A shared thought burns in their chests.

We’ve won. We’ve outsmarted Siegfried…!

Now is the moment to erase the humiliation they suffered at his hands—beg for mercy like a fool or run away in disgrace!

But contrary to their expectations, Siegfried’s response is something entirely unexpected.

“…Are you four participating in the dormitory battle finals?”

“Huh? Why the hell does that matter!? …Fine, I’ll humor you.”

Prosper steps forward, puffing out his chest.

“The four of us sat out the first round to conserve our strength for the finals. But in the finals, we’ll be there as unit commanders supporting our captain, Student Representative Randolph.”

“I see. Kuh… Hahahahaha!”

Siegfried’s laughter echoes loudly through the indoor training hall.

Hearing it, Ruberus and the others finally realize—

Siegfried’s earlier reaction wasn’t shock.

It was uncontainable joy. He’d been covering his mouth, struggling to stifle his laughter.

“W-What’s so funny…?”

“Has he finally lost it completely!?”

As the noble students stir, Siegfried smiles quietly but gleefully.

“Four lieutenants supporting the boss, Randolph. In other words… the Four Heavenly Kings! You four are the evil Four Heavenly Kings!”

“…Huh?”

“The quintessential, classic archetype of evil lieutenants… the Four Heavenly Kings. To think I’d face them here—what an unexpected delight! Hahahaha! This is fun! Oh, truly… exhilarating!”

Siegfried von Kreving laughs. Like a demon king—like the ultimate villain.