Episode 65: Silent Aftermath

“Well, well, this has turned into quite the situation…”

　A few days after Siegfried and the others had graduated, in the staff room of the main building at the military academy.

　In that room lined with chairs and desks, nearly all the instructors were gathered, handling their remaining duties while exchanging fragmented conversations.

“I never imagined they’d graduate the entire student body all at once…”

　One of the instructors muttered this in a daze.

　With the students gone, the academy was effectively on hiatus.

　The headmaster, Ludendorf, was said to be in poor health, and no future policies had been outlined.

　There was a high possibility it would be shut down permanently.

　To begin with, while the academy was ostensibly a noble educational institution, it had utterly failed to fulfill its founding ideals.

　Even if it were abolished, no one would consider it a significant loss.

　The real issue was—

“I wonder what will become of us…”

　Yes… the problem was finding new employment for the instructors.

“The security guards can simply be reassigned to other cities or facilities… but it’s not so straightforward for us.”

　The academy’s security personnel belonged to the Kirchheim Kingdom. They would just be transferred elsewhere, with their jobs secure.

　However, the instructors were different. They were merely employed by the academy. If the place ceased to exist, they’d simply be let go.

“It’d be nice if I could become a tutor for some noble family.”

　Someone murmured softly.

　In the Kirchheim Kingdom, there were few schools to begin with.

　Nobles learned from private tutors, and commoners had almost no educational opportunities at all. Of course, institutions aimed at training bureaucrats existed, but their numbers were extremely limited.

“I wonder how things will turn out…”

　Those words, laced with half-resignation, made the atmosphere in the staff room even heavier. It was at that moment.

　—Knock knock, the door was tapped twice, modestly.

“Hm? Who could that be?… Come in.”

　When one instructor called out, the door opened quietly.

　The figure that appeared was an elderly gentleman impeccably dressed in butler attire.

“Pardon the sudden visit.”

　The elderly gentleman placed a hand on his chest and bowed politely.

　The instructors, captivated by his impeccably proper demeanor, involuntarily paused their movements and focused their gazes on him.

“I am Evan Easton, serving as butler to the von Kreving Earl family. Normally, I would have contacted you in advance to arrange a visit… but considering you might be quite occupied, I took the liberty of coming directly.”

“O-Oh, how polite of you…”

　The von Kreving Earl family—the moment they heard that name, the air in the room grew slightly tense.

　In other words, the elderly gentleman before them was the butler to that Siegfried—the one responsible for dismantling the academy.

“So… what brings you here?”

　When an instructor asked timidly, the elderly gentleman—Evan—calmly opened his mouth.

“I’ll get straight to the point. Everyone… would you be interested in working for the von Kreving Earl family?”

“For the von Kreving Earl family…?”

　The instructors exchanged glances, gauging each other’s reactions. Evan continued in his unfailingly polite manner.

“The von Kreving Earl family is advancing the construction of an educational institution within our territory, and it is set to open soon. Additionally, we are planning to expand our knight order.”

　The school they’ve been preparing is nearing completion and is scheduled to open in the spring. Preparations for strengthening the knight order are also progressing steadily.

“Therefore, we would greatly appreciate it if you could take on the education of those individuals. As for compensation, we promise conditions that exceed your current treatment. If you’re interested… would you kindly teach and guide them?”

　The academy had many instructors who taught ‘basic education’ in foundational knowledge. He wanted them to become teachers at the school in the territory.

　For those who handled military education, he requested they take charge of training the new recruits in the knight order—Evan continued his explanation.

　An offer directly from a new workplace, with better treatment than now. It was an impeccable proposition.

　But the talk was so sudden that the instructors couldn’t find words to respond, merely exchanging looks.

　Amid that silence, the one who spoke was a man in his fifties with a composed air.

　His name was Hugo.

“Master Evan. May I ask one thing?”

“Of course.”

“The students we would teach at the von Kreving Earl family… are they truly those who ‘need education’?”

“Yes, absolutely.”

　Evan answered without hesitation.

　At that response, Hugo nodded with a gentle smile.

“Then—I shall serve the von Kreving Earl family.”

　With that, Hugo looked into Evan’s face.

“I… came to this academy drawn by the good salary. But that was a mistake. The students here… didn’t need my education.”

　The noble students wouldn’t lend an ear to words from someone of commoner origin like him.

　The commoner students were too desperate to read the noble students’ moods, so the lessons didn’t sink in.

“…No, that might just be an excuse. If I had more ability… perhaps I could have guided the students.”

　In Hugo’s mind, a scene from one day’s class resurfaced.

　It was when a student named Prosper had, as usual, mouthed off in the classroom.

　He could only stand there in confusion, breaking into a cold sweat.

　But—someone had risen without hesitation.

　It was Siegfried.

　In an instant, he had subdued Prosper and restored order to the classroom.

　Of course, as an instructor, Hugo couldn’t choose violence as a means.

　Even so… if he had possessed that kind of resolute strength.

　Hugo slowly exhaled and then said.

“If I serve as a teacher under Earl von Kreving… perhaps I can gain a heart that’s just a bit stronger than now. And if there are those who truly need my education—I’ll gladly take up the teaching role. I look forward to working with you, Master Evan.”

 

◇

 

　The royal capital of the Kirchheim Kingdom, Kirchhelion. In the throne room of Kirchheim-Almas Castle, towering at its center.

“—That concludes the sequence of events.”

“Understood. You may leave.”

“Yes…!”

　The court secretary, having finished reporting the circumstances leading to the graduation of the entire student body at the academy, bowed respectfully to King Luverios and exited the room.

　Left in the throne room were… Luverios and Prime Minister Joachim.

“To think they’d graduate the whole academy at once. And it seems something happened to Ludendorf as well. That Siegfried, he really did it.”

　However, there was scarcely any anger in Luverios’s tone as he said this.

　For him, the academy had never been of much value to begin with.

　It was an educational institution founded by the king two generations ago, so he’d kept it running—but its disappearance wouldn’t trouble him much.

　Moreover, Ludendorf wasn’t someone Luverios favored.

　Back when Luverios was still the third prince—Ludendorf had supported his older brother, the first prince.

　He wouldn’t call him an enemy, but he held neither trust nor fondness for him.

“If Ludendorf can’t serve as head of the family… we can have his son Randolph succeed him. Or, we could have them adopt a suitable heir from a branch of the Steyart Duke family.”

　As one of the five great noble houses, the Steyart family was a symbol of the kingdom’s nobility. They needed to continue existing.

　But what became of Ludendorf himself was of no concern.

　He’d heard Randolph had also suffered severe injuries in the dorm battle, but he felt no particular emotion about that either.

　In any case, it was merely a matter of preparing a replacement.

　Siegfried’s actions had indeed been unexpected.

　But for Luverios, it wasn’t a particularly damaging blow.

　However—the Prime Minister Joachim’s voice was heavy and subdued.

“…He is indeed a dangerous man, that Siegfried.”

　Sending Siegfried to the academy had merely been preparation to deploy him to the front lines.

　But destroying the academy itself and graduating was truly beyond expectations.

“We should send Siegfried to the front lines immediately. And… ensure he meets his end there without fail.”

“—Yes, that’s right.”

　Luverios nodded, but a slight hesitation flickered across his expression.

“…What is it?”

“No, I just thought it a bit of a waste to kill him. If I could use him as my pawn… there aren’t many men as useful as him.”

“Your Majesty.”

　Joachim’s voice grew even lower.

　And his eyes rolled back eerily.

　Those black, ominously gleaming pupils—they were no longer human.

“I will say it once more. That man is dangerous. Eventually, without fail—he will become an obstacle to Your Majesty.”

“‘And an obstacle to your own goals as well’… isn’t that what you mean? Joachim.”

　Luverios glared back at Joachim.

　A heavy silence fell between the two.

　It was Luverios who broke it.

“I know, Joachim. I have no intention of changing the plan. Arrange it so that man dies for certain.”

“…As expected of Your Majesty.”

　With those words, Joachim’s eyes quietly returned to their original color.

“He’s a talent too valuable to kill… but you’re right. Siegfried is dangerous.”

　Luverios leaned back against the throne once more and let out a deep breath.

“Let him—fall on the battlefield.”