June 19th, 2023
There was a brief event, but we managed to smoothly get through it one way or another. I was worried that even if Arwen made room for me, she might secretly watch, but as soon as I left the bedroom, she was gone.
Now, the first priority was properly scolding this naughty cat. During the process, the cat apologized, but it was useless to me who was already doing as I pleased.
Eventually, we skipped dinner and it became late at night before the cat could return to its own place. Because I had been so intense, my legs gave way, and I had no choice but to support myself.
Finally, when we arrived at the front of the female dormitory, before sending off the cat, I gently stroked her head and said half-jokingly.
“Don’t play such pranks anymore. Got it?”
“Yes…”
Marie blushed and mumbled, but didn’t say anything else. She had confidently jumped at me and ended up being teased, so she had nothing to say, even if she had ten mouths.
“…I’ll be working hard on my exercise, so just watch me.”
“You’ll do great. Anything special happening tomorrow?”
“There’s nothing special, but Rina said she has something to talk about tomorrow. We can talk about it then.”
There really wasn’t anything special. Having a meal with Rina had become a familiar occurrence, so it would just be a casual conversation.
I’m not sure if I should say that Rina has been acting a bit strange lately or if I should say there’s something suspicious about her. Whenever I’m alone with her, she subtly avoids eye contact and glances at odd places.
First of all, I can assert with certainty that there is absolutely no romantic interest from her as a rational being. Not only did she not show any special favor towards me, but she also played pranks, so there’s no possibility of developing any affection.
Furthermore, since Rina stopped acting on her authority, she only considers me as a comfortable friend, nothing more.
In the first place, we rarely meet unlike Marie and Cecily, only two or three times a week. And even then, it’s only during meal times.
There has almost never been a moment where the two of us were alone before, and there has been hardly any contact since I started dating Marie.
“Alright, go and rest well. If you can’t wake up tomorrow, I’ll feel sorry for you.”
“Hehe, thanks to someone, my stamina is in top shape, so I can handle this much.”
“Really? How about going to the inn now…”
“But tomorrow’s lecture is more important, so I’ll go. Goodbye!”
As soon as I quietly suggested while grabbing her waist, Marie quickly escaped. She stumbled for a moment due to weak legs but steadfastly headed towards her dorm.
Of course, she didn’t just walk ahead coldly but turned around, showing a playful smile, and she even blew me a teasing kiss.
I smiled at the increasingly charming Marie and waved my hand. I always think this, but I’m really happy that Marie is my girlfriend.
‘Let’s go back to the lodging for now.’
I left the dorm around 8 o’clock, so I still have time to write a speech for Arwen. I can temporarily pause Xenon’s writing and focus on the speech for a week without any issues. Moreover, there is something that fits perfectly with the situation in Alvenheim just before the division. It is the speech by President Abraham Lincoln, who unified the United States, which was deteriorating due to the Civil War.
A great president who truly united the United States alongside the abolition of slavery. Although his speech was considered a failure at the time, it became a renowned speech recorded in history in later generations.
‘I don’t remember everything, but…’
I remember Hitler’s speeches because I’m interested in World War II, but I barely know anything about Lincoln’s Gettysburg Address, except for some parts. However, even with just those parts, it should be sufficient for the desired effect. The key now is to make those famous quotes come out naturally.
‘It feels like I’m a black curtain.’
(Tl note: Black curtain is a mastermind working from the shadows)
The worst incident that shook South Korea in my past life came to mind. Democracy almost fell apart, but the people themselves came forward and ousted the president. I was concerned that it might not be a good idea that I wrote the speech for Arwen instead, but she is a genius who can memorize everything she sees once, so there should be no problem. Maybe she will quickly skim through the speech as soon as I deliver it and burn it afterward.
I just silently prayed in my heart for Arwen to deliver the speech well. In fact, even helping with the speech is a tremendous political intervention.
Perhaps this indifference stems from the fact that Arwen is more like a friend to me than a queen. I also appreciate her sense of responsibility, in which she would scold me even for a small mistake.
‘I wonder if I can ask Siris to show me her speech.’
Alvenheim’s entry procedures are notoriously complicated, but once you’re inside, they don’t really conduct any inspections or such. I’ve heard that because of this, there are many people attempting illegal entry.
Even teleportation is limited from overseas destinations, except for a few select individuals. Gartz mentioned that there’s some kind of magical barrier typically in place, and only those granted direct permission from the king would know how to bypass it.
‘Anyway, I’ll come to hear the speech.’
Anticipating the following week, I made my way to the accommodation.
*****
The next day arrived. As Marie mentioned yesterday, I ended up having a meal with Rina, and there really wasn’t much to talk about. Naturally, Cecily sat beside Rina.
Sitting here with the four of us had become somewhat routine, so I didn’t have much to say, but the other three seemed to be engaged in lively conversation. The saying that when three women gather, dishes are broken wasn’t just an idle rumor.
However, when we finished the meal and were enjoying dessert, Rina suddenly made an intriguing proposal to us.
“Have any of you thought about visiting Alvenheim?”
“Huh?”
It was a suggestion to go to Alvenheim, the land of the elves. It was such an unexpected proposal that both I and Marie, sitting beside me, widened our eyes in surprise.
Rina is not someone who makes such silly jokes. And seeing her unique expressionless face, it really means she’s making a proposition to us.
“Suddenly, why Alvenheim?”
It was Marie, not me, who asked with a voice full of doubt. I felt that Rina’s offer was missing the before and after.
Not only is the semester still ongoing, but it also takes a long time to get to Alvenheim. Assuming we take a carriage, it would take at least a few days.
Of course, Rina, the royal family, and the Duchess young lady Marie can use teleportation. But not me.
Meanwhile, Rina looked at us and quietly put down her teacup. The sound of the cup gently touching the table spread faintly.
“You might have heard the news, but the Queen of Alvenheim is scheduled to deliver a national speech in a few days from now. It’s in Alvenheim, where a lot of attention is focused. Moreover, this will be the Queen’s first speech, so there is even more interest.”
“I know that too. What does it have to do with us?”
“It wouldn’t hurt to see it once. Isn’t it a bit awkward for the Emperor or the King to make a procession to such a place? So, it should be people like you and me who go. Perhaps ministers and envoys from other countries will also come.”
“If that’s the case, you and Leort should go.”
I agreed with Marie’s question. Usually, in such situations, it is Leort and Rina who should go, not Marie and Me.
Rina, after reading our expressions, gave us a slightly puzzling smile and began explaining the current situation one by one.
“My brother is currently busy with an engagement issue. He’s in the process of pursuing marriage with someone from the Ters Kingdom.”
“From the Ters Kingdom? Why all of a sudden?”
“It’s not all of a sudden. It’s been happening since after the exhibition. Thanks to Xenon, or rather Isaac, revealing his homeland, our empire saw an opportunity. You guys know, right? The significance of the birthplace of a world-renowned genius.”
“Everyone probably knows, but my hometown, the Mishelle Territory, is gradually evolving into a cultural city. Even after the exhibition ended, tourists continued to visit to see the exhibited works, and even the upper class kept coming to visit.”
“Moreover, the Mishelle Territory was an area that the royal family had been paying attention to. It was just that development was delayed in other areas. But after the exhibition, it’s being rapidly developed.”
“Most importantly, by confessing that my hometown is the Michelle Territory, it gained significant cultural benefits. The Ters Kingdom has no choice but to follow suit.”
“That’s why there’s talk of sending the two princesses to our academy. You guys don’t have to worry about it. The two princesses are the same age as our older brother, and they’re both martial arts experts.”
“What are their names?”
“Hiliya Dukeard von Kurchers. She’s a girl with sky-blue hair and sky-colored eyes.”
“… …”
Was she the quiet girl I saw at the exhibition? She stood out particularly because she was wearing a uniform.
However, it can never be said that she was someone who was particularly likable among them. She was one of the main culprits who made tears flow from Adelia’s eyes. She even instructed her own sister not to approach Adelia.
‘But Adele-noona will have a hard time…’
I would rather have Leort transfer to the Academy of the Ters Kingdom, but the Minerva Empire firmly holds the reins of power. The Ters Kingdom is well aware of that, so they must be sending Hiliya.
A bitter taste filled my mouth. Does Rina really know? That Adelia is the illegitimate child of the Ters Kingdom’s king. And that she suffered severe trauma from being abandoned by her family.
“Anyway, my brother is busy with personal matters, so he can’t go. And it’s a bit difficult for me to go alone, right? That’s why I’m offering to go with all of you.”
“But why Isaac? Only we know Isaac’s true identity.”
Marie’s words were correct. If I were to go as the author of Xenon’s Biography, it might be fine, but on the surface, I’m just a son of a Baron. I’m far behind the princess and the Duke’s heiress in terms of status.
At the very least, it would be much better if a Marquis or higher-ranking person went, or if only Rina and Marie went.
In response to the question filled with such intentions, Rina smiled faintly and gently teased Marie with her words.
“Well, that’s true, but if you’re engaged, there shouldn’t be a problem. Although it’s not officially announced, you’re still planning to do it, right?”
As expected of a princess. I could only respond with a mixture of admiration and astonishment at the answer that turned Marie’s question into a mere ‘whatever’.
If you’re engaged in this world, it’s practically the same as being married. Marie and I haven’t officially gotten engaged, but it’s almost certain since we’re already being pushed by our respective families.
So, as the future Duchess of Requilis, and I as her fiancé, it’s not a problem to go to Alvenheim together.
However, there are still some issues remaining.
“Then are we going to use teleportation? Taking a carriage would take too long.”
“Of course, we’ll use teleportation. And we’ll leave two days before the speech. The immigration procedures in Alvenheim are strict for non-elves. If we make a mistake, it could take the whole day, so it’s better to go ahead of time.”
In human society, teleportation is a magic that only nobles above the Count rank can use. Teleportation facilities are usually installed in mansions, and in the case of emperors or kings, they are developed to the extent of being able to travel across countries.
Of course, this is the current situation. Teleportation facilities are showing signs of gradually evolving into common transportation means, as Alvenheim, which is implementing an open policy under Arwen’s guidance, as well as the demons, are reaching out to the world more and more.
Dwarves are a race that does anything as long as they receive a fair price, so it doesn’t matter. The remaining question is whether magic will be passed down to the masses or not.
‘Seeing as there’s no such thing like a magic tower, it’s still a long way off.’
Just as I was thinking that, Marie, who listened to the persuasion from Rina, started asking in detail if there were any other things to be cautious about in Alvenheim.
“Are there any precautions in Alvenheim? It’s my first time going there too.”
“First, you need to distinguish your conversation partner well. There are elves who dislike humans because of the racial war. Moreover, it’s difficult to determine someone’s age just by appearance, so it’s best to be cautious about engaging in conversations if possible.”
“I see. Then, where will we sit during the speech? Do we have separate VIP seats?”
“No, of course not. VIP seats are reserved for the nobles of Alvenheim, the prestigious families. We will sit right behind them to watch.”
If that’s the case, will Cecily come? I shifted my gaze and looked at Cecily, who was sitting next to Rina.
Even during our conversation, she remained silent, sitting still.
Suddenly, she noticed my gaze, and our eyes met. As soon as our eyes met, I immediately spoke up.
“Will Cecily-noona also come?”
“I’d like to, but I’m not sure if Alvenheim will accept the demons. Unless the Queen personally grants permission.”
Was she asking me to go ask instead? Cecily smiled mischievously as she replied, and I couldn’t help but smile.
Even if the elves adopted an open policy, they are still elves. It will undoubtedly take a long time for them to accept the f demons, the descendants of devils.
Someone might question why the descendants of devils would want to come to the sacred land of Alvenheim. They are currently preoccupied with the issue of mixed-blood, so how would they feel about the demons?
“Oh, by the way, Cecily.”
“Yes?”
“I’m curious, are there any half-bloods between demons and humans?”
Marie asked the question. Not only she, but also I and Rina, we all simultaneously showed our curiosity. Amidst such interests, Cecily seemed slightly taken aback. She blinked her bright red eyes a couple of times and then tapped her cheek with her finger. It was her characteristic habit whenever she had something to think about.
After pondering for a while, Cecily responded with a somewhat ambiguous voice.
“Well… Unlike elves, I haven’t heard any stories about the birth of hybrids because demons haven’t received good treatment so far. If there were any, we would have directly intervened to protect them in our Helium.”
“…I’m sorry.”
“No, there’s no need to apologize.”
When Marie apologized, Cecily waved her hand and reassured her, saying it was okay. Then she shifted her gaze to me and, with a sly smile, opened her mouth in a subdued voice.
“You might hear news about the birth of hybrids soon. Don’t you think so?”
“… …”
Why are you looking at me and saying that? Of course, it’s possible to hear news about the birth of hybrids, considering that demons are gaining popularity day by day.
I pretended to be composed and raised my teacup.
‘Come to think of it, the horns…’
Cecily’s horns began to gradually turn reddish, just like in the previous exhibition.
*****
The time Isaac left for the bathroom.
When Isaac left his seat, Rina cautiously called Marie, who was sitting across from her.
“…Marie?”
“Yeah? What’s up?”
“Well… you said you would stay at Alvenheim for about a day.”
“So?”
“Do you happen to need a place with soundproofing?”
Rina asked hesitantly, but Marie accurately understood what she meant. With a shy expression and a blush on her cheeks, Marie responded.
“C-Can I ask you for a favor? It might get a bit noisy… Since it’s Alvenheim, it should be okay, right?”
“Uh, yeah. Of course.”
Rina said with a reddened face.
“…Maybe.”
Marie couldn’t even hear the rest of the conversation because it was so quiet.
“Hmm…”
And Cecily, who was sitting next to them, could hear everything. She looked at Rina with a subtle gaze.
Rina’s face turned bright red, as if she was already imagining something, and she couldn’t even lift her head.
She even fidgeted between her legs as if something was tickling her. It was like the appearance of a maiden seeing something provocative for the first time.
‘How cute.’
Cecily inwardly chuckled at Rina’s uneasiness.
