Chapter 62: The First Year at the Academy - Refugees
Chapter 62. The First Year at the Academy – Refugees
Just before evening the next day after the battle with the goblin horde, we return to the academy.
There were many wounded, but no casualties.
That was probably the best result against such a large herd.
However, as soon as the lecturers announced they were breaking up. The smoldering discontent exploded.
The protests against Cartilard Academy rose, especially among the noble students.
"You looked like you're dead, but you're looking good."
Lambert was taken aback.
I agree, but I could understand both sides. The academy is not well-informed, and if you go into the realm of monsters, you need to be prepared for the unexpected. And because of that, you can't just say you didn't know, because it isn't acceptable.
But if anything, I think the academy is at fault.
"So, what are we going to do? We're breaking up now, but–"
"Shall we go out for a meal? To celebrate your safe return."
"Oh, that sounds good."
Perhaps they were sad to part ways like this, but everyone agreed.
The cafeteria at the academy was not very tasty, so we decided to go to a restaurant on the main street.
And just as we were about to head there, a boy called out, "May I have a moment?"
He had a big scar on his leather armor. There were also traces of blood around it.
"My name is Elliot. I apologize for the delay in thanking you. I was told to rest."
Was he seriously wounded at that time?
On the way home, four other people came over. He had thanked me for my help, saying he was too seriously wounded to move right away, so I thought that was the end of it.
Lambert looked at the wound on his chest.
"Are you okay to move?"
"Yes. I received healing magic after that, so the wound is almost completely closed. Thank you so much. I don't know what would have happened if you all hadn't rushed in. And you even used the healing potion–"
Elliott bowed deeply, but I stopped him with my hand.
"Don't worry about it. I made the potion myself."
"But......."
Elliott looks troubled.
He is soft-spoken and has no last name. Is he the son of a merchant, too?
It's still all men, but Lola might feel a little more comfortable with a commoner.
I glanced at Lambert, and he gave a small nod, wondering if he was thinking the same thing.
Then I spoke to Elliott.
"We're going out to eat. How about you?"
"Oh, are you sure?"
"Yeah, it's more fun with more people. Oh yeah, maybe we should invite Elphimia too."
"That's good."
I agreed, looked around, and was caught again.
When I called out to him, he regained his animation and ran up to me.
"Thank you for saving my life."
"You're welcome."
When I invited her to the homecoming celebration, she accepted without hesitation.
I was about to go out with him, but Lola said she wanted to go home and tell her parents that she was safe, so we broke up for a while. We decided to meet in front of the academy.
The homecoming celebration was held at a restaurant near the institute.
Elliott was nervous at first, but he gradually relaxed.
He was the son of a merchant who worked for the Tanar Trading Company, which was Firsacci's big store. He must have been quite a shrewd man since his employer sends his children to Kartilhar.
Such homecoming celebrations continued until the dormitory curfew was approaching.
After the field exercises, there would be no lectures until the first semester exams.
I'll have to say goodbye to everyone for a while.
◇◇◇◇
Early morning three days later.
After picking up my leather armor and restocking supplies, I'm taking it easy, except for a few hours. The first semester exams are about to start, but the only thing I need to prepare for is my education, so I'm not in a rush yet.
While having breakfast, I thought about visiting the Adventurers' Guild.
The academy would probably tell us about the battle against goblins.
If there was going to be a subjugation team, I wanted to participate. If other goblins are as good as the leader, I'm interested.
However, I was also left wondering if they'll make the subjugation team.
The number of goblins defeated in the field exercise was no less than 70. No matter how large the settlement, the loss of this number would be a major blow. The threat level has been reduced. The guilds may be thinking that way, too. As they have heard no rumors of a strike force.
I turn around to see that Lambert's mood has changed.
"Aren't these people refugees?"
Lambert has a straight face, and Felix is as usual, but his expression is somehow cold.
That again – I thought it was over.
His attitude toward Lola has changed dramatically from before the exercise. At the homecoming celebration, he is concerned about her as a commoner and invites Elliot, another commoner, and Elphimia, a woman, to join him.
Besides, Ted and his friends have a personal relationship. They are not looking for understanding or approval.
"Yes, they are. Is there a problem?"
"Yes, there is. You are the son of a baron. If you were a student, you wouldn't be allowed to be called out by a mere commoner. Aren't they refugees?"
"I'm the one who gave them permission to do so."
"Your permission is immaterial. If you allow it, the nobility will be insulted."
He had a point, I thought.
When I was in Reedwald, my father had been careful not to let that happen. Lambert has replaced it with all the nobility. A friendly aristocrat sounds good, but on the flip side, it can also be taken as disrespect.
Lambert continues to speak to me in silence.
"You said before that we are the people's wish. Then what is a refugee? Don't tell me they are the same as Lola. They do business, they are soldiers, and together they support the territory. But they are different. They are the ones who abandoned the territory and ran away."
The anger was as much contempt as it was contempt.
The hedge had just shifted.
Lambert sympathized with my words. That's why I can no longer tolerate the way refugees are. And if I deny Lambert, I have to deny my own words.
"You're right. There's nothing to argue against. Just let me correct one thing. They didn't run away. They were refugees. They were deserted by noble."
Lambert frowns, his face grim.
"Some noble soldiers attacked their village. It seems the attackers were Viscount Takraz."
Takraz was a barony northeast of Selene, and Ted's village was south of it, in the domain of Earl Wolver.
The attackers disguised themselves as bandits, but they were Thakraz soldiers, and they had made statements implying that they were. If this was a sudden incident, a conspiracy was possible. However, this is not the first time that Takraz soldiers have attacked Wolver, and people know that Takraz soldiers have raided Wolver several times in the past.
The latest attack was particularly severe, and many villagers were killed. Even if they appeal to the lord about their plight, they realize that it is futile due to the past raids, poor harvests, and various other experiences they have had in the past. When they concluded that the village was unsustainable, they abandoned it and the Wolver territory.
"I understand the situation, and I take back my statement. But that is no reason to disrespect the nobility."
Lambert stubbornly refused to change his opinion.
I narrowed my eyes at the hard look on his face.
I must have misunderstood him a little.
If they are abandoned, they are in the same position as Lola. They were deprived of the opportunity to support the territory. But Lambert sees the problem with being a refugee. Even though he understood the reason, his thoughts stayed on "Because they are refugees".
The barriers had indeed shifted.
His attitude toward Lola has indeed changed dramatically.
However, he may have only been forced to do so to adapt to the environment of the academy.
If it were easy to change, I wouldn't have any trouble. Me neither.
"Let's change your perspective a little."
Across the table, he sits down in front of Lambert.
"We don't represent the nobility. We are just sons of nobles, not even legitimate sons. Our status is only guaranteed until we come of age, and then it's up to our father, our lord. If they don't want us, they'll kick us out."
"I know that, even if you don't tell me. That's why I came to Selene. To support my father, to be his knight. Are you not like him?"
"Yes, we are much the same. I'm the same, you're the same. But that guy is a little different. Takraz's soldiers killed his father. And his mother was killed by monsters when they were escaping. He wants power not to support anyone, but to protect his sister and himself. Even to the point of trying to join the Cartilard, even though he's a little too selfish."
Lambert shuts down.
Without a care in the world, I continued.
"Suppose they gain power in the future. And what if they are chosen to be knights? What's the difference between them and us? Roland is the most powerful man in Reedwald. He is a former adventurer and a commoner. If I become a knight, I might become his subordinate."
"That's sophistry! Don't change the subject!"
The table shook violently with rage.
"I told you I would change my view. You're talking about the nobility as a whole, and I'm talking about ourselves. The world can change as much as you want it to, depending on your point of view."
Folding his arms, Lambert indicated his refusal.
At his stubbornness, I leaned back in my chair and exhaled.
"I've been on the verge of death many times. I've been shown the harshness of fate as much as I hate it. So I think it's very admirable that they are fighting and struggling as they are. It makes me want to cheer them on."
Suddenly, Lambert's face contorted.
And soon after, he squeezed out his voice as if he was trying to stifle it.
"You're not fine ...... with that, are you?"
"To be slighted, huh? I don't even care. Let them say what they want. I just – I won't allow you to taunt my family through me."
Lambert was silent again at my words, and then he stood up.
Then he simply mutters, "I'm leaving." and leaves the house.
Felix quickly put away the parchment, bowed to me, and followed.
I sit in the empty room and stare silently at the door.
The only sound in such a room was the booming voices from the backyard, echoing forever.
