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Chapter 304 part 1

The students of the Magic Academy of Galois were actively exchanging information about the war situation, as the nearby Barony of Bern had become a battlefield.

Their families, or even they themselves, might be called to the battlefield, making it a matter of personal concern. Moreover, it was a war between nations in the history of the Arkrest Kingdom, an event not seen for centuries, which unavoidably became a topic of discussion.

The Demon King’s Army, emerging from the Dark Wilderness, was being opposed by the forces of not only the Barony of Bern but also the northern lords of the kingdom. Almost all students of the Magic Academy of Galois, predominantly from noble families, had some connection to the conflict.

Among them, Christina, the Baroness of Bern, and her aide and fiancé, Dran, were especially closely involved.

Currently, a group of women, including Nelneshia, Phenia, Fatima, Sierra, Lenia, and Irina, gathered under the guise of discussing the upcoming Magic Tournament, at the Phoenix family mansion in Galois. Phenia was there to study her family’s business and to check on her juniors.

The room of Phenia, a daughter of the wealthy Phoenix family, was filled with expensive belongings, befitting her family’s wealth. There was an air of luxury and opulence, yet nothing seemed out of place or lacking in taste.

「It seems the topic of war is all we talk about these days,」 Fatima remarked, her usual languid tone lacking its usual vigor. Sierra, sitting beside her, looked at Fatima with concern, as if she were a beloved younger sister.

Fatima was worried not just about her friends Dran and Selina, who were in active combat, but also about the unknowns involved in the war. Such was her nature.

Nelneshia, eating fruit in syrup served by Phenia, also expressed concern for her friend’s heart while methodically stating the facts as they were.

「It’s inevitable. Our Apienia family is cautious of the Romal Empire, so we’re not directly involved, but we keep receiving news of fierce battles at the frontlines. Many students have family members participating, so it’s natural for the war to dominate our discussions,」 Nelneshia said.

Fortunately, no news of injuries or deaths among the Barony of Bern’s leaders had reached them. Instead, they heard of their continued remarkable achievements in battle, which reassured Nelneshia that this was typical of them.

Phenia of the Phoenix family, like Nelneshia’s Apienia family, also gathered information from merchants and supply chain movements in the Barony of Bern, confident that Christina, Dran, and their associates would not perish easily.

「However, the war happening right before our eyes is more concerning to us than the Magic Tournament. We have been talking about nothing else lately. As a representative of the Magic Tournament, I have the privilege of discussing with the headmaster and learning about the enthusiasm of the people of Ente Forest. Perhaps that’s an advantage of my position? Well, I have already graduated from the Magic Academy,」 she pondered.

Even for Phenia, who held the Magic Tournament close to her heart, the war involving her schoolmates was of utmost concern.

Phenia, adored by the color gold and embodying luxury, was as mentally vibrant as her appearance, yet showed signs of struggle between trust and anxiety.

Fatima, Nelneshia, and Phenia, all concerned for their friends who had left the Magic Academy, found Lenia’s situation to be different.

Lenia, who had different levels of information and was already directly involved in the situation, would likely have a different attitude.

Lenia, with Irina by her side, dismissed the others’ worries with a scoff. Despite her behavior not being praiseworthy, Lenia’s charming appearance made it less disagreeable.

「Ha, worrying about Dran and his companions is pointless. The Demon King’s Army is certainly formidable, but Dran and the other leaders of Bern are a nest of monsters and oddities surpassing them. Even if their numbers differ drastically, there are transcendent beings among them capable of overturning the odds. In fact, only transcendent beings are there. Well, maybe the two new maids are lacking. But in terms of military strength, the Barony of Bern alone could surpass the Northern Lords’ alliance. Remember, it’s like the Arc Witch, Merle, who alone could take on all martial wizards in the country. A den of individuals capable of challenging a nation, have you forgotten?」

Lenia’s typically confrontational tone and high-handed manner were well known to those in the room, so they did not take offense.

Instead, Irina, beside Lenia, would often gently chide her.

In essence, Nelneshia and the others generally agreed with Lenia’s statements, although they didn’t quite see the coalition of lords as a mere hindrance, as Lenia did.

「But it’s still worrying,」 Fatima protested with puffed cheeks, to which Lenia responded with understanding before quickly finishing her tea.

Lenia, who had once infiltrated the royal castle of Mundus Carnus alone and provoked a confrontation with the Demon King Yaheim, knew the combat capabilities of the Demon King’s Army’s elite forces. Therefore, she was able to maintain her composure more than others. Nonetheless, she firmly believed that no one could rival Dran, the soul’s father, though this belief was somewhat questionable.

「Well, keep yakking for a while longer.」 Christina, for instance, is not the type to endure having her subordinates face danger while she stays safely in the rear for long. It wouldn’t be surprising if she were soon to charge to the front lines.

Inevitably, Dramina, who is also acting as a secretary, will accompany Christina in case of an emergency. 「Kukuku,」 if the two, second only to Dran in terms of military might in the Barony of Bern, were to rampage, they could change the course of the war as they pleased.

Renia, bearing a sinister smile befitting a product of an evil god, the God-Made Demon Beast, was familiar to Nelneshia and the others, as they had seen it often. They could not refute Renia’s words, acknowledging them to some extent, as Renia was right.

Especially Nelneshia, who had parents comparable to the knight who slew a hundred and the great witch who conquered fortresses, as powerful as Merle, furrowed her brows in slight trouble and tilted her head.

「It’s usually a tale reserved for the likes of Lord Merle or the Twelve-Winged Generals of the Romal Empire, but with Dran and the others, it’s entirely possible, so Renia cannot be denied.」

「Right?」

「But I’m really worried whether Christina-senpai and Selina can kill their enemies, even in war, and what would happen if they did. You can’t really know if you’re ready to kill until you actually do it.」

Even though they had no need to worry about their abilities, the mental burden of killing was a concern for Nelneshia, Fatima, and Phenia.

Sierra, who had been silent like a servant, unexpectedly interjected. She was the first person in this group, after Renia, with experience in human combat and had blood on her hands.

「His… If it’s Dramina-sama or Dran-sama, there’s no need to worry about that. Considering Diadora-san’s view of life and death, she wouldn’t have any special sentimentality about defeating enemies. As Nelneshia-sama said, Christina-sama and Selina-san are of great concern, but it’s hard to imagine Dran-sama and the others allowing them to dirty their hands. They must have some plan.」

Sierra was about to close her mouth, thinking she had overstepped, but then decided it was better to express her full opinion. After finishing, she bowed her head in gratitude.

Fatima, greatly comforted by the words of her half-human, half-vampire servant, whom she adored like a sister, regained her usual friendly smile and opened her mouth.

「That’s right, Dran and Dramina are indeed very protective.」

Phenia, too, was particularly worried about Christina and Selina’s mental state, so she released a breath of relief behind her fan at Sierra’s words. Then Renia, as if just remembering, said this.

「Hmph, unlike the Romal Empire, almost all the soldiers of the Demon King’s Army that came to the Arkrest Kingdom are spiders and puppets. There would be no guilt in defeating them. Well, there seem to be some demons that look a bit like humans, but there’s no need to deal with them specifically. Dran or Dramina, or perhaps the soldiers of other lords, would take care of them, wouldn’t they?」

Everyone in the room understood that this was Renia’s clumsy and roundabout way of encouragement, or rather, consolation.

And Christina, who was being worried about by her friends at the Galoa Magic Academy, had left her mansion in the capital of Bern and was now on the front lines.

After the successes of Dran, Selina, Diadora, and the Bern army in pushing back the Demon King’s Army and retreating the front line, they joined the newly formed alliance of lords and engaged in daily battles with the Demon King’s Army. Christina joined them midway, accompanied by Dramina.

Nominally, the meeting was for the lords themselves to meet with the leadership of the allied army and discuss post-merger actions.

In reality, for a few days after joining, Christina quietly worked with the generals and knight commanders sent by the lords.

Yes, for a few days.