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429 p1. Noble Faction and New School Year [2]

「I would like to ask something… As a citizen of the Ringuard Empire, why do you call Tenshi-sama’s faction a mud boat?」

「Oops, that was rude of me. However, this Bornard does not speak lies, so I would be grateful if you could kindly forgive me.」

He said, with a sarcastic smile on his face.

It seems that he truly looks down on the royal faction from the bottom of his heart.

「Well, there is no point in hiding it, so let me make it clear at this time. Unfortunately, there is no future for the Royal faction, nor this Ringuard Empire.」

「What do you mean?」

「In the first place, those who belong to the royal faction―no, the idiots of the self-proclaimed “Great Powers” are making a huge mistake. Five Great Powers? Having equal power to the Empire? Absolute nonsense! There is a limit to how self-conceited you can be!」

While saying something terribly abstract, he put up his index finger.

「There will probably be a big battle within the next year. It will be an unprecedented and brutal historical event.」

「A war with the Holy Ronelia Empire, is it?」

「Yes. A war between the united powers of the Ringuard Empire, the Vesteria Kingdom, the Polyesta Federation, and the Ronzo Republic against the Holy Ronelia Empire. The Empire will win this battle without a doubt.」

He declared so without the slightest hesitation.

「You seem to be certain of it.」

「Of course, it is not without reason. There are three.」

Patriot-san raised three fingers this time and began to explain while raising his tone.

「One, the mighty military power that overwhelms all other major countries! The Holy Ronelia Empire has an unlawful armed group, the Black Organization, where the 13 Knights of the Oracle are swordsmen of national strength level. Moreover, four of the thirteen knights are called the Emperor’s Four Knights, and wield tremendous power that surpasses what is humanly possible!」

Deal Reinstad, the one I crossed swords with, was a “former” Emperor’s Four Knights.

The Empire still has four more swordsmen stronger than him.

That is certainly a frightening fact.

「Two, the overwhelming scientific power brought to realization by the magic tool creator Rod Garf! His brilliant mind is a hundred years ahead of mankind! He created the ultra-compact flying glider used in the previous war and the automatic expanding and contracting black overcoat that is the standard combat uniform for the Black Organization! In addition, Rod-san has repeatedly accomplished incredible inventions that overturn conventional wisdom!」

Magic Tool Creator Rod Garf, this is a name I’ve heard many times.

There is no doubt that he is one of the key persons who are the pillar of the Empire’s strength.

「And above all, there is the absolute monarch named Emperor Barrel Ronelia! His wisdom that can peer into the abyss, a strength that surpasses even the Four Knights, and unparalleled charisma that can subdue everyone! He is a true King! No, he is a god!」

Patriot-san snorted wildly as he praised the Empire continuously.

(The way he talks about Barrel Ronelia, it almost sounds like he is infatuated with the man…)

But first and foremost, there is something that I must confirm.

「Patriot-san… you are quite knowledgeable about the internal affairs of the enemy nation.」

His way of speaking was as if he had seen the Empire’s war potential with his own eyes.

「Yes, of course. …I would like you to keep this to yourself…」

With that preface, he revealed an outrageous fact.

「But we nobles are connected with the Holy Ronelia Empire.」

「What! That is!?」

「Please don’t jump to conclusions! It just means that we have our own diplomatic channels to obtain information!」

「I don’t want to think this, but you are not leaking information about the Ringuard Empire, are you?」

「Of course not. We are good, patriotic citizens of Ringuard, and we will never act that way!」

「…I see, I am glad to hear that.」

Unfortunately, this person doesn’t seem very trustworthy.

However, it would be too in-your-face to cut off the discussion at this point.

I will continue for just a little longer and then return home when the time is right.

「As you have said, Patriot-san, we may indeed be behind in terms of scientific prowess. However, in terms of strength, I don’t think there is that much difference. Because we have the strongest group of swordsmen, the “Seven Holy Swords”’ of the Holy Knights Association, after all.」

「The Seven Holy Swords… Are you sure they are truly allies?」

「What does that mean?」

「This information hasn’t been made public, but the members of the Seven Holy Swords have a very big “idiosyncrasy”. Without fear of being misunderstood, they are a group of “personality failures”. If it comes to battle, I don’t think they will be on the side of justice. In fact, Von Mustang turned traitor just recently… there might be other traitors besides him, you know?」

There was some kind of implication in that remark.

「There are still other skilled swordsmen besides the Seven Holy Swords. Especially in the Ringuard Empire, there is Leia-sense– I mean, Black Fist Leia Lasnode.」

「The Black Fist, huh? Certainly, that thing is terrifyingly strong. If you look at her as an “individual force”, she is indeed supreme. However, her strength is at its absolute peak right now. It will gradually descend from here onwards, and eventually her name will be forgotten.」

Patriot-san said while shaking his head slightly.

「To add to that, she is too simple-minded and possesses humanly good-sense. Thus, when it comes down to it, it is easy to read her next move. If you use your head just a little, you can seal her off easily.」

Leia-sensei was pointed out as simple-minded.

I understand that. I understand that very well.

Because of her haphazard behavior, I’ve gone through trouble many times.

However, what does he mean by Leia-sensei having good-sense?

Is Patriot-san really talking about Leia Lasnode?

Or is he referring to someone else with the same name?

While I was racking my brain, he continued.

「The Black Fist is easy to predict and control, and so she wouldn’t be a big problem. But on the other hand, Allen-dono, you are very different.」

Patriot-san moistened his throat with the drink from his glass and narrowed his eyes.

「With all due respect, I hadn’t heard of the name Allen Rodore until about a year or two ago.」

「Well… I guess so.」

At that time, I was still being bullied at the Gran Swordsmanship Academy.

「The first time I heard of Allen-dono’s name was at last year’s Big Five Festival.」

「Well, um, how do I put it… That time was quite embarrassing.」

「No, no, everyone has youthful ingenuity.」

He smiled softly and moved the discussion forward.

「Since then, you’ve grown stronger at a terrifying rate—no, you’re still growing stronger. I have no idea where your peak will be, or how high your limit will be.」

「T-Thank you.」

「I truly can’t predict Allen-dono’s future actions. Just when I thought that you were engaged in learning magic swordsmanship after receiving a disciplinary order, you suddenly had a connection with the Bloody Fox and throwing your weight around the underworld. And when I thought that you were training as a Holy Knight apprentice―for some reason, you went to the conflict zone Dagrio and became the hero who saved the country. And when I thought that you were living a normal student lifeーyou invaded the heart of the Empire to rescue Sie Arcstria. Even in situations where ordinary people would normally hesitate, you push forward without hesitation. I can only assume that your brakes are broken.」

As expected of a nobleman, I suppose.

He has researched my background up to this point.