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431 p1. Noble Faction and New School Year [4]

After eating the dinner Ria made, I got dressed as usual.

「Well then, I’ll be back in a while.」

「Be careful.」

I told her that I’m going for my daily training and headed to the student council room of Thousand Blade Academy instead.

(I do feel bad for lying, but…)

In the letter, the president purposely wrote “alone”.

This means that she doesn’t want anyone else to know, especially Ria and Claude-san, who are from Vesteria Kingdom.

(If it’s something that she wants to convey only to me and not want it to be known by others… then I have a rough idea of what it’s about.)

It’s probably regarding the royal faction and the noble faction.

I entered the main school building and walked straight down the long corridor.

(Thousand Blade Academy at night has a different atmosphere…)

When I arrived in front of the student council room and knocked on the door, the president’s voice replied, “Come in.”

As I slowly opened the door, I saw Sie Arcstria sitting in the student council president’s chair.

「Good evening, Allen-kun. That was quick.」

「Good evening, president.」

「Just to make sure…You came alone, right?」

「Yes, of course.」

「I see. That’s good.」

The president smiled softly and let out a sigh of relief.

As expected, it seems to be something highly confidential.

「Let’s not talk while standing. Can you take a seat over there?」

「Yes.」

As prompted, I sat down on the guest sofa.

「Which do you prefer, tea or coffee?」

「I’d like some tea, please.」

「Sure. Allen-kun is fortunate as you get to drink onee-san’s special tea.」

「Ahaha, perhaps so.」

We exchanged jokes as usual.

Judging from this atmosphere, it doesn’t seem like it’s going to be too heavy of a topic.

「Here you go.」

「Thank you.」

The president placed a tea set for two on the desk and sat on the sofa directly across from me.

Steam rose from the tea cup placed in front of me.

Since she went to the effort to brew it, I decided to enjoy it while it was still warm.

「How is it? Delicious?」

Yes. The flavor is so gentle that I feel like I can keep drinking this.」

「Fufu, I am glad to hear that.」

After the president smiled with satisfaction,

「Now then… let’s get to the main topic.」

She gave me a serious look.

「Allen… what do you think about today’s schedule change?」

「Well, it was a bit too sudden.」

It is too drastic to rearrange all of Thousand Blade Academy’s annual schedule.

「I see. It’s normal to think that way.」

While saying that, she rummaged through her desk.

「At the root of this sudden change in schedule… is this.」

The president took out a thick stack of documents. It was stamped with a “Top Secret” red seal and the title read as follows.

「Sword King Festival Early Commencement Plan……?」

「Yes, all swordsmanship academies, including Thousand Blade Academy, have been forced to make large-scale changes to their plans.」

The president said so and got into the meat of the conversation.

「Around the end of March this year, the Holy Knights Association made a request to the Ringuard Empire.『In preparation for the coming world war, we want you to select and strengthen promising swordsmen in your country and endeavor to increase your military strength.』Well, we have seen this kind of movement seen since last year, so it’s not something to be particularly suspicious of.」

「I agree.」

The Holy Knights have long solicited excellent student swordsmen, and in recent years this trend has become even more pronounced.

For example, the promotion system for senior holy knights.

This system, which I have also used, is a prime example of this.

「However… The problem is the suspicious behavior of the noble faction. They kind of stink…」

「Stink?」

The president nodded in response to my question.

「The noble faction, who have been criticizing the bills and policies proposed by us, the royal faction, have for some reason decided that the Sword King Festival should be held early. They unanimously agreed with us. Don’t you think it’s strange?」

「Perhaps because… that decision is in line with the national interest?」

「No, that absolutely can’t be the reason.」

She shook her head.

「The noble faction don’t think about the interests of Ringuard at all. This plan to hold the Sword King Festival early will somehow benefit them, so they are pushing for it with all their might.」

…Well, I don’t think the Noble factions care about the country’s interests either.

「I still don’t know what those guys are planning, but… The coming Sword King Festival stinks a bit. Everything is proceeding forward too smoothly. The noble faction might cook up something during the event.」

「I see……」

After the chat the other day, I also have a sense of distrust towards the noble faction.

As the president said, it wouldn’t be strange if they were planning something vile.

「As I told you before, there is only one victory condition for the noble faction to rule Ringuard. Eliminate Alen-kun from the political arena. Your existence is the only true obstacle in their way.」

「Is that so……」

It was a bit heartbreaking to hear someone say I’m an “obstacle” so clearly.

「If it’s to get Allen out of the picture, I am sure they’ll use any means they can. For example… poisoning. In the noble society, it’s the most popular assassination method.」

「I see… but poison doesn’t work on me, you know?」

After fighting the unique poison-user Deal Reinstad, I acquired almost perfect resistance to poison.

It would not be an exaggeration to say ordinary poison would be harmless against me, especially any existing poisons.

「Um… For example, switching your weapon! What if your sword was replaced with a blunt sword at the Sword King Festival? Even Allen-kun can’t fight with your bare hands, right?」

「I have the Black Sword, so I don’t think there will be any problems…」

A jet-black sword born from Zeon’s darkness. This one is made on the spot, so there is no way to switch it with a fake.

「Eh, erm, then… um, then what if they do… um, err…」

The president’s tone gradually dropped, and in the end she fell silent.

「…I suppose it’s difficult to harm Allen-kun.」

As a result of assuming various scenarios, it seems that there will be no problems in particular.

「A-Anyway! As I said before, the noble faction has one of the Seven Holy Swords in their pocket, so be careful!」

「Yes, I understand. Thank you for your advice.」

After the conversation had settled down, the time for silence came.

「…」

「…」

Alone in the student council room at night. The silence in this extremely abnormal situation felt slightly heavy. 　

(It would be better to talk about something.)

As I searched the conversation deck in my brain… I found something just right.

As a connecting topic, it should be reasonably practical.