Chapter 169: Secret (2) (1/2)

The Winter March, Freyden’s family, was once an independent kingdom. However, the dynasty couldn’t be maintained for long due to the expansion of the unexplored land and the barrenness of the North. It was incorporated as an allied power when the Kingdom of Crebaim advocated for an empire 300 years ago. Thus, Freyden was the cornerstone of the Empire.

“…Those damn things say that the Empire’s negligence weakened the North, or that the North would have been defeated long ago without the support of the Empire.”

Zeit explained the history of the North to the little ones. Carlos and Leo listened to him with sparkling eyes.

“But we have always been protecting the continent. While the Empire was at war with the kingdoms, the northerners fought a bloody battle with the beasts and monsters. You have to know that. Those central guys don’t know that, but you should… and when I was a kid, each beast was the size of a house. In particular, I remember a whale named Behemoth. I had a really hard time killing it.”

Since the history of the North was a series of wars and struggles, the two children who normally hated studying appeared to be interested.

“…But. Where did your leader go?”

Zeit, having repeated ‘back in my day’ dozens of times, suddenly asked. Leo answered.

“Ganesha?”

“Yes. That tomboy with pigtails.”

“Tom…? Ugh, I don’t know what that is, but Ganesha is away for a while!”

Zeit nodded and glanced at the people next to him. Julie, Sylvia, and Primienne. The three’s gazes were burning him.

“…If there’s anything you want to ask, ask. Instead of just staring, okay?”

Julie opened her mouth as if waiting.

“My lord. Why did you come up all of a sudden?”

“For exploration. To see what’s going on with the Reccordak acquired by Deculein. But more importantly.”

Zeit pointed to Sylvia.

“Why did the Iliade’s daughter come here? Are you a spy?”

“I have work to do.”

Sylvia replied, unintimidated. Zeit, feeling embarrassed, beckoned to the official with a ponytail next to her.

“Who is that central government official?”

“I’m on a mission. I can’t reveal the details.”

Primienne answered only like that. Zeit shook his head with a rather dissatisfied expression.

“Anyway. What secrets do the central guys have?”

“Aren’t there a lot of secrets from Freyden too?”

“…”

In an instant, Zeit’s pupils dilated. The atmosphere of the station cooled in an instant. There was an unrelenting pressure that shattered the teacups and bore down on them. Primienne endured his hostility and pulled out a piece of paper.

“Don’t be too angry. I am also from the North.”

Zeit narrowed his eyes.

—「Freyden Sponsorship Certificate」—

◆ Iggyris von Kreil Freyden

◆ Commoner Advantage

The commoner above possesses outstanding talents and qualities by Freyden’s judging, so we sponsor the Academy Admissions Scholarship…

Guaranteed by Iggyris, the protector of the North, commander of the Knights, and the rightful heir of Freyden.

────

“…Were you supported by my father?”

“Yes.”

Primienne answered shortly. Zeit couldn’t help but laugh.

“Ahaha! You should’ve told me. I almost misunderstood!”

With a big hand, he slapped Primienne’s shoulder. Primienne shook like a paper doll.

“If you touch me one more time, I can sue you for personal injury.”

“Hahaha! Look at her sense of humor. I guess you’re a northerner indeed. Seeing that you have been holding this certificate for a long time, you seem to be loyal… right. How did you stand out to my father’s eyes? My father had an eye for character, but seeing that you have risen to a central position…”

Zeit was chatting about this and that. Julie sighed and looked out the window, but the blizzard was still raging.

“Lord.”

“…Huh?”

Julie looked at Zeit.

“Why did you come?”

“…”

Zeit’s expression hardened. Sylvia and Primienne looked away, pretending not to be watching. Zeit took a deep breath.

“You don’t need to know.”

Zeit had something to talk about with Deculein. It was because he had heard some reasoning from Josephine.

“…Yes.”

Julie answered briefly, causing Zeit to chuckle.

“You’re sulking.”

“I’m not. Do you still think I am a child?”

“What do you mean you’re not? You’re making the same face from when you were young.”

Was it 17 years ago? She made a similar face when she couldn’t use her sword for a while due to an injury.

“…Don’t mind me.”

“Okay.”

Zeit turned his attention away from Julie. He used to listen to things like this… but this time, another child, Lia, was staring at him.

“Hey, brat. Do you have anything to say?”

“…”

Swallowing hard, Lia gathered her courage.

“Perhaps… can you take a look at my martial arts?!”

The child was bold. Seeing this, Julie realized the identity of the sense of incongruity she had felt before. She resembled the woman Deculein once loved.

“…Martial arts?”

“It’s fine if it’s an unreasonable request…!”

Even while saying that, she was already taking the attitude that Zeit was her master. She displayed a typical northern courtesy, her knees squatted back and her arms stretched forward and pressed to the floor. She was so cute that Zeit laughed.

“Okay. Fine, I’ll take a look. Are you also from the North?”

“No! I am from the archipelago!”

“Oh~, archipelago? You’re a rare one. Good. All three of you, I’ll take a look when the blizzard is over.”

“Wow! Thank you!”

Julie watched Zeit and the children for a little while. Among them, her eyes were particularly attached to the child named Lia.

* * *

Night at the station.

“…”

Josephine, having followed Zeit, sat on a branch outside and watched Julie sleeping soundly. She could see her younger sister through the window, her face stern even as she slept.

“…Poor Julie.”

Mumbling softly, Josephine pondered.

“Rumors are circulating in the Imperial Palace…”

Josephine was thinking a lot these days about the rumors circulating in the Imperial Palace now, and Sophien’s attempted poisoning. Behind it was the former head of Freyden… that was, their father.

“Deculein must know that…”

And Deculein knew. She had been researching and deducing from all the shadows, so she was confident that he did. The reason Sophien pressured Deculein in front of all the servants wasn’t a big deal, however. It was a political move.

“However, probably because he loves you… oh.”

Josephine raised her hand and touched her mouth. She needed to lower her voice a bit. Of course, if Julie woke up, she could tell by the sound of her breathing alone, but there was nothing wrong with being careful.

“…Anyway.”