Chapter 76 (1/2)
The acadean But Rudel had yet to show himself at the academy Even when they confirmed it with the arses House, a reply came back that he had yet to return The country also sent out an investigation, but it had yet to show any results
A certain ruh the campus it was…
'Rudel is dead'
They would whisper Even the two active dragoons didn't return, so the ruh the castle In the end, it was no good The voices that said he should've just given up had increased
”Try saying that again! I'll split open that empty head of yours!”
As Eunius raised a serious yell, the cafeteria fell silent at once He used one hand to lift up his opponent by the lapels, bringing his face close His opponent was Fritz Practically anyone would cower, but even if Fritz looked at Eunius, all he could see was a farce
”About how Rudel died? It's true, isn't it? Ah, perhaps he got scared and ran away Oh, he ht come back for next week's selection test”
Having exchanged a contract with a dragon, it was already decided that Fritz would becoraduated, he would work at the palace Convinced that he had triumphed over Rudel, his usual attitude had inflated evennoble
Even worse were Fritz' followers By the fact that Fritz was strong, and that the first princess knew hi nobles would always fall silent Those around Fritz had gotten around to think that was only natural, and even if Eunius yelled, they wouldn't try to stop hi a ceasefire
”Eunius-sauy”
”Let's just calht?”
As his followers pulled hi his back to Fritz, he gave a warning
”That guy, you know He never gives up, and he never runs away”
Seeing off Eunius' back as he walked off, Fritz made a dark smile By Aileen, his state was completely on cloud nine He was certain he had the power to change this country Recognized by a dragon, he had gotten the idea he had triumphed over Rudel, and he misunderstood that he had the ability to back it
Gray dragons wereas you had a certain level of skill, you could make a contract But Fritz didn't know that
In the cafeteria, Izu at the ruckus from afar, shi+fted her eyes to the outside of theShe prayed he would co as if nothing had happened at all But her heart felt strangely uneasy
”Come back soon Rudel, Sakuya…”
The words Izuive a response
The day of the selection test came to pass, but Rudel had still yet to appear at the academy
Izureorried, and she decided to participate in the event to wait for Rudel Rudel was forcefully obligated to take part in the event To speak to the contrary, it would be a problem if he wasn't there
Izu the hall For the same reason, they had come to the selection test, but Eunius and Luecke didn't have any interest in the royal guard position either
Aleist alone was overly uard He orried about Rudel as well, but to those around, it looked as if he wanted to become captain hiuard captain was the protagonist's official post As Aleist had been largely separated from the story, he had only taken part out of curiosity of ould be chosen
The royal guard would fulfill a large role in the story's war arc Aleist wanted to confirm ould bear the burden
There were lots of acquaintances to be found in the hall, but they were far outnu part while the dragoons conducted security The high knights protecting the royal family looked at their cohts who had already been chosen by dragons, so they didn't hold the qualifications to participate
Just by being chosen, you would become the captain of a new special unit that ranked up with the dragoons and high knights The hall rapped in a peculiar excitement But Izu around in worry
'Henceforth, the selection test for royal guard captain shall be conducted! To you knights who think you have what it takes please approach the dragon on the stage!'
Watched over by the royal faoons descended onto the stage The knights lined up on stage paid their respects to the king before walking up to the dragon one by one Even if it was a gray dragon, there was no doubt it was a dragon nonetheless It held an intensity to it, and there wereit
But the dragon accusto as it simply watched on
There werewhile to come Izumi concluded so as she waited for Rudel
(It'll probably take a while, but if Rudel doesn't , and even if he came now, he'd be late Even when he's never been late to class before)
As the nuradually direw restless But as soon showed interest
Izued race in order to ht surprised her The dragon snuggled close to Fritz as it recognized him as its contractor
”Izumi, have you seen Rudel?”
While the surrounding knights fell into a slu around, but he couldn't' see Rudel anywhere
”… I haven't But what's all this about? What's Rudel supposed to be selected?”
”I don't know either It was sos to be settled before Rudel even got here… 's seat Doesn't that look unnatural?”
Hearing that from Luecke, Izumi looked to where the royal family sat The ministers who see They were , but all eyes in the hall had been gathered on Fritz She saw the high knights frantically pull the curtain to cut off her line of sight
Fro, she could tell this was an unexpected event The queen was also receiving an explanation frohts But before the curtain close, Aileen and Fina alone quietly watched over the event Though the knights around Fina were in a frenzy
”Princess Aileen did hate Rudel And the one the dragon chose was Fritz… you think that's a coincidence?”
To Luecke's thoughts, Izuo that far She wanted to reply as such, but thinking back to all Rudel had done to that point, there were some parts she could nod to
”It was a setup? In that case, right now, Rudel could be…”
A bad pre her head, Izumi's face turned pale Her heart had been restless as of late, and she could only think of the worst
”I don't think they'll do hinized as the white knight Taking his power into consideration, as long as they prepared sohts, they could capture him and kill him with ease But no matter how you look at it, that's a terrible hand to play Killing him would be of no benefit to the country They normally wouldn't do it, but Rudel obtained pers”
While Izuht, the hall hurriedly moved onto its next event Fritz was officially appointed as captain of the royal guard
”Rudel…”
Izumi muttered in worry as she believed in his return
Where the royal faathered, Fina looked around with a caled election, and she was convinced Aileen hadout to Sophina, she confirmed the present situation
”Sophina (Oh h I never actually thought she'd go this far Looks like I've got a ways to go That aside, are we really going forward like this?)”
”Yes, princess”
Gazing at her father Albach, she called Sophina close Just like Fina, the queen was also seeking confirmation But the area around Aileen alone was calside the minister, they tried to persuade his went
”What of ma… Rudel-sauard, and since it's come to this, I can just alter my plan and it won't be a problem! I'll use them for all they're worth, but first… Where are you maaassssttteeeeerrr!!)”
”That has yet to be verified It seems he did not come to the hall”
”Is that so… (This is bad… if rand plan I can use the royal guard so they're not a problem, but if onecasseee!!)”
”The whereabouts of the two dragoons is also unknown Was it really the best option for us to have moved on our own?”