Chapter 177 (2/2)
Fahren-sama stared down at Ester-sama.
The atmosphere was quite tense.
“Is it about the matter involving that maid? I told you I won’t do anything to accuse a fellow aristocrat as long as that man isn’t here to backup your claims. I won’t budge on that point. This matter has already caused enough trouble for the event.”
Fahren-sama’s gaze shifted to the other person seated on the sofa.
“I-I was the one that wanted her to ask you! I-I’m sorry, I didn’t think about how busy you’d be!”
The Elf-san was sweating as much as me as she stuttered out her reply.
I silently apologized to her in my mind.
Thank you so much for helping me.
“Really? You should have said that from the beginning. I’ll hear you out.”
“Thank you.”
After receiving his consent, Ester-sama started questioning Fahren-sama. It was the same matters she had discussed with the Elf-san in Tanaka-san’s dorm.
Naturally, I stood silently in the back as she spoke.
“Lord Fahren, what is the purpose of the teachers in this academy?”
“What does that have to do with anything? Well, needless to say, the teachers here exist to transfer the knowledge they hold to the students in pursuit of advancing the study of magic for future generations to come. A student’s accomplishments should be viewed as a source of pride for the teacher.”
“Yeah, that sounds about right.”
“Why do you ask?”
“So what would you say if a teacher were trying to claim the achievements of one of their students as their own? Wouldn’t this directly conflict with your claim?”
“Then that teacher would’ve broken the one oath a teacher should never violate.”
“I agree.”
“What are you trying to say? As director of the academy, any failings of my staff are due to my own shortcomings. I would rather you just say what you want to say, Richard’s daughter and remember, that you are responsible for whatever claims come out of your mouth. And I won’t even humour any rumours or anything of that sort.”
“Of course, which is why I will only talk about something I saw firsthand.”
“Something you saw?”
“Yes, involving my alchemy teacher. I had these two describe the contents of Nannuzzi’s presentation and I can confirm that I saw another presentation that followed the exact steps she followed to a T.”
“…what are you trying to say?”
“Since you are the director of the academy, I’m sure you can recall the exam schedule this past year. There was an alchemy exam not long ago that required the students to create a magical medium, a mana potion. What he managed to create during the exam is exactly what she created onstage.”
“You don’t even take any alchemy classes.”
“I wanted to be by his side as much as possible.”
“….”
Ester-sama’s undying love for Tanaka-san is on display once more. This even caught Fahren-sama off guard. That love might actually be what saves me.
I hope I can find someone to love as much as she loves him.
“Something to say?”
“A-Ahem, I understand where you’re coming from.”
Fahren-sama cleared his throat and gave Ester-sama a small nod.
But there was a bitter look that spread across his face.
“However, even if what you say is true, she was the one that presented this research to the public. He has nobody to blame but himself for ever showing off this technique without properly presenting it to the public as his own discovery. I’m sure you can understand this as a student of this school.”
“Yes, I completely agree with you on that point.”
Ah, so the conversation with the Elf-san in the dorm was practice for this conversation.
It prepared her well.
“But that’s not what I’m here to discuss. You actually touched on it a moment ago. The problem I see is that a teacher took credit for her student’s work. Didn’t you say a teacher should take pride in their students’ achievements?”
“I did say something to that extent.”
“Isn’t the statement I just gave enough when you include Sofi’s claims?”
“….”
Both of our stories were suspicious on their own, but they only really started to hold weight when they were finally put together. It’s just like seasoning a dish.
But this still wasn’t enough to convince Fahren-sama.
“Do you have any evidence? We could ask the other students to confirm your statement, but even that wouldn’t be enough.”
“T-That’s….”
“Humans are imperfect creatures. It wouldn’t take much to convince the public that you, the maid, and any other students were just mistaken about what they saw or heard.”
“….”
“But, don’t be mistaken, I’m not doubting your claims.”
“…what?”
“If I believed that maid’s accusations were completely unfounded, I would’ve punished her as I would punish any other servant speaking out of turn. However, just as there is a lack of evidence to convict Nannuzzi-san, I don’t have enough reason to believe the maid is making all of this up. Until evidence proving one side the victim comes to light, the decision on her punishment will have to wait.”
Fahren-sama says he’s not going to rush to any decision as long as there is no evidence. I assumed he’d side with a fellow noble over a simple commoner, but I guess I should’ve expected this from him.
He’s more concerned about what kind of impact this will have on the magic research rather than choosing a side.
“I actually have a suggestion regarding that.”
I almost forgot the Elf-san was here when she suddenly spoke.
Her eyes were serious as she stared at Fahren-sama.
“A suggestion?”
“Would it be possible to arrange a special presentation during the Academic Conference? If you invite Nannuzzi as your guest onstage I think I’ll be able to expose her to the audience once I speak with her.
“…hmm, I see.”
Fahren-sama nodded and turned away.
He was probably able to guess the Elf-san’s plan.
“What do you think?”
“Fine, but I’ll be attending as well.”
“That’s completely fine.”
It’s going just as they wanted.
Thank goodness.
But if they’re going to be on stage, does that mean I’ll be with them? Centre stage during an important conference is no place for a maid to be. I wasn’t thinking about how I’d be involved in the plan when I came here.
“The easiest solution would be to hear from the person all of this controversy is focused around. Have we heard from him yet?”
“Nothing yet. There must be something going on there as well.”
“…I wonder.”
Fahren-sama’s shoulders drooped when he heard Ester-sama’s answer.
It’s rare to see him so dejected.
“Where did that dragon go…?”
Please, never come back, Dragon-san.