Chapter 179 (1/2)

Territory Pioneering 2

“I-It’s not like I’m nervous or anything!”

“….”

Nobody had said anything pertaining to the Elf-san’s obvious nervous state.

Both of them were in terrible condition and it was as if they were having a competition on stage to see who could sweat more. Neither of them was likely to speak which left only one other person on stage to move the discussion along.

“Perhaps it would be easier if I were to the one asking the questions.”

Fahren-sama had been silently observing for the most part but now he was taking the lead.

Everyone’s eyes had been locked on the pair seated at the table, but the moment Fahren-sama spoke their attention snapped to him in an instant. There were hundreds, no, probably over a thousand people with their eyes locked on him. If Fahren-sama was nervous he gave no indication as he spoke with a calm and even tone.

“Nannuzzi.”

“Y-Yes.”

“Given everything that’s been said today, I’m forced to ask if you had a partner you worked with to come up with your method.”

“No, there’s nobody else.”

“There will be no punishment if you had a partner that you’ve failed to mention thus far. It’s common for researchers in the school to aid one another. However, if this method you claim to be yours was discovered by a student and you’ve decided to present it as your own…well, that will be another matter entirely.”

“As I said before, I had no partner.”

“I’m speaking to you as a mage. Forget all of the politics and our position amongst the nobility. As a mage, I would never allow anyone to deny a fellow mage — one of your students even — the recognition they rightly deserve. I will do everything in my power to ensure you receive a punishment I deem fitting for such a sinful and, quite frankly, pathetic act.”

“Of course, and I would have no less for anyone that was caught doing such a terrible thing.”

As usual, Fahren-sama was professing his love for magic.

But Nannuzzi-sama was expressing her innocence to him.

“Then, would you care to offer an explanation, Miss Nannuzzi?”

“I have nothing to explain. This discovery was based solely on my own research.”

“…really?”

“Of course.”

“….”

I was holding out hope until the end, but I suppose I shouldn’t be surprised that Fahren-sama didn’t bring up my accusation. This is a room filled with nobles and the words of a commoner would hold no weight. And the same goes for Fahren-sama.

Fahren-sama’s only concern is the world of magic.

It’s quite obvious who is the superior between a teacher at the academy like Nannuzzi-sama and a simple maid like myself. I’m sure the only reason he even bothered arranging this event was because Tanaka-san was involved. It’s definitely because of Tanaka-san.

Without him here, I don’t see any outcome that ends well for me.

Nannuzzi-sama has no weak points.

Fahren-sama began his mediation once more.

“I understand. In that case….”

When, suddenly, a new third voice rang out from behind the stage curtain.

“Not so fast!”

A person emerged from behind the curtain, her boots sent a loud thud echoing out through the stadium with each confident step she took towards the centre table. This woman was dressed in an outfit more fitting for a male member of the nobility, but the confidence she exuded made the outfit fit her far better than any male counterpart. Even though we were of the same gender, I was enraptured by her enthralling visage.

There was only one person this description could match.

Ester-sama.

“V-Viscount FitzClarence….”

Nannuzzi-sama let her voice slip unintentionally.

The terror in her voice was clear for all to hear.

“You’re lying to protect yourself.”

“….”

The calm expression Nannuzzi-sama had been holding up to this point began to falter.

The icy stare Ester-sama cast on Nannuzzi-sama was truly frightening.

Whenever I’m put into a scary situation due to Tanaka-san’s actions, I can’t help but wet myself a little. I’m sure Nannuzzi-sama is experiencing a similar moist feeling below her waist now.

At first, it’s warm and feels nice.

But soon, it will grow cold to match the terror I feel in my heart.

“W-What do you mean by that, Viscount FitzClarence?”

“I’m not nearly as patient as Lord Fahren.”

“…I’m sorry, but I don’t have any idea what you’re talking about.”

But Nannuzzi-sama wasn’t backing down yet.

She regained her composure before responding calmly.

Women grow increasingly cunning as they age. As a woman, I can attest to this fact. The seven-year-old me was more cunning than when I was three and the ten-year-old me far more cunning than the seven-year-old me. The me of today is capable of thinking of things the ten-year-old me would never even consider a possibility.

The conniving nature of women will never cease to amaze me.

Which is why a woman of thirty was a woman to be feared.

A middle-aged woman that’s been backed into a corner is the ultimate opponent.

“I saw it with my own eyes! This woman witnessed one of her students conduct this experiment in her classroom and stole it for her own profit! As his benefactor, classmate, and as someone who wishes to become a mage I will not allow myself to sit idly by as she profits for another’s work!”

Her dignified voice echoed throughout the halls of the venue.

Up until now, the Elf-san had been doing her best with her voice cracking and knees trembling. It was an all-out attack on Nannuzzi-sama’s very foundation.

But Ester-sama chose a different tactic. Her words were filled with all the passion and love she holds for Tanaka-san.

I can recall seeing a similar scene to this before.

“O-Oi….”

Ester-sama disregarded the Elf-san’s objections.

“Criminals must be punished!”

But Nannuzzi-sama wasn’t going to give up so easily.

“Please, wait just a moment, Viscount FitzClarence.”

“What?”

“What did you mean by benefactor?”

Nannuzzi-sama’s eyes were shining.

She had latched onto something Ester-sama said and was preparing her counterattack. It doesn’t seem like the smartest idea to bring up Tanaka-san’s name in a room filled with the nobility.

I’ve heard rumours that many of the nobility are disapproving of Tanaka-san being given his title and most know that it was Ester-sama that got him that title. This is just my own guess, but even if they’re all members of the same noble class, they’d be more than willing to condemn one of their own as punishment for promoting a commoner to a noble position.