Chapter 88: Event
The very same day I had a private talk with Claudia-san, I was summoned to a private room by Eleonore this time. This time too, the room was cleared of attendants, and even Cornelia wasn’t allowed in.
Is clearing rooms a trend lately?
Claudia-san had said that Eleonore had feelings for me. It was hard to believe, but for me, who wanted to confirm that, Eleonore’s invitation was a godsend. I’ll try to check it out casually and naturally.
Or so I thought…
“…”
Eleonore, without even sitting on the sofa, stood with her arms crossed, looking down on me. I could sense anger and irritation from her. What’s wrong? Why is she angry?
“You were talking with my elder sister at lunchtime, weren’t you? Just the two of you.”
“Yeah. Clau invited me.”
“Clau… Even though I… But, Sister… Surely Dee too… That kind of thing… I… Don’t forget…”
“Huh?”
Eleonore muttered under her breath, but I couldn’t hear her clearly.
“Dee!”
“What is it?”
“Um… Dee, do you lo—”
GONG GONG GONG GONG GONG GONG GONG!!!
Just then, as if to interrupt Eleonore’s words, a bell rang out. But this was strange. It wasn’t time for the bell to ring, and it kept ringing without stopping. It sounded just like an Alarm Bell. I immediately knew something unusual was happening.
“Princess Eleonore!”
“Your Highness! This is terrible!”
“What?!”
As if to confirm the abnormality, Eleonore’s attendants burst into the private room, their faces pale. For them, well-mannered children of nobles, to act so rudely meant it was an extreme emergency.
Could it be… an attack event?
“Hey, what happened?”
“A dragon! A dragon is heading this way!”
“What did you say?!”
So it is an attack event. The headmaster will drive it away at the cost of his life, so my only option is to spectate.
Dragons are minions of the Evil God. The Evil God must be monitoring its movements. If I stand out here, I’ll become a priority target for the Evil God. In that sense, too, the development where the headmaster drives it off at the cost of his life is the best.
Gotta make sure the Evil God doesn’t recognize me as a threat.
“Your Highness! This way! Let’s evacuate immediately!”
“But… I cannot abandon the other students and flee!”
“Your Highness…”
“But, however…”
What are these attendants hesitating for? The only option here is to run!
“With all due respect, Princess Eleonore.”
I knelt before Eleonore.
“Dee?”
“As long as Princess Eleonore does not evacuate, someone will need to risk their life to hold back the dragon. Your humble servant believes it is crucial for Your Highness to evacuate immediately and set an example for all the students.”
“That is…”
“There is no time to hesitate. Now, everyone, quickly escort Princess Eleonore to safety!”
“Your Highness, if you’ll excuse us!”
“Ah, wait. I…!”
Urged by her attendants, Eleonore reluctantly began to evacuate. If Eleonore didn’t evacuate, they couldn’t possibly evacuate themselves. I’m quite satisfied that I prevented unnecessary chaos.
“You…”
“Hm?”
When I noticed, one of Eleonore’s male attendants had remained behind.
“So you weren’t some kind of sycophant after all… In any case, you helped. My thanks, Viscount Baumgarten.”
“You’re quite formal. Shouldn’t you evacuate quickly too?”
“I shall do so. If you continue to serve Princess Eleonore faithfully as you have, then I shall support the relationship between you and Princess Eleonore.”
Saying only that, the man ran off.
What ‘relationship’ between me and Eleonore?
Well, now’s not the time to worry about such things. I need to meet up with Cornelia quickly and evacuate.
◇
THOOOM!!!
A deep bass sound that seemed to shake the pit of my stomach. Finally, the jet-black dragon had landed at the academy.
It’s big. No, it’s ridiculously huge. Its body, larger than the academy school building, shifted uncomfortably on the academy grounds as if it were cramped. Just that alone made the earth tremble, and the wall surrounding the academy was mowed down by the dragon’s tail.
Facing such an out-of-spec colossal dragon were the headmaster in a black robe and several teachers.
I never thought it would be this huge. Can the headmaster really drive this dragon away?
“Get the children to the basement, quickly! Those with combat experience, come! We’re buying time!”
Was this also magic? The headmaster’s voice echoed as if it were a school-wide announcement.
“Onii-sama…”
“It’s okay, Ria. The headmaster is supposedly the best magic user in this country. He’ll be fine even against a dragon.”
“Yes…”
I patted the head of Cornelia, who looked anxious.
“You lot! Follow the students in front of you and head to the basement!”
“What about you, sensei?”
“Sensei has a little business to attend to.”
Saying that, our homeroom teacher, Bonifatz, left the students and ran towards the headmaster. He’ll probably die.
Whether it was due to their deep trust in the headmaster, or perhaps to protect their beloved students, about twenty warriors had gathered around the headmaster.