Episode 3: The Academy? Not Interested.
There are several academies within the Empire, but the one Father is likely referring to is the Zakreon Academy for Nobles in the Imperial Capital.
“The Academy, you say? To be honest, I’m not particularly interested. If I, one of Ortenos’s ‘Guardians,’ were to leave, it would create a significant void, offering other houses an opportunity to exploit. Besides, this is the year Lady Elmia… no, Elmia-sama, is scheduled to enroll.”
Unfortunately, the situation surrounding the Ortenos region is strained, and even a young noble like myself has a high probability of standing on the battlefield in the near future.
It would be pointless if, while I was away at the academy, Ortenos were to fall.
“There’s some merit to what Sharka says. However, you’ll struggle to find a bride if you remain within the territory.”
“……”
I infer from his words that my father’s search for my bride has run aground.
Indeed, my freewheeling activities in the castle town must be having repercussions.
But if that’s the case, going to the Imperial Capital, a land far to the west where they don’t know me, might not be a bad idea after all.
“……I see. So, if I find a girl I like at the academy, I can bring her back to the territory?”
“Hmph, precisely. Officially, we’re considering sending you as Elmia’s attendant.”
Seeing a slightly scheming look on my father’s face, I realized my prediction was correct.
But what exactly does being Elmia’s attendant entail?
“Elmia-sama’s attendant, you say?”
“Yes… I don’t particularly want to say this, but if Elmia, the eldest daughter and next head of House Ortenos, and Sharka, the eldest son but without inheritance rights, are sent simultaneously, there’s a possibility the academy will be thrown into confusion. If we don’t take any measures, there will naturally be fools trying to cozy up to Sharka.”
Father told me, looking a little uncomfortable.
“I see, by establishing a hierarchy in advance, you’re letting everyone know that Elmia-sama is the next head.”
“Hmm, I’m sorry, but that’s correct. Elmia is excellent as both a noble and a magician, but in terms of social skills, she’s a step behind the other noble children who are constantly trained in practical situations. The academy is a demonic realm where many rivals gather, and she’ll be thoroughly tempered.”
I see, Father made the decision to send Elmia to the academy to train her.
That’s quite a bold move. Father continued talking.
“Sharka, you especially need to be careful. Even though they’re children, they’re all nobles with Stella-Class Magical Power. No matter how beautiful a girl may be, never agree to an invitation to become a婿養子 (muko yōshi, a groom who marries into and adopts the bride’s family name).”
“Beautiful girls, you say… Hmph. Of course. My loyalty is solely to Ortenos, so I, Sharka, will repel such schemes without even batting an eye.”
For a moment, I imagined a scene where a lovely young lady like Lady Rokina begged me, “Won’t you come to my house?” and my face almost broke into a grin, but I barely managed to stop myself.
“Hmm, you seem a little shaken, but well, Elmia will be there too, so it shouldn’t be too much of a problem. That girl has grown strong since her mother passed away. I sense a strong will to inherit Ortenos at a young age and create strong connections both internally and externally. I hope you’ll support Elmia as well.”
“Yes, of course. This Sharka shall be Elmia-sama’s sword and shield.”
“……”
I straightened my right index and middle fingers and held them still in front of my heart.
It’s the noble salute passed down from the former Ortenos royal family.
For some reason, Father is silent with a melancholy expression.
“Is something the matter? Father?”
“No, I was just thinking that you didn’t used to call Elmia ‘sama’ so ceremoniously. Although she’s your half-sister, she’s your same-aged sister to Sharka. You used to get along so well, why has it become such a formal way of addressing her…?”
Father seems shocked by my behavior towards Elmia.
However, I can only say that this is because I’ve come to feel the complexities of adolescence.
I can’t keep treating her like a cute relative’s daughter forever.
…I tried to explain the gist of it, but it turned into a slightly strange way of putting it.
“It’s the times… I suppose. I think both Elmia-sama and I had no choice but to change.”
“I see… I’m sorry. I didn’t want our war to be passed on to the next generation any further.”
(Huh?)
My father, with a slightly solemn face and eyes narrowed as if looking into the distance, began to express his remorse for the negative legacy left by the older generation, for some reason.
“Father, that’s not it.”
“Hmm? What’s not it?”
“It’s just that Elmia-sama is a girl of that age, so she’s difficult to handle.”
“……”
This is bad, it’s become a somewhat awkward atmosphere.
It’s as if I’m a middle-aged employee complaining about how difficult it is to handle a female subordinate who’s a decade younger.
Well, mentally, I am middle-aged, though.
“……Well, never mind, but if you two are going to the academy, there’s one thing I’m concerned about.”
“Something you’re concerned about?”
Father seems to be moving on as if he didn’t hear my nonsense.
“Yes, if two Stella-Class are absent from the land of Ortenos, there’s a possibility that the eastern defenses will be weakened.”
“Ah, I see, you had that concern.”
The east, that is, the country located to the east of the Ortenos region.
“Even though Father-sama’s glare is currently effective, it’s only a matter of time before those guys start rampaging. It might not be a bad idea to thoroughly crush them once more.”
The Father-sama that Father is talking about is my grandfather.
I see, the story that Father has been racking his brains over since this morning leads to this.
“So, in other words?”
“Actually, there’s a job that’s just right for your First Campaign, Sharka. Can I ask you to do it?”
It’s finally here, my First Campaign.
It’s probably not a large-scale battle where I can achieve great military exploits.
It’ll probably be something like mediating small conflicts near the border, and the enemies will be at most Satella-Class knights.
“Yes, leave it to me.”
I once again gave Father the Ortenos salute.