Survival 82

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[To my proudest son, Hans.]

[Spring has come before we knew it. Just like it’s always hot here and always cold there, it must be hard to feel the spring weather. But if you go to the central region, you will be able to distinctly feel it. Spring is the season when the warmth causes flowers to bloom.]

[Given your sociability, it shouldn’t be a problem, but always be careful with your words. There are many with higher titles than us. Congratulations on your academy admission this year.]

A letter filled with various embellishments.

Within it, a father’s worry and love were melted.

“I suppose I should write back.”

“I’ll do it later. There’s something more urgent now.”

I folded the letter that arrived just in time before departure and put it in my pocket.

Luciana, who was about to say something, quietly closed her mouth.

The atmosphere at the Speda ducal house had become much busier.

“Hurry up! There must be no lack in fitting the dignity of the Speda family!”

Yegor, usually dignified, was nowhere to be found as he screamed at the top of his lungs, rushing the servants and maids.

“What are you doing! Can’t you see the legs?! Move quickly! If you are a dedicated maid, you should have prepared your master’s accessories, cosmetics, and clothes in advance!”

“…I am doing it.”

“Your tone! Even with correction, the hidden arrogance remains!”

By the way, Bathory was also busy rolling under his scolding.

“It makes me think it’s fortunate not to be there.”

“But you’re also the person who’s entering the academy.”

“But it’s not like I don’t have anything to do.”

My role as a dedicated servant is to maintain Luciana’s dignity.

But there couldn’t possibly be any issues with that.

I had long completed all the tasks assigned to me perfectly.

Luciana, about to depart, was revealing her usual noble grace.

Luciana was wearing a red dress.

The dress, like the sun, perfectly highlighted her passion and noble dignity more than anyone else.

Of course, there was another reason.

‘Money backs up dignity.’

[Item Category: Clothing]

[Diamond Cashmere Dress]

[As the name of the southern ducal family is attached, its quality is beyond words.]

[The fabric is made from the inner fur of lambs that haven’t fully grown yet, boasting extra softness.]

Produced under the best management in the south, from sheep that live only in the jungle regions.

According to the information in the status window, it seemed to be of the highest quality.

‘No wonder, the luster was different.’

It was worth staying up all night to obtain it.

But then.

“That is….”

“Ah, that’s the gift you gave me. Doesn’t it match well?”

On the right chest of the dress, a mana stone rose I had carved was pinned, boasting a blue light.

The rose, reminiscent of her inner wall, contrasted with the red dress and became the finishing touch, enhancing Luciana’s charm further.

So perfect.

Even if I were to be fired for having nothing left to do as a servant, I wouldn’t have anything to say.

“As always, you are noble and beautiful.”

“Your words.”

Luciana smirked.

Worried that she might notice my excitement, I quickly turned my head.

“Anyway, shouldn’t you, Lady Luciana, be the one to meet Sir Ken? I can only communicate through letters due to the distance, but you can meet him right away.”

For three years at the academy.

Especially since she, after graduation, needs to be incorporated into the royal family.

Having to leave the north for a long time and live away from her family, she hoped for a proper farewell.

“I already talked with everyone yesterday. With my brother, and with my father. They gave me their blessings.”

“…That’s good to hear.”

Fortunately, my worry was unnecessary.

‘She must have taken care of it on her own.’

After all, Luciana cherishes her family more than anyone else.

Naturally, the members of her family would be included in that concern.

“Lady Luciana, all preparations are complete. This way.”

Yegor pointed towards a huge carriage that was present.

A large emblem of a sword and shield crossed over each other. Yegor looked satisfied with it.

“As you can see, we have procured a carriage befitting to spread the dignity of the Speda ducal family far and wide. Also, the servants and maids have been carefully selected from those who are properly trained.”

“…There seems to be a discrepancy in your words.”

Luciana’s sharp gaze was directed towards someone. Needless to say, it was Bathory.

Unlike the Speda ducal territory, the academy is a place called another society because it is where the gaze of the nobility reaches and even extends.

In such a brutal world of survival of the fittest, where it’s worse to bring along an inadequate servant.

Luciana’s critique was justified.

“Why is a demon mixed in there? Someone who can’t even show me the minimum courtesy.”

“Don’t worry. She has been properly educated.”

In an instant, the gaze of everyone present, including Luciana, turned towards her.

In the midst of the cold atmosphere, from the blonde demon standing there.

“It’s a natural response for the rudeness I’ve committed up till now. I deeply reflect on it.”

From those lips, slightly revealing fangs, polite words flowed.

None other than the high-ranking demon Bathory, who, with her pride reaching the skies, did not bow to anyone in the mansion.

And she even bowed deeply at a right angle.

“Please forgive me with your generous heart.”

“…Huh.”

Luciana’s disgusted gaze now turned towards Yegor.

Her gaze seemed to ask, ‘How did you manage to change this demon?’

An elderly man in butler’s attire quietly lifted his glasses and answered.

“Proper education can turn even the wildest into a fine maid.”

– Can’t you do even this? Then, the trip to the academy is canceled.

– I’ll do it! Isn’t it enough if I succeed?

– Again, your tone! A maid needs a tone fitting for her position. It wasn’t a problem with your work. If you don’t correct that mouth of yours within a day, I’ll never allow it!

Seeing the ‘proper education’ filled with threats, I couldn’t help but smile.

“She has the basics down. After all, she’s taken in by me and Hans, so it’s better if I keep her with me. It’ll be like a symbol of victory, just having her by my side will be helpful.”

Bathory is a great sorceress and a high-ranking demon.

Just treating her as a mere maid would change Luciana’s status.

Then.

While Yegor was smiling happily looking at Luciana, the family’s treasure, his eyes suddenly sharpened.

“Are you really taking this one with you?”

The same went for the Direwolf, Friede, sitting by her side, wagging its tail back and forth.

Compared to Bathory, who hid her wings and looked no different from a human, this monster was more effective.

“…Well, I see.”

While bending down to gently stroke Friede, it seemed there was a stronger purpose behind it, but,

“Having a pet is quite strictly regulated in the dormitory rules. It would be quite troublesome if the monster were to cause any accidents. Perhaps it’s still not too late to change your mind…”

“Compared to risks, that demon would be more of a concern. Taking Friede is a given, so understand that.”

Luciana rejected Yegor’s suggestion outright and boarded the carriage.

-Woof!

Following her, Friede also skillfully jumped in.

“…”

“Didn’t you guess, Steward? Friede… This pig is now part of the Speda family.”

“Still, I’m very worried about the monster. My training doesn’t work on beasts, you see.”

-Click.

While trying to console a disheartened Yegor, I too was about to board the carriage when a strong hand was placed on my shoulder.

“Be the hands and feet of the lady at the academy. Moreover, it seems you’ll have to take care of that beast now.”

The slightly trembling arm with exerted force seemed to express his feelings.

“Don’t worry. I’ve fed it so much that it’s lost its wildness.”

“…Right. Since it’s you who managed it without any problems, I suppose I can trust you. Take good care of the lady.”

“Just leave it to me.”

Even without his reminder, I was going to take care of it anyway.

No, I must succeed.

‘To ensure Luciana isn’t abandoned by the crown prince.’

-Squeak.

Even if it means I have to kill Friede, who I’ve grown fond of.

Or even if it means receiving hatred from my most beloved.

If it’s necessary, I’m willing to do it.

My fist tightened until my nails dug into the palm.

Now.

It was time to step into the whirlwind of chaos.

***

Spending days and nights in the carriage required resolving meals and accommodation inside.

Naturally, this led to more conversations with Luciana.

“Now that I think about it, I haven’t heard where you’re applying.”

“Applying? Ah, you mean which department I’ll be attending.”

The academy is divided into three major departments:

Knight Department, Magic Department, Political Science Department.

‘Depending on where the original protagonist took classes, the combat style varied greatly.’

Choosing the Magic Department means becoming a traditional supporter and healer from the back.

Choosing the Knight Department means becoming a Paladin who leads the charge with buffs.

Choosing the Political Science Department means becoming a buffer who supports allies and a debuffer who lowers the enemies’ stats.

‘Personally, Paladin would have been the right choice.’

It was very suitable for solo play while minimizing the assistance of the male leads, so it was frequently used.

Even during the previous discussion about the Oparn-Levain attack, but now, with the academy entrance just around the corner, it was a matter to be revisited.

“Hans?”

“Ah, sorry for the late reply. I’m contemplating because all the choices are attractive.”

“…Hmm. Is that so?”

Her gaze suddenly sharpened and swept across my face.

“If you are a dedicated servant, I think it’s proper to follow your lord.”

Implicitly, or rather explicitly, Luciana’s suggestion to join the Knight Department made me smile.

“Actually, I was debating between the Magic Department and the Knight Department, but now that I think about it, it was a pointless worry. As Lady Luciana said, I will go to the Knight Department.”

“Hm. You made a good decision.”

Luciana nodded her head in satisfaction repeatedly. Along with that, a response came from another side.

“Magic Department? Who else would you learn magic from if not me?”

That was Bathory, having thrown away all pretenses she had in front of Yegor.

Her voice was as cold as ice, and her casual impoliteness was blatant… Well, I expected as much from a demon. She revealed her true colors quite quickly.

Bathory snorted disdainfully in front of Luciana, who did not hide her displeasure.

“Don’t worry, descendant of the warrior. I won’t be a burden to you; I’ll have the manners of human maids outside.”

Even under Luciana’s gaze, Bathory casually took the seat next to me.

“There’s no reason for you to receive teachings from humans. My teachings can give you more enlightenment than those trivial human lessons.”

The soft voice that reached my ears. I quickly did some mental calculations.

‘Considering the specificity of blood magic, Bathory’s words make sense.’

Not just because she’s a great sorceress. As a vampire, she was more suited to teach me magic.

“That makes sense. I don’t need to go to the Magic Department; I can just ask Lady Bathory.”

“Exactly. How about you lighten up a bit? Hans going to the Knight Department was also your wish, wasn’t it?”

Luciana responded by taking a sip from her teacup.

Soon after,

“Hans, with your physical condition, it might be difficult to keep up with the training in the Knight Department. I’ll help you too.”

“…Ignoring me completely, are we?”

Bathory shrugged her shoulders as Luciana spoke only to me, completely ignoring Bathory’s presence.

“Well, no matter. Then, Hans, may I take my leave as usual?”

“Leave? Oh, if you’re talking about entering the shadows, that’s fine.”

-Wriggle.

The moment I finished speaking, I could see it.

The furrow between her brows and her twisted eyebrows.

Her eyes full of discomfort.

“…Shadows? What have I just heard?”

“Hans is bonded to me through a familiar contract. If he loses his life, I would be in a bad state as well, so naturally, I should stick around, shouldn’t I?”

Her smile, tilting her head as if to say, ‘Now you’re looking at me?’ was truly befitting of a wicked demon.

“Such petty tricks. Insolently presumptuous for a mere maid.”

Just before Luciana could scold her, Bathory slipped into my shadow.

“Eek.”

“Hans, your wishes are most important. Firmly refuse her. The ability to hide in shadows means she’ll be watching your every move.”

The arrow of emotions with nowhere else to turn eventually pointed at me.

Her voice, seemingly calm but creaking, was like a flaming arrow drenched in oil.

“Haha… Don’t worry. I let her out at night.”

“That’s not enough. Wouldn’t it be better to take measures to prevent her from accessing the shadows at all?”

“Well, there are advantages to it, so we might as well use it. She’s perfect as a guard and can’t cause me harm.”

Freed from the restrictions of the North, Bathory was truly a one-person army.

Knowing this, Luciana’s mouth shut tight.

-Kekek. It’s quite amusing to see the novice getting worked up.

Bathory’s scoffing, which seemed to enjoy my predicament, echoed in my head.

It was a message meant only for me, but I wondered if Luciana heard it too.

Even after hearing my explanation and somewhat accepting it, her face remained annoyed and displeased.

After a moment of silence, she looked straight at me.

“Still, I’m not satisfied. Yes, when I get to the academy, I’ll have to write a letter requesting a change of my dedicated maid.”

Bathory’s laughter turned into shock in no time.

“Wait a minute! What do you mean by that, descendant of warrior?”

Bathory, jumping out from the shadows and expressing her emotions openly, faced Luciana who, once again, lifted her teacup with a relaxed smile.

“A dedicated maid who is too lazy and disrespectful towards her steward and lord. Isn’t that reason enough for dismissal?”

A model student.

The lady, having become accustomed to wielding power using her position following the last lesson, was there.

‘I didn’t teach her this for such purposes.’

But what does it matter?

Instead of the furrow that had vanished from her brow, a faint mischievousness now played on her face.

“I, I’m sorry….”

Eventually, Bathory bowed her head.

Secretly, Luciana and I exchanged glances.

-‘It’s quite fun to tease, isn’t it?’

-‘I admit it. She’s quite naive.’

The meaningful eye contact between the lady and her servant, unfortunately,

Did not reach Bathory, who, grinding her teeth in secret, was unable to enter the shadows and hung her head low.

***

“Finally…! It’s time for the academy entrance.”

The girl let out a deep sigh as her small fist clenched tightly.

How long had she been waiting for this day?

-Remember, you must find a partner befitting you.

The pope advised with a serious look, his eyes sparkling with determination between his solemn brows.

-Even if it’s for the sake of saving the world.

She glanced at the back of her hand.

A metaphysical pattern.

The symbol of the goddess Nephasa shone in the same color as her hair.

“A partner…”

Her eyes, gazing down from the rooftop, caught sight of carriages entering one after another.

Among all those carriages, the one that caught her eye first had the emblem of a sword and shield.

“The person of interest has arrived first.”

Watching that carriage pass through the academy’s main gate, she turned her back.

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