Master 36

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“Wow, the academy really hasn’t changed at all.”  

“…Pardon?”  

After finishing Sasha’s introduction, which must have been nostalgic for Pierre, we stepped inside the academy. The familiar scenery came into view.  

“I’m actually a graduate of the academy myself. Haha.”  

I hadn’t taken on any particular role, nor did I have any close friends. But now, looking back, those memories felt incredibly precious, especially compared to my past life, where I had been confined to a hospital room.  

“So, the reason you requested my guidance…?”  

As I indulged in those memories and briefly zoned out, Pierre, who had fallen silent for a while, suddenly spoke in a voice thick with emotion.  

“Did you just need an excuse to call me out?”  

“…I like how quickly you get to the point, Pierre.”  

From what I could see, Pierre, unlike his sister Sasha, who lacked a bit of awareness, seemed to be quite sharp.  

“To be honest, I’m already familiar with the academy, so I don’t need an attendant or a guide. But despite that, the reason I insisted on bringing Sasha was…”  

“…To show me this sight, wasn’t it?”  

“Once again, you got it right. Haha.”  

Pierre mumbled to himself as he looked at Sasha, who was shedding so many tears that she seemed downright miserable. Clenching his teeth, he continued.  

“Recently, I noticed that the amount of money Sasha has been sending to our family has increased exponentially.”  

“That’s right.”  

“I also know full well that it’s not the kind of money one can earn just from odd jobs.”  

Hearing him speak while clenching his fists confirmed my suspicion—Sasha’s family situation must be quite dire.  

“No matter how many times I asked what she was doing, all I got in return were letters saying she was doing well.”  

“My, how admirable.”  

Without thinking, I murmured as I gazed at Sasha with a look of admiration.  

“But despite the reassuring words, her letters were always stained with tears.”  

“Well, Sasha does cry rather easily, doesn’t she?”  

I tried to ease the mood with a gentle smile at Pierre, whose voice trembled as he finished speaking.  

“…Let me ask just one thing.”  

However, Pierre’s face only grew even paler as he took a deep breath and then threw the question at me.  

“What exactly is my sister doing?”  

Sasha’s usual duties? Excluding the secret missions she had been forced into recently, it was mostly dishwashing, cleaning, and brewing tea for me.  

Now that I thought about it, she had far fewer responsibilities than a typical personal maid. But then again, that position itself had been created as a way to support her struggling financial situation, so it was only natural.  

“…Do you really want to know?”  

However, if I were to explain that directly, it would hurt Sasha’s pride. So instead, I decided to give her the chance to explain it in her own way.  

“Why don’t you ask her yourself?”  

With that decision, I nudged the still-sniffling Sasha toward Pierre and stepped back a little to give them some space.  

“I’ll stay out of the way for a bit, so go ahead.”  

I had stepped back so far that their voices were barely audible. But if I had stayed too close and listened in, Pierre might have doubted the sincerity of their conversation.  

‘Well, Sasha should be able to explain it well enough. I just hope she remembers to mention all the plates she’s broken while at it.’  

*****  

A few hours before Whitney arrived at the academy with Meredia…  

“…I’m sorry. This is my failure.”  

-……

“It was impossible to prevent Lady Meredia’s appointment as a judge.”  

In the office of the Commoners’ Association president, Pierre, a high-ranking member, was breaking into a cold sweat as he spoke through a communication crystal.  

“But Lord Mayer, no matter how much power the Commoners’ Association has been given, overturning the decisions of both the student council and the board of directors is beyond our reach…”  

The person on the other end was none other than Meredia’s own brother, Mayer Embergreen.  

Contrary to Whitney’s assumption that the emperor was behind the sabotage, the one pulling the strings behind the scenes was Mayer, who had been grinding his teeth ever since the last incident, desperate to regain his standing within the Black Mages’ Union.  

— I’m starting to question whether you’re even worthy of my support.  

“L-Lord Mayer…”  

— Given that the presidency of the Commoners’ Association rotates every month, you do realize your usefulness is coming to an end, don’t you?  

Mayer had taken a risk by reaching out to Pierre, who, like Sasha, was desperate to support his family. However, stopping Meredia, who had already solidified her position, proved to be a nearly impossible task.  

“P-Please! Give me another chance! I swear I won’t disappoint you!”  

— Hah…  

Pierre, now feeling utterly cornered, desperately pleaded for another chance. A deep sigh came from the communication crystal.  

— Fine, I’ll give you one last chance.  

“T-Thank you!”  

After a long silence, Mayer finally responded, and Pierre, who had been bracing himself for the worst, sighed in relief. However…

—Whitney Lingard, prevent his appointment as a Judge  

“What?”  

—I can handle Meredia, but that guy is just too irritating.  

Once again, Mayer’s command, relayed through the communication crystal, was exceedingly difficult.  

—Under no circumstances should he be allowed to interfere in the Talent Selection Tournament. Do you understand?  

“Uh…”  

—Why aren’t you answering?  

Pierre, now tasked with opposing someone who had not only received a direct appointment from the imperial prince but was also hailed as the Empire’s greatest hero, broke into a cold sweat as he contemplated the situation.  

“He’s not as dangerous as Lady Meredia, is he?”  

—…This isn’t the time for you to be making such judgments.  

“S-Sorry!”  

Pierre had cautiously asked that question, only to receive a chilling reprimand, causing him to hurriedly lower his head.  

—Well, it’ll be easier than dealing with that woman, Meredia.  

“I-Is that so?”  

—But be careful. He’s not someone you can take lightly.  

Pierre tilted his head at Mayer’s muttered warning, feeling puzzled.  

—That bastard… whatever he is, he’s extremely dangerous.  

Setting aside the irony of Mayer obsessing over the selection of judges while scheming behind the scenes, Pierre found himself wondering—  

‘Why is someone called the Empire’s hero such a problem?’  

All the newspaper articles about Whitney had portrayed him positively, aside from the rumors linking him to Meredia.  

‘…Well, it doesn’t matter. As long as my family is happy.’  

At the time, he had dismissed Mayer’s words as nothing more than petty resentment toward someone he disliked.  

It wasn’t until a few hours later that Pierre would come to understand the true meaning behind those words.  

***  

“B-Big brother.”  

“Sasha…”  

Returning to the present—  

Pierre had been wracking his brain, worried about what kind of dangerous work his sister had taken on to support their family.  

But now, here she was, standing before him, forcing a strained smile as she swallowed back tears at Whitney’s mere command.  

“I-I’m living a wonderful and happy life at Young Master Whitney’s estate.”  

“Lies. Then what about those tear stains on your letters…?”  

“Y-Young Master treats me well, too! He made me sign a weird contract called ‘insurance’? And sometimes he gives me scary and difficult tasks, but…”  

Pierre had been about to interrogate his sister, his face turning pale with suspicion.  

But then, Sasha continued speaking, and he was left completely speechless.  

“Every time that happens, he gives me a lot of money, so it’s fine.”  

Pierre stared blankly at his sister for a long moment before swallowing dryly and forcing himself to ask in the gentlest voice he could manage.  

“…Sasha. What exactly are those scary and difficult tasks?”  

“T-That’s… um…”  

Sasha hesitated, glancing nervously at her master before shifting her gaze away from Pierre.  

“It’s… a secret.”  

Bathing Runiel while ignoring the slave crest etched into her skin.  

Pretending to be close friends with someone her age just to spy on them.  

Disguising the kidnapped imperial saintess and assisting her with whatever shady party she attended every night.  

Given all the strange things she had experienced in just a few months of employment, it was impossible for Sasha to tell Pierre the whole truth.  

In a way, keeping it a secret was the best response she could give.  

“B-But I really am okay!”  

“……”  

“I can do anything for my family…!”  

There was no need to explain what those words looked like through Pierre’s eyes.  

“…Quit your job and come home.”  

“Huh?”  

“I’ll figure out a way to get the money, so please…”  

Pierre’s desperation was only natural.  

—That would be a problem.  

But just then, a chilling voice echoed in Pierre’s mind.  

—That girl has already seen things she shouldn’t have.  

Pierre froze in place.  

He recognized that voice.  

It belonged to Meredia, who had stepped out of the carriage alongside Whitney.  

‘…Damn it.’  

Sure enough, as he turned his head, his gaze landed on Meredia, standing behind Whitney with her gemstone-like eyes gleaming coldly.  

‘How did things end up like this…?’  

In that moment, Pierre realized he was now paying the price for opposing the Empire’s one and only imperial princess.  

***  

“T-There’s really nothing to worry about! The benefits are surprisingly good.”  

“…What?”  

“Young Master said so himself.”  

Sasha, watching Pierre’s expression, spoke up with a meaningful tone.  

“He told me that if I handle this situation well, he’ll give me a bonus and even let me visit my family.”  

“Ah…”  

“So you don’t have to look so serious, Big Brother. Hehe…”  

Though Sasha was merely repeating what Alfred had explained to her, Pierre heard it with an entirely different meaning.  

“…If I want to protect my sister, I need to act accordingly.”  

And as soon as he muttered those words with a bitter expression—  

“How did your conversation go?”  

Whitney, who had been idly toying with his communication crystal, approached them with a relaxed smile.  

“Prince Kendrick just contacted me. He said it’s time for me to attend the board meeting regarding my position as a judge.”  

“……”  

“Unlike me, however, I imagine your schedule is completely free today, Pierre.”  

With that, Whitney lightly patted Pierre’s shoulder, his face full of amusement as he whispered into his ear.  

“I do hope you make good use of that free time. Haha…”  

“……!”  

“Oh, and I’ll send Sasha back to you after the meeting.”  

Pierre stared blankly at Whitney for a long time before finally lowering his head in resignation.  

“…I’ll be in your care from now on.”  

And just like that, Pierre, the current chairman of the Commoners’ Association, officially switched sides.

“Huh? Well, I’ll be in your care as well.”  

Had Parsha been there, she would have been positively glowing, convinced that her suspicions about Whitney planting informants in the academy were correct.  

But Whitney, satisfied with yet another good deed done for the day, simply hummed a cheerful tune as he made his way toward Meredia.  

“Well then, shall we get going, my lady?”  

Meredia, who had been watching him with a half-lidded gaze, let out a cold smile and remarked,  

“You really are a terrifying person.”  

“Pardon?”  

Both the board of directors and the Commoners’ Association were displeased with Whitney’s sudden nepo appointment. While she, as chairwoman, could persuade the board to some extent, things would become incredibly troublesome if the Commoners’ Association—under Mayer’s influence—decided to challenge his qualifications.  

Still, she thought to herself, it was just like Whitney to solve problems in such a manner.  

“That’s why I like you even more.”  

“…?”  

“Don’t pretend you don’t understand. Just keep your eyes forward and walk.”  

And so, as Meredia predicted, the board meeting proceeded smoothly, without any interference from the Commoners’ Association.  

“…Therefore, this board hereby resolves the following measure.”  

Of course, just because the meeting proceeded smoothly didn’t mean the conclusion was to Whitney’s liking.  

“Whitney Lingard, to prove your qualifications as a judge, you shall oversee tomorrow’s first-year midterm exam.”  

“Huh?”  

“If you fail to detect any cases of cheating or anomalies before the observing professors do, your appointment as a judge will be immediately revoked. That is all.”  

Whitney, who had attended the meeting in high spirits, was now pouting after being blindsided by Meredia’s unexpected betrayal.  

‘…Maybe I shouldn’t give her a gift after all.’  

However, the proposal Meredia had unilaterally declared—  

“My lady, the imperial decree clearly stated that Sir Whitney should be excluded…”  

“…Since when did the academy take orders from outside forces?”  

“I-I have no knowledge of such things.”  

—was, in truth, one of the rare acts of kindness she had performed without expecting anything in return.  

*****  

The next morning, at the exam hall where the midterm was about to begin—  

“Cecil, I heard you applied for the Talent Selection Tournament.”  

“….”  

“Lucky… I’m not even eligible to apply.”  

“What do you think? Do you have a good chance?”  

Cecil, who had entered the hall while rubbing her sleepy eyes, responded in a hushed tone to her eager friends.  

“…Honestly, I already received confirmation in advance.”  

“No way, really?”  

“Well, there wasn’t really any other candidate.”  

As compliments began to pour in, a faint smile graced her lips.  

‘Heh, let him sit in that estate and scheme all he wants.’  

Feeling unusually cheerful for the first time in a while, she indulged in a small moment of pride.  

‘No matter what he does, there’s no way he can stop me from participating in the tournament… right?’  

But then, a sudden sense of unease crept in.  

Tilting her head, she glanced around.  

“Am I just not fully awake yet…?”  

She could swear she felt the eerie presence of her brother nearby—when he should have been holed up in his estate, concocting some suspicious plan.  

“Cecil, what’s wrong?”  

“You okay? The test is about to start.”  

“No, it’s nothing…”  

Dismissing the absurd thought, she shook her head and began walking again with her concerned friends.  

But—  

“Our Cecil has quite a lot of friends, doesn’t she?”  

“……!”  

The moment she heard that familiar and unmistakable voice, she froze in place.  

“Wouldn’t you introduce them to your dear brother?”  

“…What the hell.”  

Standing before her, hands behind his back, a supervisor’s armband strapped to his arm, Whitney grinned down at her with a sinister smirk.

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