Chapter 480
Meeting a hometown friend from afar is always a joy.
“Welcome, Sister Alexandria! Did you have any trouble on your way here?”
“Thanks to your concern, I arrived comfortably. Brother Tannian, how have you been doing?”
“Of course! I’ve stayed here for two years, so it now feels like home.”
Even if that friend is a cardinal visiting for work purposes.
‘Sister Alexandria, huh.’
I had already gathered that the cardinal was coming for the club fair. Brother Gon, along with his wife, had achieved the honor of beatification, so it’s customary to present the robes and cross associated with this honor.
And given that it’s a situation where I have to meet a current imperial minister and a living blessed one, it’s only right that a cardinal-level figure is here. It would be seen as rude if someone of a lower rank were to show up.
‘A sister would be the best possible person to come.’
In that sense, Sister Alexandria’s visit to the Empire is the highest form of respect the sect can show. The Holy Pope himself can’t come, and neither can the Grand Cardinal, who’s likely too busy.
Plus, from my perspective, I’m happy to see Sister Alexandria. The other cardinals are quite old and a bit intimidating, but she’s like a sister who cared for me since childhood. If I have to see someone, I’d rather it be someone warm and close in age.
“Heh.”
“Sister?”
While lost in these thoughts, her laughter made me turn my head.
“Oh, I’m sorry! It’s just that seeing you in a school uniform feels so different.”
Her giggles made me smile too.
The Holy Kingdom has institutions to train priests. However, instead of a traditional uniform, they wear apprentice robes, so for Sister from the Holy Kingdom, seeing a school uniform might be a first.
I remember feeling awkward when I first wore something other than a priest’s robe. If it felt that way for me, I can completely understand her feelings.
“Experiencing new things is a valuable opportunity to broaden one’s perspective. Would you like to try it on?”
At my suggestion, Sister’s smile froze in place.
“…Huh?”
After some time, she finally managed to speak a word, revealing just how flustered she was.
What a strange reaction. Sure, my proposal was random, but is it surprising enough to warrant such shock? All it would take is draping a coat over her shoulders.
“B-but I’ll be thirty next year! People will think it’s strange!”
‘Oh.’
At last, her kind explanation calmed my bewilderment.
She had trapped herself in her perception of age. She believed she was too old to wear a school uniform, thinking it would make her look ridiculous.
But that’s overly concerned. Those following the teachings usually manage to maintain a youthful appearance, much like aristocrats capable of wielding mana. Unless they say it outright, no one can guess their age.
“Then how about just showing me? No one else will think it’s odd.”
However, dragging someone out of their shell forcibly is harsh, so I proposed a suitable compromise.
After all, I’m only suggesting she drape on a coat like the one I’m wearing; I wasn’t planning on putting her in a full school uniform.
“W-wait, only for you…”
Sister, darting her eyes around, barely nodded.
“Okay. The Lord said that wisdom comes from experience, not just knowledge.”
“Wise words indeed.”
Seeing her embarrassment gradually fade away brought a smile to my face.
*
Oh Lord in heaven. I know that you are kind and gentle, and that you love all living beings in this world.
I also know that you take pride in those of us who truly believe and follow you, spreading your beautiful and noble teachings across the continent.
Yes, I know! Naturally so.
That’s why you bestow such blessings upon me.
‘Tannian’s school uniform…’
I barely held onto my increasingly dreamy state. I realized that extreme happiness and joy could indeed make someone faint.
I’m just so, so happy. Just imagining Tannian in a school uniform or an apron could fill my prayer room for three straight nights—yet here I was, holding the coat he wore.
And he asked to show it to me only.
‘Tannian knows this version of me…’
I desperately suppressed the grin creeping up my face. Luckily, there were no other guests in the booth, so I could take a leisurely stroll without prying eyes, allowing me to create precious memories with Tannian.
“Hmm, it really is a bit too big for you.”
At that remark, I unconsciously crossed my arms. This way, I wouldn’t have to give back the coat.
“Is, is it? I think it fits okay.”
Attempting to appear nonchalant, I noticed Tannian nodding calmly.
Good. I just shared an observational remark; I certainly didn’t mean to suggest I wanted it back.
‘Should I run with it?’
For a moment, I got tempted. If I ran all the way back to the Holy Kingdom, wouldn’t this coat finally be mine? Wouldn’t I be snagging something Tannian wore for over two years?
But I held back. As much as I coveted the item, it would be foolish to earn someone’s resentment over a mere object.
‘Let’s be happy with this one bit of luck.’
Being too greedy could cause me to lose what I’ve gained.
*
As the number of guests visiting the booth dwindled, it made sense. Anyone energetic enough to visit a club fair likely dropped by last year or the year before and might have attended this year’s wedding as well.
Thanks to this, I freed the club members instead of keeping them in the booth. I sent Rutis off with Count Nerkaff and arranged for Tannian to walk with Cardinal Alexandria. Surely, there wouldn’t be any trouble since they were accompanied by a member of their own nation.
Erich was caught by Zenobia while I was whispering with Count Nerkaff. Since Sara went missing too, I assumed they were having a good time.
‘Should I send them as well?’
I pondered seriously while looking at Ainter and Lather, the only two club members left with me. Already sending off four members, right?
Just as I contemplated kicking Lather out, a suitable guest arrived at the perfect moment.
“Sir Lather.”
An old man approached Lather as he cleaned up crumbs in front of the booth.
He had neatly combed silver-streaked blue hair and a beard that reached his collarbone.
“Duke Kilanas?”
The last great figure expected to visit the Academy has now arrived.
“This old man finally pays his respects, Your Grace. I hurried as fast as I could, but my body doesn’t move as quickly as my heart anymore.”
He seemed aware that diplomats from the Armein Kingdom and the Holy Kingdom had already arrived before him as he bowed his head apologetically to Lather.
“No need for such words. Even if you’re from afar, we know of the efforts you’ve made for the Emperor and our Kingdom. I’m just glad you could come.”
“Ah, your kind words leave me embarrassed.”
As Lather was polite and held Duke Kilanas’s hand, my tension began to rise. A duke who commands enough respect to be addressed by the prince—especially the chairman of the Magic Council has come all the way to the Academy. Like Count Nerkaff, it wouldn’t be shocking if he brought something monumental with him.
‘Please.’
I instinctively fiddled with the cross in my pocket.
Enen, eternal blue sky, Constantina. Please, if anyone is looking, just say Duke Kilanas is merely here for a visit. I can’t handle more secret pacts with national powers.
“Your Grace. If it’s not too much trouble, may I introduce you to your friends?”
“Oh, absolutely! A few may not be here, but they’ll return soon.”
As I entered prayer mode, Duke Kilanas finished greeting Lather and casually opened his mouth. Although he referred to Lather as a friend in words, he and I both understood it meant important figures in the Empire, like me and Trixie.
“Marquis Idrid, Ainter Livnoman. He has helped me immensely in adapting to life in the Empire.”
“I see. Indeed, like those of Livnoman’s bloodline, he seems virtuous and kind.”
“Haha, you flatter me.”
That’s why Lather introduced Ainter to Duke Kilanas first. Regardless of status, Ainter, being the Emperor’s brother, is the most senior among those present.
Next, came the introduction of…
“Mr. Marcilio. It’s truly an honor to meet you.”
Duke Trixie.
“I have heard of your impressive reputation. You’re said to be an indispensable pillar in Yuben.”
Duke Kilanas bowed nearly to a 90-degree angle, to which Trixie responded warmly.
It seems they decided to show mutual respect, considering Duke Kilanas’s status as the head of a nation. Rightly so; it’s a tad inappropriate for a prince to speak casually to someone they’re meant to respect.
“Oh, is that so? It’s a rare honor in my old age.”
The issue is that Duke Kilanas doesn’t truly see himself as an elder.
‘He’s just visiting, huh.’
Still, watching him bend down like a folding phone eased my mind. Since he seemed more attached to Trixie than intending to see me, it doesn’t seem he had any urgent requests.
Well… that’s just fine. I’ll always welcome ordinary guests!
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