Chapter 475
In the end, Mar’s attendance at the fair was confirmed.
Honestly, I would have preferred to oppose it until the very end, but what could I do? It’s not like Mar’s having the first snow baby all on her own; I’m half responsible here, so it would look pretty bad if I protested strongly against it.
“I understand that it’s not an issue if you’re in the very early stages of pregnancy or about to give birth, but moving around too little in general is a problem.”
“Really?”
“Yeah. So don’t worry. I’ve done my research and made this decision myself.”
Besides, while I wasn’t around, Mar had secured expert advice.
That left me with even fewer arguments. Ignoring an expert’s advice to push one’s own opinion is pretty tacky. For both Mar and the baby, it’s crucial to follow the expert’s advice.
Okay, it’s not like pregnant women should just stay indoors all the time. They need sunlight and fresh air to be healthy. Overindulging in indoor living can actually have negative health effects.
“If things get dicey, I’ll just cast Shield Magic on Mar, so don’t worry.”
But since my face must have looked a bit bitter, Trixie gently reassured me.
Hearing that made me feel much better. The idea of the Great Baron casting Shield Magic is enough to make anyone wonder if bones will break if someone bumps into her.
‘It’d be a mistake to bump into Mar.’
Now that I think about it, if bones were to break, it wouldn’t be the fault of Mar. It’d be the fault of the person who didn’t take care while she was walking by pregnant.
That’s how I decided to think.
This year, I’m stuck as a club room spirit.
In previous years, I was also a recluse spending time in the club room, but at least back then, there were second or third spaces like the executive manager’s quarters or the student council room.
But this year, since my work is assigned to a commuting format for supervision, I don’t have a dedicated place to stay, and going to the student council, now that Mar has graduated, isn’t exactly convenient. As a result, I end up just breathing in the club room from morning to night, now a ‘freeloader’ in broad daylight.
Of course, I’m not saying I’d love to work just because I’m bored. Being a freeloader is better than hustling around. I’m even a fashion freeloader with a regular paycheck coming in!
“Armein, Yuben, and the Holy Kingdom say they’ll be sending people. They want to express gratitude to the Academy for guiding their royals and saint candidates so well.”
However, the heavens didn’t permit my freeloading lifestyle.
“It’s the Academy’s duty to lead the students in the right direction. This thanks is quite excessive, isn’t it?”
“I think so too.”
I chuckled bitterly at the vice principal’s words, and he nodded vigorously in agreement.
It seems bitter. I really thought this year would be a peaceful fair without any fuss, but I never expected a surprise like this.
‘Gratitude my foot.’
If they genuinely wanted to thank the Academy, they could just send money. Or they could say, “You’ve worked hard so far; we’ll take care of the rest,” while taking their members home with them. If not that, how can it be called true gratitude?
It’s obvious what the three countries want to achieve with their visit. Since Trixie and I are in the Academy, they’re using the open event of the fair as a chance to make contact.
‘This year is their last opportunity.’
Once the members from the three countries graduate this year, neither Trixie nor I will need to stay at the Academy anymore. For those countries, it means this is their only chance to connect with me. After this year, they’d have to come with diplomatic credentials to meet, rather than just as individuals.
‘So annoying.’
Meeting foreign dignitaries is a hassle. It’s tiring enough talking to our own civil servants, let alone dealing with foreigners.
However, it’s regrettably unavoidable. The Empire has absorbed the Northern Region and has risen to the status of a superpower, and I’ve ‘ascended’ as a key figure in the Empire. In this position, it makes sense that foreign countries would want to establish connections with me. If I overly avoided contact with foreign officials, they might even think, ‘Is the Empire adopting an aggressive stance?’
Moreover, the countries in question are Armein, Yuben, and the Holy Kingdom. Armein, which has acknowledged the Empire’s superiority, has bowed down; the Holy Kingdom, which has given Mar and me the honor of beatification; and Yuben, which seems to have come along with the other two. Each of them is hard to ignore.
“But since the club fair is an open event for all people, as the host, I’m more than willing to welcome our guests.”
As I resigned myself to this unavoidable despair, it seemed the vice principal was accepting reality too, as he spoke in a rather solemn tone.
For the vice principal, it’s unfortunate, but the only way is to welcome them. The Imperial Academy promotes itself as an educational institution that does not discriminate by nationality, and the club fair is also an event open to everyone. While strongly advocating such, casually rejecting foreign attendees might lead to diplomatic strife.
And between a diplomatic dispute and a bothersome job, I’d rather pick the latter.
“Since they’re guests who have traveled a long way, I suppose it’s only right to welcome them. Do you know who’s coming?”
Pouring more tea into the vice principal’s cup, I asked. I figured if some big shots were coming, I should at least prepare mentally about who they are—
“From Armein, we have Count Nerkaff; from Yuben, Duke Kilanas; and from the Holy Kingdom, Cardinal Alexandriana is coming.”
My hand serving the tea froze.
‘…Did I hear that wrong?’
I was taken aback to the point where I questioned myself. Each of the three mentioned was a powerhouse at the level of state leadership.
Count Nerkaff, the grand marshall of the central army of the Armein Kingdom and their number one sword. Rumor has it that he’s such a fervent loyalist that he’s practically on brotherly terms with the Armein King.
Duke Kilanas, the chairman of the Magic Council of the United Kingdom of Yuben, who holds immense influence over both the political and magical spheres of Yuben. He’s the focal point for advocating Yuben’s unification, serving as a political partner to the King of Yuben.
And Cardinal Alexandriana, the very same person we saw last time. At least she’s somewhat the safest option.
‘This is ridiculous.’
An involuntary laugh escaped me. The cardinal and the saint being the safest characters? Does that even sound plausible?
“The principal was surprised too. Those who are probably the busiest people from each country are taking the time to come here personally.”
“That’s definitely surprising. I wouldn’t have believed it if I hadn’t heard it from you, vice principal.”
I nodded at the vice principal’s words. It would mean the principal has truly given up hope on being a human if he were not shocked hearing that glamorous lineup.
‘Thank goodness it’s in a personal capacity.’
Eventually, I truly felt relieved upon learning that these figures were coming as individuals rather than as part of an official delegation.
If they were coming as individuals, I could prepare for them like regular guests, but if they came as an official delegation, it would require a more elaborate reception. That’s something that transcends my and the Academy’s ability to handle; we’d need at least some department head from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to come and spearhead it.
Most importantly, if a delegation were coming to the Empire, it would imply there are significant diplomatic matters to discuss, and it’s hard to believe that any issues these heavyweights are bringing along would be light. Just imagining it makes my head spin.
“If you ever need my assistance, don’t hesitate to come to me. I’ll help to the best of my abilities.”
“Thank you. Just hearing that is comforting.”
Thus, I offered a small gesture of goodwill to the vice principal, who was probably in a state of astonished peril like I was.
In fact, calling it a gesture may sound inappropriate; both of us know all too well that these heavyweight trio are coming here primarily because of me.
*
Hehehe.
Hoo hooo hoo…
“Geez, stop grinning like that. It’s grossing everyone out.”
I was bursting with joy and couldn’t hold back my laughter when Elder Aldino scolded me.
Under normal circumstances, I would have been hurt that someone was scolding me for laughing, but not today.
‘Academy dispatch.’
I kept smirking while holding the order in my hand.
A stroke of luck I hadn’t expected came my way. Instead of having to wait for Tannian in the Holy Kingdom, I could go directly to where Tannian is.
And I could do it legally! Without a hitch! Quite legitimately!
‘Tannian the student.’
My heart pounded. I pictured Tannian not in a priest’s robe, but in school uniform. Not praying among priests but laughing with friends.
The thought of seeing Tannian like that made it impossible for me to stop grinning. Enen must have felt proud of me, toiling for the sect and the followers. Otherwise, this kind of happiness would never have found me.
‘The timing was just right.’
As Elder Aldino’s gaze became more piercing, I lowered my grin and checked the order again. In two days, the beatification of the Empire’s Minister of Supervision and his wife would take place. And once the beatification is done, it’s customary to present the cross and attire blessed by His Holiness to the blessed individual.
Of course, the majority of beatifications occur posthumously, so the instances of delivering items directly to the blessed person during their lifetime are exceptionally rare. Most times, they are delivered to the relatives or descendants of the blessed.
But since this time, the blessed individual is alive, I, being the growing authority of beatification, am the one to take action.
‘Definitely blessed.’
My smile returned as I surrendered my tightly suppressed grinning. Truly, a blessed individual to bring joy to others by mere existence. Even if they had become a saint instead of just a blessed one, it still would have been suitable.
“Hoo hoo hoo…”
“…I should’ve mentioned I was going.”
Elder Aldino’s mumbling reached my ears, but I shrugged it off.
Since the order with His Holiness’s seal has been issued, no one can prevent me from heading to meet Tannian— no, to greet the blessed individual.
No one can!
*
I shared the news with the international club members gathered in the club room. I told them that some bigwigs from their countries were coming, so they should get ready to have some fun.
Fortunately, it seemed that the dignitaries visiting were not awkwardly related to the members. After all, they were passionate loyalists or the King’s partners, so it wouldn’t be strange hanging with a prince. Cardinal Alexandriana seemed to is someone of a follower level regarding Tannian, so as long as we stick Tannian in the mix, things should go smoothly.
“Oh, you’re talking about my uncle? I heard someone was coming, but I didn’t expect my uncle would be here too!”
I felt a warm glow at Rutis calling Count Nerkaff ‘uncle.’ If members are that friendly, they’ll probably manage to have a good time themselves.
I then hoped it would mean the frequency of them pestering me would decrease.
My site has received a lot of DMCA notices, lol. From now on, I will update the MTL on https://darkmtl.com/.
The site is fast and lightweight because there are no ads yet. However, the theme is different from Cybor-TL, so take some time to familiarize yourself.
Support me by donating at least $10, and you'll have the right to request any novel from Novelpia (excluding 19+ content) using a newly developed tool.