It seemed strange that the emperor suddenly announced a ball, but I guess this was the story he wanted to tell.
I stared directly at Ludwig.
“You know about the terrorism the descendants of the Magic Empire caused last time, right?”
I heard it from Ludwig himself.
I knew that the descendants of the Magic Empire tried to blow up the Academy.
Not only did Ludwig and the students of Class A stop them, but they hunted down all the gathered descendants of the Magic Empire.
“During that process, I learned some facts. There are descendants of the Magic Empire among them that have royal blood.”
The long lineage of the royal family of the Magic Empire.
Information about the final boss of Ragnarok came out.
The emperor looked quite displeased. Well, that makes sense.
After all, they are the ones trying to overturn the world and recreate the Magic Empire.
It must indeed be annoying for him to have challengers to his authority.
“I won’t tolerate the descendants of the Magic Empire rising again.”
The emperor’s voice was firm. That just shows how threatening the Magic Empire is.
Of course, I recognize that as well.
Anyone who knows even a little about the Magic Empire would feel the same.
The Magic Empire treats those who can’t use magic like they’re not even human.
They think that those who can wield magic are blessed by the gods and hide the methods of using magic, using that power to bully others.
Among their atrocities, they have made an entire city into Chimeras under the pretense of experiments.
And that’s not all.
Massacres were just a given, and they unabashedly extracted the souls of the living to turn them into ghosts.
Making mothers kill their children and children kill their fathers was a daily experiment, and it was usual to dissect innocent people alive.
They commit such terrible deeds.
If they rise again and recreate the Magic Empire, it would truly be a disaster.
“I agree with that.”
“I’m glad we always understand each other. However… their technological capabilities cannot be underestimated.”
As long as I have the Hall of Glory, they won’t be able to control the Large Monsters.
But that doesn’t mean their strength is weak.
Having failed the terror and realizing they’ve been discovered, they will surely start to move in earnest.
They will initiate a war utilizing all the horrifying technologies they possess.
“I’m ready to attack the branches of the Magic Empire in each territory. But the biggest one, the main base… I want to leave that to you.”
“Understood.”
“I expected you to reject it.”
“Your Majesty entrusting this to me means you trust me and my students. I want to respond to that trust.”
“You always have such nice words. Are you still declining?”
“Are you referring to the position of Grand General or the position of Duke?”
I laughed as I looked at the emperor.
Since I saved him from the hands of the Great Demon, he’s wanted me close by.
Looking into his gaze, which seemed to see a precious treasure he couldn’t have, I shook my head.
“That place is not a seat for me.”
The place where I should be in this world is where my students are.
And that place is where I will soon leave.
The emperor, seemingly displeased with my rejection, twitched his thick eyebrows but didn’t say anything further.
“If you want, I’m willing to support a marriage with another royal of age, other than my daughter.”
“It’s an honor.”
“The next word you’re going to say is ‘but,’ right?”
“It’s ‘however,’ Your Majesty.”
“Haha, you’re always so consistent. Alright, I can’t force someone who doesn’t want it. But I do want you to enjoy the ball.”
“It’s an honor.”
After finishing my meeting with the emperor, I arrived at the Sun Palace, where students and the nobility of the empire were waiting.
My kids, thanks to the emperor providing outfits, were all dressed fabulously.
“Aren’t you going to change, Instructor?”
“This suits me best.”
I had no intention of changing out of my academy instructor attire.
After patting the shoulder of a student in a tuxedo, I turned my gaze toward the women.
They were all dressed in extravagant dresses.
“U, um. M-Master.”
“Wooow~. Who could this be?”
Lena, who usually just wore a shadow robe, called me out in a squeaky voice.
Her ivory skin was flushed red.
“Are you too flashy?”
“It looks good on you!”
It was a beautiful white dress that suited the delicately beautiful Lena.
Was it because of my compliment?
Lena became even more embarrassed and lightly grabbed the hem of my clothes.
“I d-don’t know how to dance…”
“Then it’s time for me as your Master to step in.”
What would someone who only researched in the Ivory Tower know about a ball?
As a light waltz began to flow, I led Lena to the center of the ballroom.
Lena was trembling, maybe because she was holding my hand or from the gazes of the people.
“Now, slowly. Just follow my lead.”
“What if I step on your foot?”
“What else would you do? Just step on it.”
With someone as light as Lena, stepping on my foot wouldn’t hurt at all.
But I made slightly bigger steps to lead her.
“Aahhh…”
Her ears peeked out between her silver hair, now red.
She’s really shy.
I tightened my grip around Lena’s slender waist even more.
“This kind of thing will happen a lot in the future. So, get used to it.”
“As long as Master is with me, it’s fine, right?”
“I can’t always be right next to you.”
Once the descendants of the Magic Empire are defeated, some time will pass before we can see the true ending.
And then, I would be able to return to my original world.
When that time comes, wouldn’t it be the true graduation for these kids?
“Master, I…”
“I can’t express how thankful I am to have you here.”
I meant it.
Lena is filled with fears and finds it awkward to socialize with others, but she thinks deeply about things.
After all, she’s the one who’s best at judging what is right.
As the smoothly flowing waltz gradually came to an end, I took a step back.
I turned Lena, who looked disappointed, around and saw my students.
“Alright, who’s next?”
“Nana-na-na-na-na!”
“Please pick me too!”
Arisha and Sowol raised their hands with excited faces.
Maybe it’s because their unchanging appearances always bring me joy—I couldn’t help but smile as I extended my hand.
I danced with each of the students once and headed to the terrace.
It seemed the emperor really put effort into this ball.
I watched the students mingling with the imperial nobles through the terrace window.
“Master.”
As I sipped wine while enjoying the cold breeze, Sowol approached.
Since she’s the Saint of the church, she was quite liked by the imperial nobles, and I could see those who were disappointed to see her come over.
“Many people wish to talk to you. Aren’t you over there?”
“More than that, I want to talk with the person I desire.”
“You can talk to me anytime, right?”
“…Just because.”
Sowol, standing beside me with a glass of wine in hand, didn’t even look my way.
“You always look like someone who’ll leave at any moment.”
“Haha, where would I go?”
“You did that before, didn’t you?”
“Hmmm…”
“Always. You leave without attachment once you’ve achieved your goals.”
“Me?”
“You did it to me, to Lena, and to Arisha. No, it’s not just that. You’ve formed ties with many, yet never tied your heart to any place.”
Looks like someone has been investigating me.
Since it wasn’t particularly bothersome, I just sipped my wine.
“Can’t you tell me?”
“Talk.”
“…I’m not joking here.”
“Seriously.”
I placed my hand on Sowol’s forehead.
As she didn’t avoid my touch and gazed into my eyes, I smiled at her.
“What’s with the seriousness? Smile.”
“…Hah. You always try to brush it off like this.”
After a long sigh, Sowol downed her wine in one go.
Maybe it was due to the alcohol content; her face slightly flushed.
“But you should know.”
Sowol slowly reached her hand out and caressed my cheek. The feelings in that touch were affection and obsession.
“Master is mine.”
“If you say that, I know two people who will be angry.”
“Heh. I was the first to meet you and the first to like you.”
“Just because you were fast doesn’t mean anything.”
“Then, should I say it’s because I’m pretty?”
Sowol, giggling, turned her body.
And slowly turning her head, she spoke to me with a sweet voice.
“Just so you know, letting Master act freely like this won’t last long.”
“Oh, that sounds impressive. It’s like you’re going to kidnap me or something.”
“If necessary, yes.”
With a smile, Sowol went back inside. As I reflected on her words, I sipped my wine.
“I’m also running out of time.”
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