Mmm!
What a wonderful morning.
“I’ve brought your drink.”
“Mn, leave it on the table.”
About half a month had passed since the orphanage incident.
Mio and the kids had been safely relocated to Veret territory, and Aliban had taken flight to other districts.
The tutor-and-reporter assigned to them is Head Maid Morina — an old woman who’d voice her opinions even to the heir of the lord without hesitation.
Right about now, the children must be hunched over their desks without a word of complaint.
In fact, her latest letter — the one I was reading now — reported: “The moment they entered the house, the children burst into tears.”
They must have looked around inside and despaired.
Inside, I’d had a large room built in the image of a classroom from my past life — and in each two-person private room, a study desk for each kid.
A specialized small estate, no longer in use, refurbished on a rush schedule just for them.
I’d told Morina to drill them mercilessly so they’d be usable in the future.
They can’t go back to their old life now.
…Oh, and Mio is petitioning to build a small chapel.
Heh heh heh. I see.
She wants to atone for the future the children are being forced into, perhaps.
A perfectly absurd choice. Let me see if there’s any god who reaches out to her.
Not just Mio — anyone who can make those kids happy as well.
If such a thing exists, by all means, I’d like to see their face.
“Alice. Send this with the noon courier.”
“Understood.”
I drafted a reply, slipped it into an envelope, and handed it off.
“Right then. Time for school.”
I downed Alice’s coffee — black, no sugar, bitter as usual — slid on my uniform, and stepped out of the dorm.
“Ah, morning, Ouga! Alice!”
Mashiro, waiting at the entrance, waved and ran over.
Mm. Lovely bounce this morning too.
That alone makes the walk to class feel lighter.
“Mm. Morning.”
“Good morning, Miss Liche.”
“You’ve tied your hair up today.”
“Yeah! There’s PE today, and it’s getting hot, so~”
She flicked the small ponytail with her finger.
The nape of her neck, usually hidden, peeked into view — extremely healthy for me.
There are nutrients I can only extract from her.
“Hey, that’s…”
“Are the rumors true…?”
As we walked toward the school, eyes turned our way now and then.
They whispered in low voices, so I couldn’t make out the details. But likely the Inivent incident had begun to spread.
Lock up frail country children in your territory. Subject them to a daily hell to mold into worker soldiers.
A perfect corrupt lord, isn’t it.
But for the future of my left-hand-fan lifestyle, it’s a necessary cost.
The bad luck is on whoever relied on me.
“The rumors are wild, huh.”
“Let them say what they want. I just do what I think I should.”
“Ahaha. That sounds so like you.”
Mashiro at my side didn’t seem to mind.
She’s branded a commoner anyway — she doesn’t have decent connections elsewhere.
Even if she hears the rumors, she understands not leaving my side is the safer play.
She did make it into the Magic Academy, after all — she’s sharp.
“Speaking of which — practical magic class starts today.”
“Yeah. Mashiro, just like we talked about, all right?”
“Yes, I know. I won’t use my Twin Magic. I’ll hold back the output too.”
That spell of hers is too strong to display in public.
The moment people see Mashiro’s magic, someone will want her.
Not happening. These boobs are nobody else’s.
“That’s it. Mashiro, don’t stand out.”
“Yes~! I’ll be careful.”
“Don’t worry about grades either. I’ll look after you for life.”
If she’s joining my harem, of course I’ll provide for her.
That’s the responsibility that comes with the side that builds a harem.
By that time, surely I’ll have a system in place where money flows in without working, so no problem.
”…………Sneak attacks like that are unfair, you know.”
“What is?”
“Nothing~? Nothing~”
What is it? Say it. Now you’ve got me curious.
I looked at Alice for help and found her wearing the expression of someone watching something heartwarming.
“You two seem awfully close.”
A clear, slightly androgynous voice called from in front of us.
I looked. A familiar face.
“Hello, Miss Liche. And — Ouga.”
“Speaking to me is rare. Won’t your father lose it again if he sees, Karen?”
“Our houses have been on bad terms for generations, you know.”
“That’s not the only reason.”
“Um…?”
Mashiro, unable to follow, had a question mark floating over her head.
She might have more than one question, actually.
I introduced the woman in the boys’ uniform standing in our path.
“This is Karen Lebetsenka. The only daughter of House Lebetsenka.”
“It’s a pleasure, Lady Liche. I’m Karen Lebetsenka. I’d be glad if we could get along.”
A head shorter than me, but tall enough to put most men to shame, she took both of Mashiro’s hands in hers.
Sharp double-lidded eyes. A nose with a clean ridge.
Her frame was suited to a boys’ uniform. The word that fit her was, as always, beautiful person.
We used to play together as kids — and back then she was a crybaby you couldn’t imagine from this version of her.
She used to follow me around like a shadow…
Then I was found to have no magic aptitude, and our relationship abruptly ended.
That’s probably the work of her time-locked father, surely.
If only she had bigger boobs… I thought, while pondering why someone who’d never approached me at the academy was here today.
“Yes, pleased to meet you.”
“Mm. If you ever need help, please rely on me. If I can, I’ll do what I can. As a member of House Lebetsenka.”
…I see. She’s after Mashiro.
House Lebetsenka has stood at the head of national defense for generations, protecting the people from the Demon races and neighboring countries alike.
Allies of justice, in other words.
Karen, having caught the rumors, must be wondering if Mashiro is being held against her will by me.
“If something comes up, I’ll solve it. So no thanks.”
How long are you going to hold her hand? I slapped them apart and stepped between them.
”…And? What’s the business you came over for this early in the morning? Surely not just to introduce yourself.”
“Of course not. Though I did want to talk with you again after so long?”
“Save that for your fans.”
“Hahaha… Back to the topic — I’m relaying a message.”
“From who?”
“Student Council President Milfonti.”
The moment I heard the name, my brow furrowed.
That woman… hasn’t given up yet.
“She said, ‘Please drop by the Council room for tea whenever you’d like.’ When did you two get so close?”
“Just a bit. By the way — you joined the Council?”
“Of course. If I can be useful to others, I’m happy. …What about you?”
“I’ve got things I want to do.”
“I see… that’s a shame.”
If she knew the Council’s activities that well, she should understand why I wouldn’t join.
Or is she another one trying to get me into the Council to keep an eye on me?
There are too many justice-type people around me…
Aren’t there any depraved types who’d actually relate to me…?
“Sorry for taking your time… oh, right.”
Karen turned to leave, then clapped her hand to her palm as if remembering something.
”…May I drop by from time to time? It’s been a while since we’ve met face-to-face, and… inter-ducal exchange isn’t a bad thing, after all…”
“Huh? Do whatever you want.”
”!! R-right! Yes, that’s right! Yes, I’ll do that. Then!”
Karen raised a hand and headed cheerfully toward her own classroom.
She really does keep to her family’s doctrine.
She’s that worried about Mashiro, huh.
Still — having constant surveillance on my daily life is annoying…
I’ll need to acquire some pieces of my own.
I’d been having Alice work as my shadow in the background up to now. Strategizing for going forward, I opened the door to the classroom.
◇ Finally got the plot worked out… resuming regular updates ◇