How to Survive at the Academy

Poisoned Chalice (6)

“I already knew roughly what kind of man he was.”

At this point, it’s hard to imagine that Ed’s Cabin Camp is actually the most important facility of the Sylvania Academy.

Lortel Keheln sat by the fire, sipping tea, and organizing her thoughts. It was a very busy day, so I was only thinking of going out with Ed to a festival or something, but I never imagined that Princess Sellaha would appear at the camp.

As a result, most of the distinguished guests in Sylvania feel as if they have set foot in Ed’s hut camp at least once.

It’s not even a guest house like the Ophelis Hall, and it’s funny when you think about it.

“If conciliation is more politically meaningful than antagonism, I have a feeling that attracting is not a bad thing. but… .”

“… … .”

“I never thought you would show up in a place like this.”

Princess Selaha sat by the bonfire, raised her eyes and looked at Lortel.

Lortel Keheln was the one who sided with Princess Selaha in the tragedy of the Rothtaler mansion. She is also the one who said that she would actively help Princess Sellaha take Ed Roth Taylor out and use it politically.

A person like that is sitting in Ed Roth Taylor’s camp with a place to live.

Princess Selaha said with a smile as if it was fun.

“Are all the words you said to me at that time in the mansion to deceive me?”

Lortel was about to say something, but for now, she didn’t respond.

Even Lortel knows what the human character of Princess Selaha is roughly.

“Initially, it was a ploy to protect Ed Roth Taylor, who had lost consciousness, from the Elte Chamber.”

It was revealed that he had tried to deceive the princess.

Also, Princess Selaha, who relentlessly condemns anyone who opposes her, is her opponent.

If you are an ordinary person, it is not strange that you are sweating profusely just by being driven into a crisis like this. Being caught telling a lie against the imperial family is a felony that would not be strange even if the punishment was severe depending on the mood of the other person.

However, Lortel never panics. Rather, Selaha was already aware that the evaluation of Ed Roth-Taylor had changed from within.

As long as you remember that fact well, it wasn’t too difficult to get out of this situation like a moose.

“Right. Actually, I am a human belonging to Ed-sunbaenim’s side. It’s a position I’ve been an assistant for a long time.”

In the end, in the end, whoever side you are on is the key.

At Roth Taylor’s mansion, he pretended to be on Sellaha’s side to save Ed, but in front of Selaha, who came to convince Ed, pretending to be ‘subordinate’ to Ed is enough.

Selah is a person who places great importance on status and status in evaluating people.

By relegating himself to Ed’s minion role, he is flying out of Selaha’s gaze.

No one gets angry with each of the chess pieces the opponent is dealing with.

If Selaha’s gaze is directed towards Edra’s humanity, it’s enough to hide under her gaze like a shadow. The evaluation that even Lortel is a human being handled within my grasp would be added as an added bonus. Not bad for Ed either.

“After all the disasters at the Roth Taylor mansion were over, they dispatched me in advance to prevent things from going terribly. You can think of me as a tool that moves according to Ed-senpai’s instructions, Princess Selaha.”

“… Judging by the fact that they share a living quarters, they seem to be dealing with it quite closely.”

Lortel laughed softly and accepted Selaha’s words naturally.

First of all, since I’m here to convince Ed, there’s no need to complicate things by touching Lortel.

Lortel, who understands all the positions of Selaha, is freed from the sin of blasphemy against the imperial family. At least when it comes to dealing with people, she is a girl who shows a surprisingly delicate side.

“Whatever, private reasons are more important for sharing the living quarters.”

“Well, I don’t have to worry about that man’s private life. It just needs the position and ability of the man. but… .”

Princess Sellaha shrugged her chin for a moment, then slowly closed and opened her sharp eyes and continued the story.

“Are you saying that you are dealing with the real power of the Elte Chamber of Commerce? I heard that Persica tried several tactics to take control of the Elte company, but now that I see it, it must have been all in vain.”

“I will leave the judgment to Princess Selaha. As a humble person, I do not dare to argue with the judgment of the princess.”

“You are definitely a sly foxy human.”

Princess Selaha smiled and defined a human named Lortel at once.

“He would be a useful human being as a staff member, but we don’t know when he will come back. A person who once sat on the throne by betrayal will eventually be dethroned by betrayal. Isn’t it?”

Princess Selaha maintains her dignified figure, and speaks clearly to the girl merchant, who has a far-reaching gender gap.

Humans like Balveron Elpelan are small people and greedy, so it is easy to judge their actions.

However, it is not difficult to deal with a human like Lortel.

He is the one who bites when he sees a weakness, and turns the board over when there is no reason to follow him.

If you want to use such a person as your entourage, you must always be intelligent, and never leave a gap.

“You live with wild beasts in your arms. That guy.”

“I don’t know where to put my body, because you treat me like a human being like a wild beast.”

Normally, Lortel would wrap up the discussion at this point and go to Ed.

For Lortel, who always acts calmly and calmly, it is impossible to act emotionally in such a situation with the princess of a country in front of her.

Lortel Keheln is the owner of a monstrous reason, who maintains his composure with just one dry saliva even while the Sylvania Academy is being destroyed.

However, there are always exceptions in the world.

Also, there is a law that everyone should not touch.

There is only one case where Lortel Keheln, who is always sober and calm, loses his temper. That’s when Ed Roth Taylor was involved in the work.

And, should I call it a coincidence or an inevitability… . Princess Selaha stepped on the mine precisely.

To put it bluntly, Princess Selaha said so to Lortel.

You are a beast that, if given the opportunity, will try to ascend the throne even after striking Ed Roth Taylor in the back.

Ed is also the kind of person that you consider to be only a stepping stone for your success. There is not even a single grain of Judas to be found.

Selaha’s words and actions, who defined the human being Lortel Keheln, were very unpleasant for Lortel herself.

I’m not acting for a purpose, I’m looking at Lortel as it is and making an evaluation.

Lortel heard that and smiled. However, the cruciate veins rose up on the temples.

“Princess Selah.”

His voice is calm as always.

“I don’t know how it sounds, but I hope you at least know that I’m not going to hit Ed’s back.”

“Hey. I’ve never seen merchants talk about such a romantic bond. It would be more believable to say that eagles eat grass.”

“How about? Princess Sellaha. You can’t underestimate this guy Ed Roth Taylor.”

There’s no way I’d do something stupid to start a nerve war against the imperial family.

The overwhelming difference in status and authority leads to a difference in position. In the end, there is nothing Lortel can do other than subtly scratch Princess Sellaha.

However, that was Lortel’s main specialty.

“Underrated? haha… Rather, it is a position that is fairly generously evaluated. Obviously, it’s not easy to see him as he’s on the verge of taking over the Elte company, but… How can I become the emperor of a country if the duke cannot subdue San-nim?”

“Submission… . Obviously, it’s something that either side might have to succumb to. It’s because the Hwang Kwon is involved.”

“Which one? You tell a funny story.”

Princess Selaha raises her nose and smiles arrogantly.

“Am I giving in? I’m sorry, but I’ve always been in a position to give in.”

self-esteem that soars to the sky. The power and lineage commensurate with it.

Lortel looked up at Princess Sellaha quietly, and a fishy sense of repulsion and immorality bloomed.

A human who has never been clinging to anyone in his long life and never kneeled down.

Anyway, I became needlessly emotional.

It is characteristic of humans who have never desperately needed something. I think I can get my hands on anything right away. It is the illusion that any lofty belief can be broken.

“Then, I’ll bring Ed-senpai. Please sit by the bonfire for a while.”

However, Lortel Keheln knew.

The answer that Ed Roth Taylor would give to Princess Sellaha’s conciliation had already been decided.

* * *

“I’m sorry, but I intend to continue to assist Princess Fenia.”

As soon as we met face to face, I knelt down on my knees, and I didn’t even think that I would do my best to serve as a servant with a sorry face.

He was not a commoner who wandered anywhere, but first of all, he was an aristocrat who belonged to the continent’s best duke’s family.

I thought it would be good to treat them with respect while maintaining the minimum level of courtesy.

However, Ed, who came to the campfire in response to Lortel’s call… . He was roughly rolling up his sweat-soaked shirt and gulping down the cold water.

Courtesy towards the imperial family is nowhere to be found.

Of course, you can give reasons.

Not the imperial family, this Aken Island on the outskirts of the continent, and the Sylvania Academy in it.

It is far away from the central authority, and it is a place where the virtue of learning itself is as important as the gender gap.

As it is an environment where nobles and commoners receive education in harmony, it is also a place where the sense of identity is greatly weakened.

However, no matter how much it is, if you are a human being who is about a princess or a saint, even if you consider that this is Aken Island, you will receive more preferential treatment than that. It is a position with that level of authority.

Nevertheless, without even pretending to be courteous, Ed Roth-Taylor sat across the bonfire and put down a cup of cold water.

It looked like he had come up after working hard on the river.

I could tell from his attitude.

It shows with her attitude that she has no intention of responding to the conciliation of Princess Selah from the beginning.

Selah first snorted at the sight.

“I said with your mouth, I am the one who deserves to be emperor. In fact, even after the event was over, my name was raised.”

“Yes that’s right.”

“That person is giving you a chance. You will know by watching closely, but you can see that Fenia is not a lumber worthy of an emperor.”

Lortel put on an expression of surprise at this point.

At the time when Ed Roth Taylor expressed his will of refusal, he knew he was going to get angry.

Surprisingly, however, Selaha calmly talked about her superiority.

“A lot of the power of the imperial family has already passed to me. Aside from that annoying knight commander attached to Persica, it’s safe to say that some key figures actually support me.”

“It’s a performance commensurate with ability. If it was the virtue of Princess Selaha, it would not have been that difficult.”

Although he was praising Selah, there was no sign of loyalty on Ed’s face.

That fact didn’t like Selah.

“Do you not understand the intent of my words? It means that I will dispel all the doubts I have had about you, and I will stop the attack at the imperial council.”

“If you do, I am the most honored.”

“You think it’s free?”

“If you want a reward, I will repay you in the best possible way, but I have no intention of taking sides with others in the struggle for imperial power.”

“It’s a bizarre thing.”

Sellaha said with her eyes wide open while crossing her arms.

“Is not supporting someone in the struggle for imperial power because they think that person is worthy of an emperor? If you really think that I am the person who deserves to become an emperor, then you should be on my side.”

“Isn’t it a person who can’t always think only rationally? I know it is difficult for Princess Fenia to rise to the throne, but I will support Princess Fenia nonetheless.”

“Give me a reason.”

“The politics of always looking down and showing mercy is beautiful on the outside… It is a thorny road.”

At that moment, the whole picture begins to be fully drawn in the mind of Princess Selaha.

Fenia is a pathetic idealist. At least Selah thinks so.

Idealists who do not know reality die after pursuing their ideals.

In the world of power, survival is achieved only by encouraging betrayal, repeating secret battles, killing if necessary, stealing, and actively pressing opponents. It is not something that can only be done when it is unavoidable and necessary.

Rather than trying to be as good as possible, it is a world in which one can live as long as possible by becoming as evil as possible.

“I intend to hold on to that path. Someone has to do it.”

The reason why such a penia can still hold on… This is because this man who is infinitely calm and realistic is attached to him.

A human who knows reality and can devise secret battles and conspiracies if necessary. Still, a human who accepts and understands Penia’s idealism, and will gradually compromise with reality.

If you follow only the ideal, you will only catch floating clouds and become separated from reality. So, at least, I needed someone who could hold on to that romance as much as possible in this reality.

At first, he thought that this man was not loyal to Fenia and was merely using her as a stepping stone to power, but… .

This man had a deeper understanding of Penia than expected, and was trying to support her.

Fenia Elias A man who supports the foundation of Chloel’s ideas and is nothing more than a big pillar. Only with this man can Fenia be an idealist who pursues her own ideals, not as a childish child.

Those who simply want to use the blood of the royal family for power are more likely to use it on the Selaha side.

However, for a man who is deeply accepting of penia this far, he is not easily persuaded.

Then it just ends there.

If what you are pursuing is different, it is enough to go a different path.

Even if you think Selah is worthy of an emperor, if you’re going to continue to support Fenia, then you can just let it be.

However, somehow, Selah’s eyes began to shine.

Lortel, who was watching the situation, was slightly perplexed.

A man who is courageous, tenacious, and guards his gonzo. Despite his outstanding abilities and connections, he is a man who has always been by his side until the very end.

When we dine at the royal residence, I think I can see why Fenia didn’t talk to this man so kindly. Fenia probably wanted to hide her relationship with this man.

Because Selaha, who saw the bottom of this man, knew what he was thinking.

The emotion in Selaha’s twinkling eyes, Lortel could easily read.

“It would be good for you to die. Staying in camp for long is not a good idea. There are a lot of bugs, and the body smells like dirt that doesn’t suit your status.”

In the world, there are those who take pleasure in plundering the things of others.

Selaha’s alluring eyes were blinking as if looking at a treasure she wanted to get her hands on.

What squirms and blooms in my heart once in a while is what I call predatory love… It was a vulgar but infinitely intense feeling.

* * *

“Selaha has been a person who takes pleasure in taking things from a young age.”

Sitting on the terrace of the imperial residence, Fenia was given the tea that Claire was pouring.

Since I was born and raised in the same place since I was young, I know Selaha and Persica better than anyone.

In particular, the arrogant yet noble Princess Sellaha’s sassy pride… Fenia knew better than anyone else.

The teddy bear that Fenia cherished and carried when she was a child was torn here and there and held in her arms with the design reversed.

Selaha, who said in a gentle voice, saying that this look is cuter in my eyes, used to laugh while holding the teddy bear in her arms like that.

The magic book Persica regarded as a treasure had to go to Selah’s study, and the maid she loved the most became her servant.

Selaha reigned like a tyrant among the sisters. She always had the loudest voice, grabbed people, and got everything she wanted into her hands.

And once you get your hands on it, you get bored right away and throw it away.

Boredom dwells in ‘things you have in hand’. Princess Selaha always longs for more of what she can’t get. If it’s someone else’s precious thing, it’s even better. The joy of plundering cannot be replaced by anything else.

― ‘At least during the festival when Selaha is here, it should appear that we are maintaining a loyal and trusting relationship.’

― ‘Then what should I do?’

– ‘It’s not really a big deal. Just because acting is good… Please be the person who believes and supports me until the end. I don’t want much. At least during the festival.’

A blonde man exchanging teacups on this terrace. I remember him nodding his head.

With Yenika, who had just received the title of baron, next to him, who was stunned, the man thought for a moment with his chin on his chin, and then nodded.

― ‘It’s not difficult. And in the first place… .’

“There is a letter from the Elpelan family. Can I bring you now?”

“The reaction was quicker than I expected. Please.”

Next to the place where Princess Fenia put down her teacup, various academic records and information about Ed Roth Taylor were piled up.

At least for the duration of this festival, Ed and Fenia should have been in a warlord relationship with each other deeply understanding and supporting each other.

As someone who believes and trusts Ed more than anyone else, he must be in front of Selah, and Selah will take the bait.

So, I looked up academic information, which I didn’t usually do, and went through his biography once again, and listened to his thoughts several more times. Most of the content was familiar, but there were many unexpected aspects, so it felt quite fresh from the point of view of Fenia.

If you turn your gaze towards the bachelor, you can hear the music of the band from far away.

The days of the festival are ripening. Fenia herself did not go out of the royal residence, but she was definitely getting the feeling that daily life had stopped for a while and deviance began.

Bringing the teacup to her mouth once more, Princess Fenia was immersed in thought.

― ‘And in the first place… I have been supporting Princess Fenia from the beginning. There was no doubt that Princess Fenia would become the emperor. The reason is, to explain, complicated.’

– ‘… … .’

― ‘Then don’t worry too much. Princess Fenia will be a good emperor. Don’t worry too much about what you’ve done to me.’

“A person who is good at making sounds that he doesn’t even want, without changing his facial expression.”

really.

I puckered my lips like that and repeated the man’s name. Ed Roth Taylor. The soft, continuous pronunciation without a single popping part suddenly permeated naturally.

I turned my gaze back to the distant scenery of the bachelor.

Still, the fever of the festival was rising.

* * *

“You want to read the sage’s seal?”

“yes. I want to see the records that the great sage Sylvania left with my own eyes.”

“Well. I don’t think it’s going to be accepted if the student line asks for it. Well, I don’t know if the principal or the vice principal gives special permission… .”

Trix Hall entrance.

As he pulled the collar of Professor Kaleid, who was lying on the bench smoking a cigarette, Isla Triss continued speaking with a firm expression on his face.

“Then, you just need to convince the principal or the vice-principal, right?”

“It’s an item that has been stolen once in the first place. Since the management is so strict, I won’t allow it easily. That old lady Rachel would say no, and if it’s Principal Obel, you probably don’t know… I haven’t seen him lately, so it won’t be easy to meet him.”

Kaleid was already half drunk. It is said that it is because of the heat of the festival, but it is pathetic in broad daylight when the sun is still in the middle of the sky.

“… I see.”

Ayla left the dreamy Kaleid roughly on the bench and headed towards the Trix Hall with her arms rolled up.