The swift passage of time brings us to today, April 3rd, the day of the Memoria General Academy’s entrance ceremony.
Seven students from Wing Crest – Yuri, Aria, Raus, Rebecca, Carol, Seras, and Reina – will be enrolling. However, they are also secretly tasked with guard duties, so I hope they can manage despite the challenges.
Speaking of the entrance ceremony, the welcome speech was supposed to be given by the lord of the land, Rika, but she is in her final trimester of pregnancy and is confined to her home.
Therefore, the task has fallen to me to give the speech in her stead. I had heard about this possibility beforehand, and since Rika is carrying my child, it’s only natural that I should step in as a substitute. However, the thought of giving a speech like this still makes my heart pound. To make matters worse, apparently my father and mother are also planning to attend.
Just after my entrance speech, something unexpected yet entirely predictable happened: an idiot did something idiotic. This is the first general academy for the Helios Orb, and kings from various nations are in attendance. I honestly wish I could see what was going through their head to do something like this. Although, I must admit, I felt quite ill.
“I, taking this opportunity, declare that I will be the next Celestial Emperor, by taking Yuri Ana Esmeralda, the youngest sister of the current Celestial Emperor, as my fiancée!”
These were the words of that idiotic son, Larva Istoria. The fact that he would announce his intention to become the next Celestial Emperor, on top of his engagement to Yuri, was something I had never even imagined. Emperor Reinhardt and his entourage were taken aback, and Count Crow, at the sight, turned ashen and looked as if he were about to collapse. However, leaving him be would only lead to further harm, so it’s best to apprehend him quickly.
“Wh-What are you doing? How dare you!”
“You are the one being rude. When, where, and who appointed you, a nobody like yourself, as the next Celestial Emperor? Furthermore, you are not even the Crown Prince of Enerro Istoria. What authority do you possess to utter such nonsense?”
With me apprehending the fool using telekinetic magic, Emperor Reinhardt seemed to snap back to reality. However, his expression and words were incredibly cold.
“M-My father must not have appointed me as Crown Prince because he believed I was destined to rule not just the small nation of Enerro Istoria, but the entire Philia Continent! If that is the case, is it not natural for me to be the next Celestial Emperor?”
“Delusion reaching this level is akin to an illness. Count Crow, I know you did not instigate this, but surely you cannot escape punishment for allowing this?”
I agree. While I expected some sort of trouble, I never anticipated him spouting such nonsense at an entrance ceremony. Moreover, with the kings of various nations present, there’s no room for denial. Poor Count Crow, who was unintentionally caught up in this, but…
“…I understand. Larva, I hereby formally disown you and sever all ties. No, not just you, but Magnolia and Misha as well. While normally I would confine you to the isolation tower, given that you uttered such foolishness in this setting, execution is unavoidable?”
“Wh—?!”
The foolish prince, dumbfounded by Count Crow’s pronouncement, was struck with shock. He truly believed the world revolved around him. It is widely known that Yuri is engaged to me. More importantly, declaring himself the next Celestial Emperor constitutes not only usurpation of the throne but also treason, so such an outcome is only natural.
“Count Crow! Why must we also be divorced and isolated!”
“Is that not obvious? Larva’s idiocy is a result of your and Misha’s upbringing. Entrusting the nation to such an imbecile would not just lead to ruin, but invite further disaster. That is why you women must also take responsibility.”
“Well decided, Count. Rex.”
“Yes! Arrest these individuals for treason.”
“““Yes!”””
“Wh-What are you doing?!”
“L-Let go of me!”
“How dare you! When I become Celestial Emperor, all of you and your entire families will be executed!”
Emperor Reinhardt, supporting Count Crow’s decision, urged Rex, and the fool along with his two mothers were apprehended by the Order and escorted out of the venue.
“Everyone, I apologize for this unfortunate incident on what should have been a joyous occasion. However, as you have witnessed, even royalty will not be tolerated for acting selfishly. Let this be a lesson and a warning as you embark on your academy life.”
Although it was an unforeseen turn of events, the removal of the fool was finalized. We anticipated that this would happen soon. Therefore, Emperor Reinhardt and the kings of various nations were not overly disturbed. Conversely, many students looked bewildered, unsure of what had just transpired. I truly apologize for this. While it may serve as a cautionary tale, many of these students were looking forward to their academy life. Perhaps some form of follow-up care might be necessary. I’ll discuss it with everyone when we return.
Side: Raus
We, who were attending the entrance ceremony with some nervousness, had all of our anxieties completely vanish due to the unexpected turn of events.
“Sir Yuri, are you alright?”
“I’m not feeling particularly well.”
“It’s only natural. We had heard stories, but we never imagined Larva Istoria would be such a fool.”
Aria and Carol are showing concern for Yuri, but it’s perfectly understandable for him to feel displeased. Yuri’s engagement to Yamato is widely known. Of course, Count Crow is also aware of it, but who could have predicted that his foolish son would propose to Yuri and then declare himself the next Celestial Emperor? Yamato and Lady Hilde had informed me that Prince Larva’s reform was as likely as a sacred tree breaking, and today, I finally understood the meaning of their words.
“Let us forget about that fool. There is nothing good to be gained from remembering him.”
“Indeed.”
I agree with Seras and Rebecca. However, one of the reasons we enrolled was to protect the princes and princesses of various nations from Prince Larva. Since that fool made his move at the entrance ceremony, he will undoubtedly be expelled. Does that mean our reason for enrolling will be rendered meaningless?
“Ah, that should be fine. While it is true for some of us, particularly the three of us – Raus, Rebecca, and Carol – we knew that he would cause trouble early on. My brother predicted it would happen within two months at the latest, so there’s no issue with it happening sooner.”
So, it’s truly alright for us to continue as students then.
“I had heard, but you have your work cut out for you.”
“You’re right. However, even if he’s gone, being able to move freely within the academy as guards is important. We have experience with this.”
“Is that so?”
The entrance ceremony requires attendance with one’s guardians. Thus, Carol’s parents, Count Donato Bernstein and Countess Clarissa, and Reina’s parents, Dusk and Lina, are standing beside them. Rebecca’s older sister, Flam, is absent this time due to her pregnancy. Additionally, Seras’s parents, being from the Grand Duke’s family of Lichtenfels, are seated at the invited royal table.
However, I am an orphan, with no parents or siblings. Therefore, normally, my fiancée and her family would be my relatives. Yet, for some reason, Asuka and Maoh have stepped forward to act as my parents. It’s probably because I am Yamato’s disciple, but I never expected them to stand in as my parents; I’m honestly a bit nervous. In fact, why are they really attending as my parents?
“We also have people we can call brother and sister. While we were students, those individuals protected us from the shadows.”
“At the time, we hadn’t announced that we were engravers of divine artifacts, so we were often targeted.”
I heard a surprising story, but I never imagined that Asuka and Maoh had been targeted before. However, I recall hearing that only a few individuals can engrave divine artifacts, so it’s only natural that they would be targeted.
“Well, they say there’s no danger, so we can just relax.”
“If we exert ourselves from the start, we won’t last until graduation.”
That’s certainly true. The fact that we are royal guards will be announced soon, but for now, only the royals we are protecting are aware of it. It’s true that we also need to study, but the Order is also patrolling the academy’s grounds, so we can handle any significant incidents. However, since we are not students, we cannot enter classrooms or dormitories without a valid reason. That’s why we enrolled so we could provide close protection. Although, with the main cause of this, Prince Larva, being so quickly removed, I don’t see it as being very necessary.
“So, about that prince, will he really be executed?”
“I believe so. Even though he is a child, he spoke of usurping the Celestial Emperor’s throne.”
“I see. I feel sorry for him, but there’s nothing that can be done.”
Maoh looks a bit sad, but I don’t think this can be overturned. If there were room for reform, it might be different, but from his demeanor, it seems impossible. And even if he were to reform, he wouldn’t be able to ascend to the position of Count, would he? Furthermore, if he were to pretend to reform, it would be the common people who would suffer, so I believe this is also about cutting off future troubles.
“Yes. Although he was originally the son of a count, he paid no attention to the citizens, so he would have been punished sooner or later.”
“It’s a matter of sooner or later. I don’t know how that king will feel, but if he defies us, not only will he be punished, but his family will also be involved. He would surely hesitate. However, parents are still parents, unable to act otherwise.”
Asuka is calmly analyzing Count Crow’s actions. The events so far are sufficient reason to dismantle the Istoria Count’s family. However, their Majesties hold Count Crow in high regard, so they have let it rest withLarva’s disinheritance. But if he were to be dissatisfied and raise an army, the next step would undoubtedly be not just dismantling the family but executing everyone. However, even so, the execution of one’s own son might leave some lingering resentment or unresolved feelings. That’s why, even if he doesn’t raise an army, he might take actions that hinder us or commit small acts of rebellion. Asuka seems concerned about that possibility.
“I see, that is indeed a possibility.”
“My brother will decide what to do with Prince Larva. However, I will convey your concerns, Father, to him.”
“It may be unnecessary worry on my part, but…”
“Not at all.”
Count Crow is an intelligent man. We would like to believe that such a thing won’t happen, but it’s something we should keep in mind.
“So, is that the end of the entrance ceremony?”
“Yes. After this, there will be a brief explanation in the classroom. Guardians should be able to tour the academy grounds during that time.”
“Ah, yes, I remember hearing that.”
After this, we are to head to the designated classroom for an explanation regarding the classes that will begin tomorrow. Although people like us and royalty are in the same class, this was a measure taken against that prince, and originally we were supposed to be in separate classes. Since that prince caused trouble so early at the entrance ceremony, it’s become rather pointless, but we can’t change the classes now. From the second year, specialized courses will be added, and there will be no class changes.
We need to pay close attention to that explanation as well.
