CHAPTER 58: SHIPWRECK BY DESIGN [1]

It was a trivial matter, if one considered it trivial.

Taking it at face value, it was really just a junior showing some respect to a senior.

The hierarchy and order of the academy, which had begun alongside the Empire’s history, were by no means light, and no one would consider it problematic for junior and senior students to show a bit more courtesy than usual.

However, when the current imperial family’s bloodline and the former imperial family’s bloodline were involved, things became a bit different.

It’s formulaic, but not a bad move.

The Schwaben had been the imperial family for three generations now, but before that, the Armian had lived as the imperial family for nearly nine hundred years.

A hundred years was insufficient to completely erase from the people’s minds a great family that was the very history of the Empire itself.

An Armian bowing to a Schwaben.

One of the most definitive ways to break that perception was through an official abdication.

Publicly declaring that the throne had clearly moved elsewhere, accompanied by numerous pieces of evidence and witnesses.

I heard that the Armian family, having lost the throne, shut themselves away in their few remaining territories and never came out.

No wonder you look tasty.

Though it might seem insignificant compared to a real abdication, the beginning of all great things was often small and unremarkable.

’What should I do?’

What is there to worry about? Just do it.

But surprisingly, Gardner took it indifferently.

For now, they are indeed the imperial family. Denying the authority of the imperial family is no different from denying this country itself, which was founded by the first emperor.

After all, that was the reality.

Though he wanted the Armian family to reclaim the throne someday, it wasn’t wrong that the current emperor was a Schwaben.

And anyway, I’m just lending it to them temporarily. You will become emperor again. I will make the Armian like that.

If you cannot endure a moment of humiliation, you don’t deserve to be emperor.

To persuade the king of Berchef, the previous emperor knelt...

"Yes, pleased to meet you, senior. I am Aint Armian."

As the story seemed to be growing longer, Aint slightly bowed his head, ensuring it was neither against etiquette nor too excessive.

When he greeted cordially, the other’s response wasn’t that intense either.

"Yes, nice to meet you, Aint Armian."

Rudger patted Aint’s shoulder lightly with a smiling face.

"Balrosi Viston. I’m glad to meet you too. I’ve heard about you occasionally."

"I’ve also heard a lot about you, senior."

"There shouldn’t be much about me."

"From being the second-ranked in an academy where talents from across the continent gather, that’s not nothing."

Afterwards, Rudger began to converse with Balrosi in a more relaxed manner.

As the tension that seemed about to burst dissipated, sighs of relief erupted from here and there.

The music, which had been stopped, began to flow gently again. At that moment, someone naturally blended into the scene.

A man wearing a black mask that half-covered his face.

With neat yet luxurious clothes and pitch-black hair, no student failed to notice his distinctive aura.

’...Senior Gerhard?’

As the path naturally opened and their eyes met, Gerhard indifferently passed by Aint.

He arrived directly by the prince’s side, and the prince sent Balrosi away.

And as if that was a signal, the ship became noisy with various sounds.

’He didn’t even acknowledge me.’

He’s gauging the prince’s reactions. You should go along with it appropriately. It’s not difficult.

’Yes.’

By the way, this Rudger fellow is less impressive than I thought.

’Less impressive?’

His tongue is long. It’s said that a scared dog barks.

If I were in the same position, I would have just ordered you to kneel.

Doing such a thing in front of everyone would rather be a bad move.

"Aint. Let’s go meet other people."

"Alright."

Aint headed towards the crowd with Balrosi, who had approached just in time.

***

"I wondered why you came early, but there was a good reason. How was it?"

"Not particularly interesting."

Rudger tilted his blood-red wine.

"To think that someone who is supposed to be of the former imperial bloodline would bow his head without any backbone."

"Was it you who called him?"

"I told Alkan to deliver the invitation. I thought he would come with Balrosi if it was given to him. We couldn’t avoid meeting each other forever."

As long as they attended the same academy, they would inevitably see each other’s faces at least once, even if they were in different years.

Especially if their years were close, there were occasional joint classes.

"Is that all?"

"What else should there be?"

At the sharp tone, Gerhard changed the subject.

"No, I meant the first impression."

"No way."

Rudger shrugged.

"A person who willingly accepts humiliation is one of two types."

Either they truly have nothing.

"Or they are biding their time for the future. And his eyes didn’t look like he had nothing."

Of course, he didn’t think Aint and the Armian family would truly become a threat.

Though they were a family that had ruled half the continent for nearly 900 years, even if they were now ruined, they might have something up their sleeve, but that was all.

"If they really could turn the situation around with that something, they would have done so long ago."

Rudger muttered indifferently.

"What about you?"

"I felt similar. There’s something, but it doesn’t seem that remarkable."

"If you felt that way, it’s more credible. It’s always been that way, hasn’t it? A merchant’s eye is good at judging people."

Rudger’s eyes narrowed as he smiled.

"Since I answered a question, now it’s my turn. I noticed you came in with Luina Berchef."

"She’s the eldest daughter of the Berchef family and the second-ranked in the Knight Department. She’s more than qualified."

"Yet it was you who blocked her, wasn’t it?"

Rudger swirled his wine glass.

"You’re not going to eliminate her debt now..."

"That’s not something I can decide alone."

"Yes, that’s right. That’s why I’m more curious."

Since the moment she became a second-year, their relationship and attitude had suddenly changed 180 degrees.

"What happened during the vacation? Did the two families agree to a political marriage?"

"Do I have to answer?"

"That’s my wish."

"Wishes are more valuable when they remain as wishes."

"You’re not denying it?"

Gerhard didn’t particularly react. If he said it wasn’t true, the other would say that a strong denial is an affirmation.

"Everyone seems to be here, so we’ll set sail now."

"Do as you please. It’s called a yacht club, so we should go out to sea."

Set sail!

Set sail!

Eventually, the massive cruise departed from the dock.

***

"..."

Abandoned by Gerhard immediately after boarding, Luina sat in a corner, blankly staring at the sea.

Watching the gently flowing waves calmed her mind. Seeing the peaceful sea made her feel as if she were on vacation.

’Don’t let your guard down.’

But today’s purpose was neither simple socializing nor a vacation.

It was to catch the evil ones, the betrayers of humanity who served demons.

Luina slowly fidgeted with her glass. The cocktail inside had a relatively low alcohol content.

"What are you doing alone, senior?"

Luina raised her head. Through the mask, innocent brown eyes were visible. The golden waves beyond were a bonus.

"Aint Armian?"

"Yes, senior. It’s nice to see you here."

Masked Aint naturally half-leaned against the wall next to Luina.

"Everyone’s enjoying themselves, so why are you alone?"

"I’m not used to this."