I Favor the Villainess

The College was losing its functionality altogether.

The demonstrations in front of the gate are becoming more intense every day, and the anger raised by the citizens is ringing like thunder.

Now soldiers are also sent by the army to guard the gates, but the numbers are too different.

A dangerous equilibrium persisted.

"They're going to be suspended for a while until the noise subsides."

The facades of the Knights of the College were gathered in the conference room again.

Rod, who put everyone in front of him, communicates the decision of the senior members of the college.

The upper management apparently made the decision that the safety of aristocratic students could not be kept as it is.

"If that's what you're saying, I wish I hadn't put that disposition into effect."

He is like Claire in such a way as not to be outraged.

Even with her biological nobility and strong prejudice against civilians, she wasn't convinced of that disposition.

"... a little puzzling."

"Where is it, Brother Sein?

"... Claire is also right, anything goes too far"

Sure, even when the friends of nobles and civilians were giddy, it was visible that announcing such dispositions would result in oiling the fire.

I don't care what you think.

"Well, it seems that some noblemen have filed a petition."

Lambert said bitterly.

"...?

"It seems that nobles who do not feel comfortable with the civilian movement have all asked for relief from Dead's punishment."

Lord Rod frowned at the words.

"I thought you were making a big deal out of me, and that's what was happening"

"This is our mess."

"... right"

The nobles seemed to have calmed down in the words of the princes, but the grievances that were dull seemed to have turned in the worst direction.

"In addition, the church still seems to be moving"

According to Lambert, the Church also participated in Dead's punishment relief.

"What do you mean? Didn't the Church support the civilian movement?

"It's politics, isn't it, politics"

Master Rod said disgustingly to Misha's question.

"The supreme power in this country is the royal family. The true purpose of the Church is to replace the royal family."

"The Church supports the ostensibly civilian movement and also cooperates with the nobility behind it. I suppose you're going to clash between the two sides and cut the power of royalty and nobility."

Yours took over Rod's words, such as ridiculous to speak of.

"... power struggle... right"

bitterly, Master Sayne muttered.

In this world, the Church is a clean organization of power.

Before it was built, it was an undisputed political force, although it was a charity that leaned on the people's lives.

It moves for stronger power, and for that it also imitates dirty.

Of course, not all association officials say so, but the Church definitely has that aspect.

"It's undoubtedly the church that gets the most out of this mess. Yu. Master Liesche is irrelevant this time, isn't he?

"I'd like to think that's not... I don't know. I'm not sure about your mother."

Master Yu has a bad tooth cut.

As I said before, the current queen, Lady Liesche, is the king's posterior wife and former cardinal.

The right to inherit the throne of the Eu is third place, but the Lieche secretly wants the Eu to be king.

If inheritance in due process becomes difficult, it's not surprising that we're looking for another way.

As for you, you don't want to think that your mother is hiding behind this, but you can't even deny it?

"Did you try talking to him?

"Yeah. I offered to see him, but he said no."

"... a real mother, right?

"Still a queen. It won't be that easy, Brother Sein."

Somewhere a little bit of bad air seemed to flow...

"Ladies and gentlemen of the Rod, putting a crack in the prince's company may also be the aim of the church."

The three princes make a hard face to Lord Claire's words.

"Right. I can't help it if we're wrong."

"Right."

"... oh"

The princes seem to have regained their calm.

"In any case, there's very little we can do to the Knights of the College under these circumstances. At best, you're helping the army."

"We're just gonna have to be adults."

Everyone nodded at Master Rod's words, including Master Claire.

◆ ◇ ◆ ◇ ◆

"Dear Claire, I have a favor to ask you"

After the meeting, on the way home at dusk, I told Lady Claire.

"What is it?

"If you enter the room tonight, please stay put and don't come out until tomorrow night"

"What's the matter with the stick? I don't like it."

Master Claire with a strange face.

That's right.

"In general, what about the college? Even though the lectures are closed, there are activities for the Knights of the Academy, right?

"Rest please"

"There's no way you can rest in this emergency. You're the Knights of the Academy who work at times like this, right?

They made me look at what I was talking about.

"Ray, is there a reason?

Lene has asked, but I can't tell you why.

Even if I tell you, it just makes it easier.

"Can't you really?

"I don't like it."

"Really...... Then we have no choice."

I pressed my fingertips against Master Claire's forehead.

"What..."

I can't finish saying it, and Master Claire collapses.

"Dear Claire!? Ray, what!?

When Lene ran over to Lady Claire, she stood in front of me like a coward.

Similar to Lambert, Shinobi's eyes are shaking with agitation and vigilance.

"I'm fine. I'm just asleep."

One of the magic of water attributes, it strengthens sleep.

It is a magic that is originally used to deepen sleep and restore health, but when strengthened, it can also be used in this way.

"How could you do this!

There's gonna be a civil riot tonight.

"I was hiding in the dorm with Master Claire. Don't imitate anything stupid."

"What do you mean?

"Lene."

Ignore Lene's inquiry, I ask Lene.

"Do you like Master Claire?

"What all of a sudden..."

Answer me.

"It's up to me to like it. I've been serving you a long time."

"That's right."

Then...

"Then I believe. Because I believe you."

I tried to go back to the college building when I returned the blemishes.

"Wait!

But Lene called me off with a strong voice.

"Are you… me (...) and (...) the same (...) j (...)?

It was a far-fetched inquiry.

It's a way of saying things only the understandable can understand.

"No, I'm not."

"... yes"

A subtle silence flowed.

Denied means I know what Lene's trying to say.

Say hello to Master Claire.

"... ok"

Now it's time to head to the college.

We have a lot to do.

"... I'm sorry, Ray... Dear Claire..."

I pretended not to listen to the powerless Lene whine.

And that night, the college gate was broken.