Maou No Utsuwa

A few days after the joint exercise of the school year, suddenly, Hildegand appeared in the E group classroom. At the entrance to the classroom, after gracefully thanking Claudia, Hildegand comes straight to the Camuis.

"Lutz, come on"

"You said no, didn't you?

Kamui beat me up and Lutz is a puzzled face. I don't like negotiating.

"When I thought about it, after you told me to think about it and put it down, I hadn't responded"

"Well, Kamui will reply."

"... I don't like that guy"

Kamui wasn't bad at negotiating, but he wasn't good at Hildegand. Hildegand opponents who can't possibly make sense of the joke were unlikely to be properly deluded.

"Me, too."

"I thought you'd given up long ago."

While Kamui and Lutz had this conversation, Hildegand came all the way in front of them.

"Mr. Kamui Kreutz"

"Yes."

It was against Kamui that Hildegand had spoken.

"I'd like to talk to you for a minute, so could you please take some time?

"Let me say no to the Lutz thing again. I don't care about Rutz, and I'm not letting Rutz go either."

If it is unlikely that we can delude ourselves, we have no choice but to make it clear. Like this, Kamui uttered a word of rejection.

"I'm done with that."

"... So what?

Except for Hildegand's business. I have no idea what Kamui is up to.

"I want to talk to you two alone. It's something that people don't really want to hear."

"Ha...... So why don't you ask your room?

"No, I don't want anyone around me to hear it either. Because you're going to hear a little bit about it. This is for you, not me."

The clouds of the story are getting suspicious. It's not something that I can't tell others.

"... So where?

"Don't you know where?

"... the place I know is not one where I can very well bring Mr. Hildegand"

If it's a place where you can keep secrets, Kamui can only think of a general's shop. I just don't feel like taking Hildegand with me.

"Really? Then I have a familiar store for my parents. What about there?

"This one is fine. So what time is it?

"Not now?

"I don't mind. Do you want to leave right away?

Trouble can only be brought to an end promptly.

"Yes."

"Then let's go."

After Hildengand, Kamui leaves the classroom. As soon as the two of them left the classroom, the classroom squirmed in unison.

A visit by Hildegand, followed by Deefleet. It's natural to make a scene.

"Hey, what are you talking about?

I don't know what's going on, so does Lutz. I'll ask Alto.

"You just don't get it. You said you didn't want me to ask around."

I don't even know that alto.

"If it feels like that, take off your sides. I have no idea."

"What do we do? If it was a confession or something."

Just kidding, Otto talks.

"Otto, don't tell me you're not even close."

It's not funny to Alto. It's a joke.

"If it's a confession from that Mr. Hildegand that you're not even connected, it's a feat, right?

Whatever you say, the target is the admirable nature of a boy student. If that's actually the case, it's not a fuss about the feat. But Alto is not in a position to make it interesting.

"It's not just Miss Oriental. Rumors like that just don't taste good, do they?

"... sorry, I forgot. You're the fiancé candidate for the Crown Prince's first prince. That's a problem."

Otto also conveyed Alto's concerns. The stories of potential fiancées of the royal family are harmless and unprofitable. It's not just the other person, it's the Oriental House.

"In the meantime, we need to make a proper story. That noise. Other classes will know soon enough.... Is it okay about Lutz? We haven't settled yet."

"That's easy. I don't have time for the last persuasion, and I want to tell you the truth. How about this place?

Reflecting on the fact that I have spoken a dialogue that is not a joke, Otto is also actively thinking about working with it.

"Oh, that's fine. So, Otto, thank you."

"What, me?

Exactly, this alto favor is unexpected.

"We're the source of the conversation. Then there will be those who doubt it, won't there? There you go."

"Oh, I don't have a choice. Thanks to Kamui-kun, I could eat some delicious food."

Otto accepted Alto's request on the grounds that Deefreet had the luxury. I also thought that if I left it behind, I would be asked to do worse.

"I'm begging you. Is that what you owe me for my son?"

"We have the idea of struggling with money when we're young. You can't be a good merchant without knowing the thanks of money."

"Well, you're right."

"So I can't even complain. Qualitative living thanks to limited sending"

"Not as good as us, then, eh? I can't do this one. I'm letting the three of them learn at the academy. Just eat it. Well, I'm not complaining because I appreciate you letting me learn."

"Well, that's the tuition for three of us.... but what if it's actually a confession?

I know you're reflecting, but Otto's been steaming back.

"I'll do my best to make it go away."

"Is it obvious? But how?

"Kamui thinks Mr. Serene."

"... Yes?

Serene, suddenly given his name, looks like Alto doesn't know what he said.

"What, you weren't listening? If I have to, I'll have Mr. Serene play Kamui's lover."

"How could I?

"You know how awkward it is, don't you? Besides, if you had a lover named Serene, you'd give up even if it was a confession, wouldn't you?

"What happens to me?

If it is to put an end to the strange rumors with Hildegand, the Alts have decided to do everything in their power to spread the word. That means that your relationship with Kamui will be known during the college.

"What do you say? Is there a problem?

To Serene's inquiry, Alto has a decent face.

"... you know, I'm an old girl too. If it turns out to be such a rumor, other men won't be able to get close, will they?

"No, nobody gets close without it..."

"What?!

When it comes to messing with people, Alto hasn't lost to Kamui either.

"It's a joke, a joke. What, you don't like what Mr. Deefleet thinks you are?

Besides, once you start, it's the same as Kamui where you spread the story one after the other.

"Why is that where Mr. Deefleet comes out?

"'Cause every time Mr. Deefleet makes fun of you, you're blushing. Don't worry, I'll tell Mr. Deefleet the truth."

"Not like that."

"But even Mr. Deefreet, that's it. Well, Mr. Deefreet is a man, so having one or two women in the past won't be a problem."

Even if Serene denies it, Alto keeps talking on the assumption that Serene likes Deefleet.

"That's not why I'm here."

"Well, that's not a problem."

"... eh. Because it's not. Why should I sacrifice for Kamui?"

It was Serene who managed to endure without being deluded.

"I don't have a choice. All right, let me treat you to the Admiral's special soup."

Now it's an operation to fish with things.

"... isn't it cheap for me?

However, there was a problem with the validity of the amount as compensation.

That's all we know.

"Well, it's good because it's delicious"

"Then it's settled. That's the price."

Scattered, Gone, but in the end, it was Serene to accept.

"Hey, what's that special soup?

Where the negotiations between Alto and Serene have come together, Otto has asked. Otto doesn't know the general's shop.

"... oh? Haven't you taken Otto yet?"

"Am I the only one out there again? Please, I'm in the same group, right?

"Right. But I have to forgive Kamui over there. Let's hear it next time."

"Don't forget, okay?

I couldn't trust Alto's promise. He was Otto.

"'Cause it's okay. I have a better memory."

"I'm good at pretending to forget."

"Lutz, don't say anything unnecessary."

"... Something worries me"

◇ ◇ ◇

Kamui was brought to Hildegand by a fine dining room on the main street of the Imperial Capital. The luxury of the building is even rude to compare to Kamui's usual back street dining room.

Without going to the front, Hildegand opened a little door in front of him and went inside. There was a luxurious door behind it, even small, through a slightly curved passage. Without straying that door, Hildegand opened it, where the clerk had already refrained.

"Dear Hildegand, Welcome"

With his head deeply bowed, this is what he tells the clerk. While we're walking down the aisle, we'll be making sure who's here.

"Is the back room empty?

"Of course you are"

"Okay, I'll let you up"

Without seeking guidance from the clerk, Hildegand proceeds to the back. In the end, the clerk never lifted his head.

"Oh, that's the way it works."

Hildegand has explained along the way to the clerk's attitude and to Kamui, who looks intrigued.

"You think I shouldn't look at your face?

"You're more of a companion than I am. This is a good place to use when our family is visiting the Imperial Capital. It's often used for intimate meetings with people who don't want them to know that they're seeing each other very often."

"But you're actually confirming, aren't you?

"Well, yeah. It's important to pretend you haven't seen it."

"Really?"

"There are many different ways to use these stores. Some talk about politics......, don't let me tell you beyond"

"Ha."

At this time, I didn't know what this meant, but when I walked into the room, I could immediately imagine.

The room you entered after Hildegand is more of an inn than a dining room. That's pretty good, too.

There is a large table in front, it does feel like a dining room, but behind it, you can see several rooms. Room and bedroom like an office room.

If it were to be a secret meeting outside of political affairs here, I can largely imagine.

"... wasn't there anything else?

"This is the best place to talk without the rest of us knowing"

"Will your family be used too?

"So don't let me tell you. I'm not feeling good either, to be honest."

I guess that family includes a father. It's not something my daughter feels good imagining. Besides, the father is bringing his family to this place. Kamui doesn't understand that nerve.

"I guess."

"Come on, have a seat"

With this said, Hildegand points toward Kamui, pointing to the table in front of him.

When Kamui took the table seat as he was told, Hildegand also sat in a chair directly opposite him.

"So what's the story?

"You're short minded, aren't you?

"It's not a very cozy place. Even if Mr. Hildegand surprises me, I now regret that I should have made it my own familiar store"

"I'm sorry. I don't know much about the store. Now take me there."

"... Yes"

Kamui nodded honestly, wondering if there would be another time.

…………

The conversation breaks when we talk about the store. Hildegand didn't try to open his mouth inside.

"Eh?

"Sorry, I'm worried about what to ask from"

"Really?"

"… what do you think of the present empire?

What came out of Hildegand's mouth after hesitation was something he had heard before.

"Is that question an epidemic now?

"Epidemic?"

Hildegand doesn't know what Kamui's question means.

"Mr. Deefreet asked me the same question before."

"Really, Deefleet... So, what did you say then?

"There's no way you can answer that in my position"

"... so is that. But I want you to push it and let me hear it."

Deefreet gave up taking words from Kamui and spoke for himself, but Hildegand did not.

"... to Mr. Hildegand of the Oriental House?

"No, to me personally."

"I see. Is that so? But can you honestly take that word?

That said, Kamui stared straight into Hildegand's eyes. Stick it in Hildegand's eyes as Kamui's amber eyes shoot through.

A few seconds. Where it went on, Hildegand slipped his gaze. Kamui can clearly see that the side of that Hildegand is slightly red.

"Um, I'm sorry. It's not like I have a nasty feeling about it. Just a little."

"Yes. I understand that. Mr. Hildegand isn't used to being stared at much, is he? It's a little surprising."

"That's what I'm saying, but I'm often distracted first."

"Oh, because Mr. Hildegand will stare at you, and there won't be many men who can stand it, will there?

"You say that again?

"Shouldn't you?

"It's embarrassing."

Dyed cheeks, shyly nagging Hildegand. Seeing the trick, Kamui just made a little noise in her chest. The atmosphere in this room also affects a little.

"... you're here. Honestly, I've changed Mr. Hildegand's impression quite a bit."

"How has that changed?

"Aren't you angry?

"I'm not angry."

"A little more, I thought you were a man. But even with that feminine attitude, there will be a lot of men out there who will give up their lives for Mr. Hildegand."

But you're not.

Hildegand returned the words to the next dialogue without being able to illuminate them.

"Right. So far, that's not how I feel."

"Too bad."

Leaving it to the course of previous conversations, Hildegand also utters somewhat provocative words.

"That word should be taken and put down for another man. I think a lot of guys get me wrong."

Even if other men are, after all, Kamui is different.

"... you can't get on with it. Can't you really feel like letting me talk to you?

"Right. I think Mr. Hildegand's disgrace is valuable inside, so you can thank him for showing it."

"... then please"

The look on Hildegand's face tightens when he finally hears the story. Kamui saw it too, got ready, and opened his mouth.

"You're an empire now. … I think it's distorted"

"Is it distorted?

"Yes, it's just a matter of talking about the Empire itself, so let's talk about my thoughts about the College. Is that okay with you?

Speak of the Empire and it will even lead to criticism of the Emperor. Exactly, what you say is disgusting. Hearing it, the silent side of Hildegand could also be a sin.

"Yes. Fine. I wanted to listen to you because I was inspired by my college class the other day."

"With that? Well, good. Let me ask you a question first. What do you think the purpose of establishing the College is?

"You have talent to support the Empire."

Don't get lost, Hildegand answers instantly. This is a question that anyone who enters the college will understand.

"Yes. I agree. So, what kind of talent did the original ancestors want to generate?

"Is there an ancestor?

"Are you afraid to guess what your ancestors thought?

"No… I just can't think of any more words for the people who support the Empire"

"Perhaps the question was bad. I think my ancestors wanted talent, regardless of their identity or other origins."

"Oh, that's right. The college gateway is open to everyone. It's conditional on excellence."

If you are a student of the college, you know most of this. The philosophy of the college is the first thing to be taught after enrollment.

"Yes. The gate is open. But the exit was closed at some point."

"Exit?"

"You know Mr. Hildegand, don't you? Civilians can't graduate from college to work in national politics."

"But it's not like there's none at all. There are those who are drawn and given the task of national politics."

"But whose pull is that?

"... you're a nobleman"

Thinking for a moment, Hildegand returned the answer.

"That's right. It is only by the stirring of the aristocracy. Now, who do the officials who are drawn to it work for? Purely for the Empire? That's not true. It's because of the nobility that made me stand up."

"It's..."

It's not like I don't work for the Empire. However, it cannot be denied that in the course of its work, noble intentions are mixed.

"Where do you go for talented people who couldn't go to national politics?

"... I'm a nobleman"

Same answer to the next Kamui question. It was noble. Hildegand also knew what Kamui was trying to say.

"That's right. Now you know what I'm trying to say, don't you? The Imperial College is not a person to support the Empire, it is a place to produce people to support the nobility. I don't really think this is what the college my ancestors wanted it to be."

But the aristocrats also support the Empire.

Many of its positions, whether national or military, are held by aristocrats. In that respect, it is no mistake that the aristocracy supports the Empire. However, supporting the Empire as Kamui says, nobility does not monopolize key positions.

"If it's Mr. Hildegand, you know it's pre-construction, right? If you don't understand that, the story is over. I'm not talking about Hildegand personally, I'm talking about Hildegand from the Oriental House."

"I'm sorry. You did. I promised I would listen to you personally. Keep going."

"It's good to say this is everything we talk about. Then Mr. Hildegand won't be enough, so let me add to that."

"Yes."

"I think there was another purpose for the original ancestors"

"Is that another one?

"Yes. It's about bringing the students together, regardless of their identity, regardless of their homes. I believe that the institution of the College is set out for that purpose. Is group activity the most important thing? Acting in one group for a long time and together, eliminating attachment to other houses and eliminating the sense of belonging to the house. So, what do you say, actually?

"It's..."

Hildegand knows better than anyone else. Hildegand is creating his own group with a completely different consciousness.

"That was just harsh of you to answer Mr. Hildegand, wasn't it? The reality is that the group is determined by the connection between the parents' homes. Deepening the conflict between houses, deepening the gulf between nobility and civilians, in the exact opposite direction from the way it was supposed to be"

"Yes......"

"That's why it's distorted. Given the current situation, the current system is not quite good. Even if the first ancestors were to be ordained, the inappropriate times should be changed. I think so."

"You..."

At the end of the day, Kamui removed the constraints on his remarks.

It is good to say that the various matters ordained by the original ancestors are absolutely inviolable in the Empire. Kamui's remarks now are not surprising if taken as quite a problem statement.

"I leave it to Mr. Hildegand to decide whether this will be taken as a denial of the original ancestors. But I think. He said that what the college looks like now, which discourages the will of the original ancestors, is what blasphemes the original ancestors"

"... thank you. You've made me talk quite impossible."

"Yeah, it's cold inside. Now if Mr. Hildegand were publicly told that Kamui Kreutz denied the system of colleges set by his original ancestors, he would even bother his parents."

Kamui will then identify Hildegand as his enemy and do what he deserves against him. This is never a word of mouth.

"Don't worry about that. This story is only here. I won't say anything else."

"That's good"

Words alone, not kamui to trust the other person, but this word of Hildegand seemed a little wonderful whether I could trust it.

"... May I be a little sweeter?

"Yes?"

The story wasn't over yet. Hildegand still has something to ask Kamui.

"I..., what can I do?

"Excuse me. What's the point of the question?

The question is too vague and I have no idea what I want to hear.

"Have you heard anything about my, that, future?

"Oh, is that so?... What's bothering you is that you're a future queen candidate?

"That's right. Neither do I think the present empire will ever be as good as this. What can I do to help you do that?

"... Could this really be what you wanted to hear?

"... Yes"

As future empress, what do you think of the empire? Hildegand's troubles are here. Hildegand thinks that there is a difference between what needs to be done as an empress and a person in the Oriental House.

"Why, to me? Excellent proximity to Mr. Hildegand, I am talking about Mr. Mathias. Isn't there someone you can trust to start with Matthias?

"Matthias thinks about me and gives me an answer. Thank you for that."

"Oh, you mean a total third-party opinion?

"Simply put, that's the thing."

"I see. Should I answer on the assumption that there is a conflict of interest between the royal family and the nobility?

"Yes."

"With my own tablet judgment to marry myself and the royal family of Oriental uncles"

"... yes"

With a slight eye, Hildegand stares at Kamui. I am quite surprised by Kamui's understanding of my mood.

It wasn't a mistake to talk to Kamui, though Hildegand thought so.

"That's a completely meaningless concern."

Kamui spat words that cut off Hildegand's troubles altogether.

"That's not true. It's a big deal for me. My parents do matter now. But as a member of the royal family, I still think I should protect my position as a royal family."

"Yes, but the most important thing is out of my mind"

"The most important thing?

"Now Mr. Hildegand on this occasion has nothing to do with where his parents are, Mr. Hildegand should be an individual. Mr. Hildegand, what do you personally want to do?

"Personally?

"That's right. What does Mr. Hildegand, who is neither noble nor royal, want to do with this country?

"I..."

Kamui's questioning was a challenge for Hildegand. I have lived as a Hildegand of the Oriental House. Hildegand has lived up to the right thing to do by pushing and killing vegetarian emotions.

"You don't have to answer that to me right now. I know I'm saying something very harsh. Passing through your thoughts as an individual may mean throwing away your surroundings. Instead of throwing it away, you might end up turning your close family against your enemies. So think slowly. We still have time. We're only twelve years old."

"It's only three years until the adult."

Adults are fifteen years old. And as soon as he's grown up, Hildegand will be married.

"Yes. But I can also assume we still have three years. No, it's more. There is no such decision that you should not change what you decide once and for all. Then people's lives become ineffective to start over. Redo works for life. This is true. For once, I'm an experienced person."

"What are you... Hey, how did you start all over again?

In Kamui's words, the weight is felt. Hildegand thinks about the difference between Kamui and himself, who are the same age.

"Simply put, I died once. It's really painful when you die. Compared to that, most things are bearable. Oh, it's an analogy. If he was really dead, he wouldn't be here. Even if you were there, you're undead. We should crusade now."

Hildegand can't talk about it in detail. Kamui is on his way, trying to delude him with a joke.

"Hehe. Yes, it is."

Hildegand's face is dusted in that Kamui light mouth. That looked like an unusual year-to-year smile.

"Oh, you're also new to vegetarian smiles. The usual smile is nice too, but I prefer the smile now"

"Already. You say that again. I also prefer you closer to the vegetables you are today than you who are in awe. Looks like we're still a long way from real vegetables, though, huh?

"... excuse me"

I had no intention of showing the vegetables, not at all, to Kamui. When he heard about Hildegand and noticed a relaxation, Kamui immediately changed his attitude.

"So no more of that. Can you do me one last favor of the day?

"I'm a little caught up in what I'm saying today, go ahead."

"Call me Hilda. And one by one, so stop talking respectfully."

My last favor was the most difficult one.

"... that's a difficult request, isn't it? Starting tomorrow, if I call Hilda, it will create an extra pry."

To the best of Kamui's knowledge, no one calls Hildegand Hilda in the college. Just thinking about how many repercussions there will be, makes me headache.

"So why don't we just let the family know that you and I are here alone? I wonder what your father would think if he found out?

"... that's a threat, isn't it?

"Yeah, it's a threat. If you don't do this, you'll have to listen to me."

Apart from what we actually do, a sign that Hildegand is not willing to give in so much as mouth this.

"... ok. Let me just call you Hilda when we have a personal conversation."

Understanding that the resistance was futile, Kamui decided to accept it conditionally.

"Yeah, that's fine with me. Nice to meet you, Kamui."

"Am I a caller too?

"Otherwise it's weird. Or should I call you, hey, you?

"Kamui, please"

Hildegand tells others about private matters. Kamui doesn't know how rare this is.

Kamui and Hildegand roads that couldn't have interacted. The path was softly approaching before they even realized it.