Chapter 255: Summit Conference (2)
Laneige’s icy gaze fell upon me. “Dale, I’m disappointed in you.”
I deliberately avoided her eyes and kept my mouth shut. I had made the best move in this situation. Camellia had said she would remodel the entire party house if I just gave her a compliment. How was I supposed to resist that? And it was not like I had lied. She really was beautiful.
As I piled excuse after excuse in my head, Camellia rose from her seat with a satisfied smile. “I’ll speak to Lionel about the party house after this conference concludes.”
“Ah, yes. Ahem.” Swallowing a fake cough, I hurriedly changed the subject. “By the way, when exactly is the meeting?”
“Tomorrow.”
“Tomorrow, huh.”
In my previous life, the Tri-Nation Alliance hadn’t been formed until roughly ten years from now. Camellia’s mere survival had accelerated its formation by a full decade. Moreover, the war with the Republic wouldn’t happen either. When I thought about it now, I could clearly see just how massive an impact Camellia’s death had had on the continent’s political landscape in my previous life.
Anyway, things were changing in a better direction. It felt like some of the stress and worries I had been carrying lately, especially because of the Church of Eternity, were finally easing.
As Camellia turned to leave, I said, “I understand. Then have a safe—”
Cutting me off, she said, “Oh, right. I nearly forgot to mention this. You must attend the meeting as well.”
“Excuse me? Why would I attend a meeting meant only for Masters?”
“You already possess enough power to be worthy of being called a Master, no, even beyond that, do you not?”
“That doesn’t mean I am a Master.”
The title of Master wasn’t granted simply for being strong. Reputation among heroes, influence, authority, and the power base one commanded were all taken into account. To be recognized as a Master, one had to be in a position influential enough to weigh in on matters of national importance.
How would the lowest-ranked cadet at the Hero Academy possibly belong there? An unlicensed cadet hero, and worse still, a bottom-ranked cadet with abysmal grades, how could someone like that ever sit at the same table?
Camellia replied, “Do not worry. I shall take care of it.”
“And how exactly are you planning to ‘take care of it’?”
“Heh. Do you truly think there is a hero who would dare object to my word?”
She planned to bulldoze her way through without a plan. It was reckless, but also very much her style.
“Is there really a reason you’re going that far just to make me attend?” I asked.
“The reason is...” Camellia trailed off, then glanced at Laneige before continuing, “I shall tell you later.”
It was something she couldn’t easily say in front of Laneige. Well, I could hear the reason later. Moreover, even if I attended the summit conference, it would be as an observer at best since I wouldn’t be in a position to voice my opinion.
Nevertheless, there was no reason to turn down a chance to witness firsthand how the Tri-Nation Alliance was formed. This alliance would become the backbone of the hero faction in the coming war against the Demon God’s army. Being able to observe the discussions that led to its formation was an invaluable opportunity.
“Alright. I’ll attend,” I said.
“Excellent. Then I shall contact you again tomorrow.”
Camellia stood up. She waved at both Laneige and me before leaving the party house.
Then, complete silence ensued. With Camellia gone, the party house felt as if it had been plunged into an icy lake in the dead of winter. A biting chill filled the air.
Laneige gently tugged at my collar, biting her lip. “Dale. So, tomorrow, you’re going to the meeting, with the Empress?”
“I have to. It’s a chance to see the formation of the Tri-Nation Alliance up close.”
“Uuugh!”
She seemed to understand how important this meeting was. Though she radiated cold air with an anxious expression, she didn’t tell me not to go. Instead, she had something else in mind.
She said, “Then, that means we still have time until tomorrow, right?”
“Huh?”
“Stay still, Dale.” Laneige climbed on top of me and cutely puffed out her cheeks. “So that tomorrow you won’t get s-seduced by the Empress, I-I should, um, d-drain you dry in advance.”
The words she spoke were downright ferocious, completely at odds with her shy expression. Laneige pressed her lips to mine, snorting with motivation.
Will I even be able to attend the meeting tomorrow?
* * *
The next day, after receiving word from Camellia, I headed to the main building where the headmaster’s office was located.
Camellia, who had arrived early and was waiting near the entrance, frowned at me. “Hm? Why do you look so haggard?”
“I had my reasons.” I splashed my face with water, trying to rouse my exhaustion-soaked mind.
“Hm. Well, as long as you don’t fall asleep once we’re inside, it shouldn’t be a problem.”
“You don’t need to worry about that.” As if I would be insane enough to doze off in a room full of Masters.
Camellia smoothly extended her hand toward me. “Then let us go.”
I stared at her without saying anything.
She continued, “What are you staring at like that? Hurry up and escort me.”
What escort? We’re just going to a meeting, right?
“Are we going to a banquet hall or something?” I asked.
“Seems you think a reason is unnecessary. The fact that I wish it so is reason enough.”
With a sigh, I took her hand.
Camellia rose from her seat with a faint smile. “Hehe. How delightful.”
Still holding her hand, I headed toward the headmaster’s office where the meeting was to be held.
At the door, Camellia said, “Stand behind me and follow as we enter.”
“Yes.”
I followed her into the headmaster’s office. As we stepped in, Headmaster Ryu, Pope Marianne, and Johan Basilio all stood up from their seats.
“You’ve arrived.”
“It’s been a while since we last met face to face, Camellia.”
“My respects to the Empress.”
Headmaster Ryu looked visibly surprised to see me following behind Camellia. “Hm? Why is Dale...”
“I have brought him as my escort,” replied Camellia.
“What? Dale as your escort? No, putting that aside, don’t tell me you intend to let him observe the meeting?”
“Is there a problem?”
“Isn’t it nothing but a problem? No matter how exceptional Dale may be, isn’t this far below the standard required to sit among Masters?”
Headmaster Ryu knew well that I was on a completely different level from the other cadets. That was precisely why he had given me the unprecedented position of Special Operations Cadet, the first in the Hero Academy’s five-hundred-year history. However, this was a completely different matter.
“Below the standard to sit among Masters, you say...” Camellia let out a soft scoff and turned toward Headmaster Ryu. “So, you don’t even know the true level of your academy’s cadets.”
Headmaster Ryu frowned in disbelief, baffled by those words. “What? Are you saying Dale is on par with a Master?”
He rated me highly, yes, but it was definitely not to the extent of being comparable to a Master.
“Hehe. Interpret it however you wish.” Shrugging, Camellia looked around at the Masters gathered in the room. “In any case, I vouch for Dale’s credentials. If anyone has objections, speak them openly.”
“Haa! You really are impossible.”
Pope Marianne nodded with a bitter smile. “Hoho. That does sound like Camellia.”
“Very well. If Camellia insists that strongly, we’ll allow Dale to observe. However...”
Camellia explained, “He will not interfere with the proceedings, so there is no cause for concern.”
Marianne nodded gently, wearing a warm smile. “Yes, please ensure that.”
The gaze of the blond knight in white plate armor, Johan Basilio, the Sword of the Holy Empire, settled on me. “Dale? Dale, was it?”
“Do you know me?” I asked.
“I thought I’d heard the name somewhere before. Turns out I heard it from Camilla.”
“Ah.”
Now that I thought about it, I had heard that during this winter break, the Sword of the Holy Empire had been personally training Camilla.
Johan approached me with eyes gleaming in interest and extended his hand. “Haha. I never imagined I’d meet the famous Dale like this. A pleasure to meet you. I am Johan Basilio, commander of the Order of the Seven Stars.”
“I’m Dale Han. It’s an honor to meet the Sword of the Holy Empire.”
“Ahahaha. No need to be so polite. But you’re quite different from how I imagined.”
“Excuse me?”
Just what had he heard about me?
Johan averted his gaze with an awkward smile. “Ah, um, well. I had heard that you are eccentric, that whenever something happens, you charge in alone without regard for danger... a reckless troublemaker... and a womanizer.”
When he put it out like that, I couldn’t really refute it. “Haha. Camilla must’ve exaggerated a bit since I’m so close with her. You know how it is. Close friends tend to badmouth each other more than anyone.”
“Ah, I see.”
“By the way, how has Camilla been lately? I heard she’s been training under you, Sir Johan.”
“She’s astonishing. I knew she was talented to begin with, but I never imagined she’d grow this much in just a year. At this rate, there’s no need to worry about who’ll become the next Sword of the Holy Empire.” He smiled with clear pride.
It sounded like she was doing well. In our party, Camilla had always lagged behind when it came to pure talent. So, I had been worried about her, but it seemed she was growing just fine.
Camellia frowned as she scanned the room. “By the way, is he still not here?”
One person had yet to show himself, despite the Empress’s arrival.
Lionel sighed deeply and shook his head, as if this were far from unusual. “Hmm. He did contact me saying he arrived yesterday, but, if it’s that rascal, then he’s probably...”
Before Lionel could finish, the door to the meeting room flew open. A strong stench of alcohol instantly flooded the room. Then, an old man with dark gray hair, a liquor bottle in one hand, strode in while laughing heartily.
“Uwahahaha! I got caught up having a drink in Valhalla City and ended up late! My apologies!” he said. “Wow! How long has it been since we’ve all gathered like this? Good to see you all! Hahaha!”
Ignoring the icy stares around him, the old man tilted his bottle back and gulped down its contents. His eyes sparkled as he turned toward me. “Oh? And there’s a young face I don’t recognize. Nice to meet you. I’m the Falling Petal Sword, no, wait. The Last Seat Master. Yeah, that title suits me better!”
As he chuckled to himself, the old man’s shoulders shook with laughter. “I’m Khalid Han, the Last Seat Master.”
Grinning broadly, Khalid Han tilted the half-empty bottle toward me. “Well then, care for a drink, lad?”