The Extra Strategist’s Royal Road Chapter 134 – Part 2
Late February, as spring approaches.
‘It really was long.’
Admission to Fensillon Academy, where the main story unfolds.
I initially thought the story would start in earnest from this point, but countless events have already occurred.
What lies ahead was completely unpredictable.
“Have a safe trip. Take care of yourself.”
“Yes, I’ll be back.”
I boarded the carriage heading to Platon, seeing off by my parents.
There was already another passenger in the carriage.
Estelle greeted me with an excited expression. She had been determined to get into Fensillon Academy and barely managed to pass. Although she had confidently said she would beat Erina, it seems that was impossible as she refused to speak about her specific grades.
“It feels like a dream to be able to attend the same academy as Ars again.”
“I’m a bit worried.”
Estelle and Erina gathering in the same place. I couldn’t even begin to imagine what might happen.
“…By the way, Ars?”
“Yes?”
“How long do you plan to keep using formal speech with me?”
“That’s sudden. I use formal speech with most people, not just you, you know?”
“That’s true, but… You speak casually with some close friends. Like with Miss Yumir. And with Miss Eonia. And with Dorofei. But it’s strange that you only use formal speech with Erina and me.”
“Well… It’s like a habit.”
“A habit?”
It wasn’t Ars’ habit, but mine.
Hailed as a prodigy since childhood, I spent most of my early years among older people.
My Go peers were all older than me, and since Go itself emphasizes etiquette, I had to use formal speech even with those just a year older. I barely attended school where I could make friends my own age because I had to play Go.
As a result of only interacting with people older than me, formal speech became my default.
‘I suppose Juras is the same.’
From what I heard from Anton, Juras was also revered as a prodigy from a very young age. I thought his consistent use of formal speech might be for similar reasons to mine.
“Do you want me to speak more casually?”
“Well… I do like it when you use formal speech, but sometimes it feels like you’re trying to keep a distance.”
“Okay, should I speak more casually then? I don’t mind.”
“…”
“What’s wrong?”
“…It feels different. It’s like you’re not Ars anymore. Please just keep using formal speech like before.”
What am I supposed to do?
On the way to Platon, I spent time chatting with Estelle.
Estelle showed interest in my life with Yumir. As if dreaming of her own future. She listened to the stories with a happy face.
“After that, my mother said to Yumir, Yumir Elaine. She said she had always wanted to call her that.”
“Oh my.”
“Anyway, my mother was being overly sentimental on her own. Everyone just laughed, not knowing how to react.”
“Yumir Elaine… Will, will I become Estelle Elaine soon…?”
“Who knows.”
Estelle asked with subtle expectation, but I could only answer like that.
Although I said I’d sort out my romantic relationships, it meant not making things more complicated, not getting married right away.
Marriage isn’t a joke, and it’s too early to bring up that topic.
Yumir didn’t hesitate about marriage because we had been together for so long, but it’s different with the other two.
As for Erina and Estelle, it seemed like some form of conclusion would only come after Fensillon Academy ends, while maintaining our current relationship.
“We still have plenty of time. So let’s get to know each other slowly.”
“Ugh… Alright.”
Estelle nodded, seemingly understanding even if she didn’t like my ambiguous answer.
***
Platon, as the former capital of the old Fensillon Empire, had now established itself as an absolute neutral zone.
While Platon itself was under the jurisdiction of Balas, the city’s shares were divided among 9 kingdoms including Balas.
Therefore, residential areas were determined according to each kingdom.
For example, if the residential areas of the Calliper Kingdom and the Crossing Republic were in the south, Svenner would be in the northwest, and Bülang in the east.
It wasn’t impossible to live in the residential areas of other kingdoms, but students were advised to settle in their kingdom’s residential area if possible.
The mansion I had prepared was a 3-story grand mansion located in the Calliper Kingdom’s residential district.
It was a mansion purchased in advance by Olaf who had already scouted the area, with rooms prepared for each of the vassals.
Only my master’s family and Rutger’s family had set up separate households in the Crossing district.
After unpacking at the mansion, I headed straight to the Fensillon Academy in the central district for enrollment procedures.
“Oh, this is beyond what I’ve heard.”
Indeed, the reputation as the continent’s best academy was not just for show.
The scale reminded me of American university campuses.
There were separate residential areas within the academy as well, and not only parade grounds for military training but also special areas created for hunting and fishing.
Above all, the flower of Fensillon Academy and something that always appeared in the game,
The combat training ground where mock wars take place was inside the academy.
From my current position it was just child’s play, but since even active generals occasionally participate in these mock wars, it seemed like it could be at least a pastime.
Most importantly, the main purpose was to recruit talent. This was a place where all kinds of talented individuals gather.
I was planning to attempt recruitment not only of characters that appeared in the game, but also those who didn’t appear in the game if they had ability and were trustworthy.
“L-look! It’s Wade!”
“What? Did you say Wade?”
The surroundings began to buzz. They were new students who, like me, had come here for enrollment procedures.
As I approached, they backed away keeping their distance as if they were herbivores facing a carnivore.
In the gazes directed at me, there were many looks of admiration, but on the other hand, there was also obvious hostility.
That was to be expected.
Except for Crossing and Calliper, no kingdom on the continent liked Wade.
Beckavia, Alvard, Bülang, and Tunkai had directly fought wars, and relations with Europe were not good because of taking a prince hostage and threatening them.
‘I’ve really made a lot of enemies.’
Ironically, Svenner was the only place with somewhat decent relations.
I was thinking of finishing the enrollment procedures quickly and returning, but by chance, I encountered her.
A beauty with long blonde hair reaching her waist. Her appearance was exactly like the illustration.
‘Rescue Squad Maisen Roypier!’
According to information, she was a second-year student at Fensillon, one year my senior.
I couldn’t understand why she was here where new students were going through enrollment procedures.
‘Did she come to see me?’
If that was the case, it could be possible. I had entered Platon with noisy escorts, so the fact that I had come was already known throughout the city.
Even now, the kids who didn’t know my face realized I was Wade because of these noisy escorts.
And above all, her gaze was like that.
For some reason, Maisen was staring at me intently.
That gaze was filled with hostility, anger, and hatred.
She had no intention of hiding it at all. Rather, she seemed about to burst out with it.
So it was easy to guess that she had come here with me as her purpose. However, I couldn’t understand.
‘Why such hostility towards me…?’
Thump thump! Maisen approached me with quick steps. Then, without a word, she swung her right hand. I was too stunned to react.
Thwap! If Anton, who was providing escort, hadn’t caught that arm, I would have been slapped right then and there.
“What are you doing to Lord Wade? Depending on your answer, I will detain you.”
“Let go of me! I’m… I’m just doing what I ought to do!”
I had no idea why she was so angry.
At that moment, the attendants of the Roypier ducal family came running in panic.
“M-miss. Please calm down for now.”
They seemed intimidated by Anton’s fierce appearance and retreated, taking Maisen with them while sweating profusely.
I watched that scene for a moment, piecing together the puzzle in my head.
The reason Maisen hates me.
The reason Maisen became one of the seven vassals.
After forming a few plausible hypotheses and making some guesses, the truth was quickly revealed.
‘So that’s what it was. Oh my.’
Since it wasn’t certain yet, I needed to confirm with a certain individual.
While I could move past the issue with Maisen for now, it wasn’t the case with another person.
I couldn’t just let it go. Rather, it had already become irreversible.
As I was returning to the mansion after finishing the enrollment procedures, Gaspar brought me that news.
The news of the death of Luke the Master Artisan, one of the seven vassals.
TL NOTE:
Schedule: Everyday
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