Chapter 55

<054. Heart-Pounding Camping Club Plus!>

“Huh?”

Sylph Evergreen Grove.

The herald of Yggdrasil and the guardian knight of Eve. A second-year student in the Knight Department.

Her silver ponytail is her trademark, and her outstanding empathy with nature has earned her the title of "Elemental Knight."

She widened her eyes at the order from her lord, Eve von Loeningen.

Such a disgraceful act is unthinkable for a loyal servant of the royal family.

However, Eve's order was so unexpected that Sylph couldn't help but ask again.

“What did you just say?”

“Wolfram will also join this Black Flag Expedition.”

“Just a moment, my lord. Why did you make such a decision?”

“Hmm. Well, you see.”

Eve's words became hesitant.

To question her lord and even make her hesitate!

This is a matter that a servant should resolve by committing seppuku.

Before waiting for her lord's answer, Sylph deduced and made her decision.

“Aha, I completely understand.”

“Y-You understand? How?”

“I am my lord's sword.”

“...?”

Sylph, who grew up in the evergreen forest.

Contrary to her name.

Born into a noble family and raised in the city, she grasped this truth.

Why Wolfram, a student, must accompany Eve,

She realized the dirty political machinations behind it!

Royal bloodline.

The difference between Eve von Loeningen and Wolfram.

And the complex politics.

“There's nothing we can do. It must be pressure from the royal family.”

“Huh?”

“There's nothing we can do. However, we must engrave this humiliation in our hearts and move forward.”

“?”

Eve had a question mark floating above her head, but Sylph nodded with tears in her eyes.

“I swear by the name of Sylph Evergreen Grove. I will savor this humiliation and walk the path of glory with my lord. Until the day you rule the world.”

“...Ah, um. Thank you, Sylph.”

Though she doesn't fully understand, it seems she has accepted it.

“Ah, then, should we form the expedition team with Wolfram von Loeningen included?”

“Right?”

Eve's words made Sylph respond with a troubled expression.

“As you know, this is our first expedition, my lord.”

“Yes, that's true. We've been enforcing rules on campus, but this is the first time we've learned about an external base.”

“Yet, we have to include Wolfram, an unstable element... His status is terrifying, isn't it?”

“Aha.”

In a certain sense, Sylph was right.

Wolfram von Loeningen's status is incredibly unstable.

To the point where he could be considered a dropout.

However, that doesn't necessarily define his limits.

“That part will be fine.”

“R-Really?”

“Yes. Wolfram von Loeningen's participation won't be a big problem.”

“I will follow.”

At Eve's words, Sylph nodded.

There can't be any mistake in the path chosen by her lord.

However, if her lord, being human, makes a mistake, it's the servant's duty to support her as much as possible after the mistake.

Sylph intended to respect Eve's decision.

Unless it's a major mistake.

As she left the student council room, Sylph muttered softly.

“Please, don't burden my lord Eve any further, Wolfram von Loeningen.”

She sincerely hoped it wouldn't be a major mistake.

***

A heart-pounding expedition day with those who expelled me!

Wow! Today, we're bringing back Wolfram von Loeningen, whom we expelled with our own hands!

“...Hmm.”

I hope they don't suddenly throw a surprise party to execute Wolfram von Loeningen.

Surely, Eve wouldn't do something that bad. My brother trusts me.

But what if the Black Flag claims Wolfram is dead, and the student council all becomes accomplices, and they find Wolfram's body, killed by the murderer?

“...No. This is a problem without an answer. We'll have to see how it goes.”

Though I'm worried, Eve is naturally a person who can't lie. If she says she'll lift me up, she'll really do it.

“Besides, I remember this expedition. There's no harm in going.”

From Kelter's perspective, it was a 2-1 event, and a quite symbolic item drops.

This item is essential to complete the great mission of Wolfram von Loeningen.

Moreover, it's difficult to obtain in the main story except for this episode.

“Hmm.”

It really seems like it will be a heart-pounding camping event.

The students under Eve, who hate Wolfram, and my only ally, Eve, who is my roommate. And then,

“By the way.”

Originally, the second act was called Heart-Pounding Academy or Flirtatious Academy by the players.

“It applies to me in a different way, I guess.”

What can I say? If it's going to be heart-pounding,

Wouldn't the thrill of life and death be more intense than a romantic or flirtatious heartbeat?

***

The next day.

I visited the forest market where the elves of Yggdrasil sell their goods after a long time.

The last time I came here was to sell clothes, right? I miss it.

“...Wolfram? Damn it.”

“Aiee!! Wolfram! Wolfram, why?!”

Thanks for the warm welcome. And what's with the last part? Why are you hiding?

Tsk.

Anyway, I avoided their glances and walked through the forest market.

On one side, new buildings constructed with recent techniques. On the other side, traditional wooden buildings.

City elves and forest elves. The past and present of elves coexist in this market, making it complex yet harmonious, chaotic yet orderly.

In novels, it's usually described beautifully, but to sum up my impression in one word:

“It's a mess.”

What can I say? It feels like a bustling Dongdaemun market with construction going on nearby...

Anyway, I need to buy something today, so I'll get it done quickly and head back. As I walked, I saw a figure.

“Hey, you! It's lunchtime! Eat and get back to work!”

“Yes!”

...Why is he here?

Nepthys put down the H-beam she was carrying and stretched her back and arms.

The sweat glistening in the sunlight. Seeing Nepthys, who looked like a true working youth, made me think, but I pretended not to notice.

We've been meeting too much lately. Meeting you is annoying. Don't break into the convenience store at midnight to argue about profit-sharing.

“Ah, senpai!”

“Hmm.”

Damn, I've been spotted.

“What brings you here?”

“No, nothing much. You're working hard. Good job.”

“No, senpai, you've worked hard too!”

“...”

What did I do to deserve a "good job"?

As I tilted my head, Nepthys grinned.

“Profit-sharing. Thank you.”

“...Ah, right. Since you handled the sales.”

So I gave her an extra 100,000 rin. 400,000 for Nepthys, 300,000 for me and Rudyka.

Rudyka said I could take it all, but that's not possible.

“100,000 rin is my daily wage. Thanks to you, my day has been extended?”

“U-Um, right...”

“Yep!”

She said, grinning.

I stared at Nepthys and tilted my head.

“Did you always have your hair like that?”

“Huh? Ah... I just find it convenient for now.”

“See.”

Nepthys, with her short hair tied in a ponytail. Not her usual wavy bob, but this sharp look. Old Wolfram is envious of such youth.

“So, where are you going, senpai?”

“Hmm. I'm looking for a workshop. A place that sells cheap and sturdy blankets or sleeping bags.”

“...Ah! I know such a place!”

“How do you know? ...Can I trust it?”

“They supply all our work uniforms! My gloves and shirts are all ordered from there?”

“Oh.”

Then I can trust it.

***

After buying a sturdy and durable tent, sleeping bag, blanket, pillow, and heating tools from the Yggdrasil on-site supply shop, I asked for delivery and returned to the convenience store.

I glared at Parte, who was yawning lazily at home.

He scratched his belly with his feet, as if to say, "What are you going to do?" What's with that?

After explaining the upcoming mountain trip, he made a clearly displeased face, but I offered him half a day of freedom, and we reached a labor-management agreement.

“So, you're going out tomorrow.”

“Hmm. This time, it might really be dangerous.”

“...I don't know much about the Sleeping Mountains, but I've never felt a strong presence from that direction?”

“It's about the students who might try to kill me.”

“See. What do you do then?”

“Put me in a cart and run. Don't look back.”

“...Got it. Simple.”

Anyway, after setting up a clean escape plan, I laid out the manufacturing kit and activated my skill.

“What are you making?”

“A hot pack that lasts all night.”

“Quite a lot, huh?”

“Everyone might need it.”

“...? You said you'd be