Chapter 56

<055. A Just and Honest Agitation and Fabrication>

In fact, I was exempt from military service.

Of course, that's only natural. Orphans don't have to go to the military.

However, that means I had the right to choose exemption, and conversely, if I volunteered, I could enlist.

So I enlisted. I was a winter recruit, and I was in the engineering corps.

The reason I went to the military was simple. Since I was going to live and die at construction sites anyway, they said that if I was an engineering corps veteran, I could earn an extra ten thousand won per day working in the office.

Anyway, since I was a winter recruit, I did my training as a private during the harsh winter.

And that's when I realized it.

If you underestimate the mountains at night, you will die.

I'm not joking; it's so miserable that you might as well be dead. Your feet feel like they're going to fall off, and when you inhale, your nose freezes. You can feel the frost creeping onto your eyelids, and you get the illusion that your eyeballs will freeze if you keep your eyes open for too long. Or maybe it's not an illusion.

Anyway, the mountains are dangerous. Especially sleeping in the mountains is even more dangerous.

Despite this, the reactions of all the proud members of the Jefrin Student Council were varied.

"Lighting a fire at night and looking up at the stars must be really beautiful, right?"

"Yeah, you'll see a lot of stars, I bet."

Then someone said, "Stars, really."

"Alright, everyone. Remember, the sleeping mountains are where real monsters come out. Don't think it's easy. Got it?"

"Yes!"

"......"

They heard my advice as if it were a teacher's words before a field trip and answered in unison.

Just like a bunch of sixth-graders.

"But it's really dangerous..."

"Don't worry, Lord. We are members of the Jefrin Student Council. We can all take care of ourselves."

"Sylvia..."

"Please trust us."

"That, really. No, this is my fault. How can I...?"

"Lord. Due to various circumstances, the next expedition will be a few months from now."

"Ugh, ugh... ugh... ugh..."

Steam came out of Eve's head, and she broke down.

"Eve von Loeningen."

"......"

"This expedition is really dangerous. I'm not joking. Do you understand?"

"Yes, I do."

"Then why don't you stop it?"

"There's no budget. No time. We don't know when we can gather everyone again."

Well, that's how administration works.

"Then why are you all wearing school uniforms and shoes? Aren't you going to the mountains?"

"We are the Student Council, so we wear appropriate attire for any situation."

"Is there no Knight Department...? If there were third-year students from the Knight Department, they could have set the dress code."

"According to Professor's instructions."

According to Eve's brief explanation, gathering like this and setting out on an expedition was almost an unreasonable move. Approval from the professors, obtaining information about the Black Flag's hideout, timing the attack, and the cost of the weapons for the assault. Scheduling all the students. Everything had to come together to create this one opportunity.

After her explanation, I could make one inference.

"What was so urgent? The Eve von Loeningen I knew wouldn't have rushed like this. And you didn't even resist the professor's orders?"

"......"

Eve clenched her fists and trembled. Sixteen is a complicated age, indeed.

Anyway, it's partly my fault for the lack of budget.

If things go wrong, I might have to consider helping.

***

The thrilling adventure with about twenty student council members began.

They were the ones who pointed weapons at me and dragged me out of the Student Council president's chair.

They glanced at me as I rode the cart up the mountain path.

"Wolfram...? Why?"

"Shh. Don't make eye contact."

Right, don't make eye contact, and don't pay attention to me.

"Ha..."

"What's so funny?"

As I chuckled, Sylvia spoke up.

She always butts in whenever I talk.

"Not really. I just thought it was interesting how much attention I'm getting."

"...... Do you understand your situation? How can you be so brazen..."

"Situation? I know. I'm an external guest invited by President Eve von Loeningen to join the expedition, right?"

"...... Uh."

"The treatment of guests reflects on the president, Eve von Loeningen. Don't forget that."

"Don't act so superior! Wolfram!"

"Is this how you treat guests? This is the Jefrin Student Council, isn't it?"

"...... Uh. I understand. We will treat you better. But, but remember, we haven't forgiven you. We don't even think you'll be of any help on this expedition!"

"Watch out for the roots in front of you."

"Kyaa!"

Sylvia, who almost tripped, steadied herself by grabbing the cart I was in, and I chuckled.

"You've relied on me, haven't you?"

"...... We won't need your help again!"

"What if we do?"

"...... I'll stake my life on it, it won't happen again!"

Good thinking.

I hope so. Really.

"I don't mind you being hostile, but don't waste your energy unnecessarily."

"What?"

"If you underestimate the mountains, you will really die."

"What do you mean...?"

Well, you'll understand when you experience it.

Let's see. Eve said the hideout is quite deep, and we should arrive by tomorrow noon.

So, we have about four hours of hiking left today?

***

"...... Hii. Hii."

"Phew... phew."

"Ahh... gah!"

Hiking. Four hours of it, with everyone wearing shiny white school uniforms and enamel shoes.

The students who had glared at me gradually lost interest and instead looked at the hill in front of them with even more hatred.

Even if we walk on a paved path in the mountains where our great ancestors slept, how could it be easy?

"Phew... phew...!"

Sylvia Evergreen Grove, though not speaking, seemed to be on the verge of death.

Officially, she is the eldest daughter of a noble elf family in the city, so this might be her first time hiking.

Anyway.

While the professors' insistence on wearing enamel shoes and hiking in the mountains is ridiculous, I can't deny the students' struggles.

So, I decided to sincerely comfort them.

"Didn't I tell you not to underestimate the mountains?"

"Shut up... You're just taking it easy..."

"Hmm."

Well, that's true.

Partush's performance is great. It's pulling well. Even on a paved path, it's doing a great job.

Of course, this is thanks to the low-grade magic stones on Partush's waist. They probably have about 100 durability, and output 1 per hour. So Partush gets 1 magic power every hour for 100 hours. It's a pretty expensive item, but I prepared it for today's expedition.

What can I say? This is like a salaryman working overtime while getting an IV drip.

"...... If you ever break the contract, I might kill you, master."

"Hmm. I look forward to that day."

I hope it comes. Really.

***

There's a saying.

When you say you're about to die, it means you're still alive.

The students gradually stopped talking, and only irregular breathing could be heard.

The looks of hatred towards me, the one riding in the cart, turned to envy and jealousy, and then they realized it was futile and looked away. By the time they forgot about their complaints and were really on the verge of dying, it had been about three hours of hiking.

That's when we encountered our first monster.

We seemed to have come much deeper than when I hiked with Nephty and Rudica. The number of monsters had clearly decreased.

I was curious about the reason, and a voice came from somewhere.

"They fear daggers! While casting magic, get close and stab them with a dagger!"

...... Was there such a pattern?

After a moment's thought, I nodded.

"Rudica must have killed so many. It makes sense."

The fear she instilled in the monsters has come full circle to help the Student Council.

Anyway, we caught a series of monsters. There were no injuries, but the students' faces were filled with fear.

They realized that they had to face real monsters this deep in the mountains.

We still had a long way to go to reach our destination, and we couldn't turn back.

"...... Will we make it? Will we reach our destination?"

"Of course! We just won! We just need to keep winning!"

"...... We have Eve von Loeningen with us. It'll be fine!"

Not good.

They might lose the courage to keep going. If we stagnate and collapse here, it will be a disaster.

"...... Eve, prepare for camping."

"What? But it's still... early."

"Wolfram. What do you know...?"

Sylvia interjected, but I gave her a sharp look.

"Shut up, brat. You know nothing about the mountains. You don't have the authority to decide. I'm talking to Eve von Loeningen."

"...... What?"

"Eve, the students are very shaken. Prepare for camping, have a meal, and give them advice and encouragement. Otherwise, they'll really collapse."

"......"

"The night in the mountains comes early. Once the sun sets, it will be impossible to prepare for camping. Now is the perfect time."

"You're right, Wolfram. I'll start preparing for camping."

"Eve von Loeningen...?"

Sylvia looked at Eve as if she couldn't believe her choice, and I glared at her.

"Sylvia Evergreen Grove."

"...... Why are you calling me?"

"Be reasonable. Opposing for the sake of opposing is disgusting. Was there anything wrong with my logic? Listen now. Once this is over, keep your mouth shut."

"Ugh."

"Eve von Loeningen's protector. Think about her purpose and what you need to do to achieve it."

"......"

"Eve doesn't need incompetent lackeys. If you keep acting like this, I'll recommend to the royal family that you be removed from your position as protector."

"Objection?"

"...... None."

Sylvia clenched her fists and bowed her head deeply.

Good girl.

***

Anyway, we started preparing for camping, and as expected, it was necessary.

"...... How did you manage to... really...?"

"Hmm."

We started preparing for camping while the sun was still up, but by the time we finished preparing the meal, it was already midnight.

The students who had glared at me were now gradually losing interest and instead looked at the hill in front of them with even more hatred.

It's really cold, isn't it? The night in the mountains is no joke.

......

...... Hmm.

I really don't want to do this. But if the kids are anxious, it's an adult's job to calm them down.

"Are you struggling?"

"Ugh, no, I'm not."

"Eve von Loeningen. Hand over the speech. I'll wrap it up neatly."

"Y-Yes?"

"Hand it over."

"...... Alright."

Eve stepped down from the podium, and as I stepped up, everyone looked at me with dead fish eyes.

I scanned the crowd. Wolfram is an adult and needs to comfort the children.

I looked at them, feeling a new sense of emotion.

These were the faces I saw when I first opened my eyes in this world.

They chased me away, oppressed me, and almost let me starve to death.

Now, I'm here to encourage them.

......

"Are these the brats who chased me away and seized power? Gathering in groups, saying they want to go home and see their mothers. What a pathetic sight, you greenhorns."

Encouragement?

Why should I?

"Just four hours of hiking and one encounter with a monster, and you're already losing your will to fight the Black Flag? Don't be ridiculous. Go back to the dorm, wash up, get a good night's sleep, and plan for next time."

My words made the kids even more withdrawn. Some even bowed their heads deeply.

"But at least Eve von Loeningen and I will head to the Black Flag's main base tomorrow morning. Right?"

"...... Yes, that's right. I'll go even if I have to go alone."

"I'll go with you."

As I glanced at them, Eve answered immediately, and Sylvia followed.

"Are you sending just the two of them to the battlefield? Are you the Jefrin Student Council of this term?"

The other students were still hesitant. They want to go in their hearts but are too afraid to take a step.

This is the turning point.

The moment I need to really talk to them.

【The royal bloodline is activated!】

【Then, I'll erase your fear in one go.】

Instantly, everyone's eyes were on me.

"See that cart? What do you think is in it? My camping gear? No. If you're a member of the Student Council, you must have heard rumors. The 【ability-boosting snacks sold by the Tristar Trading Company】. I've brought them."

The murmurs grew louder. You've heard of them. Yes, those rumors spread. Why Wolfram? He's the fiancé of that Tristar heiress! That's right! I heard that too. Thanks, Ayla. It will be easier because of you.

"Eve von Loeningen gave the order, Ayla Tristar made them, and I transported them. With these snacks, 【you will definitely win.】 【Your minds will be at ease.】 【Your abilities will increase.】 【They taste good.】 【You won't gain weight.】 These snacks will 【lead you to victory.】"

As I said this, the students' eyes gradually lost their focus. Soon, more and more of them started saying, "We can really win. Yes, we can win!"

It's working. It's really working.

This is the control of a well-practiced royal bloodline. A skill that implants strong impressions and brainwashes them.

"Moreover, the night in the mountains is cold. But I've also brought something to warm you up. Look. They're heat packs!"

As I said this, I handed a heat pack from my pocket to a student in front, and they passed it around to feel the warmth. ... It's warm. It's cozy.

"With these heat packs, you can endure this cold. No, 【even the cold in your hearts.】"

Of course, they don't have that function in reality.

"【By eating these snacks, you will gain the bravery of the Great Ancestor's companions, the Divine Guard, in tomorrow's battle.】"

If I say this now, it might break the balance.

"【Now, all the reasons for your defeat are gone.】 Or, 【are there still any brats who whimper and want to go home?】"

As I scanned the crowd, one person clenched their fist.

"Can we win? With this, can we win?"

"Can we? No... We can win. We can win!"

"We will win! We'll show Wolfram what we're made of!"

"Damn, Wolfram! How can we put up with this?! We chased him out once! If he's better than us, what are we?!"

"Damn! Damn! Damn!"

"Uaaaaa! We will win! We will win!"

The students clenched their fists and raised them to the sky.

Good, good. That's the right mindset. It's because young people like you protect Jefrin that someone like me, who was chased out, can sleep soundly.

I stepped down from the podium and met Eve.

Her eyes were slightly bloodshot as she walked towards me.

"Was it a speech worth listening to?"

"Wolfram... come here..."

"Eve. I forgot to mention something."

"Uh, hmm. Hmm. Yes, what is it?"

"I'll bill the Student Council for this speech, including the cost."

"...... What?"

"Don't worry. I accept credit card installments from the Central Bank."

Do they even have credit cards?

Anyway.

"Wolfram?"

"What?"

"Go to hell."

"Unfortunately, I won't die until I see how far the roster mate can go with the Student Council."

So we smiled and raised our middle fingers at each other.