Chapter 88

<087. A Blessed Highland>

The pinnacle of imperial education. In Jefrin, the use of servants is generally prohibited.

Of course, this is under the pretext of promoting students' autonomous learning, and to some extent, it is actually enforced.

However, there is a way to completely ignore Jefrin's rules and insert one's subordinates into Jefrin.

One method is to take advantage of Jefrin's leniency towards the formation of factions and create a faction to command one's subordinates.

Another method is for the companion to also take and pass the entrance exam.

Of course, Jefrin's entrance exam is by no means easy.

Since it is held in all kingdoms, led by the empire, and selects outstanding talents from among them, the threshold for admission is hellish for talentless commoners.

Even if one manages to enroll, the brutal pace of the classes makes it a separate matter to advance.

However, there is a region that can easily mock all of this and push people into Jefrin with each generation.

To be precise, it's not a region but a family.

The southern region's assassin family.

A family of assassins so skilled that the first emperor, who was once a confidant, said, "If I hadn't had a single day to prepare, I would have died."

The Hotsan Shadow family.

"Miss Rudyka."

"......"

At dawn.

Rudyka quietly opened her eyes at the sound of the girl calling her.

Turning her gaze, she saw a girl standing there.

They had the same skin color and the same eyes, but the girl was a bit taller.

"It's time to change your clothes. I'll help you with your morning routine."

At those words, Rudyka got up from her seat, shook her head in response, and quickly finished her morning routine before changing her clothes.

Until then, the girl had bowed her head deeply and said nothing.

Cecil Shadow.

A fourth-year in the Knight Department.

A person she once called her sister.

But now, she is merely a servant to Rudyka Hotsan Shadow.

Publicly, they are all known as Hotsan Shadows, but internally, only one person per generation can claim the name Hotsan.

The method is simple.

When the children are old enough, they are made to fight, a fight that could cost them their lives.

The survivor is the winner and is granted the name Hotsan.

However, in this generation, no one was injured or killed.

The reason was simple.

A monster was born.

Rudyka Hotsan Shadow.

She had erased all competition from the start of the current generation.

"What about lunch today?"

"Cecil? If we have time, how about we have a meal together, just us Shadows?"

It was a short suggestion, but Cecil Shadow shook her head.

"That would be too much. Please don't worry about it."

"......Okay. Then I'll go to Prince Wolffram's place for lunch."

"To Prince Wolffram von Loewen格林's residence, I see. I'll inform the other Shadows. Hotsan."

"......Okay."

Rudyka Hotsan Shadow simply nodded.

【Everything for the current Hotsan.】

This is the family motto of the Hotsan Shadow family.

In the same generation, there is only one Shadow.

One must live and die for the one recognized as Hotsan.

The memories of secretly eating snacks together, whispering in the middle of the night under the covers, and playing by starting fights with sand scorpions had to be forgotten due to the family motto.

"Then I'll go. Hotsan."

The servant who was once her sister retreated, and Rudyka let out a small sigh.

It was suffocating.

***

The atmosphere at the convenience store recently has been strange.

I want to ask, "What's going on? Let's find out together," but I don't have the courage to do so.

One of the reasons is definitely Nephthys.

"......Royal Guard. 200 million rin. 200 million...... If you serve for five years, you can earn 1 billion...... You can buy a mansion in the center of the imperial capital...... Five-day workweek with no overtime. Emergency standby is on a monthly rotation...... Balancing my life and work......"

It seems her mind is full of thoughts about the Royal Guard.

Let's just leave her be.

And the other person is our assassin, Rudyka Hotsan Shadow.

She's not doing anything extraordinary, just occasionally staring at me blankly.

"Rudyka. Is there a problem?"

"Ah, Wolffram...... No, there's no problem."

Could it be, did I finally get targeted? Am I going to be killed?

What did I do to deserve this? Apart from roaring once at the noble social gathering recently.

......

......

Is it because of that?

"Rudyka. If there's something on your mind, feel free to talk about it."

"Hmm? Ah, Wolffram, you're being considerate. I'm fine."

While saying that, she smiled slightly more weakly than usual.

No, if you smile like that, I really feel like I'm going to be killed.

In situations like this, I need to do something to restore Rudyka's mood and my karma value.

"......There was a reason for my outburst at the noble social gathering."

"Hmm? Ah, I heard about it. You did well. You showed a good image."

"What?"

"That's what a prince's grandson, who serves the Loewen格林 imperial family, should do."

"......"

But it seems the report has already been submitted and the judgment is over.

So it doesn't seem to be about the karma value.

"......It's suffocating."

"200 million rin......"

I really can't figure out the reason.

Usually, I wouldn't care, but now I'm just huddled in the store, feeling gloomy.

In situations like this, a change of mood is the answer. Going out to eat and have some fun should help, right?

Lee Young-jin, when it was hot and humid in the summer, would rush to the PC room right after his part-time job to enjoy games in front of the air conditioner.

And he would travel to England and America through online road views, and while his body was in the PC room, he would order chapagetti at 3 AM and think, "Wow, this part-time chapagetti is really well-made," making all the other customers at the PC room order chapagetti too.

Ahem. Anyway, when things get tough, changing your mood is the answer.

We three have practiced our teamwork a lot.

There are many places to go, not just the central academy district......

Ah.

"Rudyka. You're having trouble choosing again, aren't you?"

"200 million rin...... Yes? Why are you calling me, senpai?"

"Why, Wolffram?"

Usually, Nephthys would be the one to do this.

"Is there a treasure, or do you want to go somewhere for a change of mood?"

"Change of mood?"

"Hmm. It's a land with small adventures waiting. I promise it will be quite enjoyable."

"......Okay. I'll go to clear my mind!"

"Okay! Let's go, Wolffram!"

Rudyka, Nephthys, and I.

The adventurous trio entered the hidden map 【A Blessed Highland】.

***

【A Blessed Highland】 is indeed an island, fitting its name as a highland.

The starting point is the forest on the outskirts of the island. If you head towards the sea, you can farm seafood. If you go into the forest, you can farm meat or fruit.

There's a small mountain in the center, and at its peak, a boss monster lives.

The starting point is mostly near the beach, in a dense forest that obstructs your view, but the smell and sound of the sea guide you to it.

All monsters spawn randomly, but strictly speaking, the encounter rate differs. The deeper you go into the island's forest, the higher the chance of encountering stronger monsters. However, you might still encounter them near the beach.

"......Nephthys! Hold it for three seconds!"

"Yes! 【Guard Formation: Shock Dispersion: Forced Provocation】"

Nephthys, who is treated as a relatively strong monster, stands with a steel shield.

Rudyka's dagger rushes towards the wolf's neck.

The wolf was distracted by Nephthys, but it finally recognized Rudyka.

However, Rudyka's speed was overwhelmingly fast.

The swish of the dagger turned into a chilling slash, and she repeated it once more.

After leaving two cuts on the wolf's neck, Rudyka rolled back, not allowing a single drop of the blood fountain to touch her, and turned away.

It was a truly impressive combo play.

Our teamwork is really well-matched!

What did I do?

"Senpai! This shield is amazing!"

"It's just a shield made from sturdy alloy."

"Still! It deflects so well! It's so sturdy! It's completely different from the standard issue!"

That's how I provided the item.

"If you like it so much, take it."

"This loyalty! It's yours, senpai!"

Nephthys saluted with a "Hehehe."

It seems Nephthys wanted to exercise, sweat, and relieve stress.

On the other hand, Rudyka's expression remained dark.

This is really tough.

"Rudyka Hotsan Shadow."

"......Yes? Why, Wolffram?"

"You said you were feeling suffocated earlier."

"You heard that? Ahaha...... Yes, I think I did."

"If so, I hope this is a good answer."

Saying that, we left the forest.

The sound of crashing waves.

A small stretch of sand in front of us and an endless expanse of blue behind it.

"......Wow...... Wow."

"Th......This......"

"Normally, to see such a view in Jefrin, you have to leave the central academy district and reach the end of the expedition areas in the east, north, south, and west. But here, it's different."

That's right.

That's why this place is 【A Blessed Highland】.

An island that lives up to its name as a place of all blessings.

"How does it feel to see this sea, which is said to be the most beautiful in Jefrin?"

"This is the sea. I've never seen it before. Gluco was a village. So, there is such a world."

"Nephthys."

"Yes?"

"Partarush can use fire magic."

"So?"

"That means no matter how much you swim in the sea, he can dry your clothes."

"......Ah! T, then, senpai. I'm......"

"Go ahead. Nephthys. Go and embrace nature."

"I'll be back!!"

Nephthys then turned into the wind.

She's young and healthy. I can't do that.

And Rudyka, without saying a word, quietly gazed at the sea.

"Rudyka, have you ever seen the sea before?"

"No, this is the first time for Rudyka. It's vast, truly vast."

"The sea is wider than all the land in the world. Even if the Loewen格林 Empire conquers all the land, it cannot match the depth and breadth of the sea."

"Is that so."

Rudyka finally turned her head to look at me.

"How can you be so knowledgeable, Wolffram? Do you know everything?"

"Hmm."

It's a sudden question.

I don't know everything. I only know D/Z SAGA. I can't say that.

But the setup for this is perfect.

"I have read countless documents, starting from the royal library. If you want to step into the world, you must first understand it, right?"

"......You are a prince. Can you so easily talk about stepping into the world? As a prince, don't you have obligations to fulfill?"

Rudyka.

Suddenly, choosing the right words is difficult.

Is it okay for the concept to peel off like this?

Wolffram is worried.

"Even if that's the case, isn't dreaming free? I studied so much that I could finally see the sea with my own eyes."

"......If you leave Jefrin, won't you have to fulfill your duties as a prince again?"

That might be true, but it's ultimately a story for two years from now.

The final exams for the third year, first semester haven't even come yet. Why are you thinking about after the second semester of the fourth year?

"What? We're still in Jefrin, aren't we?"

"......"

"There are only two types of people who must accept their fate and position in Jefrin."

"Who are they?"

"One is Eve von Loewen格林. The only prince with a position."

"The other one?"

"Graduate students."

"Oh."

Rudyka was genuinely surprised.

I chuckled softly.

"Think about your fate after graduation. It might alleviate your suffocation."

"......Is that so."

"Hmm. There's still a lot of unexplored territory in Jefrin. Even if we go around it all next year, we might not be able to see everything. Enjoy it while you can."

"It's truly vast."

"The sea? Yes, it's vast. Truly vast."

"No...... No. Ahaha. It's really vast. It makes me feel so insignificant."

Rudyka stared at me for a long time and laughed softly.

"Thank you, Wolffram. You are truly vast."

At that moment, I felt like I was hearing Rudyka's voice for the first time.